Suppressing Shukaku

Gamabunta, the Toad boss, has appeared!

Looking at the incomparably massive figure before him, Sasuke Uchiha fell into a daze once again.

Multi-Shadow Clone Technique... Summoning Jutsu... Just how much more is this guy hiding?

Watching the appearance of Gamabunta, Lin Mu also fell into deep thought.

Temari and Kankuro, who had been battling him just moments ago, had fled the scene the instant Shukaku appeared.

But Lin Mu could not run!

According to the original plot, Naruto Uzumaki would use the power of Gamabunta to successfully wake Gaara, eventually relying on the power of the Nine-Tails to completely defeat him.

However, if the story followed that path, the special mission just issued by the system would be impossible to complete!

What to do, what to do, what to do?!

Although there was no penalty for failing the mission, the thought of giving up such generous rewards...

Lin Mu simply couldn't bear it!

No!

Lin Mu's gaze remained locked on the battlefield; he had to find an opportunity to suppress Gaara!

At this moment, Gamabunta had already engaged in a fierce battle with Gaara!

The Toad boss was truly the Toad boss; even though Gaara had utilized the full form of the One-Tail, he was still crushed by Gamabunta's experience.

"Swish!"

Gamabunta leaped into the air and slashed directly across the body of Shukaku.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Gaara's arm was severed instantly!

The intense pain forced a shrill, agonizing scream from his throat.

"Very interesting, Naruto Uzumaki! Since that's the case... I'll let you witness the true power of the Avatar of Sand!"

A fierce, savage look flashed in Gaara's eyes as his figure slowly emerged atop the head of Shukaku.

Seeing Gaara appear on the head of Shukaku, Gamabunta's gaze sharpened.

"That dark-eyed brat... that medium is also possessed by Shukaku. He's suffering from insomnia."

"Insomnia?"

Naruto Uzumaki looked puzzled.

"Those possessed by the One-Tail Shukaku cannot enjoy a peaceful night's sleep... It is terrifying! If they fall asleep, their personality will gradually be devoured by Shukaku, and one day, they will lose themselves entirely!"

Gamabunta kept his eyes fixed on Gaara, finally speaking slowly to explain Gaara's current state to Naruto Uzumaki.

He continued:

"Because they can almost never sleep, the medium's personality tends to become unstable. However... when the medium is awake, the original power of Shukaku is suppressed. But once that medium enters a state of sleep..."

Gaara, standing atop Shukaku's head, formed hand seals, closed his eyes, and suddenly collapsed!

In that very instant, the pupils of Shukaku erupted with a golden light, taking on the shape of coins.

At the same time, the aura surrounding him shifted violently. If the previous Shukaku still possessed a shred of humanity, the current one had completely transformed into a ferocious beast!

"The aura... it's completely changed..."

Naruto Uzumaki felt uneasy, looking at Gamabunta with a sense of helplessness.

Gamabunta also sensed the dangerous aura, his muscles tensing as he gripped his blade tightly.

"He is the true Shukaku now!"

Standing in the center of the forest, Shukaku remained silent for a moment before suddenly erupting into a shrill, piercing laughter unlike anything heard before.

"Hahahahahaha! I'm finally out!"

Shukaku's massive, coin-shaped pupils darted around, suddenly locking onto Naruto Uzumaki, who was atop Gamabunta.

"Hahahahahaha! I've found the ones I want to kill!"

Shukaku seemed to have gone mad.

He had been sealed for far, far too long!

The moment he appeared, his inner desire for slaughter became impossible to suppress!

He looked at Gamabunta, his abdomen swelling suddenly before he struck it with his remaining giant claw.

"Wind Style: Air Bullet!"

An incredibly powerful concentration of chakra formed a terrifying force of wind, hurtling toward Gamabunta at an incredible speed.

Gamabunta's expression was grave as he leaped into the air, forming hand seals with both hands.

"Water Style: Water Gun Bullet!"

He spat out a massive water orb, which collided with Shukaku's Air Bullet with equally terrifying force.

Wind Style: Air Bullet!

Shukaku, the One-Tail, was utterly frenzied. Chakra condensed within his body, firing off one wind cannon after another.

Gamabunta, the Toad Boss, also gave his all, continuously manifesting water cannons to defend himself.

Yet, Shukaku still held the upper hand.

Gamabunta was struck hard by an Air Bullet while in mid-air; a massive roar erupted, and he was sent crashing directly to the ground!

What do I do? What do I do?

Seeing the One-Tail's immense power, Naruto Uzumaki, perched on Gamabunta's back, began to panic.

"I only need to land one punch on the brat riding on Shukaku's back. Listen to me, kid..."

While dodging Shukaku's attacks, Gamabunta spoke to Naruto:

"I'm not skilled in the Transformation Jutsu. Since we are one right now, use the Transformation Jutsu to turn me into a creature with powerful claws and fangs. I'll pin the One-Tail down, and you go land that punch!"

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, but Gamabunta had already charged forward!

Sharp fangs and claws, sharp fangs and claws, sharp fangs and claws...

What creature has sharp fangs and claws?

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Naruto Uzumaki, and he formed the hand seals.

"Transformation Jutsu!"

"Poof!"

A thick cloud of white smoke rose, and a massive fox burst out from the mist.

That fox... it was the Nine-Tails!

Upon seeing this fox, Shukaku's eyes widened, and he froze for a split second.

Gamabunta seized the opportunity instantly, lunging forward to dig his two sharp claws into the One-Tail's shoulders, while his nine tails whipped out to bind Shukaku tightly.

By now, Shukaku had recovered, his massive body shaking violently.

He had gone through so much trouble to get out; how could he go back so easily?

Energy erupted violently from Shukaku's body, lashing out at Gamabunta.

Taking the brunt of the intense attack, Gamabunta could no longer hold his restraint.

But if they missed this chance, there would never be another one this good!

It was indeed a perfect opportunity!

For Lin Mu, as well.

The moment Gamabunta transformed into the Nine-Tails, Lin Mu charged toward Shukaku.

As Gamabunta pinned Shukaku down, Lin Mu sprinted rapidly across the One-Tail's body, racing toward his head.

The Deep Forest Bloom trial card appeared in his hand.

He squeezed it hard!

The trial card shattered!

A strange yet powerful energy surged into his body, and the character "Seat" manifested on Lin Mu's palm.

This power seemed to be the ultimate restraint against Tailed Beasts; even the intense energy erupting from Shukaku was blocked by this force.

"Bang!"

Gamabunta was swiped away by Shukaku's claw, but by then, Lin Mu had already reached the top of his head!

"Be suppressed, Deep Forest Bloom!"

Lin Mu raised his right hand, pressing the "Seat" on his palm directly onto Shukaku's forehead.

This power, which acted as a supreme restraint against Tailed Beasts, instantly flooded into Shukaku's body!