"The Sand Village really doesn't hold back… The Third Kazekage himself, and that brown-haired one manipulating gold dust — must be Rasa, the Fourth. And those puppet masters— damn, that's a lot of elite shinobi. Still, Roshan… you really live up to your name. Even in this world, you're one hell of a boss."
Lock crouched behind a boulder, watching the valley below. For over an hour now, Sunagakure's forces had been attacking in relentless waves. The ground was scorched from explosive tags, the air thick with metallic sand and dust. Even from his concealed spot, he could feel the tremors under his boots.
He'd slipped into the melee earlier, pretending to be just another Sand ninja, striking Roshan a few times amid the chaos — careful not to draw attention. So far, no one had noticed.
The Third Kazekage led from the front, controlling swirling clouds of black iron sand that ripped across the monster's hide, while barking orders to the troops below. The battle had already claimed dozens of lives. His expression was grim, voice steady.
"All injured shinobi, retreat! Those still able to fight — rejoin the front! Seal team, prepare the scrolls. When I give the signal, begin the sealing formation!"
His intent was clear — not to kill Roshan, but to seal it while it was at its weakest.
As his command echoed across the valley, hundreds of reinforcements poured in. Three units merged into one colossal force, tightening the noose around the giant creature. Though cramped, the valley brimmed with killing intent and chakra heat.
Lock's sharp eyes caught the steady decline of that crimson blood bar hovering over Roshan's head — a strange marker that only he could see.
The Sand ninja saw only the raging beast. But Lock saw numbers slipping away, the faint pulse of its life essence shrinking bit by bit.
He exhaled slowly. "So even here… some rules still follow me."
He knew Roshan's nature better than anyone. It wasn't a tailed beast — no vast, self-sustaining chakra network or sentience. Once that bar hit zero, Roshan would die. No seals. No regeneration. Gone.
"ROOOAR!"
The air split apart as Roshan bellowed, shaking the valley like thunder. Its massive body began to glow a deep, burning red, muscles pulsing violently. The ground around it cracked from sheer force.
Lock's eyes widened. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me… Berserk mode?"
He recognized it instantly — a phase change. Just like in the old games: once a boss hit a certain health threshold, everything went insane.
Roshan's attacks became wild, devastating. Each swing of its colossal arms flattened scores of Sand ninja. The front lines broke formation, shouts of pain and panic rising above the explosions.
If not for the Third Kazekage's control over the iron sand shielding them, the casualties would have been catastrophic.
"Hold the line! Do not falter!" the Kazekage roared, voice booming across the chaos. "We are close — keep pressing forward!"
To the commander, this madness meant victory was near. A beast cornered was a beast ready to fall.
But Lock saw something different. The blood bar above Roshan's head was now barely one-tenth full — a sliver of red flickering faintly against the sky.
"One-tenth left…"
The valley shuddered again as Roshan slammed both palms into the earth. The impact split the rock walls, sending boulders crashing down. Dozens of shinobi were thrown into the air. Those too close to the shockwave froze, dazed — then were swatted away like flies.
Lock had been ready for it. The moment Roshan moved, he vanished in a flicker of light — reappearing behind a cluster of fallen Sand shinobi. Dust burst around him, masking his chakra signature.
That was too close.
"Sealing corps, prepare the formation!"
The Third Kazekage's voice thundered again. The sealing squad formed hand signs rapidly, scrolls unfurling, chakra marks glowing faintly on the sand.
Lock's stomach tightened.
"No… I can't let them seal it."
Sealing jutsu in this world was no joke — they had bound tailed beasts and even gods. If they succeeded here, Roshan's death would mean nothing. The item — the reward he came for — would vanish with it.
But alone, he couldn't finish the beast in time. One-tenth of its vitality or not, Roshan was still a walking calamity.
He clenched his fists. "Then I'll just have to gamble."
Sliding his hand under his flak vest, he pulled out a small pouch. Inside were dozens of folded paper charms — detonating tags, stacked neatly like cards.
Lock's expression hardened. Ever since that desperate battle months ago, when he'd survived by chaining explosives to turn defeat into victory, he'd never gone anywhere without a backup plan.
He'd bought two hundred of them this time. Enough to blow a crater in the desert.
The cost had been steep… but if it brought down Roshan, it would be worth every ryō.
Roshan slammed the ground again, sending the sealing squad scattering like ants. Even the Kazekage staggered under the shockwave.
Lock's gaze locked on the flickering red above the monster's head. Just a little more.
Now.
He surged forward, chakra flaring just enough to draw attention.
"Lord Kazekage!" he shouted, voice raw and determined. "I'll hold it off! Prepare the sealing technique!"
The words boomed across the battlefield.
To everyone watching, it looked like an act of pure courage — a lone shinobi throwing himself into the jaws of death to buy time for his comrades.
To Lock, it was the perfect cover.
He sprinted toward Roshan, blades flashing in each hand, detonating tags already woven between his fingers. His figure blurred under the heat of chakra — a nameless soldier facing down a mountain.
"Matsudo!?"
The two Sand ninja who'd fought beside him earlier stared in shock.
The Kazekage and his captains froze as well, watching the ordinary jonin-rank ninja dash forward without hesitation, like a candle burning its last flame.
"What's he doing?!" someone shouted.
"Is he insane?"
Lock's lips curved into the faintest grin.
Yeah… call it insane. But for now, I'm your brave, invincible Matsudo.
He leapt toward the roaring beast, wind rushing past his ears, detonating tags already crackling with chakra ignition.
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