Shukaku(1)

After Killer pressed a strange button, the wall in front suddenly moved, creating a passage that led to a strange expanse. This time, even Zeus couldn't contain his raised eyebrow, as he hadn't felt anything beneath the wall before.

The expanse was bizarre, lacking boundaries, ground, or walls. Everywhere Zeus looked, he saw only a light color devoid of the energy of nature. Surprisingly, when he stepped in, Zeus didn't fall; instead, his foot landed on solid ground, though invisible.

"That's an interesting place," Zeus thought, briefly closing his eyes. It became even more intriguing when he attempted to perceive his surroundings, only to find it impossible. It seemed that chakra or any other energy couldn't breach this sealed location. Killer B's words confirmed Zeus's speculation.

"Hear my explanation, and you'll understand this place. It's sealed from the outside world and indestructible from within. I brought you here as a fail-safe. If you lose control of the beast, it will be automatically sealed here," Killer B explained, making Gaara even more serious. Failure was not an option.

"Now, get on the ground and stretch out your fist. Let's see what we're working with," Killer B instructed, taking a seat across from Gaara. Following Zeus's nod, Gaara sat down and extended his fist, connecting with Killer B's.

After a few moments, Killer B broke the silence. "Four Symbols Seal. It's a strong seal, but it has weakened over the years. Removing it will be easy. Close your eyes and do it. Don't be afraid."

Hesitation flickered in Gaara's eyes. "And then... I'll have to fight him?"

Killer B nodded. "Don't worry. I'll help you. Besides, you don't have to defeat the One-Tailed Beast. Your goal is to drain it of energy. You'll understand once you're there."

Gaara and Zeus listened attentively, the determination resurfacing in the young boy's mind. Closing his eyes, Gaara delved into the depths of his own mind.

Inside, Gaara materialized before a massive gate. Hidden beneath its towering presence, a nightmare loomed—the colossal and malevolent force that had haunted his childhood. With fiery, bloodshot eyes radiating a twisted hunger, the beast's maw stretched wide, revealing rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth. Its sand-colored body, covered in coarse and spiked armor, exuded an aura of pure malevolence. Shukaku's presence cast a foreboding shadow, whispering tales of devastation and chaos.

"You never visit this esteemed self, so what are you doing now?" Shukaku's terrifying voice resounded throughout. "Tell me! What the hell are you planning!?"

Gaara gritted his teeth, blood dripping from his cheeks. There was no room for fear. He would not be defeated. Slowly, Gaara approached the gate, Shukaku's shadow looming overhead. Seeing Gaara's hand reach for the gate's seal, Shukaku fell silent, observing Gaara's actions.

With determination, Gaara ripped the seal, causing the gate to explode, sending Gaara flying backward. Shukaku emerged from the darkness, his form even more intimidating in the light, shouting at the top of his lungs. "Freedom! Kid, I'll kill you without torture just for freeing me!"

Gaara remained calm, surveying his surroundings. He noticed something strange about Shukaku. It appeared as if his identical copy was stretching out from his own skin, tangible yet barely visible. Gaara observed the same phenomenon happening to his own body.

"So, that's what Killer B meant," Gaara concluded, but his thoughts were interrupted by Shukaku's sudden movements. With a swipe of his left hand, the beast summoned a wave of sand that descended upon Gaara. The young boy quickly defended himself, lifting his hands to halt the wave's advance. However, Shukaku's power proved greater than expected. Gaara managed to hold the wave for only a few seconds before it broke through his defense.

Reacting swiftly, Gaara redirected the sand to the ground to create a protective barrier. But it proved insufficient, and he was struck head-on by the wind, sending him flying and breaking several bones.

Lost in a whirlwind of pain and blood, Gaara's traumatic memories engulfed his mind, threatening to consume him. He started to lose control, his rationality slipping away. At that moment, a single tentacle rose from the ground and slapped him, snapping him back to his senses.

Gaara's eyes regained clarity as he witnessed Killer B's tentacle retracting. Shukaku wasted no time, launching another ball of wind. Hindered by his injuries, Gaara couldn't move in time, but another tentacle suddenly emerged, effortlessly blocking the attack.

"Gyūki?! What are you doing here?!" Shukaku shouted, his voice betraying his confusion. "Don't tell me you're helping this kid drain my chakra! Do you really think I'll allow something like this?!"

Instead of answering, tentacles erupted from all around, entwining and immobilizing Shukaku, rendering him defenseless. Shukaku resisted, struggling and roaring, but a massive tentacle around his neck forced him to relent.

"You bastard! I'd rather kill myself than let this happen!" Shukaku bellowed, but Gaara was already upon it. He rushed forward and grabbed Shukaku's false skin, pushing it in one direction. Shukaku's chakra stretched, following Gaara's movements, while Killer B exerted force in the opposite direction, aiding Gaara.

"Go fuck yourself!" Shukaku suddenly shouted as sand rose into the air, forming spikes that hurtled toward Gaara. Killer B used his tentacles to shield the young boy, but it gave Shukaku more freedom of movement, and he broke free.

Shukaku unleashed wind bullets in every direction, destroying the tentacles surrounding him. Gaara's chakra connection weakened as a result. Shukaku then pulled back his own chakra, severing their link and regaining the upper hand.

"Gaara, you're dead," Shukaku declared, his voice more threatening than ever. Gaara scanned his surroundings, seeing no more tentacles. What could he do now?

Shukaku created hundreds of spikes in the air and sent them hurtling downward at Gaara. There was no escape, and Gaara's energy was depleted, leaving him with minimal sand manipulation abilities. Was this the end? Were there no other options?

Instinctively, Gaara closed his eyes, but to his surprise, he felt no pain. Opening his eyes seconds later, he saw a transparent lightning shield protecting him from the deadly attack.

"Zeus?" Gaara asked, hope resurfacing in his eyes.

"Killer B was facing some difficulties," Zeus's voice echoed in Gaara's mind. "So, I came to help instead. Let's take down this bastard."

******

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