Chapter 146: Old Man, Come Fight Me One-on-One!

Chapter 146: Old Man, Come Fight Me One-on-One!

A powerful sense of oppression filled the air, the sheer force distorting the atmosphere and producing a piercing whistle.

With an earth-shattering roar, a Tailed Beast Bomb shot forth like an anti-aircraft shell!

BOOM!!!

Wherever it passed, the ground trembled violently, rock and earth exploding into the sky as a shockwave rippled outward.

BOOM!!!!

Magu Rō did not dodge.

It faced the Tailed Beast Bomb head-on.

Schiiiing—

Lifting the Exorcist Sword wrapped around its right arm, it cleaved the attack in two!

BOOM BOOM BOOM—

The split Tailed Beast Bomb detonated violently, engulfing the battlefield in dust and smoke.

Through the swirling debris…

Like a stampede of elephants, Magu Rō's massive feet crashed into the ground, leaving deep imprints as it charged at the attacker who had dared to challenge it.

It was a shikigami without self-awareness, following only the commands of Uchiha Kagami.

Eliminate everything in its sight.

---

"It's coming this way!"

"Damn it, does Kagami's monster use Slashing Release too?!"

"How the hell did it cut a Tailed Beast Bomb in half?!"

"Calm down, stop panicking."

Yagura's voice was steady, far more composed than his youthful appearance suggested. Even in his half-Tailed Beast form, his mind remained clear.

Of course, that was also because Isobu (Three-Tails) wasn't resisting much.

Over the past few years of the Four-Nation Alliance, Yagura and Roshi had benefited the most.

The Land of Lightning possessed unique places like Turtle Island, with the Falls of Truth greatly aiding Jinchuriki in training.

Isobu was among the more easygoing Tailed Beasts.

Though it had died under strange circumstances while inside Nohara Rin, it didn't dwell on the past.

All it wanted was a quiet life. Freedom was great, but the world was too chaotic. Having a stable Jinchuriki was just as comfortable as a lake or a pool.

Becoming brothers like Gyuki and Killer Bee? Impossible.

But when Yagura needed his power, Isobu merely thought, Do whatever you want.

As for Roshi…

He and Son Goku (Four-Tails) were united by their mutual hatred of the same enemy.

That kind of shared resentment made cooperation much easier.

---

"Kisame, get ready."

At Yagura's command, a tall, shark-faced man stepped forward.

"What scale do you need, Lord Yagura?"

"As large as you can make it."

"Understood."

A tremendous surge of chakra erupted from the giant puppet's shoulder—greater than even Yagura's half-Tailed Beast transformation.

Kisame Hoshigaki.

A man known as the Tailed Beast Without a Tail due to his immense chakra reserves.

Watching him press his hands together, refining chakra at an astonishing rate, Kakuzu clicked his tongue in awe.

"That chakra volume… Yagura really has some strong subordinates."

He scanned the Kirigakure shinobi once more.

After half a day of cooperation, they had exchanged some basic intel.

—The genius of the Kaguya Clan, Kimimaro.

—The new Seven Ninja Swordsmen, including Hozuki Mangetsu, wielder of the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei.

—The Lightning Release prodigy Ringo Ameyuri, current wielder of the Lightning Blades: Kiba.

Among them, Kisame was undoubtedly the strongest.

That other one… what was his name? Ah, Zabuza Momochi, wielder of the Executioner's Blade.

Didn't seem all that impressive.

And he even brought along a little girl about Kimimaro's age. What is this, a family vacation?

Kakuzu's gaze finally landed on Mei Terumi.

Yagura hadn't disclosed much about her, but from their interactions, Kakuzu could tell Yagura was training her as his successor.

To stand out among such monsters…

She must be quite formidable.

While Kakuzu was still pondering which one to backstab first—

Kisame moved.

His hand seals were rapid. Precise.

Kakuzu recognized it instantly.

"Just a Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave? I can do that too."

But the next moment, Kisame shattered his expectations.

WHOOSH!!

An endless ocean erupted forth, as if the sea itself had been ripped open and poured into the battlefield.

A massive spherical water dome enveloped over a kilometer, causing even Magu Rō's colossal body to stumble.

---

Kakuzu pulled up his collar, trying to hide the greed in his eyes.

"A high-quality Water Release heart… yeah, I'll take that one."

His gaze flickered toward Ringo Ameyuri.

"And there's an excellent Lightning Release heart too."

Choosing to work with Kirigakure had been the right decision.

It was a treasure trove.

He couldn't help but wonder…

"What kind of heart would Mei Terumi yield?"

That could be interesting.

But before he could dwell on his future collection plans—

A thunderous roar interrupted his thoughts.

Yagura had fully transformed into Isobu.

The giant, spiky-backed turtle crashed into the water dome, pinning Magu Rō down!

Both Yagura and Isobu were far stronger underwater.

---

Slams. Claws. Horn strikes. Bites. Tail whips.

The two behemoths fought in the most primal way possible—

A pure contest of brute strength.

BAM BAM BAM!

BANG BANG BANG!!

In mere moments, Isobu started losing ground.

Magu Rō flipped Isobu onto its back and unleashed a relentless flurry of punches!

Thankfully, Isobu was incredibly durable.

It wasn't about to die that easily.

Seizing an opening, Yagura finally shouted—

"GET IN HERE! ARE YOU JUST GONNA LET ME DIE?!"

---

Oh, right.

They had almost let their commander fight one-on-one out of habit.

Realizing their gigantic tactical failure, the Kirigakure shinobi quickly joined the battle.

Among them, only Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu could effectively fight in this environment.

Mangetsu, using Hydrification Technique, morphed into a giant water colossus and tackled Magu Rō, giving Yagura breathing room.

Kisame unleashed a swarm of sharks, tearing into Magu Rō.

---

"Little girl, aren't you joining in?" Kakuzu smirked at Mei Terumi.

Mei returned a mocking smile. "I'd rather see you in action, Lord Kakuzu."

"You fought two generations of Shinobi Gods and survived, after all."

Hmph.

Kakuzu snorted.

She's just watching me to prevent backstabbing, huh?

Fine.

If she wanted a demonstration—

He'd give her one.

Dark tendrils coiled and twisted, burrowing deep into the earth.

---

Meanwhile, the battle's intensity attracted the attention of other strong fighters.

"Yagura… working with the Akatsuki?!"

"They arrived together but separated for the exam—why?"

Onoki scoffed. "To maximize their rewards, obviously."

"Foolish ambition. That Rinnegan is dangerous, but what do Sasori and that bounty hunter think they're doing?"

"Just because Uchiha Kagami let them live a few times, they think they have a shot at the prize?"

A thought struck A.

"Should we join in?"

Even if they won, they'd have to negotiate for their own land—like working to buy back their own home.

An extra reward would make it worthwhile.

Onoki was tempted.

If they waited until the battle weakened Magu Rō, a single Dust Release could make them the final strike.

But at that moment—

Whoosh!

Uchiha Shisui appeared before them.

That same infuriatingly smug smile made Onoki's blood pressure spike.

"Yo, taking it easy, huh?"

"I challenge you, Onoki. One-on-one. You in?"

---

"Arrogant brat!"

Onoki roared, his small frame rocketing forward.

---

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Forest of Death—

Hatake Sakumo and his squad had just finished eliminating a bounty hunter group.

From the shadows—

A barrage of poison-laced senbon shot toward them.

"Hatake Sakumo!!"

The voice dripped with venomous hatred.

It was Chiyo.

---

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