Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 255: Power-Up and Strategies Against the Enemy

Shukaku was sent flying by the impact, his massive body crashing onto the ground.

What does it an to take little damage but suffer imnse humiliation?

This scene was the perfect example. Shukaku's defense was nearly impenetrable—there was no way Chōi's strike could actually harm him. His entire body was made of sand, rendering physical attacks largely ineffective.

But psychological damage? That was another story.

"Hahaha! Slly tanuki! How does that feel?"

"I've been wanting to try this One Thousand Years of Death for ages, but I never had the right opponent."

"I have to say, Kazuyama was right—this technique is brilliant! The person who invented it must be a genius!"

Far away on another battlefield, Sakumo Hatake suddenly shivered and muttered, "Who's thinking about ? It can't be for anything good..."

Kazuyama twitched at the sound of Chōi's manic laughter. Just as he was about to comnt, a familiar system notification rang out.

[Ding! Detected: The host has successfully led Seven-Tails Chōi down a path of no return, causing Chōi to use disgraceful tactics to strike at the One-Tail Shukaku's psyche. Special reward: 10% Optimization of the Tailed Beast Ball. Note: At 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, an optimization ability will be unlocked.]

[Ding! Tailed Beast Ball optimization progress has reached 40%! Unlocking the optimized skill: Tailed Beast Ball Compression Explosion Mode! The host can use this ability in Partial Tailed Beast Transformation and Full Tailed Beast Transformation modes, compressing the Tailed Beast Ball to the size of a palm and implanting it into the enemy's body for a more devastating explosion! Note: The explosion will not harm the host.]

Oh ho, now this was an interesting ability. Wasn't this basically a remote-detonated explosive? And in this situation, wasn't it the perfect trump card?

Kazuyama grinned—an undeniably wicked grin.

Shukaku slowly pushed himself up, his face twisted with rage. Seeing Chōi still laughing hysterically, he lunged at him with a furious roar, cursing as he went:

"You dare stab ?! I'm going to bury you in sand!"

"Die, you damn bug!"

Sand beca Shukaku's weapon of choice as he hurled massive waves of it at Chōi.

At first glance, it looked like he was simply trying to bury him alive, but Chōi, well aware of Shukaku's fighting style, knew better.

This wasn't just any sand—it had been reinforced by Shukaku's chakra, making each grain sharp enough to pierce solid rock.

This was one of Shukaku's signature techniques—Sand Buckshot.

"Hmph, back then, this move gave and several other Tailed Beasts a lot of trouble."

"Too bad—I won't fall for it again!"

Chōi nimbly dodged by taking to the skies, circling above and occasionally releasing Scale Powder to disrupt Shukaku's vision.

What was once an all-out clash between two colossal beasts had now devolved into a ridiculous fight—one throwing sand, the other scattering powder. It was honestly kind of pathetic.

"Hmph! Chōi, if you won't co down, I won't go up."

"We'll just wait each other out and see who lasts longer!"

Shukaku glared at Chōi hovering in the sky, completely frustrated. His sand was fast, but catching up to Chōi was impossible.

"Kazuyama, he's right. No matter how much we fight, neither of us can do anything to the other."

"If this keeps dragging on, it's not good for either of us."

Chōi's voice carried a note of helplessness as he spoke to Kazuyama.

But Kazuyama didn't seem worried at all. Instead, he chuckled softly.

"Kazuyama, what are you laughing at?"

"How can you laugh at a ti like this?"

Chōi was completely baffled. Had his brother lost his mind? How could he still be laughing when the situation was this dire?

"Relax, Chōi. I already have a plan."

"Huh? What plan?"

"My improvents to the Tailed Beast Ball are just the beginning. There's a lot more I can do—but first, I need to confirm sothing."

"What is it? Hurry up and tell ! This damn tanuki is getting sand all over ."

Kazuyama did have a plan, but even he wasn't completely sure it would work.

He intended to use the Tailed Beast Chakra as a dium to enter Shukaku's subconscious. If he wanted to resolve this once and for all, the real target wasn't Shukaku—it was his Jinchūriki.

Just like how Naruto had convinced all the Tailed Beasts, he needed to start from the source.

Only, Kazuyama wasn't going to talk things out. He was going to eliminate the problem permanently.

With a cryptic expression, he asked, "If you connect your chakra with Shukaku's, can I enter his consciousness?"

Chōi had grown a lot over the years, no longer the reckless fool he once was. He imdiately understood what Kazuyama was planning.

"You want to enter Shukaku's subconscious and take out his Jinchūriki?"

"If the Jinchūriki dies, we Tailed Beasts are forced into dormancy for a long ti."

"You're planning to take down the slly tanuki from the inside!"

Kazuyama burst into laughter—sharp, cunning laughter. He didn't bother hiding his appreciation for Chōi's quick thinking.

"Chōi, you've gotten smarter. That's exactly what I'm planning."

"No matter how strong Shukaku is, he's still just Shukaku. That old monk can't possibly be stronger than , right? Killing him would be easy."

"So, are you in or not?"

Chōi thought for a mont, nodded heavily—then suddenly shook his head.

Kazuyama frowned. "What kind of reaction is that? Are you agreeing or not?"

"Of course I agree, but it's not that simple. Our chakra needs to be connected first."

"That ans I'll have to get into close combat with Shukaku. We'd basically have to wrestle."

"You know my lee combat skills. If I get caught up in a brawl with him, I'll be lucky if he doesn't rip all my wings off."

Hearing Chōi's exasperation, Kazuyama almost laughed.

His tone was full of amusent.

"Wow, Chōi. Not only have you picked up my fighting style, but you've also learned my cowardice, huh?"

"And seriously, worrying about your wings? I admit Shukaku is strong, but are you really that weak?"

"Alright, fine. You don't need to fight up close. Just give control—I'll show you sothing cool."

Kazuyama imdiately took over Chōi's body. The massive insect froze midair, completely still, letting sand rain down on him without a care.

"Oh? Not running anymore, bug?"

"Tired already? Then get down here and take your beating!"

Seeing Chōi motionless, Shukaku got excited, hurling sand with even more enthusiasm.

"Hmph, dumb tanuki."

"You won't be laughing for long!"

"Tailed Beast Ball—prepare!"

Dense chakra began to gather, but unlike the usual formation of a Tailed Beast Ball, sothing was drastically different.

As the energy slowly condensed into a sphere, Chōi was utterly stunned.