Chapter 81: The Damage Caused by a Big Blow to the One-Tail  

"Don't hold a grudge like that. Look, you're out now, aren't you?" Sasuke said, spreading his hands. He had a smug smile on his face.

However, Shukaku didn't appreciate it and roared angrily, "Shut up, go to hell, you little brat!"

As Shukaku roared, it stretched out its huge palm and slapped Sasuke fiercely, trying to squash the human who annoyed it.

Just as Shukaku's big hand was about to touch Sasuke, a thick layer of purple light suddenly emerged around Sasuke's body. As the light flashed, a huge purple skeleton quickly formed, tightly protecting Sasuke.

But this was far from enough! As Shukaku looked on in surprise, the purple skeleton began to transform. Strong muscles and intricate meridians gradually grew on the once bare skeleton. In the blink of an eye, a muscular and powerful giant appeared. Even more impressive, the giant was clad in a set of magnificent Karasu Tengu armor and wielded a sharp bow and arrow. At the same time, an arrow radiating a mysterious aura lay quietly on the bowstring, ready to strike at any moment. This arrow, known as the Totsuka no Tsurugi, was the exclusive weapon of Sasuke's Susanoo.

When Sasuke gently pulled the bowstring, a powerful force surged out of his body, channeling into the bow and arrow. He felt the might of Susanoo, as if he could annihilate all enemies with just one shot. Sasuke drew the bowstring tight, and the arrow flew out instantly, transforming into a radiant streak of light that shot straight at Shukaku.

Shukaku's eyes widened in horror as it attempted to defend itself, but it was too late. The arrow easily penetrated Shukaku's defenses, striking it directly. Shukaku let out a pained roar as its massive body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Having effortlessly thwarted Shukaku's attack, Sasuke looked down at the fallen beast with disdain and remarked coldly, "Block it? Can you block this arrow with twenty years of skill?!"

Shukaku stared in disbelief. It hadn't expected Uchiha Sasuke to possess such overwhelming power—especially from someone who still seemed like a mere child!

"Hmph! Don't be too proud. I just wasn't paying attention, and you managed to sneak attack me. Next time, I'll be serious!" Shukaku growled, then pressed its hand to its abdomen and unleashed its own unique ninjutsu. "Wind Style: Sand Shot!"

The wind from Shukaku's mouth whipped up sand and stones, sending them hurtling towards Sasuke. The primary purpose of this technique was not its lethality but to limit the enemy's speed. Unfortunately for Shukaku, this move was far too simplistic against Sasuke.

"You're trying to outshoot me? Don't you know that I shoot faster and more accurately?" Sasuke retorted, raising his bow and arrow once more. He shot another arrow at Shukaku, easily piercing through its wind style defense and hitting the beast again.

"Curse you, brat! I'll be serious next time!" Shukaku roared, dark purple chakra gathering in its mouth. Sasuke recognized this as the Tailed Beast Ball, a powerful attack. But its drawback was the lengthy preparation time required to cast it.

Sasuke moved at incredible speed, catching Shukaku completely off guard. "What? How can he be so fast? No, I have to hurry..." Before Shukaku could finish, Sasuke had already closed in and delivered a powerful left hook with Susanoo, interrupting Shukaku's attack. Without giving it time to react, Sasuke followed up with a right hook, then a powerful kick. Wait, he suddenly realized—Susanoo in this form didn't have legs, but that didn't stop him from continuing the assault. So, Sasuke ruthlessly struck Shukaku again, determined to put it in its place.

Facing such humiliation, Shukaku finally exploded in anger: "You rotten brat, you're really insulting the tailed beasts! Who fights like this? Shouldn't you wait until I've released the Tailed Beast Ball before attacking?! You're bullying me too much!"

Hearing Shukaku's complaints, Sasuke couldn't help but laugh. Shaking his head gently, he said, "Really? I have even more tricks to bully you with. Want to see?"

Before Shukaku could respond, Sasuke's scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto it. Without waiting for Shukaku's consent, Sasuke cast an illusion, taking control of the beast.

Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen, observing from above, were both shocked by Sasuke's display of power. Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue, greedily muttering, "Is this the power of the Uchiha clan? You truly are my precious body, Sasuke-kun. You've brought me such a pleasant surprise!"

This was also the first time Orochimaru had witnessed the power of Susanoo. When he fought Itachi before, he had been defeated solely by Itachi's eyes—Susanoo hadn't even been necessary. Seeing its power now only strengthened his resolve to take Sasuke's body for himself.

"Hmph! Orochimaru, I will never let you take Sasuke away. He is the future hope of our Konoha Village!" Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself, even as he felt a mix of fear and relief. Fear because Sasuke had hidden his true power, but relief because Sasuke was still a part of Konoha.

However, Sarutobi couldn't help but be dissatisfied with Sasuke for keeping his abilities hidden. "Damn, this kid is still holding back. I'll have to keep a closer eye on him in the future," Sarutobi thought to himself. He began considering how to manage Sasuke moving forward. Sasuke's potential leadership could not be ignored, but Sarutobi wondered if Sasuke truly had Konoha's best interests at heart.

"Really, Sarutobi-sensei, I told you to decide on the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible, but now it's too late. Because you'll die by my hands today," Orochimaru taunted.

Meanwhile, Sasuke had his own plans. During the Nine-Tails Rebellion, everyone had blamed the Uchiha clan for being behind it. Today, he intended to orchestrate his own rebellion with the One-Tail.

"If they say our Uchiha clan is always the mastermind, then I'll show them today!" Sasuke thought as he controlled the One-Tail to march towards the Sarutobi clan's territory.

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