Fumori Masaki first witnessed the violent transformation of the tailed beast form. The crimson chakra completely eroded Silver Horn's skin, leaving his eyes as hollow white cavities, emitting an eerie light. Although it seemed like he couldn't see anything, Masaki felt a piercing gaze fixed on him.
Without looking back, Masaki dashed forward with such speed that he became a mere afterimage to the average eye. Yet, the Silver Horn was even faster.
Sensing the wind whistling from behind, Masaki abruptly halted his forward run and turned around, swinging his blade. With a thunderous impact, he was swatted away by Silver Horn as if he were an insect.
But this was exactly what Masaki intended. He never planned to fight Silver Horn in his current state. Engaging in battle would only prolong his stay, and he knew he stood no chance of victory against the transformed Silver Horn. Instead, Masaki leveraged Silver Horn's immense strength to propel himself further away.
Masaki soared through the air, aligning himself with the escape route he had planned. He could sense the location of his comrades, and the direction he was flung was precisely toward them.
As Masaki neared a warehouse, he used the surrounding natural forces to stabilize himself, twisting his body midair and slicing through the warehouse, creating an opening to fly through. He continued by cutting a gap in the wall obstructing his path, ensuring his rapid escape.
Inside, Senju Tōka and the others heard a tremendous crash. Moments later, they saw Masaki flying out of the warehouse, clutching a blond girl. He gradually slowed down before landing on the ground, skidding and leaving deep marks as he came to a stop.
"Masaki, what's happening?" Tōka asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"Run! There's no point in staying. That guy has unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra—he's a monster now. We need to leave, now!" Masaki gasped, barely catching his breath as he shouted.
"Haha! You're not going anywhere. Ginkaku-sama is a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths! He and Kinkaku-sama obtained the Nine-Tails' chakra! You can't escape!" A dying Kumo ninja laughed maniacally. He was a fervent admirer of the Golden and Silver Horn brothers. Even in his final moments, he believed in Silver Horn's vengeance.
Among the captured Kumo ninjas in Konoha, rumors of the Golden and Silver Horns consuming the flesh and blood of the Nine-Tails had circulated, giving them the Nine-Tails' chakra. The story was so unbelievable that it was often doubted. But now, seeing the crimson figure, Senju Tōka realized the intelligence was true. Without hesitation, she ordered, "Retreat!"
As they prepared to leave, a crimson hand, formed from the tailed beast's chakra, shot out from the other side, effortlessly tearing through the warehouse and camp. It demolished everything in its path, leaving only a crimson figure standing ominously.
"Fumori…" the crimson monster growled.
"He's targeting me." Masaki gave a wry smile, then handed Sora over to Inuzuka Shigeru, placing her on his ninja dog's back. "Take her and go. If she resists, knock her out and have Kei seal her. She's a key figure in Kumo's chakra point system—I'll deal with him. You all go."
Inuzuka Shigeru quickly subdued the struggling Sora. He didn't argue about staying to help Masaki. The oppressive aura of the monster was overwhelming, and they knew they were outmatched. At Masaki's speed, he might have a chance against Silver Horn. Staying behind would only result in their deaths, leaving the mission incomplete.
"Remember, focus on the mission," Shigeru said, acknowledging the importance of their task. He left with the others, but one person stayed behind.
Silver Horn suddenly attacked, sending six chakra tails toward Masaki. Concentrating, Masaki leaped and struck one of the chakra tails with his blade. Although he severed it, the force of the impact sent him flying back.
Masaki wasn't surprised; he knew this would happen. The chakra coat in Silver Horn's second tailed beast form was nearly impenetrable, even to the world's strongest blades like the Kusanagi. Even with the wind chakra infused into his sword, it was impossible to break through.
Using the rebound, Masaki twisted his body and struck another chakra tails. Repeating this maneuver several times, he managed to deflect all six chakra tails, breaking free from their encirclement within a single breath.
