The pale, maggot-like army of White Zetsu fearlessly crashed into the flowing sand wall, controlled by Gaara and infused with Shukaku's Chakra.
The sandstorm surged, engulfing, crushing, and grinding up swathes of White Zetsu, but more White Zetsu continued to surge forward, stepping over the "corpses" of their kind.
The roar of the Sunagakure Village's long-range firepower never ceased. Chakra Cannon, energy beams, and specially made crossbow bolts with Explosive Tag rained down like death, carving out brief gaps in the pale tide, only to be filled again in an instant.
The battle entered its most brutal phase of attrition from the very beginning.
Shira and her group temporarily halted the White Zetsu's advance thanks to their superior firepower and advantageous terrain. However, everyone knew that the real threat lay among the pale waves, in those figures radiating ominous and powerful Chakra.
"A high-intensity Chakra reaction has been detected deep within enemy lines to the northeast! Identified! It is the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki! The target is rapidly advancing towards our left flank!"
The urgent voice of the sensory ninja on the high-altitude suspended platform rang out in the communication network.
Almost simultaneously, an alarm sounded from another direction, "An extremely dangerous Chakra fluctuation with disintegrating properties has been detected directly to the right! It's the Second Tsuchikage Mu! He's... splitting?!"
"Report! A super-fast moving target has appeared on the sand dunes to our left flank! The Chakra reaction is violent; it's the Third Raikage A! He has breached our outer perimeter!"
The appearance of the three powerful Impure World Reincarnation cultivators was like three sharp knives, fiercely piercing the seemingly solid defense line on the desert side.
In particular, the location and timing of their appearance were clearly carefully calculated by the manipulators, aiming to spread the attack from multiple points, tear apart the defenses, and create chaos.
Commanding the high ground, Shira's gaze was as cold as iron as she swiftly swept across the three flashing, blinding red markers on the three-dimensional sand table. Hozuki Gengetsu's Genjutsu and Oil Release techniques were troublesome, but what was even more troublesome was his cynical and playful personality, which could easily prolong the battle.
The Second Tsuchikage Mu's splitting ability and Dust Release are powerful tools for attacking and breaking through defenses. The Third Raikage A, on the other hand, embodies pure, violent power—the ultimate combination of the Strongest Spear and shield.
"Adjust formation according to Plan A3!"
Shira's voice remained completely still as she clearly issued the order, "Left flank, the Third and Fifth Puppet Battalions, in coordination with the Hyuga, Yamanaka, and Akimichi squadrons supporting Konoha, focus on using Genjutsu counters and ranged control to restrict Hozuki Gengetsu and prevent him from getting close! Force him to move towards the 'Quicksand Pit' area!"
"Right flank, the first and fourth heavy puppet groups, firepower covering the area where the Second Tsuchikage is located. The goal isn't to hit him, but to disrupt his splitting and Dust Release preparations!"
" The Iwagakure support Explosion Corps is preparing a large-scale Explosive Tag array. Once its clones approach, they will detonate immediately, creating chaos and severing their connection to the main body!"
The order was swiftly relayed. On the left flank, several puppets equipped with Genjutsu generators began to operate, working in conjunction with the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transfer Secret Technique to interfere, Hyuga Clan clan's Byakugan locked onto Hozuki Gengetsu's Chakra flow, and the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique worked in conjunction with the puppets to physically obstruct him.
Hozuki Gengetsu's signature laughter rang out in a corner of the battlefield, but it was clearly hampered, and his movement began to involuntarily veer towards a pre-marked area filled with suction and delay traps beneath the sand.
On the right flank, intense artillery fire temporarily engulfed the figure of the Second Tsuchikage Mu. Although it could not inflict a fatal wound on the Impure World Reincarnation, the impact of the explosion and the smoke effectively interfered with his vision and Hand Seals.
Several Iwagakure from Jonin, leading a Explosion Corps, had quietly planted a dense array of Explosive Tag at the designated location.
"As for the Third Raikage..."
Shira's gaze locked onto the incredibly fast, rampaging red dot on the sand table, a cold fighting spirit igniting in her eyes. "I'll handle this personally. Gaara, the overall command of the defense line is yours. Prioritize ensuring the safety of the long-range firepower cluster and the command center."
" Shūji, Maki, you two will lead a special tactical squad, ready to support the other two locations at any time, and be alert for any other potentially hidden Impure World Reincarnation powerhouses or special individuals among the White Zetsu."
"Understood!" Gaara replied in a deep voice, as more sand surged from his body and merged into the defense line.
Shūji and Maki immediately led an elite squad away from the high ground.
Shira stepped out of the command post, her figure spreading like a roc's wings, leaping down from the high ground. The air around her surged, carrying her body at an astonishing speed across the battlefield, heading straight for that blue figure tearing through the air and carrying lightning— the Third Raikage A!
"Oh? An interesting young man has arrived."
The Third Raikage, who was moving at high speed, sensed the fierce aura coming towards him and the will that had locked onto him. He paused slightly and stopped on a sand dune.
