Indra's Challenge

Otsutsuki Yuhao

Rank: Six Paths Third Stage [Golden Core Realm]

Power: Eleven Super Kage's worth of strength

Chakra: 1,100 cards [one card is equivalent to Hatake Kakashi's chakra]

Kekkei Genkai: Tenseigan [Kekkei Mōra], Rinnegan [Kekkei Mōra].

Dōjutsu: Heavenly Mechanism Technique, Time Reversal, Flying Thunder Might, King Realm Fist, Shinra Tensei, Bansho Ten'in, Chibaku Tensei, Shoten no Jutsu, Tenseigan Chakra Mode, Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion...

Ninjutsu: All five basic natures, Yin Release, and Yang Release; Shinra Tensei Technique, Chibaku Tensei Technique, Flying Thunder God Technique, King Realm Fist Technique...

Cultivation Method: Golden Core Path.

The ocean.

The vast ocean seemed endless, its rolling waves like a giant painting of magnificent scenery. Seabirds soared freely through the sky, as if speaking of the sea's depth and boundlessness.

The broad, boundless sea was dotted with fishing boats like strokes in a painting. Together with the blue sky and white clouds, they formed a beautiful scene.

Not a cloud marred the sky. Sunlight spilled across the sea, glittering like countless diamonds and captivating all who beheld it.

[Amaterasu]

Indra's right eye suddenly released a powerful burst of ocular chakra. An invisible black flame erupted over the ocean.

This black flame, known as "Amaterasu," blazed mercilessly across Otsutsuki Yuhao's body. Its dark inferno seemed poised to devour everything, and it would not go out until its target had been completely consumed.

Yet, astonishingly, though Amaterasu raged across Yuhao's body, his form began to change. His skin and flesh gradually turned to wood, as if his body were being transformed by the power into a wooden figure.

Indra's pupils contracted. He knew the might of Amaterasu—it was a flame capable of burning even gods to ashes. And yet someone was surviving within it, even absorbing its power.

Yuhao's body gradually steadied amid the flames. His wooden skin seemed to form a layer of sturdy armor. Amaterasu danced across his surface, but could no longer harm him.

An odd light flickered in his eyes, as if he were communicating with the power on some profound level.

"W-what kind of ninjutsu is this?"

Indra's voice carried a note of shock. He had never seen anything so bizarre.

Yuhao smiled faintly, his voice full of confidence. "This is Sage Wood Release."

After a pause, he continued, "By absorbing natural energy, I can turn my body to wood. Not only can I withstand all physical attacks, I can also convert my enemies' power into my own."

Indra furrowed his brow. He knew Yuhao was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this strong.

So this was the flame that supposedly never went out until its target had burned to nothing?

I've learned this technique!

As he spoke, Yuhao formed a hand seal with one hand, deftly moving two fingers. Black flames instantly danced in his palm before surging toward Indra.

Indra said nothing. He merely watched Yuhao in astonishment.

I wasn't seeing things just now, was I? Uncle Yuhao used my Amaterasu without even using the Rinnegan.

As the black flames ruthlessly devoured his body, Indra's pupils widened. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to control the raging black fire with his powerful ocular chakra.

As time passed, the flames gradually weakened, then slowly vanished into the air without a trace.

Indra took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

He silently reminded himself, I shouldn't test him so casually. Uncle Tatsuten's techniques are unfathomable. I have to give this everything I've got. Otherwise, I'll be the one who suffers.

At the thought, Indra's expression grew even more solemn. He fixed his determined gaze on Yuhao, ready to face the challenge ahead.

Indra's eyes widened fiercely.

[Complete Body Susanoo]

A gigantic Chakra Cloak frame rapidly expanded around Indra, its bones radiating a biting chill.

Then the surface of the skeleton began to writhe, sprouting countless patterns resembling muscle tissue. Tightly packed and powerful, they endowed the giant with tremendous strength.

A giant a hundred meters tall stood on the battlefield, a pair of wings, each a hundred meters long, growing from its back like feathers that blotted out the sky. They granted the giant unparalleled flight, and every beat sent out astonishing gusts that made the air tremble.

