At that moment, Mei Terumi also charged toward the Eight-Tails, her hands swiftly forming hand seals!
The Eight-Tails hadn't gotten back on its feet yet—this was the perfect opportunity!
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
This Water Dragon Bullet was nothing like before—this one carried nearly half of her chakra!
A ferocious water dragon erupted from the ground, its deafening roar shaking the heavens!
Meanwhile, Kakashi chewed a special soldier pill, eyes filled with steely resolve—one black, one red—as he quickly formed hand seals.
That ferocious water dragon soared skyward, its roar echoing across the battlefield!
"Lightning Release: Lightning Clone!"
Countless arcs of lightning transformed into tangible clones, rushing straight toward the enormous water dragon. Then, they merged with the water dragon in a burst of dazzling electricity!
"Combined Jutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
ROAR!!!
The water dragon, now crackling with electricity, unleashed a thunderous roar and sank its jaws into the shoulder of the Eight-Tails just as it tried to get up!
Violent lightning surged with the water dragon, slamming the Eight-Tails back down again!
ROOOAAR!!
Electrocuted and enraged, the Eight-Tails roared furiously, its massive tentacles lashing out wildly in a blind, indiscriminate attack!
Sakura's eyes lit up at the sight—this was the perfect chance to strike a downed opponent. She quickly formed hand seals:
"Water Release—"
But before she could complete the seals, a flash of cold light streaked toward her!
Caught off guard, several strands of pink hair were sliced off!
Orochimaru, holding the Kusanagi Blade, stood with a smile, gazing at Sakura, who had narrowly evaded his sneak attack at the last second.
"Didn't expect you to know Water Release. I thought you only relied on taijutsu."
Clearly, Orochimaru had recognized the jutsu Sakura was about to perform just from her hand seals.
Interrupted mid-casting, Sakura glanced at the few strands of pink hair that had fallen to the ground.
"Orochimaru, you bastard—"
—
"They're really going at it, huh?"
A not-so-tall figure stood at a distance, the red clouds on his black cloak rippling in the wind, calmly observing the battlefield.
"Yeah. But if it were you, 'Madara,' you could've wrapped this up in no time," White Zetsu said, glancing at the man beside him, whose face was hidden behind an orange swirl-patterned mask.
"Well, who knows?"
'Madara' neither confirmed nor denied the comment.
Seeing that response, Zetsu continued, "So, have you figured out what to do?"
"The Eight-Tails is strong, but it's clear they're not planning to give it another shot at releasing a Tailed Beast Bomb."
"The Raikage's injured, and Orochimaru's clearly slacking."
"Things aren't looking good for Kumogakure."
"If Konoha wins…"
Zetsu looked toward the distant Eight-Tails, who was just about to get up—only to be flattened again by a giant slug falling from the sky.
"At this point, it's no longer about who wins or how many die."
"What matters is her."
'Madara' shifted his gaze toward the pink figure in the distance—Sakura, who had just broken free from Orochimaru and was now slamming the Eight-Tails back down with another punch, following up after the slug's attack.
"She's not even thirteen."
Even 'Madara' couldn't hide his wariness toward someone who, before the age of thirteen, could defeat the Raikage and work alongside Kakashi and Mei Terumi to suppress the Eight-Tails.
What was he doing at thirteen?
Barely a year out of the Ninja Academy—not even a Chunin yet.
Sure, at fourteen, he had sparked the Nine-Tails incident, killing the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.
But even that had been achieved with the power of Kamui.
Even Itachi Uchiha, whom he feared, hadn't wielded such power at this age.
"Whether the Raikage dies or not doesn't matter—but Konoha absolutely cannot be allowed to control the Eight-Tails."
"And…"
'Madara's voice faded into the chilling wind.
"Let her become the hero all Konoha shinobi respect in this war."
Zetsu watched as 'Madara' twisted like a vortex in the air and vanished without a trace. He instinctively reached out to stop him, but his hand froze midair.
