Chapter 402: Tug-of-War of Wills
Kurama, who had never truly known the fear of death, experienced it for the first time in the presence of Li Yao.
It was precisely this fear that made Kurama compromise.
Facing Naruto, who now looked at him with hatred deep enough to devour his flesh and soul, Kurama chose to join forces.
As long as teaming up meant a chance to escape Li Yao alive, Kurama saw no issue in helping Naruto.
After all, his life was his own—once dead, nothing else mattered.
In the face of death, all beings are equal. Even Kurama was no exception.
Outside.
Naruto, in his transformation into Kurama, had progressed from Four Tails to Seven Tails. The terrifying waves of chakra could be clearly felt even from several kilometers away.
The three-man team from Kumogakure, hiding behind a large boulder, happened to witness Naruto's Nine-Tails transformation.
The sensation of the body being torn apart just by approaching was far too intense.
Omoi and Karui swallowed hard, staring at the distant Nine-Tails Naruto, their lips trembling as they turned to the aloof and cool Samui beside them.
"Do we… still need to go over there?"
"Just stay here and watch!"
Samui stared seriously at the distant Nine-Tails Naruto. The chakra was far too powerful.
And this was just seven tails—yet the pressure far surpassed the full-tailed beast form of Killer Bee. In fact, Killer Bee seemed weak in comparison.
It wasn't just the aura—this chakra was on a completely different level.
The oppressive chakra waves made the air feel thick, and the heavy pressure pressing down on Samui made it difficult to breathe.
There was only one explanation for this overwhelming sense of pressure from chakra alone:
Kurama's chakra was far more vast and powerful than that of the Eight-Tails, creating this qualitative difference.
"Kurama is terrifying… good thing our village didn't get him," Omoi said, still shaken.
Karui nodded furiously like a pecking chicken. "Yeah, yeah, terrifying!"
The two of them scanned the desolate landscape around them and instinctively shrank back, trying not to attract Kurama's attention.
Kurama was far too terrifying. If he were in Kumogakure, perhaps only the Third Raikage, who could rival the Eight-Tails, might have been able to contain a rampaging Kurama.
Shocked by Kurama's power, the Kumogakure trio dared not move forward and stayed hidden behind the large boulder, observing quietly.
"Tsunade, while Naruto is motionless, hurry and seal him—don't let Kurama escape!" said Fukasaku, suddenly realizing what needed to be done.
Whatever was happening to Naruto now, this was the right time for Tsunade to act—if a fully transformed Kurama escaped, Naruto would be swallowed completely, disappearing as if he had died.
"You're right."
Reminded by Fukasaku, Tsunade instantly moved to stand before the Nine-Tails Naruto.
Her sealing techniques might not be as extensive as Jiraiya's, but that didn't mean they were weak.
Tsunade took out a scroll, formed hand seals, and focused chakra at her fingertips to inscribe the sealing formula meant to bind chakra. But suddenly, she found herself unable to move.
"Tsunade…" Fukasaku immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Don't rush. Wait a little longer," said Li Yao's voice from behind her.
All three turned toward the sound—and at some point, Li Yao had already appeared behind Tsunade. Fukasaku instinctively tried to launch a Water Style attack.
But the moment he moved, Li Yao flicked his wrist and sent Fukasaku flying hundreds of meters away.
"Lord Fukasaku!"
Jiraiya immediately rushed over to check on him.
Tsunade stood up and stared at Li Yao, who now stood in front of Naruto, observing him with great interest. Her eyes were filled with killing intent, sharp as blades stabbing into Li Yao's body.
Even someone as powerful as Li Yao couldn't help but shudder slightly under her glare. In retaliation, he gave Tsunade's firm, peach-like backside a hard smack.
Smack!
"Don't make a scene. Just wait quietly."
"Mm…"
Perhaps her body was too sensitive to Li Yao—Tsunade couldn't suppress a soft moan. That moment of alluring charm was fortunate that only Jiraiya missed seeing it—otherwise, it would have haunted his mind forever.
"A tug-of-war of spiritual will, huh?"
"Interesting!"
Li Yao bent slightly, staring at the cross-legged, Nine-Tails Naruto. Though he hadn't entered Naruto's mindspace, he could already guess that Naruto was currently trying to tame Kurama's chakra—engaged in a mental tug-of-war.
Whoever won would gain control over the other's power.
This battle of wills was extremely dangerous—until the very end, the outcome was a toss-up.
Though Naruto currently appeared to be losing, on the verge of being consumed, as long as he hadn't completely fallen to the dark side, it meant he had withstood the most dangerous phase.
What came next would depend on whether Naruto could reclaim his sense of self.
Li Yao carefully sensed Naruto's spiritual will.
Having just experienced the mysteries of willpower with Might Guy, he wasn't about to pass up another opportunity to explore the same concept.
So he still hadn't attacked Naruto.
Even though he knew that if Naruto emerged victorious and gained control of Kurama's chakra, his strength would increase significantly, Li Yao didn't care—nothing was more important than his pursuit of understanding willpower.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Glares couldn't kill Li Yao, and physical attacks weren't working. Watching Li Yao simply stand there, not taking action against Naruto, Tsunade was confused.
Li Yao ignored her, still focused on Naruto.
Tsunade frowned in thought, replaying everything Li Yao had done since appearing—then suddenly, she realized something critical.
"Li Yao doesn't want to kill me!"
That's right. Li Yao had no intention of killing her. Looking back, Tsunade realized he'd had several chances to do so but didn't take them.
"Could it be… this guy has feelings for me…"
Tsunade's gaze drifted to Li Yao's lower half, and her cheeks flushed red. She quickly shook her head, pushing the ridiculous thought away.
Li Yao wasn't the type to linger over beauty—or even if he was, he wouldn't spare Naruto just for her.
The most likely explanation was that she still had some use to him—for now, at least, he wouldn't kill her.
With that in mind, Tsunade's expression shifted. She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually growing resolute.
"Li Yao, could you let Naruto go? Let the rest of Konoha's survivors go? If you agree, I… I'll let you do whatever you want with me."
"If not… I'll die right here in front of you!"
Li Yao turned around. Tsunade stood tall with her chin raised, full of noble resolve, embodying the self-sacrifice expected of the Fifth Hokage.
She was truly ready to give up everything for Konoha—even her life.
But alas, Li Yao only glanced at her, then turned away, completely indifferent. So what if she died? There was always Edo Tensei—he could just bring her back.
This left Tsunade completely stunned.
Her face paled, then flushed with embarrassment. In the end, she tossed away her Hokage pride, crouched down in front of Li Yao, and decided to use her unmatched skill in persuasion to try and talk him into changing his mind.
(END CHAPTER)
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