Tsukuyomi

"Looks like your growth hasn't lived up to expectations."

On the other side of the battlefield, Orochimaru was watching Kakashi and Tenzo with amusement.

He was breathing steadily and looked as composed as ever, but Kakashi and Tenzo appeared somewhat battered.

"Especially you, Kakashi. You were the same when I left back then, and you're still the same now."

"..."

Kakashi and Tenzo said nothing. They were rapidly adjusting their conditions.

However, they were also growing somewhat anxious. Hyuga Makoto had clearly been drawn into a battle as well.

Even though they had given it their all, Orochimaru still had room to spare.

He had given them no opportunity to break through and create a chance for Hyuga Makoto to retreat!

That feeling of helplessness was truly indescribable.

"Although I'm somewhat disappointed, it doesn't matter."

Orochimaru paid no attention to their silence. He licked his lips and laughed hoarsely.

"I'll have to get a little more serious too. After all, I still need to retrieve my test subject."

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru's Chakra surged again, and his figure moved with it!

"Be careful!"

Kakashi and Tenzo immediately assumed defensive stances, but a bead of cold sweat also rolled down each of their foreheads.

Because Orochimaru seemed even more terrifying now than before!

"Hm?"

Just as they were fully focused, Orochimaru suddenly stopped, his gaze turning toward the distance.

A moment later, Orochimaru furrowed his brows and snorted coldly. His figure abruptly changed direction and headed into the distance!

"What... is going on?"

Kakashi and Tenzo were both stunned, but they didn't dare think too much about it.

Because Orochimaru was heading toward Hyuga Makoto...

Boom—

Deep in the forest of the Land of Whirlpools, Shinno only came to a stop after crashing through several trees in succession.

The intense pain made him cough up blood repeatedly, but when he saw Hyuga Makoto coming toward him again, he could only endure the pain and stand.

"This can't go on..."

As a physician, he knew very well that his internal organs had been shattered by that last blow.

If he hadn't possessed the Regeneration Technique, he would already be dead!

"No wonder he was able to join the Anbu at such a young age. Those bastards from Konoha..."

He cursed inwardly, but his gaze couldn't help sweeping toward Orochimaru in the distance.

He knew very well that Orochimaru wanted his Regeneration Technique, which was why he had intercepted Kakashi and Tenzo, but...

"If I don't 'demonstrate my value,' he'll abandon me without hesitation!"

He had far too much "faith" in Orochimaru's character!

Watching Hyuga Makoto approach, he finally made up his mind.

"Brat, not many people can force me into this state, so..."

He stared at Hyuga Makoto and shouted in a low voice. In an instant, the Chakra within his body erupted once more!

The wounds on his body began to writhe violently. Accompanied by a burst of mist, they had already healed completely.

His already powerful body became even more massive, with broad shoulders and knotted muscles!

Feeling the immense power surging through him, he clenched his fists and roared.

"I'll make sure you stay alive and watch me tear you apart!"

Buzz—

Shinno's speed became incredibly fast. He even pulled out an afterimage as he lunged fiercely at Hyuga Makoto.

Hyuga Makoto, however, was even calmer than before. He merely assumed the starting stance of the Eight Trigrams Palms.

"You still think I'm the same as before?"

Seeing this, the corners of Shinno's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a savage smile.

"Even better. We can finish this sooner!"

However, the instant he collided with Hyuga Makoto again, his smile froze on his face.

Bang—

Another muffled boom rang out as a visible shockwave rapidly spread through the air.

At the center of the shockwave, Hyuga Makoto merely formed a palm with one hand and blocked Shinno's full-powered strike!

Cracks like a spiderweb spread across the ground beneath their feet.

"What... is going on?"

Shinno's mind went blank. He couldn't understand what he was seeing at all.

He had already gone all out, so how was this guy still so calm and at ease?

He was even more relaxed than before?

"That was quite imposing, but..."

Just as he was at his most bewildered, Hyuga Makoto spoke again.

"Still nothing special."

But in the next instant, he swept out with a low kick.

"This speed..."

