Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 166: The Five-Tails!

Boom!

Have you ever experienced being hit by a train?

If you asked Tonari, he'd tell you—he has.

And not just any train, but a steam-powered one!

Han, with his steam-powered strength, launched an attack that sent Tonari flying.

Thud!

Blood spurted from Tonari's mouth as he crashed into the Daimyo Palace's thick stone wall. The one-meter-thick structure crumbled instantly.

Just one hit. Tonari could hardly mount a defense.

This was the essence of overwhelming power—raw strength that could crush any skillful technique. Anyone who couldn't match Han's sheer power would meet the same fate as Tonari.

This level of strength was something Tonari had only encountered in his master, Tsunade Senju, one of the legendary Sannin.

But unlike Tsunade, who had precise control over her power, Han's strength was largely driven by the steam propelling him. Even he couldn't fully control its devastating force.

Tonari now understood how Night Fox, the Root member who went on the reconnaissance mission, had ended up with such severe injuries.

Crack... Crack...

Amid the debris of the shattered wall, a hand crackling with lightning chakra reached out.

The disguise created by Tonari's Facial Transformation Technique was damaged and torn, but he made no move to remove it.

Seeing Tonari's battered state, Han quickly deduced what had happened. It wasn't a betrayal from his men; instead, someone had impersonated them.

As for what happened to the original person? Han didn't even need to think about it—dead beyond a doubt.

Clutching his chest and wincing from the intense pain, Tonari knew that if he hadn't concentrated his Lightning Release Armor around his chest at the last moment, he might've ended up in an even worse state than Night Fox.

Even so, his chest burned with fiery pain.

Looking toward the ongoing battle where Akagane and the others were fighting off Iwa-nin, Tonari could tell they weren't faring well either. Surrounded by enemies and pressured by the command of Iwagakure's jonin, the three were barely hanging on.

The militarized discipline of Iwagakure's forces was on full display. While their individual combat ability wasn't as remarkable as Konoha's shinobi, their collective strategy and coordination were unmatched.

Tonari frowned. Akagane and the others wouldn't last much longer, but the heaviest burden fell on his shoulders.

Han's piercing gaze locked onto him.

Iwagakure had invested significant resources into this mission—deploying numerous shinobi and even sending Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki. The Land of Fields' importance to Iwagakure was clear.

Han had meticulously planned everything, yet everything had fallen apart at the last moment. Naturally, he pinned all the blame on Tonari.

Han's powerful aura weighed on Tonari. The oppressive heat radiating from Han's crimson armor, coupled with the bursts of steam escaping from its vents, made it clear that Han's next attack would be devastating.

Whoosh—

In an instant, Han moved.

Steam shot from the vents on his armor, propelling him forward with blinding speed. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Tonari, his presence suffocating.

Han's right fist shot out, enhanced by a massive burst of steam from his elbow. The fist accelerated with terrifying force, aimed straight at Tonari's face.

This time, Tonari reacted in time.

He crossed his short blade horizontally, gripping it with both hands to block the blow.

Clang!

Metal clashed, and Tonari was sent flying again. This time, however, he wasn't as helpless as before.

At least he managed to block without spitting blood.

"Hmm?"

Han narrowed his eyes, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"This guy has impressive physical strength. A taijutsu specialist?"

Tonari wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and quickly calculated his options.

Running wasn't an option—Han's straight-line speed was unmatched.

If he tried to escape, he'd just end up on the receiving end of another devastating punch.

But Tonari noticed something else: Han's immense speed and power came with a weakness—he struggled to make sharp turns or quick directional changes in close quarters.

Still, Tonari's current Lightning Release Armor wasn't enough.

He needed more.

"Time to push it further."

Tonari leapt onto the crumbling palace wall, chakra gripping his feet to the vertical surface. Pale white energy began to radiate from his body.

"Third Gate: Gate of Life—Open!"

The third gate of the Eight Gates, the last of the gates that didn't cause harm to the user's body.

A faint green glow mingled with the crackling blue of the Lightning Release Armor enveloping Tonari.

"Let's see how you handle this..."

Tonari crouched, then launched himself toward Han with explosive force.

For the first time, he went on the offensive.

"Good!" Han roared, his anger still simmering.

With steam bursting from his armor, Han welcomed the challenge head-on.

"Boil Release: Unmatched Strength!"

"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"

Han's body erupted with steam, amplifying his speed and power to their limits. Tonari countered with a more advanced taijutsu technique.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed as Tonari's kick collided with Han's fist. The resulting shockwave blew debris and dust across the battlefield, clearing a large area.

The two forces were momentarily at a stalemate.

Crack—

Tonari was blasted backward, his foot twisting painfully as he landed. Though his ankle wasn't broken, the impact left him limping slightly.

"His strength has increased again..." Han muttered, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of secret technique is this?"

Tonari, meanwhile, fully understood Han's monstrous power.

"This guy's strength is inhuman."

Tonari clenched his teeth and forced himself to stand.

He wasn't done yet.

"Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain—Open!"

The Gate of Pain, the fourth gate of the Eight Gates, pushed Tonari further into dangerous territory.

His strength and speed surged again, but the strain on his body also increased exponentially. Pain coursed through his muscles and joints, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.

"Not enough..." Tonari growled. "Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit—Open!"

Boom!

A powerful shockwave radiated from Tonari, the sheer force creating a vacuum around him. White energy spiraled upward, intertwining with the crackling lightning chakra.

But the strain was immense. His muscles screamed in protest, and even his bones ached.

This was the limit of what his body could endure.

"Let's finish this!"

Tonari's figure vanished in a blur. Han's expression darkened as he struggled to track the movements.

Bang!

Tonari struck, his speed and power overwhelming. Again and again, he attacked, delivering blow after blow.

Han's crimson armor began to crack under the relentless assault.

"Reverse Lotus!"

Tonari launched Han into the air, wrapping him in a bandage as he unleashed a barrage of devastating strikes.

Finally, with a final kick, Tonari sent Han crashing to the ground.

Boom!

The impact created a massive crater, reducing the entire ceremonial platform to rubble.

Tonari landed heavily, panting as his body protested every movement.

"Damn... what a monster..."

But before he could catch his breath, the ground beneath him began to quake.

Han emerged, his body now cloaked in dark red chakra, three tails swaying ominously behind him.

Half-Tailed Beast Mode.

"Already?! Three tails?!" Tonari's face twisted in disbelief.

There was no time to think. Turning, he sprinted away from the battlefield, heading deep into the forested mountains.

---

Unseen by most, a pair of eyes watched the battle from the highest tower of the Daimyo Palace.

A rotund man with a round face and a nervous smile stroked the pure white cat in his lap.

This was the second son of the late Daimyo, the man who now stood closest to the throne.

From the shadows behind him, a cloaked figure with glowing green eyes stepped forward.

"Well, Second Prince," the shadowy figure said, his voice low and chilling. "What do you think? Have we proven our sincerity? Will you choose to cooperate with us?"

The Second Prince's eyes gleamed with ambition as he caressed the purring cat in his arms.

(End of Chapter)

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*