He was extremely burly, with dark brown skin and long hair that stood up like a lion's mane. He was expressionless, but his eyes burned with lightning and fighting spirit. Even though he was controlled by the Impure World Reincarnation, the pride and fighting instinct that belonged to the " Strongest Spear " still remained.
" From Sunagakure? This aura... it's not like an ordinary ninja. State your name, kid."
Shira landed ten feet in front of the Raikage, without disturbing the dust. He slowly drew his " Blue Mountain Haze " sword, the tip pointing diagonally, his voice calm. " Sunagakure, Shira. I've come to learn from the Third Raikage's ' Hell Stab '."
" Shira? Never heard of it."
The Third Raikage's voice boomed, carrying a metallic quality, "But there's considerable power flowing within you. Come, let this old man see what kind of figure Sunagakure has produced these days!"
Before he could finish speaking, the Third Raikage was enveloped in a burst of lightning! Blue lightning Chakra covered his entire body like armor, crackling and exploding, instantly scorching the sand beneath his feet!
He didn't use any fancy Ninjutsu; he simply activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode to a certain degree, and then—his entire body transformed into a blue lightning bolt, punching towards Shira! The simplest straight line, the fastest speed, the strongest power!
"Come on, brother! Come on!"
Shira's eyes flashed with a sharp light; instead of retreating, she advanced!
Seven Heavens Breathing Method - Fourth Activation, Activated!
The dormant volcano within him erupted with a roar! Azure-gold life veins suddenly lit up beneath his skin, then rapidly receded, with immense power and speed filling his limbs and bones.
Instead of taking the blow head-on, just before Raikage's fist was about to strike, he slid half a step to the side like a ghost, while his Blue Mountain Haze Sword drew a mysterious arc. The sword's edge did not strike Raikage's fist or body, but instead precisely aimed at the outside of his elbow.
bite!
A crisp yet piercing clang rang out! The sword tip collided with the Lightning Release Armor, sending sparks flying!
Shira's wrist went slightly numb, and he was shocked: What tough armor! But his sword strike was not meant to break through the defense, but to disrupt it! The condensed "qi" energy and a trace of wind energy gathered at the tip of the sword, like the finest needle, briefly disrupted the enemy's attack.
The Third Raikage's punch was thus slightly delayed, almost negligible. But it was this momentary delay that allowed Shira to completely dodge the punch, while her left leg whipped out like a whip, fiercely striking the Raikage's slightly exposed ribs as he threw the punch!
Bang!
A heavy thud! The kick landed squarely on the Raikage's ribs, but was completely blocked by the thick Lightning Release Armor. The recoil made Shira's calf go numb.
However, the Raikage's body was also slightly shaken by the force of the kick.
"Not bad strength and eyesight!" The Third Raikage shouted, his other hand forming a knife-like shape with his fingers, wrapped with even more concentrated lightning, aimed straight at Shira's throat— Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite!
Shira retreated swiftly, her longsword flashing in front of her, creating a curtain of azure light.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle--!
The lightning finger gun collided with the sword curtain, producing a teeth-grinding friction sound. Shira's sword was fast, accurate, and steady, each strike attempting to find a weak point in the Lightning Release Armor. However, the Third Raikage's combat experience was so rich, and the Lightning Release Armor's defense was so comprehensive. Most of Shira's swords were deflected, and even when they did manage to pierce, they could only leave shallow white marks.
The two fought with lightning speed, transforming into two phantoms, one green and one blue, constantly colliding, separating, and colliding again on the sand dunes.
Sword energy crisscrossed, lightning flashed, cutting the surrounding sand into a mess, scorched and blackened. It was a pure contest of Taijutsu, speed and strength, lacking the dazzling spectacle of Ninjutsu clashes, but all the more dangerous and intense, each strike containing the power to split mountains and shatter rocks.
Between battles, Shira was distracted by sensing the other two battlefields. On the left flank, Hozuki Gengetsu was indeed successfully lured into the "Quicksand Trap" area. There, beneath the sand layer, was a "Strong Condensed Sand" trap specially made by Sunagakure and mixed with Sealing Jutsu. Once trapped, one would be firmly held by the quicksand with Chakra absorption properties, and the more one struggled, the deeper one would sink.
At this moment, Hozuki Gengetsu seemed to have been caught off guard, with most of his body buried in the sand. He was cursing and trying to escape Oil Release and Genjutsu, but the Hyuga and Yamanaka Clan ninjas kept a firm grip on him. With the help of the Akimichi Clan and puppets' long-range harassment, he was finding it difficult to break free.
Several Sealing Squad members from Konoha and Sunagakure are rapidly approaching, preparing to unleash their sealing techniques.
On the right flank, the Second Tsuchikage Mu seemed somewhat agitated by the barrage of artillery fire and explosions.
He attempted to split his body to bypass the barrage of fire, but each time a split appeared, it was bombarded by a pre-set array of Explosive Tag. Although the explosions did not kill the Impure World Reincarnation body, they effectively delayed its progress.
