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As the second firework bloomed in the sky, Jinghang's expression grew increasingly grim. At first, he suspected it was a trick from Ōnoki, but when he saw the massive figure of a red-furred ape pounding its chest and roaring skyward on the battlefield, he was utterly stunned.
"Isn't your village's Rōshi supposed to be off wandering the world?"
"Heh, your Sunagakure intelligence was quite thorough, but unfortunately, he just happened to return yesterday. Ran into him on the way back. What a coincidence, don't you think?"
Ōnoki smirked triumphantly.
For a moment, Jinghang's mind went completely blank. No amount of planning could have accounted for Rōshi suddenly wandering back to the village.
Damn it! he thought. The war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure dragged on for so long, and he didn't show up. But the moment I make my move, here he is! What kind of timing is this? Sunagakure's cards were already played, and now Iwagakure pulls out this trump card.
Jinghang couldn't help but curse the First Kazekage, Retsudō, in his heart. Back when the tailed beasts were being distributed, why was he so stingy? All Tobirama wanted was some money! Why not just pay him? Tailed beasts are national strategic weapons—spend the money! That miserly old man was always trying to freeload.
Now, in the current situation, the only thing in Sunagakure's arsenal that could contend with a tailed beast was his Iron Sand Gundam. But if he focused on suppressing the tailed beast, who would deal with Ōnoki?
"Well, Kazekage-dono, the outcome is clear. How about we call a truce and end this?"
Ōnoki spoke with a smug smile.
"Are you that confident?"
Jinghang replied coldly, his mind racing for a solution.
"Heh, Rōshi is no child like Han. His control over the tailed beast is nearly perfected. My offer of a truce is already showing you mercy. Otherwise, hmph! Let's see how many lives Sunagakure can afford to lose!"
Ōnoki's tone carried an unmistakable threat.
"Tch! Trying to intimidate me? You should ask around—when has anyone ever successfully threatened me?"
Jinghang gritted his teeth, bit his thumb, smeared blood on the back of his hand, and slammed it onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
With a puff of white smoke, three figures appeared before him: Buck, Sunken Eyes, and Flat Nose, the trio of weasels.
"Jinghang, you've got to be kidding. Even if the three of us team up, we can't take down that big guy."
Buck pointed at the Four-Tails, his voice trembling slightly.
"Lord Buck, you misunderstand. I'll handle the giant ape. I need you to keep this old man occupied."
Jinghang gestured toward Ōnoki, who was still holding his waist.
"Oh, this shorty? No problem."
"You! You all!"
Ōnoki was nearly apoplectic with rage. The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, being dismissed by a weasel?
"Don't underestimate him. He's got a mastery of Dust Release. Don't let him touch you!"
With that, Jinghang stepped onto his Iron Seeking Orb and flew toward the battlefield.
Ōnoki prepared to follow.
"Not so fast. Did I say you could leave?"
Buck drew a small knife, his tone as roguish as ever.
"I don't have time for you!"
Ōnoki prepared to take flight in pursuit of Jinghang.
"Sage Art: Ten Shadows Storm Claw!"
A violent surge of chakra energy roared toward Ōnoki. Just as he was about to dodge, a sharp pain shot through his waist, causing him to falter. The claw attack grazed his shoulder, leaving five deep, bone-revealing gashes and sending him crashing to the ground.
When Ōnoki flipped himself upright, he found himself surrounded by the three weasels in a triangular formation. They each formed hand signs and chanted in unison:
"Sage Art: Three Talents Chicken Coop Formation!"
In an instant, a translucent, pale yellow, pyramid-shaped barrier formed, encapsulating Ōnoki within.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
Ōnoki immediately formed seals, and a translucent beam of light shot skyward, piercing a hole through the yellow barrier.
But before he could celebrate, the hole mended itself as soon as his technique dissipated.
"Red-nosed old man! Quit struggling and stay put with us for three hours!"
Buck sat down cross-legged, pointing arrogantly at Ōnoki.
"What?!"
Ōnoki's face twisted with fury.
"Hmph! Let me tell you, this sealing technique is unique to the Xuanyuan Tomb. It's directly connected to the natural energy of the world. Once activated, it runs automatically. No matter how powerful your Dust Release is, it'll repair itself. As they say, 'The way of heaven replenishes what is lacking by taking from what is excessive.' … Ah, forget it, you wouldn't understand anyway."
Buck dismissed him with a wave of his paw.
"Then I'll just kill you all!"
Ōnoki growled, preparing to attack.
"Hehehehe."
The three weasels burst into laughter, as if they'd just heard the funniest joke.
"If you kill us, the seal won't break. Didn't you hear what Big Brother just said? This thing operates on its own. If you kill us and complete a blood sacrifice, you'll be stuck here forever. Hehehe."
Sunken Eyes clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
"Hmm?!"
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing deeply. After a moment of hesitation, he refrained from attacking.
"Relax. We have no interest in keeping you here forever. Three hours from now, our summoning time will end, and the seal will naturally dissipate. Honestly, we don't want to stay here with you any longer than necessary."
Flat Nose pretended to inspect his claws as he spoke.
"Exactly. We're just summoned beasts, here to fulfill a contract and earn our keep. Why resort to violence?"
Buck chimed in.
"Right, right. You look pretty injured. Fighting us won't do you any good. Why not take this time to rest and patch yourself up? Think of it as halftime."
Sunken Eyes added.
"Exactly, exactly…"
"That makes sense, that makes sense…"
The three weasels chattered like performers in a comedy routine, their incessant banter grating on the ears.
Ōnoki glared at them, his expression dark. After a moment, he snorted coldly, sat down cross-legged, and began bandaging his wounds in silence.
Seeing that Ōnoki wasn't making any moves, the three weasels also sat down quietly.
Meanwhile, Jinghang had flown above the Four-Tails, Son Gokū, and unsealed his remaining four scrolls, releasing all of his Iron Sand.
With a loud shout, he commanded:
"Iron Sand: Gundam Technique!"
Countless particles of iron sand assembled and stacked mid-air, forming the massive figure of a giant monkey wielding a black iron staff. With a mighty swing, it brought the staff crashing down.
"The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, King of Flower-Fruit Mountain, is here! Take this!"
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