236. Naruto vs Mukade -2

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The remaining half of the centipede lay still for only a moment before the Dragon Vein's chakra began flowing into it again.

The shattered pieces Naruto had obliterated began reassembling, slowly but surely. Within seconds, the puppet's recovery was in full swing, and it was only a matter of time before it regenerated entirely.

Naruto, watching this, scowled. "If it keeps coming back, the only real solution is to seal it. If that doesn't work, we might need to seal the Dragon Vein itself." He turned to the others for input. "Thoughts?"

The rest of the team nodded, clearly deferring to Naruto's experience. Minato, however, watched his "younger brother" with growing interest his techniques and strategies were far beyond what Minato expected from someone his age.

Without lifting the Nine-Tails' form, Naruto slammed one of Kurama's massive paws onto the centipede. "Let's try this first."

"Seal!" Naruto shouted, and black markings spread rapidly from Kurama's paw, forming intricate patterns across the centipede's body.

However, as the markings finished forming, they faded and disappeared. The centipede's regeneration continued unabated.

Minato, observing closely, tilted his head. "That sealing technique is meant to interrupt chakra flow, right? You've got impressive control for something that complex. It must've taken years of practice."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah, it's decent. Let me try something else."

Golden chains emerged from Naruto's body, wrapping themselves tightly around the centipede. The glowing chains coiled around the puppet-like vines, restraining its movements and binding its fragmented body together.

"This should slow it down," Naruto said confidently, tightening the chains until the centipede resembled a giant, helpless caterpillar.

But Mukade, encased within the puppet, was far from helpless. His voice echoed from the centipede's body, filled with defiance. "You fools! My power is limitless! The Dragon Vein's energy is infinite! I will crush you all!"

Naruto didn't even flinch at Mukade's threat, though the volume of his yelling did make him wince. "Big talk for someone wrapped up like a burrito," Naruto muttered, tightening the chains.

Minato's eyes softened as he observed Naruto's use of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, a technique from the Uzumaki clan. "You can use this too?" he asked, his tone betraying both awe and curiosity.

"Yeah, I've been able to use it since I was born. Guess it's in the blood," Naruto said casually. "The big fox got the short end of that deal, though."

Nine-Tails growled from within Naruto. "That's enough reminiscing! Stop talking about that!" Kurama's embarrassment radiated through their bond.

Naruto chuckled. "Fine, fine." He focused back on the centipede, noticing that its regeneration had slowed but hadn't stopped completely. "It's working, but not enough. The Dragon Vein's chakra is still keeping it alive."

Minato nodded. "Then we'll need Queen Sara's help. Only she has the power to sever Mukade's connection to the Dragon Vein."

Naruto loosened the chains and rolled the centipede up like a giant hose. "Got it! Let's go find her." With a cheeky grin, he called out, "Time for Go Lego Roll Heart!" He pushed the tightly bound centipede forward, rolling it along like a giant ball.

Mukade screamed in outrage. "Damn you, Konoha ninja! I'll destroy you all!"

Naruto ignored him completely, laughing as he pushed the centipede along. Kakashi, watching the scene, couldn't help but think, Isn't this a little… undignified for a tailed beast?

The group soon found Sara and the refugees. To avoid alarming them, Naruto stopped at a safe distance while Minato approached Sara to explain the situation.

Sara listened carefully, then nodded resolutely. "There's an altar within the city that can sever Mukade's connection to the Dragon Vein. If we can reach it, I can cut him off completely."

"Lead the way," Naruto said, rolling Mukade in the direction Sara pointed.

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As they approached the altar, Mukade's resistance grew more desperate. He funnelled massive amounts of the Dragon Vein's energy into his puppet form, causing his body to glow with unstable purple energy.

"You'll regret this!" Mukade screamed. "I'll destroy you all along with myself! Dragon Vein: Super Dragon Fire!"

A massive burst of purple flames erupted from Mukade's chest. Since his body was tightly coiled, the flames first blew apart his own puppet body before slamming into Kurama's chakra form.

The force of the blast caused the Nine-Tails to stagger and fall onto its back. Naruto patted his chest, completely unharmed within the protective layer of Kurama's chakra. "Wow, Mukade. You really don't hold back, do you? You almost hurt yourself worse than me!"

Kurama grunted. "This idiot's attacks are getting annoying. Let's finish this, brat."

Naruto stood, his grin returning. "You got it, big guy." He controlled Kurama's chakra arms to grab what was left of Mukade's centipede body. Lifting it high above his head, he began slamming it into the ground repeatedly.

"Hulk Smash!" Naruto shouted gleefully as he pounded the puppet into the earth. The sheer force of the impacts created massive craters, shaking the entire area.

Mukade could barely focus enough to gather more chakra. His connection to the Dragon Vein allowed him to regenerate, but Naruto's relentless assault was tearing him apart faster than he could recover.

Meanwhile, Minato and the others protected Sara as she ascended the altar. At its centre was an ancient mechanism, glowing with the Dragon Vein's energy.

Sara knelt before it, clasping her hands together and chanting a ritual incantation.

The altar's mechanisms slowly began to close. The beam of light connecting the Dragon Vein to Mukade's puppet form dimmed and finally vanished.

Sara stood, her voice trembling with relief. "It's done! I've severed the connection!"

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Mukade's panic was palpable as the flow of chakra ceased. "No! My power! My regeneration! Sara, you'll pay for this!"

Naruto didn't give him the chance. Letting Kurama's chakra form dissolve into his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Naruto grabbed a piece of Mukade's puppet body a bladed centipede leg.

"Think you're running? Not on my watch!" Naruto leapt high into the air and slashed downward, splitting Mukade's real body in two.

"Break in two!" Naruto declared dramatically, grinning.

Mukade let out a final scream before collapsing, his puppet body falling into lifeless scraps. Without the Dragon Vein, he was powerless.

The battle was over.

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