War (4)

The next ones to meet Araki on the battlefield were none other than Jinchuuriki, led by the Third Raikage and his son named Ay.

The Third Raikage was in his Black Lightning Armour and a cautious expression on his face while staring at Araki.

The Shinobi around Araki had withdrawn to some range since they didn't want to get caught in this battle. It would be better to protect the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Mizukage, who were recovering their chakra right now.

They could still fight, but they believed that going up against Araki in this state was no better than signing a death contract. It was better to quickly get to their peak condition. They were sure that 7 Jinchuurikis plus the Third Raikage and his son should be able to hold back Araki for some time.

Araki stared at this line up with some interest in his eyes.

All the Jinchuurikis other than Killer Bee were in their Version 1 Mode. Meaning, they were only wearing a cloak of chakra around themselves. While the Killer Bee was in his Version 2 Mode with Four Tails.

They all charged at Araki at nearly the same time. The first one who got to exchange blows with Araki was naturally Killer Bee. In his Version 2 Mode and using 4 tails, he was faster than the other Jinchuuriki in their version 1 mode.

Araki stomped on the ground and charged at Killer Bee as well. Their fists struck against each other head-on…

Upon contact, Killer Bee was utterly shocked when he felt the bones in his arms cracking just after receiving Araki's punch with his own.

The only one stronger than him in his Version 2 Mode was his brother Ay and his father, the Third Raikage.

Yet… Killer Bee felt his bones crack a little just now. Fortunately, the tailed beast chakra was already working on it and healing it.

Just as Araki had clashed against Killer Bee, he raised his arm and blocked another blow from the 4-Tailed Jinchuuriki.

"Take this!"

The 5-Tailed Jinchuuriki immediately followed and attacked Araki right after Araki had blocked a blow from the 4-Tailed Jinchuuriki.

Araki grabbed hold of the 4-Tailed Jinchuuriki's arm and suddenly flung him towards the 5-Tailed Jinchuuriki.

The 5 Tailed Jinchuuriki was startled, but he couldn't change his direction in mid-air. After his body was struck by the 4-Tailed Jinchuurki, Araki suddenly appeared beneath them and kicked the back of the 4-Tailed Jinchuuriki so strongly that the two went vertically up in the sky.

Before Killer Bee could do anything, Araki gave him a tornado kick and threw him away.

Araki slowly landed on the ground. He then looked up in the sky with a faint trace of a smile on his face… He was staring at the Four-Tailed Jinchuuriki and the Five Tailed Jinchuuriki.

"Flying Claw!" This was the attack of none other than the 2-Tailed Jinchuuriki who was coming to hit Araki.

Araki disappeared from his position. Many of them were confused about where he was. They turned their heads to the sides and could no longer see him.

At that moment, the Third Raikage shouted, "In the air!"

There… All the Shinobi raised their heads and saw Araki in the air. There was a Blue Sphere of Chakra in his hands.

The Blue Sphere was getting stronger while he stared at the Four Tailed and the Five Tailed Jinchuurikis.

He was seemingly flying right next to their position.

When both of them tried to hit him and thrown him towards the ground, a Wood Clone appeared in the air and blocked their attacks.

Meanwhile, Araki had finished adding the Wind Attribute to his Rasengan.

He smiled sadistically and said, "I hope you survive… Well, that was a lie, but you get what I mean, right?"

The Wood Clone suddenly dispersed. Before the Five-Tailed Jinchuuriki and the Four-Tailed JInchuuriki could register his words, they were hit by the Sage Art: Dual Wind and Fire Style: Giant Rasengan!

This was as large as the Giant Rasengan with Wind Ring and Fire Rings revolving around it. Araki threw this Jutsu, and both the Jinchuuriki's crashed against the ground.

The moment their bodies had crashed against the ground, the Rasengan generated a gigantic explosion.

The explosion was huge… Even taking the 3-Tailed and the 6-Tailed Jinchuuriki with them.

