Head-to-Head Clash!
"This isn't the best approach; they can easily retreat temporarily and counterattack later," someone murmured.
After all, it's impossible for the Three-Tails to maintain its stance forever.
However, both Neji and Sasuke were too proud to back down now. They had already boasted to Kimimaro, and retreating would be utterly humiliating.
Without hesitation, both activated their cursed seal powers.
In an instant, their auras transformed dramatically.
The sight startled Guren and her group.
"This... This is the aura of Kage-level strength! These two kids..." Zabuza muttered, his eyes wide with shock. For a moment, he felt an acute sense of aging.
"Is this world just full of geniuses piling up at the same time?" he wondered, glancing around at his allies. It seemed he was the oldest among them and had already hit his limits in talent. In a few years, aside from Yukimaru and Guren, he might very well be the weakest one in the group.
Ouch. That stung.
"Sasuke, let's use that move!" Sasuke called out, and Neji instantly understood.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
Though Neji didn't know Wind Style, the palm winds from his Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm were no less powerful than an A-rank Wind Style jutsu. Combined with Sasuke's formidable Fire Style, the attack's power surged exponentially.
Wind fuels fire!
"Azure Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
The crimson fire dragon transformed into a blue infernal dragon in an instant. The blue flames reached terrifying temperatures of 5,000–6,000 degrees Celsius.
The blazing blue dragon head slammed into the Three-Tails with a deafening roar.
This time, the Three-Tails couldn't deflect the flames. Under the intense heat, it let out a blood-curdling scream.
"ROAR!!!"
The agonized wail echoed across the lake.
"They actually developed a combo attack? Quite the teamwork," Kimimaro mused, narrowing his eyes in thought.
For two arrogant individuals to work together on a combined technique was rather unexpected. Could they be planning something?
Perhaps even against him? The idea left Kimimaro's expression somewhat unsettled. Hopefully not.
After all, it would be a shame to destroy two valuable pawns he had personally cultivated.
The blue flames continued to consume the Three-Tails, boiling the surrounding lake water.
Suffering greatly, the beast decided to avoid further confrontation. Its massive body shifted as it tried to retreat underwater.
"Not good! It's trying to escape!" Neji and Sasuke rushed forward to stop it.
But on water, who could truly stop the Three-Tails?
"Yuki! Freeze the surface! Guren, use Crystal Release to immobilize it!" Kimimaro's quick commands cut through the chaos.
Realizing Neji and Sasuke couldn't hold the Three-Tails, Haku and Guren leapt into action.
"Crystal Ice Mirrors!" Haku formed hand signs, releasing an icy power that quickly froze the lake surface, creating a thick layer of ice.
The Three-Tails, in the middle of diving, suddenly stiffened, hindered by the frozen lake.
Guren immediately followed up.
"Crystal Release: Eightfold Crystal Wall!"
Rose-colored crystals emerged out of thin air, surrounding and locking the Three-Tails in place.
The beast couldn't move.
"Sasuke, Neji! Finish it off!" Kimimaro ordered decisively.
Though irritated by Haku and Guren's interference, Sasuke and Neji had no time to argue. Following Kimimaro's orders, they launched a final attack.
Another Azure Dragon Flame Jutsu landed squarely on the Three-Tails' head.
Its screeches became even more agonized before the beast finally collapsed, unconscious.
"Seal it, Guren," Kimimaro said.
Nodding, Guren used her Crystal Release. The pink crystals compressed, shrinking the Three-Tails into a small crystal orb.
The orb landed in Guren's hand, but moments later began to tremble. Through the crystal, the miniature Three-Tails could be seen waking up, struggling against the seal.
"This isn't good! My crystal seal isn't strong enough to hold it!" Guren exclaimed in panic.
Kimimaro acted swiftly. Purple flames flared up on his fingers as he pressed them against the orb.
"Five-Element Seal!"
The flames transformed into purple chains, locking down the Three-Tails completely.
With the beast subdued, Kimimaro retrieved the orb.
"Done. I'll hand this over to Orochimaru-sama. Excellent work, Guren. And as a reward, you won't need to return to the Land of Lightning's base. Take Yukimaru and live in Otogakure instead."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Guren's face lit up with joy. Serving Orochimaru closely had always been her greatest wish.
