While the battlefield around them had already descended into blazing chaos, clashes erupting on every front, only Uchiha Ran and the elderly monk Bunpuku stood facing one another—locked in an unblinking stare.
Neither moved.
They simply stared.
"…Old monk," Ran finally said, exasperation creeping into his voice, "aren't you going to make a move? How long are we supposed to keep staring at each other like this?"
He honestly admired the monk's composure. They had been standing there for quite some time now, and Bunpuku still hadn't so much as blinked.
"Little benefactor~"
Bunpuku pressed his palms together and calmly intoned a Buddhist chant.
"I am a man who has renounced the world. To be free of desire, anger, and resentment is the foundation of our path. This old monk has no intention of striking you. However… if you remain stubborn in your ways, then I can only ask you to leave."
Ran rolled his eyes.
"I've heard something interesting," he said casually. "The One-Tail's jinchūriki has been imprisoned in a temple for years, locked in a cage, unable to sleep—forced to coexist with the sealed Shukaku day and night. Only released when Sand needs a weapon."
His gaze sharpened.
"And the monk guarding that temple… would be you, wouldn't it?"
Bunpuku's expression didn't change in the slightest.
Ran couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This old man's mental fortitude is ridiculous. Even that didn't shake him.
"Honestly," Ran continued, his tone turning colder, "it's a shame. Your spiritual resolve is admirable. But as invaders, you don't have the right to stand in my way. No matter how benevolent you appear, you're still an accomplice."
His Sharingan spun to life.
"My companions need me. So… no matter what… I'll have to end this quickly."
With that, Ran slowly drew his Zanpakutō.
Bunpuku showed no fear. His eyes burned as he stared directly into Ran's Sharingan—and at the blade in his hand.
"Heh. You've got guts, old monk," Ran muttered. "Staring straight into an Uchiha's eyes one-on-one. Guess you've never suffered the consequences of fighting an Uchiha before."
He sensed it clearly—his Zanpakutō's hypnosis had affected only Bunpuku.
So Shukaku really doesn't give a damn about me at all, Ran realized. Didn't even bother paying attention.
Before Ran could speak again, Bunpuku gently shook his head.
"There are indeed rumors that one must flee when facing a three-tomoe Sharingan alone. But I am not fighting alone. Within me resides the One-Tail, Shukaku."
"For your own safety, young benefactor… you should retreat."
"The One-Tail?" Ran laughed. "That explains it."
Then his smile turned sharp.
"Too bad. I once heard a certain nine-tailed beast say that tailed beasts are ranked by the number of their tails. And in his eyes—"
Ran tilted his head.
"—the One-Tail is the disgrace of all tailed beasts. Nothing worth fearing."
The provocation was deliberate.
And devastatingly effective.
"OLD MAN—!"A shrill, furious voice erupted from within Bunpuku's body.
"He mentioned the Nine-Tails! That damn fox is still running his mouth like always! Let me out—just this once! I'll help you kill this Uchiha brat! We'll fight together!"
Shukaku's rage surged violently.
"No," Bunpuku said firmly. "Your power is too great. If I lose control, innocent people will be harmed."
This wasn't just caution—it was necessity. A tailed beast's rampage was no different from a natural disaster. Releasing Shukaku recklessly would endanger Sand's own shinobi.
"You're so damn stubborn!" Shukaku roared."I'm sealed, not powerless! I've never betrayed you! Didn't you say beasts and humans could trust each other?! And now you don't trust me?! Let me out—I'll prove that the Nine-Tails is wrong!"
Shukaku howled in humiliation and fury.
Bunpuku hesitated… then sensed the overwhelming wrath inside him.
"…Very well," the monk sighed, closing his eyes."If you insist, I will release you. Remember our agreement."
"ROOOAAARR—!!"
Shukaku's roar shook the battlefield. The earth cracked, stones splitting apart under the pressure of his emergence.
"That thing really is violent," Pakura murmured as she spotted the massive form in the distance."But… an indispensable force."
She turned back to face the woman before her—Tsunade, the legendary Kage-level shinobi known throughout the world as the Slug Princess.
Tsunade looked up at Shukaku's colossal body, concern flickering across her face.
"So it's finally come to this… A tailed beast really is overwhelming, no matter how many times you see one."
Her gaze hardened.
"Hold on, Ran…"
"…Ran?"
Pakura's pupils shrank.
"Hey—don't tell me the 'Ran' you're talking about is that damn Uchiha brat?!"
Realization hit her like a spark to dry powder. Her temperature—and killing intent—rose instantly.
"Heh," Tsunade chuckled softly."Who else could it be?"
"BASTARD!" Pakura exploded."Where is he?!"
BOOM—!
Pakura unleashed her chakra and charged Tsunade—only to be sent flying by a single punch, crashing through several trees.
She barely managed to coat herself with chakra in time. Otherwise, that blow would have shattered at least five of her ribs.
Watching Pakura struggle to her feet, Tsunade spoke calmly.
"How interesting. So a Sand kunoichi has ties to Uchiha Ran too?"
Her tone was unreadable.
"…You like him?"
Pakura's heart sank. I was careless, she cursed inwardly. Just hearing his name made me lose my composure.
"I don't care what kind of history you have with him," Tsunade continued evenly."But once I capture you, I'll interrogate you properly. Konoha does not allow outsiders—especially other villages—to lay hands on our people."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Trying to seduce Uchiha Ran to steal the Uchiha bloodline… How shameless."
Pakura snapped.
"You—YOU BASTARDS! You and that Uchiha both deserve to die! Juàn! Xīn! Cài! All of you—coordinate with me! We're giving this old woman a lesson she'll never forget!"
Tsunade cracked her knuckles.
"Interesting. Before I go help Ran… I'll deal with you first."
She smiled fiercely.
"Pakura, was it? To show my respect—let me demonstrate this power."
Her chakra surged violently.
"Strength of a Hundred Seal—Release!Creation Rebirth!"