Tailed Beast Transformation * Stopping It

Ginkaku stared at You, his eyes narrowing. "Why did Lord Raikage ask you to take the Amber Purifying Pot back? You're an outsider, what makes him think he should ask you to do this?"

You did not avoid his gaze.

"Haven't you realized it yet?" she said calmly, "These people who hired you want to wipe out our Ninjas."

Kinkaku frowned but remained silent.

Ginkaku scoffed, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

You ignored him and stared straight at Kinkaku.

"Kinkaku, is it Lord Raikage who sent me to retrieve the Divine Artifact? We'll know at a glance."

Yu pulled a scroll from her chest and tossed it over.

The scroll drew an arc in the air, and Kinkaku reached out and caught it, unfolding it to take a look.

The paper bore the Raikage's handwriting, which he recognized all too well—the kind of powerful strokes that belonged to his Big Brother, the Raikage.

The scroll was stamped with the seal of Kumogakure, the red clay stamp clearly visible.

Ginkaku leaned over for a look, and then frowned.

There really was a sentence written on it.

--Recycling Amber Purifying Pot.

Kinkaku closed the scroll, clutched it in his hand, and looked up at You.

"Then what about your deal with Konoha?"

"It's just a temporary measure," You replied frankly.

Kinkaku sneered, "This doesn't seem like a temporary measure."

Ginkaku hissed angrily from the side, "Kinkaku, why waste words with them! Forget everything else, let's fight first!"

Kinkaku knew that Ginkaku was right.

The Amber Purifying Pot was now in Hashirama's hands. If they wanted to keep the Divine Artifact, they had to break off all pretense of civility.

He gripped his fan tightly and glanced at Ginkaku.

Ginkaku was also looking at him; the two brothers exchanged a glance, needing no further words.

The next instant, two bursts of violent Chakra exploded from their bodies simultaneously.

At the same time.

Tobirama emerged from the dungeon.

He created a clone of himself and Flying Thunder God back to the ship to deliver a message to his Big Brother, instructing him to destroy the ship.

He then retraced his steps back to the villa, hugging the wall as he circled around to the vicinity of the terrace.

Perhaps what the Jurōjin said is true, Evil Gods really exist, but we cannot believe everything he says, after all, Bishamonten is the Military Advisor is in league with the Five Great Nations.

However, the existence of Evil God in the Land of Hot Water cannot explain his actions; they must have a much larger conspiracy.

The Military Advisors were still sitting on low chairs, chatting leisurely, their expressions more relaxed than before.

A few minutes later, Bishamonten got up, stood in the center of the terrace, with his back to the sea and his arms outstretched.

"Gentlemen!" Bishamonten's voice echoed across the terrace, "The moment of Heavenly Punishment is imminent! Open your eyes wide and witness the arrival of this mighty power!"

Tobirama frowned.

Heavenly Punishment? What Heavenly Punishment? Is it related to Evil Gods?

Before he could think it through, a violent Chakra Storm roared in from the sea on his right.

On the ship where Ban is.

He was wrapped in that tattered cloth, and crept out from the shadows of the dock, wading through the water to board the boat.

When Madara looked at her, the girl lowered her eyes and explained meekly, "Izuna asked me to come."

Ban recognized her and stepped aside, saying, "Come on up."

Kyōnosuke immediately came forward, his face beaming with a smile and his tone carrying just the right amount of concern, "Oh dear, young lady, have you run into some trouble? Come, sit down and rest. Would you like some water? Are you hungry? I see you're all sweaty from running around, wipe yourself off first."

As he spoke, he led Zhen into the cabin, handing her a clean cloth.

Zhen took the cloth and, somewhat bewildered, wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Kyōnosuke sat down opposite her, his tone still gentle. "You're the eldest daughter of the Tsuchigumo Family of Land of Hot Water lately. Why are you here alone?"

He was clutching the cloth, unsure how to respond.

She looked at Ban, who was leaning against the cabin door, arms crossed, expressionless.

"Did something happen?" Kyōnosuke leaned forward. "Tell us, so we can help you."

He actually opened his mouth.

Before they could get any information out of Kyōnosuke, a violent Chakra Storm suddenly roared from the sea to their right.

The sea was turbulent, and waves crashed against the gunwale, causing the whole boat to tilt to one side. I lost my balance and slid to the side, only managing to stay upright Kyōnosuke grabbing the table.

The spotted creature's feet clung to the deck as it turned its head to look towards the sea.

Black and red flames danced on the distant sea, scorching the sky and changing its color.

Kyōnosuke saw it too. He stood up, leaning on the table, and the gentle smile on his face faded.

"... What is that?"

A reddish-black color welled up from beneath Kinkaku's skin, enveloping him like a burning sun.

His pupils turned into vertical slits, his teeth became sharp, and the shockwaves around him sent the debris and canvas on the deck flying everywhere.

