The elder (Genji) was far more clear-headed than those Kirigakure shinobi who acted purely on impulse.
Judging from the current situation in the shinobi world, Konoha probably had no intention of going to war with three great shinobi villages simultaneously either.
The fact that Hoshiyomi hadn't massacred civilians but instead had carried out a direct strike on the Mizukage's Building confirmed that — he'd come to Kirigakure just to vent, not to exterminate or start a full-scale war.
Let him vent and then withdraw quietly — that would be the best outcome for this incident, even if it looked humiliating.
Dispatching the Six-Tails recklessly to stop Hoshiyomi would be a foolish move. Gekko Hoshiyomi who could storm the Mizukage's Building and walk away unscathed was clearly stronger than the Six-Tails; provoking him would only anger him further.
And with their Fourth Mizukage's life unknown, a Hoshiyomi who can understand human speech is clearly much easier to deal with than a rampaging Six-Tails.
Sure, the Six-Tails might cause trouble for Hoshiyomi, but Genji was certain: Hoshiyomi—who had already bested the Fourth Mizukage—would not be frightened by a tailed beast, and the acid and tailed-beast bomb damage the Six-Tails could do would be far worse than anything Hoshiyomi had already caused in Kirigakure.
It could even be worse: rumor had it that Gekko Hoshiyomi possessed a space-time ninjutsu; if Hoshiyomi left and then returned after they'd finally dealt with the Six-Tails, Genji didn't dare think of the consequences.
So at this critical moment the old man stepped up. Even if it was humiliating and would make Kirigakure a laughingstock among the other villages, he had to minimize Kirigakure's losses.
As one grows older you realize that face is the cheapest thing in the world — risking the village's annihilation for the sake of some pride was something Genji would not allow.
Hoshiyomi looked at the elder and nodded with a smile. "If you, Elder, say so, I'll help you suppress the Six-Tails. But you must keep your promise — if you don't, I guarantee there won't be a second chance."
Hoshiyomi decided to help Kirigakure deal with the Six-Tails for two reasons: one was that he genuinely felt the urge to test his abilities against the Tailed Beast. The other reason was a sudden realization: If I continue to destroy Kirigakurelike this, won't I just be paving the way for Madara?
In the original story, when the Fourth Mizukage was at his peak, Madara could still manipulate Kirigakure shinobi to release the Three-Tails and have Obito control Yagura.
If he allowed the Six-Tails to rampage and destroy Kirigakure now, wouldn't it become easier for Madara to cause trouble here than walking into his own backyard?
His goal had never been to destroy Kirigakure completely. What he truly cared about was the man pulling strings behind the scenes — that ultimate boss.
So there was no way he would commit such a foolish act that would strengthen the enemy.
He hadn't killed Yagura to begin with, and if he now sealed the Six-Tails and secured Genji's promise, Kirigakure shouldn't be quick to go to war again.
That way, Rin's tragedy in the future could also be avoided.
If he could also keep Obito under control, then combined, these two actions would make Madara lose his foothold in Kirigakure.
Without Kirigakure, how could Madara continue his plans relying only on Nagato's pair of Rinnegan eyes?
Thinking of this, Hoshiyomi suddenly felt a thrill — the excitement of a grand game of strategy.
He wanted to see whether Madara could still come up with a countermeasure against his move.
Driven by that mood, Hoshiyomi became even more eager to take on the Six-Tails.
Without waiting for Genji's reply, he charged straight toward it.
"Everyone, get down! I'm not responsible if you die!"
After this extremely humanitarian warning, Hoshiyomi placed his hand on the hilt of Mikazuki Munechika.
Let's start with an appetizer.
Sky-Splitting Draw Slash!
Buzz!
With the sound of the blade scraping against its sheath, a massive circular wave of sword energy spread rapidly outward from Hoshiyomi at the center.
Wherever the sword energy passed, it left utter devastation in its wake — houses, trees, and even the unlucky ones who hadn't managed to get down in time were all sliced cleanly in two.
Even the distant Six-Tails seemed to sense the threat from this slash. Instinctively, it extended its six tails, using what it believed to be its strongest defense to block Hoshiyomi's attack.
Under the watchful eyes of the Kirigakure shinobi, the sword energy collided with the Six-Tails' tails.
To human eyes, Hoshiyomi's Sky-Splitting Draw Slash already produced an enormous blade of energy. But compared to the sheer size of the Six-Tails, it appeared rather insignificant.
The expanding wave of sword energy was only about as thick as a few of the Beast's tails — tiny and frail-looking against that massive, bloated body.
Yet, this seemingly disproportionate strike produced an utterly unexpected result!
Shhhk!
With a deep, slicing sound, the Six-Tails — whose expression was unreadable until now — suddenly let out a pained, ear-splitting roar. Hoshiyomi's sword energy had cut straight through its tails.
The Six-Tails had interlocked all six of its tails together to block the attack, but Hoshiyomi's sword energy effortlessly severed three of them and continued straight into its belly.
Blood burst out like a fountain, splattering the surrounding Kirigakure shinobi from head to toe.
The Six-Tails howled in agony, then suddenly lowered its head. Its two antennae locked tightly onto Hoshiyomi — it remembered now. It was this human who had hurt it, the reason it had been forced to show its true form.
Unforgivable!
The Six-Tails' cavernous mouth opened and took in a deep breath before spewing a torrent of corrosive liquid — one of its signature techniques, the terrifying acid known as Wisdom Wolf Decay.
As it watched the other humans writhing on the ground, their bodies burning and melting from the acid, its feelers antennae in satisfaction. Wherever the acid splashed, the lush forest turned to barren white wasteland.
That hateful human — he would be melted into nothing!
But just as that thought crossed its mind, a calm voice suddenly sounded right beside its ear:
"Looks like your aim's not so good."
The Six-Tails froze. Only then did it realize — a human figure now stood atop its head!
When had he gotten there?!
Panicking, the beast swung its remaining tails upward to swat Hoshiyomi away — but its movements were far too slow. Against Hoshiyomi's instantaneous Shunpo, it didn't even come close.
Damn human! You think standing on my head makes you untouchable?!
Driven into fury, the Six-Tails let out a thunderous roar and unleashed another technique — Leech Gap!
Its pale-blue skin began to emit wisps of greenish smoke, gradually shifting toward a bluish-green color.
Catching a whiff of the pungent, corrosive stench, Hoshiyomi's expression changed.
Tch… this thing's starting to fight dirty. It's secreting acid from its own skin — trying to melt me alive right on top of its body!