The purple ring-shaped blade storm instantly enveloped Han. The crescent blades within it continuously sliced his body, sending countless sprays of blood into the air, making his already crimson-covered form even more vivid.
In contrast, Akashō's evolved blade clashed with Han's fist for only a dozen seconds before shattering again, and he was sent flying backward, coughing up blood.
By the time Akashō recovered and struggled back to his feet, the blade storm on the other side had already dissipated, revealing Han, covered in blood and wounds.
"As expected of the Moon Sword Demon who can go head-on with the Magnet Release duo. Your swordsmanship is truly impressive—you actually managed to break through my defense."
Han spoke in a muffled, heavy voice, praising Akashō, but all Akashō heard was mockery.
After all, Kokushibo specialized in dealing with close-range fighters like Han. Yet that strike had only managed to break his defense—let alone cutting him in half, it hadn't even reached the level of a serious injury.
Although Han had used the steam around him to repel the blade storm during their clash, it still shouldn't have resulted in such minor damage. Just who exactly was this Han?
Under Akashō's wary gaze, the cuts on Han's body began to slowly heal. In just a few breaths, he was completely restored.
Such regeneration… could it be—
"Well then, I acknowledge your strength. Next, I'll be going all out. I hope you survive."
As soon as the words fell, a blood-red chakra burst from Han's body, instantly covering him completely. Within a few breaths, the chakra grew so dense that his original form could no longer be seen. Two twisted horns formed on his head, and five tails swayed behind him, making him look like a crimson monster.
So it really is a Jinchūriki.
Akashō silently activated the Transparent World. This fight was going to be harder than he had expected.
During his time in the Leaf Village with Kushina, Akashō had learned about Jinchūriki—beings whose tailed beast transformations granted immense defense, regeneration, and attack power. Compared to ordinary shinobi, they were far more troublesome opponents.
"ROAR!!!"
Han let out a beast-like roar and turned into a streak of blood-red afterimage, charging at Akashō.
Akashō's pupils shrank. So fast!
With the Transparent World, his reaction speed and adaptability far surpassed normal limits.
He quickly tilted his head, barely avoiding a sweeping kick from Han—but even the wind from the kick alone scraped across his face, leaving a stinging pain.
This was the true Kage-level!
In the next instant, one of Han's tails lashed out and struck Akashō's waist, sending him flying dozens of meters sideways and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Kokushibo's Demon Body kicked in. Before he even hit the ground, his shattered waist had already regenerated.
Akashō swiftly used his Blood Demon Art to reconstruct the evolved blade, then stabbed it into the ground to halt his momentum.
Even a casual strike from Han in his partial tailed beast form carried power comparable to a full-force attack in his normal state.
A steam-based shinobi with monstrous strength!
"Come on!!!"
The veins around Akashō's six eyes bulged simultaneously. Facing Han as he pounced from midair, Akashō leapt high as well.
Through the Transparent World, he could clearly see the flow of tailed beast chakra across Han's body.
This chakra granted Han unparalleled regeneration and defense—but it also had weak points!
"Moon Breathing, Sixteenth Form: Moonbow, Half Moon!!"
Akashō unleashed Kokushibo's strongest sword technique, slashing downward and releasing multiple massive purple sword arcs, each aimed precisely at the weakest points in the tailed beast chakra coating Han's body.
"Boil Release: Unmatched Strength!!"
Although the partial tailed beast transformation affected Han's mind to some extent, it didn't turn him into a mindless beast. He sensed the danger in Akashō's attack, and alongside his transformation, he unleashed his signature technique.
Steam erupted as his blood-red fist slammed into the incoming sword arcs, as if to shatter them in a single blow.
"BOOM!!!"
The shattered sword arcs flew back, slicing countless wounds into Akashō as he descended, while Han dropped like a meteor, smashing into the ground and creating a massive crater.
Akashō landed, his wounds rapidly regenerating. Not far ahead, a crimson arm tore through the dust, revealing Han—his injuries already healed beneath the cloak of chakra.
After a single exchange, both were wounded—yet both recovered within just a few breaths.
"Annoying opponent…"
Both of them bared their teeth, calmly expressing their mutual disgust.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo