"I wonder how you'll escape this time..."
Saitama stood firmly in front of Ephemeral, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Tch...
Ephemeral glared fiercely at Saitama, gripping the Lightning Spear embedded in his abdomen.
Chakra surged violently across his body, but unfortunately, Saitama's technique was too strong. For now, he couldn't pull it out by force.
Zzt!
Saitama didn't budge an inch, watching coldly as Ephemeral slowly withdrew the technique from his belly.
Sweat beaded on Ephemeral's forehead. Even with Saitama standing right before him—ready to strike again at any moment—he continued struggling to remove the technique piercing his gut.
His face twisted in agony. Blood trickled slowly from his wound, mingling with the blue-white arcs of lightning.
"You... damn... bastard!"
Ephemeral's eyes widened. The pain from his injuries shot through his nerves. His tone grew harsher, his face increasingly twisted with rage.
Holding the Lightning Spear Saitama had thrust into him, he bent low and suddenly sprang forward at high speed, appearing directly in front of Saitama.
He lifted his right hand, preparing to retaliate with the Lightning Spear Saitama had used—returning the suffering just inflicted upon him.
But things wouldn't unfold so easily.
Clack!
Saitama extended his left hand and tightly gripped Ephemeral's raised arm. That same indifferent mockery lingered on his face.
Electricity crackled from his palm into Ephemeral's arm, making his movements stutter and slow.
At that instant, Saitama closed in beside Ephemeral. He lifted his right knee, where tangible lightning gathered, radiating immense power.
Boom! With brutal force, the knee slammed directly into the wound on Ephemeral's abdomen.
Injured atop injury, the charred wound exploded open, blood spraying everywhere...
Ugh!
Ephemeral's face turned pale. A wave of weakness spread instantly throughout his body. He spat a mouthful of blood straight onto Saitama's chest.
The hit drove deep, tearing through muscle and bruising his insides. His heart pounded wildly.
"I thought you had some special reason to act so arrogantly!"
Saitama released the wrist he'd been holding, and Ephemeral instinctively collapsed to his knees. Blood dripped steadily from his mouth.
Drained and helpless, shocks of numbness and sharp bursts of pain shot through his body.
Saitama fixed his gaze on Ephemeral. Though Ephemeral's head hung low, Tailed Beasts' Chakra still surged all over his body—it seemed he refused to accept the reality of a Jinchuriki unable to fight.
Stepping back, Saitama locked eyes with Ephemeral using his Sharingan, sensing what was coming. Then, swiftly raising one leg, he struck as if kicking a motionless ball on the ground.
This kick targeted the Jinchuriki directly once more, moving so fast it created a "swish" through the air.
Lightning wrapped around his leg. The impact landed heavily against Ephemeral's head.
Not as explosive as one might imagine, like a watermelon failing to burst. Although Ephemeral had lost his ability to counterattack due to Saitama's previous assault and remained motionless, the chakra surrounding him still offered some protection. As if possessed by consciousness, it shot rapidly toward the direction of Saitama's incoming whip kick, quickly forming into a wall-like shield of chakra.
*Boom!* The chakra gathered beside Ephemeral's head shattered, and Saitama's foot landed precisely on Ephemeral's cheek.
Another heavy blow. Ephemeral's body could hardly take it anymore, and he himself gradually weakened, no longer able to muster any resistance.
The battle seemed destined to end soon—faster than Sasori had anticipated.
[Wood Release – Thorn Binding Vines!]
Saitama didn't hold back. The moment Ephemeral hit the ground, Saitama darted forward, pointing one finger at him, palm facing the ground where Ephemeral was about to land.
As he did this, the earth suddenly split open around Ephemeral. Several wooden pillars instantly sprang up from the ground, encircling him, each extending upward until their tops converged above his head.
"What is this…"
Ephemeral blinked. Pain subsiding, strength returning slightly—he was about to move when the pillars extended vine-like branches that coiled tightly around his body, pinning him down.
"Hmph!"
He writhed violently, twisting and pulling—but it was pointless. Even his corrosive tailed beast chakra couldn't damage these bindings.
"No use struggling. This is Wood Release—it doesn't only bind you tightly, it also gradually drains your chakra, further strengthening itself while maintaining its hold."
Saitama's voice cut through at the exact moment, halting Ephemeral mid-struggle.
If Ephemeral had been at full power before this fight started, such Wood Techniques probably wouldn't have worked—but now, after back-to-back battles, Ephemeral no longer had the strength to break free.
