Even without using Tailed Beast Bombs, the raw physical power of a tailed beast is immense.
Chōmei, with a single dive attack, left a massive crater on the ground, dozens of meters in diameter and several meters deep.
Amidst the billowing dust, Aburame Shigeo leapt out, his face marked with a red "凹"-shaped pattern.
**Sage Mode!**
Looking at Chōmei, who had raised its head from the crater, Shigeo clapped his hands together and shouted:
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
**Rumble!**
The ground began to quake violently as dozens of massive tree roots burst forth, surging toward Chōmei in the crater like a torrent.
**"Wood Style?"**
Seeing this, a trace of astonishment flashed through Chōmei's enormous compound eyes.
*"Not only does he have the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he can also use Hashirama Senju's Wood Style? When did such a figure appear in the ninja world?"*
Chōmei, having once been captured by Hashirama, recognized this technique immediately.
It quickly cast aside its earlier contempt, flapping its wings to take to the skies.
But there was no way Shigeo would let it escape so easily.
"Heh… spat!"
A miniature Tailed Beast Bomb struck Chōmei squarely, exploding instantly.
**Boom!**
Chōmei staggered in midair. Before it could recover, several more miniature Tailed Beast Bombs hit it.
**Boom! Boom! Boom!**
The successive explosions didn't inflict significant damage but interrupted Chōmei's flight, forcing it back to the ground.
By this time, the towering trees from *Deep Forest Emergence* had sealed off the surroundings.
Countless branches lunged at Chōmei, entangling it and beginning to siphon its chakra.
But Chōmei paid no heed. It gathered a massive Tailed Beast Bomb and launched it directly at Shigeo's position!
**Boom!**
With a deafening explosion, a fan-shaped area in front of Chōmei was cleared. The charred remnants of tree roots smoldered, emitting wisps of smoke.
At Shigeo's location, a massive wooden shield with a demonic face stood in place, having absorbed the impact of the Tailed Beast Bomb.
**Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!**
A secret technique from Hashirama Senju's Wood Style, its powerful defense could withstand even the strikes of a full-body Susano'o!
**Crack!**
The demonic face shield split like doors opening, revealing a shaken but unharmed Shigeo.
"Hah… that was close. Looks like I'll have to get serious now. Yin Seal—Release!"
At his shout, the deep blue rhombus mark on his forehead vanished.
While the external change was subtle, the internal effect was monumental.
Once the Yin Seal was released, an immense reservoir of chakra surged out like water from a broken dam.
The massive influx of chakra filled Shigeo's pathways instantly, with some spilling outward to form a blue chakra cloak around his body.
"Ha-ha! Now we're talking!"
Laughing heartily, Shigeo clapped his hands together again.
"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
With his shout, a massive wooden dragon emerged from the gigantic trees to Chōmei's side, lunging to coil around the beast, its jaws wide open, ready to bite.
**Hiss…**
Entangled by the wooden dragon, Chōmei let out a pained screech before firing another Tailed Beast Bomb, obliterating the dragon's head.
After this successful strike, Chōmei turned its Tailed Beast Bomb toward Shigeo again.
But this time, Shigeo didn't dodge.
As the Tailed Beast Bomb closed in on him, a massive wooden hand sprouted from the giant tree beneath his feet, grabbing the bomb.
Moments later, the hand's owner appeared—a colossal wooden figure wielding the Tailed Beast Bomb.
**Wood Style: Wood Golem Jutsu!**
Once used by Hashirama Senju against Madara Uchiha's full-body Susano'o, the Wood Golem is a pinnacle of offensive and defensive Wood Style techniques.
Under Shigeo's control, the Wood Golem pressed the Tailed Beast Bomb back onto Chōmei.
**Boom!**
With a thunderous explosion, Chōmei stumbled and collapsed.
Seizing the opportunity, Shigeo adhered to the principle of "strike while the iron is hot." Controlling the Wood Golem, he mounted Chōmei and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches!
**Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!**
**"Hiss… Howl…!"**
Chōmei struggled and roared in pain, eventually breaking free from the Wood Golem's hold and attempting to take flight.
But just as it took off, the Wood Golem grabbed its tail, yanking it back down. Even the Tailed Beast Bomb it tried to fire was forcibly shoved back into its mouth.
**Boom!**
The explosion within its mouth left Chōmei critically wounded, crashing to the ground once more.
This time, Shigeo had the Wood Golem pin Chōmei down, applying a chokehold with one arm while pummeling its armored head with the other.
**Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!**
**"Hiss…!"**
**Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!**
**"…"**
The Wood Golem kept hammering away as Chōmei's resistance grew weaker until its cries ceased entirely.
Sensing something amiss, Shigeo had the Wood Golem stop, calling out to Chōmei.
"Hey, Chōmei, you still with me?"
"…"
Receiving no response, Shigeo quickly dispelled the Wood Golem Jutsu, jumping onto Chōmei's head and tapping its massive horned antenna.
"Hey, Chōmei! If you're alive, give me a sign!"
**"Squeak!"**
"…"
...
After a bout of *friendly sparring*, Shigeo earned Chōmei's respect and became the new Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails.
Far from blaming Shigeo for his heavy-handedness, Chōmei saw it as a sign of respect, feeling fortunate to have such a powerful partner.
This left Shigeo feeling a bit guilty.
In truth, he hadn't thought that deeply—he'd just gotten carried away. If Chōmei hadn't suddenly gone silent, he might've beaten it to death.
But, of course, he couldn't admit that.
He solemnly vowed they'd be the closest of partners, always sharing both blessings and hardships.
Though the words felt hollow, he believed them—and so did Chōmei.
In turn, Shigeo gained a new skill: **Flight!**
Harnessing Chōmei's power, three pairs of golden insect wings sprouted from his back, allowing him to soar freely through the skies!
Flying through the air, feeling the wind against his face, Shigeo was exhilarated.
Though he felt like he might've forgotten something…
Oh well, it didn't matter!
Nothing was more important than flying!
"My life belongs to the sky! Ha-ha… back to Konoha in one go!"
*(End of Chapter)*