Strictly speaking, as the Mangekyō Sharingan develops further without external enhancements, Susanoo evolves through six distinct forms.
Back in Kirigakure, to withstand incoming ninjutsu, Hayashi had already manifested the initial stage, where only the ribs and arms took shape. The second stage forms a complete skeletal giant, but Hayashi had skipped that step entirely. Instead, he advanced further, layering chakra over the skeleton to create muscles and a flowing cloak-like exterior.
At this level, Susanoo could already wield unique weapons and utilize advanced techniques. However, it still lacked the Karasu Tengu armor of the fourth stage and did not possess the lower body and legs that appear in the fifth stage.
It was not that Hayashi was incapable of progressing further, rather, it was unnecessary. The higher stages drained too much ocular power, and conserving strength in battle was far more practical.
The scale of Susanoo varied depending on the user and their mastery. Legends spoke of the Sage of Six Paths manifesting a Complete Body Susanoo that rivaled the Ten Tails in size. Hayashi's version was incomplete and lacked legs, yet due to his immense chakra reserves, it still towered dozens of meters high.
When something of that magnitude appeared on the battlefield, it brought an overwhelming sense of dread.
At that moment, the shinobi of Sunagakure were reminded of what it felt like to stand before something far beyond human scale.
Ebizo, who had maintained his composure from the beginning, could no longer hide his reaction. His eyes trembled as he spoke.
"Susanoo...?"
His voice carried disbelief.
That ability could only be used after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Could it be that Konoha's Lightning Flash had already reached that level?
Nearby, the Third Hokage watched with concern. He already knew Hayashi possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he had not expected such mastery. The power was undeniable, but so were its risks. After this battle, a warning would be necessary.
Inside the towering Susanoo, Hayashi stood with his arms crossed, his expression unchanged.
Despite his calm appearance, intense pain coursed through his body. Fortunately, his strong vitality allowed him to endure it. Compared to the strain of the Eight Gates, this pain was slightly more manageable.
That alone spoke volumes about how monstrous Might Duy and Might Guy truly were.
Hayashi trained in taijutsu daily and could open several of the Eight Gates to enhance speed and power, but the final gate remained far beyond reach.
After blocking the barrage of ninjutsu, Hayashi did not immediately counterattack with a weapon. Instead, the massive Susanoo extended its hand and reached toward Rasa as if grabbing a small animal.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Rasa used the Body Flicker Technique and barely avoided the grasp. His hands moved quickly through seals.
The stronger the technique, the greater the cost.
He refused to believe Hayashi could maintain this form for long.
"Magnet Release: Lapis Lazuli Shatter!"
A vast amount of gold dust surged forward, wrapping around the blue giant before compressing inward with crushing force.
Hayashi let out a faint chuckle.
"You think something like this can shake Susanoo?"
The attack struck directly.
Boom. Boom.
The impact echoed across the battlefield, yet the Susanoo remained completely intact, without even a scratch.
Rasa's expression shifted. A trace of unease appeared as he quickly began forming seals again, gathering even more chakra for a stronger attack.
But before he could act, Hayashi had already completed his own technique.
Fire Release: Great Spiral Flame Bullet!
The spiraling motion of Susanoo's power distorted the trajectory of the flames, while wind nature chakra amplified their speed and expansion. In an instant, the attack surged outward into a massive inferno.
A sea of fire engulfed the battlefield, trapping the Sunagakure shinobi within its reach.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Defensive Wall!"
Rasa had no choice but to abandon his offense. The gold dust around him surged upward, forming a massive barrier to block the flames.
Even so, the cost was heavy. His chakra reserves dropped sharply, and his combat ability was rapidly diminishing.
Looking up at the towering figure, Rasa's eyes darkened.
This was not something that could be overcome by conventional strength.
Fear crept in again, deeply rooted and impossible to ignore.
Without hesitation, he turned and fled.
Hayashi made no attempt to pursue.
Without legs, Susanoo's movement relied entirely on his own steps, making it slow and inefficient. Long range attacks were an option, but they consumed too much ocular power to use repeatedly.
At the same time, more Sand shinobi were gathering, preparing to launch coordinated attacks. Even Susanoo could be threatened if overwhelmed from all directions.
After a brief moment of thought, Hayashi decided to test something new.
This was not a Susanoo ability, but a technique he had learned from Tsunade.
Monstrous Strength.
The Susanoo slowly raised its right hand and clenched it into a fist.
Then it struck the ground.
Bang.
A visible shockwave spread outward. The defensive wall Rasa had created was instantly torn apart.
The fist continued downward, smashing into the earth and forming a massive crater.
The Susanoo raised its fist again.
This time, slightly higher.
Boom.
The ground shook violently within miles. Dust filled the air as cracks spread in every direction.
That was only the second strike.
Hayashi stepped forward, dragging Susanoo along. With each step came another punch, each one heavier than the last.
The tremors felt like repeated blows to the heart. Rasa could barely stand, and the vibrations made it difficult to even think.
Even the Third Hokage and Hanzō were forced to halt their movements, focusing entirely on maintaining their footing as the ground continued to fracture beneath them.
The Sand shinobi fell into complete disarray.
Ebizo abandoned his engagement and rushed toward Sasori's position without hesitation.
Still, Hayashi did not stop.
After building enough momentum, he planted his foot firmly and threw one final punch.
Boom.
A massive shockwave spread outward like ripples across water. The air itself twisted under the force, and the sound echoed across the desert.
High above, vultures circling for prey collided with the invisible force and were instantly torn apart.
Within several hundred meters, nothing remained standing.
Rasa lay on the ground, his face pale as he stared at the sky, completely speechless.
His expression carried only one thought.
Please, just stop.
Moments later, the Susanoo finally faded.
Hayashi stepped forward across the shattered ground.
Fifteen steps.
That was all it took to end the battle.