Yugito was about the same age as Uchiha Akihito. Calling her "little girl" wasn't exactly inaccurate.
But Yugito had always been proud. At such a young age, she had already mastered the power of the Two-Tails. Even veteran Kumogakure jōnin addressed her respectfully as "Lady Yugito."
For Akihito to call her "little girl" in public felt like blatant humiliation.
"Who are you calling little girl?"
"You're just a snot-nosed brat yourself!"
Her face flushed with anger.
"You dare flirt with me?"
"I'll teach you some manners right now!"
Akihito's gaze drifted—seemingly unintentionally—over her rather modest chest.
"I didn't say anything wrong."
"You are pretty small…"
Yugito instantly exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Shameless pervert!"
"Go die!"
She launched a heavy punch straight at him.
But Akihito's movements were fluid and effortless.
With a single flash step, he evaded, graceful and unhurried.
A flicker of surprise crossed Yugito's eyes.
She hadn't transformed yet, but she was still elite jōnin level. For him to dodge so casually—
This brat blocking her path was no simple opponent.
"You're… 'Flame Demon' Akihito?"
She tested him.
Young. Powerful.
Only one person fit that description—the commander of the Konoha allied forces.
Akihito smiled and nodded.
"That's right."
"In the flesh."
Killing intent erupted from Yugito.
"Perfect."
"I'll end this war by killing you right here!"
With a sharp cry, her hair flared upward, her eyes turned white, blue flame-like markings spread across her body, and a single tail formed behind her.
Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
As a perfect jinchūriki, Yugito could enter this state at will.
Already elite jōnin in base form, her strength and speed now multiplied geometrically.
Facing the famed "Flame Demon," she dared not hold back.
"To die by my hand is your honor."
"Prepare yourself!"
She roared and lunged.
The pressure was immense.
Akihito's expression grew serious.
Even someone like Jiraiya could be injured fighting a tailed beast.
Though strong, Akihito was nowhere near the monstrous level of Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara.
They could subdue tailed beasts with a glance or a gesture.
He could not.
The Sharingan could suppress tailed beasts—
But perfect jinchūriki came with built-in genjutsu resistance.
Sasuke had once overestimated his eyes and nearly paid with his life.
Akihito narrowed his gaze.
"Half-transformation, huh? Interesting."
"Then let me show you… my Fire Release Chakra Mode."
With a thought, his body shifted into an elementalized state, flames coursing around him.
Your attacks may be strong—
But unfortunately for you, I'm immune to physical damage.
Yugito attacked relentlessly, fists and kicks like a storm.
Capture the king to win the battle.
She wanted Akihito's head.
The ground cracked under her assaults.
Yet in Fire Release Chakra Mode, Akihito remained untouched.
Punches and kicks simply passed through or dissipated harmlessly.
"Damn it!"
"Is dodging all you can do?"
"Try this—Fire Mouse Technique!"
She inhaled sharply and spat out a large blue flame shaped like a blazing rodent.
The attack covered a wide area.
Akihito couldn't evade.
He would have to meet it head-on.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
No hand seals.
Madara's signature technique burst forth.
Though not on Madara's apocalyptic scale—where dozens needed Water Wall to counter—it was more than enough against an incomplete Fire Mouse.
Boom!
Yellow and blue flames collided violently.
The shockwave rippled outward.
Nearby water-style shinobi hastily formed defenses.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Steam erupted as water and fire clashed, thick mist flooding the battlefield.
Through the haze, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki charged again.
Akihito met her without hesitation.
Seeing the two heavyweights clash, nearby shinobi wisely withdrew, leaving open space.
Dying honorably in battle was one thing.
Being collateral damage was another.
Konoha held terrain advantage.
Kumogakure was on the defensive.
Their only hope lay in Yugito breaking the enemy commander.
But Akihito was no easy prey.
Even empowered by tailed beast chakra, Yugito gained no ground.
The longer she fought, the more alarmed she became.
Her proudest weapon—fire—
Was completely ineffective against him.
Her earlier contempt vanished.
The title "Flame Demon" was no exaggeration.
Yet frustration gnawed at her.
She was the Two-Tails' jinchūriki.
Master of flame.
How could she lose in the domain of fire?
Even against Akihito.
Especially against Akihito.
Fury surged.
She pushed her chakra output even higher.
"Taste my Flaming Cat Claws!"
"I refuse to believe I can't tear you apart!"
She attacked again, more ferocious than before.
Akihito remained composed.
Slowly, he drew the sword at his waist.
"Very well."
"Let me show you my swordsmanship."
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