"That guy reminds me of someone. Don't underestimate him!" Inside Bunpuku, a tanuki covered in Cursed Seal patterns warned him.
"I know." As if he had made up his mind, Bunpuku pressed his hands together and said solemnly, "Please, Shukaku, lend me your power!"
"You're such an annoying guy."
As soon as Shukaku finished speaking, Bunpuku felt strength surge through his entire body.
Sand Shuriken!
Dozens of protrusions appeared on the Sand Shield. The raised clumps of sand shot toward Senju Genma, transforming into Shuriken as they flew.
The Sand Shuriken hit Senju Genma with pinpoint accuracy.
Just as Bunpuku was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Senju Genma turned into a wooden dummy.
Bunpuku realized he had been tricked and looked around for Senju Genma.
"You really don't know how to fight, do you? I'm right here!" Senju Genma stood behind Bunpuku and punched him in the back with Strength of a Hundred.
At the same time, the two of them switched places.
The noisy battlefield vanished, and they found themselves in a silent desert.
A Kunai bearing the Flying Thunder God Formula was stuck in the sand by Senju Genma's feet.
Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade!
Bunpuku had flown less than half a meter after Senju Genma's punch when a vortex of water appeared in Senju Genma's hand. It compressed into a water spear, spinning rapidly in shifting directions.
The moment the water spear touched Bunpuku, it formed a massive waterspout and blasted him away.
Senju Genma clenched his fist and said excitedly, "I really am a genius. I actually thought of combining the Substitution Technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique, Strength of a Hundred, and Water Release."
"I'll name this move Taijutsu Secret Art: Super Water Release Godspeed Slash Zero Style!"
"Where are we?" A sand sphere as tall as a person rose from the sea of sand and slowly floated above the ground. Bunpuku's voice came from inside it.
Desert Waves!
"So you're still alive!" Senju Genma waved and said casually, "We're in the desert ten kilometers north of the battlefield. Don't worry, you haven't gone so far from home that you'll forget your homeland. We're still in the Land of Wind."
"Is that so? That's good. This war is the first time I've ever left my village, and I don't want to leave the Land of Wind so soon." Bunpuku was still inside the sand sphere. Cracks covered his Armor of Sand. "Do you ever miss your homeland?"
"Every now and then," Senju Genma said with a smile. "After all, there's someone I love there."
"Hey, Bunpuku, you two are enemies. Why are you chatting?" Shukaku butted in.
Bunpuku murmured, "But I don't think this boy is a bad person."
Shukaku shouted, "But this is war!"
"Come on, Shukaku, stop making a fuss. Can't you behave?"
"Have I been too nice to you? How dare you talk to me like that?!" Shukaku shrieked, his voice growing shrill. "Don't think I won't smack you just because you remind me of the old man!"
Bunpuku smiled without replying.
"Chat time's over. Let's keep fighting!" Senju Genma suddenly said.
Bunpuku nodded and sat cross-legged inside the sand sphere.
Strange Sand Arm!
The sand on the ground instantly transformed into a sand hand like Shukaku's arm and grabbed at Senju Genma.
Senju Genma swung his fists again and again, smashing the sand arms to pieces.
Sage Art: Chidori Sharp Spear! Senju Genma seized his chance and shaped the black-and-white lightning into a spear, firing it toward the sand sphere containing Bunpuku.
Because he had infused the Chidori with Senjutsu Chakra, its range and destructive power far exceeded those of an ordinary Chidori Sharp Spear. It also extended much faster.
In an instant, it pierced the incredibly durable sand sphere.
"Don't underestimate us, brat!" Shukaku shouted from inside Bunpuku. A massive spear marked with red patterns appeared in front of him.
Spear of Shukaku!
The Chidori Sharp Spear, which had easily pierced Desert Waves, was stopped by the massive spear and could advance no farther.
The sand sphere surrounding Bunpuku began to fall apart, but neither he nor Shukaku cared. There was no point in keeping a defense that had been so easily breached.
Bunpuku's body visibly changed as sand covered him.
It wasn't forming Armor of Sand. Instead, it was reshaping Bunpuku into another creature, like a miniature Shukaku—only this was Shukaku after losing weight.
He no longer looked fat. His proportions were balanced, and he seemed full of strength.
It seemed Shukaku understood that his build wasn't exactly ideal for fighting.
Bunpuku hurled the Spear of Shukaku, then vanished in an instant, speeding over the sand at a pace too fast for ordinary eyes to follow.
Senju Genma leaned slightly to dodge the Spear of Shukaku and exclaimed, "No Hand Seals, so that wasn't the Body Flicker Technique. He's relying on physical strength? The power of a Tailed Beast really is terrifying!"
Senju Genma usually performed Ninjutsu, including the Body Flicker Technique, without Hand Seals, but that was because of his unusual physique.
The ordinary Body Flicker Technique, Water Body Flicker, and Sand Body Flicker all required Hand Seals. Ordinary people had to form them to use the techniques, but Bunpuku hadn't made a single hand sign as he moved.
"Scary!" Senju Genma said, but his face looked casual, as if he wasn't the least bit afraid.
Bunpuku appeared at his side and raised his transformed hand to strike.
"Too slow!" Senju Genma glanced back at him, and his eyes turned red.
"What is that...?" Shukaku cried out.
Silver-white Chakra formed ribs around Senju Genma. Bunpuku's blow hit them, sending Senju Genma flying.
But he quickly landed on the sand and steadied himself. Cracks appeared in Susanoo's ribs, then quickly repaired themselves.
"I'm never getting carried away again!" Senju Genma breathed a sigh of relief, still a little shaken. He had nearly gotten himself killed just now.
"Shukaku, do you know what that is?" Bunpuku asked, puzzled. He had spent most of his life in the village, closely watched by its Ninja, and hadn't seen much of the world. But Shukaku's reaction made it clear he knew what it was.
"None of your business!" Shukaku seemed to recall something he had witnessed a thousand years ago. He snorted and snapped, "This guy shouldn't be anywhere near that man's level. Don't be afraid of him. Show him what I can do. Use that move!"
Bunpuku asked, "Are you sure you want to use it?"
"Enough with the questions. Just cooperate with me!" Shukaku's voice boomed so loudly that Bunpuku's ears hurt. "Desert Layered Imperial Funeral Seal!"
Under Shukaku's control, the nearby sand began flowing toward Senju Genma. A vast amount of sand formed a high-density, pyramid-shaped Imperial Funeral Seal, trapping Senju Genma inside.
"Is it over?" Bunpuku swallowed and asked nervously.
It was the first time he had seen Shukaku lose his composure like this. Normally, no matter what happened, Shukaku acted as if he didn't care. But now, after seeing those strange ribs, he had immediately used a deadly technique.
"Of course it is. With me personally taking action, there's no way anything could go wrong!" Shukaku sounded quite pleased with himself.
But it wasn't long before the man and beast both stared wide-eyed.