A constant rumble echoed through the desert.
Smoke and sand mixed with the chakra remnants of the Tailed Beast Balls, turning the air murky purple and yellow-brown.
Shukaku narrowed his eyes and stared into the dust.
Did that finish him?
Just to be safe—
"Wind Release: Sandstorm Breaker!"
Shukaku slammed both hands into the desert. A violent whirlwind burst upward from the ground, tearing through the smoke like a shark through water and scattering sand everywhere.
Boom!
The flying sand reached all the way to Kashin Koji's position.
Code did not appear.
Koji's eyes sharpened.
"Sage Art: Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
He leapt backward and exhaled a sea of flames. The scorching fire collided with the sand and dust, producing a sharp crackling sound.
The temperature rose rapidly. Sand began to melt under the heat, dripping to the ground like molten iron.
Still, Code did not show himself.
Shukaku's unease grew.
"Sage Art: Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
The ground beneath Shukaku suddenly softened into a deep swamp.
Before Shukaku could react—
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A giant toad dropped from the sky.
Boom—!!
The impact stunned Shukaku for a brief moment.
That was enough.
Code burst out from beneath the sand, claws flashing coldly as he lunged straight for Shukaku like a bullet.
"Tailed Beast Ball!"
Shukaku fired several in quick succession.
Code slashed straight through them.
"Sage Art: Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
Koji followed closely behind, clearing the path with flames. Triggering the explosions early reduced their destructive force.
Code burst through the fire and reached Shukaku instantly.
The toad vanished.
Shukaku formed sand armor and collided head-on.
"Sage Art: Fire Release: Five Fire Divine Flame!"
Flames wrapped around both Code and Shukaku like dragons.
Boom!
Code's claws pierced deep into Shukaku's arm. The sand armor shattered visibly.
They locked for a moment.
Code smirked. "Who's the dog now?"
Using Shukaku's massive arm as leverage, Code vaulted into the air and then rushed toward Shukaku's face.
"Wind Release: Practice Air Bullet!"
At point-blank range, Shukaku blasted Code away with an air cannon.
The flames spread across Shukaku's body.
"Roar!!"
Shukaku was furious.
"Desert Layered Burial Seal!"
Sand from nearly a hundred miles around surged inward, piling up into a massive pyramid structure around Shukaku.
Cursed sealing patterns spread across the sand.
Code instantly teleported away using a claw mark.
The flames died out.
Shukaku stood atop the pyramid, radiating the overwhelming aura of a Tailed Beast.
Koji coughed heavily below.
A giant toad shadow fell again from the sky.
Shukaku looked up.
Koji stood atop it.
"Tailed Beast Ball!"
Without hesitation, Shukaku fired.
Koji leapt aside as the toad dispersed.
But—
"Sage Art: Massive Rasengan!"
Koji descended toward Shukaku.
Shukaku immediately formed another Tailed Beast Ball.
Koji hesitated.
But Shukaku gave him no time.
The Tailed Beast Ball fired.
Koji smashed his Rasengan directly into it.
Boom!!
Energy ripples spread violently.
Koji formed another Rasengan.
As long as Code returned soon, injuries didn't matter.
With determination, Koji forced the Tailed Beast Ball backward toward Shukaku.
The ground shattered. The pyramid began to crumble.
Shukaku formed a second Tailed Beast Ball.
Now the two were locked in a stalemate.
Moments later, Koji's body began to fail under the pressure of the chakra waves.
Each ripple felt like a sledgehammer striking him.
Blood sprayed from his mouth and dispersed into the air.
Shukaku detonated both Tailed Beast Balls.
The explosion was enough to threaten Koji's life.
"Damn it… where is Code?!"
Even Koji couldn't remain calm anymore.
Then—
A third Tailed Beast Ball began to form.
"Sorry. Having chakra means I can do whatever I want!" Shukaku sneered.
Koji's eyes widened.
Rumble—!!
A massive explosion erupted.
A mushroom cloud rose into the sky. The pyramid shattered completely, leaving a giant crater.
Shukaku stood in the shockwave, exhilarated.
Is that all?
So this 'Moon' group isn't that impressive after all?
…
Elsewhere.
Code stared coldly at the red-haired man blocking his path.
This was the desert.
Gaara's home ground.
A troublesome opponent.
"What a hassle," Code muttered. "I didn't expect you to show up so fast."
"People from that faction?" Gaara asked calmly.
"Yes," Code admitted without hesitation.
If the real target wanted to object, they could come themselves.
Gaara's eyes grew colder.
"Even in times of peace, there are still people like you who bring destruction."
Code didn't bother explaining.
Koji was still fighting Shukaku alone.
Without modifications, Koji was struggling.
Seeing that Code had no intention of talking, Gaara raised his hand.
Sand began to rise.
The desert shifted in an instant.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San