Chapter 450: Chapter 450: Provoking Kushina? How Dare You!
After being thoroughly beaten once, Killer Bee had become obedient—mostly.
"He's the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki? He doesn't look like much," Kushina remarked, her large round eyes blinking as she looked Killer Bee up and down. To her, he appeared too ordinary—dark-skinned, thin, and lanky, resembling a bamboo pole.
"Who are you?" Killer Bee asked, his tone a mix of confusion and annoyance. He behaved respectfully in front of Shinki, but that didn't mean he was a pushover. In truth, Killer Bee was naturally rebellious.
Hearing Kushina's comment, he was immediately displeased. Initially, he thought she was cute, but her dismissive words ignited his temper.
"Bee, she's the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha!" the Eight-Tails chimed in from within Killer Bee's mind. "I can sense the Nine-Tails' presence."
"Oh! So you're the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?"
After the Eight-Tails' reminder, Killer Bee stretched his body and imitated Kushina's earlier tone and mannerisms mockingly:
"You're the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? You don't look that good."
Shinki blinked silently.
Should I take a few steps back to avoid getting caught in the aftermath?
"?????"
Kushina froze for a moment. Then, her long red hair began to flutter ominously in the wind.
Goodness, this boy doesn't know who he's provoking!
"Idiot!!!"
Golden chakra erupted around Kushina, forming into a large, glowing fist.
"Bi, look out!" the Eight-Tails shouted in alarm, sensing the danger.
"Huh?" Killer Bee blinked in confusion. He thought his retort was clever, but before he could react, the golden chakra fist came crashing down.
"Bang!!!"
The impact obliterated the twin rapiers Killer Bee had raised to block the attack. The fist continued its trajectory, smashing directly into his head and sending him sprawling into a large crater.
Kushina, her temper flaring, jumped into the pit and began pummeling Killer Bee with her enhanced strength.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki isn't good? Not so good, huh?"
"If you want to die, I'll help you out, you bastard! I'll beat you to death!!!"
Her punches came down like meteors, each accompanied by a string of angry curses.
Shinki covered his face with his hand, sighing.
Tsunade. She definitely learned this from Tsunade.
If Kushina had blonde hair, she would be a spitting image of Tsunade right now.
"Oh! I'm not a dog—I'm Killer Bee, you bastard! Idiot! Ow! Stop hitting me! Ah-Ba, help me!"
Despite the beating, Killer Bee's mouth remained defiant, provoking Kushina further.
The Eight-Tails groaned in exasperation. It didn't want to intervene but worried that Bee might actually get beaten to death if this continued.
Just as the Eight-Tails prepared to step in, a dark red chakra seeped into the sealed space.
"Eight-Tails, there's no need for you or me to intervene in a contest between Jinchūriki," the Nine-Tails' calm voice interrupted.
The Eight-Tails stiffened, immediately recognizing the diminutive form of the Nine-Tails before it. Despite the fox's small size, the Eight-Tails knew better than to underestimate its long-time rival.
"But didn't she just…" the Eight-Tails started, referencing Kushina's earlier use of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"That was then; this is now," the Nine-Tails replied nonchalantly. "Let's just watch the show, shall we?"
After hesitating briefly, the Eight-Tails sighed in resignation. "Fine. But Bee is definitely going to nag me about this later."
The two tailed beasts silently agreed to let the fight unfold, each unwilling to expose the vulnerabilities that led to their respective compromises with their Jinchūriki.
Back in the physical world, Shinki observed the one-sided brawl with mild amusement. Killer Bee's screams echoed across the training ground, his defiant words quickly giving way to desperate pleas for mercy.
Kushina's strikes landed with merciless precision, her anger unrelenting. Shinki doubted even the Third Raikage would recognize Bee after this beating.
"No, sister! I was wrong! Stop hitting me!"
Feeling his life was in genuine danger and realizing the Eight-Tails wasn't going to help, Killer Bee finally surrendered, raising his hands in defeat.
"What did you just call me?"
Kushina paused, her fist still raised. Killer Bee flinched, trembling under her glare.
"Big sister! I was wrong! I won't do it again!" he shouted desperately.
Kushina lowered her fist, considering his words. "Big sister, huh? That's not bad."
A smile crept onto her face. "Alright then. From now on, you'll call me Big Sister. I'll visit you from time to time to help you train. You need to represent us Jinchūriki and become a perfect Jinchūriki as soon as possible. Got it?"
"I got it, Big Sister," Killer Bee replied, his voice shaky.
He was bruised and battered, barely able to open his eyes, which had swollen to slits. But he had learned his lesson. Never, ever provoke the "blood-red chili pepper."