Three days later.
On the boundless sea, a massive gray shadow was cutting through the waves.
Three-Tails Isobu.
Its massive forty-nine-meter-long body was like a moving island in the sea. Its three giant tails swayed gently, propelling it dozens of meters with every stroke.
Its single eye was half-squinted with a leisurely expression, as if this long journey were merely a pleasant excursion.
And on its back, the ten-meter-tall silver-gold giant wolf lay prostrate.
Yang Jiu's front paws were crossed, his chin resting on them, his golden eyes half-closed as he enjoyed the sea breeze.
His silver-gold fur fluttered slightly in the sea breeze, and the occasional golden arcs of electricity dancing around him formed a sharp contrast with the Three-Tails' gray shell.
One wolf and one beast traveled through the boundless sea in this manner.
"Comfortable."
Yang Jiu spoke lazily.
"If I'd known you were such a good swimmer, I shouldn't have flown myself those past few days."
The Three-Tails let out a low growl, its tone carrying a hint of pride.
Nonsense, it was the Three-Tails; it was the king of the water.
Forget crossing a sea; it wouldn't even get tired swimming in the ocean for a year.
The corners of Yang Jiu's mouth curled up slightly.
"Fine, you're impressive."
He shifted his position and continued to lie there.
His Electromagnetic Perception spread out like invisible ripples, centered on him.
Ten kilometers.
Twenty kilometers.
Thirty kilometers.
Ahead, the outline of land began to emerge on the horizon.
Continuous mountain ranges, a steep coastline, and the mist that shrouded the peaks year-round.
They had reached the Land of Lightning.
"Isobu."
Yang Jiu spoke.
"We're almost there."
The Three-Tails' single eye shifted slightly to look ahead, letting out a low growl in response.
Its speed increased by a few more notches.
Half an hour later.
The coastline drew closer and closer.
Yang Jiu stood up, his ten-meter-tall frame rising on the Three-Tails' back, his golden eyes gazing at the unfamiliar land ahead.
The coast of the Land of Lightning was completely different from the Land of Waves or the Land of Water.
There was no thick fog or humid air, only the biting sea breeze and the distant snow-capped peaks.
"We're here."
He leaped down from the Three-Tails' back and landed steadily on the sandy beach.
The Three-Tails also crawled out of the sea and onto the shore.
Its thick limbs stepped firmly onto the sand, its three giant tails held high and swaying gently behind it.
It shook the seawater off its body, its single eye scanning the surroundings warily.
Its entire being radiated the terrifying aura of a Tailed Beast.
It had fully recovered.
Yang Jiu glanced back at it and nodded in satisfaction.
"Let's go."
He stepped forward.
"Let's go have a chat with the Raikage."
The Three-Tails let out a low growl, its massive body following behind him. With every step, a deep crater was pressed into the sand.
One wolf and one beast thus brazenly stepped into the Land of Lightning.
They hadn't walked far.
Suddenly, the sound of breaking air came from ahead.
Over a dozen black shadows leaped out from behind the rocks, instantly surrounding Yang Jiu and the Three-Tails!
They were all Kumogakure Ninjas—headbands, vests, Shuriken, and that characteristic dark skin.
Leading them was a burly middle-aged Jonin.
But when he saw the two creatures before him clearly, the ferocity on his face instantly froze.
A ten-meter-tall silver-gold giant wolf with golden arcs of electricity occasionally dancing around its body.
Behind it, a forty-nine-meter-long gray giant turtle with Three-Tails held high, its blood-red single eye staring intently at him.
The Jonin's Adam's apple bobbed violently.
"A... a Tailed Beast..."
His voice was raspy beyond recognition, his throat working hard as cold sweat slid down his cheeks.
A ten-meter-tall giant wolf and a forty-nine-meter-long Tailed Beast—he knew all too well what it meant for these two beings to appear simultaneously at the border of the Land of Lightning.
But his duty did not allow him to retreat.
"Everyone, listen to my orders!"
His voice was hoarse but firm.
"Third Squad, Fifth Squad, form a formation to block them!"
"First Squad, release the hawk! Send the message back to the Hidden Cloud Village immediately!"
The pale-faced Ninjas behind him were stunned for a moment, then instantly sprang into action.
Someone tremblingly pulled a signal flare from their robes and fired it into the sky.
Bang—!
A red ball of light soared into the air and exploded, exceptionally conspicuous even in broad daylight.
Someone untied a Communication Scroll from their waist, bit their finger to write quickly, and then tied it to a Message Hawk's leg.
