*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The fierce battle and massive explosions sent shockwaves rippling outward.
The fight between Gyūki and Boruto and Kawaki was intense. Fortunately, this was an uninhabited area; otherwise, the battle's impact alone could have razed half of Kumogakure.
However, the situation was highly unfavorable for Boruto and Kawaki.
Despite unleashing their full abilities, they couldn't defeat Gyūki or even breach its defenses. They only managed to leave minor scratches on Gyūki's body, practically negligible.
Clearly, the two were still far outmatched by the full might of Gyūki.
A 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, just graduated from the ninja academy, facing a top-tier opponent like Gyūki, who ranked just below super-Kage level. It was simply too much! It was like telling Naruto during the Chūnin Exams: "Go defeat Jiraiya, one of the Sannin!"
Moreover, this was with Gyūki using all eight tails to protect the chakra cannon, limiting nearly half its offensive power and advantages. If all eight tails attacked together, Boruto and Kawaki likely wouldn't survive a few rounds.
"Damn it, this guy's too strong!"
Kawaki, battered and bruised, was once again thrown back by the storm from Gyūki's hand swing.
After landing, he roared in frustration. A mere hand swing from the opponent unleashed power equivalent to an A-rank Wind Release ninjutsu. With their small bodies, how could they fight? Kawaki couldn't help but long for the power of Kāma…
"Is this the true power of a Bijuu? Were all those people who went easy on me before just toying with me?"
Boruto was equally battered, his injuries worse than Kawaki's, but his realization cut deeper.
Indeed, after losing his status as the Hokage's son and Naruto's lingering protection, would some people he knew finally show their true strength to crush him?
(This is a battle risking everything, teetering on the edge of death! Why can't I be stronger?! If I could be as strong as Dad, or even surpass him, how great would that be…)
"Boruto! Do you have any trump cards left? Hurry and use them! My chakra's running low—if this keeps up, we'll have to run…"
"Trump card? I…"
Boruto froze, instinctively glancing at the Kāma seal on his palm. To gain absolute power to quickly defeat Gyūki, his only option was to borrow Kāma and Otsutsuki power. But after the last tragedy, Boruto harbored deep fear and hatred for this power, for Momoshiki.
What if, after unleashing Kāma's power this time, he was controlled by Momoshiki again and ended up killing or harming those he loved?
Even if he could use Kāma to destroy the cannon, what if he accidentally killed Kawaki or Killer B? It would all be for nothing! Boruto couldn't accept such an outcome… But did he have any other choice now?
Boruto steeled his heart, without hesitation. He immediately released the Kāma suppression jutsu seal, injecting chakra into it and activating Kāma Phase One.
If he only unleashed Kāma's first phase, he might avoid Momoshiki's control. Momoshiki was likely exhausted after reviving him last time, making it hard to influence him easily again. As long as he didn't enter Kāma Phase Two, he might not lose to mental control. His will was now both fearsome and resolute!
*SHUA!*
The blue-black Kāma seal tattoo rapidly spread over half of Boruto's body, granting him an extraordinary boost in all aspects—speed, strength, endurance, reflexes, defense, and more, plus Kāma's own powerful abilities.
Boruto instantly gained multiplied combat strength, nearly at peak Kage level. Fortunately, Kāma Phase One's mental erosion wasn't too strong, and Boruto could still barely control this power.
"Boruto! You…"
Kawaki was shocked seeing Boruto activate Kāma, unable to suppress his worry about losing control to this terrifying power, knowing firsthand how frightening it was.
Boruto didn't waste words; he just wanted to end the fight quickly. Every second Kāma was active increased the risk of losing control—he had to finish this fast.
*SWOOSH!*
Boruto erupted, vanishing from his spot. With incredible speed, he deftly dodged Gyūki's attacks, easily leaping onto its back.
"Chōōdama Rasengan!"
A Chōōdama Rasengan, larger than an Ōdama Rasengan, was quickly formed with Kāma's aid and slammed into Gyūki's back.
*BOOM!*
The massive explosion struck the three tails protecting the chakra cannon, exposing its core.
"Baka yarō!" Killer B was shocked.
