The true cruelty of Tailed Beasts lies in their immense physical power, a force no ordinary human body can match. This is precisely why the Raikage of Kumogakure have earned legendary status across the Ninja World—they possess the actual strength to rival Tailed Beasts.
Moreover, as long as the output remains manageable, the nearly inexhaustible chakra allows Jinchuriki—those with Tailed Beasts sealed within them—to function almost like perpetual sources of ninjutsu firepower. However, there's a major drawback: the corrosive effects of Tailed Beast chakra on the body and mind are irreversible.
Therefore, while Complete Tailed Beast Transformation truly unleashes the beast's full might, whoever controls the body afterward may no longer be the Jinchuriki's own consciousness.
This is exactly the predicament now facing the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki.
During Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, the excessive and frequent extraction of the Two-Tails' chakra for combat and healing—combined with Hyuga Soushu and his subordinate jonin continually provoking and tormenting her—pushed the Jinchuriki beyond her limit, involuntarily triggering Full Tailed Beast Transformation.
In simple terms, it's an exchange of sanity for combat power!
However, for ninja, especially Konoha—the village most skilled in sealing techniques in the modern Ninja World—this presented a small but valuable advantage.
Although the fully restored Two-Tails could unleash far greater power than when the Jinchuriki merely borrowed the beast's chakra, to Sakumo Hatake, this wasn't particularly significant—if the cost could simply be paid in lives, then it wasn't a serious issue at all!
More importantly, the completely beast-like Two-Tails was far easier to manipulate and lure.
Constant harassment and attacks would keep this giant cat trapped indefinitely within the ever-strengthening Swamp of Yomi—a luxury unthinkable when fighting cunning ninja who thrive on endless schemes!
Added to this, the ongoing application of sealing techniques was gradually weakening the Two-Tails' actual power. If they could prolong the battle, fortune would ultimately favor the Konoha forces!
"Push forward!"
As time passed, the first wave of Konoha ninja had already suffered heavy casualties. Koryo immediately waved his hand and ordered the second unit to advance.
Judging from the current battlefield situation, apart from a few elite jonin-level fighters, most other ninja were barely inflicting any real damage against the fully transformed Tailed Beast. Even Sakumo Hatake, wielding his short blade, was only scratching the surface against the massive Two-Tails. As for common ninja attacks, they were practically suicide missions.
"Follow me!"
Saemon Sarutobi gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and darted forward with his team of jonin using the Body Flicker Technique.
He could fall in battle, but he would never allow himself to be executed by Koryo's supervisory squad—that was a matter of honor and reflected directly on the dignity of the Hokage family!
[Water Release: Suiryudan no Jutsu]
[Water Release: Waterfall Technique]
With the second squad of Konoha Jonin charging forward, another towering wave surged from the ground, crashing toward the Two-Tails!
At the same time, chakra-fueled moisture replenished the swampy terrain constantly dried by the Two-Tails' innate chakra flames, making the mud even stickier.
All of this had been calculated before the battle began. Judging from the actual combat results now, things were going fairly well.
However, no matter how mighty the waves were, despite the visibly weakened power and attack frequency of the Two-Tails, these Water Release techniques only managed to create a bit of steam upon impact. Rather than dealing significant damage, they seemed only to further enrage the already furious tailed beast!
"Damn it!"
Koryo Jonin glanced around at the Konoha Ninja Forces, cold sweat appearing on his forehead.
Except for the reserve unit still on standby under his command, the Konoha ninja maintaining the sealing formation had clearly begun to show signs of exhaustion. Although they kept taking secret medicinal pills from their respective clans, these could only slow the rate of fatigue instead of completely turning around their dire situation.
Even more importantly, judging from the expressions and pill usage frequency of those ninja at this moment, at the current rate of chakra consumption, they would very likely die from chakra overexertion before the tailed beast was subdued!
"Captain Soushu, please lend us your strength!"
With no other options left, Koryo Jonin created a shadow clone and dispatched it to the rear base to call for help from Hyuga Soushu, who had brought the Two-Tails Jinchuriki into the encirclement zone.
"How can I help?"
Hyuga Soushu looked at the Jonin under his command panting heavily, then slowly shook his head as he spoke, "The main force is already exhausted. However, since Koryo has personally requested this, I'm willing to offer my support—but not extend it to the others."
The Jonin from the Hyuga Branch House wouldn't be useful at all—their Gentle Fist couldn't even tickle the tailed beast. As for those Uchiha Jonin, they had been using Genjutsu to slow the beast all the way here while coordinating with ninja bombardments using Ninjutsu to draw aggro; the fact that they were still standing was itself a testament to their incredible stamina. Ordering them back into combat would be playing Russian roulette with their lives!
Since Soushu had few supporters in the first place, he naturally hesitated to recklessly throw away capable allies under his command.
