Just as Killer Bee had noticed earlier during the healing process, Elliott Randolph's body was already regenerating at a rapid pace.
Although Killer Bee was using the Palm Sage Jutsu, he could see that Randolph's natural healing ability was remarkably strong.
While Killer Bee focused on healing upstairs, downstairs, May and Ward—now bolstered by the staff's power—quickly dispatched Jakob's henchmen.
The thugs stood no chance against the two seasoned agents.
After the enemies had been subdued, both May and Ward felt the overwhelming anger and pain resurface. Reluctantly, they placed the staff on the ground to lessen its influence.
However, just as the situation seemed to settle, the church doors swung open again. Jakob's girlfriend, Petra, entered, wielding another piece of the staff and accompanied by a group of her own henchmen.
Ward and May exchanged a weary glance before picking up the staff pieces once more.
As Petra saw her fallen boyfriend and unconscious comrades, rage surged through her, and with a fierce shout, she charged forward with her men.
Despite the renewed threat, Ward and May easily overpowered Petra and her group. Soon, Petra's piece of the staff also fell to the ground.
…
Meanwhile-
Upstairs, Elliott Randolph opened his eyes and groggily asked, "Am I dead?"
Killer Bee paused his healing jutsu, smiling, "Clearly not."
Before more could be said, the church doors slammed open for the third time. A thunderous boom echoed through the building as lightning flashed, illuminating the figure of the newcomer.
He wore a light linen cloak over a white short-sleeved shirt, with a rope belt tied around his waist and a Kusanagi sword slung over his back. It was none other than Uchiha Sasuke, on his search for his brother, Itachi.
Ward and May tensed at the sight of the mysterious newcomer, but as soon as they recognized him as a ninja from Konoha, they both relaxed slightly, relieved that he likely wasn't an enemy.
Sasuke surveyed the room, his expression hardening as he noticed the unconscious bodies scattered across the floor.
His gaze briefly flicked to Ward and May, before settling on Killer Bee and the others on the second floor.
Just as Sasuke was about to announce his intention to stay in the church for the night, an unexpected event unfolded.
The staff in May's hand began to glow, and the piece of the staff that Petra had dropped flew toward it, merging with May's fragment.
At the same time, the piece in Ward's hand was also drawn to the same point.
Ward quickly let go, and in an instant, the three parts combined to form the complete Berserker Staff, now glowing with a powerful red light.
May and Ward instinctively readied themselves, uneasy at the sudden development.
Sasuke's attention, however, was immediately drawn to the completed staff. His Sharingan activated, analyzing the strange weapon in May's hand.
Sasuke had been seeking not only his brother but also artifacts that could be useful to Charles.
Items like the staff were exactly what he needed to bring back to Charles, as they could potentially help expand their resources and revive more of his clan members.
Five Uchiha clan members were far from enough for Sasuke. He needed to find a way to revive more, especially his parents.
In a flash, Sasuke lunged at May, aiming to seize the staff. His hand shot toward her while his foot swung toward her abdomen in a powerful kick.
"Boom!" In an instant, Mei was sent flying by Uchiha Sasuke's kick, crashing into a pillar within the church. The attack happened so fast that both Mei and Ward were left completely stunned, disarmed of the staff.
Just as Sasuke was about to say something, the runes on the staff in his hand glowed a bright red.
In the next moment, Sasuke's most painful memory surged into his mind.
He found himself reliving the Uchiha clan massacre—the night under the blood-red moon, the deathly silence in the clan compound, and the horrifying image of his brother, Uchiha Itachi, mercilessly slaughtering their parents.
Itachi's mocking words echoed in his mind:
"You lack hatred. If you wish to kill me, curse me, detest me, and live in an unsightly way. Run, cling to life."
The scene replayed vividly, as though Sasuke was back in that terrible moment.
Ward, seeing Sasuke frozen in place while gripping the staff, seized the opportunity and charged toward him, aiming to reclaim the weapon.
However, just as he closed in, he was met with Sasuke's blood-red Sharingan.
"Boom!"
Ward was instantly thrown backward, crashing through five rows of church pews before slamming into the wall, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Sasuke, still gripping the staff, had the tomoe in his Sharingan spinning wildly, nearly converging into the Mangekyō Sharingan before dispersing back to their normal form.
His eyes had come close to evolving, but the transformation was halted just short of completion.
Feeling the surge of power within him and the unrelenting rage coursing through his body, Sasuke turned, ready to leave the church with the staff in hand.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke stopped and looked up toward the second floor, where Coulson stood. With him was Killer Bee, both preparing to jump down. Coulson made a gesture to Skye, Fitz, and Simmons to stay put.
"Sasuke, I'm Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. The weapon you're holding belongs to us. Would you kindly return it?"
Ward and Mei, still recovering from the earlier attack, stood cautiously, watching Sasuke with wary eyes.
Sasuke, his voice cold and detached, replied, "This weapon now belongs to Uchiha Sasuke."
Coulson smiled, but his tone became more serious. "Sasuke, I've known your leader, Charles Doyle, for some time now."
"Konoha's shinobi aren't known for stealing things. Besides, the original owner of that staff is upstairs—an Asgardian. Thor, a close friend of Charles, might not appreciate this."
Sasuke's face remained expressionless as he glanced at the group. Then, in a dismissive tone, he said to Coulson, "I exchanged your lives for this weapon."
At these arrogant words, Coulson's smile faded, and his gaze shifted toward Killer Bee. This was a matter best handled between shinobi.
Coulson gave a subtle look that said, 'You wanted this staff, didn't you? If you let him take it, you'll lose your chance.'
Killer Bee caught Coulson's glance and understood.
While Sasuke was also a subordinate of Charles, the shinobi of Kumogakure wouldn't back down easily.
Moreover, even though the staff would eventually end up in the same hands, to Killer Bee, there was still a difference in who delivered it.
Killer Bee, his expression fierce, shouted, "Konoha punk, I laid eyes on that staff first! It's mine!"