Chapter 46: It's a Peace-Loving Tailed Beast, Reluctant to Harm Humans (1/2)

Kokuo, the Five-Tails, was an exceptionally elegant creature.

With its snow-white fur, resembling both a dog and a horse, its body was sleek and athletic, easily ranking among the top three most beautiful tailed beasts.

Standing at a height of 65 meters, it towered over any building in Konoha.

Wakaho stood atop Kokuo's head, looking down as he spoke with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru gazed upwards.

Just minutes ago, Orochimaru had resigned himself to the death of his student. Yet here was Wakaho, alive and well, standing on top of the Five-Tails, holding the former Jinchuriki's corpse in his hand...

So, what exactly had happened?

This question dominated Orochimaru's mind.

This boy could fly, and quite swiftly at that—crossing mountains, breaking through defenses, penetrating deep into Iwagakure territory, and then...

How did he emerge riding the Five-Tails?

And with the Jinchuriki's corpse in hand?

Did this boy defeat the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki?

How did he manage that... unless the Jinchuriki was actually a sickly old man?

Surely the Jinchuriki didn't just commit suicide in front of this kid!

And wasn't the tailed beast supposed to...

"Wakaho-kun..." Orochimaru had countless questions and was utterly shocked.

But as soon as he began to speak—

"Roar!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kokuo let out a roar so powerful that it made the mountains tremble!

Poof—

Manda instantly reversed the summoning jutsu, escaping back to Ryuchi Cave in a puff of smoke!

Bang!!!

Orochimaru was hit head-on by the roar, sent flying backwards, crashing into the rocky ground ten meters away!

Poof—

He spat out a mouthful of blood, with more blood seeping from his nose and ears.

Taking the full brunt of Kokuo's roar without any defense, Orochimaru was seriously injured!

"Alright, alright, that's enough. Any more and it would be impolite..."

Wakaho calmed Kokuo with his thoughts, and the roaring ceased.

"Sensei, my partner has just emerged from a long, dark period of being sealed away. It's still a bit unsettled right now."

Wakaho explained to Orochimaru, "But don't worry, Kokuo means no harm; it's just a little scared..."

"Sensei, go ahead and greet my new partner. It won't roar at you anymore."

"..."

Orochimaru, battered and bruised, leaned against a rock to stand up, gazing at Wakaho from a distance with a complicated expression.

He couldn't hear what Wakaho was saying... The distance was already considerable, and his ears were ringing violently—his eardrums must have been ruptured.

However, Orochimaru was the top student of his generation at the Academy, with a solid grasp of various skills, including lip-reading.

Even though he couldn't hear, Orochimaru understood the gist of what Wakaho was conveying.

"Wakaho-kun..." Orochimaru spat out another mouthful of blood, feeling a tightness in his chest.

"Your partner... is very strong."

Leaning on the rock with one hand, Orochimaru gave a thumbs up with the other.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, he finally managed to regain some composure and poise, offering Kokuo a strained smile.

"Greetings, Kokuo."

Orochimaru smiled weakly, "I'm this boy's teacher, Orochimaru. I'm glad you've chosen to become his partner."