The outer perimeter of Island Turtle was surrounded by jagged rock spires, and only after walking some distance inward did towering trees appear one after another.
Kumogakure had developed this small island quite well. Not only had they built simple roads, but even proper houses.
As they walked along the path, the ever-enthusiastic Killer B explained to the group,
"This island is rich in resources of all kinds. The village places great importance on it."
"I can tell! By the way, Killer B-san, when do we start the Tailed Beast training! ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )" Naruto asked excitedly.
Even though Shinju could suppress the Nine-Tails within him and make it obey, that was still external force.
Whenever Shinju wasn't around, the Nine-Tails would revert to its usual "I'm the king of the world" attitude!
As a fellow jinchūriki, Naruto wanted to freely wield his Tailed Beast's power just like Killer B and Yugito.
In response, Killer B waved his hand and said, "You guys just arrived today. Get some rest first. I'll start your training tomorrow."
"After all, once we begin… I'll be your teacher, yo! (´∇ﾉ｀*)ノ"
Just thinking about becoming the teacher of a genius like Shinju made Killer B grin without realizing it. (❁´︶`❁)
"Teacher, my foot! You promised to train us three years ago. Don't make it sound like we came here to bow and beg for lessons. →_→" Naruto retorted.
Killer B was speechless: "…"
"You little guy! Don't you have any sense of respect?! Calling someone 'sensei' won't kill you, ya fool! (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ)"
Naruto shrugged. "I'm just telling it like it is. ┐(´-｀)┌"
After walking for a while longer, Shinju saw a tall building up ahead. Several Kumogakure shinobi were moving in and out of it.
"This is the base the village built. You'll be staying here during your training," Killer B said, then called over two Kumo ninja to guide Shinju's group inside.
Naruto tilted his head. "What about you, B-san? Got something else to do? (￢‸￢)?"
Killer B made a quick rap gesture and shook his head.
"Yo~ I've got a sumo match with the forest beasts today! I'll bounce! Don't get in my way!"
And with that, Killer B shot straight into the forest like a blur.
Naruto sighed. "He just doesn't want to hang out with us. What kind of excuse is 'wrestling with animals'? That's way too far-fetched! (~￣△￣)~"
The Kumo ninja leading them chuckled. "Actually, Lord B wasn't lying."
"He's defeated every powerful creature on Island Turtle. The animals see him as their king—it's only natural that some would come to challenge him."
Shinju frowned in mild confusion.
"But he's a shinobi with a Tailed Beast inside him. What kind of animal would even dare to go up against him? (´°Δ°`)"
No sooner had he said that than a loud boom!! echoed from the forest ahead.
The Kumo ninja barely reacted—it was clearly nothing unusual for them.
Naruto and Shinju exchanged a glance, their curiosity instantly piqued.
A while later, after dropping off their luggage in their rooms, they stopped by to check on Guy, who was deep in his training.
Then, leaving Guy's quarters, they entered the forest, following the sounds they'd heard.
Deep within the dense woods, several massive trees had been shattered at the roots, forming a vast circular clearing.
Inside the clearing, huge animals surrounded a central ring. In the middle stood a towering bear—over ten meters tall—facing off against Killer B.
The size difference was ridiculous. Killer B wasn't even as tall as the bear's lower leg!
Yet facing the beast, B looked perfectly calm. "Let's start," he said lightly.
"ROAR!!"
The giant bear bellowed and charged!
As its massive paw came crashing down, a giant octopus tentacle erupted from B's back.
Whoosh!
The tentacle instantly wrapped around the bear, flinging it dozens of meters away before smashing it into the ground with a thunderous boom!
Not far from where the bear landed, Shinju and Naruto had just arrived, their eyes widening in disbelief. (꒪⌓꒪)
The animals on this island were several times larger than normal ones—no wonder they dared to wrestle with Killer B!
"Yo! You two came too, huh? Wanna join in?" B called out enthusiastically.
Naruto grinned. "Sure! (ﾉ∇︎〃 )"
A few minutes later, Naruto and Killer B stood in the center of the animal ring, palms pressed together, starting their test of strength!
But as they strained against each other—
Whoosh!
A massive tentacle suddenly extended from B's back and swish!—wrapped around Naruto, flinging him high into the air!
While spinning midair, Naruto shouted angrily, "You cheated! (｀0´)凸"
B struck a ridiculous pose. "Ain't no rule sayin' I can't use my Tailed Beast's power, yo! (σ≧︎▽︎≦︎)σ"
Then he turned to Shinju. "Hey Shinju, why don't you give it a try too?"
Three years ago, he—Kumogakure's proud Eight-Tails jinchūriki—had been captured alive by a kid. The entire shinobi world had laughed at him!
Now was the time to take back his pride!ヽ('⌒´メ)ノ
Still, knowing Shinju's endless bag of tricks, B added a rule.
"But listen up, you can only use raw strength and Tailed Beast power—no ninjutsu, no Sage Mode! (•̀⌄•́)"
Shinju thought for a moment, then nodded with interest. "Alright."
B's face broke into a sly grin. ( •̀∀•́ )
Sure, Shinju had Tailed Beasts inside him—three of them, actually.
But as far as B knew, Shinju had never trained as a jinchūriki, nor had he ever shown Tailed Beast powers in battle.
Their coordination couldn't possibly compare to his own mastery!
Chances were, the kid couldn't even manifest a single tail! (๑`･ᴗ･´๑)
"Let's begin."
In the center of the clearing, Shinju took his stance and spread his hands.
B didn't dare underestimate him and extended one of the Eight-Tails' tentacles to press against Shinju's palms.
Even if he believed Shinju couldn't control his beasts, he wasn't foolish enough to take it lightly!
The next moment—
The contest began!
The octopus tentacle surged forward with tremendous strength!
But to B's shock, Shinju didn't budge an inch—it was like he was welded to the ground!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
"Y-you…!"
B could barely speak. Could a human body really rival a Tailed Beast's raw power?!
The surrounding animals froze. (╯·⚇·╰),
Their boss couldn't even push this kid?!
Under B's stunned gaze, Shinju calmly said, "You know I specialize in medical ninjutsu."
"With precise chakra control, it's not hard to stimulate and strengthen the body."
"And when it comes to raw power enhancement—that's even easier."
The moment he finished speaking, Shinju suddenly exerted force and pushed hard!
Whoooosh!!!
B's body shot out like a human cannonball, smashing through tree after tree with thunderous thuds, flying hundreds of meters before finally coming to a stop!
The surrounding beasts were left utterly dumbfounded. Σ(๑ʘ̅ д ʘ̅๑)!!!
A new Beast King of Island Turtle was born!