Hearing Saitama's words, Ephemeral indeed sensed the strange nature of these binding vines. A powerful suction force emanated from them, drawing away every bit of chakra within his body.
And as the chakra was drawn away, the binding force only grew stronger.
"But… better add an extra layer of insurance…"
Though he maintained the Wood Release, Saitama knew tailed beasts were tough opponents, so he murmured softly.
"Hmm?"
A sudden realization hit Ephemeral. He suddenly looked up, meeting Saitama's cold gaze. At the same time, he saw the ninjutsu already forming on Saitama's hand—a crackling surge of lightning.
[Lightning Release – Chidori!]
*Zzzt!*
Ephemeral's pupils shrank. The faint chakra he'd just begun to gather instantly dissipated. Even the tailed beast chakra on his skin, which had been resisting the Wood Release, scattered like dust, vanishing abruptly.
He dropped his head, staring at the arm that had pierced through the bindings and buried itself in his chest. Despair flooded his heart—not only because of the pain, but more so from an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Against Sasori, he still believed there was a chance to win.
The light in his eyes gradually faded as Ephemeral's consciousness began to sink. His head throbbed painfully, and his body's regeneration abilities were nearly nullified under the suppression of Wood Release.
Unless something unexpected happened, once he closed his eyes this time, he wouldn't get another chance to open them.
Ephemeral understood that logic well. Although he wanted to resist, his hands and feet were bound, not even a trace of chakra remained within him to muster, and severely wounded as he was, there was absolutely no hope in sight.
He could still hear the Six-Tails roaring from deep within him, but the connection between them appeared to be gradually severed by the Wood Release.
[Wood Release - Silent Binding Technique!]
Saitama pulled back his hand, slightly stained with blood, then pressed his palm once again onto the wooden bindings holding Ephemeral.
A dark pattern spread from his palm, slithering toward Ephemeral's body like a swarm of writhing insects.
"Heh!"
Saitama's voice was low and deep. Instantly, the wooden limbs surrounding Ephemeral snapped shut, wrapping him up like a cocoon, sealing away any sound he might make and preventing him from using any Ninjutsu.
"Crack!" The wooden pillar hovering over Ephemeral's head splintered away, and in an instant, he was encased in a wooden cocoon, falling at Saitama's feet.
"The fight is over!"
Saitama narrowed his eyes and removed his hand from the now-enclosed Ephemeral.
Ephemeral was tightly confined inside, surrounded by layers of Wood Release techniques which had severed his link with the Tailed Beast and drained all chakra from his body. At this moment, escape was impossible!
With that, the capture of the Six-Tails was officially complete.
"Your strength truly baffles me!"
Sasori's voice came from behind Saitama, but Saitama didn't respond, instead slightly turning sideways to look.
At this point, Sasori had once again taken out clothing from his scroll and wrapped himself in it.
That youthful face, handsome appearance, caused Saitama to smile.
"So this is your real form? Quite interesting indeed!"
Saitama smirked, his left hand grabbing the wooden cocoon containing the Jinchuriki before casually tossing it over.
Of course, he already knew this was Sasori's true form.
"Appearance is merely temporary; art is eternal. If you're interested in preserving beauty forever, I can help you achieve that too."
Sasori caught the wooden cocoon thrown by Saitama, his expression amused as he tapped a few times on its surface with his fingers, producing crisp sounds.
"As for me, I'll pass."
Saitama shrugged his shoulders. He held absolutely zero interest in Sasori's concept of "art."
"Now that we've successfully captured the Six-Tails, you may choose to return first. I'll stay here briefly and wait for the ninja from the Mist—see if there's someone I'm hoping to meet."
Saitama turned toward Sasori, speaking in a relaxed tone.
He was confident in his own strength, and besides, he wasn't alone either.
"Oh? Then I'll stick around and see what happens."
Sasori placed the wooden cocoon flat and sat directly on top of it.
Inside the wooden cocoon, there was no movement at all, as if the Jinchuriki were lifeless. Feeling secure about what was inside, Sasori made no move to avoid the risk of Ephemeral breaking free.
"That's up to you!"
Saitama withdrew his gaze and looked elsewhere.
He had sensed movement—the ninja from Mist seemed to have arrived.
But unexpectedly, there was no familiar aura of a Tailed Beast. Clearly, Yagura wasn't involved in this operation.
Though somewhat expected, Saitama still felt a tinge of disappointment.
But who could it be? Whoever was stepping in for Yagura must be someone strong—Mist didn't have many shinobi like that.
"Woosh!"
The wind picked up; they weren't far from the sea, so the sound approached quickly.
