The "Jōki Bōi (Steaming Danger Tyranny)" was Gengetsu's ultimate creation—combining oil and water within his body to forge a terrifying clone.

The oily exterior absorbed heat while the liquid core, packed with water chakra, reacted violently.

The faster it moved or the hotter the surroundings, the oil boiled rapidly, the inner liquid turned to steam, and the clone exploded—creating an immense steam blast hot enough to cook enemies alive.

Now, the plump clone charged Kinkaku, swelling larger, radiating searing heat.

Kinkaku sensed the danger and leapt back, brandishing the Bashōsen fan, summoning a crack of lightning.

"Haha! Explode already!"

Gengetsu, hiding behind the earth wall, smirked as the clone swelled to its limit.

"BOOOOM!!!"

The battlefield shook, a crater yawning open as scorching steam incinerated trees into ash.

"Phew… He's done for. Even if he survived, he'll be in tatters."

Panting, Gengetsu looked smugly at Mu, who floated above with an icy stare.

Meanwhile, Banma, crouching in front of Gin, turned to ask, "Hey, is that big idiot dead yet?!"

But Gin was stealing from her bag of snacks, munching chips.

"Oi, don't be stingy. You eat my food all the time. A few snacks won't kill you."

He burped.

Banma screeched, lunging to bite him, and Gin's HUD beeped:

"Detected combat. Heartsteel chest accumulating."

"Mission failed. +12 Heart energy."

"Damn brat, are you part dog?!" Gin yelped, as Osamu sighed and bandaged him.

"This is what family looks like…" Osamu thought quietly, watching them bicker with a twinge of envy.

…

But Kinkaku was not dead.

From the steam burst a bolt of lightning—he appeared unharmed, grabbing Gengetsu by the hair and lifting him up.

"So you're the one giving me this steam bath?"

Gengetsu's face paled.

"How… how are you unscathed?!"

"Jinton: Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu (Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World)!"

Above, Mu's ultimate technique descended, the white light of annihilation lancing downward.

Kinkaku hurled Gengetsu aside and vanished in a flash of lightning. The beam struck Gengetsu midair—his scream echoed as his body dissolved into liquid, splattering on the ground.

The light continued, erasing Mu's earthen wall utterly.

Shamon swallowed hard. His two rivals wielded terrifying secret arts. He vowed that Suna too must create its own secret technique—or risk humiliation.

"Bandage freak! You're just settling old grudges, aren't you?!" Gengetsu reformed, clutching his waist in agony.

Mu ignored him.

"Didn't anyone teach you? Never let your guard down."

Lightning erupted—Kinkaku blitzed them with a brutal elbow strike. The three elites crashed back, spitting blood.

"Oi oi oi~ I'm not even warmed up yet, and you're already down?"

He stood crackling with electricity, golden hair spiked like a Super Saiyan.

Gin nearly choked. "What the hell, is he cosplaying Dragon Ball?!"

Osamu stared. "Gin-sensei, what is that?"

"Raiton Chakra Mōdo (Lightning Release Chakra Mode). He's mastered it enough to create a lightning armor." Gin explained lazily, then smirked. "Want me to teach you, Osamu?"

"…No. It's ugly. I like my hair smooth."

The battle raged—three Kage-level leaders and their squads desperately fought, but Kinkaku cut through them like thunder.

Their men sacrificed themselves, charging to buy time.

Kinkaku mocked them, tearing through lives with a storm of lightning fists.

The three survivors looked at one another in despair.

"Do it!" Gengetsu roared, launching Suigun (Water Gun) bullets while Mu conjured a swamp beneath Kinkaku's feet.

"Doton: Yōkai no Jutsu (Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld)!"

Kinkaku's legs sank.

"Shamon! It's on you!"

The Suna commander stepped forward, finally showing power.

"Fūton: Shinkūha (Vacuum Wave)!"

Wind slashed across the field, cutting even through Kinkaku's lightning armor. Blood sprayed.

"Success!" the three cried.

But Gin only smirked. "You think that'll stop him?"

Indeed, as Kinkaku bled, his brother finally moved.

Silver-haired Ginkaku stepped into the field, calm and mocking.

"Yare yare, big brother, you're looking pathetic."

"Shut it! That bald fool's wind style broke my armor."

"You've lost already. How about sharing intel with us instead?" Shamon tried to bargain.

But Ginkaku's cold eyes swept over them.

"No. Walk away now, and I'll spare you."

"Arrogant brat!" Gengetsu spat.

Mu frowned. Something about him was off.

Then Shamon realized—the silver one radiated a strange, familiar aura.

"…You… are you using a Bijuu's chakra?!"

The observers on Gin's perch tensed.

"That's Matatabi," Gin muttered. "The Two-Tails' power."

Osamu's eyes widened. "Humans… wielding Bijuu chakra?"

Ginkaku grinned madly, producing a silver card from his belt. On it was a chained blue cat—Matatabi.

"The Bijuu Card…" Mu whispered in shock.

"It's not just for information, is it?" Gengetsu hissed.

"No. It's power."

Ginkaku slid the card into a strange gray device at his waist. Metal fangs clamped into his side, drinking his blood. The box turned crimson, glowing with a bestial sigil.

"Matatabi! Nibi Matatabi! The Wildcat of Death!"

His eyes glowed, fangs bared.

"Henshin."

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]

[Thank You For Your Support!]