"Otogakure needs capable people. Make good use of this opportunity," Kimimaro advised.
"Understood. Thank you!" Guren bowed gratefully.
Turning to Zabuza and Haku, Kimimaro added, "I have a proposal for you two."
The pair looked at him with puzzled expressions.
"The new Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, has taken office in Kirigakure. She values talents who were forced out under the Fourth Mizukage's regime. I want you both to return to Kirigakure."
"You're asking us to go back as spies?" Zabuza asked, frowning.
"Consider it as you like. The ninja world will soon face massive upheavals. You two can bring new life to Kirigakure, or the village may vanish from history. Of course, your main purpose there is to work for me."
The gravity of Kimimaro's words left Zabuza stunned. What kind of upheaval could erase Kirigakure?
"I know you have questions, but I can't explain now. Just know that in the future, even Kage-level strength will pale in comparison."
Kimimaro's tone was calm but resolute.
"Return to Kirigakure, earn Mei Terumi's trust. When I need you, I'll summon you. If you refuse, Otogakure will always have a place for you."
Kimimaro wasn't forcing their decision. Loyalty born of coercion rarely proved reliable.
After a moment's thought, Zabuza nodded. "I'll go."
"If Zabuza-sama goes, so will I," Haku said without hesitation.
"Good," Kimimaro replied. "With you two on board, we can move to the next phase."
"This trip to the Hidden Mist Village poses significant dangers. To ensure your safety, I will place the same Cursed Seal on Haku as I did on Neji. Once its power is unleashed, it will grant you the strength of a Kage.
This way, even if something dangerous happens in the Hidden Mist Village, you'll be able to protect yourselves.
Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Once this Void Cursed Seal is placed, it will bind you to me unless I choose to release it. Your life and death will be in my hands. As before, you have the choice to accept or refuse."
Kimimaro gave Haku the option again.
Zabuza interjected, "Put the seal on me instead."
"Your talent is too mediocre to handle the power of the Void Cursed Seal."
The atmosphere turned awkward.
"Mr. Zabuza, let me do it. I trust Mr. Kimimaro won't harm us. With his strength, my life is already in his hands," Haku said, breaking the tension.
"...Then I'll leave it to you, Haku. Thank you," Zabuza conceded, realizing this was the best choice and not stopping Haku.
Haku smiled gently. "For Mr. Zabuza, nothing is too much."
The bond between the two deepened further. A single Void Cursed Seal was enough to tie them together.
Kimimaro didn't mind keeping a few extra cards up his sleeve—it would allow him to go further. Even using underhanded methods was acceptable for this purpose.
"Receiving the Void Cursed Seal will be very painful, but it'll only last five minutes. Bear with it," Kimimaro said as he approached Haku.
"I'm ready," Haku responded resolutely.
Kimimaro formed a sword-hand seal with his right hand and pressed it against Haku's forehead.
In an instant, a terrifying energy surged from the seal into Haku's forehead, spreading through his body.
"Ah!"
Haku couldn't suppress a scream of pain, his face showing immense suffering.
Zabuza clenched his fists anxiously, breaking into a cold sweat for Haku.
Soon, Haku's appearance began to change.
His black hair turned white, and frosty wings resembling those of a phoenix emerged from his back.
The transformation was less dramatic than Neji's, but the aura emanating from Haku was no weaker than Neji's in his Cursed Seal state.
"He seems more practiced at applying the seal than when he did it to me," Neji thought to himself.
As the first test subject, Neji's process of receiving the Void Cursed Seal had been far more excruciating, a memory he preferred not to recall.
Finally, after five minutes, Haku's screams ceased.
The seal's power settled within him, and the frosty wings shattered and vanished. Haku's hair returned to its natural black color.
A yin-yang taijitu mark appeared on Haku's lower back, concealed and discreet.
"Haku, how do you feel?" Zabuza asked quickly, concerned.
"I feel great. This power… it's incredible," Haku said, still recovering from the brief weakness but already marveling at the seal's effects. His mastery over his Ice Release had clearly grown stronger.
"Good. That's all that matters," Zabuza said, relieved.
