Steel Release – The Gamble of a Phantom

Tetsuma's hands clenched into fists. His body trembled—not with fear, but with raw power.

He had never fully mastered this ability.

His own Kekkei Genkai—one that he created.

Steel Release.

A combination of Earth, Lightning, and a proportional amount of Yang chakra.

Something only possible because of his semi-Sage Body.

And now, against an opponent who could kill him in a single blow, he had no choice but to gamble his life on it.

His chakra flared violently.

His skin darkened—shifting from flesh to something metallic.

A low humming sound filled the air as his body became denser, heavier, stronger.

His muscles tensed—like forged steel being tempered in the heat of battle.

And then—

Kinkaku charged.

Faster.

Too fast.

Tetsuma barely had time to react before the massive golden-furred beast was on him—a chakra-enhanced fist flying straight for his skull.

BOOM!

The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending a shockwave across the battlefield.

Dust and debris shot into the air.

For a moment—silence.

Then—

A metallic ringing.

As the dust cleared, a shocking sight was revealed—

Tetsuma stood firm.

The earth beneath his feet had cracked apart.

But he wasn't crushed.

The golden claw that should have ripped through his body—

Had only left a small dent on his steel-hardened skin.

Kinkaku's eyes widened.

And for the first time—he hesitated.

Tetsuma grinned, blood dripping from his lips.

"Not so fun when you can't kill me in one hit, huh?"

---

Steel Release: Phantom's Edge

Tetsuma moved.

Faster than before. Faster than Kinkaku expected.

His fist slammed into Kinkaku's ribs—sending the monstrous shinobi flying backwards like a cannonball.

The golden beast crashed through trees and boulders, smashing into the ground with a deafening boom.

But Tetsuma didn't stop.

Before Kinkaku could recover, Tetsuma was already above him.

His hand transformed, fingers sharpening into razor-like steel claws.

With a single slash—

Steel Release: Phantom's Claw!

A gaping wound opened across Kinkaku's chest.

Blood sprayed.

Kinkaku roared in pain, but before he could retaliate—

Tetsuma vanished again.

Reappearing behind him.

His blade—coated in Steel and Lightning Chakra—flashed.

Steel Release: Phantom Fang!

The sword pierced through Kinkaku's side, digging deep before Tetsuma was forced to retreat.

The golden beast staggered, panting heavily.

Tetsuma could see it now—his gamble was paying off.

Kinkaku might have speed and power, but against someone who could match his durability—

He wasn't unstoppable.

But Tetsuma also knew—

He couldn't keep this up for long.

His Steel Release was draining his chakra at an alarming rate.

If he didn't finish this quickly—

He was as good as dead.