The octopus and the fox clashed.
The power of the Tailed Beasts, often revered as "natural disasters," was unveiled in its entirety in a single moment.
Even the aftershocks toppled trees and cracked the earth.
Chakras collided, disturbing the air currents, and creating fierce waves of wind.
"Eight-Tails, has your power waned during your comfortable days in the Hidden Cloud?" the Nine-Tails sneered, slashing with a blade, pressing its advantage.
The Eight-Tails, silent and slightly disheveled, dodged to the side.
Tentacles lashed.
Fox tails countered.
As they faced each other directly, both beasts opened their mouths simultaneously, and their Tailed Beast Bombs materialized and launched, colliding with explosive force.
Smoke and shockwaves filled the air.
But just as the field of vision was obscured, a flash of white lightning suddenly gleamed.
"Way of Destruction Number Four: White Lightning."
Minuscule and faint in presence, yet extremely effective!
The unexpected technique severed one of the octopus' tentacles flailing in the air.
With a thud, it crashed to the ground.
The Eight-Tails was astonished.
What kind of technique was that?
How did Nine-Tails produce it?
This was beyond its understanding of the Nine-Tails, much like seeing the Nine-Tails wield a sword in battle today.
"It hasn't been long since we last met, and your transformation is immense," the Eight-Tails spoke solemnly.
It was still the Nine-Tails, but it could sense that half of its "essence" was missing.
Yet, it had become stronger.
In combat awareness and skills alike.
The Nine-Tails grinned widely: "I'm advancing, Ox-Head, while you remain where you are."
"We are no longer creatures of the same world."
Ox-Head was bewildered.
Advancing?
Could Tailed Beasts like them even progress?
It paid little mind to the latter statement.
Probably just another "nasty talk" the Nine-Tails picked up somewhere.
The Nine-Tails' eyes shimmered with intrigue: "I've encountered some fascinating things."
It continued wielding its blade.
The edge of the blade does not point towards critical areas like the throat, abdomen, or heart. For Tailed Beasts, these are not vital points.
Furthermore, even if a Tailed Beast is killed, in a few years it will revive.
Except for the Nine-Tails, haven't all other Tailed Beasts died a few times?
Its target is the horn on the Eight-Tails' head.
One has already broken, and now...
The Nine-Tails is pondering how to cut down the other one.
It's far more interesting than merely killing it.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Blue-black flames bulged, and the Two-Tails jumped out entirely from Yugito's body.
It immediately raised a paw.
Unlike Yugito's sharp claws, the Two-Tails swung its paw into a fist, appearing more human-like, without hesitation, it slammed down fiercely.
Naruto looked up, with a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, "It's a little kitty, huh."
He missed Sister Yoruichi a bit.
He didn't know how she was doing in the real world.
Well, it must be quite comfortable.
The Two-Tails bared its fangs.
Little...kitty?
Even if you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, you shouldn't call me that!
I'm not small!
It punched down with even greater force.
Naruto didn't dodge or flinch, just clasped his hands together.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Chains clattered, spiraling, wrapping around the Two-Tails' arm.
On the delicate chains, there was a strength it could not resist.
Pulling its arm back, causing its entire massive body to stagger and fall.
Before the Two-Tails could react...
The chains continued to fly, slithering like snakes along its body, extending to its limbs and tail, binding it tightly, pinning it firmly to the ground.
"As a kitty..." Naruto stepped down, treading on invisible steps in the air, descending onto the Two-Tails' head, "It's cute to have a little tantrum."
"But too much temper isn't good."
"Be good."
He reached out, patting the Two-Tails' head.
The feel was far inferior to the Nine-Tails.
Its fur was fiery, its form unstable, giving a tactile sensation of lightness.
Moreover, Tailed Beast chakra was restless, full of hostility, trying to burn through and devour Naruto.
Naruto pressed down gently, "Be even a bit more obedient."
Chakra surged, and the power of the spirit equally raged.
The Two-Tails let out a low whimper, its body sinking a bit lower toward the ground.
From their vantage point over the battlefield, Tutai and Shee were filled with disbelief.
"Lady Yugito was subdued so easily?" Shee took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm, "But that's a Tailed Beast."
"The Adamantine Sealing Chains, a secret technique of the Uzumaki clan," Tutai recognized it immediately, his tone heavy, "It's specifically effective against Tailed Beasts."
"Don't panic."
"It's up to us to rescue Yugito now."
As he spoke, he paused for a moment.
"I've already notified Lord Raikage with the summoning jutsu. He'll be here soon to support us."
"Rest assured, once Lord Raikage arrives."
"Victory will be ours."
"Just hold on a little longer."
At the Raikage's office in the Cloud Village.
"Mabui!" The Fourth Raikage, A, burst into the office with urgency, "Prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique."
"Send the ready support unit immediately."
"The capture of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has failed. I have to take action."
The white-haired, dark-skinned female ninja he called upon widened her eyes in surprise: "But Lord Raikage, that jutsu..."
