Utakata looked at Naruto in surprise, a sudden frustration flickering in his eyes.
"You… you can actually use the Tailed Beast Bomb in Tailed Beast Chakra Mode?"
Fu and Yukimaru stared at Naruto as well, eyes wide with disbelief.
To use the Tailed Beast Bomb in Tailed Beast Chakra Mode required more than raw power—it demanded complete synchronization with one's tailed beast, total control over massive chakra output. Even Fu, a perfect Jinchūriki in harmony with Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, couldn't perform the technique in that state. The condensed power of the Tailed Beast Bomb was simply too immense to manage in partial transformations.
But Naruto was different.
His Uzumaki bloodline had granted him an astonishing physical resilience. On top of that, his recent intensive Rasengan training had elevated his chakra control to near-elite Jonin levels.
As the swirling air thickened with tension, chakra converged around Naruto's mouth. Even Saya couldn't help but glance his way more than once, clearly sensing the terrifying energy amassing before her.
"If that hits directly," she thought, "even my perfect Susanoo might take a crack."
But it wasn't a matter of weakness—few shinobi could compare to monsters like Madara Uchiha, who once housed chakra on par with the Nine-Tails within his own body.
Madara and Hashirama had been outliers—freaks of nature. Monsters. Uchiha Saya's Susanoo had only reached its complete form after her awakening through the Dragon Vein baptism, still far from Madara's terrifying standard.
After all, Madara had fought Hashirama's Thousand-Armed Kanon with Susanoo alone. Even if he was smaller in size, their strength stood equal.
Across the ninja world, Uchiha Hikaru alone had come closest to replicating that godlike form of Susanoo—and at this moment, he might already have surpassed it.
Above Naruto, the dark blue and black chakra condensed into a pulsating sphere—three meters wide and humming with violent energy.
The ground beneath Naruto's feet sank half a meter from the sheer pressure. Then, slowly, he began to compress the Tailed Beast Ball.
"Boom."
"Boom."
"Boom."
With every compression, deep rumbling echoed from within the sphere, and the ground cratered further beneath Naruto. The chakra ball shrank until it matched the size of a Rasengan—compact, deadly.
Naruto opened his mouth, holding the condensed orb between the jaws of the fox chakra cloak—and fired.
The Tailed Beast Bomb tore through the air in a streak of blue-black light, leaving a searing afterimage in its wake as it rocketed toward Saya's Susanoo.
Susanoo's wings spread. Four long blades lifted in its arms, their edges flickering with black fire.
Amaterasu.
"Add Earth Life!" Saya muttered, activating an auxiliary technique to reinforce her form.
As the orb approached, the flaming blades lashed out. Four arcs of black flame cleaved through the air.
In a flash, the Tailed Beast Bomb split into sixteen burning fragments.
The resulting explosion thundered across the forest.
A shockwave swept outward, flattening trees and sending animals scattering. The impact rattled every Genin in the Forest of Death.
Dozens of participants climbed to the tops of trees to see what had happened—and froze at the sight.
A hundred-meter-tall red samurai giant stood unmoving in a cloud of smoke and ash, four burning swords held at the ready.
"Wh-What the hell is that?!"
"A monster… Is Konoha under attack?!"
"No way that thing is a Genin like us...!"
Far above, even the ninja elite stationed deep within the Konoha command center felt the chakra spike.
Inside Killer Bee's mindscape:
"Bee, that chakra—it's the Nine-Tails. Looks like that brat's finally trying to master its power," Gyūki rumbled.
"Yo yo~ That's some mad flow~ Kid's a prodigy, don't you know~" Bee rapped with a grin.
Uchiha Hikaru—seated in the same war room—focused his chakra senses in the direction of the blast and shook his head, expression mixed between concern and resignation.
(…Seriously, Saya? That's a bit much.)
(Well… as long as she doesn't kill the Jinchūriki from the other villages, it should be fine. Should be…)
Konan, meanwhile, excused herself from the meeting under the pretense of going to the restroom.
(No, this is serious. I need to report to Nagato again. Just what kind of monsters is Konoha hiding?)
Tsunade turned to Hikaru, forcing a smile as she leaned in and pinched his thigh beneath the table.
Her voice dropped to a low, venomous whisper.
"Explain to me how that girl ended up with that kind of chakra."
"How the hell did you let her join the Chunin Exams?! How is anyone else supposed to survive?!"
"I'm the Hokage, dammit—don't you dare go Danzo on me!"
Hikaru winced.
(Ah crap… this feels… oddly familiar.)
He slid his hand under the table, casually resting it on Tsunade's thigh in retaliation.
"If you keep pinching me, I'll return the favor," he muttered.
"After this exam, I want two jars of that rare sake you hide in your office."
Tsunade arched an eyebrow.
"I'm the Hokage. You can't just—"
"Three jars."
"…Hikaru, the Chunin Exams are an international—"
"Five."
"…Deal."
Tsunade backed away slightly. Hikaru withdrew his hand, his face heating.
(Damn it, there are so many people in this room… And she really fought back. Tsunade, you've become shameless!)
Tsunade smirked with a triumphant sparkle in her eyes.
