Fear Spreads

"How... how could this be?!"

"Even Earth Release ninjutsu of this caliber couldn't stop him?"

"Why is this happening?!"

As the earthen walls and dome shattered, so did the courage and confidence of the Konoha Ninja surrounding them.

Emerging from the collapsing rubble and billowing clouds of dust, the monstrous dark-purple giant seemed like a god, sneering contemptuously at the ninjas before it.

Susanoo!

This Mangekyo Dojutsu, which combined offense and defense and whose strength was directly tied to its user's Dojutsu, left them utterly helpless. Faced with the enormous Susanoo, they couldn't suppress the fear spreading through their hearts!

Beneath Susanoo,

Hiruko's body shook with unrestrained laughter. "Do you all see it now? This is my power! Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and you, Third Hokage! You were wrong! I, Hiruko, am more talented than all of you! I'm the true genius!"

The clamor of the battlefield couldn't drown out Hiruko's wild laughter.

Hearing his words, the Konoha Ninja around them exchanged uneasy glances.

Unlike the others, Kakashi remained calm as he assessed the situation.

He had confirmed that Hiruko's Susanoo was stronger than Sasuke's. Ordinary ninjutsu couldn't even break through its defenses, so the only thing that might be able to pierce it was the Mangekyo Dojutsu Kamui he had kept hidden.

But he knew all too well that against Hiruko, who had mastered Swift Release, he would only get one chance to strike.

If Hiruko found out he possessed a Space-Time Ninjutsu capable of penetrating Susanoo's defenses, then with Hiruko's speed, Kamui would be unlikely to hit.

Yakumo continued to summon Wood Release with all her might, restraining Hiruko's Susanoo. Without her, Hiruko would likely already have gone on a killing spree.

Thud.

Another dull impact rang out as Naruto, in his Tailed Beast Transformation, was sent flying by