Uchiha Tatsumi and Sakumo were constantly fleeing from the Four-Tails' relentless eruptions. It was clear that their opponent was treating this like a game of 'whack-a-mole,' and they were enjoying it immensely.
Due to the Four-Tails' unrestrained destruction, the dense forest had completely disappeared. Scorching magma covered an area of several hundred meters, rendering the region uninhabitable.
After frantically spewing lava for a long time, the Four-Tails finally grew tired. Uchiha Tatsumi, exhausted from the relentless dodging, took a moment to catch his breath.
The Four-Tails' actions left Tatsumi with a terrible impression of the Tailed Beasts. This was his first encounter with one, and he had already been pushed into such a miserable state. Watching the creature's arrogant grin, Tatsumi cursed inwardly, vowing to one day trap these beasts in an inescapable genjutsu and make them pay.
Of course, he knew this was just wishful thinking—like a child swearing revenge after being scolded. It was little more than psychological comfort.
While Tatsumi was still mulling over his frustration, a voice suddenly called out from behind. Turning around, he saw that Mikoto and Nawaki had arrived.
Given the scale of destruction, it was impossible for them to have ignored the battle.
"Tatsumi, what's going on here?" Nawaki asked, eyes wide as he surveyed the devastated landscape.
He was baffled. Weren't they supposed to be fighting an Explosion Release user? How had the battlefield turned into this molten wasteland?
Tatsumi pointed at the Four-Tails and deadpanned, "A monkey was trapped under a mountain, and I accidentally released the seal."
Nawaki shot him a look that said, "Are you kidding me?"
"Anyway, did you guys finish your fight?" Tatsumi asked, turning to Mikoto.
Mikoto, though visibly drained, didn't have any major injuries. She shook her head. "We were in the middle of fighting, but with all this lava everywhere, continuing was impossible."
"And those two Chunin?"
"Aren't they over there?" Nawaki pointed toward Roshi.
The two enemy Chunin were sprinting toward Roshi, clearly recognizing him as an ally. Unfortunately for them, Roshi was no longer in control—his body was now dominated by the Four-Tails. Running toward him now was nothing short of suicide.
The Four-Tails, who had just been spouting magma, was now leisurely playing in the molten sea. It dove, paddled around, and even performed some rather graceful butterfly strokes, clearly enjoying itself.
Then it noticed the two approaching figures. Without even lifting its head, it began releasing large bubbles from beneath the lava.
In an instant, geysers of magma erupted like fountains, engulfing the two unfortunate Chunin.
"..."
Nawaki, who had been eager to fight, suddenly broke out in cold sweat.
"This kind of monster… let's leave," he muttered, swallowing nervously.
Tatsumi also turned to look at Sakumo, who was clearly weakened. In their current state, there was no way they could take on the Four-Tails. They needed to retreat.
Sakumo shook his head. "If this thing reaches the main battlefield or the Sand Ninja front, the losses to Konoha will be catastrophic."
"My mission is to monitor it. I can't leave."
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow. Sakumo was still struggling to stand after using his secret technique, and even at full strength, he wouldn't be a match for a rampaging Four-Tails.
Sakumo obviously understood this, too.
"Tatsumi, as a Jonin, I'm issuing a B-rank mission to your team. Return to the Konoha camp and request reinforcements," Sakumo instructed.
"But can you really hold out until backup arrives?" Tatsumi asked, concerned.
He didn't particularly care about the mission itself, but he didn't want Sakumo to die. If he did, wouldn't that mean little Kakashi would never be born?
"It's fine. The Four-Tails lent its power to Roshi for a reason. Although its strength has increased several times, Roshi is delirious. The unstable chakra is damaging his body, and he's already reaching his limit. I just need to track him carefully; I won't engage."
Sakumo's explanation was reasonable.
"Alright, be careful. We're leaving," Tatsumi agreed without hesitation.
"Wait," Sakumo suddenly called out. "With your injuries, it'll take days to reach the camp. The journey is too dangerous."
He knelt, pressing his bloodied palm to the ground. "I'll have my summoning beast carry you back. It'll be much faster."
Tatsumi had no objections to an easier ride.
Sakumo quickly performed a series of hand seals. "Summoning Technique!"
A puff of smoke appeared—
—but no creature emerged.
Sakumo looked embarrassed.
"Did it fail?" Nawaki asked, puzzled.
"Idiot, how could summoning fail? He was obviously rejected," Tatsumi said bluntly.
Sakumo's mouth twitched. Could he not be so blunt? Getting rejected by his own summoning beast was humiliating.
But he quickly realized the problem. Pakkun and the others must have spread the word, making the ninja dogs too scared to respond. Were they really that terrified of the Tailed Beast? Well… fair enough. The Tailed Beast was absurdly powerful.
With no choice, Sakumo kept trying. After several attempts, he finally succeeded.
A large, gray dog appeared, a head taller than Nawaki, its eyes as large as bells.
"Sakumo, why'd you summon me? Pakkun was just about to tell me something important, and you—" The dog's grumbling stopped abruptly.
Because the moment it appeared, magma was already creeping toward its paws.
"What the hell?!" the dog yelped, leaping away just in time.
"Damn it, is this never-ending?! Why is there so much lava? Sakumo, are you messing with me?"
The dog's furious glare bore into him.
"What's going on?" it growled.
Sakumo pointed toward the Four-Tails.
The dog's eyes followed his gesture. "...That's a Tailed Beast! Pakkun must've been warning me not to come. Damn it, Sakumo, you're getting bolder. You actually pissed off a Tailed Beast?"
Large summoning beasts were generally several tiers below Tailed Beasts. The latter were, after all, beings created by the Sage of Six Paths himself. The difference in power was insurmountable.
Sakumo sighed. "We're not fighting it. You're not a combat-type ninja dog. I need you to carry these three kids to the Konoha camp. At your speed, you'll get there quickly."
"Oh, so it's just a delivery job? Should've said so earlier," the dog huffed, relieved.
"But listen, Fire Country deliveries are free. This is the Rain Country, so that's international shipping. No free delivery. I'm charging two hundred bones for this," the dog declared, wagging its tail smugly.
Tatsumi was speechless.
Sakumo sighed. "Fine, I'll buy you bones later. Just get them there safely."
"Relax! I've been in the delivery business for decades. I have a reputation to uphold," the dog boasted.
"Then let's go," it barked, flashing a toothy grin at the three kids.
Tatsumi sighed. This was going to be a long ride.
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