Why did the originally furious Shukaku suddenly let out a startled cry?
What did those shocked eyes just see?
It was a chakra aura he could never mistake—a crimson, unmistakably tailed beast's chakra.
"Damn it! This is that Seven-Tails' aura!"
"You little brat, you're actually a Jinchūriki!"
"No wonder… no wonder your chakra is even greater than that bastard Rasa's. So it's the Seven-Tails backing you up!"
"Hmph! But you damn brat, don't think I'll be afraid of you just because you've got the Seven-Tails!"
"In terms of battle strength, that bug is no match for me at all!"
Although Shukaku was only the One-Tail, he was extremely confident in his strength—and extremely displeased with the other tailed beasts who had more tails than him.
Especially that damn fox, the Nine-Tails!
"Hmph! Shukaku, don't think you're something special just because you can use ninjutsu and sealing techniques."
"Chōmei's been dying to beat you up for a long time!"
"But right now, I'll be the one to take the lead!"
"Chōmei! Half-Tailed Beast Transformation!"
The two characters—Chōmei—struck Shukaku like a bolt of lightning.
Chōmei… the Seven-Tails' name. How long had it been since he'd heard that familiar name?
"Chōmei… you even know the Seven-Tails' name…"
"Looks like the two of you have a pretty close relationship, at least better than me and that old monk."
"Hmph! But don't think that'll let you beat me! Brat, if you want to fight me, then have Chōmei come himself!"
"Still the same thing: the desert is my home field!"
"Desert Stream!"
Shukaku plunged both hands into the sands, and the desert itself went berserk.
Wave after crushing wave of sand cascaded down on Gekko Chizan.
"Chizan, with five tails' worth of chakra this time, you can really go wild for a while!"
"Beat him up good for me!"
Chōmei completely released his chakra restraints, and five crimson tails flared out behind Gekko Chizan in his Half-Tailed Beast form.
His body was covered in something like an insect shell, forming armor around him.
"Leave it to me!"
The battle cry thundered out, and the five tails spread like wings as the crimson beast charged.
Even faced with the tidal waves of sand, Gekko Chizan didn't hesitate for a moment.
"Buried under sand!"
"In your dreams!"
Roars exploded simultaneously from Shukaku and Gekko Chizan.
In this desolate heart of the desert, the battle between tailed beast and Jinchūriki had fully erupted.
The Half-Tailed Beast Transformation was far from a full beast form, but it had its own advantages: smaller size, greater speed.
Especially for someone like Gekko Chizan, who always moved among people.
Target the weak point and break through. With sheer force of his Half-Tailed Beast form, he tore straight through the waves of sand.
Even though Shukaku's control made them ferocious, mass attacks were never as destructive as direct ones.
Taking the price of a mouthful of sand, Gekko Chizan broke through the Desert Stream. Hands clasped, he leapt high into the air and slammed both fists down onto Shukaku's head.
Sand exploded everywhere.
"You think this great me will let you hit my face twice…?"
"Ow! You little bastard! So you've got more tails, huh?!"
That punch didn't land, blocked by Shukaku's sand.
But five tails were another story.
Time for a chain slap combo—his tails became the perfect weapons, lashing Shukaku's face again and again.
For a moment, Shukaku was dazed from the barrage.
He'd always been bitter about having only one tail.
And now this bastard Gekko Chizan was slapping his face with tails?!
The tanuki couldn't take it anymore!
[Ding! Detected host slapping Shukaku's face with tails. Damage minimal, humiliation extreme! Special reward: Tailed Beast Bomb optimization +10%. Note: at 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% thresholds, an optimization ability will be activated.]
Sure enough, humiliating the tanuki earned quite the reward.
But the consequence—Shukaku's massive hand grabbed Gekko Chizan and flung him away.
"Wind Release! Drilling Air Bullets!"
"Shine! Damn brat!"
"Boom!"
Three consecutive air blasts roared forth. Still airborne, Gekko Chizan twisted his body at the last moment.
He gathered his five tails in front of him to block.
The Air Bullets were strong, but still ninjutsu. In his Half-Tailed Beast form, Gekko Chizan wasn't worried.
The violent wind caused him some trouble, but not much more.
When the blasts dissipated, white smoke rose from his body—the aftermath of the impacts.
"Chōmei, give me another tail's worth of strength."
"Got it! Remember, you can fly!"
Chōmei reminded him, afraid he'd forget his advantage. The Seven-Tails Chōmei might not be the strongest fighter, but he could fly! Even in Half-Tailed Beast form, flight was possible!
"Don't worry! I know—watch me!"
A sixth tail appeared, and all six tails shifted into wing-like shapes. Gekko Chizan soared into the air, then immediately dove down.
The speed was so great it split the air.
"Stupid tanuki!"
"Here I come!"
Like a meteor crashing into the earth, Gekko Chizan skipped all unnecessary attacks.
With six tails, a pair of Chōmei's sharp antennae sprouted from his head—only these were razor-sharp.
Using speed to multiply his force, Gekko Chizan turned himself into a kunai and hurtled toward Shukaku.
"Swish!"
The piercing sound rang out. The next moment, Gekko Chizan had drilled into the desert.
And Shukaku's shoulder now had a massive hole.
"Aaaaargh! I'll kill you!"
Rage consumed Shukaku's entire chest. No matter how much the monk within him chanted, nothing could bring Shukaku's mind back.
The One-Tail Shukaku had completely gone berserk.
"Hmph! Lost it, have you?"
"All the better!"
Climbing out from the sand, Gekko Chizan stared at Shukaku's crimson eyes and the forming red-and-blue Tailed Beast Bomb. His gaze held no fear.
"So what if it's a Tailed Beast Bomb? I've got one too!"
The same red-and-blue chakra gathered swiftly in front of him. Even in Half-Tailed Beast form, he could form a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Smaller than Shukaku's, yes—but still a Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Chizan, you can't block this. A full beast's Tailed Beast Bomb is denser, bigger, and more powerful!"
"Relax, Chōmei, I know what I'm doing!"
Confidently, Gekko Chizan completed his own Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Shine!"
"You wish!"
The two Tailed Beast Bombs launched at the same time—one massive, one smaller—colliding head-on.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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