In the end, he said nothing.
—
Sakura let out a slow breath as she watched the Eight-Tails finally get back up—only to swat down Kakashi's Lightning Tiger with a single blow.
The wounded Raikage couldn't hold out against Jiraiya any longer, Orochimaru was clearly not giving it his all, and the Tailed Beast Bomb took too long to charge—right now, the Eight-Tails was just a giant punching bag.
All they had to do now was hold out and wear down the Raikage. Once he fell, the tides would shift, and the battle for the Land of Frost would be secured!
Sakura was just about to step in and engage the Eight-Tails again when a shadow suddenly appeared behind her!
!!!
She instinctively spun and lashed out with a kick—but it hit nothing!
Sakura's pupils contracted sharply, and the others watched in stunned silence.
Her kick missed—she was wide open!
A flash of crimson entered her vision.
That man—it was Obito Uchiha!
"Not bad, kid—but this is your limit!"
A black rod emerged from his sleeve and shot toward her chest like lightning!
As the black rod sped toward her, Sakura hesitated for a split second—was this a feint or a real strike?
Her chakra-infused, blue-and-pink fist smashed toward his head!
But it passed right through—just a feint!
A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but she gritted her teeth and rammed straight into the black rod!
Splat!
Blood burst into the air. Everyone stared in disbelief—no one expected such a powerful intruder at such a crucial moment!
The black rod pierced straight through Sakura's torso!
"AAAAHHHHH!!!"
"SAKURA!!"
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
A maddened, guttural scream rang out in the distance. A figure broke free of his comrades' grip, charging toward the Akatsuki cloak like a lunatic!
"Cho—Choji!"
"Hold him down!!"
Shikamaru clung desperately to Sasuke's leg, shouting for help to restrain the berserk Uchiha!
They had only intended to sneak a look at the battlefield—but never expected this.
With their strength, charging in now would be suicide. No matter what happened, staying back and waiting was the best option.
"Ughhh!!"
Not just Choji—Kiba and Shino threw themselves on Sasuke as well, finally bringing him down!
Pinned under the others, Sasuke's bloodshot eyes stared at the pink-haired girl with a gaping wound in her chest. Tears mixed with blood streamed down his cheeks… The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun and warped madly!
This guy… That's Uchiha Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother!
Is Haruno Sakura that important to him?
'Madara' watched the scene from afar, stunned and furious.
This process—he knew it all too well.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
He never imagined that trying to kill Haruno Sakura would actually trigger the awakening of a Mangekyō!
To 'Madara,' genius didn't matter—only the Mangekyō did. What was the "Yellow Flash" to him? Just another victim to a fourteen-year-old with Mangekyō.
The Uchiha clan? Wiped out by Mangekyō-wielding Itachi.
Haruno Sakura was worth far less than a Mangekyō.
But at that moment, Sasuke's eyes saw nothing but the pink figure.
Pinned to the ground by three people, being dragged backward—his mind held only one thought.
Not power. Not revenge. Not his brother…
He just wanted that pink-haired girl to live.
To live well.
Under 'Madara's chilling gaze, the three tomoe fused into a brand new pattern.
It's over.
He had just created a new Mangekyō user with his own hands. That person would see him as a mortal enemy now.
On his path forward, he had forged a new and powerful adversary.
"Hey… What are you looking at?"
Huh?
'Madara' turned around instinctively—to see Sakura right in front of him.
But before he could react, an iron fist smashed into his face!
BAM!
Even the mask he had carefully crafted with Wood Release couldn't withstand her punch—it shattered instantly!
Reeling from the blow, 'Madara' was sent flying before he could recover!
At that moment, his true face was revealed to everyone.
"Huh?"
Sasuke stared blankly at the pink-haired girl, who casually yanked the black rod from her chest, looking only mildly annoyed.
"H-How… How is this possible?"
Kakashi stood frozen in place, staring at the airborne figure in utter disbelief.
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