The three of them leapt down from their summons at the same time.
This time, it wasn't separate attacks anymore.
This was full coordination—six fighters moving as one.
---
"Bastard—take this!"
Tsunade slammed her fist into the ground.
BOOM!
A massive boulder shot into the air.
"Go!"
She punched it again, launching it like a cannonball straight toward Isamu.
---
"Gamabunta!"
Jiraiya locked eyes with his summon while forming hand seals.
Instant understanding.
Oil burst from Gamabunta's mouth.
"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Flames ignited the oil—turning into a blazing inferno far stronger than normal Fire Release.
And then—
"Orochimaru!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Wind fed the flames.
The fire roared.
What started as a strong technique instantly escalated into an S-rank firestorm—a raging sea of destruction.
---
Meanwhile—
Manda and Katsuyu prepared their follow-ups.
Everything was timed.
Everything was layered.
---
Facing it all, Isamu didn't panic.
He approved.
"Good… your coordination has improved."
Then his tone turned cold.
"But you're still too green."
---
SWING—!!!
Susanoo's blade carved forward.
The incoming boulder—
Split in half.
The raging inferno—
Cut cleanly down the middle.
An S-rank technique… severed like paper.
---
But instead of frustration—
The trio smiled.
"We got him."
---
BOOM!
Manda erupted from underground.
His tail wrapped around Susanoo's leg again.
"Fall!"
---
"Tch—this again?" Isamu frowned, clearly annoyed.
He moved to counter—
But—
CRASH!
Katsuyu slammed directly into Susanoo's chest.
The massive avatar tilted.
Manda pulled harder.
And this time—
BOOM!
Susanoo fell.
---
"It's not over yet!"
Tsunade launched forward.
She landed directly in front of the falling Susanoo—
And unleashed a barrage.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Punch after punch after punch.
Ten consecutive strikes.
Each one cracking the armor further—
Until finally—
CRACK!
The outer shell in front of Isamu shattered.
That was the opening.
Tsunade immediately retreated.
---
"Gamabunta—now!"
Jiraiya leapt back onto his summon.
"Understood!"
They jumped high into the air.
"Water Release: Water Gun Technique!"
Two high-pressure water blasts fired downward.
---
Orochimaru followed instantly.
"Ninjutsu: Twin Snakes Mutual Death!"
Two giant snakes coiled tightly around Susanoo—
"Explode!"
---
BOOM!!!
The snakes detonated.
Water blasts struck.
The already-damaged Susanoo collapsed fully.
Dust and smoke engulfed everything.
---
Silence.
Tension.
Six figures stared into the smoke.
"This time… it worked," Jiraiya said quietly.
---
Inside the dust—
Isamu sighed.
"…I held back too much."
That's the problem when you underestimate coordinated opponents.
Even weaker fighters—if perfectly synchronized—can force openings.
---
The Susanoo faded.
He dismissed it.
Time to switch methods.
---
Meanwhile—far from the battlefield.
"WHAT?! He's appeared already?" Raikage Ay barked.
"Where's the main force?!"
"They've engaged the Uchiha forces, sir," the assistant replied quickly. "After initial losses, they've stabilized and are now pushing them toward Isamu's position."
That was exactly what Ay wanted to hear.
"Hahaha! Good!"
The momentum was shifting.
"Prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique. I'm going personally."
The assistant hesitated.
"My lord… that technique compresses space violently. It can severely damage the body—"
"I said prepare it."
No hesitation. No fear.
That's Ay.
Then he turned to Hiruzen.
"You coming?"
"Hmph. If you can handle it, so can I."
Bad move.
He didn't even know what he was agreeing to—but pride locked him in.
Ay noticed.
And smiled slightly.
---
Moments later—
Both stood inside the teleportation array.
"Ready."
The runes lit up.
Space twisted—
And they vanished.
---
Elsewhere, the remaining Kage also moved out, heading toward Isamu.
The battlefield was about to escalate again.
---
Back on the frontlines—
Sakumo Hatake led the charge.
Thousands of Shinobi pressed forward relentlessly.
The Uchiha fighters—though incredibly strong—were being pushed back.
Not retreating.
Forced back.
That's an important difference.
They weren't breaking.
But they were losing ground.
---
Isamu sensed it immediately.
"Their chakra is dropping…"
Even with Tailed Beast cloaks, numbers matter.
Too many enemies.
Too much pressure.
---
He made a decision.
Two fingers raised.
Chakra linked.
Eyes closed.
A command transmitted instantly:
"All Uchiha—fall back. Regroup at my position."
---
"ROAR!!!"
The Uchiha fighters disengaged instantly.
No hesitation.
No argument.
They turned—and ran toward Isamu.
---
Behind them—
The Allied Forces surged forward.
"They're running!"
"Chase them!"
"Don't let them escape!"
Like a tidal wave—
Thousands of Shinobi poured forward.
---
This is where most people get it wrong.
They think retreat = weakness.
But here?
This isn't retreat.
This is consolidation.
And if you can't tell the difference…
You're about to walk straight into something far worse.