Within this explosion, the four Jinchuuriki caught up in this blast radius were hit with scorching flames and sharp wind blades.

The blast was so strong that even the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak had dispersed. But… They were unwilling to let it end like this.

They released more of the Tailed Beast Chakra and started to undergo the Tailed Beast Mode.

The Tailed Beast Mode was gigantic in terms of size. Nearing the Perfect Susanoo in terms of height.

Right now, 4 Jinchuurikis had completely transformed.

While landing on the ground, he saw the 2-Tailed Jinchuuriki and the 8-Tailed Jinchuuriki seemingly waiting for him at his landing location.

"Waiting for me? That was a bad idea!"

"Sage Art Wood Style: Wood Hammer Jutsu!"

Two Wood Hammers were created with his jutsu and appeared in both his hands.

Upon seeing that Araki was going to attack them with Wood Hammers, the 2 tailed Jinchuuriki lit her entire body with Blue Flames and prepared to defend against this attack and then attack him right after it.

Tentacles appeared form Killer Bee's body as he prepared to take on Araki's hammer as well.

Both Araki's hammers struck the hand-coated with the Blue Flames and Three Tentacles of the Eight-Tails respectively.

Just when they were about to attack Araki, the felt the sudden suppression of their chakra and the Wooden Hammers hit their head so hard that they felt their entire body shaking upon impact.

"Double Lariat!" Both the Third Raikage and his son appeared. The Third Raikage in front while his son behind Araki.

The two wanted to crush Araki from both front and back.

Araki was about to jump away and dodge this attack when he suddenly felt two strong Earth Hands holding his feet. Quite a significant amount of Chakra was being sent through these Earth Hands.

From the chakra, he could feel that this was none other than the Third Tsuchikage's chakra.

"Heh… This is pretty good teamwork. It would have worked against me if I didn't have Sage Mode… but right now…"

Suddenly, the Third Raikage, his son were both punched by some mysterious energy. This mysterious energy was nature chakra. Araki had punched the two away using Nature Chakra.

And Araki slowly tried to move his feet, the Earth Hands which were holding his feet started to break apart.

The Third Tsuchikage was doing his best to keep his hold over Araki, and he shouted at everyone, "Now! Transform! Attack him with your strongest Jutsu!"

All the Jinchuurikis heard his order and transformed to their tailed beast mode. The Four Tailed Beasts were already charging the Bijuudama and 3 more Jinchuuriki followed them.

7 Tailed Beast bombs were thrown at Senju Araki while he was somewhat immobilised. Yet… There was not a trace of worry on his face.

He didn't even try to use any jutsu.

As the Shinobis all around them were anxiously staring at the Bijuudama thrown at Araki, they wondered if this would be enough to finish him off for good.

Yet… At that moment, the 7 Bijuudamas were struck by 7 Bijuudama from the opposite direction, just a little smaller than the Bijuudamas from the 7-Tailed Beasts.

Before the Bijuudama could hit Araki, they exploded on their way. Nearly everyone on the battlefield covered their eyes as they saw this explosion. It was far too bright for them to see anything.

"It appears that you are in a tight spot, Araki…" A deep voice, filled with some excitement, was heard by all the Shinobi on the battlefield. They unconsciously felt some fear creep inside their heart as they turned their heads to the direction of this voice.

"You came huh…" There was a trace of a smile on Araki's face as he turned towards the direction of the voice as well.

"… Kurama."

Sure enough, the Nine-Tailed Fox, large enough to be larger than the size of the other Tailed Beasts… 9 Tails Beast had arrived!

Moreover… It seemed to have arrived so secretly that only Araki, who was using Sage Mode felt him appear, and not someone else.

Well, the Tailed Beasts did feel Kurama near their location, but they didn't think Kurama was coming to assist Araki. They didn't know how he got his freedom but didn't care too much at the moment. They believed, it was a coincidence for him to be here… They were well aware of his pride. He wouldn't help out a human…

Yet now… Kurama had appeared. Moreover, he had appeared intending to help Araki! Just what was going on?!