The Sand Shinobi split into two groups: one surged toward the Jinchūriki, while the other advanced on Hayashi.
Seeing this, Hyūga Tenku immediately ordered the sealing team to move toward Shukaku.
Tenku's objective was simple: if the Sand ninjas intended to attack Hayashi, they had to be prepared to risk losing the Tailed Beast. The Sand forces were already outnumbered, yet they still dared to challenge the Leaf—arrogance beyond reason.
Hyūga Tenku had no intention of seizing Shukaku for himself. His goal was to ensure Hayashi remained unharmed. Compared to killing the young shinobi, the Sand ninjas could not tolerate losing Shukaku.
Tailed Beasts were vital strategic assets. No village could afford to lose one in war or peace. Revenge against Hayashi mattered little; retaining Shukaku was paramount.
Ebizo appeared suddenly behind Chiyo.
"Sister, the Leaf's sealing team is advancing!"
A hint of worry crossed Ebizo's face. The Leaf forces, driven by battle frenzy, had abandoned entanglement with the Sand, Stone, and Rain ninjas, focusing solely on controlling Shukaku.
If the Leaf seized the Tailed Beast at all costs, Ebizo's political career, and possibly his ninja standing, would be over.
Why hadn't Ebizo acted sooner, despite the Leaf's overwhelming strength? His mission was singular: observe, control, and, if necessary, retrieve Shukaku. The Third Kazekage had ensured Ebizo was the one responsible for the beast. Victory could be lost, but Shukaku must not.
Now that the Leaf's target had become the Tailed Beast, and the One-Tails Jinchūriki was nearly defenseless, Ebizo reminded Chiyo silently of her priority.
"Alright then," Chiyo finally conceded. "I'll take ninjas to hold them off. You retrieve Shukaku immediately. Once the mission is complete, withdraw. Protect Shukaku, nothing else matters."
Ebizo nodded and swiftly led a squad of Sand ninjas toward the Jinchūriki.
After fierce fighting, under Chiyo's command, the Sand forces managed to temporarily establish a defensive line, holding back the attackers. By the time Ebizo reached the Jinchūriki, the young shinobi was near collapse.
Ebizo sighed. The Jinchūriki would not survive much longer; it seemed abandoning him was the only option. He slammed his hands on the ground.
[Summoning Jutsu!]
A giant sand pot appeared beside Ebizo.
He directed his subordinates to complete the sealing formation. Shukaku's massive sandy body streamed from the Jinchūriki's mouth, nose, and eyes like liquid, pouring swiftly into the pot.
Ebizo sealed the pot with a final hand sign, attaching a special paper jutsu tag that disappeared into the sand. He hoisted the pot onto his shoulder and began to retreat quickly.
Before leaving, he glanced back at his sister, still locked in combat with Leaf ninjas. The Sand ninjas' attempt to deploy Shukaku on the front lines had failed at great cost, and perhaps wisely, for such a volatile force was difficult to control. Fortunately, the Sand had retained much of their strength, while the Stone forces suffered heavy losses.
There will be another day; Leaf, just wait and see! Ebizo vowed silently as he fled.
The Leaf side noticed immediately. Dozens of ninjas pursued him, hoping to recapture Shukaku, a massive blow to the Sand. Yet, this was nearly impossible. Ebizo and his guards could handle the pursuers.
Once Shukaku was taken, the previously scattered allied forces regrouped to resist the Leaf attack. The Sand ninjas, desperate and reckless, fought with ferocity.
"Shinnosuke San, Shukaku is gone," Hayashi said to Shinnosuke, felling an enemy beside him.
"Yeah, that's why these guys are so reckless. They're all rushing toward us," Shinnosuke replied helplessly.
"Then we should retreat now," Hayashi wiped rain from his face. Without Shukaku, they had become the target of every enemy in the vicinity.
It wasn't that Hayashi or Shinnosuke lacked strength. Even without ninjutsu, Hayashi could hold his own for a while with taijutsu. But the Sand ninjas were endless; for every group defeated, another surged forward. Persistence alone would not suffice.
Shinnosuke looked to Hayashi, concerned.
"Then how do we escape?"
Hayashi tilted his chin, noticing a group of Hyūga ninjas approaching from a distance.
"Not bad, Hayashi. Didn't expect you to have connections with the Hyūga clan," Shinnosuke said, patting Hayashi's shoulder. Having grown up in the Anbu, Shinnosuke knew few details about alliances, and he assumed the Hyūga were here to protect Hayashi.
Hayashi's lips curved slightly upward as he thought of Hyūga Himeji. He mused silently, shaking his soaked raincoat.
A cold wind swept across the battlefield, carrying the cries of combatants and the scent of ozone from recent lightning techniques. The rain slicked earth made footing treacherous, yet Hayashi and Shinnosuke moved with precision, their eyes scanning for openings in the enemy's relentless waves.
The Hyūga reinforcements approached with silent grace, their Byakugan eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. They formed a protective perimeter, signaling to Hayashi that the escape plan was underway.
Hayashi inhaled sharply, feeling both relief and tension. The Tailed Beast may have been reclaimed, but the war's danger was far from over. Every step mattered, and survival now depended on trust, timing, and the swift execution of their next moves.
The battlefield seemed to pause for a brief heartbeat, as if acknowledging the delicate balance between life, death, and the shifting tides of power. Then, with renewed determination, Hayashi led the retreat through the rain and chaos, every motion purposeful, every glance vigilant.
_______
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