Masaki exhaled in relief. Though unharmed, the repeated impacts had numbed his body. Thankfully, in Sage Mode, this discomfort quickly faded.
"Why are you still here?" Masaki asked, watching the crimson figure in the distance. Silver Horn hadn't moved, only attacking with chakra tails, giving Masaki time to speak with the person who had stayed behind.
"I promised Rimi I'd bring you back safely," Senju Tōka replied, forming hand seals. "Besides, I'm the team captain. If anyone should stay, it's me. How could I let a team member do so?"
"Well, I'm a disciple of the Second Hokage, so I'm more qualified to stay. Those with the strength should ensure others retreat safely," Masaki replied, dodging another attack as Silver Horn's chakra tails continued their rampage, destroying the remaining camps and warehouses.
"Oh? You think you're stronger than me? Don't get cocky, kid," Tōka retorted, casting a genjutsu on Silver Horn. "The power of the tailed beast is formidable, but it's still susceptible to my genjutsu."
Masaki genuinely admired Tōka's genjutsu abilities. The principle behind genjutsu was to disrupt the opponent's chakra. Disrupting a tailed beast's chakra was no easy feat. While Uchiha Madara could control the Nine-Tails with his Sharingan, Masaki believed it was due to the inherent power of the Sharingan, which had a natural suppression effect on tailed beasts.
However, using such a powerful genjutsu required a significant amount of chakra. Even for someone from the Senju clan, maintaining it would be exhausting. Masaki knew he couldn't hold off Silver Horn for long, so he needed to find an opportunity to escape.
Watching Silver Horn wreak havoc, Masaki realized he might not need to create an opportunity—the Silver Horn's destructive rage could present one soon enough.
---------------------------
After using Dust Release and melting the city wall, Ōnoki floated outside, using the Earth Release: Ultra-Lightweight Rock Technique to reduce his weight and soar in the sky. This was a secret technique passed down from his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage, which Ōnoki had mastered.
From his vantage point, Ōnoki watched the food stockpile engulfed in flames. The Konoha ninjas had moved quickly, and though he hadn't joined them in the attack, he wasn't idle. His duty was to intercept any potential pursuers and eliminate them with Dust Release.
Dust Release was most effective against large groups of enemies. His teacher had once wiped out an army of over a thousand samurai in a single blow, shocking the entire land. However, while Dust Release was powerful, it was not easy to use. Combining three chakra natures was an arduous task, so its release was slow. Thus, Ōnoki stayed outside, avoiding the complex internal environment where the fast-moving Kumo ninjas might not give him the time to prepare his technique.
Suddenly, Ōnoki sensed a powerful chakra erupting from within the food stockpile. Through the flames, he could barely make out a dark red figure moving inside, startling him.
"What is that?" Ōnoki hesitated to approach. It could be that something had gone wrong with the Konoha ninjas, but if not, charging in blindly could be disastrous. As he deliberated, Inuzuka Shigeru and Sarutobi Konosuke emerged from the stockpile.
Simultaneously, Hyūga Kei, Yamanaka Takuma, andSenju Risa appeared to meet them. Ōnoki descended from the sky, surprised to see a blonde girl on the back of Shigeru's ninja dog, but even more concerned about something else. "Where are your captain and Fumori Masaki?"
"They're in trouble. The Silver Horn has the Nine-Tails' chakra!" Sarutobi Konosuke exclaimed in shock.
"Nine-Tails' chakra?" Ōnoki was taken aback. Iwakagure hadn't been involved in the war for long, so he was unaware of this development. Masaki and the others hadn't mentioned encountering Silver Horn either.
"Yes, it's true. That chakra is terrifying," Hyūga Kei said solemnly.
"What should we do? Should we retreat, or find a way to help Tōka-sama and Fumori-san?" Senju Risa asked worriedly. Senju Tōka was a key figure in the Senju clan, and Fumori Masaki was the Second Hokage's disciple—both were invaluable and couldn't be left behind.
