Chapter 188 : Shukaku's Fate?

The vines crackled with power, and one by one, the blood was stripped away. Elder Akira's body grew colder in silence, the essence of his Bloodline Limit Limit waning, all that he possessed plundered by Takeshi, the hidden conspirator.

"It's a sensation I've long forgotten. Advancing with the power of quasi-Kage level, I've taken a step forward. I can feel the power coursing through my veins!"

Takeshi's eyes transformed into a vast expanse of white, injected with newfound energy, brighter and clearer. The range of the Byakugan was noticeably extended, and the resolution heightened.

Having previously devoured a member of the Hyuga clan, Takeshi was slightly weaker than an ordinary Hyuga, experiencing loss and mutation in the process. Yet, his Byakugan ability now matched, if not exceeded, that of others.

However, the growth of the Byakugan was limited. The powerhouse potential of this lineage was capped, and excessive consumption not only risked exposure but also yielded diminishing returns. It could only serve as auxiliary power unless...

"Nothing is truly lost. Your strength and consciousness will become my strength, a part of me that endures, and I shall endure forever."

A red glow flowed into Takeshi's body, fortifying him once more after a prolonged absence. Gazing at the lifeless Elder Akira, Takeshi smiled nonchalantly. The vines that bound him transformed into a white serpent, vanishing into Takeshi's sleeve. Slowly, he faded away, as if nothing had occurred.

Meanwhile, Tsushima and Kazama continued their struggle under Shukaku's claws, oblivious to Elder Akira's demise. Takeshi reappeared, observing Shukaku's unrestrained might and whispered with disdain:

"If Shukaku has completely lost control, why not escape or lead it toward the Sand Ninja's city? Shukaku is inherently playful; he won't be fixated on you."

Shaking his head, Takeshi remarked, "Tsushima is an upright person. He wouldn't resort to selfish actions that harm others... Forget it. Time has dragged on long enough, and Shamon's endurance is limited. It's time to act!"

Gazing at Shukaku from a distance, Takeshi's pupils once again turned scarlet.

.....

"Water Release·Water Bomb!"

Innumerable water droplets coalesced into suspended water spheres above Tobirama's head, hurtling towards Shamon from all angles like a meteor shower. Even if Shamon dodged, these water bombs would track him relentlessly.

Yet, Shamon showed no inclination to dodge; he charged directly forward, his massive weight akin to a bulldozer.

"What formidable defense!"

Tobirama exclaimed, forming another hand seal.

"Water Release·Water Dragon Jade!"

Countless water currents converged before Tobirama, coalescing into a colossal blue dragon head. Its jewel-like eyes seemed to possess wisdom as it emitted a deafening roar, snapping at Shamon!

Unfazed, Shamon refused to dodge. His sturdy iron arms folded into a metallic shield, meeting the colossal dragon head head-on.

Water splashed everywhere; Tobirama's pupils contracted. The armored arms of Shamon only slightly gave under the pressure, quickly recovering via magnetic Release. Undeterred, Shamon continued his charge at full speed!

It's crucial to note that this was an A-level ninjutsu executed by Tobirama.

Bloodline Limit manifests uniquely in each individual, with distinct abilities and utilization methods. Shamon, having devoted years to studying the Shukaku's power, has reached the pinnacle of defensive prowess.

The resounding impact echoed as Shamon's fist struck the ground, prompting Tobirama to deftly evade. The resulting explosion of gravel, propelled by tremendous force, mimicked the lethality of shotguns. Tobirama hastily conjured a defensive water wall in the air, causing ripples to ripple across its surface.

"Hmph, impressive defense prolongs life, but even with the might of Thor's hammer, you won't lay a finger on me!"

Tobirama sneered, aware that Shamon's formidable power came at a cost, a drain on chakra that would ultimately lead to defeat.

"Tobirama, don't get too cocky!"

Shamon's breathless voice persisted, refusing to pause as he relentlessly attacked. The ground trembled, cracks formed, and dust clouded the battlefield.

Yet, amidst the clash, a jarring roar pierced through, interrupting the duel.

"What's happening?"

