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Clang! Clang! Clang! Shukaku, having reformed its head, no longer recklessly scorned everything. Instead, it instinctively leapt backwar
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Shukaku, having reformed its head, no longer recklessly scorned everything. Instead, it instinctively leapt backward three times, putting distance once again between itself and Kenshi's Wind Release clone.
"Who… exactly are you?"
The confident, domineering expression vanished from Shukaku's tanuki-like face. This human nearby had frightened it.
Just moments ago, it hadn't sensed any attack before its neck was severed.
If not for its unique body, cutting off its neck would have meant death.
If it were that stinky fox, its chakra would collapse the moment its neck was cut, forcing it to wait for chakra to reconstitute somewhere to be reborn.
What kind of attack was that?
Who exactly was this human?
Shukaku-the One-Tail known for absolute sand defense-had its neck easily severed by this human.
Most importantly, it had sensed that attack all along.
Facing Kenshi's Wind Release clone's terrifying assault, Shukaku was afraid. After recovering, it no longer launched attacks recklessly.
It wasn't unintelligent; it understood timing and situation.
Kenshi's clone smiled and said, "Who I am doesn't matter. Come on, go ahead and unleash your Tailed Beast Bomb. Let me see Shukaku's true power."
And maybe test the limits of Wind Release slash! Kenshi's clone thought, then accelerated, leaping behind Shukaku to ensure the Tailed Beast Bomb wouldn't hit Sunagakure.
"Are you serious?"
Shukaku turned, a sly glint flashing in its large tanuki eyes. It smiled, "Don't just talk big."
Oh ho!
Using provocation now.
Kenshi's clone smiled back. "Come on, use your Tailed Beast Bomb. This time I won't interrupt you."
"Die!"
Without hesitation, Shukaku tilted its head back and began gathering chakra for the Tailed Beast Bomb.
Soon, the black chakra sphere of the Tailed Beast Bomb was fully formed.
This time, Shukaku was wiser, concentrating the bomb as fast as possible. Though not at maximum power, it didn't believe any human could withstand a direct hit.
Before now, those human warriors who suppressed it either dodged or attacked early to deflect the bomb; no one dared take it head-on.
Though this human possessed terrifying slash attacks, it surely couldn't block the Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Die, brat!"
With the bomb ready, Shukaku regained confidence, firing it at Kenshi's clone while cursing.
"Wind Release: Slash Wave!"
Facing Shukaku's Tailed Beast Bomb-even though it was only about the size of a water jar, relatively small-Kenshi's clone unleashed his most powerful Wind Release slash wave.
Clang!
Zing!
The transparent slash blade, thin enough to cut molecules, instantly sliced the Tailed Beast Bomb. The slash extended sideways, splitting the bomb in two.
In midair, the bomb split like a cannonball cut by a blade, flying apart on either side of Kenshi's clone.
Boom boom!
Like two small nuclear explosions, fiery blasts erupted behind Kenshi's clone, resembling twin suns rising on the ground. Their white light was so intense it outshone even the midday sun.
Crash… The shockwave rolled along the ground all the way into Sunagakure.
Chiyo and the others, having taken their ration pills to briefly restore chakra, turned to look upon hearing the noise.
Even a hundred-meter-high stone wall couldn't block the searing light from half the bomb's explosion.
That destructive power made everyone feel how small their own strength was.
"Quick, brother, take the Black Gourd. I'll go support Kazekage. We must help him seal Shukaku soon; without Magnet Release, Kazekage won't hold out." Chiyo urged.
Having Magnet Release made a huge difference. Magnet Release controlled iron sand could suppress and imprison Shukaku, making sealing easier.
"Yes, sister." Ebizō accepted and left to fetch the Black Gourd.
The Black Gourd was said to be a sealing tool left by the Sage of Six Paths, possessing powerful sealing strength. Before there was a jinchūriki, Shukaku was sealed inside it.
"You all come with me."
Chiyo called a few Jonin who had recovered some chakra to follow her toward the battle between Shukaku and Kenshi's clone.
"Quick!"
"We're going to support Lord Kazekage too!"
Yayuki and her sister Yakura arrived just in time to see Chiyo and the others leave. They immediately called for each other and rushed forward.
Yakura had no choice but to follow.
"We're going too."
"Me too."
From all over the village, those rushing to stop Shukaku followed Chiyo and the others.
"Impossible!"
"How could mere humans block my Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Even Shukaku's tanuki face showed stunned disbelief, repeating "impossible" over and over.
Kenshi's clone smirked. Shukaku was still naive. It had never seen Hashirama use Wood Release Wood Clone Technique to catch the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb barehanded, nor the scene where the clone gently held the Nine-Tails like a chick, afraid to crush it accidentally.
Otherwise, it wouldn't say humans were insignificant.
"Is that all you've got?"
Kenshi's clone flew before Shukaku again, taunting, "Go ahead, gather all your chakra and unleash your Tailed Beast Bomb. I won't interrupt you."
Now Kenshi's clone fully understood his Wind Release slash's power. Even a high-density chakra sphere like a Tailed Beast Bomb couldn't withstand its cutting.
This meant Tailed Beasts had no advantage against Kenshi.
He was now capable of handling Tailed Beasts at will.
"I'm done playing with you!"
"Go play by yourself!"
Shukaku shamelessly fled. It wasn't a true beast; even true beasts ran when outmatched.
Kenshi's clone could slice through its Tailed Beast Bomb, no matter how big. He wasn't foolish enough to be tricked into wasting chakra forming bombs, leaving him vulnerable to sealing in that black gourd.
"Seems intelligent beings really are different-not so stupid."
Shukaku's sudden retreat stunned Kenshi's clone. He hadn't expected such a Tailed Beast, so full of hatred for humans, to run away.
"But… is it really wise for such a massive body to flee by jumping?"
Kenshi's clone smiled, flicking his right index finger.
Sss!
A slash cut across Shukaku's waist mid-jump.
"Huh?"
That familiar chill hit Shukaku's waist again, and it lost connection to its lower body once more.
Midair, Shukaku's huge body split in two. The tail and legs stayed behind, while the torso and arms flew forward, staggered.
This scene was just witnessed by Chiyo and her group arriving at the stone wall.
"This…"
"Shukaku has been…"
"Cut in half!!!"
Everyone's jaws dropped, stunned as they watched Shukaku's body severed at the waist. Their hearts skipped a beat.
"That bastard is way too strong!"
Yakura's face went blank watching this incredible sight-the One-Tail Shukaku, famed for absolute defense, was cut in half.
Was that bastard's Wind Release slash really that terrifying?
With such a powerful enemy, did they even need to support him?
Yakura clearly heard Shukaku's sharp words earlier.
Even Shukaku feared that bastard and ran away.
Did he really need their help?
At that moment, not only Yakura but everyone who saw Shukaku cut in half had the same thought.
Did Kazekage really need their support?
Not at all!
In an instant, everyone's minds were made up.
They'd better just watch the show. Once Kazekage knocked Shukaku down, they'd go seal him.
Otherwise, going now would only distract Kazekage and become a burden.
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