CHAPTER 187

The shockwave from the explosion's epicenter carried an intense heat, sending several Kumogakure ninja flying several kilometers away. Even though some had managed to react in time and activate defensive measures, they were still severely burned by the scorching air and left on the brink of death.

Namikaze Minato, being the fastest, naturally avoided the blast entirely.

Even as he sprinted across the battlefield, his sharp eyes flickered back to observe the technique used by Tōshi—the explosive chakra bombs composed of earth and stone.

The mechanics behind the technique bore a striking resemblance to the Rasengan's core concept. Both involved compressing chakra into a rapidly spinning sphere. However, by incorporating earth and stone elements, the explosive chakra bombs became stable enough to hold their shape until detonation, unleashing an even greater destructive force upon impact.

In essence, the principle mirrored that of the Rasengan.

In fact, when compared to a Tailed Beast Ball, the earth-and-stone explosive bombs seemed even more intuitive.

"Rotation…"

A spark of inspiration ignited in Minato's mind as he watched the devastating explosion unfold. A technique he had been developing for two years—one that had eluded completion—now seemed within his grasp.

According to the original timeline, Minato was supposed to witness the Eight-Tails unleash a Tailed Beast Ball in this battle. That sight would lead him to return to Konoha, where he would study the mechanics of the Tailed Beast Ball in detail through Kushina's chakra chains, eventually leading to the creation of the Rasengan.

The Rasengan was officially said to have been inspired by the Tailed Beast Ball, but perhaps this wasn't entirely true.

This time, however, Tōshi's explosive chakra bombs accelerated Minato's realization. The principle behind them was too straightforward to ignore.

At least, for the original creator of the Rasengan—Namikaze Minato.

Tōshi, meanwhile, remained unaware of Minato's revelation. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. After all, the Rasengan was Minato's original creation, which Tōshi had merely appropriated and modified into a fire-based variant.

If his adaptation ended up inspiring Minato to refine his own technique, it was a fitting twist of fate.

In essence, Tōshi had taken Minato's technique, transformed it into an explosive flame bomb, and in the end, unwittingly provided the very inspiration Minato needed to perfect the Rasengan.

"That presence…"

From atop the colossal Lava Giant, Tōshi could sense an immense energy surge from within the dissipating smoke.

"A Tailed Beast Ball!"

Instinctively, Tōshi reacted, controlling the Lava Giant to raise its arms in a defensive stance while forming a rapid sequence of hand seals.

"Lava Release: Flowing Rock Wall!"

A towering wall of molten rock erupted in front of the Lava Giant, attempting to intercept the incoming attack.

The violet-black sphere of raw chakra smashed into the first barrier, triggering a deafening explosion. The shockwave tore through successive layers of molten defenses before finally slamming into the Lava Giant itself.

The giant's massive form was sent crashing to the ground. A gaping crater formed in its chest, both arms were obliterated, and molten magma dripped like blood.

Had it been a living creature, such an injury would have been fatal.

But the Lava Giant was not a living being.

Expending a vast amount of chakra, Tōshi rapidly reconstructed the damaged portions. The arms reformed, the chest cavity was filled, and most importantly, the disrupted chakra pathways were restored.

"The defense is still lacking," Tōshi muttered to himself.

"Just one hit from a Tailed Beast Ball and it nearly tore through everything."

Despite his words, he was secretly pleased. The fact that his Lava Giant could endure a Tailed Beast Ball at all was already a monumental achievement.

Three years ago, when he had fought the Three-Tails, his earlier version of this technique had been utterly annihilated.

Moreover, while the strength of the Tailed Beasts ranked from One to Seven was relatively even, the Eight-Tails was notably stronger, second only to the Nine-Tails. To endure an attack of this magnitude under such circumstances was an impressive feat.

As the dust settled, the battlefield revealed a shocking sight.

The Eight-Tails had suffered severe damage. Two of its tails had been severed, one of its horns was broken, and its right shoulder had been blasted apart.

There wasn't a single intact spot left on its body.

If not for the Eight-Tails' chakra-based physiology, rather than flesh and blood, it would have been covered in severe burns.

Everyone who witnessed this scene drew a sharp breath.

The earth around the Eight-Tails had sunk into a molten crater, glowing with an ominous orange-red hue.

It was no surprise that the beast had unleashed a Tailed Beast Ball in response—it had been pushed to its breaking point.

And it was furious.

Throwing its head back, the Eight-Tails let out a thunderous roar.

"ROAAARRR!!"

Even as its injuries visibly regenerated, another Tailed Beast Ball began forming in its maw.

"Damn it, I can't let this continue."

Having already experienced the destructive force of the Eight-Tails' attack, Tōshi refused to make the same mistake twice.

This time, he acted preemptively.

Two more explosive flame bombs formed in his hands. Though they were only partially charged, he hurled them at the condensing Tailed Beast Ball.

The two spheres collided mid-air.

BOOM!

A devastating detonation erupted directly in the Eight-Tails' face, tearing through its form and scattering chunks of molten chakra across the battlefield.

By now, the surrounding ninja had become desensitized to the sound of explosions. This had become the rhythm of the battle.

But Tōshi wasn't done.

He immediately began preparing his next attack—one of his most refined techniques.

A pinnacle of his development over the past two years.

"Lava Release: Qi Yuan Slash!"

The Lava Giant's hands formed a seal, and this time, to conserve time, Tōshi summoned a shadow clone to control its movements.

Upon completing the sequence, the Lava Giant raised its right hand.

A spinning chakra disc materialized above its palm, accelerating at an incredible rate.

As it spun, the sharpness at its edges became visible. The air itself was being sliced apart.

Then, the chakra disc ignited.

Lava coated its surface, yet instead of dispersing, it adhered to the rotation, forming an impossibly thin, searing-hot blade.

The cutting edge emitted a chilling hum, a sound sharper than steel.

With a flick of his wrist, Tōshi launched the disc straight at the Eight-Tails.

The beast, still reeling from the previous explosion, sensed a fatal threat bearing down upon it. Instinctively, it channeled chakra to reinforce its body.

But this wasn't an explosive attack—it was a slicing one.

A silent, lethal arc carved through the battlefield.

SHING!

The Eight-Tails let out a guttural howl.

Its massive form split apart.

Its right half severed cleanly down the middle.

Of course, the beast wouldn't die from this. Its regeneration was near-instantaneous.

But this was exactly why Tōshi had no intention of continuing the fight.

He had proven his strength. His techniques had been validated. His reputation was solidified.

It was time to leave.

"Time to collect the spoils," he smirked, though no one could see it.

And with a swift motion, he began sealing away the severed tails of the Eight-Tails.

That day, the name Tōshi resounded throughout the ninja world once more.

But this time, it wasn't just about his battle against the Eight-Tails.

It was about the terrifying possibility that he had mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu.