"B was too reckless... use the Eight-Tails' power!"
The tall youth nodded slowly, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. A searing red chakra burst forth from his body, instantly enveloping him.
Behind him, eight ethereal tails began to form, low and ominous howls echoing as an overwhelming pressure filled the air.
This was the form of the Eight-Tails Chakra Cloak.
B's abilities—attack, defense, speed, and regeneration—were rapidly increasing. But his eyes betrayed a feral rage, and his breaths carried a dangerous edge.
"I can't go any further," B reminded himself. Pushing deeper into the power of the tailed beast could mean losing control entirely, but there was no turning back now.
A twisted smile curled on B's lips as he muttered, "Too bad... I can't let that kid in the village take my title as 'B.' I won't lose!"
"Here I come!"
B roared as he lunged at Hayato with a speed that defied belief. Hayato's pupils shrank—this enhanced B was now fast enough to match him, a feat previously unmatched, even by Ay.
The power of a tailed beast was both feared and coveted for a reason.
Hayato dove downward, narrowly avoiding B's attack, and called out, "Blaze I am leaving leave Ay to you!"
Ay's eyes sharpened, "My opponent is a monkey?!"
Before he could think further, Monferno vanished. The speed was blinding, and Ay barely registered the impact before an explosive punch slammed into his chest, sending him flying.
With its speed boosted six levels, Monferno had surpassed even Hayato's top speed—without the use of Extreme Speed.
Meanwhile, Hayato danced around B's relentless attacks, pairing his nimble movements with well-timed ninjutsu. He knew that taking to the skies would shift the focus to his allies, so he stayed grounded, bearing the brunt of B's fury.
"Buzzing fly..." B growled, his irritation growing as his wounds healed again and again. The chakra cloak on his body deepened in color, becoming more volatile and violent.
"Half-Tailed Beast Transformation?"
Ay, grappling with Monferno, turned toward the unsettling sight of B's transformation. Even Monferno felt the growing pressure.
"This ends here!"
B dropped to all fours, his body cloaked in dark red chakra, barely resembling a human. A sinister ball of concentrated chakra formed in his mouth, radiating destruction.
"Tailed Beast Bomb..." Hayato whispered, a smirk creeping onto his face.
This was the chance he'd been waiting for.
Closing his left eye, Hayato locked onto B with his right, his fingers forming the shape of a gun.
A streak of water shot through the air, piercing the Tailed Beast Bomb with pinpoint precision.
"Boom—!"
The bomb detonated prematurely in B's mouth, the resulting explosion deafening as shockwaves tore through the battlefield.
[Sniper: Ignores enemy status, guaranteeing a hit once locked onto.]
The move, originating from the Pokémon Sword and Shield games as the signature of Inteleon, mimicked the Hozuki clan's Water Gun technique and could fire consecutively.
Though his chakra reserves were dwindling rapidly, Hayato couldn't help but feel exhilarated—like welcoming the new year with a fresh pair of clothes.
"B!"
As the dust cleared, B's scorched body came into view. His charred skin and exposed bones spoke of immense damage, yet he stood defiantly, his eyes a mix of pain and determination.
"B, stop! You'll die if this continues!" Ay shouted, his voice tinged with urgency. Ay knew B's strength and sacrifices for Kumogakure. He wouldn't let his brother perish here.
Even Gyuki, the Eight-Tails sealed within B, interjected: "B, don't push it. If I die, I'll revive, but you won't."
B smiled weakly. "If I don't try, how will I know?"
"As the future Raikage, I command you to stop!" Ay erupted with lightning chakra, dashing toward B to prevent further escalation.
From afar, Hayato sensed a familiar presence—Kushina.
Through the forest emerged Arcanine, carrying Kushina and Asako on its back. They looked battered but unharmed, and Hayato felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Were they here to help? He doubted they could contribute much to this battle. Descending to meet them, Hayato's path was cut off as B moved to intercept.
"You're not escaping," B growled.
Hayato frowned. Did he have no choice but to defeat B?
The Kumogakure ninja were as persistent as rocks in a latrine.
If nothing else, he had to ensure Kushina and Asako reached safety.
Suddenly, two more figures emerged from the forest—Tsuchigusa Norihito and Harusame.
"Water Style: Bubble Technique!"
"Let's make this brat watch his friends die in front of him!"
"Move!"
Hayato activated Extreme Speed, but his chakra depletion slowed him. B easily blocked his path.
His mind raced with images of Kushina and Asako being struck down, Arcanine lying in a pool of its own blood.
"Why... why is it always like this?" Hayato clenched his teeth in frustration, self-loathing boiling within him.
Wasn't he the one who swore to change history, to protect his comrades? Why did reality always spit in the face of his resolve?
"I need more power!"
Gritting his teeth, Hayato downed a bottle of milk for energy, but the gap to save his friends still felt insurmountable.
Norihito's blunt blade was raised high, ready to strike.
Asako pushed Kushina away, her body taking the brunt of the impact. She was sent flying, her figure crumpling like a discarded doll.
"I'm sorry, Kushina," Asako murmured, her voice faint. "As your older sister figure, it's my duty to save you."
With a wistful smile, she thought, "I guess... it's such a shame I never got to fall in love."
Her eyes closed as she whispered, "If it were Hayato, though... maybe it would've been fun."
But before Norihito could strike again, golden chains lashed out, binding his weapon.
"Tch!"
Norihito growled, swinging the hammer end of his weapon and sending Asako flying.
"Asako!"
Hayato's Sharingan burned with fury, the three tomoe in each eye spinning madly. His vision turned red as his murderous intent flooded the battlefield.
Norihito instinctively took a step back, an unshakable chill running down his spine.