The shinobi of the Hidden Cloud Village were stunned.
They had never witnessed swordsmanship so terrifying.
The cheers that had filled the battlefield moments ago died instantly—
Replaced by suffocating silence.
Shuoye's blade fell like a violent storm.
Every strike carried overwhelming speed and crushing force.
Killer B, empowered by the Eight-Tails, countered with relentless ninjutsu and tailed beast chakra, refusing to yield.
They clashed again and again.
Steel and chakra collided.
Shockwaves tore across the battlefield.
The earth trembled beneath their feet.
Yet amidst the chaos—
It was Shuoye's swordsmanship that etched itself deeply into the hearts of all who watched.
They understood.
The outcome of this duel would determine the tide of war.
Uchiha Xuanjing stood at the forefront of "Edge."
His eyes were locked onto Shuoye's figure.
Fanatical admiration burned within him.
Every slash Shuoye delivered sent ripples through his heart—
His thirst for power rising to unprecedented heights.
Then—
A calm voice cut through his thoughts.
"Xuanjing."
"This is not the time to lose focus."
Uchiha Rin spoke quietly, yet her tone carried unquestionable authority.
"Our mission is to execute the strategic plan."
"Shuoye does not require our interference."
Xuanjing's jaw tightened briefly.
Then reason returned.
He nodded sharply.
With a sweeping gesture—
He led the elite of the Uchiha forward.
They surged like a black tide toward the Hidden Cloud's defensive line.
Their movements were swift.
Precise.
Each strike lethal.
It was as though every Uchiha present had become a reaper on the battlefield.
The Hidden Cloud's formation began to collapse.
Panic spread.
Despair followed.
On the opposite end—
Killer B's expression had darkened to its limit.
He scanned the battlefield.
His forces were being devoured piece by piece.
If this continued—
Defeat was inevitable.
"Enough."
His mind roared.
He could not delay any longer.
He inhaled deeply.
Then—
His chakra erupted.
Golden light burst from his body.
"Partial transformation… is no longer sufficient."
With a thunderous roar—
He unleashed it fully.
"Tailed Beast Transformation!"
The ground cracked beneath him.
His body expanded violently.
Eight massive tails whipped through the air, tearing through the battlefield with devastating force.
The Eight-Tails manifested in overwhelming form.
He stood like a war god—
Or a rampaging demon.
The focal point of all eyes.
"What is that—?!"
Even veteran shinobi were shaken.
They had never seen the Eight-Tails manifest so completely, so effortlessly.
In full transformation, Killer B moved like an unstoppable monarch.
Each swing of his massive limbs shattered earth and flesh alike.
Explosions echoed.
Hidden Leaf shinobi were forced back under the immense pressure—
Yet they did not retreat.
They regrouped.
Tightened formation.
Prepared for the final confrontation.
The Hidden Cloud's morale surged instantly.
"This is the power of the Eight-Tails!"
"Shuoye can't possibly stand against a tailed beast!"
Laughter and shouts erupted.
They believed victory had arrived.
Yet—
Shuoye stood unmoving.
Like an immovable mountain.
His expression did not change.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Only steady conviction.
Killer B's earlier attempt at persuasion lingered faintly in the air.
Shuoye smiled faintly.
"Your goodwill is noted."
"But tell me, Killer B…"
"The Uchiha may be viewed with suspicion in the Hidden Leaf Village."
"But that is only because our power unsettles certain people."
"At least there—"
"We still have roots."
"To defect to the Hidden Cloud?"
"That would make us true outsiders."
"Rootless."
Killer B's eyes narrowed.
He had not expected such resolute refusal.
Yet the moment passed.
A cold smirk formed.
"Stubbornness leads only to destruction."
"Then let power decide."
The Eight-Tails roared.
The massive tails lashed through the sky—
Each movement accompanied by thunderous detonations.
The earth shattered.
Shockwaves rolled across the battlefield.
And above the chaos—
Shuoye raised his blade.
Calm.
Unshaken.
The true battle—
Had only just begun.
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