Killer Bee wanted to cough up blood!
As the perfect jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, his strength had already reached Kage level, daring to face the Kage of any village.
With the Eight-Tails inside him, Killer Bee was like a walking natural disaster.
But when he faced Uchiha Itsuki, someone like him didn't stand a chance.
The last time, he had to sacrifice a tail to escape with his life, and even then, he had to admit that luck played a big part. Otherwise, he would have been finished.
But that was Uchiha Itsuki!
What did this have to do with these guys?
Killer Bee let out a low growl from his throat.
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
"Don't let me find out who you are, or I'll kill you all!"
The Eight-Tails inside him was dejected.
It wasn't Uchiha Itsuki after all?
This was just... too embarrassing!
In his heart, Killer Bee had to admit that the one who just ran away wasn't only him—it was both of them.
That was probably why they were using both hands and feet to flee at the same time.
Both of them wanted to control the body and escape, which led to this situation.
But why wasn't it Uchiha Itsuki?
Killer Bee was angry, but the Eight-Tails was feeling humiliated.
This was beyond disgraceful.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, both of them froze.
The Eight-Tails let out a low growl, "Bee!"
"I know!"
Killer Bee gave a menacing grin and muttered, "They're coming, huh? Heh, fine. Let's see how I'll deal with you!"
He was filled with killing intent.
Great!
This was perfect timing! He had been looking for an outlet to release his rage.
And now they were here.
Could anything be better?
*Swoosh!*
Just as Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails prepared themselves, a figure appeared before them.
A black cloak with red clouds embroidered on it?
Akatsuki!
Killer Bee's expression grew even more serious.
"Bee, be careful. These guys have been capturing tailed beasts recently, you know that?"
"Of course!" Killer Bee began rapping, "Yugito was probably captured by them. But I'm the Eight-Tails Killer Bee! A mere Akatsuki member…"
*Swoosh!*
Before he could finish his rap, another figure appeared.
This one was also wearing an Akatsuki cloak, but unlike the first, he carried a massive red triple-bladed scythe.
Killer Bee's rap was cut short.
"Hey, hey, hey, Kakuzu! Why are you so fast?"
Kakuzu glanced at him and said indifferently, "I recall that the head of the Eight-Tails fetches a hefty bounty, and it's one of the top rewards on the list."
Hidan: "..."
Yep, that's Kakuzu for you.
No matter what he does, he never forgets about money!
Earlier, you said you were giving face to Uchiha Itsuki because of his strength, but now it's clear—you just want cash!
"Two of them, Bee…"
"I know!"
Killer Bee's tone became grave.
The Akatsuki!
An organization linked to Uchiha Itsuki.
And it was said that someone in the organization had the Rinnegan.
That alone was shocking.
Plus, they had already captured multiple tailed beasts.
If it weren't for the fact that the ninja world had been through multiple wars, with each village keeping one another in check and too busy to intervene, they might have already teamed up to wipe out the Akatsuki.
This organization of all S-rank missing-ninjas shouldn't even exist.
And now, two Akatsuki members were standing in front of Killer Bee.
Even Killer Bee had to take them seriously.
Other tailed beasts had already proven the Akatsuki's power with their lives.
"So, we finally found you."
Another raspy voice rang out.
Sasori, with a hunched figure, slowly shuffled forward.
"Eight-Tails, you're as good as dead!"
"Another one?"
"Three!?"
Both Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails stopped breathing for a second.
"Hey, Bee, maybe we should keep running?"
"What are you talking about?"
Killer Bee cursed, "I'd love to run, but do you think we can?"
He gave a cold laugh. "These bastards clearly came prepared. That's why they're showing up one by one. If we run now, we'll be playing right into their hands."
...That made sense!
But!
If they fought, they'd be up against three Akatsuki members.
Could they even win?
"Hey, our opponent is the Eight-Tails!"
Kakuzu took off his cloak and said calmly, "Even though I don't want to admit it, with Uchiha Itsuki's strength, he had us four come together for a reason. It shows how terrifying this tailed beast is. Don't hold back, let's go all out."
*Boom!*
As soon as he finished speaking, five huge figures emerged from Kakuzu's body.
They stood at different heights behind him, surrounded by an eerie aura.
Earth Grudge Fear!
"Alright then," Sasori said in a deep voice, and Hiruko opened up. From within stepped a towering figure.
