You Might Really Die Here Today

Under the effect of Sukunahikona, Jigen's true body shrank to nearly the size of dust, hiding in the gaps between the air and the curtain of rain.

He had thought that would be enough to temporarily shake off his opponent's pursuit and buy him some time to observe him or launch a surprise attack.

Yet Menma's gaze pierced through the layered veil of rain and fixed firmly on the place where Jigen was hidden.

Feeling that inescapable stare clinging to him like a shadow, the last trace of luck in Jigen's heart vanished completely.

He released his shrunken state, his figure returning to its original size in midair, hovering elegantly as he faced Menma from afar.

His face was grave with extreme confusion. Slowly, as if pacing across a stage, he moved a few steps closer in Menma's direction, his voice still trying to maintain that elegance that belonged to Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

"It seems the secrets hidden in you are far greater than I imagined." His gaze swept over Menma like a scanner. "Byakugan... Sharingan... and now this Nine-Tails chakra of unknown origin. I am very curious. Where exactly did this 'Nine-Tails' of yours come from? By all reason, the Nine-Tails should still be sealed inside Konoha's jinchūriki."

Menma keenly noticed that Jigen was speaking more than before.

That usually meant the opponent was preparing to use his real trump card.

And that was exactly the result he wanted.

"Mini-Kurama, get ready. The feast might be coming to the table." Menma sent the message to Dark Kurama through their mental link.

At that moment, deep within Menma's mental world, it was not a gloomy sewer like Naruto's, but a vast, boundless, vibrant grassland.

The sky was clear blue, and beneath his feet was soft green grass.

At the center of