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The massive form of the Six-Tails stood in the most densely populated area of Kirigakure, indiscriminately secreting corrosive liquid in all directions.
Droplets fell on buildings, rapidly dissolving them. They fell on fleeing people, melting flesh instantly, soon leaving only white bones behind.
In this moment, Kirigakure had become a living hell, and the Six-Tails was its grim reaper.
Genji stood on a rooftop, his frail frame swaying in the wind, his heart heavy as he watched the Six-Tails run rampant deep within the village.
"Lord Genji, please go back!" The ninja behind him stared at the colossal Six-Tails, fear gripping his heart.
He couldn't imagine anyone in the entire village capable of resisting that monster.
"This isn't right..." Genji looked up at the Six-Tails, shaking his head repeatedly.
"What's wrong?"
"Even after being separated from its jinchūriki, the Six-Tails shouldn't become this violent... Right now, it's like a completely out of control... Why has it become like this?" Genji murmured to himself.
The ninja beside him looked awkward.
He had no idea either.
"Lord Genji... Kirigakure is extremely dangerous right now."
As an elder of Kirigakure, Genji's ninjutsu was certainly formidable. But even the strongest ninja couldn't withstand time itself.
At this point, if Genji could still oversee the overall situtation, that would be enough.
Expecting him to take the field was unrealistic.
"I am also a member of Kirigakure, am I not?" Genji tried to shrug off the coat draped over his shoulders, but the ninja grasped his hands firmly.
"Yes, you are a member of Kirigakure. But there are more important matters that only you can handle."
Genji turned his head, staring at the ninja.
"Kirigakure's problems in recent years stem from the Mizukage. Now that someone has stepped forward to confront him, no matter how this ends, Kirigakure will have a mess to clean up. Your battlefield isn't here. It's after this battle, when you must use your prestige to ensure a smooth transition for Kirigakure." The ninja spoke.
Genji took a deep breath and nodded slightly.
Some things others could do, but some things only he could.
"I hope... Mei Terumī can stop the Six-Tails."
That was Genji's greatest hope.
...
The Hōzuki brothers were locked in intense combat with the Third Mizukage, who held the advantage. For a Kirigakure already in chaos, this was definitely not a good thing.
Now, Kirigakure urgently needed to resolve two things: first, organize the evacuation of the villagers; second, find a way to deal with the Six-Tails.
But both tasks were immensely difficult.
At this moment, whether Kirigakure ninja or rebels, everyone should join forces, not still fighting each other.
Clutching her injured ribs, Mei Terumī leaped onto a rooftop and shouted with all her might: "Everyone, listen to me! All of you, stop fighting! Whether you're a rebel or a Kirigakure ninja, our priority now is to survive. I promise you, after this is over, whether you're a rebel or a Kirigakure ninja, the village will give you a satisfactory resolution. But before that, we must unite and deal with the tailed beast before us! And organize the villagers to take shelter!"
The rebels also realized that continuing to fight was hardly possible right now. While they hesitated, the Kirigakure ninja sheathed their weapons and began guiding the fleeing villagers.
"Guys... looks like we can't fight today. That big idiot is spewing liquid everywhere. If we don't retreat, we might get caught up in it too."
"Look how Kirigakure treated us before. Now they want us to obey? Do they think we're livestock? We can stop fighting the Kirigakure ninja for now, but obeying them? No way. Let's go!"
In twos and threes, the rebels began withdrawing from the village.
Mei Terumī hadn't expected things to develop this way.
Them no longer fighting to the death and choosing to leave was perhaps not the worst outcome. But right now, Kirigakure needed enough manpower to command the fleeing villagers. Their help would have been invaluable.
"Zabuza, can't you direct them?" Mei Terumī looked at Zabuza and shouted.
"Haha, you overestimate me... I'm just their partner. I'm not their leader." Zabuza called out the names of two rebels. They hesitated briefly, then continued following the main rebel force out of the village.
"Who is their leader!" Mei Terumī shouted.
"A woman named Kawakita Makoto... Hey, Mei Terumī, look out behind you!" Zabuza roared, pointing behind her.
Mei Terumī quickly turned. The Six-Tails had opened its mouth and was spitting out a black sphere.
This sphere was even larger than the ones Yagura had spat out.
Behind Mei Terumī were the villagers of Kirigakure. If she dodged, everyone behind her would die—she had already witnessed the power of those spheres. And this one was even more powerful than the previous ones.
Perhaps in the next instant, most of them would be caught in the blast.
Without hesitation, Mei Terumī formed hand seals. A water dragon roared skyward, charging at the black sphere. But the moment it touched the sphere, it evaporated into steam.
It's over...
Mei Terumī's mind went blank as she watched the sphere approach.
There were so many things she hadn't done yet, so many farewells she hadn't said. Especially to Midorima...
He probably won't ever know that this is how I died...
Suddenly, Midorima's image flashed through her mind. It seemed absurd.
How could that be...
Mei Terumī murmured.
Just as the sphere was about to reach her, the ground trembled. A colossal gate materialized in front of her.
A second gate, a third gate...
Five gates in total appeared. When the fifth gate emerged, someone lifted Mei Terumī horizontally.
The black sphere crashed through the first four gates. When it struck the fifth, its trajectory shifted. It flew out of Kirigakure.
On a distant rooftop, Obito was enjoying the Six-Tails "display of power." When he saw it spit out a Tailed Beast Ball, he almost applauded.
Few people in Kirigakure understood the power of a Tailed Beast Ball better than he did.
But just as the Tailed Beast Ball was about to strike Mei Terumī, five gates appeared one after another. Obito almost screamed.
"Five-layered Rashomon!?"
Who!?
Who used this technique!!
Obito clenched his fists.
Not just anyone could use this...
Could Kirigakure have another powerful ninja!? How did I not know!
Obito gritted his teeth, a sense of unease rising within him.
Mei Terumī's eyes widened. She stared at the person holding her, speechless for a long moment.
"Long time no see." Midorima looked down at her.
"Long time no see..." Mei Terumī clutched the buttons of Midorima's shirt, letting her tears flow freely. "Welcome back."