#19

Mufasa unleashed a devastating force, his raw power shaking the battlefield.

Choza Akimichi, Shikaku Nara, and Inoichi Yamanaka couldn't shake the eerie feeling that this moment mirrored the night when Nine-Tailed Demon Fox were unleashed and wreaked havoc within their village.

Above them, the colossal form of Mechanical Godzilla loomed, its energy cannon on par with even the destructive power of the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb.

Everyone could read the tension in each other's expressions—this battle was beyond their control.

Even with their combined strength, stopping Mufasa seemed impossible.

Shikaku Nara clenched his fists, a rare sorrow settling over his face.

'Are we really going to have to sacrifice so many just to slow him down?'

But what other choice did they have?

The battlefield was at a standstill. The oppressive presence of Mechanical Godzilla cast a shadow over them, and Mufasa stood atop it, unmoving.

His body screamed in protest—his hands numb, his muscles aching from the relentless output of energy. The sheer force of the electrical current coursing through him had drained his chakra to dangerous levels. His limbs felt weak, his body hollowed out by exhaustion.

'I pushed myself too hard this time...'

Even so, he stood tall, slowly regaining his breath, his stance unwavering. Below, the Konoha shinobi dared not make a move, their eyes locked onto him.

As his strength returned, Mufasa glanced down and smirked. "Hey, Kakashi, why are you still here?"

Kakashi blinked in confusion. "Huh? Where else would I be?"

Mufasa tilted his head. "Back at the village. Or... are you planning in continuing fighting me?"

Kakashi hesitated before shaking his head. Yet, behind that shake was reluctance. "No... but my students are still with you."

"Oh, Naruto? And his little team?" Mufasa chuckled, his gaze sharp. "They're important bargaining chips. Do you really think I'd just hand them over?"

Kakashi's jaw tightened. "Mufasa, please... return them."

Mufasa's smirk deepened. "No can do. They're coming with me as guests. And something tells me... you won't be able to stop me."

Kakashi remained silent. He knew Mufasa was right.

Shikaku Nara finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. As Konoha's chief strategist, it was his duty to find a solution. "Mufasa-sama."

Mufasa raised an eyebrow.

'Mufasa-sama?'

That was new.

Shikaku continued, his mind already calculating the inevitable future. "With your strength, you will soon lead. Whether through force or by election, Sunagakure will fall in line. Lord Rasa's days are numbered."

Mufasa remained quiet, intrigued.

Shikaku took a slow breath before offering, "If you need a hostage, take me instead. I'm a Jonin, the head of the Nara Clan. My value to the village far surpasses that of Naruto and his team."

His words sent a ripple through the Konoha shinobi. He had just made the ultimate sacrifice.

Mufasa narrowed his eyes, considering the offer.

Before he could respond, a blur of white shot out from the trees.

Boom!

Clogs slammed against the ground. A tall figure stood before them, clad in a red coat, his forehead protector bearing the kanji for 'oil.' His long white hair cascaded down his back.

Jiraiya had arrived.

Mufasa grinned. "Jiraiya... You came too?"

Kakashi, Guy, and the others lit up with hope. "Jiraiya-sama!"

Jiraiya folded his arms, studying Mufasa carefully. "You know me?"

Mufasa chuckled before running a hand over his face. With a quick shift, his features changed, reverting to his merchant disguise—Scar.

"Ring any bells now?"

Recognition flickered in Jiraiya's eyes. His face turned slightly red. "Oh... you. Yeah, I remember."

'Not exactly proud of that bathhouse incident...'

Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Listen, Mufasa. I've already been briefed. I know what you're trying to do. But let me say this—Naruto and his friends are still kids. They shouldn't be involved in this."

Mufasa's smirk faded. "There's no 'kid' in the ninja world. Shinobi their age, younger even, have fought and died in war. Don't act like you didn't step onto the battlefield at their age."

Jiraiya flinched. He couldn't deny it.

Still, he couldn't let Naruto go. "Then take me instead. As one of the Legendary Sannin, I should be a fair trade."

"Jiraiya-sama!" Kakashi and the others immediately protested.

Jiraiya raised a hand, silencing them. "This is my responsibility. This is what the Will of Fire is about—protecting the next generation."

Mufasa's expression remained unreadable. He wasn't moved by sentiment.

'What a load of nonsense. That kind of thinking won't work on me.'

Besides, taking Jiraiya hostage would be a hassle. Tsunade would undoubtedly be affected. And if Orochimaru got involved, things would get even messier. No, it was better to avoid that chaos altogether.

Mufasa sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. I've thought it over. How about this—three for three? I'll trade Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for your Ino-Shika-Cho trio."

A heavy silence fell over the Konoha group. That was a tough bargain.

Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi exchanged glances before stepping forward. They already understood their role.

Jiraiya looked at Naruto and his team. "Don't worry, nothing bad will happen."

Naruto frowned. "Pervy Sage, how can you be sure?"

Jiraiya chuckled, flashing a knowing grin. "Because... the kind of man who enjoys the same scenery with me isn't the type to do something underhanded."

Kakashi nearly facepalmed. 'That's your reasoning?!'

Jiraiya simply nodded. "He's a man of culture, the same as I..." He said with deep mysteriousness in his voice.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were released.

And with that, the deal was sealed.