Chapter 50: I Won’t Let You Harm My Comrades! (1/2)
"Mmm!"
Sakumo gritted his teeth, desperately covering his ears while enduring the searing heat from the steam!
But soon, he felt his body being caught and, after a flash of light, he landed safely on the ground.
"Are you alright, Sakumo-senpai?" Minato asked with concern.
"Minato...?" Sakumo heard Minato's voice despite the ringing in his ears. (The impact from the sound waves wasn't too severe.)
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Sakumo."
The familiar voice of the Third Hokage, though carrying a hint of coldness, gave Sakumo a profound sense of safety.
"Lord Hokage, you... How did you come here?" Sakumo was astonished, and a touch moved.
Konoha had responded to his distress signal, and even the Third Hokage had personally led a team to provide support!
"This isn't the time for that," the Third Hokage's eyes were fixed on the massive figure in the distance.
"We need to deal with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki first. We can't let it threaten the village!"
"...Understood!" Sakumo rose, patting Minato's shoulder to signal that he was fine.
Turning his attention back to the now-standing Five-Tails, Sakumo clenched his teeth, adjusted his shoulders, and said, "I've just had an encounter with the Five-Tails and discovered some new information."
"The Five-Tails Jinchuriki... might have some powerful genjutsu abilities. The genjutsu seems outlandish, but its effects are incredibly realistic."
"Even though I've discovered it, I couldn't find a way to dispel it."
Sakumo's expression was extremely serious. "Everyone, please be extra cautious!"
The group's expressions turned solemn. The Five-Tails Jinchuriki possessed such formidable genjutsu?
"If even Sakumo-senpai couldn't handle it... this is troublesome," Minato mused.
On the other hand, the usually reserved Shino Aburame stepped forward.
"If it's genjutsu, I can help."
"I've recently cultivated a new breed of insects called 'Genjutsu-Breaker Beetles,' which need to be attached to you." (Minor addition)
Shino extended a hand, revealing a beetle the size of a large dung beetle in his palm.
"The beetles will absorb a small amount of chakra. If you're under genjutsu, they will disrupt your chakra flow... It might be a bit painful, but it's definitely effective."
...
"Be careful, Indra. I sense the hostility from these humans..." The Five-Tails spoke with its usual disdain.
"Hmm, I sense it too..."
Wakaho silently formed hand seals, summoning shadow clones.
Even though the reality was right in front of them, people often found it hard to believe if it was beyond their comprehension.
Moreover, with the concept of "genjutsu" in this world, it provided a convenient excuse for human ignorance...
'But taking down the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and capturing the Tailed Beast at the age of seven does seem a bit far-fetched.'
Wakaho scratched his head, starting to understand Sakumo's earlier feelings.
He had abandoned his mission, faced great risks, and barely made it back to Konoha with his comrades.
Then, halfway through, an acquaintance from Kakashi's class appeared, riding the Five-Tails, carrying the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, and claiming that the task was completed and the Shindō Bridge was destroyed—without any worries...
Aside from Orochimaru, it seemed like no one would believe this wasn't an illusion...
'But given the resources the system has given me, what else could I do...'
With three tomoe and a super fire style buff, Han was still not a "complete" Jinchuriki.
This... honestly, even if Grandma came, she could win.
As for the Five-Tails...
This was his "mount" acquired through strength, and the Five-Tails recognized Indra's chakra. What could he do?
"They're about to attack, Indra..."
The Five-Tails, Mu King, warned, increasing the temperature of its chakra and releasing steam from its nostrils, officially entering combat mode.
"Then let's have a big fight! Mu King!"
Wakaho clapped his hands, his eyes growing increasingly excited.
As soon as the opponent made a move, he could defend himself!