The Explosion Corps of Iwagakure clearly knew this senior from their own village very well, and their tactics were highly targeted.
"It seems your companions are in a precarious situation." Shira parried another heavy punch, using the momentum to leap back, slightly panting.
The Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor remained sturdy, and the Chakra beneath his Reanimated Body seemed inexhaustible.
" My Impure World Reincarnation body is immune to damage," the Third Raikage said coldly. "But you, boy, your power is peculiar, not just simple Chakra. Yet, with that alone, you can't break through my armor. Your sword isn't sharp enough."
"Is that so?" Shira took a deep breath, suppressing the surging blood and qi in his chest. In the intense Taijutsu battle just now, deep within his body, besides the Natural Energy guided by the Wind Xun Breathing Method, the life energy of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, and the pure "ki" transformed from the Zero-Tails, another power seemed to be subtly aroused and stimulated by the Third Raikage's violent Lightning Release Chakra —it was the Lightning Release Chakra that he possessed himself, but had never fully developed!
At this moment, this power is stirring within my meridians, resonating with and opposing the Raikage's Lightning Release.
Perhaps we could take advantage of this? No, now is not the time. We need a stronger stimulus, or at a more crucial moment.
Shira suppressed the thought, her eyes sharpening once more.
Our intelligence advantage has been put to use.
" Raikage, your Lightning Release Armor is hailed as the Strongest Shield. But as far as I know, this shield is not without its flaws."
Suddenly, Shira spoke, her voice clearly reaching Raikage's ears.
The Third Raikage paused almost imperceptibly, his eyes flashing with lightning. "What do you want to say?"
"The old wound on your chest," Shira said, enunciating each word clearly, "Is the only scar that was ever breached, left from your hand-to-hand combat with the Eight-Tails. Even in Lightning Release Armor form, it's where energy flow is relatively weak and repair is the slowest. Right?"
The Third Raikage's pupils contracted slightly. How could this Sunagakure brat know such a secret?!
Now!
The power within Shira's body suddenly erupted to its limit, and the burden of the Fourth Activation was temporarily suppressed. The sand beneath his feet exploded, and he and his sword became one, transforming into a straight, azure streak. He no longer fought evasively, but instead, with a resolute momentum, thrust straight into the heart of the Third Raikage!
"Arrogant!"
The Third Raikage, though startled, remained calm. With a roar, he compressed his lightning to its maximum, concentrating it in his right arm. He brought his four fingers together, condensing his strongest Lightning Release technique— Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite! He would meet fire with fire, using his Strongest Spear to crush his opponent's desperate gamble!
However, at the very moment that Shira's seemingly desperate sword strike was about to collide with the Four-Finger Nukite, the sword's momentum suddenly underwent a strange change!
The sword vibrated violently at an extremely high frequency, emitting a clear and melodious hum. The tip of the sword did not thrust straight at the target, but instead drew countless subtle, overlapping cyan arcs of light as it vibrated!
These arcs of light instantly intertwined in front of the sword tip, forming an extremely unstable net composed of countless high-speed vibrating sword energies!
Wind and Wind Sword Technique: Thousand Winds Binding Lock!
This is a binding and control technique created by Shira by combining the subtle manipulation of airflow through the Wind Xun Breathing Method with her own swordsmanship!
The lightning, condensed to its extreme, from the Four-Finger Nukite crashed into the trembling net of sword energy. The violent thrusting power was instantly dispersed, guided, and deflected by countless sword energies vibrating in different directions at high frequencies!
It's like a powerful punch hitting a high-speed spinning vortex of cotton; the force is dissipated layer by layer!
"What?!" The Third Raikage hadn't expected his opponent to have such a sophisticated technique for deflecting force. The direction of his Four-Finger Nukite was deflected, grazing past Shira's shoulder and tearing his clothes, leaving a scorch mark, but it failed to cause serious injury.
As Shira unleashed " Thousand Winds Binding Lock " with her sword, a sealing talisman specially made by Maki, which had been prepared beforehand, suddenly lit up at the hilt!
With a flick of his wrist, the talisman, guided by the sword's momentum, adhered precisely to the extremely faint, old wound exposed when the Third Raikage used the Four-Finger Nukite, causing the energy of his Lightning Release Armor to instantly converge on his arm!
"Seal up!"
With a low shout, Shira caused the talisman to shine brightly, and countless sealing runes spread out like living things, instantly wrapping around the Third Raikage's chest and beginning to frantically erode and suppress the Chakra and Lightning Release energy of his Impure World Reincarnation body!
"What--!" The Third Raikage's body trembled violently, his movements instantly stiffening, and the light from his Lightning Release Armor flickered intensely and erratically.
That specially made sealing talisman not only targets the Impure World Reincarnation, but also has a very strong interference effect on Lightning Release Chakra!
"Now! Sealing Squad!" Shira shouted sharply.
The Sunagakure Sealing Squad, who had been hiding in the sand for a long time, suddenly leaped out. Several chains, flashing with intense sealing light, shot out from different directions and wrapped around the Third Raikage, who was temporarily suppressed by the talisman.
