Shukaku spat out a vicious remark, preparing to retreat back into Bunpuku's body.
But how could Yuki Seisui let him escape so easily?
"Going back now?"
"Too late!"
Seisui's innocent smile spread across his face, but to Shukaku, it was like the grim reaper's summons.
Feeling the chains binding his limbs tighten and pull him toward this small, seemingly harmless human, Shukaku realized he might be in serious trouble.
Yet even in this moment, he refused to yield!
"I am Shukaku!"
"The strongest!"
Before he could finish, Kurama's massive black paw slammed down in front of him, warning clear in its eyes.
"What are you trying to say?!"
Kurama swirled its black Susanoo claw before Shukaku's face, a silent reminder: Have you ever seen claws this large?
The fox was immensely pleased with the black armor Susanoo enveloping it.
Decades ago, under Madara Uchiha's control, it had experienced a similar feeling—but then it was through genjutsu, dreamlike and unreal.
Now, however, Kurama felt the full, tangible power of Susanoo encasing it.
ROOOAAAR!
Unable to contain itself, Kurama tilted its head back and let out a deafening roar.
"I am the Nine-Tailed Sage Fox now!"
Feeling the overwhelming power coursing through its body, instinct told it that even Hashirama Senju couldn't match it.
Yet reason reminded it: Hashirama, that damn human, was unbeatable.
After a scolding from Kurama, Shukaku stopped talking and silently struggled against Seisui's chains.
If Kurama were in a normal state, Shukaku might have thrown a few taunts—but with the menacing Susanoo armor now protecting it, only a fool would provoke this fox.
Seeing Shukaku and Seisui locked in tension, Pakura gritted her teeth and said to Chiyo and Ebizo, "Seisui's taking the One-Tail away!"
"We have to stop him together!"
"Understood!" Chiyo and Ebizo nodded firmly.
Just as they prepared to move, Tsunade and Jiraiya appeared before them.
They had been waiting for some time.
Seeing Seisui controlling the One-Tail himself, they had held back—but now, with Pakura and the others clearly planning to intervene, hiding was no longer an option.
"Your opponent is us."