Shinno only saw an afterimage. The next moment, pain exploded across his face, and his entire body was sent flying!

Bang—

He slammed heavily into the ground, and the immense force carved out a deep crater.

Looking at the battered Shinno, a smile appeared beneath Hyuga Makoto's mask.

"So this is the power of Tenseigan Chakra..."

At this moment, he had activated "Tsukuyomi"!

He had been worried that using this technique might cause some problems.

But after actually using it, he discovered something interesting.

"The Tsukuyomi technique can control the amount of Tenseigan Chakra that descends!"

He didn't know whether the technique had always worked this way or whether it was a change brought about by his recent improvement, but it would certainly help him avoid quite a few troubles!

Besides, he had always had a theory about the energy supply within the moon.

"The moon has mountains and rivers, alternating day and night, as well as seas and floating islands. These things couldn't exist without energy and some system to keep them running."

Perhaps the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had borne that responsibility in the past. But after Uchiha Madara summoned away the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, it was hard to say whether the Tenseigan had taken over!

"If that's the case, then using only a small amount really won't be detected..."

Although he didn't know whether his theory was correct, at least he hadn't been interfered with yet!

"Besides, even a small amount is enough for me right now..."

Seeing Shinno, who had already gotten back to his feet in the distance, he instantly rushed over!

The Chakra of the Lunar Tenseigan had strengthened him in every aspect.

"Especially since this power shares my origin. Controlling it is no different from controlling my own Chakra, and..."

With this power strengthening him, he could slightly control the Yang Release and Yin Release within his body!

Whether Yin Release or Yang Release, both could be incorporated into techniques.

The secret techniques of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, as well as Uchiha Madara's "Yin Release: Lightning Faction," worked this way.

Hyuga Makoto could do the same now. His Gentle Fist was exactly like that!

"What exactly... is going on?"

Shinno's mind was dazed. He had already strengthened himself again, so how had things not improved but instead become even worse?

However, before he could think any further, Hyuga Makoto had already arrived before him like a phantom!

"You look very strong, but your condition is terrible."

Crack—

With a palm strike, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. The sound of breaking bones echoed in his ears alongside Hyuga Makoto's words.

But he couldn't react at all. Hyuga Makoto's techniques changed rapidly.

"You're forcibly using Chakra to stimulate your cells into dividing faster, allowing your wounds to heal quickly, your Chakra to recover rapidly, and even your youth to return. However..."

Bang—

Another violent impact struck, twisting Shinno's body!

"Cell division is limited, though. Without an immense reserve of Chakra to support you, then..."

Boom—

Another palm came down. At that moment, Shinno could no longer even stand steadily, and he fell directly to his knees.

Yet that calm voice continued to echo in his ears like a nightmare.

"The more you use it, and the more fiercely you use it, the faster you'll die. How much longer can you hold on?"

"You..."

Shinno opened his mouth, but only vomited a puddle of blood. His body had already collapsed.

His nerves had collapsed as well. His secret had actually been seen through completely by Hyuga Makoto!

He indeed lacked a massive reserve of Chakra to support him, and obtaining a Tailed Beast was impossible for him.

But finding another path and creating an "artificial Tailed Beast" wasn't impossible.

According to the reports, Konoha had conducted experiments after its founding. That was also why he had planned to go to Konoha.

But now, his dream seemed destined to collapse!

"Still, I have to thank you."

Hyuga Makoto paid no attention to Shinno's miserable state. He gathered Chakra again and spoke slowly.

"I've managed to figure out a few things..."

He now understood why Orochimaru could never truly be killed and had to be sealed instead.

Living Corpse Reincarnation reached its limit after three years, and during that period, Orochimaru could use the forbidden Regeneration Technique as much as he wanted!

Only sealing him offered a chance of dealing with him!

"And my judgment was correct too..."

In Hyuga Makoto's eyes, he could already see Orochimaru charging over.

Therefore, he didn't hesitate and attacked Shinno again!

"No!"

Shinno let out an enraged roar. In his current state, he truly couldn't withstand another blow.

However, just as he was at his most desperate, a massive earthen wall rose before him...