Chapter 96: Will Tanaka Face Another Kage?

Tanaka's expression remained unchanged as he arrived at the southwestern area where Mito was.

Now, she was in her Bijuu transformation with seven tails.

The fact that she seemed in control even after releasing seven tails showed that, despite her age, she was still very powerful.

Meanwhile, the Third Kazekage and the Third Mizukage displayed visible signs of fatigue and injuries from the long battle. Though none of the injuries were severe enough to incapacitate them, they were in a worse situation than Mito, especially the Third Mizukage.

Blinking, Tanaka soon appeared next to Mito, extending his hand to effortlessly block a chakra tail coming his way.

"Oh, it's you, Tanaka-kun." Mito recognized him and withdrew the tail.

Unbothered by the attack, already predicting it would happen, Tanaka said, "Yes, do you need my help, Mito-san?"

On the side of the two Kages, they flinched as some uncertainty clouded their eyes.

For them, there was no worse scenario than Tanaka appearing next to Mito. After all, they were already aware of the fate of Oonoki, who was even more powerful than they were, yet still fell at the hands of this boy, who was less than 18 years old.

Mito, on the other hand, felt the Kyubi exhibit a rare reaction of fear at Tanaka's arrival. It wasn't simple fear; there was something more—perhaps a hint of nostalgia.

In her mind, Mito heard the deep voice of the Kyubi: [Mito, just this once, I will allow you to use my power without trying any tricks. Whether you believe me or not doesn't matter.]

Kurama didn't quite understand why he said those words at that moment, but he simply felt it was right.

Mito remained silent for a moment before responding in her mind: [I believe you.]

In the next instant, the eighth tail appeared behind Mito, and the chakra cloak around her underwent a qualitative change.

The difference between having Kurama's permission to use his chakra and forcibly taking it was significant.

In fact, Mito's transformation surprised Tanaka. Instead of the strange and distorted appearance that Naruto had when he lost control of the Kyubi's power, Mito took on a form much closer to a humanoid version of the nine-tailed fox, similar to those in the stories and legends from Tanaka's past life. A good example would be Hagoromo Gitsune, the leader of the Yokai of Kyoto and the Kyuubi from Nurarihyon no Mago.

In this state, Mito appeared much younger; even her previously faded hair regained new life, and a pair of fox ears appeared, giving her the appearance of a woman in her prime, as if she were no older than 40 years.

"I appreciate your help, Tanaka-kun." Mito looked at him with her now predatory eyes. "Please handle the Third Kazekage."

For her, of the two, the Third Kazekage was the most difficult to deal with, while the Third Mizukage, though powerful, especially with his Water Style and Boil Style, was easier for her to manage.

"Leave it to me." Tanaka replied, thumping his fist against his chest.

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<Third Kazekage>

S Rank Lv42 Minoru

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'Level 42, below Oonoki's level, but higher than the Third Mizukage, who is at level 40...' He thought, as a playful smile formed on his lips. Then, he began to fly towards the Third Kazekage.

The change in Tanaka's expression didn't seem to affect the Kazekage, although he didn't appear to underestimate him either. Using Magnet Release, he made iron sand surround him, circling like Saturn's rings, intertwined, with another circular ring in a different position.

Tanaka hadn't seen him fight Mito, so he was unaware of the Kazekage's reason for doing this, but he could imagine one or two reasons. One of them being to attack and defend faster while keeping the iron sand moving around him, thus making it easier to use.

At the Kazekage's feet, a disk-shaped form made of iron sand began to take shape. Flying, he reached Tanaka's altitude as he approached.

"Tanaka Uzumaki, right?" he spoke suddenly.

Tanaka stopped less than 100 meters from him, nodding in agreement. "Yes, and you must be the leader of Sunagakure and recognized as the strongest Kazekage of the village, right?"

The Third Kazekage calmly replied with his stoic expression, "Correct."

"And so?"