Hyūga Kei had already activated his Byakugan to survey the situation. His expression was tense at first, but gradually, he relaxed. "Don't worry. We'll wait here. Tōka-sama and Masaki will return."
Hyūga Kei's sudden suggestion left the others bewildered. Inuzuka Shigeru, visibly agitated, exclaimed, "What do you mean, just wait here? Tōka-sama and Masaki are out there dealing with that monster! Do you understand how powerful it is?"
Shigeru's voice trembled with urgency. He felt torn between two extremes: either leading his team back to camp or rushing to aid Senju Tōka and Fumori Masaki. But standing idle seemed utterly pointless.
"I know how dangerous it is," Hyūga Kei replied, his eyes narrowing. "That creature's chakra is like a beacon in the night. It's almost blinding. But despite its power, it's clear the host can't fully control it. The chakra flow was erratic; I could see the disruption in its chakra channel."
With that, Hyūga Kei stood and began walking toward the food storage area. The others were stunned—if any Kumo ninjas or samurai emerged from the storage area, they'd be in serious trouble. They rushed to stop him.
"Relax," Kei waved them off. "If I'm right, those Kumo ninjas have their hands full. They're probably fighting for their lives."
Ōnoki, listening intently, began to understand. "If the one controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra can't handle it, then they'll lose their sanity. At that point, everyone—whether it's your Konoha team or hidden enemies—becomes a target."
Ōnoki's village, Iwagakure, had experimented with jinchūriki before. But not everyone could handle the burden of a tailed beast's chakra, often leading to a mental breakdown and a violent rampage. While Konoha had the powerful Uzumaki Mito to keep the Nine-Tails under control, other villages weren't so fortunate. They had learned the hard way and had been forced to improve their sealing techniques and train their jinchūriki rigorously.
"Yes, Ginkaku is already out of control," Hyūga Kei confirmed, his Byakugan seeing the chaos from a distance. "That's why we're not rushing in. If we join the fray, we might only make things worse for Tōka-sama and Masaki. They're skilled enough to handle it and find a way out. Our job is to be ready to treat them when they get back. Risa, be prepared."
"Understood," Senju Risa nodded.
"But can we really just stand by and watch?" Inuzuka Shigeru muttered, frustration clear in his voice. As a ninja, every instinct told him to act, to do something to help his comrades.
"Ōnoki, could you use that technique of yours, Dust Release, to take down Ginkaku? Its power should be enough to do it," Sarutobi Konosuke suggested.
Ōnoki shook his head. "Dust Release is powerful, yes, but Ginkaku is too fast. I'd need him to be held in place to aim accurately, and even then, I'd have to completely surround him with the technique."
Sarutobi Konosuke knew it was impossible. Who could possibly restrain a monster like that? Perhaps the First Hokage could, but he wasn't here. Even Senju Tōka and Fumori Masaki couldn't pin Ginkaku down long enough.
As the group observed the situation, Ōnoki's words about Dust Release lingered in their minds. Though they were allies now, they knew the day might come when they'd face each other in battle. Konoha ninjas kept a mental note of Dust Release's limitations, particularly its slow speed.
"For now, the best thing we can do is stay out of their way," Hyūga Kei said, his voice firm. "If we interfere, we might put them in more danger."
Everyone watched the food storage area with bated breath. They knew that while Tōka and Masaki had the skills to survive Ginkaku's assault, there was no guarantee they would emerge unscathed.
Despite his confidence, Hyūga Kei was still uneasy. His Byakugan allowed him to see everything, including Ginkaku's frenzied attacks and the way Tōka and Masaki narrowly avoided them. Each close call made Kei's heart race, but time and again, Tōka and Masaki's skill and teamwork saw them through.
As the battle continued, Kei gained a new level of respect for Senju Tōka and Fumori Masaki. Tōka, an experienced ninja from the Warring States era, and Masaki, a disciple of the Second Hokage, proved their worth in every move.
