The Eve of the Curtain's Fall

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The two figures watched silently as the interior of the Four Purple Flames Formation suddenly plunged into complete darkness. If they weren't mistaken, this was the First Hokage's genjutsu technique, Darkness Technique: Blackout.

Now that things had reached this point...

Mujin waited quietly for a moment longer. Sure enough, when the darkness dissipated, the Third Hokage stood before Orochimaru, his body pierced by a long sword, his face pale and weary. At this moment, both men were motionless.

Mujin knew what had happened. The Third Hokage had used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Behind him floated the spectral figure of the Shinigami, visible only to those who had offered their souls to it—like Mujin himself. To everyone else, it appeared as though the two combatants were simply standing there, faces tense and unmoving.

"Let's go," Mujin said, turning to Karin. "It's confirmed that Orochimaru has been sealed by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. We'll check on him in a few days and see how much he's willing to pay to get his hands back."

With that, the two set off toward the location where Shukaku, the One-Tail, was being fought.

Orochimaru's loss of both arms via the Dead Demon Consuming Seal marked the beginning of the end for the Konoha Destruction Plan. For Mujin and Karin, only one target remained.

But even though the plan had failed, this did not signify the end—it was merely the beginning. This grand spectacle would serve as the prelude to the Fourth Great Ninja War.

As they moved through the chaotic battlefield, their disguises as members of Konoha's ANBU allowed them to pass without hindrance. This ease of movement also indicated that Konoha had regained control of the situation; the combined forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure no longer had the strength to intercept lone shinobi like themselves.

Boom!!!

Another deafening explosion erupted on the far side of Konoha. The hundred-meter-long serpent that had invaded alongside Manda collapsed under the relentless assault of Konoha's shinobi. Mujin observed the scene from afar. Near the fallen serpent stood Kakashi Hatake, his hand crackling with lightning. He was directing the freed Konoha ninja to various parts of the battlefield, coordinating their efforts.

As the battle progressed, Shukaku had been forced out of the village. Mujin and Karin found a concealed spot at the edge of the battlefield to observe.

By now, only Gamabunta of the Three Great Toads from Mount Myōboku remained standing. On the other side of the battlefield, Manda—the giant snake summoned by Orochimaru—was pummeling Gamabunta into the ground. With its horned head and massive size, Manda was one of the most dragon-like creatures from Ryūchi Cave, second only to the White Snake Sage and the Three Goddesses.

Mujin recalled that after Manda's death, Kabuto Yakushi had used its genetic material to resurrect a second-generation Manda. That version had grown even closer to becoming a true dragon, sporting two horns and four legs, resembling a mythical "jiao."

The Three Great Sacred Lands...

Mount Myōboku belonged to Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki, while the Hidden Lotus Temple was shrouded in mystery. If Mujin ever wanted to master senjutsu, Ryūchi Cave might be his only viable option.

*Boom!!!*

A violent explosion snapped Mujin out of his thoughts. He turned his gaze to another part of the battlefield, where Jiraiya and Might Guy led a group of Konoha shinobi in an all-out assault against Shukaku.

"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!" Jiraiya roared, slamming his palms onto the ground. A vast swamp erupted beneath Shukaku, interrupting its attack and trapping it within the mire. Several nearby Konoha shinobi took advantage of the opportunity to escape Shukaku's range.

Breathing heavily, Jiraiya turned to the ninja beside him. "Where are the sealing team members?!"

As one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya certainly possessed the power to defeat Shukaku. However, no matter how many times he knocked it down, Shukaku would simply rise again, unscathed. Tailed beasts could not be killed—only sealed away!

Unfortunately, Jiraiya was not skilled in sealing techniques and lacked the ability to seal a tailed beast on his own, despite being able to incapacitate it repeatedly.

"The village is in chaos right now," one of the shinobi replied. "They might be stuck somewhere."

"Damn it! Why is Suna's tailed beast here?!" Jiraiya growled, frustration evident in his voice. Since the battle began, countless lives had already been lost within the village, yet he remained pinned down by Shukaku.

And...

Jiraiya glanced toward the stadium, where the Four Purple Flames Formation still encased the Third Hokage and Orochimaru. There had been no updates from that area for some time.

