Chapter 189: The Four-Tails Jinchūriki Captured
The sun set and rose again. A new day dawned.
The quiet morning was suddenly shattered by Rōshi's frustrated, impotent rage.
All night long, Hoshikawa had come and gone, giving Rōshi not a single moment of rest, let alone a chance to properly heal his injuries.
After putting distance between them, Hoshikawa had simply watched Rōshi using his eight-power scope, taking the opportunity to refine his own chakra. He couldn't rely on the Strength of a Hundred Seal's reserves for every battle—that would be far too wasteful.
Luckily, he had a cheat. The B-rank title, "Strongest Chūnin," granted him a 150% boost to his chakra refinement speed. The chakra he'd just spent on the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu and Body Flicker Technique would soon be replenished.
Just as Hoshikawa was preparing to engage again, several Kikaichū flew toward him. They quickly formed the symbol for "return" ($\text{回}$).
Hoshikawa 's spirits lifted. This meant Minato Namikaze had arrived.
Without a second thought, he used the Body Flicker Technique.
In moments, he saw Tsunade and Minato's group.
But Hoshikawa immediately noticed something was wrong. Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yūhi were absent, and Minato's expression was heavy.
"What happened?" Hoshikawa stopped, asking, "Did we lose to Iwagakure?"
"No." Tsunade shook her head. "We achieved a great victory."
"Then…" A thought flashed through Hoshikawa 's mind. He already had a feeling about what had occurred.
"It's Obito," Minato sighed heavily. "He's gone missing. We haven't found him yet."
So that's what happened, Hoshikawa thought.
"No body means he's not dead," Shibi Aburame offered, trying to be comforting. "You shouldn't be so pessimistic."
"Shibi is right," Tsunade said firmly. "I suspect Obito was captured by Iwagakure. After we capture Rōshi, we can trade him back!"
"Capture Rōshi?" Minato was stunned. Even in his state of grief, the decision sounded utterly absurd. Are they not afraid of a world-shattering Tailed Beast Ball?
No, wait, they actually can.
Minato instinctively looked at Hoshikawa . Using Water Release to suppress Rōshi, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to redirect the Tailed Beast Ball, and the combined power of Tsunade and four Jōnin from the Aburame Clan.
"That's a good point," Shibi Aburame agreed. "Once we have Rōshi, Iwagakure will have no choice but to release him!"
"Lady Tsunade, please give the order!" Minato's slump vanished, replaced by a surge of fighting spirit. Capturing Rōshi would not only deliver a major blow to Iwagakure but also secure Obito Uchiha's return. He had no reason to disagree. Though it wouldn't be a one-for-one trade, Rōshi's value as a Jinchūriki meant a deal was certain.
"The plan is the same as before. Hoshikawa takes the lead, and we seize the chance to strike," Tsunade commanded without preamble. "Minato, you must ensure the timely redirection of the Tailed Beast Ball."
"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison.
"Master, where are Kurenai and Rin?" Hoshikawa asked after her instructions.
"Rin was worried about Obito and joined the search team," Tsunade paused. "I sent Kurenai with her, just in case."
Hoshikawa had already suspected as much; confirming it brought a temporary sense of relief. Of course, he felt nothing for Obito Uchiha; his concern was solely for Kurenai Yūhi and Rin Nohara.
"That accursed…" Rōshi sensed the approaching footsteps and immediately rose, launching into an angry tirade. But halfway through his curse, he suddenly froze, a deep sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
This time, it wasn't just Hoshikawa . He was surrounded by a full seven shinobi: Tsunade, Minato Namikaze, Hoshikawa , and four Jōnin from the Aburame Clan.
"Rōshi, surrender now!" Tsunade commanded sharply. "Your Iwagakure forces have suffered a complete defeat!"
"Impossible!" Rōshi retorted instinctively. But the sight of Minato Namikaze gave him his answer.
"If you surrender, Konoha may be willing to negotiate peace with Iwagakure," Tsunade said calmly. She wasn't just stalling; she was trying to get under his skin. Once a shinobi became desperate or reckless, their strength suffered.
"Don't even think about it!" Rōshi roared, pounding his chest and looking up at the sky. "As long as I haven't lost, Iwagakure hasn't lost!"
"Is that so?" Tsunade smiled faintly. "Then you are about to lose to us."
"Not a chance!" Rōshi slammed his hands together, then threw his head back and let out a long, howling roar.
Instantly, an impossibly dense chakra exploded from his body. A gale-force wind erupted from him, and the red Tailed Beast Cloak began to spread outward. A terrifying, searing aura shot into the sky, kicking up dust and swirling all around.
Hoshikawa and the others quickly retreated.
Rōshi's body grew larger and larger, gradually covered in crimson fur. Soon, a colossal monster, towering over the trees and mountains, appeared. This was the Four-Tails, completely in its Tailed Beast Form—a giant ape with four tails.