In that roar, an unsettling mix of panic, anger, and profound despair was evident. Unmistakably Shukaku's roar, but the emotions it carried were disconcerting. Shukaku's colossal form disintegrated, sand peeling away with the wind.

Despite Shukaku's reluctant roar, its strength rapidly dwindled. Desperation echoed in its weakening voice, its massive claws futilely attempting to grasp the sand slipping away. 

The violet patterns on its body faded, signaling the dissipation of its control over wind and sand, transforming its once mighty form into ordinary sand.

Most shocking was the enormous hole in Shukaku's chest, sand cascading down. At its paws lay a shattered sand ninja, the cause of its irreversible demise.

Shukaku's Jinchuriki lay lifeless.

"What in the world is happening?!"

Tsushima and Kazama stared in stupefaction at the dying Shukaku, Tobirama in the distance equally surprised, and Shamon overwhelmed with anger.

"Wow ah ah - Tobirama! What have your people done?! How dare you slay the tailed beast of my Land of Wind!"

"Hee hee! I sense it; Shukaku's power has dissipated. What an extraordinary energy. Is this the chakra of a tailed beast?"

On a distant dune, Takeshi unfurled a scroll, absorbing a faint khaki chakra trace.

Without a doubt, this was Takeshi's masterpiece.

Takeshi's plan was deceptively simple. When his spiritual power infiltrated the consciousness of the Sand Jinchūriki, it lingered within Jinchūriki's body. Given Jinchūriki's current mental defenselessness, Takeshi could, at his discretion, employ his spiritual power to swiftly end Jinchūriki's life.

Even though Shukaku's seal had been broken, and Jinchūriki had become a puppet, he remained the vessel containing Shukaku. As long as the seal endured, Shukaku couldn't entirely rid himself of his Jinchūriki. This truth will be known in original work, such as when Pain devastated Konoha, and Naruto unleashed the power of his nine tails.

Should Jinchūriki perish, the sealed tailed beast would meet its demise alongside him. Thus, at a critical juncture, Takeshi triggered his spiritual power, bringing about Jinchūriki's demise.

"Do not..."

Shukaku's voice faded away, the colossal body melting like ice under the sun. Innumerable white and dark red light particles Released, coalescing into a massive dark sphere emitting terrifying and violent fluctuations.

"Oops! This is the Tailed Beast Jade... No, this is the power of Shukaku - it's essentially the same, it's about to explode! Run!"

Kazama snapped out of his shock, his limbs rooted in the earth. Chakras erupted from his body at a frantic pace, and both figures vanished like lightning.

"Om ——————!"

The Tailed Beast Jade swelled violently, then abruptly contracted and collapsed, culminating in a momentous explosion. The world lost its color, silence prevailed, and eyes turned white. Even time and thoughts seemed to freeze.

"Boom---!!"

An eternity seemed to pass, and like a galloping steed through a crevice, a colossal explosion consumed everything.

"Despicable humans! I'll be back!"

Shukaku's voice dissipated across the sky and earth. The explosion, a consequence of death, served as the most fitting funeral. 

A formidable crater emerged, wiping away sand within a 1000-meter radius. Most of these had been created by Shamon earlier, and the explosion had directly ruptured the solid rock formations beneath.

"Not bad~ There's an abundance of tailed beast chakras; plenty to keep me occupied!"

Takeshi gazed at the scroll with excitement.

"The chakra I've plundered is sufficient to satisfy me, yet it won't draw undue attention. Splendid."

Evidently, Takeshi had meticulously orchestrated everything. Nightingale had aided him in obtaining the scroll, which hailed from the Land of Whirlpools Uzumaki Clan and could seal escaping chakra in the air—an invaluable asset.

In the Naruto Shippuden anime, the twelve guardian ninjas once invaded Konoha when the nine tails attacked. Namikaze Minato, in sealing the nine tails, had also sealed the escaping Nine-Tails chakra, preventing further destruction.

The enormity of the nine-tailed chakra was beyond imagination, barely a hint escaping between the fingers. Shukaku was far from possessing such a colossal chakra reservoir. To gather sufficient tailed beast chakra, he had no option but to let it explode in place!

********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer