NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Who Tames Whom
Chapter 67: Who Tames Whom
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Above the silent sea, blood rain erupted.
An eerie shrine materialized from the void.
Massive, jagged teeth protruded from its top, sharp and irregular, exuding an incomprehensible malevolence.
Steps, resembling ox bone carcasses, extended outward.
Malevolent Shrine.
Unlike most sealed domains that construct a small space, Sukuna's domain is an open-type structure.
In layman's terms, Sukuna designates the area as a kitchen.
Anyone within this range becomes ingredients subjected to relentless slicing attacks.
It's as if they are lying on a chopping board.
Two distinct types of slashes rain down:
1. Dismantle (Kai) – Continuous ordinary slashes akin to a chef's knife.
2. Cleave (Hachi) – A single, decisive slash akin to a cleaver, guaranteed to sever the target depending on the difference in energy levels.
In essence, Kai is like rapid, unceasing knife work, while Hachi is a singular, powerful execution.
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In exchange for allowing unrestricted entry and exit, Sukuna's domain extended to a 400-meter radius of uninterrupted slashing.
But that was before.
Now imbued with drastically amplified cursed energy, Sukuna effortlessly breached his domain's former limits.
Facing the enormous, 100-meter-tall Nine-Tails, Sukuna expanded his domain to a staggering 1,000-meter radius.
Within the domain, stone, trees—everything—was reduced to fragments under the relentless barrage of slashes.
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BOOM!
A massive claw sent Mahoraga flying, followed by a torrential stream of scorching chakra.
Swish, swish, swish!
Invisible slashes rained down endlessly, dispersing the chakra stream and striking the Nine-Tails' claws.
Sizzle—
The countless slashes barely broke the surface of the Nine-Tails' skin before the damage was instantly healed.
The Nine-Tails lashed out with its tails, shaking the heavens and earth.
Sukuna's so-called relentless, indiscriminate slashes were rendered completely ineffective.
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Focusing his slashes in one spot proved just as futile; any minor damage inflicted was swiftly repaired.
"Looks like I'll need to use Hachi."
Sukuna refrained, biding his time.
He darted around within Malevolent Shrine's range, carefully avoiding direct confrontation.
It wasn't because he feared the Nine-Tails—he simply didn't want Kagami's body to suffer damage.
Not out of sentimentality, but rather because…
If the body sustained injuries, he'd be forced to use Reversed Cursed Technique to heal.
And that would play directly into Kagami's plan!
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BANG!
Mahoraga, wielding the Sword of Exorcism, launched yet another attack to shield Sukuna.
Though repeatedly swatted away by the Nine-Tails' claws, it returned tirelessly to continue its assault.
Mahoraga's ultimate strength lay in its adaptability to all phenomena.
Each turn of the "wheel" on its head represented its progress in adapting to attacks. After enduring a particular type of assault multiple times, its adaptation would accelerate.
With every strike endured, Mahoraga grew closer to adapting to the Nine-Tails' claw strikes.
Once fully adapted, the Nine-Tails' claws would become ineffective.
The only way to defeat Mahoraga was with a never-before-seen attack that could destroy it in one blow.
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CRASH!
A massive tail slammed down, nearly shattering Mahoraga.
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Sukuna's expression flickered slightly.
What an…
Astounding monster.
"You possess more energy than I do…"
He chuckled darkly. "However…"
Mahoraga and Malevolent Shrine had bought Sukuna enough time to access Kagami's chakra.
A completely different form of energy…
"So this is what it feels like to unite positive and negative energies."
"Exquisite."
Perhaps being sealed in this world wasn't all bad after all.
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"Well then, Nine-Tails…"
"Let me tame you now."
Sukuna manipulated the chakra, directing it toward Kagami's eyes.
He knew better than anyone the power the Sharingan held over beasts like the Nine-Tails.
"Let me savor the taste of eyes that surpass even the Six Eyes."
Fierce combat?
Why bother with unnecessary effort when the solution was simpler?
