A Thrilling Battle

The battle continued. Rock Lee's attacks grew increasingly erratic, yet they were incomparably fierce and devastating.

As the saying went, no form overcame form. If even the attacker did not know what his next move would be, how could his enemy possibly know?

Faced with Rock Lee's almost frenzied assault, Xiao Yun could initially still dodge and weave, but as time passed, his defense gradually became riddled with openings.

"Eight Inner Gates, Second Gate—Gate of Healing—open! Today, I'm going to have a good fight, hic!"

Rock Lee's aura surged explosively, and the blue vapor around him deepened in color.

"Take this!"

Rock Lee had completely closed his eyes by now. He looked as though he were asleep, yet his body became ever more agile. Fighting purely by instinct, every move flowed as smoothly as clouds and water, full of grace.

But Xiao Yun was suffering bitterly. After opening the Second Gate, this guy's strength had increased more than threefold. Every punch and kick struck Xiao Yun like a hammer, making him cough up blood several times.

If not for Earth Blowback, this Wood Release healing technique, Xiao Yun would likely have fallen long ago.

Holy shit!

The onlookers in the distance were all stunned, especially Sasuke. After activating his Sharingan, he had planned to show off in front of Xiao Yun, but after watching his battle with Rock Lee, he silently deactivated it.

Those two were far too strong. Even with the Sharingan activated, he probably would not be their match.

"Sasuke, watch their battle carefully. Tomorrow, I'll have Guy arrange a match between you and Xiao Yun."

Kakashi said seriously.

Sasuke: ...

I thank your ancestors for eight generations!

"There's an opening!"

Rock Lee spotted a gap in Xiao Yun's defense and kicked him flying.

Pfft!

Xiao Yun immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. What terrifying attack power!

Was this the end?

Everyone watching the battle believed Xiao Yun was at the end of his rope. The Chakra in his body was nearly depleted.

Although his Wood Release ninjutsu was miraculous, he had trained for too short a time and possessed limited Chakra. Being able to fight Drunken Fist Rock Lee, who had opened the Second Gate, to this extent was already incredibly impressive.

Xiao Yun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and rose to his feet. Endless fighting spirit flickered in his eyes, and the hot blood within him was completely ignited.

If he could not even defeat Rock Lee, how would he defeat Samueru? How would he protect Tsunade? How would he protect his kid?

Damn it!

He could only use that move!

A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Xiao Yun's eyes. His hands formed seals like butterflies flitting through flowers—Master-Servant Symbiotic Life-Generating Technique.

Naruto, Nine-Tails, give me your Chakra!

Boom!

An incomparably violent surge of Chakra instantly gathered around Xiao Yun. Naruto, who was still watching the battle, suddenly froze. His eyes went blank, and his entire body became unresponsive, as though he had entered a vegetative state.

"How does Xiao Yun possess such astonishing Chakra?"

Might Guy rubbed his eyes hard, staring in disbelief at Xiao Yun, who was wrapped in orange-red Chakra.

"This Chakra feels far too ominous, as if it came from the abyss of hell. Xiao Yun, just how many secrets are you hiding?"

Kakashi muttered to himself beside him.

"Tsunade, how can Xiao Yun have Chakra of this level? It's unbelievable!"

Kurenai's jaw nearly hit the ground.

Tsunade frowned deeply, watching Xiao Yun with a worried expression. This Chakra felt far too cold to her, as if it were power from a demon.

"Xiao Yun..."

Tsunade bit her red lips and murmured.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, the Hokage and Danzo, who were watching the battle through the television, abruptly rose to their feet at the sight.

"Th-this is the Chakra of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox?"

The two clenched their fists and stared solemnly at the screen. They had both faced the Nine-Tails back then. Although Danzo had merely been a bystander, they would never forget this form of Chakra until the day they died.

They looked at each other, utterly unable to understand why the Nine-Tails' Chakra had appeared on Xiao Yun.

"Wood Release—Wood Style: Fire-Wood Killing Technique!"

Xiao Yun roared. He had completely entered a battle state, and under the influence of the Nine-Tails' Chakra, he seemed to have completely lost his sense of friend and foe, forgetting that this was merely a sparring match.

He directly unleashed his most powerful attack yet.

"Wood Style: Fire-Wood Killing Technique?"

The Third Hokage and Danzo cried out in unison. This was a Wood Release technique that even the First Hokage had only learned the barest surface of, and its power was immense.

"Kakashi, Might Guy, stop Xiao Yun!"

The Third Hokage shouted into the intercom.

However, it was already too late!

Numerous branches that looked as though they were about to wither and rot rapidly sprouted around Rock Lee. Tiny flames flickered atop them.

A massive heat wave swept over them, and Rock Lee sobered up from his drunken state.

"Explode!"

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Deafening explosions erupted in an instant. Flames shot into the sky, and rolling heat waves surged outward.

"Rock Lee!"

Might Guy's eyes nearly split open. He rose and was about to rush into the sea of flames, only to be stopped by Kakashi.

"Kakashi, get out of my way!"

Might Guy shoved Kakashi aside.

"Calm down. Look!"

Kakashi pointed into the distance. A graceful figure slowly emerged from the flames, carrying an unconscious boy in her arms.

Tsunade!

Whoosh!

Might Guy immediately flashed over and caught Rock Lee.

"He's fine. He only forcibly opened the Gate of Life to block Xiao Yun's attack and temporarily passed out. I've already used medical ninjutsu on him. He'll wake up before long."

Tsunade said.

"Lady Tsunade, thank you very much!"

Might Guy dropped to his knees before Tsunade. Rock Lee was his most treasured disciple. If anything had happened to him, he truly would have blamed himself for the rest of his life.

"Lady Tsunade, hurry and check on Xiao Yun."

Kakashi looked with immense concern at Xiao Yun, who was gradually descending into madness.

"Ahahaha! Whoever dares steal Tsunade from me, I'll slaughter her!"

"Only I get to ride Tsunade, hehehehe!"

"You damned Raikage, you want to pin Tsunade down and play with her? I'll burn your dick off with Wood Style: Fire Wood Combination Kill, believe it or not?"

"Tsunade, just wait for me. Isn't it only one hundred million? I'll earn ten billion for you to lose in the future, but you have to let me touch you. I'm telling you, I recently learned a move called Sea King's Sorrow. I can even ram several holes into a wooden post!"

Though Tsunade was blushing furiously, her heart felt as sweet as if it had been fed honey. Still, this guy was getting more and more outrageous. She could not let him keep spouting nonsense.

"Kakashi, Sealing Technique: Seal of the Dragon!"

"Yes."

Kakashi leaped to Xiao Yun's side. His speed was several times faster than Rock Lee's even with the Second Gate open. Xiao Yun instinctively tried to counterattack, but Kakashi lightly tapped him and immobilized him where he stood.

"Sealing Technique: Seal of the Dragon!"

Kakashi gave a soft shout and formed hand seals. He then placed his left hand on Xiao Yun's forehead. The Chakra on the surface of Xiao Yun's body instantly vanished, and the endless violent killing intent around him gradually faded away.

Xiao Yun stared blankly at the battlefield around him. Did I cause this?

"How is Rock Lee?"

Xiao Yun's voice sounded extremely weak.

"Don't worry, he's fine!"

Tsunade had already arrived at Xiao Yun's side.

"That's good! That's good! That's..."

As Xiao Yun spoke, he toppled over stiffly. Tsunade caught him in one swift motion and held him in her arms...