"We have no choice but to use this technique now."
Mabui took a deep breath, "Yes, Lord Raikage."
They entered a room that housed a special ninja tool, resembling a three-tiered cake, topped with a single red cloth.
A strode forward with determined steps.
Mabui stood in front of the tool, forming seals with her hands: "Lord Raikage, I'll activate the technique now."
In an instant, chakra surged, resonating with the ninja tool before them.
"Heavenly Transfer Technique!"
Raikage's body quivered, his chakra drawn upward, and in the blink of an eye, A vanished from the ninja tool.
Mabui frowned, her expression grave.
This jutsu.
It's a ninja art specialized for transferring objects, and theoretically, incapable of transporting people.
Almost no one can endure the tremendous tearing force during the transfer.
Until now, transporting a person had succeeded only once.
That was the Third Raikage!
His body was like a fortress of steel, able to withstand the jutsu's side effects.
As for the Fourth Raikage, inheritor of the Third Raikage's bloodline, He hadn't attempted it before, so one could only pray nothing goes wrong.
She hurriedly left the room to issue orders for Raikage-sama's support to the other ninja.
On the battlefield.
After hearing what Tutai said, Shee nodded solemnly, "Yes, I understand."
"Then let me…"
He exchanged a knowing glance with Tutai and then leaped high into the air, landing in front of the Two-Tails, capturing Naruto's attention while forming seals.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Illusion Light Pillar!"
Chakra surged violently as Shee's entire body lit up like a blinding white light, casting a bright glare that turned Naruto's entire view into a white blur.
But the white light didn't completely obscure his vision.
On the left, a shadowy figure faintly appeared, also springing forth to attack.
This was another person launching an attack using the technique.
Naruto swished his hand. A chain swung behind him.
The light-emitting Shee was startled. How could it be!
He… saw through my technique?
"Using lightning to create a strong light," Naruto murmured, "making people think it's a technique to obstruct vision while hiding the essence of genjutsu?"
"A very good technique."
"But it's a pity."
"To use genjutsu effectively, you at least need to conceal your emotions. Without achieving that…"
"…how is it any different from laying your plans bare before me?"
As he spoke,
the brilliant light faded, and golden-haired Shee landed.
The shadow on the left also dissipated.
Just as Naruto said, it was all merely an illusion.
The golden chains lashed out swiftly, accurately hitting the figure that had initially been hidden.
It was Tutai from the Hidden Cloud.
The chain pierced through his throat, pinning him to a tree.
Instant death.
His eyes widened, hands still frozen in the 'Tiger' seal, as if he had intended to use a powerful Fire Release technique.
The chain withdrew.
The body hung on the tree, swaying slightly as shockwaves from the battle with the tailed beast passed by.
"Tutai-senpai!" Shee's voice was full of grief and fury, chakra surging even more fiercely. He gritted his teeth, his expression twisted with rage, "You bastard!"
Naruto looked at him, gently smiling, about to speak.
He suddenly turned his head towards the distance, surprise flickering in his eyes.
Naruto sensed an immensely powerful chakra approaching at an unbelievable speed, a power even greater than Orochimaru's.
It was like a beam of light!
Could a ninja possess such speed?
This was beyond even what Night Guy could achieve.
Shee was slightly taken aback.
He couldn't understand why Naruto was distractedly looking into the distance at this moment.
But for Shee, he knew this was his only chance.
His hands swiftly weaved a set of hand signs.
"Lightning Release: Scatter Punch Blitz!"
Fierce lightning surged from his palms, crackling and spreading massive bolts in all directions.
Just as Shee completed his hand signs, Naruto turned his head back, raising his hand.
He bypassed the incantation.
"Way of Destruction #4, White Lightning."
White lightning flashed rapidly.
Shee attempted to sidestep the attack, but chains suddenly whipped out, binding his body.
"Stop, don't harm Shee!" came an angry shout from nearby, accompanied by a burst of lightning.
Upon hearing this voice, Shee was slightly stunned.
It was the voice of Lord Raikage!
He had arrived!
Tutai's words still echoed in his ears: "Once Lord Raikage arrives, victory is ours."
Shee struggled with all his might but could not break free.
From a distance, the lightning also struck, clashing with the chains, sending sparks flying.
But it was futile.
The binding held firm.
White Lightning descended rapidly, piercing through Shee's chest.
Through the thumb-sized hole, one could vaguely see a missing piece of his heart, beating slower and slower, as blood gushed forth.
"You damned brat!" roared the owner of the distant lightning, sounding even more enraged.
Naruto looked over.
Standing there was a tall man with light yellow hair, deep brown skin, exceedingly burly and muscular.
"Even if you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," he declared, "today, I will make sure to kill you!"
Chakra surged around him.
A bow of lightning erupted across his arm, instantly enveloping his entire body in layers.
Blue Lightning Release Chakra clothed him, akin to a Tailed Beast cloak.
(End of Chapter)