The moment Complete Body Susanoo appeared, its gaze locked onto the enemy in the distance—Otsutsuki Yuhao.

Without a moment's hesitation, the giant gripped its greatsword. Its blade gleamed coldly, radiating a terrifying sword aura. Then it swung down, sending a massive slash tearing through the air toward Yuhao.

"Boom!"

With a deafening explosion, the ocean seemed to split in two beneath the sword.

A series of enormous scars appeared across the sea. One long gash stretched into the distance, dividing the ocean in half.

More than ten seconds passed before the cleft sea began to slowly close. The wind whipped up towering waves, which crashed with a deafening roar.

Indra stared at Yuhao in disbelief.

Yuhao stood steadily on Susanoo's enormous sword, as if he commanded boundless power.

"Your strength is impressive. Let's see how fast you are!"

Yuhao spoke calmly, his voice brimming with unquestionable confidence.

The instant he finished speaking, he shot skyward like an arrow loosed from its bow, becoming a bolt of lightning that streaked across the sky and rushed straight toward Indra.

"What!"

Indra's expression changed dramatically. As he watched Yuhao rapidly close in, an unprecedented sense of danger welled up inside him.

Though he was protected by Complete Body Susanoo and had great confidence in his ultimate all-around offensive and defensive dōjutsu, Yuhao's incredible speed still left him uneasy.

"Crack!"

A sharp sound rang out, like shattering glass. To everyone's astonishment, the seemingly indestructible Complete Body Susanoo shattered under Yuhao's kick, sending fragments flying everywhere.

"Ah!"

Yuhao kicked Indra squarely in the chest. The tremendous force broke his breastbone.

Indra's expression changed, and he couldn't help spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Then his body fell through the air like a kite with its string cut, leaving a long shadow behind.

Indra plunged into the ocean.

"Th-this is the power of the Rinnegan?

It's far too powerful. No.

Uncle Yuhao hasn't even used the Rinnegan's abilities. And though Uchiha Sasuke had a Rinnegan too, his power was only a little greater than mine.

That kick shattered my Susanoo because Uncle Yuhao is simply too strong.

He has this much power without using ninjutsu—just Taijutsu.

After quite a while,

Indra finally emerged from the ocean, standing on its surface.

"Cough... cough!"

After coughing several times, Indra spat out another mouthful of blood. Only then did his complexion improve somewhat.

Seeing Indra spit out blood again, Yuhao worried that his kick might have crippled him and couldn't help asking,

"Indra, are you all right?"

Indra gave him a smile more painful than a grimace. "I'm fine. Susanoo absorbed most of the force.

I only broke a few bones. I'll be fine in a few days!"

Yuhao smiled. "That's good, that's good.

Your ninjutsu has already reached the Grandmaster limit.

But your Taijutsu is barely above the master level. You should focus your efforts on Taijutsu.

That might help you awaken the Rinnegan sooner."

At the mention of the Rinnegan, Indra perked up, as if his injuries had healed. He said,

"Understood. Once my Taijutsu reaches the Grandmaster level, I'll challenge you again."

Yuhao gave him a warm, doting smile. "Then let me heal you!"

As he spoke, Otsutsuki Tatsuten placed a hand on Indra's shoulder. In barely a second or two,

Indra had fully recovered.

Feeling himself restored to peak condition, Indra said,

"I'm heading back. I'll come again next year."

As he spoke, Indra formed Hand Seals.

[Reverse Summoning Technique]

With an ordinary Summoning Technique, a ninja summoned a creature to a specific location. The Reverse Summoning Technique, by contrast, summoned the ninja to another location. But since it wasn't a spatial swap like Amenotejikara, using it to escape came with many restrictions. In practice, the conditions for using the Reverse Summoning Technique were rarely met.

With a thud, Indra's body disappeared.

Yuhao shook his head. "You still haven't learned the Flying Thunder God Technique? It seems not everyone can master it easily."

Just then, Yuhao suddenly felt a mysterious force calling to him. Though the force was faint, he could still sense it.

"Looks like I succeeded!"

A smile spread across Yuhao's face.

The next moment, he too vanished.