"Then I really appreciate it!"
Koryo Jonin wasn't unreasonable either. With just a glance, he understood the physical conditions of those Jonin who had fought alongside Hyuga Soushu, so he didn't dare make such an excessive request.
Moreover, judging from Soushu's appearance—his complexion looking fresh, his voice strong and resonant, his posture energetic despite the situation—he definitely had plenty left in the tank.
"Mahiru Uchiha,"
Mahiru Uchiha, who had been sitting quietly in meditation, began to rise as if ready to speak.
"You rest first!"
Instantly, Hyuga Soushu shunshined behind his lover, gently pressing her shoulders to stop her moving, then kissed the back of her head: "Wait for me. I'll come right back to you."
"Alright."
As soon as a kiss landed, Mahiru Uchiha's tone instantly got all sweet and sultry. She obediently followed instructions and continued meditating to recover her strength.
Hyuga Soushu gave a slight nod toward Koryo Jonin before activating the Shifting Body Technique and rushing directly toward the chaotic Two-Tails' battlefield.
After nearly two hundred Konoha ninja had been sacrificed in the battle, the Two-Tails' power had already been significantly weakened.
At this moment, even Sakumo Hatake's White Fang tanto was now able to slice away chunks of its chakra-infused, blazing hide. Although the other Konoha ninja weren't making much progress with their ninjutsu, fewer lives were being lost now that the Two-Tails had been weakened.
[Jumping Slash!]
Without hesitation, Hyuga Soushu activated his skill, leaping high above the Two-Tails and delivering a powerful hammer strike straight onto its head!
Boom!
The heavy blow landed like a drumbeat—a deep, dull sound that proved what a fine beastly head it was!
"Watch out!"
Sakumo Hatake, who had just sliced off another chunk of the Two-Tails' chakra-laced hide, saw what was happening and immediately cried out in alarm.
At this point, Sakumo looked quite battered—his signature white hair was singed down to stubble by the blue flames of the beast, and the strands that remained were yellowed and brittle; his Jonin vest was tattered beyond recognition, with faint sparks still flickering from smoldering holes.
Sakumo had certainly gained firsthand experience of a Tailed Beast's might. All he could think was—no wonder these legendary doom beasts have such a fearsome reputation. Though they possessed little intelligence, their sheer power utterly overwhelmed that of ordinary ninja.
"No problem!"
With that shout, Hyuga Soushu stamped his foot and leapt into the air once more, narrowly avoiding the Two-Tails' swatting claw as it slashed through the air like someone swatting a fly.
Although the fully transformed Jinchuriki retained barely animal-level intellect, this wild instinct allowed it to instantly recognize the one it subconsciously hated most—Hyuga Soushu!
This very man had led a swarm of insects to humiliate it repeatedly while it was a Jinchuriki!
The consciousness of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, which had partially regained clarity due to the beast's waning power, was once again utterly swallowed by an overwhelming surge of hatred.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Letting out another long roar toward the sky, the Two-Tails gathered a spherical mass of chakra in its mouth!
"Soushu-kun, watch out!"
Sakumo's face paled!
Although he wasn't exactly sure what Secret Jutsu that black-and-white chakra ball in the beast's mouth was, from the chakra pressure radiating outward alone, he could estimate roughly how devastating its power would be.
Ignoring his own physical exhaustion, Sakumo resumed slicing furiously at the Two-Tails with desperate Body Flicker Technique movements, tearing pieces of its body apart bit by bit.
However, the Two-Tails—who usually got distracted so easily—was now acting unnervingly single-minded. It completely ignored Sakumo's harassing attacks, simply keeping its mouth wide open, locking eyes on Hyuga Soushu, who was hopping ever closer.
"Could this actually be the Tailed Beast Ball?"
At this moment, Hyuga Soushu himself felt a chill run through his scalp.
If it was just himself being targeted, he thought he could dodge the attack using either [Jumping Slash] or [Flash], but the missed Tailed Beast Ball would surely fly straight into the group of Konoha ninja maintaining the sealing formula.
Moreover, if many of these ninja fell, the sealing formula would inevitably fail. Once freed from the seal's restraint, the tailed beast might quickly regain all its strength under the catalysis of its near-infinite chakra. At that point, the death toll wouldn't stop at two hundred!
[Counter Storm!]
Hyuga Soushu took a deep breath, then activated his chakra barrier to protect his body before launching forward using Body Flicker toward the tailed beast.
"Roar!"
Weakened by the effects of the sealing technique, the Two-Tails' speed while forming the Tailed Beast Ball had also dropped considerably. Therefore, when facing Hyuga Soushu charging head-on, it could only instinctively lash out with its paw, trying to swat or smash him aside.
[Jumping Slash!]
