Tobirama gazed at Shukaku, whose fangs and claws were on full display, wiping his sizable forehead with a hand. The light in his eyes flickered away, and, astonishingly, he walked atop the water's surface, creating a ripple as he charged toward the opposition.
Simultaneously, his hands swiftly formed seals, conjuring a dense and massive water sphere in mid-air.
"Suiton: Suiben (Water Release: Water Bomb)!"
The airborne water sphere, seemingly commanded, hurtled rapidly toward Shukaku and Shamon.
"Bah-ah-ah-ah!"
Countless water projectiles, resembling missiles, detonated on the rocks and water, resulting in a violent explosion. The area was suddenly engulfed in splashing water, and even Shukaku's colossal form found itself partially submerged in the expansive turmoil.
"Ow—!"
Shukaku emitted a pained roar. Despite having his sanity completely stripped away by the human column's force, his formidable power appeared somewhat lumbering. Hit by several water bombs without resistance, his massive body was sent flying, smoke and dust scattering in all directions. He instinctively shielded vital points with his thick arms, but he still retreated slowly.
"Oops! Tobirama's water release can't even be contained by this!"
Shamon, feeling the toll of the recent battle, harbored resentment beneath Shukaku. He gazed at Tobirama, advancing with determination, hidden under Shukaku.
"This isn't an ordinary water manipulation attack. Don't just take hits, you fool! Fight back!"
Shamon glared at the befuddled Shukaku, angrily kicking him. Simultaneously, he roared at Jinchūriki, the one controlling him.
"Uh... roar!"
Shukaku's eyes, like copper bells, flickered in apparent struggle. He then lifted his head, roaring as if venting frustration. Ignoring Tobirama's assault, his massive claws descended upon his own head.
"Boom-!!"
Shukaku's colossal form seemingly eclipsed the sky, casting a massive shadow over Tobirama on the water. The next moment, the water's surface erupted with a deafening crash, sending water soaring dozens of meters into the air.
"Ugh—!"
Shukaku roared unconsciously, as if releasing pent-up energy. The water on his body evaporated instantly, and the wounds inflicted by the previous water jets began squirming with sand. Soon, fresh sand surged from the ground, visibly healing the injuries.
In the desert expanse, defeating Shukaku required a potent attack to prevent him from regenerating with sand. Though not the strongest among tailed beasts, he proved challenging to handle.
Tobirama skillfully avoided Shukaku's attack, leaping into the air. Indifferent, he observed Shamon below, his hands forming seals with increasing speed, hinting at a more formidable technique.
"Idiot, quit barking and focus, up there!"
Shaman shouted as a reminder. It seemed their method of controlling tailed beasts had its flaws, too sluggish to keep up with powerful opponents. However, on the battlefield, controllable tailed beasts held an advantage.
"Roar--!"
Shukaku finally noticed the seemingly "insignificant" Tobirama before him, a sense of disdain overtaking him. Dismissing the threat, his abdomen swelled, chakra amassing in his mouth before launching a colossal attack.
"What?! Could that be a Tailed Beast Jade?!" Tobirama was caught off guard by Shukaku's incredible speed. Others movements also slowed down, but all Shukaku could manage in response was to release three Drilling Air bullets.
Instantaneously performing A-level ninjutsu is a feat unheard of among even high-level Shinobi. However, for Tobirama, who had witnessed the power capable of rending the skies and shattering the earth within Tailed Beasts, Shukaku's strength was simply inadequate.
"Disperse!"
Tobirama prepared his own ninjutsu, stunning Shukaku momentarily with his substantial chakra. Ignoring the three approaching Air Bullets, Tobirama vanished entirely.
"What?!"
Shamon hidden below turned pale in shock. Simultaneously, Tobirama reappeared directly in front of him.
"You...!"
Three Drilling air Bullets exploded in the distance, creating a massive whirlwind of water, sand, and dust. Shukaku, having lost his target, was stunned once more.
"Water Release, Sea Roar!"
Tobirama's body swelled with visible blue chakra as he pressed his hands directly onto the sand.
"Be cautious!"
