"Boom!"
The Wind Release: Pressure Damage sphere, compressed to the extreme through the hollow bamboo tube, transformed into a vacuum cannon beam that swept through the sky full of iron sand!
"BANG!"
Shinki's iron sand cloak began to peel apart under the crushing wind pressure. Alarmed, he immediately reinforced it with Magnet Release, barely stabilizing the situation.
"What kind of Wind Release is that!? Even the jōnin of our Sand Wind Division couldn't do better!"
Gansuke's expression hardened.
"So it won't go down that easily, huh!"
Dark Ninja Song — Courage Verse!
In battle, courage is everything!
Strike with full force once—momentum surges! Strike again—momentum wanes! Strike thrice—momentum is spent! When the enemy is drained and I am full, victory is assured!
If I don't finish him while he's reeling, once he regains his footing, I'm the one who'll suffer!
Chakra surged into Gansuke's feet. With one hand forming seals, he followed the tail end of the Pressure Cannon with a decisive addition—
—Demon Bamboo Style: Fire Release Head Hardship Cannon!
"BOOM!"
A torrent of flames blasted out of the bamboo tube. The tremendous recoil shook Gansuke violently, but the chakra anchored beneath his feet kept him from being blown away!
Wind in front, fire behind—the two elements fused perfectly, amplifying one another!
"BOOOOM!"
The flaming beam tore through the air and slammed into Shinki!
"Ugh…! My iron sand armor is—!"
"AAAGH!"
Shinki's scream echoed through the explosion.
In the waiting area, Yodo and Araya stared in horror.
"Impossible! Shinki's absolute iron sand defense was broken head-on?!"
"That plain-looking guy—who is he?!"
On the Kage platform—
Naruto rested his chin on his hands, eyes calm.
"Not bad. He's perfectly using bamboo properties to synergize with his elemental techniques."
Gaara watched the battered figure landing awkwardly from dispersed iron sand.
"He's already been forced to use that move…?"
The moment Shinki saw Gansuke forming additional seals through his Third Eye, he decisively activated an Iron Sand Clone, escaping what might have been a crippling blow.
Now he reassembled his iron sand armor. The black wing on his right condensed into a massive iron sand fist—nearly the size of a Susanoo skeleton's hand.
When he looked at Gansuke again, not a trace of disdain remained.
"Gansuke, was it? From now on, I'll treat you as an equal opponent. But understand this—no one will take Sand's honor from me!"
"BOOM!"
He burst forward with chakra propulsion, gliding with one wing while the enormous iron sand fist crashed down!
"Close combat is my weak point… I've devoted most of my focus to Demon Bamboo and the Five Elements!"
Gansuke bit his thumb, flicked the blood forward, formed seals one-handed, and slammed his palm onto the ground!
—Summoning Jutsu!
"CLANG!"
A panda as large as a burly adult emerged from white smoke, raising its steel-braced forearm to block the descending iron sand fist!
Seeing that familiar black-and-white silhouette, Gansuke grinned.
"Close support is yours, my friend—Kung Fu Panda, Panpan!"
"Mm-hmm!"
Panpan raised a thumb behind him, then rooted his stance and unleashed monstrous strength, lifting the iron sand fist. He casually snapped off a bamboo stalk and began munching.
Crunch~ crunch~
His massive body rolled into a black-and-white sphere and slipped beneath the iron sand fist!
"What!?"
Before Shinki could react, Panpan drove a straightforward punch into his exposed abdomen!
"THUD!"
Even with iron sand armor, the force penetrated.
Shinki's face twisted; saliva sprayed from his mouth.
"A summoning beast skilled in hard-style taijutsu… Damn it, this guy has no weaknesses at all!"
"THUD!"
A vicious uppercut snapped his chin back.
"BOOM!"
Panpan sprang upward like a coiled spring, launching into a dazzling aerial combo!
Gansuke seized the breathing space—but he didn't relax for even a second.
"Panpan's attacks can't critically injure Shinki through that iron sand."
"And I can only maintain this summoning for twenty seconds."
"I have to build an attack that can completely break his defense—within twenty seconds!"
"No holding back. Everything rides on the next strike!"
—Wood Release: Demon Bamboo Dance!
A bamboo forest erupted once more.
One stalk before Gansuke grew especially tall.
He ripped it from the ground. Dark Earth Spear chakra coated it entirely.
His gaze lowered.
Memories surfaced—Master Kakuzu's words.
"Gansuke, my Earth Grudge Fear was created to steal hearts. You're too kind to use it that way."
"I won't teach you the whole technique. You don't need it. I'll teach you only how to create the Grudge Tendril threads. The rest… is up to you."
"Snap."
From beneath Gansuke's sleeve, a black tendril extended, connecting both ends of the long bamboo.
Two bamboo clones grasped either side.
Gansuke himself seized the tendril thread.
Demon Bamboo became a Demon Bow.
Grudge Tendril became a Grudge String.
"Master Kakuzu… almost everything I know, you taught me. When I grow up, I'll save enough money to build you a mansion even bigger than Young Master Feng's! Every piece of furniture will be made of gold!"
"Crackle!"
With a one-handed seal, explosive lightning surged forth, shaping into a spear-like thunder arrow between bow and string!
"BOOM!"
In the air, Shinki broke free from Panpan and saw the finishing move forming in the bamboo forest.
"Not good!"
He swept his sleeve—
—Magnet Release: Iron Sand Shuriken!
But Gansuke was ready.
The hand holding the string flicked into seals—
—Wood Release: Demon Bamboo Shuriken!
The forest erupted—not decorative, but a weapon.
Hundreds of bamboo segments disassembled and shot skyward!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Iron sand and bamboo clashed midair before both dissipated.
Neither gained the upper hand.
But Gansuke's trump card was ready.
Bow fully drawn. Arrow set.
Shinki gathered all his strength.
Iron sand roared, forming a colossal triangular pyramid.
His eyes burned.
"Father is watching me! I can't lose!"
—Magnet Release: Iron Sand Triangular Prism!
"Lord Shadow is watching me—I will win!"
—Demon Bamboo Style: False Darkness Grudge Arrow!
"BOOOOOOM!!"
"CRACKLE!!!"
The pyramid and lightning arrow collided midair!
Lightning exploded across the sky.
Tens of thousands stared in shock.
"CRACK!"
The tip of the iron sand prism shattered.
Shinki exhaled.
Father… I've done my best…
"BOOM!"
Lightning broke through.
Shinki was hurled backward, slamming into the arena wall!
The iron sand dispersed.
He slid down the wall, conscious—but unable to rise.
"I… lost…"
Rock Lee's heart surged with pride.
What a kid! You've truly impressed me!
He shouted loudly—
"Victory goes to Gansuke!"
Glory descended.
Exhausted, Gansuke collapsed to a seated position.
Blood trickled from the hand that drew the bow.
He looked up at the sunlight pouring down and smiled.
Lord Shadow…
Do I count as the little hero you hoped I'd become?
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?