Chapter 575: Kakashi's Despair
Seeing that Kisame had only lost an arm, Ishiro felt it was a pity.
But he didn't stop.
First, he reached out and used Banshō Ten'in to pull Samehada to him. Then, he used a mass of porcelain mud to seal the sword away.
Trading the Bluntsword for Samehada... this trip wasn't a loss.
After storing Samehada, Ishiro fired another Light Release at Kisame.
Kisame was indeed Kage-level, and his massive chakra reserves made him strong even among Kage.
But he had a weakness: he needed hand seals for his jutsu.
In this era, needing seals for your ultimate moves was a liability for a Kage.
In the original Akatsuki, Kisame was seemingly the only one who consistently relied on seals. Ishiro, for example, had many seal-less jutsu, but Kisame did not.
Without seal-less jutsu, or even the ability to form one-handed seals, how much combat power could Kisame retain after losing an arm?
The answer was obvious. Kisame knew he had lost the qualification to fight Ishiro.
Without a word, taking advantage of the moment Ishiro was sealing Samehada, Kisame turned and ran off the porcelain platform.
Ishiro still had some honor. Although he had hinted for Sakura-chan and Shion to use the Mind Body Disturbance Jutsu on Kisame, he hadn't used the platform itself to attack him.
However, Ishiro didn't intend to let him go. He formed seals for a Light Release and gave chase.
At this moment, there was still one person on the massive porcelain platform who hadn't joined the fight: Shibi Aburame.
Seeing the Mizukage defeated in an instant, Shibi was stunned, then horrified.
He unleashed a swarm of kikaichū to intercept Ishiro's Light Release while shouting a warning to Kakashi.
Kisame could not die in Konoha. If he did, the Konoha-Kiri alliance would collapse. If Ishiro attacked Konoha later with his full force, would Kiri come to help?
So, even though Shibi was just a tool under the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, he had to fight Ishiro to save Kisame.
The Light Release struck the swarm of insects and dissipated, failing to harm Kisame.
Kisame used the opportunity to distance himself from Ishiro, moving closer to Kakashi.
Meanwhile, because Kakashi had placed a Hiraishin marker on the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki beforehand, he had been able to abandon Ishiro and instantly appear by his side.
Kakashi didn't hesitate. After a quick assessment, he clapped his hands together and used Wood Release on Shinnō.
"Fū," he said to the Jinchūriki, "go deal with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
The ANBU-masked Jinchūriki, codenamed "Fū," acknowledged and left without a word.
Shinnō had seen Kakashi use Wood Release on Ishiro earlier, so while he was surprised by Kakashi's sudden appearance, he wasn't surprised by the jutsu.
He knew Wood Release was dangerous; it absorbed chakra, making it the nemesis of Jinchūriki-like beings.
But Shinnō wasn't just reliant on the Zero-Tails; he was also a taijutsu master.
Seeing Kakashi—a Hokage who wielded Wood Release, the Flying Thunder God, and the Mangekyō Sharingan—coming for him personally, Shinnō was confident, but cautious.
He didn't hold back. He opened the Eight Gates. And he opened all eight at once.
To be honest, seeing Shinnō open the Eighth Gate panicked Kakashi.
Kakashi was no stranger to the Eight Gates; his best friend Might Guy specialized in it. Kakashi could open a few gates himself, though the boost wasn't worth the side effects for him.
He knew Guy could fight a Kage with the Seventh Gate. With the Eighth, Kakashi believed Guy could trade lives with anyone in the world.
If he could open the Gate of Death, Kakashi thought, he would have killed Ishiro first.
Based on this, Kakashi assumed Shinnō, with the Eighth Gate open, possessed power beyond Kage-level.
Especially when he heard Shinnō bragging about being able to open the Eight Gates without dying. Invincible?
Kakashi's mind raced, but he couldn't think of a good solution.
So, while battles raged elsewhere in Konoha, and while Kisame struggled under Ishiro's assault, Kakashi, the Hokage, stood in a standoff with Shinnō, wasting time.
