As the Four-Tails closed in, the two Tailed Beasts clashed at close range.
The battlefield quickly descended into chaos. Massive bodies slammed into each other, claws scraped against hardened defenses, tails lashed and coiled, and deep growls mixed with thunderous roars. Each collision sent tremors through the ground.
There were no elaborate techniques, no flashy ninjutsu lighting up the sky. This was raw, brutal combat, a straightforward exchange of strength and endurance. If anything, it resembled a monstrous brawl, like two giants locked in a relentless struggle.
The difference, however, was clear.
The Four-Tails possessed overwhelming heat. Its lava was not ordinary, the temperature reached extreme levels, hot enough to melt through Shukaku's sand defenses with alarming speed.
At first, Shukaku tried to hold its ground. Its massive tail lashed out and struck the Four-Tails' head, but in return, it took a heavy punch to the abdomen.
The Four-Tails pressed forward, each step forceful and unyielding. Its fists hammered against Shukaku's arms, breaking through its guard piece by piece. The final blow smashed directly into Shukaku's face, forcing it to stagger back with a pained cry.
Watching from above, Hayashi felt a bit speechless.
So much for Shukaku's usual boasting.
Still, this was not entirely its fault. Being controlled by the Sharingan meant Shukaku could not fully utilize its power, it was limited to instinctive responses. In contrast, the Four-Tails was in perfect sync with its jinchūriki.
That difference alone decided the flow of the battle.
Hayashi had observed long enough. If this continued, Shukaku would be completely overwhelmed.
Standing atop Shukaku's head, he gathered natural energy and entered Sage Mode once more. Without hesitation, he formed hand seals.
"Sage Art, Water Release, Vortex Water Blade!"
A massive spear of water formed in his hand, far larger than usual. Empowered by Sage Mode, it carried immense force as he hurled it forward.
The attack struck the Four-Tails and immediately transformed into a violent vortex, spiraling around its body and restraining its movements.
Taking advantage of the moment, Hayashi guided Shukaku to step back and regain distance.
The Four-Tails struggled against the vortex, but something else began to change.
A faint blue glow emerged from Shukaku's body.
Roshi's eyes widened as he noticed it.
"That chakra… Susanoo?"
The blue energy expanded rapidly, taking shape around Shukaku. It formed into a massive armored figure, resembling a tengu clad in battle gear.
Armored Susanoo.
This was the same power once used by Uchiha Madara, a technique feared across the shinobi world. However, Hayashi's version was far from that level. Madara wielded a perfected form, while this was still developing.
Even so, its presence alone was overwhelming.
"Fall back!" Roshi shouted.
The Four-Tails hesitated, then began to retreat. It showed clear signs of caution now.
Hayashi did not give it the chance.
He urged Shukaku forward. The Susanoo extended a spiraled blade and thrust it toward the Four-Tails' back.
Lava surged up in response, forming a barrier between them. The heat distorted the air, but as the blade swung down, the defense shattered instantly.
Forced into a corner, the Four-Tails turned and braced itself.
The two giants collided head-on.
A deafening impact echoed across the battlefield. Lava erupted violently, but it failed to damage the Susanoo's armor.
The Four-Tails roared and lashed out with all four of its tails, striking the towering figure repeatedly.
The Susanoo stood firm.
Unshaken, it raised its blade and struck.
A flash of blue light cut through the air.
One of the massive tails crashed to the ground.
The Four-Tails howled, its eyes turning bloodshot with rage. It slammed both fists onto Shukaku's head in retaliation.
Hayashi remained focused.
He swung the blade again.
The spiraled sword carved through the air with precision, slicing cleanly. In two swift strikes, all four tails were severed.
The Four-Tails let out a furious roar.
"Do you really think this is enough to defeat me?"
Its body, formed from chakra, could regenerate. Losing its tails was not fatal.
But something was wrong.
A strange expression appeared on its face.
"What is happening?"
A powerful sealing force erupted from the severed sections of its tails. Strange markings spread rapidly across its body, binding its chakra.
The Four-Tails froze in shock as it felt its power being suppressed.
"So this is Shukaku's sealing ability..."
The realization came too late.
With its lava no longer protecting it, the sealing technique had taken effect the moment the blade cut through.
"I cannot hold on much longer," the Four-Tails said.
Roshi shook his head.
"This is not your fault. Without you, I would have died long ago."
He gave a faint smile.
Facing what was to come, he showed no fear.
"I should have tried to understand you sooner."
"It is not too late."
The Four-Tails raised its fist.
Roshi did the same, gently bumping it with his own.
Moments later, both their consciousnesses faded into darkness.
As the sealing completed, Roshi's body appeared on the ground, covered in dense markings.
Hayashi dismissed the Susanoo and leapt down.
He picked up Roshi, then quickly sealed away the remaining fragments of the Four-Tails using a scroll.
Only then did a faint smile appear on his face.