Desperate Helplessness

And now that Shukaku's tail had been cut off, it was like losing its limbs!

"Gamabunta, you underestimate me too much. I'm Shukaku!"

Shukaku grinned and gave a powerful swing. A brand-new tail instantly grew back.

"How is that possible?"

Gamabunta's eyes widened. He simply could not believe that Shukaku's tail had grown back.

His heart was filled with shock. He had never imagined Shukaku's body possessed such an ability. This time, he was truly out of options.

Seeing the legendary Tailed Beast, One-Tail Shukaku, be so powerful, Zhi Ge could not help but sigh.

Think about the opponents he had faced before: Sunagakure Genin, Kusagakure Chunin, and Otogakure Chunin.

Though they had not exactly been effortless victories, he had taken them down with certainty.

For a Genin like him, those were the battles that matched his level.

But ever since he had entered the damn official matches of the Chunin Exams, good grief!

What kind of monsters had he been running into?!

The Second Hokage, known as the King of Forbidden Techniques, Orochimaru, and his summoned beast, Manda!

He had barely escaped death at their hands, and now he had to face the legendary Tailed Beast, One-Tail Shukaku!

Was there any justice left in this world?!

"Zhi Ge, don't hesitate! We can only fight together now!"

The Toad Boss called out to Zhi Ge with a grave expression. After steadying himself, Zhi Ge rose without the slightest hesitation.

"I agree! I refuse to believe that the two of us can't beat this monster!"

"Damn it!"

The Toad Boss gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Shukaku as he charged forward with his sword in hand.

Shukaku showed no weakness either and directly met the Toad Boss's charge.

BOOM!!!

The two collided, and the blast wave from the explosion instantly spread outward, snapping the surrounding trees.

The Toad Boss was clearly unable to withstand Shukaku's strength. He was forced back again and again.

"Hahaha! This is the gap between us! Our strength is worlds apart! Let's see what you can do now!"

Shukaku laughed arrogantly. It was utterly pleased with itself. As a dignified Tailed Beast, it stood at the peak of the Ninja World. Naturally, it feared no one.

Just as it was about to taunt the Toad Boss a few more times, a strange smile suddenly appeared at the corner of the Toad Boss's mouth!

"Heh heh, let's see if you won't surrender obediently this time!"

The Toad Boss let out an eerie sneer, then waved his hand toward his side!

Whoosh... whoosh...

The Toad Boss hurled Zhi Ge straight toward Shukaku!

"Thanks, Toad Boss! Watch me end this in one blow! Rubber Siege Cannon!!!"

Sent flying by the Toad Boss, Zhi Ge unleashed his strongest attack and smashed it toward Shukaku's head.

But Shukaku merely curled its lip in disdain and opened its mouth, firing a fireball at Zhi Ge!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...

When the fireball collided with the Rubber Siege Cannon, a deafening roar erupted, and the entire hill seemed to tremble!

"Gamabunta! You've truly disappointed me! You think a combo attack with that brat can do anything to me?"

Shukaku cast a contemptuous glance at the Toad Boss, then opened its mouth and spewed out a wave of black flames.

"Th-this flame?!"

The Toad Boss's pupils contracted as deep fear surged through him. He felt as though his body was about to melt!

Not only that, he sensed intense corrosiveness. Even the clothes on his body had already been corroded beyond recognition.

"No!!!"

The Toad Boss struggled frantically, but his body seemed to be stuck to rubber, completely unable to move.

He could only watch helplessly as the flames spread toward him.

ROAR!!!

The Toad Boss let out a miserable cry, while Shukaku snorted smugly.

"Gamabunta, you brought this upon yourself!"

An icy killing intent flashed in Shukaku's eyes.

"Gamabunta! Today, I will take your life!"

Shukaku roared furiously. Its body suddenly expanded, and it leaped into the air, charging toward Gamabunta's position!

The Toad Boss was nearly unable to hold on, yet his eyes remained filled with frenzied fury!

"Toad Boss! You've done enough! Hurry and leave!"

Naruto looked at Gamabunta's battered body, sorrow written all over his face.

Gamabunta shook his head slightly, a resolute expression appearing on his face as his gaze hardened. "No! If I abandon you, I won't deserve to be called Boss! I've never done anything so dishonorable!"

After saying that, Gamabunta fixed his gaze on Shukaku once more.

"Let me do it! Rubber Firework Rain!!!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Zhi Ge's figure instantly shot into the air. He clapped his hands together, and his arms and legs stretched out at the same time, flying toward Shukaku like fireworks!

"Stop dreaming! Wind Release! Raging Wind Rotation!!!"

Shukaku sneered and immediately unleashed its greatest technique!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!!!

Countless violent gusts formed into a massive dragon and swept toward Zhi Ge.

BAM!

The Wind Dragon and the Firework Rain collided violently, erupting in an earth-shaking explosion. Zhi Ge was sent flying and slammed hard into the ground.

"Hahaha, you won't be able to withstand this move!"

Shukaku burst into laughter and charged toward Zhi Ge again. It was going to swallow this little rat whole!

Zhi Ge was thrown away by the hurricane and crashed heavily onto the ground, a trace of blood spilling from his mouth.

At this moment, all of the Armament Haki on Zhi Ge's body had shattered. If he suffered another blow of the same magnitude, even his rubber body might not keep him from dying outright.

"No! Zhi Ge!"

"Zhi Ge!!!"

The Toad Boss, Naruto, and Sasuke all cried out in alarm, while Shukaku laughed disdainfully.

"Just wait to die! Hahahahaha!"

Shukaku laughed wildly, staring at the three of them with a cruel curve on its lips.

Seeing Shukaku's savage expression, Zhi Ge revealed a look of despair. He knew there was no saving him now!

"I never expected that I, Uchiha Zhige, would end up this miserable. I have a system, yet I still got beaten into such a pathetic state..."

Zhi Ge sighed, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He had thought he could wash away his past humiliation in this battle!

But at that moment, he suddenly felt a strange change begin to take place within his body.