Kokushibo's slow draw of his sword seemed to serve as a signal.
The mountain-heavy pressure around them transformed at that moment into a keen, almost tangible sword intent, cutting through every inch of the surrounding space.
Shinobu Kocho and the other two felt waves of stinging pain across their skin, as though countless invisible blades were pressed against their throats. Even breathing became agonizingly difficult.
Only then did they realize that the pressure they had felt before was merely the aura he had been releasing unconsciously.
And now, this sleeping dragon had only just opened his eyes.
"Your techniques are unusual, full of variations, but ultimately... they are not the supreme path a swordsman pursues."
Kokushibo slowly raised his demon blade of flesh and blood. All six of his eyes turned toward Sasuke, his tone carrying a hint of a martial arts grandmaster's appraisal.
"Let me show you what swordsmanship at its pinnacle truly looks like."
As his words fell, he casually swung forward.
There was no astonishing speed, no dazzling stance, merely the most ordinary swing of a sword.
Yet as his blade swept past, an enormous crescent-shaped slash, seemingly capable of cleaving the night sky itself, appeared out of thin air and hurtled toward Sasuke.
But that was not all.
Behind that enormous crescent slash came hundreds upon thousands of smaller Moon Blades, varying in size and following chaotic paths. Like a school of fish drawn toward it, they circled the main slash, forming a storm of Moon Blades that left no blind spots!
"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon: Evening Palace!"
The sheer range and power of this move instantly turned the faces of Shinobu Kocho and the others behind Sasuke ashen.
They were certain that even if every Hashira gathered here, they would never be able