The monk Bunpuku carefully studied the young man before him, reading the seriousness in his expression toward Chōmei.
But when he heard the name "Chōmei," he froze slightly, then let out a faint laugh.
"Chōmei is the name of the Seven-Tails?"
"Just like the One-Tail, it also has a name. Of course... every tailed beast has its own name."
"I only found out halfway through my life that the One-Tail's name is Shukaku."
But unlike Gekko Chizan, his understanding of Shukaku was still far too limited.
Aside from its name and personality, he knew nothing else—let alone thinking he could use love to change Shukaku.
"Old monk, farewell."
With a single slash, Bunpuku inside the inner world was cut down.
Blood spread across the surface of the water beneath their feet.
But even in death, Bunpuku's final thoughts lingered. He muttered:
"Shukaku... if you can... find the love that protects you..."
These words fell into Gekko Chizan's ears, and he couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain.
"Love? That doesn't suit tailed beasts, monk."
"What a tailed beast needs is understanding, respect, and acknowledgment."
As Bunpuku perished, the inner world began to collapse. Without hesitation, Gekko Chizan turned and walked away.
...
In the outside world, time once again resumed. Shukaku, who had been restrained by Chōmei, suddenly froze. His aura was rapidly fading away.
"How... how could this be..."
"Chōmei, what did you do!"
The feeling of his strength slipping away infuriated Shukaku, yet he had no way to stop it. Repairing his own body was now becoming difficult.
"Shukaku, you and your jinchūriki could never reach perfection. He couldn't help you."
"But I am different. Chizan and I are one. We complement each other. Even if my combat power is a little weaker, he is by no means weak."
"Your jinchūriki has already been slain inside his own heart. Do you think an old monk like that could resist the spiritual collapse?!"
"Once your jinchūriki dies, you'll fall back into slumber. This battle belongs to us, Shukaku!"
The excitement in Chōmei's tone, the surge of his strength—everything revealed his joy.
All these years, battles with other tailed beasts had ended mostly in his defeat. Except for a few rare occasions, he was almost always the one crushed.
But today's battle let him fully experience his growth.
So what if he lacked attack methods? As long as he followed Gekko Chizan's principles, it didn't matter how many tails the enemy had—he had the confidence to fight.
And look now—wasn't Shukaku already being pinned down by him?
"Old monk..."
"Damned bug! Chōmei, even if you win, I won't let you off easily!"
"This is my last bit of strength. I'll drag you into the desert with me!"
At first, Shukaku refused to believe Bunpuku was dead. But as his power drained away and his calls to the monk went unanswered, he could no longer deny it. His jinchūriki Bunpuku truly had died in that spiritual clash.
With a furious roar, the sands around him gathered wildly. Shukaku's body began collapsing as flowing sand tried to pull Chōmei down with him.
Just as he said, this was his final strength.
"Keep dreaming! I'm not like you—my strength is still brimming! Go play with your sand yourself, you damned tanuki!"
Chōmei didn't show him any mercy. His six massive wings suddenly spread wide, brute force blasting through the surrounding sand.
Shukaku glared resentfully at the airborne Chōmei, cursing again.
"You damned insect! This isn't over!"
"I'll only sleep a few years at most. When I wake, I'll come for revenge!"
Before Chōmei could answer, Gekko Chizan spoke up.
"Hehehe, Shukaku, you really must have forgotten your situation."
"You belong to Sunagakure. Even if you fall into slumber here, they'll come to retrieve you."
"When that happens, you'll have a new jinchūriki, your freedom bound once more. How will you come for me then?"
"Or are you saying you've no dignity at all, letting anyone be your jinchūriki?"
A simple provocation—yet the most effective.
Especially against someone as hot-tempered as Shukaku.
The words made him explode in fury, shouting without thinking.
"Damned brat! Do you think anyone can be my jinchūriki?! Dream on!"
"Just you wait! I'll regain my freedom, and when I do, I'll crush the both of you into the desert sands!"
"Even if the Sage of Six Paths himself shows up, it won't matter! I swear it!"
As the quicksand spread wider, more than half of Shukaku's body was already buried. His slumber was drawing close.
But neither Chōmei nor Gekko Chizan wavered. Instead, smiles appeared on their faces.
Then, in unison, beast and man shouted:
"We'll be waiting!"
At last, Shukaku sank fully into the golden sands, falling back into slumber once more.
...
"Ha! That was amazing—damn amazing!"
"Chizan, your battle plan was spot on. A fight should never be head-on!"
"Ambush is the best way! Kyahahaha!"
Chōmei had claimed victory. His massive body soared freely through the sky.
For so many years—since the very existence of the nine tailed beasts—he, the Seven-Tails Chōmei, had never had it easy.
If he wasn't being beaten down by one, he was bullied by another. If all else failed, he'd just use flight to escape.
Other than Matatabi, who never fought him, even the Five-Tails Kokuō had beaten him several times.
But from now on, those days were over!
Why? Because he had finally understood. And because he had the best jinchūriki partner.
His brother—Gekko Chizan.
One-on-one, he wasn't the strongest. But two-on-two? He had absolute confidence.
"Alright, Chōmei. Fly a bit longer, but then let's land."
"The battle's over. Let's head to the Land of Earth and have some fun."
"Best not return to the village too soon—it might expose us."
Gekko Chizan analyzed the situation. With Shukaku gone from the front lines, Orochimaru would surely be able to hold back Sunagakure's offensive.
After all, Konoha's defenders weren't weak.
"Tch, just tell me the direction."
"No one's around here anyway. I'll just fly straight there."
Chōmei, finally savoring his joy, wasn't about to cut the fun short. Why not play a little longer?
Looking out across the desolate desert, Gekko Chizan agreed to his idea.
"Keep flying north. But watch carefully—if you see anyone, hide at once."
"We can't let our trail be exposed."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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