Chapter 171: Combined Offensive!
A vast portion of the lunar sky was dyed scarlet.
Sukuna's domain violently tore open the heavens, unleashing a downpour of black-and-crimson lightning-laced slashes in all directions, like a torrential storm.
"Everyone, gather together!!"
Faced with this all-encompassing onslaught, splitting up to defend would only lead to being picked off one by one.
Leaping onto the damaged Susanoo's shoulder, Hashirama poured a massive amount of chakra into Shisui's Susanoo.
Chakra has excellent conductive properties. The original intent behind the Sage of Six Paths dividing chakra among people was precisely so they could empathize and communicate heart-to-heart. Hence in certain high-level battles, powerful combatants could sense each other's thoughts without words.
But somewhere along the line, people had turned chakra solely into a tool for combat.
After calling the others to come close, Hashirama quickly formed seals.
"Wood Dragon Technique!"
Roar!!
Nine wood dragons roared forth from the forest, intertwining with each other to form a circular barrier.
Around the top, sharp-fanged demonic faces shaped the perimeter.
"Sage Art—Ninefold Wood Dragon Enclosure!"
Boom!!
Countless slashes rained down, shattering and splintering the wooden barrier.
…
Inside the thick walls of wood, not a sliver of light penetrated. Fortunately, Shisui's Susanoo emitted a bit of greenish glow, making the surroundings eerily dim.
Hashirama spoke hurriedly, "Frankly, that guy's chakra supply is even bigger than mine. With the destructive power of his Slashing Release, I can't hold him off for long."
"If we want to defeat him, we need a workable plan fast."
Everyone's eyes turned to Shisui—he was the one who knew the most.
"…His name is Ryomen Sukuna. My brother mentioned him."
"He's akin to a companion beast of my brother, so to speak… In other words, except for Mangekyō's unique dojutsu, he pretty much has all of my brother's abilities."
…
"So why even bother fighting?" Jiraiya said, turning to Orochimaru. "Konan's already been taken away by the two sages. Orochimaru, if you just let yourself die, wouldn't that end this final match?"
A vein popped on Orochimaru's forehead. "You idiot, why can't you be the one to die?"
Hands spread out in resignation, Jiraiya said calmly, "It'd be a shame if I died; too many fans are waiting for the next volume of Icha Icha Paradise."
"You dying wouldn't matter; you can keep living anyway, right?"
Orochimaru's capacity for calm was strong enough that he didn't explode at Jiraiya, but his tone was dark: "You can die just fine. I can always Edo Tensei you. You'd still be able to keep writing that worthless junk."
"It's not junk; it's called Icha Icha—"
"Enough nonsense!" Nagato interrupted, raising his voice.
He stared deeply at Shisui. "Have you tried using genjutsu on him?"
Shisui shook his head. "Never got the chance."
"His attack frequency is too high. Every time I raise my chakra output even slightly, the strength of his slashes ramps up… It's very clear he's not even going all out."
"So what's your dojutsu?" Nagato asked naturally.
Shisui glanced at Jiraiya, then at Hashirama.
Noting Shisui's hesitation, Nagato volunteered, "I have a dojutsu that can create a powerful seal. Legend says the Sage of Six Paths used it to create the moon."
In a life-or-death battle, the standard approach for ninja was: If taijutsu and ninjutsu fail, try genjutsu. If genjutsu fails, resort to sealing.
"I'll need to immobilize him for a few seconds so my technique can activate," Nagato explained.
He recalled how his Chibaku Tensei could be destroyed prematurely if the core was struck before it formed completely.
Certainly, that gravitational core interfered with an enemy's chakra manipulation, making it nearly impossible for normal foes to break. But that monster's power…
"He'll likely notice the weakness. Jiraiya's Toad Confrontation Chant with the Two Sage Toads, plus Orochimaru's White Shock Attack—maybe that could work?"
Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "Shisui, you don't have to give us detailed info on your dojutsu—just the general effect, so we can plan."
Since Jiraiya had broken the ice, Shisui agreed with a nod. He'd originally hesitated but decided it was for the best.
"Actually, there's not much harm in being specific. My Mangekyō has four abilities. I've used the other three to no effect."
Even the "Flying Thunder God Slash: Tobirama" had been effortlessly negated. So…
"I can summon a real duplicate of Kagami with the same chakra volume I currently have…"
…
"Then why aren't you using it already?!" Orochimaru gasped. "So Kagami spoils you that much?!"
In Orochimaru's eyes, Shisui's body might actually be better for his usage than Kagami's. Because Kagami, having transcended yet again, was out of reach. But Shisui, being a step behind, was more feasible.
But of course, trying for Shisui's body carried massive risk. If Kagami found out, he would definitely exterminate every last trace of Orochimaru's soul.
Still…
A glint of cruelty flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. If there was a chance to grab some of Shisui's blood…
He was too enthralled by the power of the Uchiha to just let it go.
A few more quick exchanges followed. They formed a plan.
In total, only a minute or two passed before the wooden barrier was totally destroyed.
Cross-armed, Sukuna floated mid-air, gazing down coldly.
"Done planning? Decided who's going to die first?"
No sooner had he spoken than—
Boom!!
Countless slashes from behind Shisui tore through Sukuna's Hell Chef Mandala, forcibly carving out an opening in the downpour of slashes.
It resembled two raging currents of different colors colliding with each other.
Sukuna's pupils shrank.
He recognized the figure emerging behind Shisui.
Blackish-red energy coiled around that slender form; long hair and a dark blue robe moved without wind.
His eyes void of emotion, calmly watching.
Within his sockets were the eyes Sukuna knew best—those of Uchiha Kagami!
"How is that possible!!"
Sukuna glanced upward at the still-roaring bloody sky overhead. That man's aura hadn't diminished…
No—
He realized something.
"How could that man have so little power?"
Is this some special transform? Che, it's my damn slash technique—like hell it's called slash or something. Tch. Possibly a "fake Kagami"? Using illusions to appear like him?
Just that instant of hesitation left him vulnerable, as the discordant croaking of toads came crashing into his ears.
Simultaneously, a red beam shaped like a dragon shot at him. Upon striking, it burst into a blinding flash and an ear-splitting shriek.
Clap!
Hashirama swiftly pressed his hands together. From the remnants of the forest, a massive wooden Avalokitesvara statue took shape, hundreds of meters tall. He couldn't form True Several Thousand Hands in his current body, but he could conjure a "Hundred-Hands" at least.
"Wood Style: Sage Art—Hundredfold Kannon!"
"Sage Art—Susanoo Bishamonten: Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Countless wooden hands rained down from above, igniting tiny sparks upon descending.
Beneath them, Shisui and Kagami—wearing Susanoo—both swung their blades in unison.
Meanwhile, a modest black sphere slowly rose.
Centered on that single point.
—
BOOOOOMMMMM!!!
An indescribably powerful shockwave tore across the moon's surface!
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