"ROAR!" The Four-Tails roared into the heavens, then lowered its head, locking its gaze onto Hoshikawa .
The next second, its massive body accelerated, charging forward.
RUMBLE!
The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
Hoshikawa didn't hesitate, opening his mouth to unleash an ocean. A tsunami-like wave surged toward the Four-Tails, quickly submerging it. However, the beast was so tall that the water only came up to its knees.
"Detestable water!" The Four-Tails clenched its fists and slammed them violently onto the ground.
Scorching River Eruption!
The earth cracked open, and lava surged out, instantly vaporizing the seawater nearby.
"Die!" The Four-Tails raised its fists again.
Summoning Jutsu!
Just then, Tsunade slammed her hand onto the ground, releasing a massive amount of chakra. A giant shadow appeared—a Slug (Katsuyu) of comparable size to the Four-Tails, which immediately positioned itself in front of Hoshikawa . It opened its mouth without hesitation, and a corrosive liquid poured out like a waterfall.
The Four-Tails cried out in pain as the liquid rapidly dissolved the fur on its fists. But it was a Tailed Beast; more chakra surged out, instantly counteracting the corrosion. Roaring in fury, it shifted its target, slamming its fists down onto Katsuyu.
BAM!
Katsuyu instantly divided, splitting into countless tiny slugs that scattered quickly in all directions. The Four-Tails was briefly stunned. This was the first time it had encountered such a tactic. The sheer number of slugs left it with no clear target.
No! That's not right! The Four-Tails remembered its mission. Its eyes narrowed, searching for Hoshikawa . But he was nowhere to be seen.
"Get out here!" The Four-Tails raised its four tails, whipping them violently, causing the seawater to churn.
Just then, the water transformed into streams, rising into the sky and quickly coalescing into a water dragon. Though the water dragon was a good ten meters long, it looked tiny compared to the Four-Tails.
The Four-Tails swung its right arm, batting it away.
Lightning flashed instantly, racing up the beast's arm. But the Four-Tails was too tough; it didn't fear such a small amount of electricity. Hoshikawa drew his Lightning Fire Sword and raised it high. In a flash, dark clouds gathered in the sky.
RUMBLE!
He then performed hand seals and exhaled a fire dragon, which flew into the thunderclouds, quickly turning them into rain.
A whooshing sound cut through the air. One of the tails struck down at Hoshikawa like a collapsing mountain.
Monster Strength!
Hoshikawa met the tail with a punch. The enormous force created a counter-blast, and layers of air waves rippled out, making the seawater tremble. Hoshikawa 's body was sent flying backward.
Water Release: Water Body Flicker Technique!
His body turned into a puddle of water, vanishing into the sea.
CRASH!
The Four-Tails punched down, sending seawater spraying everywhere and cracking the ground beneath.
"Hoshikawa !" Tsunade shouted instinctively, her face etched with worry.
"My Kikaichū underwater tell me he's fine," Shibi Aburame, though utterly flabbergasted by the battle, effectively performed his duty as the sensory ninja.
"That is the power of a Tailed Beast," Minato Namikaze thought of Kushina Uzumaki. The Nine-Tails was the strongest of the Tailed Beasts; if the Four-Tails was this terrifying, how horrifying must the full Nine-Tails be? Due to the Uzumaki Clan's sealing jutsu and their strained relationship, Minato had never seen Kushina in her fully transformed Tailed Beast state.
"But Hoshikawa 's Water Release can actually hold its own—that's truly unimaginable," Minato couldn't help but marvel.
"Annoying little insect!" The Four-Tails roared in anger, having failed to find Hoshikawa 's body. It glanced left and right, then slammed its fists down, instantly creating a sea of lava. The seawater was instantly vaporized upon contact.
"This won't work!" Minato Namikaze frowned. He threw a single kunai, then Body Flickered behind the Four-Tails and used the Rasengan. But while the Rasengan was effective against shinobi, its power was insufficient against a Tailed Beast. A massive tail swept toward him.
Minato immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to his original position. His expression was solemn. "I can't stop it."
Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa took the opportunity to reappear atop the Four-Tails' head.
Water Release: Hard Whirlpool Water Blade!
Chakra surged out, condensing a spinning vortex of water in his right hand. The vortex rotated and elongated, extending a water javelin from his arm. Hoshikawa threw it with force, and the water javelin struck the Four-Tails. The moment of impact, the javelin expanded, forming a water tornado around its head.
Among Tobirama Senju's Water Release jutsu, the Hard Whirlpool Water Blade was nearly as powerful as the Water Severing Wave. But Hoshikawa knew a Tailed Beast wasn't a human; it wouldn't be defeated so easily.
Chidori Stream!
Lightning Release Armor!
Monster Strength!