The same was true for Ginkaku's side; his entire body was covered in a red and black Chakra Cloak, his white hair danced wildly in the air waves, and two charred footprints were burned into the wooden planks beneath his feet.

Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

The air pressure on the deck suddenly dropped, the ship rocked violently, and the masts creaked loudly.

Hashirama's expression turned serious; the situation was serious. He hadn't expected these two to erupt like this.

The deafening whistling of the air currents caused Hayato and You's expressions to change drastically.

The Chakra Cloaks of Kinkaku and Ginkaku surged on the deck, and the red and black Tailed Beast Chakra scorched and distorted the air, even forcing the sea breeze to rush back.

They could feel how powerful that force was.

The Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, the most powerful trump card of Kumogakure, was something the two of them simply couldn't withstand.

Hayato was the first to react.

He grabbed You's wrist and turned to run towards the ship's side.

But how could the Kinkaku and Ginkaku let them escape?

Kinkaku let out a fierce battle roar and transformed into a red and black beam of light that slashed towards the deck.

Ginkaku followed closely behind, his tail rushing forward and blocking all escape routes.

The Hayato didn't have time to run, so he went straight at the enemy.

Raiga's Twin Swords in front of him, the Lightning Release surging to its maximum, and purple-white arcs of electricity exploded around him, forming a shield.

However, the impact of the Nine-Tails Chakra was too great. The moment the two forces collided, he was sent flying, his arm bleeding profusely, and he could barely hold his sword.

But he gritted his teeth, gripped the knife, and used the recoil to turn around, pulling You into his arms. The two of them flew over the ship's side together.

Hayato flipped over in mid-air, putting Yuugo on top of him, while his own back slammed into the sea.

The sea exploded beneath them, sending waves soaring several stories high.

You could hear the dull thud of his spine hitting the water's surface, which traveled through the seawater like bones breaking.

But his hand was still firmly gripping her wrist.

Takahashi Yū's eyes widened, completely stunned.

She thought Hayato wouldn't care about her.

She was nothing more than a prostitute, and she was only with him for a mission; their relationship was nothing but scheming and transactions.

Even though she had spent several days with him and shared a few intimate moments with him, she didn't think about anything else.

Hayato usually protected her, but she only thought it was because of men's pride. After all, she had seen many men like that. They were all talk and no action, and when it came to the crucial moment, they would always weigh the pros and cons and abandon her, this used woman.

But Hayato protected her without even thinking.

From the deck to the sea, his first reaction was always to throw Yu behind him or to stand in front of Yu himself.

Yu lay in the water with her eyes open, looking at his pale face and the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, and felt something hit her chest hard.

She thought that if she could make it back alive this time, she would marry Ringo Hayato.

There is no man in this world more worthy of entrusting one's life to than him.

Meanwhile, on the deck.

Hashirama attacked simultaneously the moment they unleashed their power.

He pressed his hands onto the deck.

Wood.

The planks, the gunwales, the masts—all the wooden things came to life in his Chakra.

Thick branches burst forth from the cracks in the deck, Vines and roots intertwining and rushing toward the Kinkaku and Ginkaku, like countless giant hands reaching out from the depths of the ship.

Kinkaku raised his hand to block, but the Tailed Beast Chakra burned the nearby Vines into charcoal. However, as one layer was burned away, another layer surged up, layer upon layer, endlessly.

Ginkaku's Gold Rope got tangled in the branches. He broke off a few, but new ones wrapped around him, making him completely unable to move.

"Ginkaku!" Kinkaku roared.

He suddenly swung his fan upwards, Tailed Beast Chakra condensed into a beam of light that shot straight into the sky, tearing through the encirclement of Vines. But before he could catch his breath, a thick tree trunk emerged diagonally from below the deck and slammed into his side.

Kinkaku was sent flying sideways by the impact, his back smashing through the mast before he flew a long way and landed in the sea with a thud.

The Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak flickered but didn't dissipate, though blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Ginkaku was entangled in the Vines on the ground, struggling desperately, but the branches tightened their grip, pinning him to the deck so he couldn't move.

Hashirama stood in the middle of the messy deck, her clothes fluttering wildly in the sea breeze.

He walked up to Ginkaku, formed a hand seal, and placed his palm on Ginkaku's head while chanting a spell.

Black Runes seeped from his palms, wrapping around the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak covering Ginkaku's body like peeling off a layer of burning skin.

Ginkaku roared and struggled, but the Vines held him down tightly. His Chakra Cloak was peeled away layer by layer, and the red and black flames grew thinner and thinner.

"Ginkaku!"

The roar of the Kinkaku echoed from the sea.

He rose from the water, his Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak still wrapped around his body, and the red and black flames caused the seawater to steam.