Saitama sensed an unfamiliar chakra heading toward them. Whoever it was, he didn't recognize.
"It seems they've arrived. Now I'm really curious to see what's coming!"
Sasori sat calmly atop the wooden cocoon enclosing the Jinchuriki, completely at ease.
Even though he currently had no remaining chakra and none of his elite puppets left, he carried absolutely no concern about the approaching danger.
After all, Saitama was here—he didn't have anything to worry about.
The power Saitama had shown earlier shook him to the core.
It was just a Jinchuriki nearing the end of his strength—but still, he had been immensely powerful.
And yet, against Saitama? He hadn't lasted more than a few moves before being utterly crushed, unable to even mount a defense...
"Tap!"
Saitama raised his line of sight. Outside the deep pit where he stood, faint footsteps echoed.
Two people. The chakra reserves within both were considerable.
Further away, several more presences approached.
"Kisame, enemy signatures are right ahead. Should we rendezvous with Kage's aides before moving in?"
Shouldering Hiramekarei, Mangetsu stared straight forward.
"No need. Let's move ahead ourselves."
Kisame spoke bluntly, his tone devoid of excess emotion as he pressed forward without hesitation.
"Fine by me!"
Mangetsu smiled—it was exactly what he wanted. If the enemy was truly just a Puppet master, then too bad; they simply wouldn't stand up to his blade!
Now that he wielded Hiramekarei and had joined the Ninja Squad, his power was a whole new level compared to before.
If once he had been a mere powerful Jonin, now he was among the elite ranked just below the Kage. Even facing weaker Kage-level experts, he had confidence in defeating them.
This time, the Akatsuki Organization's Puppet master mentioned in their intelligence report perfectly fit that category of "weaker" opponents he imagined.
"Hmm?"
Mangetsu sensed something and stopped in his tracks. A familiar aura entered his perception range.
One he would never forget.
Years ago, during a battlefield encounter while still part of the reserve Ninja Squad, he had suffered a serious defeat at this person's hands!
Since then, through years of relentless effort, he'd worked tirelessly to ensure he'd never again feel that same powerless frustration.
However, that figure seemed to have no strength left to chase after him.
Because...
"Hey, Mangetsu! And Kisame too!"
Saitama lifted his head and saw the two people standing at the edge. He smiled.
The newcomers were familiar faces—actually, quite familiar ones.
Although in this timeline he hadn't fought Kisame yet, he definitely knew who he was.
This guy was tough—one of the few men in all of Naruto who truly loved Hand Seals.
Though he had lost to Guy with Seven Gates open, his actual strength was undeniably formidable.
"Saitama Uchiha!"
Mangetsu frowned. He hadn't expected to meet this person during this mission!
Didn't the intel say he was just a Puppet Master?
His gaze swept past Saitama and landed on a ninja seated atop a Wooden Cocoon.
Very young, and extremely handsome. Like Saitama, he bore no look of a rogue ninja.
He looked at Sasori, and naturally, Sasori was already watching these two Hidden Mist shinobi who had appeared here.
As Mangetsu stared back at him, Sasori smiled—as if greeting an old friend with a subtle nod.
"Do you know him?"
Kisame wasn't fond of being called "Sharky face bro," but once Yagura revealed the enemy's name, it sounded familiar. His brain didn't immediately recall more details, though.
"Yeah, the Uchiha traitor who killed the Third Hokage."
Mangetsu answered cautiously, his eyes wary as he tightened his grip on his weapon, as if only by doing so could he feel safe.
"So it's him!"
Kisame bared his sharp teeth, eyes hardening slightly.
With Mangetsu's reminder, his mind suddenly flooded with information about Saitama Uchiha.
All the chaos lately in the Shinobi World? This guy's behind it!
"What? So you guys are here for backup? I thought Yagura would come personally this time!"
Saitama brushed off his clothes, looking gentle—as if he felt no tension at facing enemies.
"Kisame, he's strong. Be careful!"
Mangetsu noticed Kisame slowly raising his arm and warned him.
"Mm, got it! Watch that other guy over there while I test out this Saitama Uchiha!"
"Just hold him off for a bit longer, and Terumi Mei will arrive. Then our pressure will ease up!"
Kisame stayed calm. Though he enjoyed fighting, it didn't mean he lacked intelligence.
Quite the opposite—he was a battle-hardened shinobi who kept his head cool even in the heat of combat, cold-blooded through and through.
"Understood!"
Mangetsu gripped the handle of Hiramekarei, and chakra began radiating from his body.
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