Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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The two had previously joined forces during the invasion of Konoha, but Muzan had been held back by Konoha's forces at the time. While attempting to break through their defenses, he had no direct contact with Hidan.

Now that the Akatsuki had become a target of the major ninja villages, Muzan needed to tread carefully. If Akatsuki's location were exposed, they might suspect betrayal and retaliate.

"As for the matter of the Jashin Cult, I'll deal with it after the war enters a stable phase," Muzan decided.

For the time being, relying on natural energy wouldn't pose any immediate issues.

"Master Muzan, if I have the time, I could investigate the Jashin Cult. I'm curious about an ability that grants immortality—much like the ones possessed by demons," Kabuto suggested, adjusting his glasses. The lenses reflected a cold light, and his half-smile mirrored Muzan's demeanor.

With Kabuto's cunning, he would have no trouble dealing with the fanatics of the Jashin Cult.

As the two conversed, a sudden, deafening roar shook the room. The entire structure trembled, and thick clouds of gray dust filled the midday sky, blocking out the sun. A strong gust of wind followed, scattering loose debris.

"What's going on outside?" Kabuto asked, steadying himself against the experimental table. His expression darkened as he observed the ominous changes in the sky.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The laboratory's alarm blared. The walls turned a glaring red, casting Muzan's face in an eerie light. His expression twisted in anger.

"How dare they attack the Land of Waves!" Muzan hissed.

As his base of operations, the Land of Waves boasted top-tier defenses. Yet the tremors suggested that many of them had been breached.

When Muzan and Kabuto emerged from the lab, they were met with a scene of utter devastation. A massive crater had replaced what was once a bustling factory. Nothing remained—not even traces of the earth itself.

"What kind of attack is this?" Kabuto muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.

It was the first time Kabuto had witnessed destruction on such a scale, challenging his understanding of the ninja world. Muzan, however, had already identified the source of the attack.

"How bold of them to send a tailed beast," Muzan growled.

As the ultimate weapon of the great ninja villages, the destructive power of a tailed beast could crush even the strongest of shinobi. Few dared to face a Tailed Beast Bomb head-on—and now, the Land of Waves had been struck by one.

"Kabuto, alert the nearby ninjas to protect the civilians. I'll handle the enemy myself," Muzan commanded.

Without waiting for a response, Muzan disappeared, leaving Kabuto to process the enormity of the situation.

"Killer Bee! You're courting death!" Muzan snarled as he sped toward the battlefield.

The attack had come from Kumogakure, a village that had recently provoked Muzan. The last time their forces clashed, Kumo's ninjas had been annihilated. This time, however, they had escalated by deploying a tailed beast.

As Muzan approached the battleground, his anger surged. Surrounding the fully transformed Eight-Tails were Kumo shinobi, prepared to face him head-on. The massive tailed beast loomed over Muzan, radiating a terrifying presence that would paralyze most in fear.

Just as Muzan prepared to confront Killer Bee, a sudden surge of killing intent alerted him to another threat.

"It's not just Killer Bee," Muzan realized, swiftly drawing a kunai to intercept an incoming attack. He countered with a detonating tag.

"Fire Release: Flame Rat Jade!"

Boom!

A torrent of blue flames erupted, clashing with the tag's explosion. Smoke filled the air, obscuring the battlefield as Yugito Nii, in her half-tailed beast form, lunged at Muzan. Her claws raked across his chest, tearing through his robes and drawing blood. She flipped through the air, landing with cat-like grace.

Muzan narrowed his eyes, his frustration mounting. The sudden appearance of two Jinchuuriki complicated matters. Worse, there could be additional reinforcements he had yet to detect.

On the island, the Twelve Kizuki were Muzan's primary defense. However, his strongest subordinates—Haku and Pakura—had been deployed to the front lines, leaving the Land of Waves more vulnerable than usual.

"This is troublesome," Muzan thought grimly. "The Twelve Kizuki must handle the other attackers quickly."

Though confident in his abilities, Muzan understood the strategic importance of protecting the Land of Waves. Its fall would have dire consequences for his plans.

Killer Bee, fully transformed into the Eight-Tails, towered over Muzan, his massive tentacles thrashing about.

"Long time no see, Muzan!" Killer Bee taunted, his deep voice resonating across the battlefield. "Kumogakure's got a score to settle with you. Today, you'll learn not to mess with us!"

Boom!

Another devastating attack obliterated the surrounding structures. Muzan evaded narrowly, but the destruction left the area in ruins.

Activating the Snake Sage Technique, Muzan's body was enveloped in white scales. However, fighting during the day meant his natural energy reserves drained rapidly, limiting his power.

Despite his imposing form, Killer Bee remained wary. Muzan's killing intent was suffocating, unlike anything the Eight-Tails had encountered.

"Man, what a freak!" Killer Bee muttered under his breath. "Konoha sure knows how to churn out monsters like this guy!"

Even as he complained, Killer Bee maintained his guard. Muzan was no ordinary opponent.

With Yugito supporting him, her relentless strikes prevented Muzan from gaining any ground. The battle was a calculated effort by Kumogakure—designed not to kill Muzan or the Twelve Kizuki outright but to weaken and destabilize the Land of Waves.

