Roshi let out a thunderous roar, the sound filled with both violence and exhilaration that seemed to surge from the depths of his soul.
From a distance, Hayashi was momentarily taken aback when he saw Roshi's transformation.
The man's body hadn't changed much, but a red chakra cloak flared to life around him. It was the primary Tailed Beast Cloak — a mark of immense power.
Although Roshi's appearance was wild and fierce, he still retained his consciousness. The Tailed Beast's chakra only heightened his aggression and violent impulses, rather than completely consuming his mind.
He hammered his chest with both fists like a raging gorilla. As expected of the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, Roshi's physicality and temperament were clearly influenced by his beast.
"He's already mastered the Tailed Beast's power to this extent?" Hayashi frowned.
The red chakra around Roshi flickered like firelight. "Come on," he taunted with a cruel grin, "let me see how strong Konoha's shinobi truly are."
To him, killing two Leaf ninjas was merely a game. And with his reputation as a Jinchūriki — one of the highest-tier fighters in the shinobi world — his arrogance wasn't without reason.
Across from him, Hatake Sakumo stood silent. The famous White Fang rarely spoke in battle, nor did he indulge in the enemy's words. The only reason he paused was to catch his breath — his last exchange had drained a considerable amount of chakra.
Still, Roshi wasn't about to give him that luxury.
With a burst of speed, Roshi lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air like a meteor. His movements were blindingly fast, enhanced by the Tailed Beast's chakra — a speed reminiscent of the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor.
Sakumo met the assault with his short blade, but even he struggled to keep up. The shockwaves from Roshi's punches split the air like thunderclaps.
After exchanging a few fierce blows, Sakumo realized he couldn't afford to drag this out. He leapt back using the Body Flicker Technique, retreating several meters in an instant.
"Not bad," Roshi chuckled. "Your speed isn't something to scoff at."
The Jinchūriki's grin widened, his blood-red chakra writhing like molten lava. His taijutsu, amplified by that cloak, carried monstrous strength. Ordinary shinobi wouldn't even see him move before they were flattened.
Sakumo's sharp gaze darted toward Hayashi — a silent signal.
Hayashi understood immediately: Sakumo needed time.
He wasn't sure if his genjutsu would even work on Roshi in his current state. The Four-Tails' influence could easily disrupt illusion techniques. Still, it was worth trying.
His Sharingan spun into motion, its tomoe whirling with intensity. The chakra around him surged, weaving a subtle illusion toward Roshi.
To his surprise, the Jinchūriki froze for a brief moment.
"It works," Hayashi muttered.
That single instant was all Sakumo needed.
"Hatake Secret Technique!"
Lightning burst from his body as his chakra flared dramatically. His aura sharpened, turning fierce and focused.
When Roshi snapped out of the illusion, waves of scorching heat exploded from his body, the air rippling violently.
"Lava Release: Mount Hugao!"
Lava surged outward in a roaring tide, spreading across the battlefield in a blazing torrent. The molten river swallowed everything in its path, glowing like the surface of the sun.
But Sakumo stood unfazed. With a single slash of his short blade, he cleaved through the flowing lava, splitting the molten wave clean in half.
Roshi was momentarily stunned. Sakumo's power had increased dramatically — but he knew such secret techniques came at a price. It wouldn't last long.
Grinning, Roshi charged again, his blazing fist aimed at Sakumo's chest.
Sakumo blocked with his blade, sparks flying as the force of the impact sent tremors through the ground. For a split second, the momentum reversed — Roshi staggered back, disbelief flashing across his face.
Sakumo, glowing with lightning, was unstoppable now.
His White Fang Blade, glowing an intense azure, crashed into Roshi's arm like a thunderbolt. The blow sent the Jinchūriki flying through the trees, lightning exploding in his wake.
Trees shattered, scorched, and crumbled into cinders as the forest trembled under the storm.
When the dust cleared, Roshi was kneeling — his cloak torn, blood dripping from his arm where the blade had pierced through the chakra shroud.
"I haven't been injured in years," Roshi said, panting but grinning. "You're strong… stronger than I expected."
Sakumo's expression remained cold. "You're the only one reckless enough to take my blade head-on."
Even he seemed slightly impressed — his secret technique had forced Roshi into retreat, but the man's endurance was monstrous.
"In that case…" Sakumo raised his weapon, chakra surging through his arm. "Lightning Release: Knife Wind!"
Lightning burst from his blade in brilliant arcs, intertwining with the wind to form a storm of cutting energy.
The technique detonated, and the battlefield was consumed by roaring lightning — streaks spreading like a spider's web across the forest.
Sakumo's figure moved like a phantom among the flashes, every strike precise and relentless. Roshi, caught in the chaos, was completely overwhelmed.
To Hayashi, it was a terrifying spectacle — divine judgment in physical form. His heart raced as he watched the clash unfold, knowing he was witnessing a technique born from decades of mastery.
When the lightning finally faded, Roshi stumbled forward, his cloak shredded, his body battered and burned. Blood poured down his arm as steam rose from his skin.
The shell of the Four-Tails' protection had finally been broken.
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