"How is this possible!?"
"Ahh!"
"Damn it!"
Engulfed by the combined Wind-Fire ninjutsu, the Anbu squad cursed and wailed in the flames.
Among them were sensory shinobi, and their squad leader was highly experienced, with swordsmanship skilled enough to fend off Ranmaru in his Swift Release state. The team's strength was far from weak.
Yet, they were instantly overwhelmed by the sudden ninjutsu from behind.
Undoubtedly, the attack came from Ranmaru's Hogan-created shadow clones. These dojutsu constructs, though lacking physical form, could channel chakra to unleash ninjutsu. When using Transparent Release, they became invisible like Ranmaru, making them nearly impossible to defend against.
After defeating the obstructing Anbu, the demoralized Ranmaru didn't turn to fight Neji and Kimimaro but fled immediately.
"This…"
Watching the Anbu squad consumed by the Wind-Fire ninjutsu, Neji's face under his mask grew grim.
Without the Tenseigan, relying solely on his Byakugan's perception, he couldn't distinguish Ranmaru's true body from his Hogan shadow clones.
Neji asked Kimimaro, "Do we keep chasing?"
"Chase!"
Kimimaro's expression remained impassive.
He knew capturing Ranmaru without the Tenseigan would be difficult, but orders were orders, and they had to be followed, regardless of success.
…
On another battlefield within the Forest of Death.
Roar.
As Gaara completely lost control, Shukaku finally seized his body, breaking free from the sealing jutsu and manifesting in its full tailed beast form.
"It's bad—One-Tail's out!"
"That Sand brat's going to get us killed!"
"We can't let it reach the village!"
Facing the colossal beast, the surrounding Hidden Leaf shinobi paled.
Sigh.
Yakumo let out a helpless sigh.
She had done everything she could, but she couldn't stop Gaara's rampage, and the situation was now spiraling out of control.
Kakashi, standing beside her, said, "Yakumo, you'll focus on controlling One-Tail and assist the sealing team in resealing it."
Yakumo glanced at Hiruko in the distance. "What about him?"
Kakashi's gaze hardened. "I'll handle him!"
Yakumo hesitated. "Kakashi-sensei, you…"
Kakashi raised a hand to interrupt her. "Don't worry. I'm no match for him, but I can hold him off for a while. I'm counting on you for One-Tail!"
Yakumo nodded firmly. "Please rest assured, I won't let it attack the village!"
Temari and Kankuro approached, bowing to Yakumo. "Please, no matter what, save Gaara!"
Yakumo replied, "I'll do my best!"
"Hahaha, this great lord is finally free!"
Before Yakumo could finish, Shukaku's wild laughter echoed from the sky.
Its gaze swept downward, scanning the Hidden Leaf shinobi before locking onto Hiruko in his Akatsuki red-cloud cloak. "Akatsuki!?"
Without warning, Shukaku unleashed a Tailed Beast Ball at Hiruko.
Shuu.
With a piercing whistle, the massive Tailed Beast Ball shot toward the tree where Hiruko stood, obliterating it and a large surrounding area with a rumbling explosion.
Dodging the Tailed Beast Ball with Swift Release, Hiruko laughed. "Now that's more like a monster!"
Saa.
A figure crackling with lightning charged at Hiruko, while countless vines burst from the ground, targeting Shukaku.
Easily evading Kakashi's attack, Hiruko grinned. "Chidori, huh? Not bad for a ninjutsu!"
Ignoring him, Kakashi pressed his assault.
Knowing his speed couldn't match Hiruko's Swift Release, Kakashi not only opened the Eight Gates but also used Lightning Release chakra to stimulate his body, boosting his physical prowess temporarily.
Dodging effortlessly, Hiruko mocked, "Kakashi, pushing yourself this hard—how long can your body hold up?"
Unfazed by the taunts, Kakashi's attacks grew fiercer.
Hiruko began to feel the pressure, shifting from casual dodging to taking the fight seriously.
…
On the other side.
Yakumo's Wood Release spread rapidly, entangling Shukaku from all directions.
"Damn Wood Release!"
Enraged, Shukaku struggled to break free.
Wood Release naturally suppressed tailed beasts, and Yakumo spared no chakra, so as Shukaku broke one set of vines, another set ensnared it, trapping it in a cycle of struggle.
A vine controlled by Yakumo lifted Shion to Shukaku's face, where she shouted, "Gaara, wake up!"
Shion could have sealed Shukaku by now, but doing so would also seal Gaara. At Temari and Kankuro's desperate pleas, she and Yakumo decided to try waking Gaara, the One-Tail jinchuriki.
"Brat, I'll kill you!"
Feeling underestimated as Shion approached, Shukaku prepared to unleash another Tailed Beast Ball.
"Shion, be careful!"
Yakumo cried out in alarm.
Other Hidden Leaf shinobi launched ninjutsu to distract Shukaku and disrupt its attack.
Seeing Shukaku inhale, Shion, who had witnessed the Tailed Beast Ball's power, felt her scalp tingle. Instinctively, she prepared to activate her sealing jutsu.
At that tense moment, Shukaku's movements froze, its defiant eyes turning vacant.
Shion paused, then realized, "It's working?"
Yakumo's face lit up below, shouting to the others, "Everyone, stop attacking! Gaara seems to be regaining consciousness!"
Undoubtedly, Gaara had heard their calls and was fighting Shukaku for control of his body.
…
Nearby.
Hiruko, locked in combat with Kakashi, noticed Shukaku's sudden stillness. Glancing over, he saw the One-Tail jinchuriki showing signs of breaking free from his dojutsu. With a sinister grin, he said, "Think you can escape my dojutsu's control? Not so easy!"
Dodging Kakashi with a flash, Hiruko maneuvered along the vines binding Shukaku, reaching it in a few leaps. Facing Shukaku, he activated his Mangekyo dojutsu, Yumota, again.
"I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill you!"
The momentarily calmed Shukaku erupted into a frenzy.
Its inky pupils turned crimson with the Sharingan, indicating that not only Gaara but Shukaku itself had fallen under Hiruko's dojutsu.