Shukaku couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
When other Tailed Beasts encountered such situations, aside from Four-Tails being able to melt its body into magma—making it impossible for enemies to stand on their heads—most others could only clumsily slap at their own skulls. This was not only inefficient but also looked extremely ridiculous.
Thinking about this, Shukaku burst into loud laughter. "So you see, this is the benefit of studying! Hmph, unlike those idiots, I'm far more intelligent!"
Yet some Tailed Beasts, while laughing, eventually ended up crying!
Wasn't the reason it studied precisely because it had the least chakra among them? If it didn't learn human hand seals and master efficient techniques, its chakra reserves might even fall below those monstrous humans.
Especially when compared to a certain fox, it became even more pitiful!
What made raccoon dogs so inferior to foxes anyway? That damned fox lover, the Sage of Six Paths!
While crying, Shukaku suddenly noticed something wrong.
It may be sensitive, but there's no way it would start crying mid-battle!
Also, what happened after it used Rekudan? Why was there no follow-through? Did that human brat even get hit?
Realizing this, lightning flashed through Shukaku's mind.
"Damn it, it was Genjutsu! Dammit, when exactly did he cast it?"
Genjutsu, break!
The moment the illusion dissolved, waves of pain rushed in like a tidal surge.
Shukaku then realized that within just a few seconds, its entire body had already been severely wounded.
Physical pain combined with the mental humiliation of being trapped in an illusion sent Shukaku into an even fiercer rage.
"You punk kid, you're gonna pay..." Just as Shukaku angrily ranted, it froze mid-sentence.
Before it stood its opponent, raising high an energy sphere glowing like a miniature sun. Even Shukaku felt a chill run down its spine at the sheer power radiating from it.
"Oh? Managed to struggle free from the Genjutsu? Perfect, then feel the full force of my second gift prepared especially for you!" With a grin, Shio hurled his [Sage Art: Ultimate Big Ball Rasengan] toward Shukaku. As the orb erupted in brilliance, he swiftly evacuated the scene using the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
"Damn!" Shukaku barely got out before being consumed entirely by the devastating storm of energy.
A towering column of light illuminated the night sky as bright as day, while surging waves of chakra merged into a sandstorm raging wildly across the desert.
Watching the terrifying scene unfold from a distance, the Sunagakure ninja felt their mouths go dry.
"Haha… Now *that's* a fierce-looking fight!"
"You sure it's really 'fierce'? Somehow I feel like it's more like Shukaku getting utterly crushed."
"Shukaku is still a Tailed Beast. It can't possibly be that bad, right?"
"Let's hope Shukaku has strong survival instincts, or else things are really going to get serious!"
By the time they arrived, Shukaku was already lying flat on its back in the sand, one of its tails snapped clean off. Seiki was theatrically replenishing its chakra.
"My apologies—I accidentally went a bit too hard," Seiki said with a display of false remorse.
*A bit too hard?* He hadn't held back in the slightest. To collect chakra in the shortest possible time, he had gone all-out throughout the fight.
Even during the battle that killed the Mizukage, he hadn't been this serious.
They could barely swallow, staring at Seiki as if he were a demon.
They had always known Seiki was strong, but to defeat the One-Tail within minutes and leave it critically injured—that wasn't just strength; it was overwhelming power beyond reason!
Shock gave way to sour regret and doubt.
If they treasured the One-Tail so much, yet it had been defeated so easily, then what was the point of relying on Jinchuriki as Sunagakure's key fighters?
Why risk life and limb when they could have simply abandoned cultivating Jinchuriki and instead ridden someone else's coattails?
Shaking off these chaotic thoughts, they awkwardly chuckled.
"Haha, Seiki-sama, please don't take it the wrong way. You did this for Sunagakure's safety after all!"
"Just checking… Shukaku won't die from this, will he?"
Seeing their nervous expressions, afraid of provoking him, Seiki smiled. "No need to worry. Bijuu don't die that easily."
"Phew! Then I feel better." The crowd finally relaxed.
"Then now, shall I return it to the temple and reseal it?"
"We're truly grateful!"
...
In the Sunagakure village,
It had only been a few minutes since the chaos caused by the Bijuu's rampage had yet to fully settle.
But everyone had already been informed that a powerful figure had gone to deal with the Bijuu. With Shukaku nowhere to be seen, people had calmed down considerably.
Just then, Shukaku's massive body appeared once again.
"Ah! That monster's back!"
"Everyone, run quickly!"
"Wait… why is its body upside-down?"
Only then did people realize—the monster must've been defeated?
And why did this belly-up posture somehow look weirdly endearing?
Unlike the ordinary villagers, the ninja on-site were genuinely stunned.
Whether by Shukaku's weakened aura or those horrifying wounds, one thing was clear—it had suffered grave injuries.
True, the Kazekage could suppress the One-Tail temporarily too, but only by using Gold Dust to slow the sand—like tying a rope around a cat's neck and dragging it forcefully back into the cage.
But Seiki? He had beaten the cat nearly half-dead, then casually tossed it straight into the cage.
The difference in difficulty between the two methods was obvious.
Far away, standing on her balcony, Karura watched the scene unfold, deeply shaken. "Is this truly the power of the Demigod of the Shinobi World? Truly terrifyingly powerful!"
Beside her, Temari clapped joyfully. "Bad kitty cat got caught!"
Karura gently stroked her daughter's head. "Would you like to become just as strong as that older brother?"
Temari asked, "If I get stronger, will Dad not get tired anymore?"
Karura hesitated slightly, then smiled warmly. "Of course."
Temari waved her little hands energetically. "Then I'll become super strong too!"
...
The next morning, early dawn.
"Seiki, my apologies!" After last night's profound conversation, Rasa dropped his overly formal tone. "Originally, I invited you here for cultural exchange. I never expected you'd end up helping us seal the Bijuu as well."
"No, I should be the one apologizing."
Seiki looked deeply apologetic. "If I hadn't kept Aniki Rasa talking yesterday, you wouldn't have drunk so much. No one would be gossiping like this."
Though Rasa had saved everyone twice, being the Kazekage, it was seen as only natural and expected by everyone.
However, failing to show up on time for the third rescue caused his reputation to plummet.
In contrast, Seiki, as an outsider from another village, gained tremendous praise after saving them just once.
He gained the nickname "Sunagakure's Friend" in just one night.
"It's just my own failure of restraint." Naturally, Rasa felt frustrated, but he didn't dwell on it too much. After all, Seiki hadn't even encouraged him to drink that night—Rasa had been the one rambling nonsense the entire time.
"Anyway, no more talk about such boring things. Come on, let me show you around Sunagakure's Ninja Academy!"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>