Kuro's sharp gaze darted between the two threats. The battlefield seemed to slow as his mind raced, calculating every possible outcome. The overwhelming power of the dual cannons threatened to obliterate everything in their path.
"Xero," Kuro said, his voice cutting through the noise with calm authority, "you need to finish this now. Defend it with full power and counterattack."
Xero's fiery aura surged in response, the energy radiating from him intensifying to a near-blinding brilliance. His uncovered eye burned like a molten sun, and a wild grin split his face. "Leave it to me," he said, his voice filled with exhilaration.
With a roar, Xero charged headlong at Sangō's cannon, his blade igniting with raw energy that pulsed in rhythm with his movements. The ground trembled beneath his feet as he surged forward, his strength amplified to its absolute peak.
At the same moment, Kuro moved in tandem, his body a blur of motion as he activated Slow Vision (Sloth View) and Future Vision (ForeSight). The world around him seemed to crawl, every detail of Ichigō's attack coming into sharp focus. He could see the faint gaps in Ichigō's movements, the weak points in his stance and the vulnerable joints of his concealed weapon.
Electricity crackled around Kuro as he closed the distance, each step deliberate and precise. His strikes were like lightning, targeting Ichigō's remaining weak points with pinpoint accuracy. Sparks erupted with every blow, the sheer force of his electrified attacks causing Ichigō to stagger.
Sangō's cannon unleashed its destructive charge with a deafening roar, the energy beam tearing through the air with unstoppable force. But Xero met it head-on, his blade swinging with a ferocity that defied reason. The collision of his weapon against the beam created a cataclysmic burst of light, the sheer impact shaking the ground beneath their feet.
At the same time, Kuro's strikes disrupted Ichigō's cannon, causing its charge to destabilize. Ichigō gritted his teeth, his calm demeanor faltering as Kuro's relentless assault pushed him back.
The battlefield erupted in a brilliant explosion as the combined energy of their attacks collided with the two cannons. The shockwave was immense, ripping through the forest and sending debris flying in every direction. Trees were uprooted, the ground was scorched, and the air was filled with the sharp crackle of electricity and the acrid smell of burning wood.
In the aftermath, the clearing was reduced to a smoldering wasteland. Smoke and dust hung heavy in the air, obscuring the figures within.
Kuro emerged from the haze, his breathing steady but his sharp eyes scanning the area. Sparks of electricity still danced across his body as he readied himself for what might come next.
Xero stood amidst the wreckage, his fiery aura flickering but undiminished. His blade rested on his shoulder, its edge glowing faintly. "Well," he said, grinning despite the exhaustion etched into his features, "that was fun."
As the smoke cleared, a tense silence fell over the battlefield. Several-ferocious three-headed beasts lay in ruins, its massive, smoldering form scattered across the scorched clearing. Sparks flickered from its metallic remains, and wisps of smoke curled upward, mingling with the dust still hanging in the air.
Neji and his team watched from the shadows, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief. Rock Lee's fists clenched at his sides, his normally exuberant demeanor subdued by the sheer magnitude of what they had witnessed. Tenten's sharp eyes darted between the combatants, her unease growing with every passing second.
Sangō, battered but far from defeated, stood amidst the wreckage. His once-imposing form was marred by scorch marks and dents, but his glowing crimson eyes burned with fury. His body, though damaged, remained functional, and his stance radiated unrelenting defiance. Xero smiled, his counter in the chaos really give Sango a good smack.
In stark contrast, Ichigō appeared entirely unfazed. The faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he observed the battlefield with calculating calm. His eyes flicked to Kuro and Xero, who stood side by side, their auras still crackling with residual energy.
Kuro's gaze was steady, his posture controlled despite the exhaustion weighing on him. Sparks of electricity arced across his frame, a testament to the power he had unleashed moments ago. Xero, standing beside him, rested his massive blade on his shoulder, the fiery energy surrounding him flickering but undiminished. A wide grin stretched across his face, his golden eye glinting with exhilaration.
Despite their victory, neither of them relaxed. Their attention shifted to the horizon, where another figure emerged from the shadows. Saibogu Nigō stepped forward with an air of quiet menace, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere.
Nigō had been there all along, watching the battle unfold from the fringes, but she had remained silent and still—so much so that even Neji's Byakugan had failed to detect her presence. Her arrival now felt like an apparition, as though she had materialized out of thin air.
Neji's breath caught in his throat as he saw her for the first time.
"There are more of them?" Neji murmured, his voice barely audible, yet it carried the weight of his mounting concern. The thought unsettled him—these cyborgs weren't just powerful; they were calculated, organized, and seemingly limitless.
Beside him, Tenten's grip on her weapon pouch tightened. "How did she even get there? I didn't see her coming."
Neji shook his head, his Byakugan scanning for any trace of how Nigō had approached undetected. But there was nothing. Her chakra presence was faint, almost nonexistent, as if she had masked herself so perfectly that she had become one with the environment.
Rock Lee leaned forward slightly, his voice tinged with frustration. "If she's stronger than the others, Kuro and Xero might be in trouble."
Nigō stopped a few steps behind Sangō and Ichigō, her serene expression betraying no hint of emotion. She raised a hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face with an elegance that seemed almost out of place amidst the chaos.
"I told you not to play too rough," she said softly, her voice smooth and melodic. Despite its quiet tone, her words carried an undeniable authority.
Ichigō glanced at her with a faint shrug. "Consider it a warm-up."
Sangō let out a low growl, his frustration evident. "They're tougher than I expected," he admitted, his eyes narrowing at Kuro and Xero. "But they'll fall eventually."