**Chapter 114: Ants and Elephants**

Naruto had no intention of interacting with the Cloud Village for now. However, it was clear that the Cloud Village had different plans.

"So many people? It seems their target is Naruto," Karin said with a neutral expression. "The Cloud Village is much bolder than the Mist Village."

The Mist Village was cautious, not daring to engage in battle.

The Cloud Village, however, was aggressive!

But she wasn't afraid; in fact, she felt no inner turmoil at all.

They were only the Five Great Nations.

Even though the Cloud Village was the strongest village on the continent after the fall of Konoha.

Compared to those Naruto had previously encountered and fought against.

"The Sage of Six Paths," "The Grim Reaper," "The Toad Who Has Lived for a Thousand Years."

It gave her a subtle feeling of "Ah, ordinary people are really so brave."

"It's fine if they come looking for me," Naruto said with a smile, shaking his head.

He thought that something like the "Real Waterfall" would be quite well-known.

But after such a long search, he hadn't found any trace of that place.

He hadn't even met anyone who had heard of it.

The Cloud Village coming to him was a good sign.

"You two, who will stay with Karin?" Naruto looked at the two foxes on his shoulders.

"Has the Eight-Tails arrived as well?" Yang Nine-Tails seemed eager, "Let me go then."

"That guy is still quite tough to beat."

It glanced at the red blade, its intentions clear.

It wanted to hone the skills it had learned from the Soul Society on the Eight-Tails.

Yin Nine-Tails said nothing, leaping lightly to sit on Karin's head, demonstrating its choice through action.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Karin said, clenching her fist.

Naruto nodded and used Shunshin to disappear in the blink of an eye.

The Cloud Village team advanced.

"We're already very close to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," one of the leading Jonin, Xi, said with a serious tone, "According to the intelligence from the Land of Fire."

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's sensory range…"

"Could be around forty to fifty kilometers."

"So we've already entered the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's sensory range. He could appear in front of us at any moment."

"Be cautious."

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, a large older sister with tea-colored braided hair, was somewhat surprised: "Fifty kilometers, is it really possible to reach such an exaggerated extent?"

The distance sounded incredible.

Even the Byakugan, known for its observational abilities, could only see up to one or two kilometers, far less than this.

Xi was about to respond when a gentle voice spoke from above them.

"The Cloud Village's intelligence-gathering abilities are not to be underestimated," the voice said, "To gather information so precisely."

"But since that's the case…"

"Why did you come looking for me?"

The group of ninjas immediately stopped and formed a defensive formation, then looked up.

A blonde young man was standing in the sky, looking down at them from above.

Behind him, the mountain range extended, with the highest peak right beneath him.

They were at the foot of the mountain, looking up.

Xi's face changed drastically.

When did this happen?

He had been maintaining his "sensing" all along.

But his senses were completely ineffective!

He noticed that in his perception, the sky was empty, with no chakra flow or presence detected.

Only the naked eye could see the person.

As if he were in another dimension.

Is this the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, a truly powerful ninja?

"The Cloud Village's goal is me, right?" Naruto asked softly, "What do you want to do?"

It sounded like a question, but the tone carried no hint of doubt.

Xi did not speak.

Next to him, another leader of the team, a ninja named Tsuchi, spoke: "Lord Uzumaki, we hope you will join the Cloud Village."

Naruto tilted his head towards him.

The one-eyed man's breath hitched for a moment; just a simple glance from Naruto made him feel a chilling sense of fear. The power was truly terrifying: "Your relationship with Konoha isn't good, so let me boldly guess."

"It's because of Lord Uzumaki's Jinchuriki status."

"If that's the case, please consider joining the Cloud Village."

"In other villages, Jinchuriki are treated as 'tools,' but in our Cloud Village, it's different."

"We treat Jinchuriki as heroes."

Tsuchi turned his head towards the tea-colored braided woman.

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki spoke: "I can prove this to you."

"Although when I was young, the village was quite ignorant, causing many unpleasant incidents."

"But with the efforts of our Raikage, there have been significant changes now."

She paused slightly, glancing at the small fox on Naruto's shoulder with a meaningful look: "As a Jinchuriki, have you heard of the concept of a 'Perfect Jinchuriki'?"

"When we Jinchuriki use the Tailed Beast's power…"

"The Tailed Beast also absorbs our own chakra."

"If the Tailed Beast transformation lasts too long, we may lose our sanity or even our lives."

"But if we can achieve a mental connection with the Tailed Beast, when we use the Tailed Beast's chakra, our own chakra won't be absorbed."

