"Rumble—"
Huge chunks of rock kept raining down from the sky, and the entire cliff had been reduced to a vast pile of rubble.
The dust that billowed up nearly buried the surrounding trees. The once-lush forest now seemed to have donned a gray coat, looking thoroughly shabby.
"Boom!"
Dai suddenly dropped to the ground, smashing a deep crater into it.
"Huff—"
He let out a deep breath, like a whale drawing in and expelling water. The powerful gust made the surrounding trees sway and shudder.
The thick layer of green chakra covering his body slowly faded into the air, like a flame that had burned itself out.
"Thud!"
The next moment, he suddenly pitched forward and collapsed heavily onto the ground.
"I... I finally did it... Sos... Sosuke... This time... I won't let you keep going down the wrong path..."
Lying prone on the ground, with dust and dirt smeared across his face, he moved his lips slightly and murmured softly.
The savage expression Dai had worn while opening the Eight Inner Gates was gone. He was now utterly weak, as if every last ounce of strength had been drained from him.
Just then.
"Whoosh!"
With a soft swish, a figure came rushing toward him from far away.
"Tap!"
He landed on the ground and looked anxiously at Dai, who was lying there. His voice was low as he asked,
"Dai, are you all right?"
Hearing the newcomer's voice, Dai struggled with all his strength to open one eye. His eyelid drooping halfway, he recognized who it was. A bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he said in a trembling voice,
"Sakumo... What brings you here...?"
Sakumo had been stunned by Dai's strength. After a brief silence, he suddenly said,
"Kikuno's been acting strangely. She