The beam moved so fast that none of the three kunoichi had any time to react as it honed in on and coiled around Tenten. Initially perplexed by what had just happened, Tenten then cried out as the beam permeated a strange energy through her body. In another moment, the beam retracted, pulling Tenten through the air and into the forest.
"Tenten!" Sakura cried out.
Though Temari and Sakura wanted to help their friend, it had all happened so fast they couldn't even take the initiative to act. And so they stood silent as they heard Tenten's cries echo out of the forest, and then, strangely, they suddenly stopped. Shortly afterwards, they heard a strange slobbering slurping sound, like a wild animal messily devouring its food, which was followed by a gulp and then punctuated by a loud burp.
Temari and Sakura, now filled with utter dread, kept their guard up as a figure made its way out of the forest. Sure enough, it was Marunomi.
"Well, well, look who it is," she said. "You girls finally caught up."
The two ninjas looked around, but saw no sign of Tenten. There was only Marunomi whose formerly slim stomach now bulged out quite noticeably.
"Thanks for the meal, by the way," Marunomi said, rubbing her expanded middle. "Your friend was delicious."
Temari and Sakura gazed at Marunomi's bulbous midsection. They didn't want to believe it, but it was true; Tenten had been eaten.
"You monster," Sakura said intensely.
Marunomi merely smirked with a slight chuckle.
"Oh, don't be upset," she said. "You'll be seeing her again very soon. In the meantime, what do you say we have a nice workout before dinner?"
Marunomi assumed an offensive stance, indicating that she intended to fight. As Temari and Sakura readied themselves to fight in turn, Temari contemplated the best course of action. Though she had an idea, she still wasn't entirely sure what that beam was that had struck Tenten and how Marunomi had devoured her so quickly. But, for now, she assumed it was best to just act on their instructions: Subdue Marunomi and retrieve the Behemoth's Tongue intact.
