"Bastards—!!"
In front of the Tsuchikage Tower, Ōnoki stared at the building wrapped in countless wooden bindings, now completely engulfed in flames. His entire body trembled with rage.
"Who did this?! I swear I'll tear them apart piece by piece!"
The scale of the loss was something he had never even imagined. His fury was already beyond control.
The Kage Tower was not just a building.
It was the symbol of a Great Village's authority—its political core, its dignity.
Konoha had the Hokage Rock, yes, but that was symbolic.
The Hokage Tower itself was irreplaceable.
Ōnoki didn't know how other villages' Kage Towers were faring—but his had just been burned down right under his nose.
"What exactly happened?! Speak!"
His killing intent exploded outward, forcing the surrounding Iwa shinobi to stiffen in fear.
Among the crowd, Deidara, who had rushed over excitedly after seeing the fire, couldn't help but shiver.
This was the first time he had ever seen the old man this angry.
Even someone fearless like him felt intimidated.
"Deidara-niisan?"
Kurotsuchi spotted him standing awkwardly at the edge of the crowd and immediately ran over.
She didn't like being near her grandfather when he was like this either—but she knew the situation was extremely serious.
"What's going on?" Deidara asked in a low voice.
"And… is the old man going to be okay?"
"He'll be fine," Kurotsuchi snapped, glaring at him before sighing.
"But the situation tonight… it's bad. Really bad."
Bad?
Deidara's eyes lit up instead.
Trouble was good.
Trouble meant action.
Action meant art.
But before he could get excited—
"Wood Release?!"
Ōnoki suddenly roared.
The shout instantly drew Deidara and Kurotsuchi's attention.
They both knew the legends of Wood Release. Ōnoki had told them many times.
They also knew Kitsuchi had once been captured by it.
But Wood Release was supposed to be Konoha's power.
Why was it appearing inside Iwagakure?
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama," an Iwa kunoichi replied shakily.
"It was Wood Release."
"When it happened, massive trees burst out of the ground, surrounding the Tsuchikage Tower almost instantly, and then—"
"That's enough," Ōnoki interrupted coldly.
"I understand."
His gaze darkened to the extreme.
As far as he knew, the only person alive who fit this description was Danzo Shimura's subordinate in Konoha.
Kitsuchi had already shared his suspicions, though Ōnoki hadn't fully believed them at the time.
After all—if he were Hiruzen Sarutobi, such a talent would never be allowed to fall into someone else's hands.
But—
Danzo and Hiruzen were old classmates.
Danzo dared to make moves even during official negotiations.
Who could really say which side that monster belonged to?
Now, though, the answer seemed clearer.
Danzo had been dissatisfied with the final negotiation results.
And this—
This looked exactly like retaliation.
"But why act so recklessly…?"
Ōnoki couldn't understand it.
This was madness.
Was it pressure?
A political threat?
Or some deeper, hidden plan?
He didn't care anymore.
"There's only one thing I know," Ōnoki growled.
"I will kill them. Every last one. They will not escape."
He clenched his fists—
Then another ANBU rushed in.
"Tsuchikage-sama! Bad news!"
"What now?!" Ōnoki snapped.
He felt his blood pressure skyrocketing. Tonight had been unbearable.
"The forest behind the village—"
"It's on fire, I know!" Ōnoki barked.
"They clearly have accomplices. Put it out and capture them already! What are you waiting for?!"
"But—Tsuchikage-sama—Han-sama is there."
"Han?" Ōnoki paused.
"Isn't that even better? What's the problem—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His face changed instantly.
A deafening roar echoed through Iwagakure.
Everyone turned—
From the burning mountain range behind the village, a massive white beast leapt into the air, its body like a small mountain.
Five tails lashed violently behind it as it howled toward the silver moon.
"Senior… where are we going now?"
"Shut up. Let me think."
Before Ōnoki arrived at the scene, Kakashi and Tenzo had already disguised themselves as Iwa shinobi and begun retreating at full speed.
With Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan, finding an escape route was easy.
Anyone in their way was simply dropped with genjutsu.
At least for now, their escape was smooth.
Most importantly—
They didn't have the "criminal psychology" of returning to the crime scene to admire their work.
Under Kakashi's lead, their only thought was:
Run as far as possible.
Because Kakashi knew—
They had really crossed the line this time.
"I should just die…"
The image of the burning Tsuchikage Tower made his scalp go numb.
If the Hokage Tower in Konoha were burned like that—
The village would descend into chaos.
He deeply regretted it now.
Why had he used Fire Release?
Why had he listened to Tenzo and escalated things?
"Senior, careful—someone's coming!"
Tenzo whispered excitedly.
They immediately hid, waiting until the patrol passed before moving again.
"This won't work," Kakashi muttered.
"There are more and more people."
Once a sensory ninja checked their transformation…
They'd be finished.
His eyes shifted toward the burning mountains.
"That fire… that should be Shisui's group."
After a moment's thought, Kakashi made a decision.
"We head to the back mountain. Shisui and Yūgao are there."
"We regroup first. Cover each other if things go wrong."
"And wait for Ren's support."
"That makes sense," Tenzo nodded.
"Running blindly is more dangerous."
"But there will be a lot of people there too…"
"We'll be careful."
Kakashi didn't want to talk anymore.
Tenzo had already given him a headache.
Honestly, it made sense—
Danzo had once been Tenzo's superior.
How could someone raised by that man be normal?
"At least Shisui and Yūgao are proper ANBU…"
He paused.
"…Well. Properly trained ANBU. Slightly better, at least."
Root shinobi were all extreme.
