Shrouded in Moryo's chakra, Zou Hyuga gave a sinister smile, then lunged at Oto Uchiha.
Oto Uchiha immediately drew Samehada to block and launched an attack of her own. After everything she had been through, she understood one thing clearly: whether the one before her was Zou himself or Moryo, she had to defeat him to get answers.
In an instant, the clearing rang with the sounds of fierce combat. Almost nothing could be seen but afterimages.
Both Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha were ninja proficient in taijutsu, and neither could gain the upper hand in such a short time.
"Eight Trigrams Palm, Rotation!"
After using Rotation, Zou Hyuga watched Oto Uchiha being driven back. Her Samehada Greatsword had devoured a considerable amount of his Moryo chakra. If she took a few more hits, she would struggle to maintain Moryo's form.
Having made up his mind, Zou Hyuga used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Oto Uchiha. His Gentle Fist struck her shoulder, and he seized the chance to knock the Samehada Greatsword from her hand.
Deprived of Samehada, Oto instantly completed her hand seals, slapped both hands against the ground, and shouted in a low voice, "Earth Release, Earth Spear!"
In an instant, sharp stone spears erupted from the surrounding earth, thrusting indiscriminately toward the sky.
While Zou Hyuga was busy dodging, Oto Uchiha picked up Samehada and used it to replenish some of her chakra.
Once the stone spears stopped rising, Zou Hyuga landed atop one and looked down at Oto Uchiha nearby, saying:
"Impressive skill with ninjutsu. If Shisui Uchiha over there had joined you, I might really have lost. Unfortunately, you actually believed me. Now, even if Shisui comes, it's already too late."
"Are you Moryo now?!" Oto Uchiha asked in alarm and uncertainty.
Zou