With Kimimaro's arrangements in place, the group set off for the Hidden Mist Village, while Guren departed with Yukimaru for the Hidden Sound Village.
This left only Kimimaro, Sasuke, and Neji behind.
"How was the recent battle? Did you get a glimpse of how terrifying the Tailed Beasts can be?" Kimimaro asked with a smile.
"Is that the kind of monster Naruto has inside him too?" Sasuke asked, changing the subject.
"That's correct. But Naruto's beast is the Nine-Tails, far stronger than the Three-Tails. It would take seven Three-Tails to match the power of the Nine-Tails. Sadly, Naruto hasn't even mastered a seventh of its power yet."
Kimimaro explained how Tailed Beast transformations worked, with each stage being exponentially stronger than the last. Naruto hadn't even achieved the initial transformation, let alone full Tailed Beast Mode.
Hearing this, both Sasuke and Neji were stunned.
"The Nine-Tails inside Naruto is that powerful?"
If Naruto fully mastered the most powerful Tailed Beast, it would be unimaginable strength.
"Alright, let's not dwell on that for now. There are only three days left until the meeting at the Tenchi Bridge. We need to head there soon. The stage is set—it's up to you to perform," Kimimaro concluded, and the group moved out.
Several hours later, Zetsu appeared on the scene.
"This should be where the Three-Tails revived. Why can't I sense its chakra anymore? Could someone have captured it already?" Black Zetsu's expression darkened even further.
"There's lingering chakra here," White Zetsu noted. "One is Sasuke's, but the others are unfamiliar. However, there are traces of Cursed Seal energy and Ice Release."
Kimimaro had deliberately masked his chakra, leaving Zetsu unable to detect his presence.
"Could it be Orochimaru? What is that man planning now?" Black Zetsu growled, his frustration mounting.
The disappearance of the Three-Tails had thrown a wrench in their plans.
"Let's consult Tobi about this," White Zetsu suggested.
"Agreed. Orochimaru might be a significant problem if he opposes us. His power may be average, but his persistence is unbearable," Black Zetsu muttered, disappearing to seek out Tobi.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro's group reached the Tenchi Bridge, where Orochimaru had been waiting.
"Orochimaru, here's the Three-Tails. Before handing it over, replace the Five Elements Seal with your own to avoid exposing my chakra. Otherwise, it could lead to complications," Kimimaro said, handing Orochimaru a crystal sphere containing a miniature Three-Tails.
Orochimaru chuckled, staring at the orb. "Tailed Beasts truly are fascinating creatures. Did you know, Kimimaro, that Tailed Beasts are the only known beings capable of immortality? Even if they die, they can revive. It's an enviable trait."
"That's because they're not physical entities—just masses of chakra, right?" Kimimaro speculated.
Orochimaru shook his head slightly. "They may be chakra, but they think, feel pain, learn, and can die. Why wouldn't they count as life forms?
Chakra itself is a wondrous force. Before the Sage of Six Paths and the Tailed Beasts, chakra didn't even exist in this world.
One day, if I can fully understand the essence of chakra, I might uncover the true secret to immortality.
I suspect immortality is closely tied to the Tailed Beasts. They've existed far longer than ninjas. Throughout recorded history, the Tailed Beasts have always been present as the ninja world evolved.
There are too many coincidences. Where did the Tailed Beasts come from? Where are they going? How do they cultivate themselves? Why are there exactly nine? Why is the Nine-Tails the strongest, followed by the Eight-Tails, with smaller gaps among the others?
It's all a mystery. And I believe the Akatsuki may hold the key to solving it. Or perhaps someone within them already has. Why else would they obsess over capturing the Tailed Beasts?
What about the mysterious Gedo Statue? Why is it the vessel for the Tailed Beasts? And what happens when all nine are brought together? Don't you find it all fascinating, Kimimaro?"
Orochimaru's eyes glinted with fervor.
Kimimaro's expression was blank, but his mind was racing.
As expected of Orochimaru, he had pieced together this much already. No wonder he could predict the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"Orochimaru, your thoughts are impressive. In truth, I'm equally curious about the Akatsuki's goals, which is why I devised this plan.
The answers must lie with that masked man who claims to be Madara Uchiha," Kimimaro replied.