Chapter 1000: Chapter Fifteen: The Frost Winter Ox - Amu

“Thunderclap Bomb!”

BOOM!

Lightning raged; after adapting to Amaterasu’s speed, the Raikage resumed overpowering Sasuke. Sasuke was protected by Susano’o, so the Raikage couldn’t break through for now—but Susano’o drained immense chakra, and Sasuke already felt his cells throbbing with pain.

“I heard you’re interested in Hashirama’s cells?”

Itachi understood the situation: Sasuke might injure the Raikage with Amaterasu, but afterward, Sasuke would die. Using space-ninjutsu to teleport Sasuke away was impossible—the Raikage’s speed was too fast, fast enough to threaten Itachi’s own space techniques.

Acting now was even worse. Itachi had to maintain his mystery to keep pretending to be Uchiha Madara. If he intervened now, his identity might be exposed. Among the Five Kage inside the tower, the Tsuchikage had once fought Uchiha Madara—that was why Itachi refused to act. Even if the risk of exposure was low, he wouldn’t take it. Before obtaining the Rinnegan, he wouldn’t move lightly.

“Of course I am.”

Su Xiao knew: Itachi was finally offering something that could stir his interest.

A scroll, common among ninja, slid from Itachi’s sleeve. He tossed it to Su Xiao, who caught it mid-air with one hand.

“This is partial data on Hashirama’s cells. The rest will be given to you after the Five Kage Summit ends.”

The moment Itachi finished speaking, Su Xiao received a notification from the Lunhuileyuan .

【You have obtained Original Hashirama Cell Data.】

【Original Hashirama Cell Data (1/5)】

Origin: Naruto

Quality: Gold

Type: Rare Data

Effect: This is knowledge-based information; cannot be used directly.

Rating: 369 points (Gold-tier items/materials range from 310–400 points)

Description: Valuable records kept by Uchiha Madara, containing most known information about original Hashirama cells.

Price: 32,000 Park Coins (Knowledge-record items sell at low prices)

……

For most Contractors, this item held little use—but Su Xiao had studied Hashirama’s cells, and he possessed Alchemy Pharmacology Lv.20.

If he could thoroughly research Hashirama’s cells, the performance of his potions would rise dramatically, possibly even gaining new beneficial effects.

“Is this a down payment?”

Su Xiao tucked the scroll away.

“No. It’s the sincerity of a partner.”

Itachi’s phrasing was diplomatic—he needed Su Xiao’s combat power now, and he’d noticed Su Xiao’s strength had surged after the attack on Konoha.

Su Xiao’s gaze turned to Sasuke and the Raikage, locked in battle.

“Bubu, coordinate with Amu.”

Bubu Wang immediately understood. It took control of Amu—not fully, as Amu was already a capable fighter. Instead, Bubu Wang issued broad commands: when to attack whom, where threats might emerge.

At critical moments, Bubu Wang used its aerial battlefield overview to suddenly override Amu’s movements and dodge enemy attacks. Most of the time, Amu fought freely.

After taking control, Bubu Wang issued its first command to Amu.

At that moment, Amu was locked in close combat with Darui. No jutsu used—but Darui was thoroughly annoyed. Every time he absorbed Amu’s strikes, the frost on his skin thickened further. Ending Amu quickly was nearly impossible.

Amu’s Stamina stat was 85. Its Frostblood Lineage (passive) granted 25% damage reduction, 36 Physical Defense, and a full 1000 HP bonus.

Moreover, Amu benefited from Bubu Wang’s Ice Goddess Aura’s healing effect. Due to shared ice affinity, Amu received an extra bonus: 2 HP per second recovery.

With all these abilities stacked, even if Darui slashed Amu with his greatsword, Amu would merely stagger. The 85 Stamina-derived regeneration, combined with the Ice Goddess Aura, healed Amu’s wounds completely within five minutes.

At this moment, Amu swung its fists. Its 75 Strength stat meant each punch carried formidable destructive power.

“Huh～”

Darui stepped back, exhaling a breath of frost. The cold had seeped into his organs. His body stiffened from the chill; his speed dropped noticeably.

Su Xiao rose from his high perch. Darui instantly turned his gaze toward him. So did the Raikage, still fighting Sasuke.

“Shi, ignore that sensor. Go help Darui.”

As the Raikage roared, he punched Sasuke.

THUD!

Sasuke, encased in Susano’o, was thrown back. Blood trickled from his eye sockets. After using Amaterasu, his eyes burned as if on fire—painful, and painfully dry.

Shi, who had been sensing Karin, sprinted toward Darui.

Just as Shi met up with Darui, Su Xiao leapt down from above and landed smoothly.

Su Xiao glanced toward the Raikage—no need to intervene yet. Let Sasuke drain the Raikage’s stamina first. Kakuzu was guarding Karin, the sensor. Their goal was to find Danzo, not fight the Raikage to the death. They were currently pinned down.

Su Xiao’s priority: eliminate the Raikage’s guards first, then face the Raikage himself.

Darui was still battling Amu. Shi kept his eyes locked on Su Xiao.

Su Xiao walked toward them. Shi felt mounting pressure.

“Funny. I know a woman named Shi too.”

Su Xiao murmured, stepping forward slowly as he drew Zhanlong Flash from his waist.

CLANG.

The longblade sang clear, tip angled toward the ground.

“Shi, you handle this ox.”

Darui sensed Su Xiao’s violent, razor-sharp aura. Shi, as a sensor, likely couldn’t match this enemy.

BOOM.

Shards of stone exploded beneath Su Xiao’s feet. He vanished from sight—speed rivaling the Raikage’s. This was Shave.

“So fast!”

Shi raised both hands before him. As the Raikage’s bodyguard, he knew well how deadly speed-type opponents could be.

The instant Su Xiao vanished, Bubu Wang atop the tower understood. It seized full control of Amu.

CREAK-CREAK-CREAK…

Massive ice crystals erupted across Darui’s body—Amu’s ultimate ability: Frost Fury. When an enemy accumulated ten layers of Frost, Amu could activate this ability at range, forcibly freezing the target. The freeze effect spread six meters outward.

Darui had already accumulated ten layers of Frost during his earlier fight with Amu.

Instantly, Darui froze into an ice statue. Frost began spreading outward.

WHOOSH～

A wind slash struck—Su Xiao appeared behind Darui, body crouched low, Zhanlong Flash held sideways.

“Raishield: Lightning Pillar.”

Shi formed hand seals. Blinding white light erupted from him, blinding enemies and trapping them in genjutsu.

Within the white light, Shi exhaled in relief—the enemy was caught in the illusion.

CLANG.

A slicing sound rang out. Shi froze in shock.

The white light faded. THUD. A head, encased in ice, fell to the ground. Darui’s head.

If Amu’s hard control landed, killing the target was trivial for Su Xiao. But using Amu’s ultimate to freeze the Raikage? Impossible—the Raikage was too fast.