Seeing this figure, Killer Bee was startled and cried out in shock.
"That… that's… impossible! That can't be him!"
The Third Kazekage?
As the younger brother of the Fourth Raikage, part of the Ai-Bee combo, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, and a high-ranking official of the Hidden Cloud, how could Killer Bee not know about the Third Kazekage?
The Third Kazekage was one of the reasons the Great Ninja Wars broke out!
"Calm down, Bee!"
The deep voice of the Eight-Tails resonated inside him. "Look closely, that's not the real Third Kazekage. It's just a puppet."
"A puppet?"
Killer Bee blinked, looked closer, and mocked, "How pathetic. The so-called strongest Kazekage, reduced to a puppet after his death."
"You'll soon meet the same fate."
Sasori's raspy voice carried a hint of mockery. "You'll become one of my puppets."
He suddenly had an idea.
What happened to the jinchūriki after the tailed beasts were sealed?
They would make excellent material.
They could become part of his most powerful collection.
Maybe I should have a serious talk with Uchiha Itsuki about this.
All research requires a lot of funding and resources.
Sasori was no exception.
"Well, let's see then!"
Killer Bee wasn't bothered. He drew his swords.
Seven swords, positioned all over his body.
"Heh!"
Sasori let out a cold laugh and launched the first attack.
Countless hidden needles shot out of Hiruko's mouth.
*Clang!*
*Ding ding ding!*
Killer Bee's body moved swiftly.
With all seven swords positioned on various parts of his body, he was only standing on one leg. Yet, his movement speed was unaffected.
Sasori's hidden poison needles were all blocked and deflected.
*Buzz!*
At that moment, Hiruko's sharp tail suddenly raised up and stabbed at Killer Bee.
The razor-sharp metal tail, moving with unstoppable force, was once again deflected by Killer Bee.
"Ugh!"
Sasori raised his head, somewhat surprised.
This seemingly carefree Jinchuriki had some serious skills.
"I'll handle this!"
Kakuzu growled.
The Lightning Release masked creature appeared above Killer Bee, its mouth spewing countless bolts of lightning.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness."
"Hmph!"
Killer Bee stared coldly at the charging Lightning Release masked creature.
"Not sure what this thing is, but destroying it seems right."
Whoosh!
In that instant, Killer Bee flung his sword with great force.
Chakra instantly enveloped the entire blade.
With the chakra enhancement, the sword emitted a sharp, piercing sound as it cut through the air.
Shing!
Boom!
The False Darkness technique was forcibly cut apart, and the chakra-infused sword directly struck the masked creature.
With a crisp sound, the mask shattered.
Super Sonic Lightning Release Blade!
"Bastard!"
Kakuzu roared in anger, commanding the remaining four Earth Grudge Fear creatures to charge at Killer Bee.
Sasori also didn't hold back, ordering Hiruko to unleash all of its hidden weapons, while the Third Kazekage puppet began to act.
Magnet Release!
"Come on!"
Killer Bee shouted, as the chakra of the Eight-Tails began to flow through his body.
He was now more than just Killer Bee; he had the power of the Eight-Tails at his side.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom!
A fierce battle erupted between both sides.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
"Lightning Lariat!"
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
As the masked creature used Earth Release, Killer Bee swiftly retreated, then hurled his sword once again.
This time, the masked creature was prepared and canceled its attack to dodge Killer Bee's blade. But it never expected that the sword, once thrown, could actually change direction.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that thin strands of the Eight-Tails' chakra were attached to the sword.
When the sword's initial attack failed, Killer Bee would increase the flow of the Eight-Tails' chakra, eventually transforming it into the beast's tentacles.
Controlled by these tentacles, the sword veered off course and pierced through the Earth Release masked creature.
Kakuzu had now lost a second masked creature.
Kakuzu retreated quickly, his voice cold: "As expected from a perfect Jinchuriki, to be able to use a Tailed Beast's power so effortlessly."
Boom!
Killer Bee unleashed all his power, and the chakra of the Eight-Tails covered his entire body.
Eight tentacles emerged from his back, grabbing hold of his remaining six swords.
This time, he charged straight into the Magnet Release: Iron Sand.
Bang!
With a loud crash, Killer Bee smashed through.
All of the Iron Sand was scattered by his forceful impact.
