Night fell ever deeper.
At the center of the training ground, the massive Susanoo and the enormous purple serpent that blotted out the sky formed a scene of overwhelming visual impact.
The air had frozen solid.
Even the wind had stopped blowing.
Great Snake's enormous golden vertical pupils stared at the towering Susanoo before it. For the first time, its innate arrogance was replaced by an emotion called "solemnity."
As a powerful summoned beast, Great Snake's pride would not allow it to retreat without a fight.
Battle was inevitable.
Rather than remain passive, it was better to take the initiative.
"Roar!"
Great Snake moved.
It did not choose a foolish frontal charge. Its enormous body slithered close to the ground at high speed, moving with an eerie gait completely at odds with its size.
The hard stone slabs were easily overturned and shattered beneath its scales, as if they were tofu.
Its body left trails of purple afterimages across the training ground as it tried to find a flaw in the Susanoo.
Uchiha Yao merely stood quietly inside the crystal on Susanoo's forehead, his arms folded across his chest.
He had long since seen through every one of Great Snake's movements.
"Too slow."
Just as Great Snake circled behind Susanoo's flank, opening its bloody maw for a fatal ambush—
The Susanoo giant moved.
Its massive arm swung sharply backward at an angle that defied all physical reason.
Bang—!
That enormous palm struck Great Snake squarely across the face, arriving later but hitting first.
The dull boom was like a mountain collapsing.
Great Snake's huge head was sent flying sideways by the irresistible force, smashing heavily into the nearby ruins and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Sssaaah—!"
A pained hiss came from within the dust cloud.
Kakuzu discreetly began edging