The Hoshikage reacted almost instantly—before anyone could blink, his hands were already forming seals.
Chakra surged from his back, forming massive fan-like tails, each three to four meters long. Like a peacock spreading its feathers, the glowing chakra tails shimmered brightly.
Mysterious Peacock Technique!
This was a secret art developed by the First Hoshikage after researching the meteorite that contained the chakra of the Ten-Tails. By using the meteorite's chakra-activating properties, he could externalize chakra into various shapes for combat.
Still… this looked oddly familiar.
Are you seriously just ripping off the Uchiha's Susanoo!?
As the hand seals completed, the chakra coalesced into the shape of a giant demonic tiger. Nawaki's expression grew serious. He decisively gave up on retrieving the meteorite and leapt backward.
Swish!
The demonic tiger swiped its massive claw—but missed.
The Hoshikage, worried about damaging the meteorite, held back his strength. After forcing Nawaki back, he quickly ordered,
"Deadwood! Secure the meteorite! Everyone else, pursue the intruder! Don't let this defiler of our sacred hall escape!"
"Yes, sir!"
A ninja known as Deadwood swiftly collected the meteorite, and the Hoshikage finally let out a sigh of relief.
Then his eyes turned cold.
"You dare infiltrate Hoshigakure and try to steal our sacred treasure? You must be tired of living! Tremble before the power of the Mysterious Peacock Method: Tiger Demon!"
ROAR!!
Behind him, the chakra-formed tiger let out an ear-splitting roar. Its lower half still connected to the Hoshikage's back, the upper body elongated and swept toward Nawaki with a powerful claw strike.
The sheer pressure of the chakra was staggering. Just watching it gave a sense of overwhelming force.
But Nawaki's gaze was icy.
Crude. Wasteful. Utterly meaningless chakra control.
Externalizing chakra like this? What do you think it is—qi? Inner energy? All you're doing is rapidly draining your chakra and shortening your lifespan.
The actual power wasn't even on par with a Kekkei Genkai—just slightly stronger than an average ninja.
Maybe that's why the Five Great Nations never bothered to eliminate Hoshigakure or seize the meteorite.
What's the big deal? It's just Ten-Tails chakra. The Great Nations already have Jinchuriki.
Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!
With a light step on the ground, wooden stakes erupted before Nawaki, curving into a domed barricade.
Boom!!
Even with its flaws, the Mysterious Peacock Method packed a punch. The tiger's strike slammed into the wooden dome, shattering its surface like a spiderweb.
A second claw followed.
The dome shattered into wooden splinters and debris, crashing to the floor.
Meanwhile, several other Hoshi ninja—Chūnin and Genin—had encircled Nawaki. Each activated the Mysterious Peacock Method.
Brilliant chakra tails bloomed like peacock feathers. Nawaki now appeared to be in grave danger.
At least, to those watching, that's how it looked.
"Hahaha! Who would've thought this tiny village actually hides such powerful techniques? That Senju brat's going to die here for sure!"
The masked Suna ninja laughed wildly, while his comrade smirked in agreement.
At the edge of the crater, the others looked on in growing panic.
"Damn it! Big Brother Nawaki should've just killed those two Suna guys earlier!" Kushina stamped her foot in frustration before charging down the slope.
Minato said nothing, but his actions made his intent clear. He reached into his pouch and tossed a kunai to Kushina, drawing another one for himself.
"Take this."
As the two dashed down, Yahiko and the others hesitated. They glanced at each other, uncertain.
They had just started training under Jiraiya and hadn't learned any proper jutsu yet. Their combat ability didn't even match Kushina's.
But after a pause, Yahiko spoke up.
"Big Brother Nawaki could become Hokage someday. If we help him now, I bet sensei would be proud too. Let's at least try to distract the enemy."
Nagato and Konan both nodded.
Seeing their resolve, Minato smiled and handed Yahiko his ninja tool pouch.
"There are twenty shuriken in here. Use them to divert the enemy's attention however you can."
"Got it!"
The three of them nodded seriously, aware of their limits.
Minato, now gripping his kunai tightly, charged down the hill.
At the bottom, the two Suna ninja were still enjoying the show as Nawaki battled seven enemies alone. They noticed the children rushing down and grinned wickedly.
Heh. No way every brat is as terrifying as Nawaki.
Wanna interfere? Not without our permission.
Not even bothering to use ninjutsu, the two Suna ninja drew their short blades—one heading for the charging Kushina, the other for Minato.
The masked one slashed at Kushina's slender neck.
Clang!
Kushina barely blocked with her kunai, though the blade grazed her skin—leaving a thin red line dangerously close to her throat.
"Oh? Not bad reflexes."
The masked Suna ninja twisted his body and slashed toward her bare arm.
Slash!
A burst of blood followed as a deep gash opened on Kushina's left arm, crimson dripping down her pale skin.
He wiped the blood off his blade and gave a twisted smile.
"You want to save your dear Big Brother Nawaki? No rush. I'll carve you up in front of him, one cut at a time… then you two can lie buried together as a pair of sweet siblings."
He wasn't trying to kill her right away—this was deliberate, a sadistic mind game to shake Nawaki's focus.
Nawaki was locked in a stalemate with the Hoshikage. If his emotions slipped, he might lose his life in an instant.
Kushina said nothing. Even with blood pouring from her arm, she only furrowed her brows slightly.
Her eyes burned with hatred and rage as she gripped the kunai tightly and stabbed at her enemy.
Clang!
The two figures clashed.
Meanwhile, the second Suna ninja was startled by Minato's speed.
"Not bad, kid. You can actually keep up with me? Are you really just an Academy student?"
~~~~~~
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Remove the parentheses btw