"Konoha Strong Gale Fist!"

Might Guy, his body glowing with green energy, unleashed a powerful kick that shattered one of Shukaku's claws. However, the sand that scattered into the air did not disperse but instead quickly reformed around Shukaku's body, repairing the damage instantly. Then...

KABOOM!

With a powerful swipe, Shukaku struck Might Guy, sending him hurtling toward the ground like a meteor!

However, in the instant he was hit, Guy had already crossed his arms in front of him for protection. He didn't lose balance but instead flipped backward mid-air to absorb the impact. Landing gracefully beside Jiraiya, he responded immediately to the Sannin's earlier query.

"Lord Jiraiya," Guy began, "that is Suna's jinchūriki. Before the battle started, I saw the jinchūriki perform some kind of technique. After he fell asleep, the tailed beast emerged!"

"Asleep..." Jiraiya's mind raced as he processed this information.

Moments later, realization dawned, and his eyes lit up. "I've heard rumors about Suna's tailed beast—it's an exceptionally troublesome creature. Once its jinchūriki falls asleep, it breaks free from its seal. That's why Suna's jinchūriki rarely dares to sleep; they can only suppress the beast while awake!"

Turning to Guy, Jiraiya asked urgently, "Did you see where the jinchūriki is located? If we wake them, Shukaku's power will weaken significantly!"

Guy shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry, it all happened too suddenly."

Hearing this, Jiraiya frowned deeply. "Then there's no choice but to completely dismantle Shukaku's body until we find the jinchūriki..."

With that, Jiraiya brought his hands together in front of him, his expression growing grave. "Buy me some time. I'll shatter its body entirely and extract the jinchūriki!"

Senjutsu! Only Sage Techniques possessed the raw power needed to instantly cripple Shukaku's massive form!

But at that moment, Guy interjected unexpectedly. "If breaking Shukaku's body is all it takes... may I take on this task?"

"That's correct."

"Then please allow me to handle it!" Guy declared resolutely.

Jiraiya paused, comprehension dawning. "You mean... that technique? Are you sure you're prepared?"

"Yes, please trust me!" Guy replied firmly.

His face hardened as he pushed past the final safety threshold of the Eight Gates—the third gate already opened—and surged forward into uncharted territory.

"Eight Gates Release Technique! Sixth Gate: Gate of Joy—Open!!!"

KABOOM!

A violent gale erupted around Guy, the searing heat forcing everyone nearby to retreat further away.

KABOOOM!!!

A massive crater formed beneath him as Guy shot into the sky like a streak of green lightning. The shockwave alone nearly knocked Konoha's elite jōnin off their feet.

"Morning Peacock!!!"

Guy roared, unleashing a barrage of punches so rapid they blurred into streaks of light. Was it one hundred strikes? A thousand? The friction between his fists and the air ignited flames, which combined with the concussive force of each punch to create fiery projectiles resembling cannonballs. These blasts rained down relentlessly upon Shukaku!

KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!!!

Trapped in the swamp, Shukaku had no means of evasion. Its body erupted in countless explosions, the flames painting the sky crimson—a spectacle as brilliant as sunrise and as dazzling as a peacock's plumage unfurling.

The relentless assault continued for nearly a full minute before finally subsiding. When the flames dissipated, over ninety percent of Shukaku's body had been obliterated!

And there, exposed within the core, lay Gaara—completely defenseless!

"Wonderful work!" Jiraiya exclaimed, elated beyond measure. He hadn't anticipated Shukaku would suffer such severe damage, leaving it utterly incapable of resistance. With ample time now available, Jiraiya could directly apply a sealing technique to Gaara himself.

This was far simpler than attempting to seal the tailed beast outright—just as Orochimaru had done to Naruto!

And so, without hesitation, Jiraiya acted.

"Sealing Technique: Five Elements Seal!"

In an instant, Jiraiya closed the distance to Gaara, effortlessly applying the Five Elements Seal to his body.

"Graaaahhh!!!" Gaara let out a pained scream as the leaking chakra was abruptly sealed off. His monstrous form dissolved, reverting him back to human shape. Moments later, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.

At that exact moment...

Plan B was finally set into motion!