Chapter 58: The First Battle with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki
"I've never heard of Kumo shinobis being good at Earth Release... Are you trying to be a mole?"
Yuto massaged his right arm. Ryuun Steel became as hard as iron once chakra was infused, but the fierce blow still penetrated his skin and bones, leaving his entire arm numb, fingers trembling.
"I'm no mole, I'm the cool killer, fool~ Just chill, it's my skill."
Killer B's tone was odd, akin to an amateur rapper eliminated in the first round of a talent show, but despite the humorous tone, his oppressive presence was undiminished.
Wearing sunglasses, with vibrant bronze skin, black pants, and a white sleeveless shirt that showed off his strong muscles, Killer B stood confidently.
Behind Killer B, through a torn curtain, a round hole in the ground was visible. He had advanced through this hole to stand in front of Yuto.
'Eight-Tail's tentacles dug that hole... I need to channel more chakra to my optic nerves to monitor underground...' Yuto thought silently, veins around his eyes bulging further.
The sound of rustling leaves came from behind. In his Byakugan's vision, Jujiro Uda stood behind Yuto, flanking him with Killer B.
"Surrender, Konoha shinobi. You're no match for Lord Killer B. We promise you won't be killed here," Jujiro said, though concerned about his friend who had been knocked away.
"Oh? Is this what you're after?" Yuto chuckled, pointing to his eyes. "Sorry, but my Byakugan has been caged."
"A Hyuga branch member..." Jujiro was stunned. A Byakugan with a curse seal couldn't be transplanted or removed. The plan was disrupted. He glanced at Killer B.
"The hunter's hands must be steady. Beware of this cunning bird, you heard?"
At the moment Jujiro looked at Killer B, he let out a strange howl and charged.
Seizing the distraction, Yuto ran to the right. Killer B reacted swiftly, facing him after he covered only twenty meters.
"You're not rhyming right, gotta fight with all your might!" Yuto shouted, as his right arm roared like a lion.
The monstrous strength exploded again, but before Yuto could strike, Killer B retreated using the collision's recoil. Lightning flickered, muscles fully activated, and he circled Yuto at high speed.
"An amateur constrained by rhymes. A true singer touches the soul, takes control."
Bang, bang, bang, bang—
Killer B's blade clashed repeatedly with Yuto's chakra arm armor. Whenever Yuto tried to break free, the lightning-wrapped blade forced him back.
Yuto realized he was in trouble. Though Killer B had a quirky personality, he was extremely calm in battle and clearly identified the flaw in Yuto's technique.
Lion's Fang Bite was a powerful jutsu that required a direct, linear charge to maximize its power. Yuto could defeat or kill most of Jonin with it in a head-on clash.
However, Killer B found a counter. He struck before Yuto could build up speed, weakening each charge like a shield.
Though alone, Killer B became a cage trapping the lion.
A brutal technique feared the soft, continuous attacks.
But Yuto, a headstrong shinobi, had already prepared a counter-strategy.
Stopping mid-retreat, he didn't charge again. Instead, he raised his right arm.
The roaring arm armor changed. The chakra flow reset and the lion's fangs dulled, transforming into a giant hammer.
Boom!
Yuto smashed his fist into the ground. Losing the fangs' explosive speed and impact, he gained even greater brute force.
—Lion's Fang Bite: Earth Slam!
The ground within a hundred meters upheaved. Large rocks flew into the sky, dust surged, trees snapped, and the terrain was utterly destroyed.
'There's space!' Yuto felt joy, using the Body Flicker Technique to dash forward.
Suddenly, the ground split beneath him. Two octopus tentacles shot up, binding Yuto with incredible speed.
The branch member sneered, preparing to use Lion's Fang to blow the tentacles away with heat and wind.
'Just the mass of Eight-Tails' chakra can't stop me now.'
However, as he raised his hand, Yuto felt a sudden exhaustion and pain.
'I don't have enough chakra...' Yuto realized. He could maintain Lion's Fang for at least ten minutes, but he'd already used too much chakra, defeating a Kumo Jonin and destroying the land. His chakra reserves were depleted.
He wasn't a Senju or Uzumaki with immense chakra reserves.
The chakra arm armor dispersed. Yuto had to spin and release Revolving Heaven while retreating.
Bang!
He was bounced away like a ball, landing heavily in the distance.
"Fool! You think you rule?" Killer B rushed over, drawing a short sword.
If he couldn't take the Byakugan, he'd kill its bearer.
Ninja wars were always deadly.
However, as Killer B landed, Yuto gave a sly smile, pointing to the ground.
"Goodbye~"
In his peripheral vision, Killer B noticed an explosive tag on his foot.
'An explosive tag? Just one? My Lightning Release can handle it... Huh?'
The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's pupils shrank. He recognized the tag.
At the center was a circled "爆" character, connected by lines to four identical "爆" characters at the ends.
The Land of Lightning, having ambushed the Second Hokage, knew this technique well.
Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags...
Killer B smelled death.
A massive chakra surge erupted, ominous and furious, like a natural disaster.
Killer B roared, covering himself in the Eight-Tails' chakra cloak to withstand the powerful attack.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Many seconds passed, and nothing happened.
Killer B looked at the tag, ripping it off with tailed beast chakra. There was no reaction, no summoning marks for a chain explosion.
"I've been tricked… This is sick!"
Killer B dispelled the Eight-Tails' cloak.
"Fool! Now my brother will scold me again, 'cause I didn't bring the pain," he muttered, a bit dejected.
"Indeed, it didn't rhyme."
TN: I had fun translating Killer B's dialogues.
(End of Chapter)
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