(Gotcha~ five jars for free~)
On the battlefield, Naruto collapsed as he exited the Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, panting heavily and gulping for air.
He forced himself upright, staring into the thinning dust cloud.
"Sasuke… Did we get her?"
Sasuke's Sharingan pierced the smoke.
The red samurai form stood tall, seemingly untouched.
His gaze filled with longing—and frustration.
"No," Sasuke muttered. "Sister Saya is still standing…"
Before he could finish, a sudden gust swept across the area, kicking up debris.
Saya's voice cut through the wind.
"Your strength is admirable, Naruto. If I hadn't used Susanoo, that might've hit me."
"But you're too slow. Fancy moves like that won't reach me."
Her words were blunt, but not cruel—simply the truth.
Naruto clenched his fists. Even as pain wracked his body, the fire in his eyes flared anew.
"I'm not giving up… Not yet."
"I don't care how many times I fail—I'll stand back up!"
"That's my ninja way!"
Saya watched him silently.
(This idiot… He can barely stay conscious. Doesn't he get it yet? The difference between us?)
Fu stepped forward, placing her hands on Naruto's back.
"I can use a secret Takigakure technique to channel the power of all our tailed beasts into you."
"But your body—"
Naruto's face lit up with fierce determination.
"Do it! Don't hold back—I can take it!"
He didn't care if it hurt. As long as there was a chance to keep fighting Saya, he'd seize it.
Gaara stopped manipulating his sand. Yukimaru looked to Utakata, awaiting orders.
Utakata nodded.
He, Gaara, and Fu joined, placing their hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"Then let's go crazy with you, Naruto."
Yukimaru ran forward, pressing his palm against Naruto's back.
"Come on, Naruto!"
Gaara said nothing, but his gaze burned with unwavering trust.
Fu's hesitation vanished.
"This is a technique I developed based on a forbidden jutsu from Takigakure—Earth Grudge."
"Originally, I designed it to share my chakra with my village… But now I'll reverse it."
"You'll become the vessel. I'll pour all of our tailed beast chakra into you."
"You'll possess the power of five tailed beasts—temporarily. But your body—"
"I'll manage!" Naruto shouted. "I'm an Uzumaki! I can take it!"
That was all Fu needed to hear.
"Secret Technique—Tail Scattering Reverse!"
"Fusion Art!"
She performed a complex series of hand seals. Behind Naruto, black markings bloomed into a web of sealing patterns.
Chakra surged from Gaara, Utakata, Yukimaru, and Fu.
"Don't resist. Let the chakra flow into him!"
Naruto screamed in agony as searing chakra flooded his system.
Sakura burst into tears.
"Please stop! Give up, Naruto! We'll just hand over the scroll—we can try again next year!"
Sasuke seized her wrist, grip tightening until his nails drew blood.
"Don't stop a man who's prepared to die for his dream."
Sakura froze.
"Is a belief… really worth dying for?" she asked, voice cracking. "If you die… there's nothing left…"
Sasuke slapped her hard.
"Haruno Sakura."
"Being a ninja—do you think it's a game?"
"This is the path we chose. We risk our lives. Always."
Sakura dropped to her knees, eyes vacant.
"I just… I just don't want Naruto to suffer anymore…"
Sasuke blinked, guilt flickering across his face.
He lowered his head, his voice soft.
"…Sorry."
"But respect Naruto's choice."
Then he turned back to Naruto.
Naruto watched all of it, tears streaking his cheeks.
Through the pain, he forced a smile, gave a thumbs up.
"I'm good…"
"Hnnngh—it doesn't even hurt…"
Inside his mind, Kurama stared at him in disbelief—and admiration.
(This kid… Maybe he really is the one the Sage of Six Paths spoke of…)
"Hmph. You damn brat… Fine. Just this once—I'll help you out."
Kurama surged forward, linking his chakra with the others.
A blazing orange-yellow chakra erupted from Naruto's body, flickering violently.
Yukimaru and Utakata collapsed behind him. Fu smiled softly—then passed out.
Only Gaara remained standing.
He placed his last bit of chakra into Naruto.
"Take it, Naruto… This is my final gift."
"Sand Armor."
His sand swept over Naruto's body like a second skin.
Behind the sand, a faint figure shimmered—a woman, smiling warmly.
(Gaara… Mama is proud you made a friend.)
"Cough! Nine-Tails!!!"
"Cough! This is nuts!"
Under Naruto's feet, an enormous fox head—orange-gold with blue and black streaks—formed and swallowed the entire group.
Chakra exploded outward, growing, twisting.
Finally, another Nine-Tails appeared—seventy meters tall, golden and translucent, striped in black and blue.
Gaara's sand coated it in armor—blood-red lines glowing across the plating like a warrior's ceremonial armor.
Naruto clenched his fists, the overflowing chakra making his body tremble.
At the tip of the fox's tail, Gaara's final chakra crystalized—his mother's Sand Armor and Shukaku's Spear, fused into one.
"There it is! Our Jinchūriki combo!"
"Combined Tailed Beasts!"
Saya blinked, deadpan.
"…That name is way too lame for how badass your entrance looks."
-------
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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