Looking at the devastation, it was clear that Kumogakure's plan had succeeded. Regardless of the outcome, the Land of Waves would struggle to recover, leaving it vulnerable to further attacks.

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"Rat Tail Ball Jade!"

"Blood Demon Art: Blood Fang Blade!"

With a single slash, Muzan forced Yugito back. Though in her half-tailed beast state she approached the power of a Kage, she was no match for Muzan's overwhelming strength. Yet, she refused to give Muzan an opening for a decisive confrontation.

Her mission was clear: to occupy Muzan and create opportunities for Killer Bee to strike from the flanks.

The two Jinchūriki, both from Kumogakure, demonstrated flawless coordination. Whenever Muzan shifted his focus to Yugito, Killer Bee would use the distraction to unleash an assault. Their teamwork was seamless, a testament to the bond they shared.

Muzan quickly recognized the danger of focusing solely on one opponent. Adjusting his strategy, he allowed minor injuries to accumulate, relying on his near-invincible regenerative abilities to recover. Even a Tailed Beast Bomb wouldn't destroy him—his body would simply reform, a testament to his destructive and rebirth powers.

But Muzan's attention was firmly locked on Killer Bee. The Eight-Tails posed the greatest threat to the Land of Waves. He couldn't allow it to continue its rampage.

"Haaah!"

Muzan gripped the Sword of the Thunder God tightly, the blade humming with power. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a devastating Banner Sword Technique. A sharp, crescent-shaped slash of energy tore through the forest, carving a path straight to Killer Bee.

The attack struck Killer Bee's bijuu cloak, leaving a glowing white mark across its massive form. The Eight-Tails roared in defiance, and though the slash had landed, the chakra construct absorbed much of the blow. Muzan scowled, recognizing the resilience of the tailed beast.

"This isn't enough," Muzan thought grimly, leaping back to evade Killer Bee's retaliatory swipe. He couldn't afford to waste energy on techniques that only scratched the surface.

Pivoting to his Demonic abilities, Muzan called forth his Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Trifoliate Thorn. The Sword of the Thunder God morphed, sprouting grotesque, thorny tendrils that pulsed with a crimson glow. Wielding the transformed weapon with expert precision, Muzan executed a flurry of attacks, each strike amplified by his mastery of Hatake swordsmanship.

Killer Bee's eyes narrowed as he instinctively sensed the danger. The Eight-Tails coiled its massive tentacles around its body, forming a defensive barrier. Dust and debris clouded the air, obscuring Yugito's view as she prepared to assist.

Before she could act, a violent gust of wind knocked her back, forcing her to brace herself. Muzan's thorned weapon struck Killer Bee's barrier with incredible force, sending tremors through the battlefield. Though the Eight-Tails held firm, the cracks forming along its protective cloak were undeniable.

"This guy's no joke," Killer Bee muttered, feeling the sting of Muzan's relentless assault. Even the Eight-Tails growled in discomfort, its chakra struggling to mend the damage.

As the dust cleared, the Sword of the Thunder God remained lodged in Killer Bee's side. Muzan, undeterred, poured his energy into the weapon, causing it to pulse with destructive intent.

"It's not over yet!" Muzan declared.

Thorns erupted from the blade, snaking across the Eight-Tails and digging into its chakra cloak. Muzan sought to incapacitate Killer Bee by exploiting the opening created by his earlier attacks.

Realizing the urgency, Yugito decided to escalate. Blood-red chakra surged around her, and with a deep breath, she allowed herself to fully transform. The massive form of Matatabi, the Two-Tails, emerged beside her, its fiery blue flames crackling menacingly.

The sudden surge of power drew Muzan's attention, but his focus remained on the Eight-Tails. Splitting his attention between two tailed beasts would only lead to disaster.

Matatabi roared, its fiery chakra flaring brightly. In its fully unleashed state, the Two-Tails was a force of nature. Yugito wasted no time, unleashing a massive Fireball Jutsu, its searing heat vaporizing the surrounding thorns as it barreled toward Muzan.

The fireball struck Muzan head-on, sending him crashing into the ground. His body was reduced to a mass of charred flesh and blood, unrecognizable to most. Yugito hesitated, the sight unsettling despite her knowledge of Muzan's regenerative abilities.

"Even knowing he can't be killed easily... seeing him like this still gives me chills," Yugito thought.

Within moments, Muzan's body began to reform. The twisted mass of flesh contorted, his white scales gleaming ominously as he stood once more. His malevolent aura was undiminished, and his eyes burned with predatory intent.

"Impressive teamwork," Muzan said, his tone eerily calm. "But don't forget—you're in the Land of Waves!"

Instead of rushing into another attack, Muzan adopted a more calculated approach. Biting his thumb, he smeared blood across the ground, forming a summoning seal.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

With a burst of smoke, three enormous serpents materialized. Each serpent, empowered by Muzan's chakra, lunged at Matatabi, buying Muzan the time he needed to focus on Killer Bee.

As the serpents tangled with the Two-Tails, Muzan turned his attention back to the Eight-Tails. His body shifted, mouths appearing across his torso, ravenously absorbing the natural energy around him. The battlefield trembled under the weight of his power.

Before Muzan could strike, Killer Bee charged, the Eight-Tails roaring in unison. The clash between the two titanic forces sent shockwaves rippling across the Land of Waves.

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