Even the sharp Iron Sand couldn't pierce the Tailed Beast cloak surrounding him.
Seeing Killer Bee charging towards the Third Kazekage, Sasori finally panicked.
Whoosh!
Hiruko's tail shot out, striking Killer Bee. Although the attack failed to break through the Tailed Beast cloak, it successfully knocked him back.
Smack!
Killer Bee landed, glaring coldly at the two adversaries.
They were strong!
Each one had the strength to take on his brother in a fight.
Without the Eight-Tails' help, he might have been injured by their coordinated attacks.
Moreover...
Killer Bee's gaze shifted to the one person who hadn't moved at all—Hidan!
In the Akatsuki, there was still one person who hadn't acted.
Sasori and Kakuzu didn't look too happy.
The two had teamed up, without holding back, and yet they were being suppressed.
Two of Kakuzu's masked creatures had been destroyed.
Hiruko's tail was shattered, and most of its hidden weapons had been used up.
Even the Third Kazekage puppet had almost been injured.
"He's really strong!"
Sasori muttered.
"The other side is well-prepared!"
Kakuzu shook his head, replying, "We've captured too many Tailed Beasts. The other side is very cautious of us. From their movements, there's not a single flaw to exploit."
"With the Eight-Tails' power supporting him, his speed and strength are definitely beyond ours."
"So, what do we do?"
Kakuzu slowly uttered two words: "Hidan!"
In that instant, Sasori understood.
Injure the target, then let Hidan finish him off.
At this moment, Killer Bee wasn't just Killer Bee; he was the fusion of Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails.
He could simultaneously use both his own power and that of the Tailed Beast.
If it were just Killer Bee or just the Eight-Tails, they wouldn't be too concerned—they'd find a way to deal with them.
But now, it was a difficult situation.
"Are you discussing how to deal with me?"
Killer Bee looked at the two of them, chuckling coldly, "Have you figured it out yet? Because I'm about to make my move."
As soon as he finished speaking, Killer Bee suddenly appeared in front of Hiruko.
"Nice move!"
Sasori was startled and tried to react.
Boom!
Hiruko was sliced in half.
Lightning Lariat!
Killer Bee, his eyes filled with killing intent, muttered, "Got one. You're next!"
He turned, locking his gaze on Kakuzu.
Kakuzu stared back coldly, sneering, "You arrogant Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, don't underestimate us."
Whoosh!
Bang!
A sharp sound pierced the air.
The next moment, a 'spear' struck Killer Bee in the abdomen, sending him flying.
A child emerged from Hiruko—Sasori's true body!
That 'spear' was actually a chain of offensive spikes from Sasori's stomach.
"So that's your true form?"
Even with sunglasses on, Killer Bee's expression became serious.
"Hey, hey, hey, did you forget about me?"
Hidan's voice echoed in Killer Bee's ears.
"How could I?"
Killer Bee smirked, sending a tentacle flying.
"Hahaha!"
Hidan let out a crazed laugh, swinging his red, three-bladed scythe to sever the tentacle instantly.
But another tentacle smacked him away.
"That easy?"
Killer Bee was surprised.
He had expected this guy, who had been holding back, to be the toughest one. But to his surprise, Hidan was sent flying so easily.
He hadn't held back in that attack. Hidan should definitely be seriously injured by now.
Unless, like Sasori, that wasn't his real body.
Killer Bee's peripheral vision kept an eye on Hidan.
To his shock, Hidan wobbled to his feet, shook his head, and laughed maniacally, "Nice! That hit the spot. Come on, hit me some more!"
"Huh?"
Killer Bee was taken aback.
Was he not injured?
"Bee, something's off about this guy!"
The Eight-Tails whispered from within Killer Bee.
"I get it!"
Despite being slower and weaker than him, Hidan felt... off.
But thinking about it, it made sense—he was from the Akatsuki. It wasn't surprising.
Akatsuki's power felt almost on par with a village's entire strength.
"If I can't kill him with one hit, I'll just hit him a few more times."
Killer Bee's face twisted into a savage grin.
Three against one was a tough situation. He needed to quickly take one of them out and focus on the other two.
He chose Hidan.
From the beginning of the fight until now, he had only managed to hit Hidan once.
The other two were much harder to hit!
But Hidan... all it took was landing a solid blow.