"Go! Get back to the Village quickly!" The Ninja raised his hand, and the hawk flapped its wings, flying high and disappearing into the clouds in an instant.
Meanwhile, the remaining dozen or so Ninjas quickly spread out, forming a battle formation.
Shuriken, Kunai, Explosive Tags—all available weapons were aimed at the wolf and beast ahead.
Their hands were shaking, their legs were shaking, even their breathing was shaking.
But not a single person fled.
Yang Jiu stood in place, watching this group of Kumogakure Ninjas with interest.
Firing signal flares, sending Message Hawks, forming a defensive line—their movements were crisp and their cooperation seamless.
As expected of the Hidden Cloud Village, one of the Five Great Nations; the quality of their border patrol was indeed good.
"Interesting."
He spoke faintly.
The leading Jonin gripped his Kunai, his knuckles turning white.
"No matter where you come from, this is the Land of Lightning, the territory of the Hidden Cloud Village!"
He gritted his teeth, though his voice trembled uncontrollably.
"Take one more step forward and we won't be polite!"
Yang Jiu looked at him, a hint of playfulness flashing in his golden eyes.
"Won't be polite?"
He laughed.
"What do you have to be impolite with?"
As he spoke, a low roar came from behind him.
The Three-Tails' single eye stared intently at this group of ants who didn't know the heights of the heavens, its three giant tails swaying slowly behind it, stirring up gusts of wind.
That terrifying aura belonging to a Tailed Beast was released without reservation.
The legs of the Kumogakure Ninjas at the very front went weak, and they knelt directly on the ground.
The others also turned pale, their teeth chattering.
But they still stood their ground.
Without retreating a single step.
Yang Jiu looked at them, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
"You've got some backbone."
He stepped forward.
"However—"
His voice was low like rolling thunder.
"I'm going to the Hidden Cloud Village, and you can't stop me."
He took a step.
The Kumogakure Ninjas subconsciously took a step back.
However, in the next second—
"Stop right there!"
The Jonin grit his teeth, determination flashing in his eyes.
He was a border guard of the Hidden Cloud, a subordinate of the Raikage; how could he be scared off by a wolf!
Even if he died, he would die on the path of a charge!
"Aaaargh!!!"
He let out a roar, his feet suddenly exerting force as his whole body turned into an afterimage, charging towards Yang Jiu!
Blue lightning jumped wildly on his Katana—Cloud-Style: Lightning Release Chakra Mode!
He was so fast he was almost a blur!
Seeing their captain charge, the other Kumogakure Ninjas' wavering eyes instantly became firm.
"Follow the captain!"
"Better to die on the battlefield!"
"For the glory of the Hidden Cloud!"
Over a dozen figures erupted simultaneously!
Someone formed hand seals, and walls of earth rose from the ground, attempting to block Yang Jiu's path!
Someone threw a dense rain of Shuriken, each with an Explosive Tag attached, covering the sky as they flew toward Yang Jiu!
Others flanked from the sides, their weapons enveloped in lightning, stabbing toward Yang Jiu's vital points!
Still others circled to the rear, trying to distract the Three-Tails to buy time for their comrades!
The Jonin was at the very front, the lightning on his Katana reaching its peak brightness!
Thirty meters.
Twenty meters.
Ten meters.
Five meters—
His blade pointed directly at Yang Jiu's eye!
Yang Jiu stood in place.
Motionless.
Just watching the approaching blade light.
A hint of appreciation flashed in his golden eyes.
Then—
"ROAR—!!!"
A heaven-shaking roar exploded from behind!
The Three-Tails' three giant tails rose simultaneously, like three pillars supporting the heavens, and swept out!
The incoming Shuriken and Explosive Tags were swept away by the giant tails, all exploding in mid-air!
The earth walls were slapped by the giant tails and collapsed with a boom!
Those trying to flank were blown away by the gale-force winds generated by the tails, crashing heavily onto the ground!
The Three-Tails' single eye stared intently at these ants, a low threat rolling in its throat.
And in front of Yang Jiu.
The Jonin's blade stopped less than a meter from his eye.
It wasn't that he didn't want to cut down.
It was that a massive claw had, at some point, clamped onto his Katana.
Yang Jiu looked down at the Jonin, who was struggling desperately but remained motionless.
A hint of appreciation was in his golden eyes.
Cloud Ninjas were indeed hard-headed, but they were also loyal; they dared to take the initiative to attack even in this situation.
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