Boom-!
"You forced me to do this... you forced me!"
Muzan's twisted face was filled with fury, his scarlet eyes blood-red, his hoarse roars echoing through every corner of the hall.
"I intended to spare your lives, but since you're determined to die, I'll grant your wish!"
"Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Brambles!"
As his words fell, the black blood flowing from Muzan's wounds abruptly began to boil.
On the ground and in midair, countless blood brambles, black as iron wire and covered in spikes, burst from the earth and grew out of thin air, stabbing wildly toward Zongyan and sealing him in.
The blood brambles were incredibly fast, cutting off every route Zongyan and his two companions could use to dodge sideways.
The Uchiha covering the flanks immediately sprang into action, completing their hand seals in an instant.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Blazing-hot fire dragons surged skyward, crashing head-on into the fleshy tentacles dancing through the air.
The roaring flames scorched Muzan's demonic body, forcibly weakening the descending tentacles' assault and tearing open a gap for Zongyan to close in.
Zongyan's gaze was sharp, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning rapidly as he seized the opening his clansmen had created and charged at Muzan.
Activating the Body Flicker Technique with one hand, he flashed to Muzan's side and thrust straight into the Demon King's raging assault with the Cursed Blade: Murasame!
"Cheap tricks. My blade is your bane!" Zongyan's voice was icy, without the slightest fear.
"Arrogant fool!!"
Muzan laughed wildly in his fury, gathering several of his thickest fleshy tentacles together and slamming them head-on into the advancing Zongyan!
Clang-
The deafening clash of metal shook the entire hall, dazzling sparks bursting freely amid the firelight.
Their first direct clash made the difference in their strength immediately clear.