Chapter 237: The Rift – The Moment of Clashing Wills!
The temperature in June was already a little scorching.
A gust of wind carrying a hint of oppressive heat brushed past the face.
Everything around blurred into elongated lines as the swift movement continued.
Soon, a vast expanse of forest was left behind.
The camp built by the Uchiha clan finally came into view.
Looking at the camp, bustling as always, faint quarrels could be heard amidst the usual noise.
"Hyūga clan is the strongest!"
"That's nonsense! Uchiha Saikōda!"
"How about you handle this move, huh?"
"Hiss!!"
"Don't stop me! Today, I'm definitely teaching this brat a lesson! And don't think I didn't see it—he just activated Byakugan!"
It was Hyūga Kenshi, a subordinate of Hyūga Hizashi, once again having an argument with the Uchiha in the camp.
The rivalry between the Hyūga and Uchiha clans over the title of Konoha's strongest clan had long been a source of contention.
The reason for the dispute likely stemmed from Hyūga Kenshi sneaking a glance at his opponents' cards using his Byakugan during a game.
Hearing the commotion, Uchiha Ci sighed in relief.
The tension in his heart slightly eased.
However, just as he was about to land near the camp entrance,
Aburame Ryōma, standing nearby, suddenly tensed up, reaching out to stop Uchiha Ci.
"Wait, something's off!"
"The Parasitic Insects I stationed on the northern rocky shore sensed an abnormal chakra fluctuation!"
"The north? If I recall correctly, that's..."
Uchiha Ci froze for a moment, halting in his tracks. He turned his gaze toward the northern rocky shore, a terrain level with and slightly above the surrounding primeval forest.
To the north of Hell Valley lay a region of active superheated volcanoes.
A previous volcanic eruption had directly led to the formation of Hell Valley.
Currently, the area served as a significant source of hot spring water for the Land of Hot Water.
There were even over a dozen different types of hot springs, known for their therapeutic properties against high blood pressure, skin diseases, and nervous disorders.
During his month-and-a-half stay in Hell Valley, Uchiha Ci had visited the area several times after exhausting training sessions.
Thus, the place was familiar to him.
However, at this time, the camp's ninjas should be either resting or preparing dinner.
Aside from Aburame Ryōma's patrol team, no one from Konoha should be outside the camp.
So, who could be there?
And what were they planning?
---
At this moment, in the steaming hot spring grounds north of Hell Valley, two figures, one tall and one short, slowly emerged from the mist.
One of them, a tall man with dark skin, wore the white uniform of Kumogakure.
He sported sunglasses and carried seven swords on his back, each hilt wrapped in bright red ribbons.
This man was none other than the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki from Kumogakure, Killer B, who had previously launched an attack on Uchiha Ci!
"B-senpai,"
"Can I really control this kind of power?"
Standing beside Killer B was a girl about seven or eight years old with light brown hair tied into a long ponytail that fell to her waist.
Her delicate face bore a hint of determination, but due to her young age, she looked more adorable than mature.
Killer B was silent for a moment, unsure how to respond to the girl's question.
Compared to him, this girl, named Yugito Nii, had become a Jinchūriki at an even younger age.
At just two years old, she had been implanted with the Two-Tails.
From then on, she endured endless disdainful gazes and underwent grueling training, all for Kumogakure and for this moment!
However, forcing a seven-year-old child to step onto the blood-soaked stage of the Third Great Ninja War, to become a weapon of war, a merciless executioner, and a creator of hellish carnage—
all of this was to prove her worth to the village and to break free from the disdain she had endured,
just like the mentor she admired.
Killer B was at a loss.
He didn't know how to comfort or guide this junior of his.
Unlike him, Yugito Nii hadn't formed a bond with an elder brother figure before becoming a Jinchūriki.
She hadn't subdued her inner demons through the deep affection of brotherhood, nor had she won over her tailed beast to achieve perfect harmony.
She had no love.
What she had was hatred and a desperate need to prove herself.
In her young eyes, there was only the burning rage of injustice and the desire to set the world ablaze.
The surrounding mist swirled faintly, passing through the hollowed-out, eroded rocks and producing ghostly wails.
The eerie sounds formed countless mournful faces in the air.
Killer B turned, crouching before the girl.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes, which burned with a blue flame.
After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice, shedding his usual lighthearted tone:
"Yugito—"
"Here and now, let loose."
"After all, you are a proud and intelligent kunoichi, host to the mighty monster cat!"
"Just as you've always strived to be!"
With that, Killer B stood, gazing toward the forest before Hell Valley.
His eyes fixed on the camp built by the Uchiha clan and the apprentice of Orochimaru hiding within it.
His gaze burned with a deep, unrelenting fury.
"And I, too, will repay this blood debt in blood!"
"I understand!" Yugito nodded, her young face filled with resolve.
She bit down hard, summoning the overwhelming chakra within her body and stirring the mind-corroding power within her chest!
Her teeth sharpened silently, and a blue-flame-covered tail swayed behind her.
Soon, blue feline chakra patterns appeared on her skin, and her eyes turned ghostly white.
Her carefully braided ponytail unraveled in an instant, flaring wildly toward the sky!
A terrifying chakra erupted upward, shaking the earth!
Boom!!
In an instant, a monstrous tailed beast with two blazing blue tails towered over the land!
Killer B curled his lips into a smirk, nodding in approval. He spoke gravely:
"Well done!"
"Yugito, focus on keeping your will intact!"
"Remember what I taught you!"
Struggling to maintain her fully transformed state, Yugito Nii gritted her teeth and answered shakily:
"Yes, senpai."
"I must not directly confront the boy named Uchiha Ci!"
"From here, I'll maintain distance and obliterate them with the strongest Tailed Beast Bomb!"
The last trace of clarity etched itself into the tailed beast's body.
Controlling the massive form of the Two-Tails, she stepped forward, shattering the ground and splashing hot spring water in all directions.
The rising mist was instantly torn apart by the colossal beast, revealing its awe-inspiring form.
Standing tall, it howled toward the heavens!
"——ROAR!!"
A dense ball of chakra formed, condensed in a 2:8 ratio of Yin to Yang chakra.
It became a terrifying Tailed Beast Bomb, exuding immense menace!
"That's it!"
"That's it!"
Killer B clenched his fist, his fury pounding in his chest.
He raised his arm, forming a "6" with his thumb and index finger, shouting passionately:
"The battle has begun!"
"Let's charge forward with unstoppable strength!"
Eight massive octopus tentacles extended from his back, writhing and coiling in all directions.
In a flash, another terrifying beast rose, spewing explosive chakra!
The two beasts roared at the sky!
The fierce winds from their mouths thundered outward, obliterating the ground beneath them.
Standing on this barren northern expanse of Hell Valley, they aimed at the camp nestled within the vast forest.
In the next moment, two immensely dreadful Tailed Beast Bombs shot forth with a deafening roar!