Chapter 66: Sukuna vs. Nine-Tails

Chapter 66: Sukuna vs. Nine-Tails

Inside the Mindscape

The black sealing spear was slowly withdrawn.

An overwhelming, malevolent killing intent flooded the space.

Boom—

Sukuna's massive form emerged, yet he didn't immediately take over Uchiha Kagami's body.

Standing tall with two faces and four arms, the demon god faced Kagami.

"You orchestrated a deadly scenario just to let me out to heal your body…"

"You think you can learn Reversed Cursed Technique this way? Do you really think there's enough time?"

Kagami's face carried a faint smile.

"Practice is the best teacher."

"Rather than listening to your ramblings, I prefer experiencing it myself."

---

Sukuna tilted his head back, his tone cold and mocking.

"Don't think everything will go your way!"

"If I refuse to go out, your body will be destroyed."

"If you die, doesn't that mean I'll break free from the seal?"

---

"Don't worry, Sukuna. Before I die, I'll make sure to drag you along with me," Kagami's smile remained unwavering.

Sukuna's irritation flared.

It was this attitude that he utterly despised.

How could anyone speak to him with such arrogance?

"Brat… are you underestimating me?"

Leaning closer, Sukuna's four eyes glowed with endless malice.

"If it comes to it, I'll gladly die with you. Do you think I fear death?"

---

"Of course, that's one possibility."

Kagami's smile widened.

"But…"

"The risk of mere death pales in comparison to my desire for power. I'm not so naive as to avoid danger."

"Sukuna, you have two choices: die here alongside me…"

"Or compete with me."

"Let's see who wins first—me mastering the secrets of Reversed Cursed Technique…"

"Or you adapting to chakra and breaking free from my seal."

---

Sukuna's demonic face twisted into a grin.

"Brat, you truly understand me well…"

"Fine. Let's see."

"More than killing you, I want to see you crushed, defeated."

"I'll show you…"

"My curse… far surpasses yours!"

---

In the Outside World

The Nine-Tails' ferocious chakra rippled outward, creating a suffocating pressure.

The chakra surrounding Kushina now had six tails, skeletal frameworks beginning to form.

Then…

Seven tails.

Eight tails.

Blood and flesh began to weave together.

---

"What's… happening?"

The sudden transformation left Jiraiya unable to complete his technique in time.

Carrying Minato on his back, Orochimaru barked sharply:

"Idiot, forget it. Just retreat for now!"

"Something far more terrifying is about to emerge."

"I don't need you to tell me that! The Nine-Tails…" Jiraiya's expression was grim.

"That's all the more reason I can't leave! I have to show my student how heroic his teacher can be!"

"Orochimaru, take Minato and go. I'll figure out what's going on."

Jiraiya clasped his hands together, continuing to gather chakra.

Slap!

Orochimaru struck his hands apart, snarling:

"Fool! As Fourth Hokage, I command you: retreat!"

"The real terror isn't the Nine-Tails—it's the monster inside Uchiha Kagami!"

---

Jiraiya froze, staring at his hands. He turned to Orochimaru in disbelief.

"What did you say…?"

Orochimaru brushed past him, a glimmer of emotion in his gaze.

"The old man… he probably won't return…"

"And Uchiha Kagami's actions are highly suspicious. I'm almost certain he's betrayed the Leaf."

"For now, we must preserve our remaining forces to deal with the aftermath!"

Orochimaru's face no longer bore his usual gloom.

It was as if, in this moment, this serpent had shed its skin.

---

Onoki and the Four-Tails and Five-Tails joined the Raikage and his forces.

"That… is the Nine-Tails?"

The group looked up at the monstrous beast, momentarily speechless.

Since being sealed by Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails had not appeared before the world.

Even Kushina, in her battles, had only partially transformed, using the tailed beast's chakra.

This was why Onoki had initially misjudged Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

But now…

This beast had sprouted its ninth tail, its crimson chakra forming a complete body.

The sheer magnitude of this chakra…

"The Nine-Tails is undoubtedly the strongest of the tailed beasts."

Killer Bee's voice changed tone.

"Raikage, even you wouldn't stand a chance against it."

"Besides… its mind is consumed by rage. It's not responding to my signals."

"... Are you there the Eight-Tails?"

"I am."

The usually carefree Eight-Tails spoke with a rare calmness.

Onoki's hand began to gather white light as he sneered:

"Excellent. My plan worked. The Nine-Tails is rampaging as expected!"

"The Leaf was foolish enough to bring the Nine-Tails here. This is divine providence!"

"Once the Nine-Tails crushes that brat, we'll seal the beast and kill the Jinchuriki!"

---

Hatred filled the Nine-Tails' gaze.

Staring at the black mist surrounding Kagami, memories of decades past resurfaced.

There was no mistaking it…

This was Uchiha Madara's power!

That man… had returned!!

---

"MADARA!!!!"

The Nine-Tails' thunderous roar shook the earth.

The shockwaves from its voice alone uprooted trees for miles, leaving the ground fractured.

"I WILL KILL YOU!!!"

Its massive claws swiped at the black mist, unleashing a whirlwind of destruction.

---

Onoki let his gathered light dissipate and turned to the Raikage.

"We should fall back for now."

---

"That brat…"

"Is truly the reincarnation of Uchiha Madara!!"

The Nine-Tails would never mistake that aura!

Although Onoki had long suspected such a connection, he had never dared confirm it…

For now, observation seemed the safest choice.

And if things went south, he'd flee early.

---

Black mist exploded outward.

Clang!!

The Nine-Tails' claws were intercepted by the blade of a monstrous figure.

Nearly ten meters tall, the creature had no eyes on its face, wings on either side, and a tail extending from its rear. Its head and back bore structures resembling rudders.

Its right arm was wrapped in bandages, gripping an ancient sword.

Mahoraga—Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General.

The most powerful Shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique.

The blade that blocked the Nine-Tails' claws was the Sword of Extermination.

Infused with positive energy akin to Reversed Cursed Technique, any cursed spirit struck by it would be obliterated.

"It's ineffective, huh? Looks like you're not a cursed spirit."

The voice resembled Kagami's.

Yet the subtle differences in tone made it unmistakable.

Kagami's recklessness still bore a sense of calculation.

This voice?

It was utterly untethered.

Sukuna.

---

The black mist dissipated entirely, revealing Kagami's body now covered in black markings. His irises had returned to black, but a second pair of eyes opened beneath his own.

His appearance remained largely unchanged.

But there was an aura about him…

An aura of absolute disdain.

Sukuna didn't see you as an equal.

Man, woman, elder, child—it didn't matter.

All were mere food.

---

The severed arm regrew, flesh weaving together rapidly.

Sukuna was quickly adapting to the chakra within Kagami's body.

He was a master in every field, but if he had a standout talent, it was his unparalleled comprehension.

"This body… is truly…"

"Truly…"

"PERFECT!!"

He couldn't suppress his crazed laughter.

This exhilaration, this freedom to act without restraint…

This body was superior even to his original!

No wonder it belonged to you, Uchiha Kagami!

---

Slowly, Sukuna raised his gaze to the Nine-Tails.

As much as he wanted to relish this fight with the beast…

His newly formed hand performed a hand sign unlike any in the ninja world.

"Sukuna. You may call me that."

"Nine-Tails."

"Let me tame you…"

"Domain Expansion—Malevolent Shrine."

---

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