Uchiha Madara looked at the golden figure before him and said expressionlessly, "To have completely tamed that fox, you truly surprise me."
Though surprised, Madara's face betrayed no emotion. To him, the Nine-Tails was merely a combat tool, an animal that didn't require time for taming. A simple Sharingan genjutsu could control it like a toy.
"Kurama, it's your turn. Don't break my body."
"Roar! Leave it to me, don't worry!"
Lin Yu closed his eyes and relaxed his mind. His body was gradually taken over by Kurama's consciousness. His own consciousness became like an observer, residing deep within his mind. Lin Yu felt he could reclaim control with just a thought.
This was why he felt at ease lending his body to Kurama. If only he had a bucket of popcorn right now.
When "Lin Yu" opened his eyes again, his once black pupils had turned blood red and demonic. Red chakra patterns resembling whiskers had appeared on his face. Kurama was online!
Kurama stopped himself from the urge to get down on all fours. He feared that if he did, Lin Yu might not let him out to play again!
He slightly moved his "own" body, and Kurama muttered, "A human body is strange. It's not as agile as my original form at all. This thing I'm wearing also hinders my movements!"
Suppressing the urge to tear off his clothes, Kurama glared fiercely at Uchiha Madara not far away. "Uchiha Madara! I never thought you'd grow this old. Today, I will collect all the past debts, with interest!"
"Oh? Consciousness swap? Young people these days have so many tricks."
Uchiha Madara picked up the Uchiha Flame Uchiwa behind him, his figure vanishing instantly and reappearing before Kurama. Without any extra move, the Uchiwa slammed directly towards Kurama's face.
"Too bad, these are all things I've already played with!"
*Bang!*
An invisible wave of air erupted outwards. Kurama blocked the attack of the Uchiwa with one hand, grinning, "This body is quite useful! Uchiha Madara, this is no longer your era. You old remnant of a bygone age have been eliminated!"
"So much nonsense!"
Uchiha Madara kicked Kurama again and, in the opening, formed a hand seal. "Fire Style: Majestic Annihilation!"
In an instant, a sea of flames engulfed Kurama's figure.
Madara, holding the Uchiwa, retreated. The three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes twitched frantically, scanning the surroundings.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
To the left!
*Bang!*
Madara raised the Uchiwa to block a golden chakra arm released by Kurama. The three-tomoe in his eyes focused on Kurama and emitted a red light.
"Sharingan: Genjutsu!"
However, in just a moment, Kurama's clarity returned. He scoffed, "Using genjutsu on a jinchuriki? Uchiha Madara, you're nothing special."
"Hmph!"
Madara snorted and didn't reply. That was merely a subconscious combat reflex. After all, anyone daring enough to meet his gaze in battle deserved a genjutsu for their suicidal behavior.
Madara inwardly sighed. Time spares no one. If it were his prime, opponents of this level wouldn't even warrant the use of a weapon.
"Hey! Still distracted! Take this, Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Kurama condensed chakra above his head, forming a large foxy face. A black spherical mass was taking shape in his mouth.
Madara's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to retreat, several golden chakra arms wrapped around him, preventing his escape.
Soon, the Tailed Beast Bomb was fully formed.
*Biu!*
Without hesitation, Kurama fired the Tailed Beast Bomb at Uchiha Madara at close range, completely disregarding that he himself was within the blast radius.
It didn't matter if the body got wrecked; it wasn't his own anyway!
Madara watched the black sphere hurtling towards him, his expression unchanged. "How troublesome. Must I even dodge this kind of attack?"
"Uchiha Reflection!"
*Bang!*
The black Tailed Beast Bomb, the moment it touched Uchiha's Flame Uchiwa, was sent flying, as if swatting away a fly.
*Boom!*
A moment later, an explosion echoed in the distance, and a small mushroom cloud rose. Trees were blown about, and the wind ruffled the cloak on Madara's back.
So cool!
Lin Yu, observing from within his mind, exclaimed. He learned this move of "carrying the team." Perhaps later, after Uchiha Madara died, he would "borrow" his Uchiwa for fun!
Uchiha Madara paid no attention to the distant explosion, nor did he observe the change in Kurama's expression. He silently looked at his slightly trembling wrist, lost in thought.
Am I truly getting old? My wrist trembles just from swatting away a toy cannonball.
Kurama was shocked, but not by Madara swatting away his Tailed Beast Bomb. It wasn't his strongest attack; it was merely a small one.
What shocked him was how strong Uchiha Madara still was even in his current state. He wondered if Madara still had trump cards. What if he could pull off something like "ultimate sublimation" or a "final burst of energy"?
Wouldn't he be done for then?
You might ask how he knew these terms. Naturally, he heard them from the "unusual" stories that Uzumaki Lin Yu told!
"It seems I'll have to use my full power now!"
Kurama was about to enter serious mode!
Madara snapped back to reality, gazing at the "Lin Yu" before him, and said, "You are indeed a promising talent. Join me. Only I can lead you to experience a new world."
"Pah! I've lived far longer than you. There have been those stronger than you in the history of the ninja world. Stop acting like you're the only one in the world!"
"You won't speak? That's a pity."
Uchiha Madara completely ignored Kurama's taunts. In his eyes, he shouldn't be able to understand the words of a beast!
Kurama: Are you deaf? I'm speaking so loudly, can't you hear me?
Uchiha Madara put away his Uchiwa, rolled up his sleeves,
"The real battle begins now!"
...
On the other side, Obito and the other two also encountered trouble. The tremor a moment ago had drawn Obito and Kakashi's attention.
When they recovered, Rin Nohara was gone. She had only left behind a note: "If you want to save your companion, come to this place!"
"Kakashi! We need to hurry and save Rin!"
Obito anxiously shouted at Kakashi.
"But we..."
Kakashi was about to say they had important missions and that the mission should be their priority.
However, the image of his father, Sakumo Hatake, flashed through his mind. He thought of the decision his father had made at that time.
Kakashi's eyes became determined, and he clenched his fist. "Let's go! We're going to save Rin. She needs us more now! Huh? Where did she go?"
"Kakashi! What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and follow me!"
Obito, who had already run far ahead, turned back and complained at Kakashi. Why was Kakashi always faltering at crucial moments!
Didn't I tell you to go save Rin!
Kakashi placed a hand on his forehead. Alright, when facing Obito, he shouldn't use his brain!