At the same time, Gaara's sand swept in from the high ground, binding the Third Raikage tightly together with the sealing chains.
"Well done, Captain Shira!" The Sealing Squad leader was overjoyed and quickly Hand Seals to activate the Sealing Jutsu technique.
The Third Raikage struggled, his eyes flashing with resentment as he looked at Shira in the distance. Finally, he let out a complex sigh, "A promising young man, Sunagakure brat, you... are quite impressive."
Then, his figure gradually solidified and dimmed in the sealing light, and was finally completely sealed into a specially made scroll.
Shira leaned on her sword, slightly out of breath, a burning pain shooting through her shoulder. Defeating the Third Raikage had taken a toll.
He then immediately looked at the other two battlefields.
On the left flank, Hozuki Gengetsu had been completely dragged into the depths of the quicksand trap, his body almost buried, with only his head sticking out as he cursed. Several sealing ninjas were setting up a sealing array above his head, which was about to be completed.
On the right flank, the Second Tsuchikage Mu, seemed to have noticed that the Third Raikage was sealed, and his movements became somewhat impatient as he attempted to forcefully break through the explosive blockade.
However, the Iwagakure Explosion Corps worked together seamlessly, and the Sunagakure's heavy puppets provided continuous firepower, keeping them firmly in check.
However, at that moment, a cold, hoarse voice, as if from the deepest hell, rang out directly in Shira's ears—no, it resounded throughout the entire desert battlefield:
"Excellent tactics, Sunagakure commander. Utilizing intelligence, dividing, weakening, and sealing them one by one—a truly brilliant performance. It seems this show would be too boring without adding some surprises."
It's Kabuto Yakushi's voice! It's being transmitted directly through some kind of technique!
"Now, please enjoy... Act Two."
As he spoke, the sand beside the Second Tsuchikage Mu, Mu, suddenly rose, and another coffin slowly emerged. The coffin lid opened, and a figure, also wrapped in bandages, expressionless, but with an even more dangerous aura, slowly stepped out—it was the other half of the Second Tsuchikage Mu had been split off!
Meanwhile, the hands of this half-body were already Hand Seals, and a terrifying aura began to gather—it was the starting stance for Dust Release!
Moreover, on the outer perimeter of the battlefield, violent spatial fluctuations occurred simultaneously from several directions, and the figures of several Impure World Reincarnation Edo Tensei warriors, whose auras were either cold, violent, or eerie, slowly emerged, their icy gazes locking onto various parts of the Allied Shinobi Forces ' defensive line.
Kabuto Yakushi is finally raising the stakes.
Shira wiped a trace of blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes coldly fixed on the sky, as if she could pierce through the clouds and see the hidden manipulator.
He gripped the Blue Mountain Haze Sword tightly in his hand.
The continuous emergence of powerful Impure World Reincarnation was like pouring ice water into a boiling oil pan. The battlefield instantly became even more chaotic and brutal.
The defensive line began to bear immense pressure. Even with the support of ninjas from various war zones, the allied forces inevitably began to suffer casualties against these tireless, immortal, and highly experienced undead.
"We must find the caster!" Shūji unleashed a combined wind and fire tornado, temporarily forcing back an Impure World Reincarnation ninja, and roared at Maki beside him.
Maki Hand Seals, creating a sealing barrier to block the poisoned needles shot from the side. His expression was grave. "The opponent is hiding extremely far away; our senses are being severely disrupted!"
Shira stood where the Third Raikage had just been sealed, her chest rising and falling slightly.
The burning pain in his shoulder and the depletion of his internal energy reminded him of the severity of the situation. He watched the group of powerful Impure World Reincarnation Tensei warriors, led by the Second Tsuchikage Mu, begin to advance steadily, and then glanced at the newly appeared, menacing Impure World Reincarnation figures in the distance, his mind racing.
In the instant he was rapidly considering a solution—
boom!!!
A deafening roar, far more muffled and awe-inspiring than any explosion or clash of Ninjutsu, came from the far flank of the battlefield!
That wasn't a sound; it was more like a lament of space, a tremor of the earth!
Immediately afterwards, an indescribable, terrifying aura, a mixture of boundless domineering power, profound Chakra, and pure destructive will, swept across the entire desert battlefield like a tsunami!
Both sides in the battle, whether they were the crazed White Zetsu, the struggling Allied Shinobi, or even the Impure World Reincarnation Tensei warriors, all froze for a moment involuntarily.
Everyone felt a shiver, a primal tremor stemming from the fear of a higher predator.
Shira abruptly turned her head, looking in the direction from which the aura was coming. There she saw, on a sand dune in the distance, space was violently distorted like water ripples, and a coffin that was taller and more ancient than the others, wrapped in ominous purple Chakra, was slowly rising from the sand.
The coffin lid was not yet fully opened, but its overwhelming aura already suppressed the entire scene.
"What... is that?" A coalition ninja's voice trembled.
"Impossible, this kind of Chakra..." A sensory-type Jonin Iwagakure was horrified.