He stood on the crest of a wave, his hands clasped at his sides, the Tailed Beast Chakra rapidly gathering in his mouth, a black and red sphere quickly expanding and emitting a sharp whistling sound.

Tailed Beast Bomb.

Hashirama one hand still pressed against Ginkaku, the seal hadn't fully settled, so he couldn't free himself. He had no choice but to bite his other thumb and press it onto the deck.

"Spiritual communication! Rashomon!"

With a loud boom, a massive Rashomon rose from the sea, its doors dozens of feet high, the demonic gate gleaming darkly in the sunlight.

Tailed Beast Bomb the size of a watermelon shot out with a roar and crashed into Rashomon.

The door trembled violently, the demon face cracked, and debris flew everywhere. The entire door dented, but it still managed to block the view.

Kinkaku didn't stop. He gathered his strength again, and the second Tailed Beast Bomb was launched, crashing into Rashomon.

The door emitted a dull groan, cracks spreading outwards from the point of impact, and the entire door was slowly deformed by the impact.

The third one, the fourth one.

Just before Rashomon was about to shatter, the final stroke of the sealing Runes under Hashirama's palm was completed.

The Tailed Beast Chakra on Ginkaku's body was completely extinguished.

Hashirama abruptly withdrew his hand and clasped his palms together.

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

The sea exploded.

Tens of thousands of tree trunks surged from the seabed, their intertwined branches reaching towards the sky, then crashing down on Kinkaku, engulfing him and the surrounding waves.

Kinkaku's pupils contracted.

He tried to unleash another Tailed Beast Bomb, but the Forest Sea was layered upon layered, one after another. Each Tailed Beast Bomb exploded, only for the next tree to fill the gap, making it impossible to break through.

He acted decisively, pushing off with his feet and using the explosive force of the Tailed Beast Chakra to slide out through the gap in the Forest Sea.

He did not linger in the fight.

He ran away.

Kinkaku's feet touched the crest of the wave, and his figure transformed into a streak of red and black light, rushing wildly towards the shore, skimming along the sea surface.

The Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak pushed his speed to the limit, scorching the seawater beneath his feet and leaving a churning white trail.

Hashirama contracted.

"Not good!"

He immediately leaped after him.

The Summer Festival venue was packed with thousands of people. The tents with colorful cloths, the streets and alleys with lanterns, and the throngs of people were all crammed into that one place.

Even with the Barrier, people's lives are still difficult to guarantee!

After all, that energy sphere almost broke through Rashomon! How could Barrier without any physical form withstand it?

He wanted to stop Kinkaku from a distance, but the opponent was too fast, and attacks from afar were difficult to hit. The Wood Release spear skimmed the surface of the sea as it chased after him, but Kinkaku dodged it with a flash, not even getting a scratch.

Hashirama gritted his teeth, his footsteps creating a trail of white waves on the sea.

He was closing the distance with Kinkaku, but the guy's Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak pushed his speed to the limit, like a cannonball flying close to the sea surface, making it impossible to catch up. He also dared not use large-scale Ninjutsu in this place.

In the end, it fell short by just one step.

Kinkaku stepped onto the shore first, his Tailed Beast Chakra scorching a ring of black cracks in the ground beneath his feet. He transformed into a red and black pillar of light, rushing straight toward the Summer Festival venue.

The Barrier lit up.

The Chakra membrane covering the edge of the venue shone faintly white in the sunlight, and the Runes between the stone pillars lit up one by one, connecting into a taut net.

But just as Hashirama predicted.

The moment the Kinkaku collided with the Barrier, a flash of white light appeared, and then the entire barrier shattered.

One stone pillar after another exploded, Runes white dust flying everywhere. The runes looked like lines torn in the middle, the broken ends charred and curled.

The Barrier shattered in an instant.

Kinkaku's figure rushed into the venue, and the shockwave of the Tailed Beast Chakra overturned the nearest row of colorful tents, causing lanterns to scatter and spin in all directions. Screams from the crowd echoed from the depths of the street.

Hashirama's heart sank to the bottom.

He thought that bloodshed and death were inevitable.

Just then, a blue Chakra suddenly appeared in front of the crowd, forming a wall that blocked the street from which Kinkaku had charged in, forcefully pushing back the shockwave of the Tailed Beast Chakra.

Hashirama contracted.

Susanoo!

A translucent blue Giant rose from the ground, its skeleton pieced together segment by segment, its muscles layered upon layer, finally solidifying into a complete suit of armor.

The Giant, wielding two blades, stood in the middle of the street, blocking the Kinkaku in front of him.

Madara stood inside Susanoo's forehead, arms crossed, his black hair whipping wildly in the air currents, his eyes red, the Tomoe in his pupils slowly rotating.

He looked down at the charging Kinkaku and a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"You ran pretty fast," he said, his voice muffled and laced with barely suppressed anger, coming from Susanoo's chest. "But that's where it ends."