One-Tail Shukaku stood atop the ruins. Everywhere he looked was rubble and broken walls; when he raised his eyes, all he saw was devastation stretching endlessly into the distance.
"Gahahahahahahaha—" Only One-Tail Shukaku's bizarre laughter echoed between heaven and earth.
Amid the pile of rubble, a broken wall was pushed aside. Naruto was sheltering Hinata beside the ruins.
Naruto first surveyed the situation. Shukaku was still lively and kicking, while Danzo Shimura's whereabouts were unknown.
"Hmm?" Naruto felt Hinata trembling all over and hurriedly stroked her little head gently, comforting her. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
No matter when it was, Naruto's words always gave Hinata courage.
"Help me see if Danzo is still here."
"Byakugan." Hinata activated her Byakugan. With its exceptional scouting ability, she quickly located Danzo Shimura.
"He's behind that monster!"
Danzo Shimura appeared behind Shukaku. He had already used Izanagi three times. Forming hand seals, he said, "Ninja Art! Summoning Technique!"
As a great cloud of white smoke erupted, a long-nosed, short-tusked elephant charged out from within it. Its head was wrapped in bandages, making it somewhat resemble Danzo.
This was Danzo Shimura's summoned beast—the Dream Tapir!
The Dream Tapir opened its elephantine mouth toward Shukaku's back and began inhaling, immediately sucking away the sand covering Shukaku's body.
As the Dream Tapir sucked away the sand from Shukaku's body, Shukaku's massive frame actually continued shrinking.
At the same time, Danzo Shimura did not remain idle. He took out a kunai, blew on it, and infused it with Wind Release chakra, turning it into a wind-bladed sword called the Vacuum Blade.
Holding the Vacuum Blade, Danzo swiftly stepped onto Shukaku's body and raced across it at tremendous speed toward Shukaku's head, where Gaara was located. He intended to cut off Gaara's head with one strike.
By then,