Kabuto Yakushi's hoarse, excitedly distorted voice once again resounded through the sky via his magic, filled with fanatical boasting and malice:
"Surprised, allied forces! This is the real grand finale! Wake up, legendary ninja— Madara Uchiha!"
" Uchiha... Madara?!" Exclamations spread like a plague through the Allied Forces. The name that co-founded Konoha with the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Hashirama Senju, ended the chaos of the era, and brought forth endless legends weighed on everyone's hearts like the heaviest boulder.
The coffin lid crashed down.
A figure slowly stepped out.
He was tall and imposing, clad in dark blue Warring States period armor, with long, unruly black hair that danced with his own aura.
He slowly raised his head, revealing a face with sharp features, exuding authority and indifference. Most striking were his eyes—radiating a cold and divine aura that seemed to look down upon all living beings.
And that iconic spiky hair and armor, it really is Madara Uchiha!
Madara stretched his neck, making a soft "crack" sound. He looked down at his body, which was made of dust, then clenched his fist, feeling the uncontrollable Chakra flowing within him and the Impure World Reincarnation contract imposed on him from afar.
" Impure World Reincarnation?"
Madara whispered, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, tinged with a hint of amusement and a touch of displeasure, "The plan seems to have gone a little awful. That Obito... hmph."
He seemed not entirely satisfied with his "resurrection" in this way, and also had some doubts about the current situation.
But soon, his Rinnegan swept across the chaotic battlefield, revealing the surging White Zetsu, the struggling Allied Forces, and those "familiar faces" who had also been Impure World Reincarnation.
"A boring show." Madara's voice carried a hint of weariness, but a glint of pure, battle-maniacal pleasure shone in his eyes. "However, since we're here, it'll do us the good to stretch our muscles."
Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared from the sand dune!
The next moment--
"Ugh!"
"Puff!"
Screams suddenly rang out from within the Allied positions! A red figure, like a tiger among sheep, moved with an almost leisurely yet incredibly fast speed, weaving through the densely packed Allied forces!
He didn't use any Ninjutsu, just the simplest and most direct Taijutsu —fists, feet, elbows, and knees! Each strike was as heavy as a mountain, accurately hitting the vital points of the Allied Ninjas! Those hit suffered broken bones and tendons, coughing up blood as they flew backward, either dead or crippled!
Stop him!
"Attack!"
The nearby allied ninjas, terrified, roared and launched an attack, raining down Kunai, Shuriken, and Ninjutsu upon the blue figure.
However, Madara's figure moved like a ghost, easily weaving through the gaps in the attacks. Occasionally, when an attack reached him, he would casually slap it away or simply withstand it with his body, instantly restoring his Impure World Reincarnation form.
Wherever he went, it was like harvesting wheat; the allied ninjas fell in droves!
Just as Madara was about to carve a bloody path through the allied forces and charge straight to the rear, a streak of azure sword light, like lightning tearing through the night, suddenly slashed into the path Madara was rampaging through!
bite!
A deafening clang of metal clashing against metal rang out! Madara's casual slash at a Chunin the Allied Forces was firmly blocked by a longsword shimmering with a bluish-gold light!
For the first time, Ban stopped moving. He turned his head slightly to look at the person who had stopped him.
Shira stood with her sword drawn, between Madara and the still-shaken Chunin the Allied Forces. Her face was pale, but her eyes were calm and unwavering, fixed on Madara. "Your opponent is me."
Madara looked at Shira, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Although he seemed casual just now, the speed and power of that attack were not something an ordinary ninja could easily withstand, let alone intercept accurately.
Moreover, this gray-haired boy possessed a peculiar aura, not pure Chakra, but more condensed and restrained, carrying the rhythm of wind and life, and also a faint sense of threat.
" The Sunagakure Forehead Protector?"
Madara's gaze swept over Shira's waist, a near-appreciative smile curving his lips. "Interesting. I didn't expect Sunagakure in this era to produce someone like you. State your name, kid."
" Sunagakure, Shira ".
" Shira? Never heard of it."
Ban withdrew his hand, leisurely examining Shira as if looking at a novel toy. "However, your body, the energy flowing within you, is quite interesting. Come, let me see how far you can take me."
Without a word, Ban moved again! This time, his speed was several times faster, almost turning into a red afterimage. A simple and direct straight punch, containing the power to shatter mountains and split rocks, slammed towards Shira's face!
Shira's pupils contracted sharply! So fast!
He hasn't activated any of his abilities yet, relying solely on his normal, extreme reflexes and the extraordinary perception granted by the Wind Xun Breathing Method to cope.
With a subtle shift in his footwork, his body swayed backward like a willow in the wind. At the same time, his Blue Mountain Haze Sword drew an arc, its tip trembling slightly as it aimed at Ban's wrist, attempting to use skill to overcome force, repeating the same trick.
However, Madara's combat experience was incredibly rich, and his control over power was unparalleled. His fist continued its trajectory, but at the very moment it made contact with the sword tip, his wrist twisted and vibrated with an extremely subtle movement!
