"Look at you being so stingy. I was just asking," Kawakaze said casually.
"That stuff kills people. I don't want it."
"But why don't you use it?" Kawakaze pressed, still sensing the Village Head's guarded demeanor. His curiosity was genuine, but he could clearly see the man's unease.
"I already said I don't have any, so how would I use it?" the Village Head snapped, fully alert and clearly frustrated. Besides, you haven't given me the time to use it either, he thought silently, brushing aside the provocation. That kind of speed is no joke.
"Okay, okay, I won't ask anymore," Kawakaze said, shrugging off the topic. He could see the Village Head's patience wearing thin and decided to focus on the task at hand. After all, he was here for the Seven-Tails, nothing else.
The conversation ended, and silence stretched between them as the Village Head led Kawakaze deeper into the village. They moved farther and farther from any signs of civilization, the atmosphere growing heavier with each step.
The group passed through a dense forest until the path opened into a clearing. Before them stood a simple, unassuming house.
"This is it—the place where the Takigakure seals are," the Village Head said, stopping and looking at the house with a glimmer of pride in his eyes. This structure was a testament to the hardwork of Takigakure's people.
"There's nothing unusual about it," Kawakaze muttered, his eyes scanning the building. Still, he could feel the faint, violent Chakra radiating from within. The seal was nearing its limit—it wouldn't hold for much longer.
"Go on in. The farther you take it, the better," the Village Head said curtly, ignoring Kawakaze's remark. Without waiting for a response, he moved towards the house.
The Takigakure ninja stayed outside, their expressions unreadable as they watched silently. Kawakaze followed the Village Head into the house.
The interior was sparse, with incantations scrawled across the floor, forming a circular formation. At the center was a dark altar, cracked and weathered with time.
"The seal is specifically designed to target the Tailed Beast. It has no effect on people," the Village Head explained, noticing Kawakaze's slight hesitation. To prove his point, he stepped boldly into the range of the Fūinjutsu. Nothing happened.
"Better safe than sorry. My apologies," Kawakaze said with a nod, stepping closer to inspect the seal. As he approached, the violent Chakra grew stronger, and the altar began to tremble.
The Seven-Tails sensed his presence. After years of imprisonment, it was eager to vent its rage.
"Take it away," the Village Head said, turning his back to the scene as if unwilling to witness the process.
Moments later, the violent Chakra disappeared entirely. The Village Head turned back, only to find the house empty.
"Alas, it's better this way," he murmured with a bitter smile, stepping outside.
"Village Head."
"Village Head."
...
"The people from Konoha have left, so we don't have to worry about the Seven-Tails anymore."
"It's just that our village, Takigakure, will probably only manage to cling to a miserable existence from now on."
The Village Head's expression was somber. However, he found some solace in the fact that no one in the village had died this time, and Tsunade had only caused minor injuries. Her punch had served primarily as a warning.
"If it's gone, it's gone. At the very least, the Seven-Tails will no longer threaten the safety of the village."
"Once the Seven-Tails breaks free, we wouldn't be able to resist," another added. This person, likely someone of high status, stood close to the Village Head. After some reflection, the Village Head nodded.
"Let's go," he said, his tone weary. He had no desire to linger and instinctively touched the scar on his neck, now scabbed over.
No matter how fast you are, the Seven-Tails can fly, he thought bitterly. He still hoped that the Seven-Tails would eventually turn on Kawakaze—it would feel like his own revenge.
Meanwhile, Kawakaze carried the jar containing the seal of the Seven-Tails to the lake, where Tsunade and the two younger ones waited not far away.
Before Kawakaze or Tsunade could speak, the cracks on the jar began to widen, releasing violent Chakra that burst free from its restraints.
The jar floated briefly in the air before shattering with a deafening explosion. Shards shot out in all directions, cutting through the air with a sharp sound.
A massive concentration of Chakra began to coalesce above, exerting intense pressure on Kawakaze.
Gradually, the Chakra formed a physical body—a giant beetle with six wings, a long tail, and a massive horn on its head.
"This guy is pretty ugly," Nawaki muttered.
Minato, transfixed by the sight, could only stare. Can Sensei really handle something this big?
"Ugly or not, why don't you go up and try your luck?" Tsunade retorted, throwing her brother a sideways glance. Despite the danger, Nawaki still had the nerve to joke.
Scratching his head, Nawaki muttered under his breath, I'm just here to watch the spectacle. You guys handle the dangerous stuff.
As they stood closer to Minato, the two boys started whispering about the unfolding situation. With their Sensei in front of them, they still felt a sense of security.
"Human, you're not very lucky to have met me," Chōmei declared, opening its glowing eyes and focusing on Kawakaze.
The massive beast opened its mouth wide as dense Tailed Beast Chakra began gathering at high speed. The energy formed a pulsating, high-density sphere, which Chōmei swallowed briefly before spitting it out directly at Kawakaze.
The sheer power of the attack could flatten several mountains, a testament to why Tailed Beasts were considered battlefield weapons of mass destruction.
If such an attack were unleashed, countless lower-ranking ninja would surely perish.
"Good timing," Kawakaze said calmly, deploying a Space-Time Barrier. The Tailed Beast Ball vanished midair, reappearing in the distance with a thunderous explosion.
"I see! The technique Sensei was talking about!" Minato exclaimed, jumping with excitement. After struggling for so long to make progress, the Tailed Beast Ball had finally given him the inspiration he needed.
"You know something? What do you know?" Nawaki asked, still puzzled, unable to grasp what Minato had understood.
"I have an idea about the technique Sensei told me to research," Minato said with determination. The inspiration from the Tailed Beast Ball solidified his belief that the creation of the Rasengan was now within reach.
"You take one of my moves too," Kawakaze said coolly, watching as Chōmei spewed scales and dove at him, its massive horn aiming to crush him.
"Sage Art. Kenjutsu, Flaming Thunder God."
Lightning-attribute Chakra wrapped around Kawakaze's body, and seals appeared around his eyes as his pupils turned golden. In a flash, he transformed into a blazing Thunder Dragon, enhanced by Sage Mode, and narrowly dodged Chōmei's charge. As he passed the giant insect's wing, the Flaming Thunder God technique unleashed its devastating power.
"Oww!"
Chōmei let out a piercing scream as it crashed to the ground, one of its wings torn apart. For now, it could no longer fly.
"Human. You have angered me," Chōmei growled, its eyes flashing with murderous intent. It began condensing another Tailed Beast Ball, this one no smaller than the previous attack.
Kawakaze's lips curled in disdain. The power of this Tailed Beast Ball? Nothing impressive.
Channeling massive amounts of Senjutsu Chakra, the Eight-Sided Han Sword began to radiate a dazzling light.
"Kenjutsu, Requiem for Death."
As Chōmei launched its attack, Kawakaze didn't dodge. Instead, his entire body became a crackling flash of lightning. The "zila zila" sound of electricity filled the air as Kawakaze charged forward, meeting the Tailed Beast Ball head-on with his blade.
Tsunade's heart leapt at the sight. "Kawakaze, retreat!" she shouted, her voice full of urgency. She couldn't believe he wasn't using the Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder again.
Even Chōmei appeared momentarily stunned. It was unthinkable for anyone to counter a Tailed Beast Ball with a sword.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion shook the area, the ground trembling beneath them. The collision caused the earth to cave inward in a massive semicircle where Kawakaze and the Tailed Beast Ball had met.
The ball was split cleanly in two by Kawakaze's strike. One half shot into the sky and dispersed harmlessly, while the other half hit the ground, triggering an explosion that shook the surroundings.