"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"
A colossal shark formed entirely of water burst forth, clamping its jaws onto the Three-Tails' tail. It thrashed violently, forcing the beast to change direction. The Three-Tails' massive body slammed into the ground with a deafening boom.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A gargantuan stone dragon rose from the earth, colliding with the tailed beast.
"ROAR!"
The Three-Tails roared in fury. On its back, the Third Mizukage's form emerged slowly. The beast was rejecting him, severing their connection. It sought to break free from its seal once and for all, to roam untamed.
Seeing this, the Kirigakure ninjas redoubled their attacks. If the Third Mizukage was completely ejected, there would be no saving him. His body was already on the verge of collapse; losing the tailed beast would surely kill him. It was a known truth—jinchūriki who lost their tailed beasts rarely survived.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Pressure Wave!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!"
"Water Release: Thousand Killing Water Shuriken!"
Water-based jutsu rained down, but the Three-Tails boasted the strongest defenses among the tailed beasts. The attacks barely scratched its hide. For now, capturing it seemed impossible. Its three tails lashed out, kicking up dust and sending scores of Kirigakure ninjas flying.
"Serves them right," Orochimaru chuckled, observing the chaos.
Seisuke, seated nearby in sage mode, felt the chakra signatures of the fallen fading. "Most of them are dead. Only a few remain."
"Expected. Tailed beasts wield the most destructive power in the world," Orochimaru replied. "Only Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha could single-handedly subdue a tailed beast. No one else possesses such strength."
Seisuke recalled the aged Madara Uchiha and sighed. Time spares no one. Yet even on the brink of death, Madara had fought for his dreams. Age is but a number, it seems.
Suddenly, Seisuke stood up. Glancing at Orochimaru, he grit his teeth and charged forward. Orochimaru arched an eyebrow but followed.
Just a minute prior...
The Three-Tails' tail slammed down again. Mei Terumī was shoved out of the way by Gengetsu Hozuki, who was crushed into a puddle. The blast wave sent Mei flying.
Stabilizing herself mid-air, Mei locked eyes with the Three-Tails. Desperate, she shouted, "Lava Release: Melting Monster Technique!"
A torrent of acidic slime drenched the beast, corroding its tough hide with a hiss. Enraged, the Three-Tails targeted Mei, swinging its tail at her.
Mei closed her eyes, smiling bitterly. This is it...
But instead of pain, she felt weightless. Opening her eyes, she saw Seisuke's face—his golden snake eyes filled with concern.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yes. Why did you come back?"
"I can't let a friend die in front of me," Seisuke said, setting her down.
Mei clung to his ,legs trembling. Seisuke coughed awkwardly. "You should retreat."
"No! I can't!" Mei insisted.
"Your presence here is useless. You'll only get in the way, like before."
"Seisuke-kun might actually be of some use," Orochimaru purred, approaching.
Seisuke coughed again. "Oh, Orochimaru-sensei, what brings you here?"
"I came to see why you rushed back. Interesting choice—a girl with two Kekkei Genkai." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with predatory interest. Seisuke knew that look—it was the gaze of a scientist eyeing a lab rat.
Mei shivered, hiding behind Seisuke. She knew of Orochimaru, the cold-blooded Sannin. How could this playful, sometimes lecherous Seisuke be his disciple? He seemed more suited to be Jiraiya's student.
"Cough... Sensei, I'm a Konoha ninja. I won't throw my life away," Seisuke said.
"Then why save an enemy?" Orochimaru sneered. "This reeks of Jiraiya's sentimentality."
His icy gaze made Seisuke's skin crawl.
"She saved my life once. This evens the score," Seisuke lied.
"Really? A Kirigakure ninja saving a Konoha operative? Unheard of in all my years of war."
Indeed, Orochimaru had never witnessed such a thing. In his experience, enemy ninjas either killed or were killed. Acts of mercy were suicidal.
"I owe her nothing," Mei said, stepping forward. "We're even now."
She felt Orochimaru's suspicion. Seisuke had saved her too many times. She couldn't risk endangering him further.
"Precisely. Which makes you the perfect test subject," Orochimaru hissed. A small snake slithered from his mouth, transforming into a blade dripping with malice.
He tossed the Kusanagi sword at Seisuke's feet. "Kill her, Seisuke-kun. Prove your loyalty to Konoha."
"Ah... Sensei, my loyalty is absolute."
"I don't believe you."
"Yes, you do."
Orochimaru: "..."
Damn it, not the time for jokes!
"Kill the girl, or consider yourself exiled from Konoha," Orochimaru snarled.
Seisuke stared at the sword, silent. Mei closed her eyes, resigned. It ends here.