"He's sleeping soundly."
The massive form of Kokuō lay before him, breathing evenly—clearly fast asleep for quite some time.
Kazuyama descended quietly from the cliff above. The reason he had rushed here was simple: to make the Five-Tails change sides.
Return to the Land of Earth? Not a chance.
He had plenty of options for where to keep the Five-Tails safe, but sending Kokuō back to the Land of Earth was absolutely out of the question.
Kazuyama's presence didn't startle Kokuō in the slightest. After all, he had activated Transparent Escape. Surrounded by natural energy, his body had become completely invisible, his chakra and presence entirely suppressed—undetectable to even a Tailed Beast.
"Chōmei, what do you think? Should I try talking to the Five-Tails directly?"
"Or rough her up a bit first, then talk?"
Kazuyama eyed the enormous creature before him but didn't make a move, waiting for his brother's input.
No one understood a Tailed Beast better than another Tailed Beast.
"Just talk to her. What, are you addicted to fighting now?"
"If you're so eager to hit something, go pick a fight with the Nine-Tails instead."
"With your current strength, even the Nine-Tails wouldn't have an easy time against you."
Chōmei wasn't wrong. Having fully mastered Senjutsu, Kazuyama's chakra reserves were already on par with an average Tailed Beast—and in terms of raw combat power, he surpassed most.
He could go toe-to-toe with the Nine-Tails without batting an eye.
"Alright then, I'll listen to you."
"Yo, Kokuō, how've you been?"
The sudden voice jolted Kokuō awake. Steam erupted from her body, filling the area in a hiss.
But she quickly noticed something strange—the steam spread in every direction except straight ahead, as though blocked by an invisible wall.
"Who's there!"
The deep, booming voice echoed across the area, unmistakably feminine.
"Relax, Kokuō. Why don't we talk somewhere else?"
Before she could respond, the scenery around her shifted in an instant. The dark canyon floor vanished, replaced by endless golden sand.
"A desert?"
"This technique… I remember this!"
Recognition flashed in her eyes as anger flared. The resurrected Kokuō had seen this teleportation trick before—and now she was certain who had come for her.
"Oh, come now, old friend. No need to be angry, Chōmei."
"Go ahead and seal the area."
"Crystal Release: Mirage Space."
Before Kazuyama even moved, Chōmei appeared. A surge of chakra condensed into form as the Seven-Tails materialized above the desert sands once again.
Chōmei spotted Kokuō immediately and burst out laughing.
"Long time no see, Kokuō!"
"Last time we met, it was out at sea. Now it's the desert!"
"Did you miss me?"
Without hesitation, Chōmei approached the Five-Tails cheerfully, completely unfazed by her rising temper.
They'd been through this before—last time, it was Shukaku in the desert; this time, it was Kokuō.
"Hmph! I knew it was you two!"
"I still haven't settled the score from last time, and now you show up on your own?!"
"Fine! I'll settle old debts and new ones together!"
Kokuō stood, fury rippling through her enormous frame. Steam whirled around her as Boil Release began to surge, the air itself growing thick with heat.
Kazuyama had no intention of fighting, but with the Five-Tails in a rage, he had little choice but to act—just enough to restrain her.
"Kokuō, don't get angry."
"What's past is past. Right now, we need to talk."
"Crystal Release: Crystal World."
Kazuyama pressed a hand to the ground. His Senjutsu chakra burst forth faster than Kokuō's could ignite. In an instant, crystalline structures erupted, wrapping around her limbs and pinning her in place.
Kokuō froze in shock. She hadn't expected to be restrained so easily.
She was the Five-Tails—her physical strength second to none, not even the Nine-Tails could boast a sturdier body.
"Even if this won't hold you for long, at least listen for a bit," Kazuyama said calmly.
"Five-Tails, Kokuō..."
...
Outside the Daimyō's Manor, at the Guardian Shinobi encampment.
"Hmph! Three little brats think they can kill me?"
"Mizukurai, let's finish them!"
Kazuma glared furiously at the three figures before him—Kakashi and his team, their appearances altered through Transformation Jutsu.
They had waited a long time for this opportunity, striking when Kazuma was finally alone. He had one companion with him, but that didn't matter.
"Take him down quickly. We can't let anyone else notice."
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Kakashi charged forward first. Lightning flared around him, wrapping his limbs. Thunder became his weapon—this was his current fighting style.
Years of training had long since made chakra control second nature. By tempering his body with lightning, he not only strengthened his muscles but also stimulated them for continuous growth—growth that also boosted his chakra capacity.
"This power…" Kazuma hissed.
"Damn it! Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Even sensing his opponent's overwhelming strength, Kazuma refused to back down. As the captain of the Guardian Ninja Corps, he still possessed skill—but against Konoha's strongest young elites, he was simply outclassed.
The same was true for Mizukurai. Even as another Guardian captain, he couldn't withstand the combined assault of the two Uchiha. Within moments, he was down and out.
Jōnin or not, there was still a vast difference in power.
As Mizukurai fell, the two victors exchanged quiet words—or more accurately, Obito began mocking Shisui.
"How did you ever lose to this guy before?"
"Hmph. He beat me when I was young. Doesn't count."
"Please. You got destroyed."
Shisui ignored the teasing, though he cast a brief glance at the unconscious Mizukurai. He really had lost to him once—but that was long ago.
Their battle was over, and Kakashi's was nearly finished as well. His fighting style was simple and direct.
Every punch and kick struck like a weapon. Cloaked in lightning, he moved with a precision and speed reminiscent of the Raikage—but more refined, lighter, and far more efficient.
That was the path he had chosen.
"What do you think you're doing?! You dare attack a Guardian Ninja?!"
"Chiriku, let's go!"
Two new voices rang out. In the next instant, Kakashi—mid-attack—was suddenly blasted backward by an unseen force.