Hearing Temari’s warning just in time, Tenten and Hinata dodged the beam. It completed its arc and then retreated back to Marunomi, vanishing back into the Behemoth's Tongue. Marunomi, perched on a tree branch, looked at the three kunoichi who themselves had landed on separate branches.

“Hmm, not bad,” she said. “Your reflexes are better than I gave you credit for. Looks like I’ll have to fight you head on.”

Suddenly, she leapt to a nearby forest clearing.

“Very well. Then let this be our battlefield,” Marunomi said.

Temari, Hinata, and Tenten reluctantly accepted her offer and headed to the forest clearing, standing across from Marunomi. At the very least, it was better to have her out in the open.

Temari observed the Behemoth's Tongue on Marunomi's arm. She knew now that she would have to decide to save it or just destroy it outright.


*What does Temari decide?