Guren and Mei Terumi were locked in a fierce battle.
On the other side, Kimimaro and Jirōbō's fight was entirely one-sided. Kimimaro didn't even resort to using his Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse); his taijutsu alone was enough to treat Jirōbō like a punching bag, pummeling him back and forth.
The only strange thing was that, despite having the upper hand and beating Jirōbō black and blue, Kimimaro showed no intent to kill him.
Meanwhile, Sakon and Ukon were engaged in an evenly matched battle with Haku.
With a water source nearby, Haku's Ice Release chakra consumption was minimal, and his speed, enhanced by the Ice Release, was something Sakon and Ukon couldn't keep up with as Haku effortlessly moved through the ice mirrors.
However, Haku was notably soft-hearted, using senbon needles for his attacks. Although Sakon and Ukon were pierced with numerous senbon, the damage was not severe.
In contrast, Ao and the Curse Mark Stage 2 Tayuya's fight was much more dangerous.
Ao had already activated his Byakugan, making Tayuya's genjutsu attacks visible to him. He also wore earplugs to avoid her sound-based attacks.
Frustrated, Tayuya summoned three Doki (Fierce Demons) to attack Ao.
But these attacks were futile against the Byakugan.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A wall of water rose up, blocking the Doki's attacks. Then Ao countered with "Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"
The sky was filled with water bullets, forcing Tayuya to run frantically to avoid being hit. Even with her enhanced speed from Curse Mark Stage 2, she struggled against Ao, a skilled Jonin.
Seeing Tayuya running, Ao quickly moved to pursue her.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Palm!"
Blue chakra glowed in Ao's hands as he appeared near Tayuya in an instant. A water column shot up from the ground, lifting Tayuya into the air.
Ao quickly formed hand seals, and his entire body transformed into the head of a water dragon, swallowing Tayuya whole.
"Boom!"
The water dragon dispersed, and Tayuya was sent flying, her Curse Mark Stage 2 dissipating as she lost consciousness.
After a quick glance at the battlefield, Ao rushed over to Haku's location, intending to help him, knowing that Kimimaro didn't need any assistance.
…
Meanwhile, Guren was now covered in wounds under Mei Terumi's relentless attacks.
With Mei's Boil Release, Guren dared not get close. Sometimes, she couldn't even pinpoint Mei's exact location.
"Crystal Release: Crystal Dragon Strike!"
Guren used her Crystal Release to create two massive crystal dragons. She leapt onto one of them and shouted, "If you won't come out, then I'll kill that Byakugan user first!"
She then directed the crystal dragons toward Ao's position.
Unable to target Mei in the steam, Guren decided to attack Ao, forcing Mei to reveal herself.
"Boil Release: Acid Monster Technique!"
Noticing the boiling acid's appearance, Guren immediately identified Mei's location.
"Crystal Release: Divine Crossing Technique!"
Crystals began to form in a straight line across the water, rising from below and trapping Mei.
Guren then commanded the two crystal dragons to crash down on Mei.
"Crystal Release: Crystal Dragon Strike!"
"Boil Release: Dissolving Acid Blast!"
As Guren was riding her crystal dragon, preparing to deliver a fatal blow, Mei Terumi quickly unleashed a combination of her Boil Release and Lava Release.
Eight pillars of molten acid shot up from the water, striking the oncoming crystal dragon with precision.
The powerful corrosive force of the Boil Release immediately began dissolving Guren's crystal dragon. The acid pillars didn't stop there—they continued to surge upwards, threatening to dissolve Guren herself.
In response, Guren swiftly formed hand seals, causing a large amount of crystal to rapidly envelop and protect her.
With a massive surge of chakra, the crystal barrier around her thickened and hardened to an incredible degree.
The acid pillars launched Guren into the air before exploding on impact.
"Boom!"
With the explosion, Guren's crystal barrier shattered, sending her flying through the air. Blood spurted from her mouth as she was thrown back by the force.
Just as Mei Terumi was about to move in for the finishing blow, a long snake suddenly shot out from beneath the water, lunging toward her position.
"Bang!"
A substitution log was shattered by the snake.
Mei Terumi reappeared nearby; her eyes fixed on the water below. She coldly spoke, "Orochimaru, you dare to attack me? Aren't you afraid of sparking a war between Konoha and Kirigakure?"
As soon as Mei finished speaking, a smoke bomb exploded on the water's surface. When the smoke cleared, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi stood on the water.
Orochimaru wasn't wearing any forehead protector, while Kabuto's head protector had been replaced with a Sound Village one.
In the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Nick Fury watched the unfolding battle. Seeing Orochimaru and Kabuto intercept the attack, his expression darkened.
Gripping the pager in his pocket, he muttered, "What is Charles up to now?"
Orochimaru looked at Mei Terumi and laughed maniacally.
"Hahaha! What does a war between Kirigakure and Konoha have to do with me?"
With Orochimaru's arrival, the other battles on the battlefield came to a halt.
Guren, Jirōbō, Sakon, and Ukon immediately appeared by Orochimaru's side, bowing respectfully.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
On the other side, Haku and Ao also returned to Mei Terumi's side. Kabuto quickly moved, hoisting the unconscious Tayuya onto his shoulder, and returned to Orochimaru's side.
The only one who hadn't returned was Kimimaro, who stood apart from the others. Mei Terumi called out, "Kimimaro!"
But Kimimaro didn't look at her. Instead, he turned toward Orochimaru, his expression filled with excitement.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Orochimaru smiled and said, "Come back, Kimimaro!"
In an instant, Kimimaro appeared beside Orochimaru, bringing the number of shinobi on Orochimaru's side to seven, though Tayuya was still unconscious, leaving six able fighters.
Mei Terumi's expression darkened. There is only three shinobi on her side now.
"Orochimaru, the Kaguya clan belongs to Kirigakure."