"I've only heard of one such Perfect Jinchuriki."

"That is our Raikage's Killer Bee."

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki's gaze fell on a dark-skinned man with sunglasses.

He coldly nodded.

"Though I am not yet a Perfect Jinchuriki," she continued, "my communication with the Two-Tails is quite smooth. Maybe in a few years, I'll be able to reconcile and become a Perfect Jinchuriki."

"A village that can produce two Perfect Jinchuriki…"

"For us Jinchuriki, it is a great place to belong."

Naruto smiled and shook his head: "Do you think you might be underestimating me?"

"I have already reconciled with the Nine-Tails."

Yang Nine-Tails turned its head slightly, giving a barely noticeable nod.

"And,"

Naruto walked in the sky, stepping forward to a higher position: "I have already escaped the prison."

"And you, still inside, want to pull me back."

"That kind of thing…"

"Is not pleasant at all."

Tsuchi frowned, still very respectful: "Lord Uzumaki, won't you reconsider?"

"If I continue to refuse, will you take action against me?" Naruto's gaze shifted from him to the crowd.

"Then sorry, it can't be helped." Tsuchi raised his hand, "Form a formation!"

"Mission: Capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Lord Uzumaki, you have one last chance to reconsider."

"In front of our Raikage's elite troops, even if you are the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…"

Naruto interrupted him with a slight smile: "You're quite confident."

"Is it because of the numbers?"

"But,"

"No matter how many ants there are, how can they shake an elephant?"

Ants?

Tsuchi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

This kid's tone was really arrogant!

Their group consisted of dozens of Jonin!

They could easily decide the outcome of a war, and this force was enough to annihilate any village on the continent other than the Five Great Ninja Villages.

He did not deny Naruto's strength.

But to compare himself and the other Jonin to ants, while Naruto considered himself an elephant…

That thought hadn't fully formed in his mind when a tremendous pressure suddenly descended.

Creeeak—

He could even hear the air twisting under the strain.

His body stiffened, chakra flow stagnated, and the air became heavy.

It felt like a great mountain was pressing down on him.

He struggled to turn his head and look to the side.

The Two-Tails Jinchuriki had a heavy expression, but their performance was slightly better, still able to stand straight without being crushed.

Xi, like him, bent over with a very ugly expression.

At least the two of them could stand, albeit with difficulty.

The other Jonin and Chunin with the team were in a terrible state, completely pinned down by this immense pressure, unable to move, at the mercy of others.

"This isn't a genjutsu." Xi gritted his teeth and spoke through clenched jaws, "I'm not sure what this ability is."

"But it must be the powerful aura described in the intelligence that makes weaker individuals immobile."

His mind was in turmoil.

The written intelligence was utterly inadequate.

Even though it was written in detail, it seemed exaggerated when first read.

But compared to the real person.

The written words could only describe the tip of the iceberg of his abilities.

Tsuchi clenched his fists.

Ants?

He admitted that his previous thoughts were somewhat naive.

Naruto's words were not exaggerated at all.

In fact, they were quite polite.

When ants face an elephant, even if they can't cause harm, at least their actions aren't restricted.

In front of Naruto, their group didn't even have the qualification to look up at him.

"I'll go and restrict him!" the Two-Tails Jinchuriki said, raising her hands and forming a seal, "You all quickly find a way to break this technique."

Killer Bee drew his sword, and Lightning Release chakra surged violently.

On Naruto's shoulder, the Nine-Tails grinned: "Naruto, you go deal with the

Two-Tails Jinchuriki."

"The Eight-Tails… Leave it to me!"

It leaped off Naruto's shoulder, biting onto the "Nine-Tails" sword, and then lunged at Killer Bee.

Drawing an arc in the air.

Its form expanded and grew larger with the distance of its leap, covering the sky in darkness.

This startled even those who could still lift their heads to look at the battlefield.

Nine-Tails?

But the Jinchuriki was still standing in place?

Did the Nine-Tails break free?

"Bee, be careful!" the Eight-Tails warned Killer Bee in his inner world, "The Nine-Tails, I don't know how it broke free."

"Although there's no Jinchuriki helping, its own strength is still very strong!"

Killer Bee nodded.

A giant octopus tail swung out from behind him, smashing heavily towards the Nine-Tails.

The Nine-Tails raised its paw, extending its claws to grip the red blade.

The sword also became enormous with its size.

It slashed down fiercely.

Naruto watched them.

