Chapter 118: Friendly Cooperation

Kokuō, restricted in movement, grew increasingly agitated. The more he struggled, the deeper he sank, now half-submerged in the swamp. A larger Tailed Beast Ball condensed in his mouth, radiating an overwhelming amount of Chakra. This one had taken longer to form and was significantly larger, making its destructive power far greater.

The Tailed Beast Ball was aimed directly at Ōnoki. Despite his rage clouding his judgment, Kokuō had identified the one responsible for restricting his movements.

"Hurry," Ōnoki urged, his voice tense. As the massive Tailed Beast Ball spewed from Kokuō's mouth, Ōnoki swiftly unleashed his Dust Release without hesitation.

This display left Kawakaze and Tsunade hesitant to intervene. Having accepted a favor but reluctant to act, they hovered in the air without making a move against Kokuō.

"Should we finish him off?" Kawakaze whispered to Tsunade, his smile tinged with mischief, showing no remorse. To him, no rule dictated that accepting a bribe meant completing the job. Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage and a sworn enemy, was also the leader of Iwagakure—a tempting target to eliminate.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique," Ōnoki declared, forming the necessary seal. His Dust Release clashed with the Tailed Beast Ball, triggering a violent explosion. The ninja on both sides of the battlefield, accustomed to such chaos, barely paid attention.

Ōnoki glanced toward Chōmei with suspicion, taking a cautious step back without uttering a word. His readiness to retreat was evident, as Kawakaze's sly smile hinted at ulterior motives.

"Forget it. That old man's as cunning as a monkey," Kawakaze muttered, watching Ōnoki's movements closely.

"Look at his position," Tsunade said, leading Kawakaze toward Kokuō. She observed Ōnoki's tactical maneuvering, recognizing his intent. If a fight broke out, Ōnoki would escape in a flash, leaving Konoha's evacuation team vulnerable to Iwagakure's forces.

"He's still guarding against us, even now," she noted, her tone laced with frustration.

Kawakaze sighed, abandoning his earlier thought. Cooperation, for now, seemed the better option, though he couldn't help feeling a pang of regret.

"Go!"

Chōmei roared and suddenly accelerated, aiming the giant horn on his head directly at Kokuō. Spotting the incoming attack, Kokuō prepared another Tailed Beast Ball, hurling it at Chōmei. The latter, swift and agile, dodged effortlessly by flapping his wings.

"Hoo hoo~…"

Chōmei descended with a powerful gust of wind. Kawakaze, shrouded in a flash of lightning, leapt from Chōmei's back. Despite the danger, he retained enough strength to prevent Ōnoki from exploiting the situation to kill him, even with the threat to the Jinchūriki. Fortunately for Kawakaze, Ōnoki's focus remained on saving Han rather than taking advantage of the moment.

Suspended mid-air, Ōnoki's expression was grim. He refrained from acting, silently hoping for Kokuō's defeat.

Bang~

Chōmei's massive horn collided with Kokuō's head, and Kawakaze followed with a powerful kick to his side.

"Oww~"

Kokuō let out a pained scream. Trapped in the swamp, he couldn't use the impact to free himself. His head drooped as he fell unconscious. If Kawakaze and Tsunade hadn't restrained themselves, their combined attack could have forced Kokuō's return to nature for regeneration.

"It's done," Kawakaze remarked casually. Subduing the immobilized Tailed Beast had been almost too easy. He lightly pushed off Kokuō's back with his toes, leaping back onto Chōmei.

Ōnoki, seeing this, smiled. Forming a hand seal, he dispelled the swamp, returning the terrain to normal. He quickly descended and flew toward Kokuō.

"Ōnoki is coming over," Kawakaze noted aloud, his tone carrying a faint hint of caution.

Tsunade, sensing Ōnoki's approach, exited her full Tailed Beast transformation, reverting to her human form. Kawakaze landed beside her.

"I'll give him a hand," she said, stepping toward Kokuō. Forming hand seals, she pressed her palm against Kokuō's body.

"Four Symbols Seal."

A surge of Chakra flowed from her hand, and Kokuō's massive form began to shrink, revealing the unconscious Han.

"Ōnoki will thank you," Kawakaze quipped with a teasing smile, thinking that this spoiled woman actually had some sense after all.

"Haha, we worked together; it's only right," Tsunade replied, withdrawing her hand. She turned to smile at Kawakaze.

It was indescribably beautiful.

"What did you do?"

Ōnoki arrived shortly after, landing beside Han. His gaze fell on the Four Symbols Seal now etched on Han's abdomen, and his expression twisted with anger. He immediately understood Tsunade's intent.

"I was only trying to be kind, so that Kokuō wouldn't come out and cause trouble," Tsunade said, her smile unfaltering, clearly unbothered by Ōnoki's anger.

If they faced Han again and managed to undo the Four Symbols Seal, there was a significant risk of Kokuō going berserk. Unless Iwagakure possessed the ability to break the seal, Tsunade now held the key to controlling the Tailed Beast's potential rampage. This calculated move left Ōnoki fuming.

"This is a service we're providing, so there's no need for politeness," Tsunade continued, her tone light but pointed.

"Hurry up and take him away. If you delay and someone dies, don't blame us," Kawakaze added, glancing at Ōnoki's hardened expression.

He waved dismissively, urging Ōnoki to retrieve Han and leave. Inside, he was elated—the Uzumaki Clan's seals were the strongest in the ninja world, and the chances of Iwagakure breaking the Four Symbols Seal were slim to none.

Ōnoki glared at Kawakaze for a long moment before suppressing his anger. Without a word, he approached Han, grasped the arm of the towering man, and effortlessly lifted him into the air. The Light-Weight Rock Technique once again proved its usefulness.

Kawakaze silently congratulated himself for his quick thinking and began pondering which of his disciples might be suitable to learn the Earth Release techniques. Too many candidates came to mind, making it difficult to decide. In the end, he resolved to let all of them try. If they failed, it was no one's fault but their own.

Reflecting on his own strengths, Kawakaze acknowledged his better affinity for Lightning Release and resigned himself to the unlikelihood of mastering Earth Release. Meanwhile, he found himself momentarily distracted, his thoughts drifting to the absurdity of riding on Tsunade's back—or rather, Chōmei's back.

As Ōnoki flew off with Han, Kawakaze and Tsunade watched him go. The battle had temporarily halted as both sides united to neutralize the Tailed Beast. Around them, the remaining forces on both sides appeared equally disinterested in resuming hostilities.

"Retreat," Ōnoki commanded without looking back. The Iwa Ninjas complied, retreating to a safe distance before falling into formation to follow Ōnoki. The group moved toward the Land of Birds, bringing the chase to an end.

"Let's go back," Tsunade said, glancing over the Konoha ninjas. Many carried Slugs, and the casualties were minimal.

The outcome left her satisfied—not only had they repelled the Iwagakure pursuers, but they'd also secured a strategic advantage. This, in turn, subtly strengthened Konoha's position.

"Let's go," Kawakaze said, meeting Tsunade's gaze as she glanced at his bare chest. Realizing how ragged he looked, he ripped off the remnants of his combat uniform, leaving only the back intact, and led the team forward confidently.

Tsunade, observing his disheveled state, couldn't help but laugh quietly as she followed behind.