Hoshikawa crashed into the Four-Tails. The beast's body was sent stumbling forward uncontrollably. The Hard Whirlpool Water Blade had temporarily blinded it and caused slight dizziness. Combined with Hoshikawa 's immense strength, it couldn't keep its footing.
CRASH!
The Four-Tails' massive body slammed down into the seawater. The water scattered in all directions, then curled back in a larger wave. After all, the sea created by the Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave was a bounded, oval-shaped water prison.
"DAMN YOU!" The Four-Tails roared its absolute fury, lying on the ground, submerged in the water, glaring at Hoshikawa floating above.
Tailed Beast Ball!
It opened its gaping maw, and an immense amount of chakra gathered, rapidly compressing into a black energy sphere. A world-shattering aura swept out.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
Minato Namikaze appeared in front of Hoshikawa , watching the Tailed Beast Ball with a grave expression. Although the Flying Thunder God Technique could redirect the attack, one mistake could mean mutually assured destruction. He had to time it perfectly.
Hoshikawa glanced at Minato, stood his ground, and raised his Lightning Fire Sword. In an instant, the sky was covered in thunderclouds again.
RUMBLE!
Countless lightning bolts were drawn down, channeling entirely into the seawater.
Just then, the gigantic Tailed Beast Ball shot out, aimed directly at them. Hoshikawa immediately felt a crushing, suffocating pressure, as if his soul would be annihilated the next second.
Minato Namikaze moved, and the Tailed Beast Ball vanished from the spot with him.
Hoshikawa didn't have time to breathe a sigh of relief before he began forming hand seals.
"Get off the water!" Tsunade reacted instantly, shouting the warning.
Shibi Aburame and the others immediately leaped into the air.
The next second, the lightning bolts merged with the seawater, creating a stunning reaction. The Four-Tails was too slow to react; countless flashes of electricity enveloped it, crackling loudly. Its body was inevitably hit by a wave of paralysis. While it was incredibly tough, Hoshikawa had used natural lightning and had the beast submerged in water—a deadly combination attack.
But the attack wasn't over yet.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave!
Hoshikawa hovered in the air, enveloped in lightning, looking like a descending Thunder God. He took a deep breath, leaned back, and exhaled a super-high-pressure, linear jet of water.
The Four-Tails struggled violently. It had been seriously injured by the Water Severing Wave before, so it had been constantly on guard. But it had never anticipated Hoshikawa creating a field effect combining lightning and water.
"AAAAGH!" Screams mixed with anger continued to ring out.
Under Hoshikawa 's control, the linear water jet became like a long spear, piercing toward the Four-Tails' heart.
"Lady Katsuyu! This is our chance!" Tsunade's eyes lit up, and she immediately shouted.
Tongue Root Acid!
The countless slugs reformed, then spat out massive amounts of corrosive acid, covering the Four-Tails.
Monster Strength!
Tsunade slammed a punch toward the Four-Tails' head.
A figure flashed by. Minato Namikaze followed immediately, using the Rasengan.
Shibi Aburame and the others didn't lag behind either, sending out countless Kikaichū.
The Four-Tails' cries abruptly stopped. The sheer amount of damage had finally overwhelmed Rōshi. As he lost consciousness, his Tailed Beast Form was forcefully released.
The seawater calmed, the surging chakra subsided, and after a long moment, everything returned to peace. The utterly battered Rōshi floated motionlessly on the surface of the water.
"Did… did we win?" Shibi Aburame blinked, asking in disbelief.
"We won!" Minato Namikaze said, his voice brimming with uncontrollable excitement. While he was usually composed, this was different—they had captured a Jinchūriki alive! This was the first time a Jinchūriki and a Tailed Beast had been captured since the era of Hashirama Senju.
Hoshikawa chuckled at the remark. Good thing the Akatsuki organization hasn't appeared yet. Otherwise, they would realize that capturing a Jinchūriki and a Tailed Beast was a common occurrence.
Even so, the number of shinobi capable of capturing a Jinchūriki and a Tailed Beast was still extremely small.
A wave of exhaustion washed over him. Hoshikawa 's body swayed backward instinctively. But he quickly fell into a soft embrace. He looked up and saw Tsunade's worried face.
"I'm fine, Master. Just too much chakra consumption," Hoshikawa said, hooking his arms around her waist without formality, leaning against her body, and inhaling her faint scent. In this battle, he had exhausted almost all the chakra in his body, including a major portion of the reserves in his Strength of a Hundred Seal. There was no choice; to electrocute and critically wound the Four-Tails, he had to use a massive amount of chakra.
"Minato, seal Rōshi to prevent him from transforming into the Tailed Beast again if he wakes up," Tsunade paused. "I'm taking Hoshikawa back for treatment."
With that, she bent down, scooped Hoshikawa into her arms, and in a few leaps, vanished.
(End of Chapter)
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