Above, the hawks circled, their cries ringing rhythmically through the sky.
Aoyama sneered, knocking aside shuriken with a sweep of his arm. He caught one kunai midair and flung it back at Kakashi. Then, stomping down hard enough to crack the ground beneath his feet, he launched himself forward like a cannonball.
"Lightning Style—Chidori!"
Kakashi's hand erupted with crackling lightning, surging like a roaring storm. It was as though he gripped a giant battle-axe. He brought the blade of thunder down, cleaving Aoyama's returning kunai into sparks before swinging straight toward Aoyama's charging frame.
He hadn't chosen Raikiri, but the slightly weaker Chidori. Not because he intended to hold back, but because conserving chakra was critical—he couldn't afford to burn out too quickly.
But Aoyama no longer cared for restraint. With ANBU surely close at hand, he burst forward. His iron-hard fists smashed through Kakashi's Chidori, and in one swift motion, he seized Kakashi's wrist and drove his knee upward with brutal force.
"Look at that! A giant elephant… Damn it, that's one of Aoyama's summons? Bigger even than Jiraiya-sama's toads!"
"Target confirmed! Rogue ninja Aoyama! If he resists, we have authorization to use lethal force. Move in!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
"Nightingale, you engage first! Buy me time—I need to prepare the Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
ANBU's efficiency was frightening. Within seconds of confirming the target, their four-man squad executed a plan.
Aoyama smashed Kakashi aside again, tossing him like trash to the ground, then charged at the purple-haired kunoichi who had drawn her blade—Nightingale. His eyes were wild, his grin feral, as if he were possessed.
"Leaf-Style Taijutsu—Mountain-Crushing Strike!"
Drawing on martial arts theories from his past life and patching them together with the village's taijutsu, Aoyama had forged his brutal fighting style.
His fists were as swift as the wind—his strikes harder than steel.
"So fast!"
Nightingale barely unsheathed her sword before Aoyama's fist was already upon her. Shock rippled through her chest, but she gritted her teeth and raised her blade in time to block.
The clash rang like a shriek of metal. The sword quivered violently in her grip, nearly flying from her hands.
Aoyama pressed to attack again—but the remaining three ANBU closed in from all sides. Reluctantly, he leapt back, widening the gap to avoid a coordinated ambush.
ANBU teams always worked in fours. That meant one of them would specialize in control jutsu. If he gave them time, he'd be caught. He couldn't let that happen.
Kakashi staggered to his feet, clutching his cracked ribs. He coughed blood, pale and weak, but his voice was steady:
"Be careful. Aoyama's strength is terrifying. Don't let him dictate the rhythm of the fight."
"Understood. Can you still fight? If not, withdraw—the mission's on us."
Aoyama's lips curled.
"The ANBU are right. Kakashi, since we were classmates, I can allow you to leave."
But Kakashi shook his head.
"Sorry. Bringing you back is my mission. Even injured, I can still fight a little. I'll help—don't worry about me."
The first half was directed at Aoyama. The latter, to the ANBU.
They nodded grimly, their eyes flicking uneasily to the colossal mammoth looming above. It looked large enough to crush mountains beneath its feet, yet size wasn't everything. Against a small, coordinated squad, even a giant summon might not be decisive.
Aoyama saw their thoughts plainly and snorted in contempt.
"Kakashi… since you've chosen death, don't blame me. Godzilla! Kong! Attack!"
The two juvenile titans leapt from Behemoth's head like falling meteors, slamming into the ground with a thunderous crash that split the earth.
Nightingale barked a warning:
"Be careful! Intelligence reports mentioned two medium-sized summons—fast, with terrifying strength!"
Even as she spoke, Kong sprang from the crater, snatching up a boulder and hurling it at her mid-charge.
Crash!
She cleaved it apart in a single stroke, shards scattering around her.
Meanwhile, Godzilla had fixed its eyes on Kakashi, who was bloodied and swaying. Like a calf unafraid of danger, the beast lowered its head and charged. A stream of fire jutsu flared against its hide mid-run—but the flames licked harmlessly at its thick scales, not even slowing it down.
"It's coming for me!"
Kakashi's heart clenched. He tried to weave signs, but a searing pain ripped through his chest. Gasping, he twisted away at the last second.
Boom!
Godzilla barreled through an ancient tree instead, splintering it to dust. The beast snorted, shook its head as if nothing had happened, and let out a guttural roar before searching for another target to devour.
The oppressive gaze of the young titan locked onto one ANBU, who scowled.
"Damn thick-skinned beast… They say it can withstand B-rank ninjutsu. Looks like it's true—my fire jutsu didn't even scratch it."
"Enough chatter. If we can't even handle these 'small ones,' the mission's already lost. And don't forget—the big one hasn't even moved yet. That mammoth's bigger than Jiraiya-sama's toads. If it attacks, we're finished."
"Yeah… How the hell did Aoyama manage this? Outside of the three Sage Lands, there shouldn't even exist summons of this scale."
"Now! Secret Jutsu—Shadow Possession: Binding!"
One ANBU suddenly acted. His shadow stretched, warping like a ghost clawing from the grave. In an instant, it slid beneath Aoyama's feet.
The black tendrils surged upward, snaring his wrists like ropes of darkness.
Aoyama struggled, shock flashing across his face as he found the hold unbreakable. His eyes darted toward the caster.
"A Nara clan elite… Ordinary Shadow Possession isn't this strong."
The ANBU's voice was calm.
Yeah. I'm your senior, after all. But since you chose to defect, we have no choice but to drag you back. Don't blame us for being rough. After all… as a rogue ninja, your identity means killing you is permitted.