"Uzumaki Naruto! Now is not the time to worry about the Tailed Beasts," the Two-Tails Jinchuriki said harshly, forming a seal.

Several blue lights were expelled from her mouth.

They were faint blue flames resembling mice.

---

**Chapter 115: I Am Not a Burden**

It was an unusual Fire Release technique, imbued with a trace of Tailed Beast chakra.

The technique dragged a brilliant tail flame through the air, drawing a beautiful arc as it flew toward Naruto.

Yōmoku clasped her hands together in prayer and stared intently at Naruto.

According to the intelligence, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's speed was among the highest.

Although her technique had tracking capabilities, she wasn't very confident it would be fully effective.

What she didn't expect was that Naruto didn't move at all. He remained in the sky, his head not even turning, still focused on the battle between the Nine-Tails and the Eight-Tails.

As the blue flames neared Naruto—

Several golden chains swung from behind him, lashing out and easily extinguishing the blue fire into drifting smoke.

Yōmoku gritted her teeth.

The attack had no effect.

What angered her more was Naruto's attitude.

Was she so disregarded?

She mobilized her Tailed Beast chakra, an dark red aura covering her body.

She leaped high and lunged at Naruto, her hands swinging with cold, sharp claws protruding from her fingertips.

Even as she closed in, Naruto didn't dodge, allowing the claws to strike him.

Yōmoku was excited, but her enthusiasm was shattered in an instant.

Naruto showed no defense; her attack only tore his clothes. Her once exceptionally sharp claws merely left a few shallow cuts on his body. Before the claws even fully left his skin, the wounds began to heal.

"This weak attack is pointless," Naruto said softly. "Save your strength; you are no match for me."

"Why not join me in watching the battle between the Nine-Tails and the Eight-Tails?"

"They're fighting spectacularly, aren't they?"

Yōmoku bit her lip as she landed.

Her Tailed Beast chakra surged even more violently.

Blue-black flames danced around her body.

The strength of this Nine-Tails Jinchuriki far exceeded her expectations.

Even partial Tailed Beast transformation couldn't inflict damage.

What level had he reached?

Tsuchi and Xi did not join the fight.

They were trying to break through this imposing pressure. In such a short time, they had tried dozens of methods, but none were effective.

"This seems to be pure aura," Xi said, clenching his fists. "It's not the effect of a technique."

He was a versatile ninja, proficient in genjutsu, taijutsu, and medical ninjutsu, all to the level of a Jonin.

He was evaluated by the Raikage as someone very similar to the Third Hokage.

His conclusion was convincing.

"That's really bad," Tsuchi frowned. "If that's the case, we might not be able to assist Yōmoku and B."

Under this pressure, even performing jutsu was difficult.

What was worse was—

The Cloud Village had mobilized so many forces, yet none were put to use.

In the end, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could only be dealt with by the two Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.

And intelligence hadn't indicated that the Nine-Tails could leave the Jinchuriki's body to fight as an independent entity.

The situation had shifted from a numbers advantage to a "fair match" of two against two.

However, for the Cloud Village, this was the greatest "unfairness."

"We still have a chance," Xi said softly. "Remember the plan? They've already begun to act."

It was a plan formulated long ago.

Knowing that Naruto had an extensive sensory range, they anticipated that he would arrange for the red-haired Uzumaki to come looking for them.

If this happened,

Another team of Jonin-led Chunin would be dispatched to capture Karin.

They would use her to threaten the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Breaking through from a "weakness" was a tactic that ninjas were best at.

Tsuchi nodded. "Is that so?"

Although things were indeed unfolding as anticipated,

For some reason, he had a vague feeling of unease.

There were already some variables.

Would the operation to capture Karin proceed smoothly?

In the distance, among the trees—

"Sure enough, the Cloud Village considers me as a breakthrough point," Karin opened her eyes and pouted. "They sent a squad."

Her Kaguya's heart eyes, though not as extensive as Naruto's, covered a range of several kilometers, sufficient to deal with ordinary ninjas.

The approaching chakras couldn't escape her senses.

"I'll protect you," Yin Nine-Tails said slowly. "How many enemies are there?"

Karin stood up, pinpointed her direction, and replied calmly, "One Jonin and three Chunin."

"A standard team configuration."

"Thank you, Nine-Tails."

"But…"

"I'm not the person I used to be."

"I'll handle these people myself. If I can't, I'll ask for your help."

Yin Nine-Tails snorted and flicked its tail.

In less than two minutes,

The Jonin landed. "The Uzumaki clan chakra is here!"

"Search for her traces."

