At this moment, within the Sandstorm Dharma Realm, Kōki looked at the three people and one beast in front of him with a very serious expression.
He never expected that he would be so fortunate as to have four Kage Level experts join forces to deal with him.
Such a lineup would be rare even in an era where Kage Level are everywhere.
"You are all important figures from Sunagakure, why would you join forces against a child like me?"
As Kōki spoke, his eyes darted around, trying to find a way to escape the encirclement.
"Kid, I advise you to accept your fate. You're not even fit to leave the Sandstorm Dharma Realm. As for accusations of bullying the weak, that's laughable. On the battlefield, age is irrelevant; only strength matters. And your strength has already earned our recognition, and you've become a threat to Sunagakure. So, you'd be better off dead."
Chiyo answered Kōki's question, explaining that the Sandstorm Dharma Realm she mentioned was Barrier Ninjutsu created by the Second Kazekage of Sunagakure to restrict Shukaku. It required four powerful Jonin to perform, and its effect in trapping enemies was extremely significant.
Shukaku has a lot to say about this, as it was trapped by this barrier after going berserk, besieged by the Sunagakure, and finally resealed.
It can be said that once someone enters this barrier, they will absolutely be unable to leave without the caster breaking the spell.
Therefore, upon recognizing this technique, Shukaku said with a look of annoyance and wariness, "This technique again? After you Sunagakure deal with the Wood Release brats, you won't be planning to seal me away too, will you?"
It's no wonder Shukaku would think that way; it had been trapped by this technique many times before, and each time it could only return to Bunpuku's body in frustration.
Seeing this technique again now forces it to consider the possibility of Sunagakure using it to kill Shukaku.
It doesn't trust the people of Sunagakure at all; who knows if Sunagakure really are as it thinks?
Chiyo hadn't expected this Barrier Ninjutsu to create a rift in Shukaku's mind. To ensure Shukaku used his full power, she immediately assured him, "Don't worry, Shukaku. If you cooperate with us to kill the Wood Release brat this time, I'll set you free."
Chiyo said this, but that's not what she really thought. She made a promise, but she wasn't the Kazekage of Sunagakure, and her promise didn't represent the Kazekage's thoughts. Besides, she was going into seclusion after this battle, so she wouldn't care what happened to Shukaku in the future.
For now, let's appease them and let the Kazekage worry about the rest.
Poor Shukaku, it had no idea of the darkness in Chiyo's heart. It really thought that Sunagakure would let it go, and was overjoyed. As if an infinite power was surging in its heart, it hurriedly broke free from the restraints of Wood Release.
Chiyo was even more pleased to see this; who wouldn't like such a simple-minded and naive boy?
However, she was too happy too soon. On the other side, Kōki immediately realized that this was an opportunity to sow discord after hearing Shukaku's question.
So he said, " Shukaku, don't listen to her. Sunagakure will never let you go. Think about it, other ninja villages have Jinchūriki as strategic weapons to threaten other villages, but Sunagakure doesn't. Do you think the people of Sunagakure won't panic?"
"So they will definitely seal you away again after the war. Besides, do you think the people of the Land of Wind Land of Wind will be afraid of letting such a powerful creature roam freely?"
Kōki realized that to escape this predicament, he had to make use of everything he could. The gap between Shukaku and Sunagakure was the place he could exploit.
The higher his chances of survival, the less likely he is to fight as a united force.
Besides, he's right. Based on his understanding of Sunagakure, they definitely wouldn't let Shukaku go. Otherwise, how would Gaara, the best friend of Naruto Uzumaki, the future Child of Destiny, have appeared?
Upon hearing Kōki's words, both Chiyo and Shukaku's expressions changed. Chiyo's face turned ugly, while Shukaku's face showed obvious suspicion.
Kōki's words did indeed shake Shukaku's resolve. It felt that Kōki's words made a lot of sense. Having lived for a thousand years, even if it was a demon that didn't understand human nature, it knew people's fear of it. Once it was truly free, it would definitely frighten the people of the Land of Wind, and then the Sunagakure would still take action against it.
" Sunagakure, you wouldn't really do what that brat said, planning to abandon me after I've helped you deal with that brat, would you?"
Faced with Shukaku's suspicious gaze, Chiyo instantly wiped the unpleasant expression from her face, replacing it with a calm one. She then said, " Shukaku, would you rather believe that hostile brat than us, your temporary allies? Besides, if you don't trust us, don't you trust Bunpuku? He told us he would treat you well. Here's what we'll do: to put your mind at ease, I swear as an advisor and elder of Sunagakure that as long as I'm in office, I will not allow anyone to capture you. Is that alright?"
Hearing Chiyo say this, Shukaku was instantly relieved, because Bunpuku had told it about Chiyo's identity.
Chiyo is said to be an absolute high-ranking figure in Sunagakure, and even the Kazekage listens to her. Someone of such status would certainly not break her promise.
Shukaku simply didn't see Rasa and Ebizo's strange expressions; otherwise, it would have definitely sensed something was wrong.
On the other side, Kōki wanted to continue provoking, but this time Chiyo didn't give him the chance. Before he could even speak, she immediately controlled the puppet to rush over.
However, before her attack could land, Shukaku's attack arrived first, while he cursed, "You wretched brat, how could someone as wise as me be fooled by you? Die!"
This situation made Kōki curse Shukaku inwardly, thinking it deserved it. With that kind of intelligence, it got sold out and still had to help the seller count the money. He wanted to help it, but it wouldn't even be happy about it. Seriously, serves it right!!
Although Shukaku is stupid, isn't it precisely because of his stupidity that he has the opportunity to sow discord? So, while dodging, he said, " Shukaku, even if you don't believe me, you should believe Bunpuku. Look at how Bunpuku was treated by the people of Sunagakure from childhood to adulthood. You should have seen all of this. Think about it, even someone like Bunpuku is feared by Sunagakure, let alone Tailed Beast like you."
Kōki's words paused Shukaku's attack, but before it could ask Chiyo any questions, it heard Chiyo say something in its ear.
"If you don't believe Shukaku, that's fine too. I can immediately abandon my vow. If the Wood Release brats can't handle it, I'll seal you away first. At worst, we Sunagakure will just lose this war."
In truth, Chiyo wouldn't risk Kōki's life to deal with Shukaku. She was just fooling the ignorant Shukaku. She believed that Shukaku, with his yearning for freedom, would never give up this opportunity.
As she expected, things unfolded exactly as she had anticipated. The moment she spoke, Shukaku's actions became decisive and ruthless, ignoring everything Kōki said and relentlessly attacking Kōki.