After the rampage two years ago, worried for his younger brother's safety, Kinkaku gambled everything and challenged the Eight-Tails. After three days and nights of brutal battle, he barely won, sealing Gyūki into a Beast Card.
Since then, the brothers had secluded themselves in the Cloud-Thunder Gorge of Kumogakure, training endlessly to better control the Tailed Beast's power.
But not long ago, word reached the village: a ferocious beast had appeared within the Land of Lightning. Wherever it went, nothing survived. Countless towns were destroyed, and every ninja sent to confront it perished.
The Raikage, upon receiving this intelligence, immediately summoned the Gold and Silver brothers, entrusting them with the mission of subduing the beast.
"This beast may well be the Nine-Tails released by Konoha. Can you handle it?"
In the Raikage's office, the aged First A squinted his tiger-like eyes at the muscular brothers, speaking gravely.
"Hmph! A mere masterless Tailed Beast is no match for us."
Kinkaku, now well-versed in the power of the Tailed Beast Knight, brimmed with confidence. He had defeated the Eight-Tails with his own strength alone—how could a wild Nine-Tails intimidate him now?
"I think big brother is right."
Ginkaku nodded loyally.
"Still, be careful. If you can't win, retreat."
The First Raikage rubbed his aching temples helplessly. These two understood less and less about humility with each passing year. If their arrogance got them killed, how would he explain it to his friend Gin?
"I'll have the Shadow Guard accompany you."
Young A, standing by, flipped through documents. Worried, he wanted to send extra support with the brothers.
"Don't underestimate us. I'll bring my own men. When we bring the Nine-Tails back, perhaps the position of Second Raikage should belong to us."
Kinkaku's eyes gleamed. Since gaining the power of a Beast Knight, he felt destined for greater heights, and his sights were set on the succession—already promised to young A.
"You two…"
A couldn't help but smile bitterly. He had practically raised these two, teacher in all but name. Their ambition didn't anger him.
"You're still too inexperienced. You'll need more years before you can be Raikage."
The First Raikage only shook his head. Their personalities were too wild. They needed tempering.
"Inexperienced? There's no war anymore, no way to earn merit! How long are we supposed to grind out missions for 'qualifications'?!"
The Gold and Silver brothers seethed. Their clan had been nearly exterminated by the Senju brothers, and after years of honing their strength in the Land of Lightning, they were finally ready for revenge—only for the world to suddenly become peaceful under Hashirama's treaty. It made their blood boil.
"Enough. Go finish this mission. If successful, I'll consider you as candidates for Raikage."
Weary, the First Raikage waved them off. At least let them prove themselves first.
"It's a deal!"
Naively encouraged, Kinkaku strode out with his brother, rallying their men.
"Raikage-sama, is it alright to deceive them like that?"
Young A asked with a wry smile.
"I said I'd make them candidates. I never said which generation."
The First Raikage winked slyly, then signed the papers in front of him.
"Tomorrow, the mantle is yours, A."
At last relieved, the elder exhaled. He was nearly sixty. The injuries from developing Lightning Armor had tormented him for years. He could no longer bear the burden of Raikage.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Young A—no, the new Second Raikage—looked at his hunched predecessor, eyes mixed with emotion.
"Finally, I can rest. A, I can still expense my spa bills, right?"
The First Raikage grinned, patting A's shoulder.
"Er… once you step down, the system won't cover it."
The Second Raikage feigned difficulty, cornering the elder into continuing as advisor if he wanted the perks.
"You little…"
The old man trembled, nearly striking him in exasperation. So much for peaceful retirement!
…
Meanwhile, the Gold and Silver brothers raced toward their target.
"Big brother, do you think A was serious?"
"Whether or not, once we capture the Nine-Tails, the entire village will respect us. Then what is false becomes true."
Soon they reached a canyon, where only one survivor awaited them—Black Prison, trembling.
"Gold… Gold-sama… the Nine-Tails… it roasted and ate everyone…"
"What?!"
Kinkaku grabbed him, furious.
"They were the elite! How could they all fall?!"
"J-just one glare… and many fainted instantly…"
Black Prison was terrified, eyes wide.
Kinkaku's face hardened. "Silver, this is no ordinary beast."
"Together, we'll cut through it."
With grim resolve, both drew their glowing silver cards.
Dropping into the canyon, they found the Nine-Tails lazily picking its teeth. Seeing only two humans, it sighed in disappointment.
"Just two? Not even enough for a snack."
"You'll choke if you try eating us."
Kinkaku gripped his belt, confidence rising.
The Nine-Tails squinted. Something about these two seemed familiar. Then it saw their six whisker-marks and sensed their chakra.
"…Descendants of the old man? How troublesome."
But familiar bloodlines didn't matter. Snarling, the Nine-Tails opened its maw and exhaled foul breath.
The brothers dodged swiftly with Lightning Armor.
"Only one option—transform."
With a shared nod, they drew their gray devices and struck their poses.
The Nine-Tails blinked in confusion. "What are these humans doing?"
Then it froze in shock as they inserted their Beast Cards.
"Matatabi! Two-Tails Matatabi! Tiger of Death!"
"Henshin!"
Blue flames surged, cloaking Ginkaku in feline armor.
"Gyūki! Eight-Tails Gyūki! Tyrant Ox!"
"Henshin!"
Dark ink spilled forth, enveloping Kinkaku in armored plates, a horned warrior wielding a massive saw-blade sword.
The Nine-Tails' eyes nearly popped. "What are you?!"
"We are avengers!"
The brothers advanced, weapons drawn.
"Freeze Vent!"
Ginkaku activated his power, halting the Nine-Tails' paw mid-swipe.
"Brother!"
"On it!"
Kinkaku's blade came down, striking the fox's head. The beast howled in pain as ink splattered its eyes.
"My eyes!!"
Blinded, the Nine-Tails flailed wildly.
"Strike Vent!"
New claws materialized on Ginkaku's hands. Spurred on by Matatabi's voice in his mind—"Castrate the traitor!"—he dove beneath the fox.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!"
The Nine-Tails shrieked as pain lanced through its body, the unthinkable violation making it howl like never before.
"I-It's… gone… I'm… a female now?!"
Tears streamed from its beastly eyes.
Kinkaku, empowered by Gyūki, unleashed writhing tentacles that bound the fox tight, piercing every vulnerable gap in its body.
"Enough!"
In agony, the Nine-Tails unleashed a storm of Tailed Beast Bombs. Explosions rocked the canyon, reshaping it into a basin.
The brothers staggered up from rubble, awed.
"So this… is the Nine-Tails' true power?"
But before they could recover, the fox lunged from below, jaws wide.
"ROAR!"
Both were swallowed whole.
"Crunch! Crunch! Gulp!"
With savage fury, the Nine-Tails chewed and swallowed them, finally licking its lips in grim satisfaction.
Yet as it stared at the fading light and felt its loss, tears welled.
"Damn you, Matatabi! Give me back my pride… give me back my manhood!"
(End of Chapter)
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