"She's not strong, just a Chunin at most."

"Capture her quickly."

The Chunin obeyed, searching everywhere.

When one Chunin passed around a tree, his movement suddenly halted, panic rising inside him.

He looked down and saw he had tripped over a nearly invisible transparent wire.

And at the ends of the wire were explosive tags!

He realized this but—

At that moment, the explosive tags detonated.

Boom—

The explosion's force sent the Chunin flying, his head, limbs, and body parts scattered in different directions.

The remaining three ninjas were drawn by the commotion and approached.

The sight of their teammate's death made their faces grim.

"Be careful; she set a trap," the Jonin frowned. "It seems she also has sensory abilities and was prepared for us."

"It's his negligence."

Karin was inconspicuous next to Naruto.

The benefit was that her intelligence seemed unknown to outsiders.

Aside from the information leaked from the Grass Village—"Uzumaki clan," "healing ability"—they knew nothing more.

They had subconsciously thought of her as just another "Genin," at most an ordinary Chunin.

It turned out otherwise.

They searched more cautiously.

But as the three spread out,

In the forest, a golden chain suddenly shot from behind one of the Chunin, binding his limbs and pinning him to the ground.

The Chunin had no time to react and hadn't even turned his head before Karin appeared before him.

It was Karin!

She raised her hand, a blue energy sphere swirling in her palm, about the size of a fist.

"Rasengan!"

Naruto had taught her this technique.

The energy sphere pressed against the Chunin's stomach, twisting the air and chakra, tearing apart his internal organs.

He let out a painful scream as his life force gradually faded.

The commotion drew the remaining two ninjas in the forest.

They arrived quickly, but before them lay only a corpse, back facing up, with no sign of the killer.

"Did the Uzumaki clan do this?" The Jonin gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.

He had underestimated her.

He truly thought she was the weak girl from the Grass Village, who, without Naruto's protection, would be powerless.

She had some skills.

"How did she kill Long?" The remaining Chunin wondered, frowning.

He knew his teammate's strength.

Even if he wasn't a match for the Uzumaki clan, he shouldn't have been killed on sight.

He approached, wanting to turn the body over.

Nothing was visible from the back about what technique was used.

Perhaps something would be revealed from the front.

The Jonin's eyes widened. "Stop! Don't move the body!"

But the Chunin's hand had already touched it. Hearing the Jonin's warning, he quickly withdrew his hand.

It was too late.

Sizzle—

The explosive tag detonated.

The Chunin formed hand seals, using Earth Release to cover his body and lessen the explosion's impact. Although he was thrown by the blast, he survived.

The Jonin sighed in relief.

This trap hadn't caused additional casualties.

The Uzumaki clan member was truly difficult to deal with.

Killing a Chunin on sight and setting a nearly imperceptible trap in such a fleeting moment.

He hadn't fully relaxed.

The breath he let out was sucked back in.

The thrown Chunin was caught by a red-haired figure.

She grabbed the Chunin's hair with one hand and kunai with the other.

Without hesitation, she decisively thrust the kunai into the Chunin's throat.

"Uzumaki Karin!" The Jonin gritted his teeth, spitting out the name angrily.

He now remembered her.

Karin dropped the body to the ground, stepping on his head, and said calmly, "You really underestimated me."

"I'm no longer the little girl from the Grass Village."

"After all, staying by the side of the strongest person in the ninja world, unless you're an idiot, you would at least gain some skills, even if you had no talent."

"Moreover, I should still have some talent."

"I already feel guilty for not being able to assist Naruto in those matters."

"If I were to drag him down in such trivial matters…"

"It would be better to be stabbed by him."

The Jonin spat, "I now admit you have some skills."

"But be prepared to endure my anger."

Karin looked up, puzzled.

She was talking to the Nine-Tails.

What was this guy interrupting for?

"You're the only one left," Karin said, with a hint of nervousness. "Naruto always says I have

Jonin-level strength."

"Let's see if you can verify that."

A Jonin.

A figure she once looked up to.

---

**Chapter 116: The Dignified Raikage Appears**

The Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails clashed in a fierce battle.

The octopus and the fox faced off.

The power of the Tailed Beasts, known as "disasters," was fully and completely displayed in this moment.

Even the residual waves caused trees to topple and land to crack.

Chakra collisions stirred up air currents and created towering waves of wind.

"Eight-Tails, have you become complacent from your comfortable days in the Cloud Village, causing your power to regress?" the Nine-Tails sneered, swinging its blade and pressing the attack.

