Bang! Bang! Bang!
Shadow clones exploded one after another as the enemies cut them down.
At the same time, Kaoru 's injuries rapidly healed through Bite Healing.
"Alright… that's enough, Kyūsei."
Kaoru slowly stood up, looking at him with heartache. His face had already turned slightly pale.
Kyūsei exhaled lightly and glanced at her abdomen.
The bleeding had stopped.
Only then did he relax slightly.
"That scar-faced guy is yours."
"Sakura and the Uchiha are mine."
Feeling the small amount of chakra remaining in his body, Kyūsei frowned.
He had to conserve it.
Although a ninja battle wasn't decided purely by how much chakra one had, chakra still played a crucial role.
Just then—
The last shadow clone was cut apart by Sakura's blade.
Uchiha Hikaru and Uchiha Yūma stepped forward as well.
"We thought we were just capturing the Yellow Flash."
"Who knew we'd get an extra surprise."
Hikaru's crimson Sharingan stared coldly at Kyūsei and Kaoru .
From the moment she chose this path, she had already prepared herself to face everything.
"The Nine-Tails jinchūriki is in poor condition."
"He just fought Satori, used nine shadow clones, and healed Namikaze Kaoru ."
"His chakra is practically gone."
"This is the perfect chance to capture the Nine-Tails."
Yūma's voice dripped with excitement and mockery.
He had expected capturing the Nine-Tails would take years of planning.
Instead—
It had fallen into their hands so easily.
How could he not be thrilled?
"You really think you've got me cornered?"
Kyūsei looked at the three of them coldly.
His hand clenched.
A golden-red spear formed instantly.
"Hmph. Bluffing."
Yūma stopped wasting words.
He shot forward like an arrow.
But the moment he moved—
Kaoru had already drawn a special kunai and rushed to intercept him.
Although the Flying Thunder God Technique was nearly useless inside the Yin-Yang barrier, her own speed was still incredible.
What made her powerful was never the Flying Thunder God itself.
It was Kaoru .
CLANG!
The black iron staff collided with her kunai.
At the same time—
Sakura drew her blade and charged Kyūsei with a dazzling pink arc of sword light.
Facing that slash, Kyūsei didn't dare underestimate it.
The memories from his clones still lingered in his mind.
Every single one of them had been cut down by this woman in a single strike.
And there was also the trace of genjutsu hidden in her attacks.
It meant little to Kyūsei—
But it was a genuine threat to Kaoru .
The golden-red spear blocked Sakura's blade.
At the same time, Kyūsei's other hand formed a massive golden-red axe and swung toward her.
Sakura didn't even glance at it.
Her blade flashed brighter.
In an instant Kyūsei felt as if he were wrestling with a prehistoric beast.
Cracks appeared on the spear.
Tsunade's monstrous strength…
With one strike, Sakura forced Kyūsei backward.
Then she pressed the attack immediately.
Kyūsei waved his hand.
Several golden-red chains shot forward like dragons.
Sakura instantly recognized them.
Adamantine Sealing Chains.
The legendary Uzumaki sealing technique.
Even tailed beasts couldn't break free from it.
If she were bound—
The battle would be over.
Her sword danced wildly.
The chains were cut apart in moments.
Then she continued charging Kyūsei.
Against a perfect jinchūriki, genjutsu was useless.
Only direct combat could subdue him.
Kyūsei's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Uchiha Hikaru was still lurking nearby.
If Sakura wasn't dealt with quickly—
One mistake could be fatal.
Yes, Kyūsei only had one-tenth of his chakra left.
But that didn't mean he was weak.
In an instant—
He transformed into a streak of golden light and charged Sakura head-on.
At that same moment—
Hikaru drew her blade.
A blue flash shot toward Kyūsei as well.
But Kyūsei had never stopped using Kagura Mind's Eye.
The moment she moved—
He had already prepared a counter.
Weapons flowed endlessly from Kyūsei's hands as he battled Sakura.
Spears.
Axes.
Scythes.
Swords.
War hammers.
Halberds.
Golden-red weapons appeared one after another.
Chains constantly tried to bind her as well.
Even Sakura began to struggle.
She had never encountered such a chaotic fighting style.
Even Uzumaki Kushina had never used Thunder God Spear like this.
Sakura's style relied on mixing genjutsu with swordsmanship, striking when the enemy was disoriented.
Or overwhelming them with brute strength and medical ninjutsu.
But genjutsu didn't work on Kyūsei.
And she couldn't activate Byakugō Seal.
Her stored chakra had already been drained during her earlier fight with Hikaru.
Now she was suppressed on multiple fronts.
Still—
She noticed Hikaru approaching from behind Kyūsei.
Her confidence returned.
The pink sword light intensified.
Kyūsei's expression remained calm.
He suppressed Sakura while keeping constant watch on Hikaru.
"Kurama… is it ready?"
Kyūsei asked silently.
"Yeah."
"This damn desert barely has any natural energy."
Kurama complained.
Then—
A familiar surge filled Kyūsei's body.
Finally.
Sage Mode.
At the same time—
Hikaru saw her opportunity.
Kyūsei's back was exposed.
Her eyes flashed.
Black flames erupted across her blade.
Amaterasu.
Without hesitation, she slashed toward the back of his neck.
But—
CLANG!
A golden-red war hammer suddenly blocked her blade.
"What…?"
Hikaru murmured in shock.
Before she could process it—
An overwhelming force exploded through her sword.
The impact sent her entire body flying backward.
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