Without showing any emotional fluctuation, the Third Kazekage, who was controlling the iron sand around him, said, "Now that you've appeared and with Oonoki's death, I know our victory is not favorable. I also know you're powerful, having captured Han and killed Oonoki. However, I wonder, is it worth it for you to continue this? I don't believe you emerged unscathed against Oonoki."

"Oho, so, you're suggesting I abandon this war, subtly emphasizing that I'm not from Konoha, even though I'm an ally, and don't need to risk my life here. Am I right?" Tanaka asked with a cheerful smile.

Even knowing that everything he hinted at had been discovered, the Third Kazekage's expression didn't falter, and he nodded easily. "A bit blunt in your analysis, but yes, that's it."

"Haha, indeed, it's amusing." Tanaka's smile turned into something wilder and slightly more provocative. "Oonoki reacted similarly, underestimating me and blindly trusting his theories and analysis, only to end up six feet under. I wonder, will you meet the same fate as your ally? By the way, is it really worth it? After all, you've been fighting Mito-san for hours without rest, and I doubt you emerged unscathed. Wouldn't it be more sensible to retreat with your people?"

The Third Kazekage closed his eyes and sighed, reopening them while maintaining his impassive expression.

"I see that arguing with you will lead nowhere, so..." Without finishing his sentence, he made the iron sand rings disintegrate into the air, forming several baseball-sized spheres, sharpening part of them, and began shooting them in Tanaka's direction.

"Whoosh! Whoosh...!"

Instantly, a spherical shield formed around Tanaka. But this was no longer the conventional shield he used before. No, this was different—it was one he used with Dust Release.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

When the attacks collided with the spherical shield, an incredible effect took place. The sharp spheres disintegrated upon contact with the shield, turning into particles of dust even smaller than sand, becoming like a fog that resembled smoke.

The most problematic thing for the Third Kazekage was that he could no longer recover the iron sand. It had become so minuscule that it completely escaped the reach of his manipulation powers. Even if he tried, it was as if his attack had transformed into a different substance, something he could no longer control.

Honestly, Tanaka had hoped that the Third Kazekage would still be able to control what was once iron sand—now transformed into iron dust—since he also aspired to possess that power. Therefore, a fusion between Dust Release and Magnet Release seemed like a challenge, but not necessarily impossible.

For now, he set these confusing thoughts aside and began creating two Rasengan—one in each hand—into which he started infusing Dust Release.

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzZzzzzZZZ!!!!"

When Dust Release came into contact with the rotating Rasengan, a semi-transparent layer appeared around the technique. However, moments later, an extremely high-pitched sound echoed, so intense that thousands of birds and animals fled in panic for miles around. Even the Third Kazekage, usually calm and indifferent, showed a rare reaction, furrowing his brow before returning to his usual serene expression.

On the other hand, the Kazekage began to act. In an instant, he made the iron sand rings reappear and circle around him, spinning at a higher frequency.

Although he didn't fully understand the power behind Tanaka's forming attack, he could feel in his very skin that it was extremely dangerous.

"Disintegration Rasengan!"

"WHOOSH!"

When the words left Tanaka's mouth, he launched the two attacks, which he had named "Disintegration Rasengan," shooting them toward the Third Kazekage.

"Pracc! Pracc!"

The moment the Rasengan collided with the air, an intense wave of energy emanated, distorting the space around it as if reality itself was being sucked into the technique.

The fierce rotation, combined with the power of Dust Release, created a disintegrating force, capable of pulverizing everything it touched on a molecular level.

As it hit the magnetic force field that the Kazekage quickly raised, the iron sand shield was instantly disintegrated, turning into dust before dissipating into the wind.

"CRACK!"

"ZZZZZZzzzz!"

The impact was so devastating that, for a brief moment, it seemed like the very air was trembling, emitting a sharp and unsettling sound. The Third Kazekage, while trying to maintain his composure, couldn't help but take a few steps back, forcing himself to create another barrier in desperation, while his always controlled expression revealed a shadow of concern.

The power of the "Disintegration Rasengan" didn't just crush but obliterated everything it came into contact with, leaving behind nothing but dust and silence.

||- Note -||

Chapter 117 is already released on Pa treon!

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