The Eight-Tails remained silent, looking somewhat disheveled as it dodged sideways.

The octopus's tentacles lashed out.

The fox's tails countered.

When they clashed head-on, the two Tailed Beasts almost simultaneously opened their mouths, unleashing Tailed Beast Balls that collided and exploded.

Dust and shockwaves filled the air.

But just as the view was obscured, a flash of white lightning suddenly appeared.

"Hadō #4: White Lightning."

It was small and subtle, but highly effective!

The sudden technique caused one of the octopus's tentacles in mid-air to snap.

"Thud," it fell to the ground.

The Eight-Tails was astonished.

What was this technique?

How did the Nine-Tails use it?

It was something beyond its understanding of the Nine-Tails, much like how today the Nine-Tails wielded a sword and fought against it.

"It's been a while, and you've changed so much," the Eight-Tails said heavily.

It was still the same Nine-Tails.

It could sense that half of its "essence" was missing.

But it had become stronger.

In terms of battle awareness and abilities.

The Nine-Tails grinned, "I'm moving forward, Gyūki, and you're still standing still."

"We are no longer creatures of the same world."

Gyūki was puzzled.

Advance?

Can Tailed Beasts even advance?

It paid no mind to the latter statement.

It must be some new "nonsense" the Nine-Tails learned.

The Nine-Tails' eyes sparkled, "I've seen some interesting things."

It continued to swing its blade.

The blade's target was not the throat, abdomen, or heart—these were not vital points for Tailed Beasts.

Moreover, even if a Tailed Beast was killed, it would revive after a few years.

Except for the Nine-Tails, which Tailed Beast had not died a few times?

Its goal was the horn on the Eight-Tails' head.

One horn was already broken, and now—

The Nine-Tails was pondering how to cut off the other one.

This was more interesting than simply killing it.

On the other side,

The blue-black flames swelled, and the Two-Tails fully emerged from the Wooden Man's body.

It immediately raised its claws.

Unlike the sharp claws of the Wooden Man, the Two-Tails' claws were more humanoid, and it did not hesitate to strike heavily.

Naruto looked up with a hint of nostalgia, "It's the little kitty."

He missed Yoruichi a bit.

He wondered how she was doing in the real world.

Well, it must be very comfortable.

The Two-Tails bared its fangs.

Little kitty?

Even if it was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, it shouldn't use such a term for itself!

It wasn't small!

It struck with even more force.

Naruto didn't dodge or evade; he simply joined his hands together.

"Vajra Seal!"

Chains rattled and spun, wrapping around the Two-Tails' arms.

On these tiny chains was a force it couldn't resist.

Pulling its arm backward, the enormous body of the Two-Tails was staggered and fell.

Before the Two-Tails could react,

The chains continued to move, like snakes crawling along its body, extending to its limbs and tail, tying it up tightly and pinning it to the ground.

"As a little kitty," Naruto said, stepping on invisible steps in the sky, descending one step at a time to the Two-Tails' head, "it's cute to show some little temper."

"But a big temper is not good."

"You need to behave."

He extended his hand and patted the Two-Tails' head.

The texture was far inferior to that of the Nine-Tails.

Its fur was fire, with an unstable form, giving a light, airy touch.

Moreover, the Tailed Beast chakra was restless and full of hostility, trying to burn and devour Naruto.

Naruto pressed down, "Behave even more."

Chakra surged, and the power of the soul also swelled.

The Two-Tails whimpered and sank even further into the ground.

On the observation platform, Tsuchi and Xi watched in disbelief.

"The Wooden Man was subdued so easily?" Xi took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, "That's a Tailed Beast."

"Vajra Seal, a technique of the Uzumaki clan." Tsuchi recognized it at a glance, speaking gravely, "It's a technique very effective against Tailed Beasts."

"Don't panic."

"We need to rely on us to rescue the Wooden Man."

He paused.

"I've already used the summoning technique to notify the Raikage. He will arrive soon with reinforcements."

"Don't worry; once the Raikage arrives."

"We're sure to win."

"Just endure a little longer."

In the Cloud Village, in the Raikage building,

"Matabe!" Fourth Raikage A stormed into the office, "Prepare the Heavenly Dispatch Technique."

"Have the prepared reinforcements set out immediately."

"The capture of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has failed; I need to step in."

The white-haired, dark-skinned female ninja called by him widened her eyes, "But Raikage-sama, that technique…"

"Get ready quickly!" A's face was grim, "They don't have time to wait for me to arrive slowly."

"We can only use this technique."

