Negative emotions are something that every sentient being experiences.
Byakuya could grow stronger by absorbing and transforming this negative energy.
He remembered well—when he first encountered the Nine-Tails, the beast's intense hatred and anger upon seeing his Mangekyō Sharingan had provided him with a massive surge of negative energy.
So now, facing the One-Tail, Byakuya didn't hesitate. Without a word, he activated his Susanoo and launched a fierce assault on the tailed beast.
Initially, Byakuya's intent wasn't just to subdue the beast—but to extract negative emotions from it.
But no matter how hard he hit Shukaku, he didn't feel the usual surge of negativity.
Puzzled, Byakuya narrowed his eyes—his Sharingan spinning rapidly. That's when he noticed a figure standing atop Shukaku's head.
"…A monk?" he muttered.
He immediately activated his ocular powers, and with the heightened perception of his dōjutsu, he saw it clearly: chakra lines linking the man and the beast.
"That's the Jinchūriki. So this isn't the true body of the One-Tail, just chakra shaped from within the host."
Byakuya understood immediately—Shukaku's consciousness was still suppressed inside the Jinchūriki. That explained the lack of emotional reaction.
"I see… if I want the real Shukaku's hatred, I'll need to draw him out."
Deactivating his Susanoo, Byakuya leapt directly in front of the Jinchūriki, landing atop the beast's sand-crafted head.
The Jinchūriki—Bunpuku, the monk from Sunagakure—stared at him in shock. He didn't hesitate; yellow sand surged up in a wave, lashing out at Byakuya.
But it was futile.
Byakuya sidestepped with ease, weaving between the sand projectiles with minimal effort. In a flash, he closed the distance and slammed his palm into Bunpuku's chest.
"Uzumaki Seal Release."
As a user of Uzumaki sealing techniques—passed down through secret channels—Byakuya released the tailed beast's seal with precision.
"W-what did you do?! The seal… it's breaking!"
Panic overtook Bunpuku as the powerful chakra of Shukaku began to swell violently within him. He tried to suppress it, but without the seal, he had no chance.
Shukaku didn't waste the opportunity.
"GRAAAHHHH!!"
A monstrous wave of chakra exploded outward. Bunpuku screamed as the tailed beast's raw chakra tore through his body. Sand surged and gathered, forming a massive form in seconds.
Soon, the true Shukaku—the One-Tailed Tanuki—stood tall, towering over the battlefield, eyes wide with manic glee.
"I'M FREEEEE!" he roared.
Shukaku's chakra had been sealed for decades within the monk's body—his hatred and impatience building all the while. He had tried endlessly to break the seal but failed every time.
Now, finally unshackled, his massive body rippled with chakra as he howled in exhilaration.
"No… this can't be happening…" Chiyo muttered from afar, her expression grim.
Rasa, standing beside her, clenched his fists. "Didn't we reinforce the Jinchūriki's seal before the war?... How did this happen?"
They had intended to weaponize Bunpuku and Shukaku against the Konoha forces. But now, they'd lost control of their ultimate weapon.
Rasa's face turned pale. "Can we even seal him again?"
Back on the battlefield, Byakuya gazed calmly at the rampaging beast.
"Stop yelling. You're giving me a headache."
Shukaku's massive eyes locked onto him, blinking with surprise.
"You… you broke the seal?"
Byakuya didn't answer.
Shukaku snorted, the desert winds swirling around him. "Fine. I'll spare your life for freeing me. You can scram now."
Byakuya smirked coldly.
"Spare me?... You're awfully full of yourself, Ichibi."
The tailed beast's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What did you say, you little worm…?"
"I spared your life out of kindness, but you didn't appreciate it..."
"In that case, you can just die for me!"
As Byakuya's voice echoed, Shukaku growled, his massive claw lifting into the sky. Without hesitation, the One-Tailed Beast slammed it down.
Boom!
The ground quaked violently under the impact. A deep crater split the earth where the claw had landed. Shukaku snorted, convinced.
"That little brat's done for."
But could a tailed beast's raw strength really kill an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? Of course not.
Suddenly, from the crushed earth beneath Shukaku's claw, a violent surge of chakra erupted. The chakra rapidly solidified, taking the form of a colossal spectral hand — a ribbed structure of blue ethereal energy — and pushed Shukaku's claw away with immense force.
The One-Tail stumbled backward, his massive frame forced into retreat by the overwhelming power. Before him stood Byakuya, now cloaked in the ribcage of his Susanoo — the signature ability of those with Mangekyō Sharingan.
"What the hell is that!?..."
Shukaku glared in shock. His eyes narrowed.
"Wait... this power... it looks familiar!"
Memories flashed through his mind — of a man with the same eyes, the same spectral warrior — the one who had once subdued and sealed him decades ago.
"That cursed power again... Uchiha!"
Roaring with fury, Shukaku's body trembled with rage.
"You think you can control me again!? Die!"
Driven by bitter memory and rage, the One-Tail lunged toward Byakuya, his chakra spiking uncontrollably as sand swirled in a violent storm.
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