"Clang!"
Shira felt a strange and domineering spiraling force coming from the sword, and the longsword almost slipped from her hand!
He grunted and used the momentum to retreat rapidly, his internal energy surging. Ban followed closely, his fists, feet, knees, and elbows attacking like a storm, each strike concise and efficient, aimed directly at vital points, showcasing the violence and precision of Taijutsu to the fullest.
Shira pushed her swordsmanship and Taijutsu to their limits, combining them with the agility and anticipation brought by the Wind Xun Breathing Method, and struggled to maneuver amidst Madara's waves of attacks.
He no longer tried to take the blows head-on, but instead focused on dodging, deflecting force, and using the opponent's force against them, occasionally counterattacking with exquisite and tricky sword moves in an attempt to find a weakness in Madara.
The two fought with lightning speed, transforming into two intertwined phantoms on the sand, their sword energy and fist winds slicing the surrounding sand into pieces.
Dozens of rounds passed in the blink of an eye. Shira had several wounds on his body, though they were not deep, but the blood stained his robes. He was breathing rapidly, and sweat was beading on his forehead.
Madara's Taijutsu put immense pressure on him; it wasn't just a crushing defeat in terms of strength and speed, but a complete suppression of his combat skills, experience, and even willpower.
He has been able to hold on until now entirely thanks to his perfect control over his own power, the special perception of the Wind Xun Breathing Method, and the fighting instincts honed from countless life-and-death battles.
"Great, really great."
Ban punched Shira several steps back again, then stopped, his eyes filled with a deeper amusement, but also a hint of boredom. "For your age and background, to be able to utilize Taijutsu and this peculiar energy to such a degree is truly genius. It's a pity..."
He shook his head. "That's enough. Warm-up over."
Madara seemed to have lost interest in close combat. He raised his hands and began to Hand Seals —a simple one, yet one that sent chills down the spines of all sensory ninjas.
Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!
A towering sea of fire, like lava bursting from a dam, spewed forth from the crater! The flames were not ordinary red, but a deep, dark red, with a terrifyingly high temperature, and their range covered a fan-shaped area nearly a kilometer in front of them!
This is not Fire Style that can be performed by human power; it's more like a natural disaster!
" Water Release Team! Quick!"
"Combined Water Release!"
The Water Release ninjas in the allied forces, whether from Kirigakure, Konoha, or other villages, had already assembled at the commander's desperate shouts. Faced with this devastating sea of fire, they knew that individual Water Release were utterly useless!
" Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
" Water Release · Water Formation Wall!"
Dozens, even hundreds, of ninjas skilled in Water Release poured their Chakra into their Ninjutsu with all their might! Huge waves, water dragons, and water walls shot into the sky, converging into a surging water barrier, fiercely meeting the raging flames that scorched the heavens and boiled the seas!
laugh--!!!!!!!
The collision of water and fire unleashed a burst of white steam that blotted out the sky, and the terrifying shockwave flattened the nearby sand dunes!
The allied forces' Water Release units fought desperately, barely managing to withstand the terrifying flames. However, everyone was pale, their Chakra was being severely depleted, and many of the weaker ninjas even collapsed from exhaustion.
"Oh? They blocked it?" Ban raised an eyebrow, seemingly somewhat surprised by the allied forces' reaction speed and coordinated spellcasting ability. "They're more capable than I expected. So, what about this one?"
He Hand Seals again, and the fluctuations in Chakra became even more terrifying.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song!
Several ferocious fire dragons burst forth from the steam and pounced on the allied forces' positions!
" Earth Release team! Wind Release team! Support!" came the hoarse command.
The scene was chaotic. The allied forces were exhausted and their casualties began to increase as they were constantly on the run under Madara's casual Ninjutsu.
Ban stood there, watching the allied forces fighting desperately below. The interest in his eyes seemed to have completely vanished, leaving only cold indifference.
"A tedious struggle. It seems that in this era, there are indeed no adversaries worth looking forward to."
He looked up at the gloomy sky, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. "Then let's end this farce quickly."
He placed his hands in front of his chest, striking a peculiar and solemn pose, and his Chakra began to rise and condense at an alarming rate!
The sky seemed to become even more gloomy and oppressive because of this force!
"What kind of handprint is that?!" A knowledgeable ninja from the Allied Forces exclaimed in shock.
"Oh no! He's about to unleash a massive Ninjutsu!" A veteran ninja punched the Impure World Reincarnation ninja in front of him, sending him flying, and anxiously looked in Madara's direction.
" Tengai Shinsei!"
As Ban's cold yet majestic voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth, the dark clouds above the battlefield were violently torn apart by an invisible, immense force!
An unimaginably massive meteorite, burning with raging flames, pierced through the clouds and slowly descended upon the entire desert battlefield below!
A shadow instantly enveloped the land, and an atmosphere of despair gripped everyone's throat!
"A meteorite... a meteorite?!"
"How is that possible!"
"Is this the power of God?!"
Panic spread instantly among the allied forces. Faced with such a catastrophic attack, the power of an individual seemed so insignificant.