Matabe took a deep breath, "Yes, Raikage-sama."

They entered a room.

Inside was a special ninja tool, stacked like a three-layer cake with a red cloth on top.

A strode up.

Matabe stood before the ninja tool, forming hand seals, "Raikage-sama, I'm about to initiate the technique."

Chakra was mobilized, resonating with the tool.

"Heavenly Dispatch Technique!"

The Raikage's body trembled, chakra was extracted, and in the blink of an eye, A vanished from the tool.

Matabe frowned, her expression heavy.

This technique

Was meant for transporting objects, not people.

Few could withstand the immense tearing force of teleportation.

So far, there had been only one successful instance of teleporting a person.

That was the Third Raikage!

He had a body as tough as a copper wall to endure the side effects of the technique.

And the Fourth Raikage, inheriting the Third Raikage's bloodline,

Hadn't tried this before; she hoped there wouldn't be any issues.

She hurriedly left the room to issue support orders to other ninjas.

On the battlefield,

After hearing Tsuchi's words, Xi nodded heavily, "Understood."

"Then let me…"

He didn't speak further, exchanging a glance with Tsuchi.

He leaped high, jumping to the Two-Tails' head, drawing Naruto's attention while forming hand seals.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Flash Pillar!"

Chakra surged violently, and Xi glowed like a white-hot lamp, emitting a strong light that turned Naruto's entire view into a white expanse.

But the white light didn't completely obscure the view.

On the left side, a dark figure was faintly visible, also leaping forward to attack.

Naruto waved his hand.

A chain swung, but it went towards the back.

Xi, illuminated by the light, was startled.

How could he!

He saw through his technique?

"Using Lightning Release to create a strong light." Naruto said softly, "Trying to make it seem like an interference technique while hiding the essence of the 'illusion'?"

"A very good technique."

"But it's a pity."

"To use good illusions, one must at least hide their emotions. Failing to do so…"

"Isn't it the same as exposing your thoughts to me?"

As he spoke,

The strong light dissipated, and the golden-haired Xi landed.

The shadow on the left side also vanished.

As Naruto said, it was all just an illusion.

The golden chains whipped and accurately struck the previously hidden figure.

It was Tsuchi from the Cloud Village.

The chains pierced his throat, dragging him and pinning him to a tree.

A fatal blow.

His eyes widened, his hands still frozen in the "Tiger" seal, as if trying to use a powerful Fire Release technique.

The chains retracted.

The corpse still hung on the tree, swaying slightly from the residual shockwaves of the Tailed Beast battle.

"Elder Tsuchi!" Xi's voice was full of rage, chakra surging rapidly, his expression twisted, "You bastard!"

Naruto looked at him, smiled lightly, and was about to speak.

He suddenly turned his gaze to the distance, his eyes filled with surprise.

In his perception, a powerful chakra, stronger than even Orochimaru's, was approaching at an incomprehensible, impossibly high speed.

Like light!

Could a ninja possess such speed?

Even Yoruichi couldn't achieve that level.

Xi was slightly stunned.

He didn't understand why Naruto was distracted at this moment.

But he knew this was his only chance.

His hands formed seals rapidly.

"Lightning

Release: Scatter Hit Flow!"

Intense lightning erupted from his palms, crackling and spreading out in large amounts.

But just as he was forming the seals,

Naruto turned his head back and raised his hand.

Abandoning the incantation.

"Hadō #4: White Lightning."

The white lightning flew rapidly.

Xi tried to dodge the attack, but the chains suddenly whipped, binding his body.

"Stop, don't hurt Xi!" A furious voice came from nearby, accompanied by a streak of lightning.

Hearing this voice, Xi was momentarily stunned.

It was the Raikage's voice!

He had arrived!

Tsuchi's words still echoed in his ears: "Once the Raikage arrives, we will surely win."

He struggled desperately but couldn't break free.

The distant lightning struck, colliding with the chains and creating sparks.

But it was useless.

The bindings did not loosen.

White Lightning followed, piercing through Xi's chest.

Looking through the thumb-sized hole, his heart, partially missing, was still beating, but slower and slower, with blood flowing profusely.

"You damned bastard!" The owner of the incoming lightning, even angrier, shouted.

Naruto looked.

It was a man with light yellow hair, dark brown skin, and an extremely sturdy build.

"Even if you're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Today, I will definitely kill you!"

Chakra surged.

Lightning arced on his arm, and soon, layer upon layer of blue lightning chakra covered his entire body, like a Tailed Beast's cloak.