Everyone observing the battle from a distance felt an immense pressure. Almost simultaneously, a monstrous water column erupted from the base of Shukaku, enveloping the Shamon in its reach.
The violent water column resembled an azure dragon breaking free from shackles, soaring from bottom to top. Its roar pierced the sky and earth, completely shrouding the massive Shukaku. Under the onslaught of this formidable ninjutsu, gravel peeled off from Shukaku's body, and his shrill howl echoed as his form shrank.
"What a terrifying technique! Shukaku is powerless before Tobirama-sama's might!"
Tsushima couldn't help but sigh as he watched Shukaku immersed in the water.
"Where's the old Shamon?" Tsushima suddenly inquired.
"It's too far; I can't see clearly, but he must be seriously injured, right? Shukaku is now like a mud bodhisattva crossing the river, unable to protect himself. Shamon is sure to lose!"
Kazama said casually. Having followed Tobirama and Hashirama since childhood, they were extremely confident in Tobirama's strength.
"That's correct. No matter how hard Shamon struggles, he can't recover. Shukaku is at his weakest; it's the perfect opportunity for us to act."
An old man removed his cloak, revealing clean white clothes and pale eyes—the unmistakable markings of a member of the Hyuga clan.
Indeed, though Hyuga's ninja were assigned by Tobirama to remain in Konoha, several elites still joined the war. Among them, the branch elder of Hyuga had been invited by Tobirama.
Tobirama must have anticipated encountering Sand Jinchūriki and arranged for Master Gen, who knew Wood Release, to go to the Land of Lightning battlefield. Nightingale wasn't strong enough, and Tobirama didn't want to reveal Wood Release prematurely, so he sought aid from Hyuga.
Hinata's gentle fist technique could be particularly effective against Sand Jinchūriki. Tobirama just hadn't expected to confront him so soon.
"Everyone, let's join forces to deal with Shukaku and capture Jinchūriki alive. Today, the Land of Wind may be compelled to withdraw from the war!"
The wind gently tousled the white bangs, disheveled by the northern breeze, as the trio advanced towards the sluggish Shukaku.
"Whoa, whoa-"
Tobirama's ninjutsu gradually dissipated, and water scattered into the sky, drenching everything. The sand, conjured by Shukaku, was not spared either.
The formidable power of Water Release Ninjutsu had taken a toll on Shukaku. Though gravel tirelessly mended Shukaku's diminished form, it was notably sluggish. Shukaku's strength proved insufficient for a swift recovery.
"Why were you so confident earlier? Why hide now?"
Tobirama strolled casually on the flooded terrain, paying no heed to Shukaku. Someone else had naturally dealt with him.
In truth, Tobirama could have disposed of Shukaku along with Jinchuriki earlier, but a tailed beast is a nation's core strength and more sensitive. At most, capturing Jinchūriki and having the Sand Ninjas redeem it was sufficient, and the Sand Ninjas wouldn't dare refuse.
No one appeared in the empty surroundings. Tobirama sneered and closed his eyes to sense Shamon's chakra.
"Oh?"
Tobirama seemed slightly surprised. Simultaneously, two colossal wind blades attacked from behind.
Tobirama vanished, reappearing on a rock wall, observing the grotesque Shamon with interest.
"Tobirama! Phew... don't go too far!"
Tobirama was surprised; the ninjutsu he used just now consumed a significant amount of chakra. Although it was aimed at Shukaku, he didn't anticipate Shamon to be nearly unscathed.
Numerous massive iron armors and various weapons such as kunai and shuriken floated around Shamon, shielding him securely. Shamon wore a grave expression. Clearly, this was his hidden ability—magnetic arms.
Evidently, it was the substantial and weighty iron armor that shielded Shamon from harm.
"Oh? A magnet release kekkai genkai, as expected. Shamon was reputedly the first ninja to develop such a technique. It's no easy feat to be a pioneer in this era."
Takeshi observed Tobirama's battlefield from a distance, then shook his head.
Although Shamon's debut of the Magnet Release was impressive, it posed no threat to Tobirama, and there was no opportunity for him to exploit Tobirama's vulnerabilities.
Takeshi turned his attention to the hard-fought Shukaku.
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