Chapter 172: Heaven and Earth
High above on the moon's surface, a vast crimson veil rippled across the sky.
Sukuna's domain tore open a swath in the heavens, unleashing innumerable black-and-red lightning-laced slashes pouring down like a torrential storm.
"Everyone, regroup!!"
Faced with this attack that left no room to evade, scattering for defense would only ensure defeat one by one.
Hashirama leaped atop the shattered remains of Susanoo and poured a massive amount of chakra into Shisui's Susanoo.
Chakra had excellent conductivity – after all, the Sage of Six Paths shared it in hopes of fostering mutual understanding. But eventually, many turned chakra into merely a tool for fighting.
After rallying the others, Hashirama clapped his hands together.
"Wood Dragon Technique!"
Roar!!
Nine wood dragons roared up from the forest, intertwining into a circular wall. Around the top, they formed sharp, demon-like faces.
"Sage Art: Ninefold Wood Dragon Enclosure!"
Boom!!
Countless slashes rained down, blowing off fragments of wood everywhere.
…
Within the thick walls of wood, no light penetrated. Fortunately, Shisui's Susanoo glowed faintly green, revealing an atmosphere both dim and gloomy.
Speaking urgently, Hashirama said, "To be honest, that guy's chakra capacity surpasses mine. With the destructive power of his Slashing Release, I can't hold out long."
"If we really want to beat him, we need a viable plan quickly."
All eyes turned to Shisui. He alone knew the most.
"…He calls himself Ryomen Sukuna, something my brother mentioned."
"He's more like my brother's companion beast, in other words…aside from Mangekyō-specific dojutsu, he basically wields all my brother's abilities."
…
"Then there's not much point in fighting," Jiraiya said, turning to Orochimaru. "Konan's already been sent away by the two Toad Sages. If you'd just let yourself die, wouldn't that end this final match?"
A vein popped on Orochimaru's forehead. "Idiot—why don't you be the one to die!"
Spreading his palms, Jiraiya responded candidly, "If I died, it'd be a real shame. Lots of fans are waiting for my Icha Icha Paradise updates."
"And you dying doesn't matter; you can come back alive anyway, right?"
Though irritated, Orochimaru kept his composure. In a grim tone, he said, "You can die just fine. I can always Edo Tensei you so you can keep writing that worthless trash."
"It's not worthless trash; that's my Icha Icha—"
"Enough," Nagato cut him off sharply, looking to Shisui. "What about trying a genjutsu?"
Shisui shook his head. "Never got the chance."
"His rate of attack is too high. Any slight surge of chakra I use only drives his slashes up further in power… It's plain he's not even going all out."
"And what's your dojutsu?" Nagato asked automatically.
Shisui glanced at Jiraiya, then at Hashirama. Noticing his hesitation, Nagato spoke first:
"I have a dojutsu that can form a powerful seal – legend says the Sage of Six Paths used it to create the moon."
In standard ninja battles, if taijutsu and ninjutsu failed, they'd try genjutsu; if that also failed, it was time for sealing.
"To guarantee that technique lands, we'll need to immobilize him at least for a few seconds."
Nagato understood the shortcoming of Chibaku Tensei – before it finished forming, its gravity core could be destroyed by a strong enough strike.
And given that monster's power, it likely wouldn't go unnoticed.
"The Toad Confrontation Chant from the two Great Toad Sages combined with Orochimaru's White Shock Attack might do the trick," Nagato continued. "First disrupt his hearing and search for an opening."
Jiraiya nodded. "Shisui, we're not asking for a full explanation of your dojutsu. We just need to know the general effect, so we have a plan."
Since Jiraiya was the one asking, Shisui no longer hesitated. He blushed faintly. "Well, there's no harm giving details… My Mangekyō has four abilities. I've tried the other three on him already, to no effect."
Even the "Flying Thunder God Slash: Tobirama" had failed. So…
"One of them can summon a real duplicate of my brother, using the same amount of chakra I possess…"
…
"Then why haven't you used it yet?!" Orochimaru exclaimed. "Kagami sure dotes on you…"
In his own eyes, Shisui's body was more suitable to him than Kagami's, for Kagami had advanced too far once again. But he stowed that idea – going after Shisui was probably no less risky; Kagami wouldn't forgive him. In short…
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed coldly, deciding to see if an opportunity might arise to obtain some of Shisui's blood.
He truly craved the Uchiha's power.
They discussed more, finalizing their plan within a couple of minutes. By then, the wooden barrier shattered completely.
Sukuna, arms folded, stared down at them from midair.
"Done strategizing? Chosen who to kill first?"
Right as his words fell—
Boom!!
Countless slashes behind Shisui tore through the Hell Chef Mandala domain that Sukuna had created, forcibly opening a gap in the deluge of slashes.
It looked like two different colored ocean currents colliding.
Sukuna's pupils constricted.
He recognized the figure appearing behind Shisui.
Blackish-red energy coiled around the tall silhouette; black hair and dark-blue robes shifted without breeze.
Eyes devoid of emotion, calmly gazing at him.
Within those sockets were precisely the eyes Sukuna knew best – Uchiha Kagami!
"How the hell—!!"
He jerked his head up to the swirling bloody sky above. The aura overhead hadn't diminished…
No. He realized it.
"How could that man's power be so small?"
A special technique? Tch, illusions? Hah, it's the same slash technique I use. Tch. Possibly a "fake Kagami," some transformation?
During that brief hesitation, the jarring rasp of toad croaks assaulted his ears. Meanwhile, a red draconic projectile shot toward him, exploding on impact in a burst of dazzling light and an ear-piercing roar.
Clap!
Hashirama's hands slammed together. The remnants of the forest converged into a gargantuan, towering hundred-armed Kannon statue, hundreds of meters high.
He couldn't cast True Several Thousand Hands with his current body – but a lesser "Hundred-Hands" was still possible.
"Sage Art—Wood Style—Hundredfold Kannon!"
"Sage Art—Susanoo Bishamonten: Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Countless giant wooden arms crashed down from the sky, sparks flickering upon contact.
Below, Shisui and Kagami in Susanoo simultaneously brandished their blades.
Nearby, a small unassuming black orb gradually rose.
All points converged.
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Boom!!!!
An ultimate roar of devastation shook the moon's surface!
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