"Kill it!"
"Run! Run for your lives! That monster doesn't even fear Fire Style. It can't be killed!"
"Idiot! Water beats fire! Use Water Style!"
"I don't know any Water Style jutsu!"
"You idiot!"
"Everyone, stop running! We can't outrun that monster. We'll be caught and eaten. Let's use shuriken and Water Style together to kill it!"
"I don't plan on outrunning the monster, just you lot. Maybe if it's full after eating you, it won't chase me anymore."
"Idiot!!!"
Rumble!!!
With a tremendous roar, the corrupted Akamaru swept through the fleeing rogue ninjas like a swatting hand against flies.
As the chase continued, three villages slowly came into view.
"Look!"
"Haha! We're saved!"
"If we lure that monster into the villages, we can escape in the chaos!"
The remaining rogue ninjas rejoiced.
Just as they were about to head towards the villages, a figure dropped from the sky.
A dozen Water Clones instantly appeared, blocking their path.
"Z-Zabuza?!" The rogue ninjas immediately recognized the newcomer.
They had fought together not long ago, all employed by the wealthy Gato.
"Where's my companion, Haku?
"What happened to him? Tell me, or none of you will leave this place alive."
Zabuza, Executioner's Blade resting on his shoulder, didn't even bat an eye at the hundreds of rogue ninjas.
"Zabuza, get out of the way! There's a monster behind us! It tore apart so many of us, and it seems to be tracking us by scent!"
"Yeah, you should be grateful we're not attacking you. You're a wanted man now, with a bounty on your head placed by Gato. Leave now while you can, or you won't escape this island alive." Several rogue ninjas drew their weapons, shouting at Zabuza.
"I'll ask again. Where is Haku? I won't let any of you leave until I see him.
"Besides, that bastard Gato is already dead by my hand. If you still want to work for him and collect your payment, go to hell and ask him for it!" Zabuza sneered, a terrifying killing intent radiating from him as he began to form hand seals.
"Lord Gato is dead?!"
"That damn Zabuza killed my moneybag?!" The rogue ninjas erupted in anger.
They were only gathered here for the money. Now that their employer was gone, what was the point of fighting?
Even Kakuzu, hidden among the crowd, frowned.
He was here for the money. But in the next moment, his eyes locked onto Zabuza. Gato was gone, but Zabuza's head was still worth a considerable sum.
Just then, another scream echoed from behind.
Through the thick mist of water and fire, a hellish hound wreathed in black-red flames, its body resembling a rotting corpse, lumbered into view.
"Damn it! The monster's here!"
"Zabuza, move or we'll attack!"
"Your companion had a bounty on his head from Gato. We don't have him anymore."
"Because he's already been eaten by that monster. He was closest to it."
"That's right! He was definitely torn to shreds. Everyone saw that Haku was standing right next to the monster."
Zabuza's eyes widened in fury. "What did you say?! Say that again!"
"Your Haku was probably eaten by the monster behind us. If you don't believe us, go and check it out yourself."
The rogue ninjas didn't dare waste any more time. After tossing out those words, they took advantage of Zabuza's momentary shock and swarmed past him.
"I said, no one leaves until I see Haku!"
Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!
Zabuza's hands moved, completing the final hand seals.
A massive torrent of water erupted beside him, sweeping towards the hundreds of rogue ninjas and the Zombie Hellhound behind them.
The entire battlefield descended into chaos.
"This is bad! We can't let it get any closer to those villages. There are a lot of civilians there," Tazuna said worriedly.
Kiba, worried about Akamaru, had followed closely behind.
Natsuki and the others, to prevent Tazuna from being attacked by stray rogue ninjas, kept him close by.
"I'll try to call him back," Kiba said, turning around. "Akamaru grew up with me. Even if he's evolved into... this, he should still remember me."
"Don't be reckless! Remember, he tried to bite you earlier," Kurenai quickly stopped him. "He's suddenly gained immense power; his memories and consciousness are clearly suppressed."
"Wait a bit longer, until his power subsides," Natsuki advised.
While everyone's attention was focused on the massive, corrupted Akamaru, he secretly created a Shadow Clone.
The Shadow Clone slipped away from the group, heading towards a secluded corner.
Taking out a sealing scroll, he released a puff of smoke, revealing the often-helpful Ultraman Zetta model.
"Alright, old buddy. Time for your legend to spread throughout the ninja world."
The next moment, empowered by Natsuki's Tenseigan puppet control, the Ultraman Zetta model moved. It levitated into the air and shot up into the clouds with lightning speed.
[Ultra Power] activated!
A dazzling golden light emanated from within the thick clouds.
The brilliant glow gradually attracted the attention of everyone in the Land of Waves. Even the chaotic battlefield around the corrupted Akamaru quieted down.
All eyes turned towards the sky as the radiant golden light sped towards them.
Then, a colossal giant of light burst through the clouds, descending from the heavens…
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