In a situation where they were outnumbered ten to one, Kushina's words could easily have been dismissed as a joke, especially since they came from a woman. Most of the Cloud ninja present sneered, thinking that Konoha's forces, having been overwhelmed by Cloud's relentless advance, were simply marching to their deaths.
"Even though you're a woman, I respect you, yo!" Killer B called out in his usual bizarre tone, drawing the two swords from his back, a serious expression settling on his face as he recognized Kushina's determination.
"Attack!" A ordered, casting a glance at Killer B. Lightning crackled across his muscular body as he charged straight for Kushina without any further words. His movement was like the sounding of a battle horn, as all the Cloud ninja rushed at the Konoha forces.
"This... lightning style is like Ye Zi's... it's so fast!" Kushina's expression shifted, but fortunately, the distance between them gave her just enough time to react. She punched the ground, channeling a burst of chakra into the earth. The ground before her erupted violently, massive cracks spread rapidly, and chunks of rock were sent flying, transforming the battlefield into a chaotic mess.
While the flying rocks couldn't harm A, as they disintegrated upon contact with his lightning-clad body, the terrain's destruction slowed his lightning-fast advance.
"Impressive, Nine-Tails," A muttered coldly. Using a piece of debris as a foothold, he leaped into the air, extending his arm with his fingers pressed together, aiming directly at Kushina's right arm. His goal was to capture the Nine-Tails, so he planned to incapacitate her by severing her limbs first.
Though her attack had hindered his speed, Kushina was able to sense his attack path. She narrowly dodged A's lightning-fast strike with a swift sidestep, allowing him to pass by her.
However, the intense lightning surrounding A's body seared her clothing as he brushed past, scorching her right shoulder.
No sooner had she evaded his attack than a thick, octopus-like tentacle shot toward her.
"Eight-Tails' jinchūriki..." Kushina recognized the attack immediately. She quickly formed a cross with her index and middle fingers.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
With a puff of smoke, four shadow clones of Kushina appeared beside her. Two clones immediately charged at A to keep him occupied, while the other two grabbed her arms, launching her towards Killer B, who had just extended another tentacle.
Killer B's first tentacle missed its mark, and the second swatted away the two clones, instantly dispersing them.
"Hah!" Killer B grinned as another tentacle emerged, whipping toward Kushina as she flew through the air.
Undeterred, Kushina brought her hands together like a blade, wind chakra swirling around them. In midair, she sliced through the Eight-Tails' tentacle with ease.
"Strong, sharp... what a terrifying woman, yo!" Killer B exclaimed, his grin widening as lightning crackled around his swords.
Inside his mind, the Eight-Tails sighed. "That woman is the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. Can you be serious for once? At least during a fight, stop with the rap."
"No way, bro, your tentacles can grow back, yeah, yo!" Killer B replied, as he leaped into the air, his lightning-infused sword slashing toward Kushina.
Kushina quickly formed another seal, summoning two shadow clones midair. Using one as a foothold, she leaped higher just as Killer B's sword slashed through the clone below. She bent forward, reaching out with her right hand to strike at his back.
But just as her hand was about to connect, the Eight-Tails' tentacle intervened, shielding Killer B. Kushina's hand pressed against the tentacle, leaving behind a black sealing mark.
The two parted and landed on the ground, just as A, who had defeated her clones, charged at Kushina again, his body still crackling with lightning. His target was still her right arm.
Kushina was now facing both A and Killer B alone, with no reinforcements in sight. The other Konoha ninjas were overwhelmed, struggling against the tenfold superior Cloud forces.
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
With a determined expression, nine golden chakra chains shot out from Kushina's back, crisscrossing into a net aimed at A.
"What the...?!" A was caught off guard as his body collided with the chakra chains, which immediately tightened around him, halting his momentum. His hand, fingers still extended in a deadly strike, stopped just a few inches from Kushina's arm, unable to move any closer.
Staring at the dangerously close hand, Kushina breathed heavily as she focused on tightening the chains, binding A in place. At the same time, she began forming a new set of hand seals.
"I underestimated you, Nine-Tails jinchūriki," A grunted as he tried to struggle free, but the chains held firm, making it impossible for him to move. His expression grew serious.
The intense struggle from A caused Kushina to wince slightly in pain. The feedback from the chakra chains transmitted directly to her, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to stop her sealing jutsu.
Not far away, Killer B noticed his brother trapped by the golden chains and immediately moved to help. But as he took a step, he realized he couldn't access his chakra.
"?"
A puzzled expression crossed his face, and his usual rap was replaced by silence.
"That woman's sealing jutsu is powerful," the Eight-Tails advised, feeling the same effects. "You'll have to cut off your tentacle. Be careful."
Understanding dawned on Killer B as he noticed the black seal on his tentacle. "So it happened back then!" Without hesitation, he sliced off the tentacle, and his chakra returned immediately.
"Those chains... they're seals too! Yo, impressive!"
With genuine admiration, Killer B charged towards Kushina, throwing his lightning-coated sword at her.
Sensing the incoming chakra attack, Kushina had no choice but to abandon her hand seals, forfeiting the opportunity to defeat A. She leaped back to avoid the electrified blade.
Seeing his attack succeed in stopping her technique, Killer B grinned. Now fully aware of Kushina's strength, he no longer held back, immediately entering the first stage of his Tailed Beast transformation.
Dark red chakra poured out of his body, forming a visible cloak around him. His speed and strength surged dramatically.
Gripping his sword, Killer B charged straight at Kushina, aiming to force her back and free A from the chains.
The intense Tailed Beast chakra radiating from Killer B made Kushina feel uneasy. She wasn't surprised that he had regained control of his chakra—she knew the Eight-Tails had intervened to break her seal.
Watching Killer B enter a partial transformation, seemingly unfazed, Kushina realized that this jinchūriki could perfectly control the Eight-Tails. More than that, the Tailed Beast appeared to accept him as an ally, fighting alongside him willingly.
"Amazing..." Kushina muttered, biting her lip. She didn't want to release the Adamantine Sealing Chains, even though they were slowing her down. Facing both A and Killer B at the same time would only increase the pressure on her.
As Killer B approached, his movements swift and powerful, he pulled his other blade from the ground, the combined power of lightning and Tailed Beast chakra swirling around him.
The overwhelming force coming her way made Kushina's eyes narrow in concentration as her mind raced for a way to counter.
"Super Vibrato Lightning Release Swords!"
With a loud cry, Killer B infused his sword with a massive amount of chakra, creating a high-frequency vibration wave. Rather than attacking Kushina directly, he swung his blade at the chains binding A.
Clang!
The chains snapped with a sharp sound, and Kushina was sent flying back.
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Currently on Chapter 250 - The Plan Begins... Capturing the Jinchūriki