ANBU, comparatively, were stable.
Or so he hoped.
As they approached the back mountain, something felt wrong.
Iwa shinobi were scattered all over the ground.
Unconscious. Defeated.
And from the burning mountain range—
A terrifying chakra was spreading.
"…This is bad."
A horrible premonition crept into Kakashi's heart.
Monster roars echoed through the flames.
But they had no choice.
"Move faster," Kakashi said grimly.
"More people are coming."
"Also—be ready to fight—"
"Uh… Senior."
Tenzo suddenly pointed ahead, eyes shining.
"I don't think we'll need to fight."
"…What?"
Kakashi followed his gaze—
And froze.
A massive beast radiating green chakra was being completely suppressed.
Its body was white, dolphin-like yet horse-shaped, with five tails swaying weakly behind it.
The Five-Tails.
And its eyes were unfocused.
It had been hit by genjutsu.
"…You're here?"
Shisui turned his head, having sensed them.
"This is Iwagakure, after all."
"Kakashi-senpai. Tenzo."
Yūgao emerged nearby, clearly worn—she had fought off many Iwa shinobi already.
Kakashi nodded stiffly, eyes never leaving the Five-Tails.
Tenzo, on the other hand, waved enthusiastically.
"Perfect timing," Shisui said, wiping blood from the corner of his eye.
"Tenzo—come here."
"You have Wood Release. Help suppress it."
"Its resistance is too strong for genjutsu alone."
"Yes!"
Tenzo rushed over instantly.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
"Hey—wait—don't mess around!"
"I know what I'm doing," Shisui replied calmly.
Tenzo had already activated Wood Release, binding the Five-Tails completely.
Shisui continued evenly:
"We're following Jiraiya-sama. He's inside the village alone."
"Shouldn't we provide cover?"
"And what's better cover than a tailed beast?"
"…!"
Kakashi stared at him in disbelief.
Have you lost your mind?!
He turned to Yūgao, hoping for backup.
She said nothing.
Just quietly stepped closer to the beast.
You too?!
Moments later—
The Five-Tails' struggles slowed.
Shisui's Mangekyō spun clearly.
The beast's pupils shifted—
Becoming the pattern of Shisui's eyes.
"…Done."
Shisui jumped onto the Five-Tails' head.
Then paused.
"…No. I should say—let's properly cover Jiraiya-sama."
Kakashi watched numbly as Tenzo climbed up too.
Yūgao followed cautiously.
Am I the only normal one here?
"Senior, what are you waiting for?" Shisui asked.
"We still have a mission."
"…Yeah."
Kakashi stepped forward.
As he felt the terrifying chakra beneath his feet, his heart sank.
We're done for when we get back.
Ren didn't know what Kakashi's team was thinking.
Right now, he was experiencing something entirely new.
A golden figure flashed continuously across the battlefield.
Ren was fighting Orochimaru and multiple Akatsuki members simultaneously—
And still holding the advantage.
His speed was simply overwhelming.
"So this is what it feels like…"
Yang Release · Chakra Mode.
He had researched it for a long time.
Ever since acquiring Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he had been refining, fusing, modifying.
Until today, he hadn't been certain of the outcome.
But now—
This battlefield was the perfect test.
His speed, strength, perception—even jutsu power—
Everything was amplified.
Curse Mark as a base.
Sage power inherited.
Dragon Vein expanding his chakra.
And above all—
Yang Release, explosively enhancing vitality.
"The drawback is obvious," Ren thought calmly.
"The consumption is huge. Duration is short."
This was a test version.
Unstable.
Unrecorded by the system.
But—
It was more than enough.
Even Orochimaru and the Akatsuki were under immense pressure.
Elsewhere—
"Konan… it's you?"
Jiraiya froze when he saw her.
"I was told you three were dead."
"…."
Konan looked at him silently.
She had known this meeting would happen someday.
She just hadn't expected it to be now.
"Come back to Konoha," Jiraiya pleaded.
"This organization won't be spared."
"Foolish?" Konan sighed softly.
Her body scattered into countless paper sheets.
"Teacher… you're the one who doesn't understand."
Paper stormed toward him.
"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizō!"
Jiraiya defended, heart heavy.
"I can't help Ren right now…"
He glanced down—
Then twitched.
"…Actually. He doesn't need it."
Back on the battlefield—
Ren's Wood Clones charged, fists blazing with golden light.
Meanwhile, his real body casually appeared beside Kakuzu.
"Nice performance."
Kakuzu forced a grin.
"Boss… this is dangerous."
"I know," Ren nodded.
"But your job's done. Mine too."
"Prepare to withdraw."
Kakuzu understood instantly.
Ōnoki was coming.
Time was up.
Ren formed seals.
"Let's end this properly."
The ground shook.
"Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!"
A colossal wooden giant rose from the earth.
Silence fell.
Even Orochimaru trembled—eyes burning with obsession.
"So this… is naturally awakened Wood Release…"
Then—
A massive white figure arrived.
The Five-Tails, standing beside the Wood Golem.
On its head—
Shisui.
Yūgao.
Tenzo.
Kakashi.
"…You guys?"
Shisui waved cheerfully.
"We're late."
Akatsuki broke first.
"Retreat!" Konan shouted.
No one argued.
They fled instantly.
Then—
A short figure descended from the sky, stopping abruptly.
Ōnoki.
He stared at the three titans:
Wood Golem.
Five-Tails.
Gamabunta.
Cold sweat ran down his face.
"…Is Iwagakure finished tonight?"
And a terrifying thought crossed his mind—
Is Konoha… about to return to its past glory?
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