Just as the tailed beast raised its claw and was about to strike, Soushu first used Wind Barrier to resist the impact, then activated his Q ability, immediately leaping onto the Two-Tails' cheek area, and promptly triggered another skill:
[Counter Storm Second Activation!]
Ripples of red energy spread outward, causing the tailed beast's body to instantly stiffen.
However, the tailed beast's size and chakra reserves far surpassed those of an ordinary ninja, so Hyuga Soushu's stun effect lasted less than half a second.
But that was already enough. Soushu directly jumped into the tailed beast's mouth, first striking once with his hammer to scatter the somewhat unstable Tailed Beast Ball, then retreating using Body Flicker just before the beast bit down!
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
The dispersed Tailed Beast Ball exploded directly inside the Two-Tail's mouth!
"Increase power! Success or failure depends on this one move!"
Koryo Jonin, who was observing the battle situation, issued direct orders again.
The exhausted Konoha ninja, whose chakra was nearly depleted, now squeezed out their last ounce of energy without hesitation, activating the sealing formula for one final hard pull.
"Aowww meoww!!!"
Immediately afterward, cries of agony flew from the Two-Tails' mouth, and its spirit state became listless.
Sakumo Hatake and the other Konoha ninja participating in the assault gave up defending themselves and instead poured every last bit of chakra into unleashing Ninjutsu, bombarding the heavily weakened tailed beast until it became dizzy and disoriented!
[Blood Slash!]
Hyuga Soushu first activated his equipment ability, then hammered away relentlessly until the magic blade effect of [Tri Force] surged forth, slamming the slightly unsteady tailed beast down to the ground!
From the perspective of the Konoha ninjas maintaining the sealing formula, this feat clearly belonged solely to Hyuga Soushu!
"Wuwuwu!!"
The howl coming from the Two-Tails had already become pitifully mournful.
[Weapon Master!]
Hyuga Soushu didn't hesitate and unleashed his ultimate technique. Under the effect of his equipment, he wildly swung his hammer, pounding the tailed beast so severely it couldn't even lift its head!
Sakumo Hatake also swung his sword furiously, taking advantage of this opening to slice the weakened beast down to practically nothing but a skeleton frame!
As for Hyuga Soushu, he had completely thrown caution to the wind, launching a relentless barrage of punches directly at the Tailed Beast's head, thinning its Tailed Beast Chakra until it became nearly transparent.
Deep within the beast's head, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki—who had been unconscious—began to surface as the beast's power weakened.
"Boom!"
After a series of heavy blows, Hyuga Soushu finally scattered the Tailed Beast Chakra that maintained the Tailed Beast's head. The dazed Jinchuriki slowly came to his senses.
[Ignite!]
Hyuga Soushu directly activated another rarely-used skill against the Two-Tails Jinchuriki—[Ignite]!
"Aaaargh!"
Overcome by unbearable pain, the Jinchuriki's rationality gradually overpowered his instincts.
"Run!"
It was the only thought that ran through his mind.
But it was already far too late.
Hyuga Soushu's Torch Pole smashed down hard on the Jinchuriki's head, crushing the last traces of beastly instinct still clinging to him!
"One hammer!"
"Two hammers!"
"Keep smashing with big hammers!"
A furious barrage of hammer strikes rained down until blood burst from the Jinchuriki's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth—and then one final crushing blow shattered his skull!
With the Jinchuriki's death, the exhausted Konoha ninja could finally collapse to the ground in relief.
"Saemon Jonin, do you play shogi (Japanese chess)?"
Just as everyone closed their eyes to catch their breath, Koryo Jonin suddenly asked.
"I know the basics, but the Nara Clan ninja are sharper when it comes to strategy games."
Sarutobi Saemon assumed Koryo Jonin wanted a game, but given the heavy casualties among his subordinates, he really wasn't in the mood for chess and politely declined.
"If we compare the confrontation between the two villages to a game of shogi, how would you evaluate Kumo's current situation?"
Koryo Jonin didn't seem to notice Sarutobi Saemon's reluctance and simply asked another question.
"Probably just an endgame scenario?"
Sarutobi Saemon couldn't offer much more.
After all, his knowledge of shogi—a pastime mainly popular among noble families and ninja clans—was quite limited.
"With the death of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, it's like Kumo has lost their Rook,"
Koryo continued. "And considering the Kumo Ninja Force Soushu wiped out before this battle even started—it's like taking out both their pawns and Lances (the rook-like piece at the edge of the board)."
"So, if I'm following you correctly..."
Sarutobi Saemon hesitated slightly.
"Now the offensive and defensive positions have reversed—we've taken the upper hand and must strike relentlessly!"
"Immediately dismantle the chakra-sealing barrier and take secret medicinal potions to recover quickly!"
Hyuga Soushu and Hatake Sakumo simultaneously issued orders to their respective teams.
The reason was simple—Kumo Ninja Force had already appeared on the horizon!
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