"Sage Mode!"
Mu's eyes were instantly filled with darkness.
At the same time, Mu used a clone again, starting to hide in the shadows to gather Senjutsu Chakra, just in case.
Mu was an extremely cautious person; he always left himself a retreat.
Even with a sure victory, Mu remained wary of anything that might happen.
Therefore, it was necessary to accumulate Senjutsu Chakra in advance.
Although his strength would be weakened by using a clone, it still provided him with a backup plan; if the main body died, the clone would automatically become the main body.
"Sage Art: Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
Mu immediately condensed black Dust Release and swept it horizontally at the Nine-Tailed's tail.
Whoosh!
Buzz!
One of the Nine-Tailed's giant tails was neatly severed.
"Ah roar! (Tom Cat's scream)"
Mu's face was expressionless as he quickly stuffed the giant tail into a scroll, just in case.
At the same time, Mu clapped his hands.
"Sage Art: Earth Release: Stone Platform Technique!"
A massive stone platform rose from beneath the Nine-Tailed's backside.
Simultaneously, the Iwagakure Anbu members all took action to assist Mu.
"Earth Release: Earth Fissure Technique!"
"Earth Release: Rising Platform Technique!"
The Nine-Tailed was continuously struck by Earth Release techniques, and its evil Chakra instantly erupted, sending all the Earth Release techniques flying away!
"Sage Art: Earth Release: Stone Golem Technique!"
A stone giant, only slightly smaller than the Nine-Tailed, rose from the ground!
This giant was different from previous ones.
The previous ones were just a monotonous earthy color; now, this one had black stripes and was bursting with Senjutsu Chakra, somewhat resembling the Saru-Iwado summoned by Momoshiki.
Boom!!
Boom!!
The stone giant used both hands, directly grabbing the Nine-Tailed by the neck and pinning it to the ground.
It delivered two powerful punches!
Bang! Bang!
"Be crushed by this lord!"
The Nine-Tailed opened its mouth and fired a concentrated Tailed Beast Ball!
However, as soon as the Tailed Beast Ball was launched, the stone giant's large hand actually gripped it tightly!
"Swallow it!"
Mu's faint voice rang out.
The stone giant then took the Tailed Beast Ball and, to the Nine-Tailed's horrified gaze, pressed it against the Nine-Tailed's face!
Boom!!!
The Tailed Beast Ball instantly exploded with an extremely dazzling light!
Boom!!!
A small mushroom cloud erupted!
All the surrounding trees and hills were leveled!
More than thirty Iwagakure elites were sent flying by the shockwave!
"Earth Release: Earth Wall Technique!"
Ōnoki quickly clapped his hands to create an earth wall to block the shockwave.
The rising mushroom cloud here also caught the attention of someone in the distance.
"Oh? It seems someone got to the Nine-Tailed before me…"
"Never mind, it saves me the trouble."
This person was none other than Uchiha Madara, who had defected from the Village.
He intended to train on his own.
He would start by practicing with the strongest Tailed Beast in the world.
If possible, he would choose the Nine-Tailed as his summoning beast.
Then, with the Nine-Tailed's power, he might just be able to contend with Hashirama!
"Hmph! This Chakra feels somewhat familiar; let me see who is fighting the Nine-Tailed!"
Uchiha Madara's eyes darkened, and then he instantly shunshined toward the direction of the explosion.
At the center of the battlefield, smoke billowed!
The dust raised by the explosion covered an area of several hundred meters.
When the smoke cleared, two behemoths were wrestling with each other!
Mu's stone giant was seen pressing down on the Nine-Tailed.
The stone giant's large hands were pulling the Nine-Tailed's large ears, punching its face repeatedly!
"Hey, friend! Fighting is fighting, but give me some air!"
The Nine-Tailed roared.
However, what it got in return was a heavier critical strike from Mu!
Two solid punches landed on the Nine-Tailed's face.
"Heh! Human, we Tailed Beasts possess powerful physical bodies; your punches landing on me cause no pain!"
Seeing that it wasn't very painful, the Nine-Tailed spoke mockingly in human language.
"No pain?"
Mu was amused after hearing that.
No pain? Isn't that a super beast?
Immediately, the stone giant stopped striking the Nine-Tailed's face and began to critically hit the Nine-Tailed's crotch!
"Hey! No! Stop, stop, stop!!!"
The Nine-Tailed, seeing the stone giant's movements, instantly panicked.
However, the punch had already landed!
At this point, even Ultraman would have his lights flashing.
"Ah roar! (Tom Cat's scream)"
"Ah roar! (Tom Cat's scream)"
"Ah roar! (Tom Cat's scream)"
With every hit from Mu, the Nine-Tailed let out a miserable scream!
The Anbu members were left wide-eyed.
"My goodness… Mu wouldn't have a grudge against this fox, would he?"
"That must hurt quite a bit!"
"Abusing a Tailed Beast?"
"Indeed."
(From an Anbu member named 'Life is but a first encounter')
Bang bang bang!
The Nine-Tailed grimaced in pain, struggling incessantly, while Mu continued suppressing it.
However, Sage Mode's duration was limited, and Mu increasingly felt exhausted.
"What are you still doing, standing there!?"
Mu's gaze coldly swept over the Anbu members.
Only then did they snap out of their daze and rush over.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Several Anbu members summoned wooden stakes crafted from Senju Hashirama's Wood Release.
They swiftly inserted the stakes into the Nine-Tailed's tails and palms.
At first, the Nine-Tailed scoffed.
But when the stakes entered its body—
Its expression changed!
A natural counter quickly calmed its Chakra!
Amidst furious roars, the Nine-Tailed was gradually restrained.
"Whew!"
Under the bandages, Mu smiled faintly and let out a sigh of relief.
Sage Mode was about to give out.
But the Nine-Tailed had been successfully captured.
Mu landed on the ground and began regulating his body.
At the same time, he pondered his next move.
"Congratulations, Master, on successfully capturing the Nine-Tailed!"
Ōnoki ran over, smiling brightly.
Mu smiled faintly, refining his Chakra.
Just as the atmosphere relaxed—
An arrogant voice rang out, accompanied by applause.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!!"
"Interesting… have the former ants grown to this extent? Bandage Man, you truly impress me!"
Uchiha Madara instantly appeared, gazing at Mu arrogantly.
Mu's expression changed sharply.
This guy… when did he arrive?!
Ōnoki was shocked as well.
He could never forget that face.
Whoosh!!
"Who's there!?"
The Anbu raised their swords in vigilance.
Uchiha Madara coldly glanced at them.
"Hmph, get out of the way!"
His Chakra erupted, blasting all the Anbu away!
"Earth Release: Stone Giant Hand!"
Mu hastily formed hand seals, catching the Anbu.
"You all, leave quickly! Don't stay here!"
Mu urgently whispered orders to Ōnoki and the Anbu.