He completely forgot that Kisame, Itachi, Guy, and the others were waiting for his support.
Kakashi didn't dare get close. He kept Hiraishin ready to teleport away, only daring to attack with Kamui from a distance.
Shinnō had noticed this ability earlier and avoided it.
With the Eight Gates open, Shinnō's speed was impressive. He dodged Kakashi's attacks and closed the distance to counter-attack.
But the moment he counter-attacked, he exposed himself.
Kakashi blocked with Wood Release, thinking: Is he holding back? Is this the power of the Eighth Gate?
Shinnō didn't know his bluff was about to be called. He thought Kakashi was intimidated by his power. So he attacked even more fiercely and recklessly.
Watching Shinnō's frenzy, Kakashi felt he wasn't holding back. But out of caution, he spent more time testing him.
After a while, Kakashi's mouth twitched. He felt cheated.
This was the Eight Gates? I could beat him without opening a single gate.
Having figured out Shinnō's true strength, Kakashi hesitated no longer. Kisame was waiting for him.
"Wood Release: Birth of a Dense Forest! Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
Kakashi unleashed two high-level Wood Release jutsu in succession, one to restrict Shinnō, one to attack.
And then, Shinnō—who had the Zero-Tails' near-infinite chakra, who could open the Eighth Gate without damage, who thought he surpassed everyone—met his tragedy.
He was first swamped by an endless forest, the trees constantly draining his Zero-Tails chakra. He tried to smash through, but there were too many, and his speed slowed.
Then, restricted by the forest, he was hit head-on by the giant Wood Dragon.
From a distance, Ishiro's Mind's Eye sensed Shinnō's chakra scatter in an instant.
Fortunately, his Dark Medical Ninjutsu and Body Revival Technique had merit. Despite the massive damage, he began to regenerate.
But Kakashi wasn't stupid enough to wait.
He controlled the wood to smash Shinnō's "immortal" body again and again.
Just as Kakashi was about to finish him off, Shibi's warning reached his ears—and Shinnō's.
Shinnō's spirit rallied. He shouted with all his might, "Tsuchikage, save me!"
Afraid Ishiro would ignore him, he added, "I'll trade you the Body Revival forbidden jutsu!"
Hearing this, Ishiro was tempted. Sakura and Karin had learned the medical ninjutsu, but Shinnō had held back the Body Revival Technique.
Before, Ishiro needed Shinnō to cause trouble for Konoha, so he couldn't just rob him. But now that Shinnō was offering... Ishiro was interested.
He thought for a moment. Kisame was getting far away; he wouldn't catch him quickly.
So he reached out toward Shinnō. Instantly, the half-dead Shinnō, who was being pummeled by the Wood Dragon, flew toward him.
Seeing Ishiro intervene, Kakashi frowned. Only then did he notice Kisame had lost an arm. Shocked, he hurried over to check on him.
Kisame looked at Kakashi with an unreadable expression and said nothing.
Kakashi felt awkward, but now wasn't the time for apologies. He called for Konoha medics to treat Kisame.
Then he checked the other battlefields.
Fū (Seven-Tails Jinchūriki) was suppressing Sora (Pseudo-Nine-Tails Jinchūriki). That was reassuring.
Itachi Uchiha was still maintaining his Susanoo, so he seemed fine.
Might Guy and Sōkai were still in a standoff on the porcelain platform.
The only finished fight was between Danzō and Hiruzen... mutual destruction.
Although Hiruzen's death pained him, at least Danzō was gone, removing a major threat.
Seeing the situation was somewhat stable, Kakashi forced himself to calm down.
He turned to Ishiro. "Tsuchikage, this man attacked Konoha. He is our enemy. Saving him makes you our enemy. Please reconsider."
Ishiro sighed. "His name is Shinnō. I didn't know he was the leader of the Sky Ninja or that he had ties to your Sixth Hokage. We in Iwa have no desire to be enemies with Konoha. But... this Shinnō is the medical ninjutsu teacher of two of my disciples."
