Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan caught the attack, but it was already too late to defend.
Boom!
The flower seed exploded against Susanoo's chest. Countless ice crystals unfurled layer upon layer like a blooming lotus, freezing the half-bodied Susanoo solid.
"Nicely done!"
The Fourth Raikage shattered the roots wrapped around his legs with a punch and broke free. A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes as he looked at the frozen Susanoo.
"Seal him now!"
Gaara was already directing sand toward the ice sculpture, while Mei Terumi quickly took out sealing tags to assist.
But just before the sand touched the ice...
A voice rang out above the battlefield, calm and tinged with disappointment.
"Not bad. You managed to take down one of my clones."
Everyone's heart sank as they turned toward the voice.
On the other side, Madara Uchiha slowly rose from underground, his expression composed.
"When did he..."
Ōnoki's pupils contracted sharply.
He had not noticed at all when Madara had switched his real body with a clone.
The next instant...
Clang!
Susanoo's blade burst from the ground like a skeletal claw reaching out of hell. Wreathed in chilling blue light, it swept across the entire battlefield in one devastating stroke.
"Aaagh!" Caught off guard, several of them were sent flying.
Tsunade had no time to react before the blade sliced across her abdomen, sending blood gushing out.
Gritting her teeth, she pressed both hands to the wound. The markings on her forehead rapidly spread as she drove the Strength of a Hundred Technique to its limit. Fueled by chakra, her flesh healed at a visible rate.
At the same time, she stood and placed her hands on the backs of Raikage A and Mei Terumi beside her, diverting some of her chakra to heal them.
The sweeping strike had