He couldn't fathom why this little Otsutsuki kid suddenly became so strong, as if he'd transformed into a different person!
Were all Otsutsuki this dangerous?
No time to think.
Killer B wouldn't let the chakra cannon, his only hope to help Big Bro, be destroyed. Gyūki immediately spewed thick black ink, shrouding the area to block Boruto's vision. It then shielded the cannon and darted to the side.
Seeing the thick ink cloud, Boruto frowned, clasped his hands, and unleashed a large-scale Fūton: Reppūshō, blowing away the surrounding mist.
"Boruto, watch out for that guy!"
As the ink cleared, Kawaki's alarmed shout followed. Gyūki, emerging first, opened its mouth wide, rapidly charging a mini Bijuudama aimed at Boruto and firing it.
Boruto didn't even need to dodge. He raised his right hand, facing the incoming Bijuudama.
*WHOOSH!*
Boruto caught the Bijuudama with one hand, forcibly withstanding the fierce winds and massive impact.
The Bijuudama stopped right before his palm, as if blocked by an invisible barrier. Moments later, the chakra-packed Bijuudama was entirely absorbed into Boruto's Kāma seal!
Under the supreme stellar technology of the Otsutsuki Clan, even a deadly attack like a Bijuudama could be neutralized, turning into chakra nutrients absorbed by the Kāma seal. However, the absorption speed and pressure were far slower and less effortless than Momoshiki's Rinnegan absorption.
"Damn! He's like that previous Otsutsuki, able to absorb a Bijuudama!" Killer B was shocked, not expecting this kid to have this ability too.
After absorbing the Bijuudama's chakra, the Kāma seal on Boruto's body grew brighter and denser, faintly attempting to shift into Kāma Phase Two.
He couldn't enter Kāma Phase Two—he had to release this power now!
Boruto swung his right hand, opening a dark red space-time portal beside him. The other end appeared on Gyūki's back, right inside the chakra cannon's barrel.
Before Killer B could react, Boruto conjured a larger [Fūton: Rasengan] and thrust it into the portal.
*BOOM!*
The Rasengan exploded on Gyūki's back, piercing the tight defense of its eight tails and destroying the chakra cannon! Against powerful space-time abilities, distance and defenses seemed so fragile.
Countless fragments scattered. The chakra cannon, Kumogakure's weapon of mass destruction, was utterly demolished.
"Nooo—!" Killer B roared in anger.
He wasn't mourning the cannon itself but the loss of the critical weapon that could have helped Big Bro turn the tide!
(So it's a space-time ability! Completely indefensible.)
(The cannon's gone… B, retreat now!)
Gyūki urged Killer B to withdraw in his mind, making the most rational choice. But Killer B, consumed by rage and viewing his Big Bro as family, how could he stay calm? The rap-loving ninja was indeed the most impulsive.
Damn Kara Organization!
Cursed Otsutsuki Boruto!
Furious, Killer B didn't retreat. Instead, he controlled Gyūki to charge another Bijuudama. This time, he didn't fire it directly but swallowed it first, then spewed it out, unleashing a Bijuudama with a wider range!
Boruto's absorption ability seemed limited to his right hand, with a narrow scope. A long-range attack might cause damage. Killer B's combat IQ was clearly not low.
*WHOOSH!*
An unmatched giant Bijuudama burst forth in a white light, covering a vast fan-shaped area ahead.
Boruto wasn't afraid of this move. Any chakra attack before Kāma was merely an energy gift pack.
(Wait… I forgot something! Kawaki! He's in the Bijuu Bomb's range too! I can absorb the damage with Kāma; Kawaki no longer has Kāma and can't withstand it! With his chakra depleted, he might not even activate an escape jutsu…)
Kāma Phase One gave Boruto immense power but disrupted his rationality and emotions, causing him to overlook Kawaki's safety initially.
"Kawaki!"
Boruto was terrified, desperately rushing toward Kawaki on his left rear. He couldn't imagine the hell of losing Kawaki again.
Unfortunately, the Bijuudama was already fired. No matter how fast he was, he couldn't instantly reach Kawaki to save him…
Fortunately, at the critical moment, another familiar voice rang out first:
"Kuchiyose: Gojū Rashōmon!"