"With that relationship, and with him asking for help in exchange for teaching my students... I cannot stand by."
"Please understand, Hokage-dono!"
As he spoke, Ishiro waved his hand, and Sakura, Shion, and the others on the upper platform flew down to his side.
Sakura was smart. Before she even reached him, she called out, "Shinnō-sensei!"
Shinnō's current appearance was very different from what she remembered, so she looked at him curiously. She didn't understand how the old man had become this young man.
Seeing that Sakura really was his student, Kakashi frowned again.
Ishiro ignored Kakashi and extended his hand to Shinnō. "Taking you out of Konoha is impossible. But... trading the Body Revival technique for time to heal... that I can do."
Shinnō's heart tightened. To be honest, Kakashi had beaten the confidence out of him. He wanted to run.
But in this situation, he had no bargaining chips.
Reluctantly, he took out a scroll.
Ishiro checked it and stored it away.
He then said to Kakashi, "Iwagakure loves peace. Shinnō has ties to us, so I must save him. But his attack on Konoha is your private feud; I cannot interfere."
"So I can only buy him a chance to recover. After that, whether you fight or make peace... I will not interfere again."
Ishiro was putting on this show for the benefit of the nobles in the audience.
Kakashi knew this, but right now, he just wanted to eliminate the threat of Shinnō. Since Ishiro openly stated he wouldn't interfere further, Kakashi decided to endure it one more time.
But where Kakashi couldn't see, Ishiro was sending another porcelain message to Baki: Leader Baki, did you see? I took the Mizukage's arm. Konoha is down another Kage-level fighter.
Join us now, and you don't need to fear Konoha's reprisal. It's doubtful they'll even survive today.
And even if they do, do you think they'll have the strength to cross two countries to attack you?
Think about it. Konoha's territory in the Land of Wind... Suna's return to greatness!
And the Wind Daimyō will surely increase your funding. Tell you what... after the war, I'll even make Konoha pay you reparations.
Do these three things, and you'll be the hero who restored Suna.
Leader Baki, Suna's rise can't happen without risk. You'll have to face challenges eventually.
But I can't guarantee you'll ever get another opportunity this good.
Baki thought about it, then grit his teeth. He reached out and wrote in a corner where the Kumo representative couldn't see: If we act, who is Gaara's opponent?
Ishiro sensed it and smiled. He replied with porcelain: Don't worry. Suna doesn't need to fight Konoha's Kage-level ninja.
You just need to fight their regular ninja. Keep the Sky Ninja from losing too quickly.
Hearing this, Baki's last hesitation vanished. He asked again: When do we start?
Ishiro replied: Wait. I have one more move. I'll signal you.
Baki's heart skipped a beat. Ishiro still has another move? Is Konoha really finished today?
Baki was torn. He wanted to defeat Konoha, but he feared their total destruction. If Konoha fell, no one could stop Iwa's unification of the world. Suna's fate wouldn't be much better.
But having agreed, and being a man of firm will, Baki gave a look to Gaara in the contestant area.
Gaara was confused. Baki had told him not to act, but now he wanted him to join in?
Still, he obeyed Baki's orders and nodded slightly.
A while later, Shinnō recovered from his injuries.
Ishiro didn't waste words. He took his disciples and moved away from Shinnō, demonstrating his promise not to interfere.
Shinnō didn't attack immediately. He was hesitating. Should he keep fighting Konoha to the death?
After being beaten by Kakashi, he had a clearer understanding of his own strength. He had woken up from his blind arrogance.
Revenge was important, yes. But dying for it? Not worth it.
Before coming to Konoha, he had dreamed of conquering the world. But after Kakashi's lesson, those unrealistic fantasies were gone.
His selfish nature hadn't changed. He wanted to back out.
But just then, the situation on another battlefield changed.
Fū (Seven-Tails) was fighting Sora (Pseudo-Nine-Tails).
Although both were Jinchūriki, the difference in combat power was significant.