Finally, Ginkaku, having lost sight of his targets, turned his wrath on the unfortunate Kumo ninjas nearby. Kei exhaled a long-held breath. "It's over. Tōka-sama and Masaki have made it out."
At these words, Inuzuka Shigeru and the others cheered, while Ōnoki remained composed, though he, too, felt relieved. Fumori Masaki had earned his respect, and the thought of him dying would have been unfortunate.
The team rushed to meet Tōka and Masaki. When they saw the two approaching, they were shocked. Both were covered in wounds, many of which looked as if they had been seared by intense heat. Tōka, in particular, was in bad shape, leaning heavily on Masaki, her face smeared with blood.
Senju Risa immediately moved to treat them, but Masaki stopped her. "Not here. Let's get to the woods first."
"But..." Risa hesitated, glancing at Tōka's severe injuries.
"Listen to him," Tōka whispered, her voice strained with pain. Even speaking was a struggle, and the act made her wounds throb. Senju Risa nodded quickly, and the group moved to the woods.
Once they were safely among the trees, Masaki gently laid Tōka down. "Please, Risa," he said urgently.
Senju Risa nodded and began treating Tōka, while Masaki retrieved bandages and ointment, applying them to his own wounds. He motioned for the others to help wrap up the injuries.
"Will they be okay?" Hyūga Kei asked, his tone serious. "The wounds caused by Ginkaku seem to be tainted with the tailed beast's chakra. Our Hyūga clan has a special medical technique that might help. It could prevent the wounds from worsening."
"Please, go ahead," Masaki replied, grateful for any help. He wasn't aware that the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist had such applications. The clan's history was ancient, said to stretch back thousands of years, and their techniques must have evolved significantly over time.
Hyūga Kei carefully pressed several points around Masaki's wounds. Masaki felt a surge of chakra enter his chakra channel, unblocking the pathways that had been disrupted by the Nine-Tails' chakra. He marveled at the ease with which Kei's chakra flowed through him—if he'd tried to do this himself, it would have been far more difficult.
Masaki then turned his attention to Tōka, watching as Risa's medical ninjutsu slowly began to heal her wounds. Despite the treatment, her recovery was slow. Masaki asked Kei, "Can you help Tōka-sama as well?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Kei replied, shaking his head. "Your body is strong enough to withstand the technique, but Tōka-sama's injuries are too severe. If I tried, I might damage her meridians even more."
Masaki fell silent, his thoughts returning to the battle. Tōka had used her genjutsu to create openings, but the toll it took on her was immense. She had repeatedly condensed her chakra, trying to influence the crazed Ginkaku, but with limited success. When that failed, she had stepped in to take the brunt of the attacks, something a genjutsu specialist would rarely choose to do.
He knew Tōka had done it because of the promise she made to Rimi —to ensure Masaki's safe return. She had put her life on the line to create an opportunity for him.
Looking at the unconscious Tōka, Masaki silently prayed for her survival. She still had to meet his and Rimi's child, after all.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Tōka's breathing slowly steadied, though she remained unconscious. Senju Risa sighed in relief. "She's stable for now. With proper medical care at the camp, she should recover."
Masaki exhaled deeply. "That's good. Let's head back. The mission was a success, and no one died. Even though some of the warehouses weren't destroyed, Ginkaku's rampage should have taken care of that."
In the end, the mission was indeed a success. They had even captured an important figure from Kumo, a fact Inuzuka Shigeru had almost forgotten amidst the chaos.
As they prepared to leave, Masaki noticed the unconscious Sora. To be safe, he asked Hyūga Kei to seal her chakra points. Even if she was pretending to be unconscious, she wouldn't pose any threat.
The group moved cautiously but steadily back to the Konoha camp, ensuring that Tōka's condition didn't worsen. Thankfully, they encountered no resistance; Kumo was likely preoccupied with the aftermath of Ginkaku's rampage.
Their mission was complete, and though the scars would remain, they had succeeded against overwhelming odds.
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