The real opponent to worry about wasn't the Nine-Tails—it was Uchiha Kagami.
"You dared to release me… don't expect me to return to your seal!"
As the chakra surged…
Nothing happened.
His eyes remained black.
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"What's going on?!"
"DIE!!!!"
A furious roar scattered the invisible slashes. Mahoraga was sent flying once more.
Splat—
The Nine-Tails' claw pierced Kagami's body, running him through entirely.
Pain jolted Sukuna back to reality. He attempted to activate the Sharingan again.
Still nothing.
Where were the large, ominous Sharingan tomoe?
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"What did you do… Uchiha Kagami?"
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Inside the Mindscape
Within the sealed door, Kagami sat atop the Dragon Vein, propping his chin with one hand, wearing a faint smile.
"So, being a sealed evil spirit does have its amusing moments…"
"Get this straight, Sukuna."
"I'm lending you my body—it's not yours to take."
"Behave and show me Reversed Cursed Technique. I'll keep you under control."
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"BASTARD!!"
Sukuna roared, delivering a devastating Hachi slash that severed one of the Nine-Tails' claws.
He retreated immediately, distancing himself.
Blood gushed from the massive wound in Kagami's chest, rapidly regenerating.
Sukuna's expression turned grim, frustration evident.
It was like a coach forcing him to throw the match.
He muttered through clenched teeth:
"If you dare suppress me, I'll let the Nine-Tails kill me instead!"
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"Such pointless threats."
"Neither of us cares about life or death; we only care about winning."
"Keep going, Sukuna. Use this fight against the Nine-Tails to find a way to break my seal."
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Sukuna considered cutting off his connection to Kagami's mindscape.
He failed—just as expected.
A sudden realization dawned upon Sukuna.
Perhaps there was a reason why he and Kagami had crossed paths across time and space.
A trial.
"Uchiha Kagami…"
"You are my trial…"
"And I am yours."
"Whoever tames the other…"
"…ascends to godhood."
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The Nine-Tails observed this spectacle in silence.
It felt familiar…
Vaguely recalling when Uchiha Madara had once controlled it, forcing a showdown with Senju Hashirama.
After pulling out the claw, Hashirama had also healed swiftly.
Could it be…
This figure was a descendant of both Uchiha and Senju?
Had Madara lost to Hashirama and chosen to reincarnate into such a body?
It didn't matter anymore.
Whatever Sukuna or Kagami intended, the Nine-Tails was resolute:
Madara, you can't fool me.
I'll kill you here…
And destroy every last one of the Leaf!
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A colossal black sphere of yin-yang chakra formed before the Nine-Tails.
Even its initial size exceeded fifty meters in diameter.
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"Let's keep our distance," Onoki said, soaring into the sky. He was more than happy to let Leaf shinobi tear themselves apart.
The Eight-Tails spoke through Killer Bee.
"A raging Nine-Tails is beyond communication. There's no point intervening now."
Bee looked toward A.
The A kept his gaze locked on the unmoving Third Raikage.
"A, take the others and retreat."
The Third Raikage, his back to the group, spoke gravely:
"I'll wait for an opening here."
"If the chance arises, I'll use the (Kohaku no Jōhei) Amber Purifying Pot to seal them."
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"Father, is such a risk really necessary?"
For a moment, it seemed like the Third Raikage smiled.
"Fine, I admit it…"
"I just want to fight a monster like this!"
"Let me be reckless for once, A."
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This thing…
It's dangerous.
Sukuna calmed himself, forming a bow-and-arrow shape with his hands.
Flames flowed, evaporating moisture from the air.
Divine Flame (Kamino).
After mastering both Dismantle (Kai) and Cleave (Hachi), Sukuna could ignite this step.
Flames gathered at his fingertips.
Against a monster like this, there was no need to hold back.
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BOOM!!!
The Tailed Beast Bomb roared forward.
A fiery arrow streaked toward it in response.
To be continued
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