"..."
Shinji stared at Nobihi, who was bleeding from nearly every opening in his face.
For a moment, he fell silent.
It was true...
Nobihi had successfully fused their bloodlines, gaining the gifts of Shinji, the Otsutsuki, Indra, and Asura.
The fusion had granted him the Uchiha Clan's supreme ocular power—the Rinnegan.
But in truth,
Nobihi had failed to make the essential leap in life itself.
He had power, and nothing but power.
In terms of Chakra reserves, Nobihi could now rival Madara Uchiha, but...
It was nowhere near enough!
He did not have nearly enough Chakra to fully unleash that terrifying power or sustain the complete fusion needed to reach Kekkei Mōra!
He was like...
A sword made of glass.
Sharp enough to kill.
But without a near-infinite supply of Chakra, it would shatter the moment it struck stone, beyond all hope of repair!
"I understand what you're trying to do, Nobihi, but enough is enough..."
Shinji shook his head.
Humm—
The mark on his forehead suddenly opened, and his scarlet Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan blazed!
Nobihi froze. The light vanished from his eyes. "...Is that water? Where did that water come from...?"
"That sword?"
Schk!
A bright flash of steel crossed Nobihi's vision. He lowered his gaze and stared in disbelief at the blade piercing his throat.
A wet rasp escaped his mouth...
Then
all strength left his body, and he calmly accepted his "death."
Outside the illusion,
Shinji held his sword in one hand.
He tilted his head toward Nobihi. The fighting spirit in Nobihi's eyes had vanished, replaced by resignation and resentment.
The moment Shinji withdrew the protection of the Truth-Seeking Orb, Nobihi dropped straight from the sky.
Humm—
The scarlet Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan closed.
Shinji gripped his unremarkable Tachi, glanced at its spotless blade, then followed its tip