"Damn it!" Raikage A's eyes widened in fury.
"We absolutely cannot let it fall!" Mei Terumi's face turned deathly pale.
Just then--
" Kazekage! Help me!"
A hoarse yet resolute roar rang out! It was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki! He had broken free from the Tsuchikage's entanglement, soared into the air, and aimed his hands at the falling meteorite, veins bulging on his old face, "Super Light- Light-Weight Rock Technique! Hah--!!!"
A powerful surge of Chakra shot into the sky like a pillar of light, impacting the massive meteorite! The meteorite's descent speed visibly slowed down slightly! But it was only slightly; Ōnoki was already bleeding from his mouth and nose, clearly under immense strain.
" Rasa!" Gaara's voice rang out, and the endless sea of sand mixed with Shukaku's Chakra transformed into two giant hands that lifted up the meteorite from below!
At the same time, Rasa also made his move, and the golden sand in the sky gathered into a third giant hand, which, together with Gaara's sand hand, fiercely met the meteorite!
"We'll join in too!"
The surviving allied warriors also fought with all their might, unleashing various Ninjutsu at the meteorite in an attempt to shatter it or further slow its speed.
Combining the strength of three Kage Level warriors, a Perfect Jinchuriki, and numerous powerful members of the Allied Forces, the first, earth-shattering meteorite was finally held aloft and blocked when it was still hundreds of meters above the ground. Under the continuous bombardment of various Ninjutsu, it shattered and disintegrated, turning into countless burning fragments, like a rain of fire. Although it still caused some damage, it managed to avoid total annihilation.
"Success?! They blocked it!"
We're saved!
The joy of surviving the ordeal had just begun to emerge among the allied forces—
"Not bad, you actually managed to block one." Madara's voice, cold yet tinged with approval, was like a bucket of ice water poured over you.
He formed hand Hand Seals again, and his eyes shone brightly with red light.
"So, what about the second one?"
" Tengai Shinsei - Double Strike!"
The clouds were torn apart once more! A second, massive meteorite, no less large than the first, and even closer and falling at a faster speed, appeared above the fiery rain of shattered first meteorite with an even more terrifying aura and shriek, crashing down with the force of a mountain falling from the sky!
Having just exhausted themselves and riddled with wounds from fending off the first meteorite, Ōnoki, Gaara, Rasa, and the others finally showed despair in their eyes as they watched the second, the kiss of death, follow closely behind.
The newly raised hopes of the allied forces were instantly swallowed by deeper darkness.
"It's... it's over..."
"Even one is a struggle... two..."
"Madara... is a true monster..."
The faces of everyone drained of color. They had tried their best, but they had only managed to block one.
This second one was unstoppable, and there was no time to organize a force of the same size.
However, just as absolute despair was about to engulf everyone—
"Ah--!!!!!"
A roar that seemed to tear apart souls and burn life itself erupted from the battlefield below!
It's Shira!
His appearance had changed drastically! His skin had turned crimson, and the steam was no longer white, but a blood-red mist!
Muscles swelled as if inflated, stretching clothes taut, veins bulged like dragons on the body's surface, and you could even hear the bones creaking under the strain!
A power even more violent, primal, and destructive than that he had experienced in his previous battle against the Third Raikage, like a dormant beast, had fully awakened within him!
Seven Heavens Breathing Method - Fifth Activation - Liberation from Desperate Situations!
This was not a realm he actively cultivated and mastered. Rather, it was a forbidden technique that he forcibly broke through to the Zero-Tails and by squeezing out his own potential at any cost!
Its form and principle are remarkably similar to Might Guy's " Eight Gates Released Formation," both of which liberate the body's limitations through extreme methods to obtain power dozens of times greater than oneself, but also place a devastating burden on the body!
But that's not enough! Faced with a falling meteorite, strength and speed alone cannot solve the problem!
" Wind Xun Breathing Method - Sage Mode, activated!"
A bluish-gold mark, resembling a wind rune, suddenly lit up between his brows!
A more mellow, vast, and seemingly connected Natural Energy surged into his collapsing body like a tide, forcibly stabilizing the rampaging power and endowing it with more exquisite control and "spirituality"!
" Shinnō's Forbidden Technique: Body Activation: Ultimate Drive!"
The forbidden technique of physical regeneration and activation, obtained from Shinnō of the Land of the Sky and harmlessly modified and integrated with his own "qi," was now being pushed to its limit!
His damaged muscles, meridians, and bones, under the combined effect of Natural Energy and his own life force, are being repaired, strengthened, and repaired again at an unprecedented speed!
The whole person seemed to have transformed into a live volcano about to erupt, but whose energy was forcibly restrained and compressed!
at last--
" Zero-Tails Release! Give me all the air!!!"
Deep within her body, the Zero-Tails Power, stripped of its negative emotions and transformed into pure primordial energy, no longer flowed gently. Instead, it was forcibly detonated, extracted, and burned by Shira with her overwhelming willpower!
