"BOOM—"
The ground where the two giant beasts had fought was now utterly shattered.
At that moment, Shukaku's enormous body slowly turned into a pile of sand. Kumamoto stood atop the scattered grains and threw back his head with a roar.
"ROAR—"
Just then, the sand suddenly surged together again, forming a gigantic beast's head. A sharp voice filled with hatred and resentment rang out across the battlefield.
"Fodder! This is nothing but a puppet with less than a tenth of my power! Just you wait. Once I'm free, I'll tear you apart with my own hands!"
The sand Shukaku had taken shape from glared at Kumamoto and snarled viciously.
The sight startled Kumamoto and drew a faint look of surprise from the Konoha shinobi in the distance.
Kumamoto's bear face twisted with fury. He roared at Shukaku's enormous head, raised his thick, sturdy paw, and slammed it down on Shukaku's head!
"SMACK—"
The head Shukaku had just formed burst apart beneath the blow, its sand scattering slowly across the ground. It made no further sound.
After defeating Shukaku, Kumamoto panted heavily, swayed, and dropped his hefty backside onto the ground.
"HISS—"
With a soft hiss, white steam suddenly rose from his massive body.
Gradually, the red light in his pupils faded. The bulging muscles along his body slowly relaxed, and the firm, powerful musculature gave way to rolls of fat.
He had returned to the round, enormous bear he had been before.
Kumamoto lowered his head, about to follow the scent and look for Aizen, when something caught the corner of his eye and made him stop.
He turned his bear face curiously. His enormous eyes glimmered with interest as he looked at the tiny figure below.
Amid the sand, a person who looked close to death lay half-buried.