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Susanoo, when still, was formidable; when it moved, it brought forth land-shattering power. Especially when combined with the Goro Goro no Mi, these two ultimate techniques elevated power to its peak. Even the slightest, softest attack, when perfectly combined, underwent a qualitative change.
A golden beam of light shot forth, but Shukaku's face was utterly blank. It had been scared stiff, losing its ability to move. It was the first time it had seen a Tailed Beast Bomb scattered by such devastating power, so it was only natural for it to be stunned and slow to react! However, perhaps due to the tanuki's immense luck, the golden spear's light merely grazed past it, not directly hitting Shukaku.
Boom!
A moment later, an earth-shattering explosion resonated from behind. The shockwave produced by the violently erupting energy, even with Shukaku several kilometers away, felt like a Category 10 hurricane sweeping across its body. Shukaku trembled uncontrollably; it was a profound tremor originating from the depths of its soul.
"Indeed, it's hard to control, isn't it? Otherwise, one strike should have been enough to eliminate that little tanuki." Wuchen gave a bitter laugh. Intense pain, like a tidal wave, spread throughout his body. Although the Goro Goro no Mi possessed some self-healing capabilities, it didn't mean he could ignore the pain, especially after using the new combination of Susanoo and Goro Goro no Mi twice in a row. Wuchen could feel the bones inside his body crackling.
"Damn it." For his full-power strike to miss the enemy, Wuchen couldn't help but be disappointed, especially for such a large-scale technique that consumed both his mind and spirit. He didn't know how many times in his life he would have the opportunity to use it.
Boom boom boom...
The sound of the earth shaking suddenly came from ahead. Wuchen was slightly startled, and instinctively looked forward. He saw that Shukaku, completely disregarding its image and its severely wounded state, was desperately fleeing for its life...
"Trying to run?" Seeing this, Wuchen's face instantly darkened. He had spent half a day's effort to wound Shukaku to this extent, so it was impossible to watch the spoils of war escape.
Hiss!
Wuchen, who was about to activate his Goro Goro no Mi ability to pursue, suddenly gasped, abruptly falling to the ground. A stinging, burning pain immediately spread throughout his body, and the world seen through his Mangekyo Sharingan became extremely blurry. Wuchen could feel his life force draining dozens of times faster than usual.
"No wonder Itachi died young." Sensing the anomaly in his body, Wuchen's face was grim. Due to his Devil Fruit, he usually paid extraordinary attention to taijutsu training, prioritizing physical conditioning above all else. But even so, Wuchen's internal body still felt as if countless ants were tearing at him, an unbearable agony. Watching the One-Tail's figure disappear further and further, Wuchen fell silent, then sighed soundlessly, choosing to compromise. Taming Shukaku would certainly be a huge boost for him, but it would inevitably lead to even greater loss of life force. The priorities were clear. Life was short, and Wuchen decisively chose life as paramount. The Uchiha did not possess the same vast life force as the Senju and Uzumaki; he couldn't afford it. Moreover, Wuchen's personality was already broad-minded. A second thought brought him understanding. In any case, a Tailed Beast wouldn't run forever; there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. The Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha years later would be a good chance. There was no need to relentlessly pursue this tanuki.
"What is destined to be, will be. What is not, do not force. Let nature take its course."
Dragging his exhausted body, he stood up. Looking at Shukaku, who was now completely gone, Wuchen's lips curved into a faint smile. He chose to face it calmly. Fate was the most elusive thing. Perhaps the next time they met, Shukaku would be begging Wuchen to be his beast of burden, and Wuchen wouldn't even care!
...
In another direction, war raged fiercely. The quiet and peaceful Sand Village was now engulfed in raging flames and thick smoke. Screams of agony echoed throughout the entire village, and scattered severed limbs and broken bodies lay everywhere. The scene was an atrocious living hell. For the past few months, the Sand Village had been immersed in the joy of war. Due to the Fourth Kazekage's unannounced lightning offensive, the Sand Village had swept through their enemies, and large amounts of supplies flowed into the Sand Village through their invasions.
The essence of war is plunder. Konoha, as the victim, was naturally exploited. Large quantities of Land of Fire's resources were transported back to the Sand Village and then circulated throughout the Land of Wind, achieving the goal of enriching their own country. For a while, the Sand Village of the Land of Wind was flourishing. However, as Wuchen began to offer advice to the Third Hokage, their good fortune didn't last. Soon, they fell into misfortune!
The Third Hokage accepted Wuchen's suggestion, opting for a strategy of "feigning an open attack while secretly attacking a hidden target," ordering Jiraiya to abandon passive defense and switch to offense. According to Wuchen, the best defense was offense. Despite the casualties, Konoha's counterattack, though increasing their own losses, was clearly effective. The Sand Village's offensive was quickly repelled, and the Land of Fire's losses immediately decreased. The Sand Village's "war-to-support-war" plan also fell through and was aborted. The Third Hokage, who had been constantly criticized by the Daimyo, finally had a moment to assert himself. At the same time, the Third Hokage dispatched speed-type ninjas like Minato Namikaze to launch a surprise attack on the Sand Village, leading to the current tragic scene of blood and gore within the Sand Village.
And just as Wuchen had told the Third Hokage when he left Konoha, the surprise attack on the Sand Village was a one-sided situation. The remaining elderly, weak, and sick of the Sand Village were almost immediately killed on the spot. Ninjas were called ninjas not only because their strength differed from ordinary humans, but also because of their ruthless hearts. Even someone like Minato Namikaze showed no mercy towards the elderly, weak, and sick of the Sand Village, killing them on sight. This was because the Sand ninjas treated Konoha's ninjas this way, so it was only natural to repay them in kind.