Fū was an Elite Jonin; Sora was just a kid.
Plus, thanks to Kakashi's genjutsu on the Seven-Tails, Fū could use the Bijuu's power with far fewer side effects.
Even though the fight hadn't lasted long, Sora was being suppressed. Not only was Sora losing, but Fū had killed many of the ninja who had invaded with him.
Kakashi had been willing to wait for Shinnō to heal because he knew Fū was about to win. Once Fū was free, he could tip the balance of the other battles.
But just then, Fū, who had been controlling the Seven-Tails' power smoothly, suddenly felt a rejection.
Did the genjutsu fail? Fū panicked.
Before he could react, endless waves of Seven-Tails chakra surged out of him.
This went unnoticed by most, who thought he was preparing a finishing move.
Only Fū knew something was wrong. He wasn't drawing this chakra.
He reacted quickly. The Seven-Tails is rampaging!
"Lord Hokage!" he shouted.
Kakashi, Ishiro, and the others all turned to look.
Ishiro wore the same confused expression as everyone else.
But as he looked, he sent the signal to Baki: Now!
Baki saw the porcelain words. He didn't move immediately; he also looked at Fū curiously.
The next moment, to everyone's disbelief, the partially-transformed Fū suddenly charged... at a group of Konoha ninja, slaughtering them in a few blows.
Kakashi's eyes bulged. "Fū! What are you doing?!"
Realizing Fū's earlier shout was a warning, Kakashi knew: the Seven-Tails had gone berserk.
But how? Just a moment ago, he was fine. And... Kakashi checked. The genjutsu on the Seven-Tails was still active.
Why would the Jinchūriki lose control?
But an even bigger shock was coming.
Seeing the Seven-Tails rampage, Baki looked shocked, then took a deep breath and nodded at Gaara.
Gaara leaped out of the contestant area.
In mid-air, One-Tails chakra began to surge from his body. He knew he wasn't strong enough for this war without it, so he went straight to partial transformation.
Kakashi and Kisame saw Gaara charging out, radiating chakra.
Kisame's eyes narrowed. "One-Tails Jinchūriki?"
Kakashi roared at the stands, "BAKI!"
But before Baki could answer, Kakashi spun around to glare at Ishiro.
Ishiro looked guilty, but put on an innocent face.
His expression said: I didn't do anything! Why are you looking at me?!
Kakashi clenched his fists, staring daggers at Ishiro. He had no proof, but his gut told him this was all Ishiro's doing.
Kisame, prompted by Kakashi's glare, looked at Ishiro with suspicion as well.
Kakashi was right. Gaara was Ishiro's work. Even Fū's rampage was Ishiro's doing.
Ishiro had gained Little Chōmei's acknowledgment and could use its chakra.
When Fū used the Seven-Tails chakra, Ishiro realized he could control it.
Normally, he couldn't. For example, he couldn't control Roshi's Four-Tails, only the Little Son Gokū he created.
But the Seven-Tails was different. It was under Kakashi's genjutsu. It was unconscious. This gave Ishiro, who had Chōmei's acknowledgment, the highest level of authority over its chakra.
So, he simply seized control from Fū.
He ordered the unconscious Seven-Tails to suppress Fū and attack Konoha ninja.
So, effectively, Fū was rampaging.
While glaring at Ishiro, Kakashi frantically tried to think of a way out.
But he couldn't find one.
Ishiro was clearly hostile. Sending help elsewhere would be difficult. Even if he could, three Jinchūriki and Shinnō... he couldn't solve that quickly.
Is Konoha going to be destroyed in my hands today?
Watching the three Jinchūriki tearing through Konoha, slaughtering his ninja, Kakashi's heart bled.
Seeing the tide turn, Shinnō decided to stay. He rejoined the slaughter.
Today is the day Konoha falls! he thought. I don't believe they can come back from this.
But just then, a roar echoed from not far away from Ishiro.
"Eight Gates Released Formation! Eighth Gate: Gate of Death! OPEN!"
(End of Chapter)
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