Chapter 45: Teacher, Meet My New Partner, the Five-Tails (2/2)

"When I'm not around, there are some people you must be wary of, especially the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails..."

"She's a descendant of Asura and is skilled in sealing techniques. Avoid provoking her for now."

...

Meanwhile.

Orochimaru was still making his way towards Kannabi Bridge...

Wakaho could fly, easily traversing large distances and obstacles. However, Manda, while capable of burrowing, found the terrain increasingly difficult as they neared the destination. The rocky ground became harder, significantly hindering Manda's progress.

And those damned humans! Couldn't they just line up and obediently march into Manda-sama's mouth?

Boom!

Another explosive tag detonated, irritating Manda to no end. Why did they always aim for its nostrils?

"The noise from over there seems to have stopped..."

Orochimaru glanced towards the distance, his gaze tinged with concern.

Sakumo's distress signal had been sent out two days ago, and with reinforcements delayed, he should have retreated by now.

He wasn't sure what that boy was up to, but one thing was certain: those massive sounds had something to do with him.

The Iwagakure shinobi had heard the sounds too, but they showed no signs of worry...

Were they that confident in their defenses around Kannabi Bridge?

Or had the Iwa higher-ups ordered them to specifically hold him back?

"I can't delay any longer..."

Orochimaru made up his mind.

Even though that boy had the ability to fly and could likely escape, Orochimaru wasn't sure if Iwa had some countermeasure in place.

At the very least, from what Orochimaru knew, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure also had the ability to fly.

"Manda-sama, I'll leave things to you for now."

Orochimaru, holding his Kusanagi sword, extended his long tongue to lick his cheek.

Konoha's cold prince was ready for a bloodbath!

"You only need to hold on for ten minutes. The next time we meet, I'll double your payment... hm?"

Before Orochimaru could finish speaking, a massive figure suddenly appeared on the distant rocky mountains and charged towards them, its five tails swinging wildly behind it!

"That size... the Five-Tails!?"

Orochimaru's pupils constricted!

So the commotion earlier was caused by the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki?

A Tailed Beast Bomb?

Orochimaru's heartbeat quickened, his mind rapidly formulating thirty different escape plans!

He also immediately realized a critical issue.

The Five-Tails' Jinchuriki was here. What about Wakaho?

"Look! It's the Five-Tails! Lord Han is here!"

"The Third Tsuchikage must have sent Lord Han to reinforce us!"

"Two squads stay with me to restrain Orochimaru! The rest, spread out!!"

"Leave the battlefield to Lord Han!!"

Manda noticed the massive figure too.

"That's... the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki?"

It was hard not to notice the charging Five-Tails—so massive, so fast, kicking up dirt and stones behind it, and with white steam spewing from its nostrils.

And that overwhelming chakra was impossible to ignore!

"Though I didn't get the meal I wanted most, I've had my fill of offerings today, Orochimaru..."

Manda's tone was cruel.

Orochimaru immediately realized that this evil summon was preparing to flee.

And indeed, it was.

The arduous journey to this point had drained Manda's chakra significantly, especially with the tough rock it had to burrow through.

After being besieged by Iwa shinobi for so long, Manda was near its limit.

In this state, expecting it to fight the Five-Tails was unrealistic.

But Manda still had a bit of professional pride.

"Before I reverse summon myself, I can try to get you off the battlefield..."

"But next time we meet, you'll owe me 500—no, 1000 sacrifices. Deal?"

Professional, but not very.

And Orochimaru didn't have time to consider it.

With the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki joining the battle and displaying such a high level of synchronization with the beast, retreat was the only option left.

"Not good!"

Manda suddenly shouted and without hesitation, dove into the tunnel it had burrowed.

Orochimaru's heart sank as he saw the Five-Tails suddenly halt halfway up the mountain, opening its maw to the sky as it gathered an immense amount of chakra.

"Hey! Orochimaru! These humans are on the same side as the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki, right?"

Manda asked as it frantically fled.

"Indeed." Orochimaru found the situation absurd. If they were going to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb, shouldn't they wait until the Iwa shinobi withdrew?

Were they really willing to sacrifice their own village's ninja just to kill him? How extreme!

Boom!!!!

The Tailed Beast Bomb was finally launched, devastating the battlefield and obliterating the Iwagakure shinobi and their fortifications!

Manda didn't dare stop, racing down the tunnel it had dug, which had now become its and Orochimaru's only escape route!

But Manda's speed wasn't quite enough.

After the grueling journey, it was already exhausted, let alone now that it was up against the Five-Tails, Kokuo, who specialized in swift attacks.

"Looks like I'll need a new summoner, Orochimaru..."

Manda said cruelly as it saw the Five-Tails block their path ahead.

But before it could reverse summon itself—

"Sensei, I finally caught up with you."

A familiar and irritating voice rang out.

Wakaho leaped from the Five-Tails' neck, landing atop its head, one hand gripping Kokuo's horn, the other holding a corpse clad in red armor.

"Sensei, let me introduce you to my new partner, the Five-Tails."