The deployment of countless small "reinforcement stakes" had noticeably slowed the Shinobi World's collapse, but it couldn't stop the Overlord of Fear from continuously channeling its power into the Shinobi World through the spatial barrier.
In fact, as the defensive barrier crumbled, the Overlord of Fear's power seeped into the Shinobi World without end. More and more shinobi had their minds corrupted by it, becoming puppet weapons under its control.
These puppets controlled by the Overlord of Fear were attacking every reinforcement stake, trying to crush the Shinobi World's final resistance!
Core node.
Bathed in dark purple smoke, Otsutsuki Shibai's power grew stronger with every passing moment.
It was true that every kind of living being in the Shinobi World hung from the gigantic Divine Tree behind Shinji, supplying him with an endless stream of Chakra. But the balance of power between them had long since tipped, and Otsutsuki Shibai's aura had completely eclipsed Shinji's.
Otsutsuki Shibai closed his eyes and spread his arms, as though savoring his own surging power. "Honestly, I admire you a little. You're stubborn! But it doesn't matter. Many worlds have one or two people who think they're 'heroes' and hold out until the end. It changes nothing!"
Shinji frowned. "Who are you?"
Otsutsuki Shibai shrugged. "Of course I'm Otsutsuki Shibai!"
But Shinji already had his answer.
Clearly, along with gaining the Overlord's power, Otsutsuki Shibai's own mind had begun to be affected by the Overlord of Fear. How much of Otsutsuki Shibai's original self remained was probably something even he hadn't noticed.
Otsutsuki Shibai yawned. "What a boring resistance. Since you're willing to be destroyed along with the Shinobi World, I'll grant your wish!"
Whoosh.
With that, Otsutsuki Shibai vanished from where he stood.
In the next instant, he appeared in front of Shinji