Ultimately, all of this transformed into the purest and most violent driving force, flowing into every inch of his muscle and every drop of his blood!
At this moment, Shira's hair stood on end, her eyes were filled with cyan-gold light, her skin was a mix of crimson and cyan-gold patterns, and she was surrounded by a halo of blood mist and Natural Energy. Her aura was chaotic and violent, yet it also carried a strange and suffocating majesty!
The sand beneath his feet silently sank and melted, forming a huge bowl-shaped pit.
" Shira!" Gaara exclaimed in shock.
"Captain!" Shūji, Maki, and the others were furious.
"What is he trying to do?!" Raikage A exclaimed in horror.
Under the gaze of all, including Madara Uchiha's gaze, which showed obvious surprise and interest for the first time, Shira moved.
Instead of rushing towards the meteorite, he stomped his foot hard on the ground, and like a shooting star shooting backward, he soared into the sky towards the second meteorite that blotted out the sky!
Its speed was so great that it left a long, lingering streak of blue-red light in the air!
" Daytime Tiger - Modified Blue Mountain Haze Meteor Strike!!"
While in mid-air, Shira brought her right fist to her waist, compressing and condensing all the power in her body—the brute force of the Fifth Activation, the Natural Energy of Sage Mode, the explosive power of Body Activation, and the driving force of Zero-Tails Qi—into this single punch!
The air in front of the fist was compressed to the extreme, forming a huge tiger head phantom that was visible to the naked eye, spinning at high speed and composed of cyan-gold energy, and emitting a silent roar!
"Stop right there!!!"
With a roar, the punch that embodied everything about Shira, burning with life and faith, slammed into the very center of the second meteorite!
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The image freezes on a tiny, ant-like human figure, burning with life, throwing a punch to meet the impending catastrophe.
Then--
boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An indescribable roar, as if the sky itself had been shattered! A massive circular shockwave spread wildly from the point of impact, completely tearing apart the remaining clouds high in the sky! Intense light engulfed everyone's vision!
Amidst the stunned, shocked, and incredulous gazes of the allied forces, the seemingly unstoppable meteorite that brought despair abruptly halted its descent!
Immediately afterwards, centered on the point of impact, countless huge, spiderweb-like cracks instantly covered the entire surface of the meteorite!
Click-click-rumble-rumble--!!!!
After a brief, almost nonexistent stalemate, the second meteorite exploded with a deafening roar, under the watchful eyes of countless Allied Shinobi, the Five Kage, and even Madara Uchiha!
It exploded into countless fragments of varying sizes, flying in all directions. Most of them were further pulverized and vaporized by the shockwave and residual energy of the explosion before they hit the ground!
It was blocked! The second Tengai Shinsei was blasted apart by Shira's punch!
The light and dust slowly dissipated.
In the sky, a charred, mangled figure, almost unrecognizable as human, fell helplessly from the epicenter of the explosion, like a kite with a broken string.
One of his arms was twisted unnaturally, his skin was charred and cracked, and blood gushed from countless wounds as if it were free. His breath was so weak that it was almost gone.
It's Shira.
" Shira --!!!"
Heart-wrenching cries erupted from the Sunagakure's position. Ameno's vision went black, and she nearly fainted, but was held firmly by Matsuri beside her. Gaara and Rasa, disregarding their injuries, frantically manipulated the sand and gold dust to rush towards the point of impact.
Shūji, Maki, Temari, Kankuro... all the Sunagakure, their eyes blazing with fury, rushed madly in that direction.
The other ninjas of the allied forces, whether from Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, or Kirigakure, forgot to breathe, forgot to fight, and just stared blankly at the falling figure.
Their eyes were filled with indescribable shock, respect, and deep sorrow.
It was he who, with a mortal body, performed divine deeds, bearing the inevitable calamity for all of them.
"Amazing..." Ōnoki hovered in the air, a complex light flashing in his old eyes, his voice hoarse.
"A true hero," Mei Terumi murmured to herself, tears welling in her eyes.
" Shira of Sunagakure, I acknowledge you!" Raikage A clenched his fist, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
" Shira..." Tsunade bit her lip. As a medical genius, she could clearly sense the faint life force of the falling figure, and her heart was filled with helplessness and sorrow.
Even Madara Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the falling figure, a look of solemnity and contemplation appearing in his eyes for the first time.
"Such a decisive way of unleashing power, and that peculiar fusion of multiple energies... This Sunagakure kid actually managed to do this. Interesting, truly interesting. What a pity..."
He shook his head, seemingly feeling a pang of regret that such an "interesting" opponent was about to perish.
Gaara's sands first supported Shira's broken body, carefully placing him on the ground. Rasa's golden sands followed closely behind, forming a barrier.
Ameno, Maki, and other ninjas skilled in medicine rushed forward like madmen, trying to stop the bleeding and transfer Chakra.
However, Shira's injuries were too severe. The backlash from the Fifth Activation, the overdraft of Sage Mode, the collapse of her Body Activation, the depletion of Zero-Tails Qi, plus the terrifying impact of colliding with the meteorite.
His body was like a shattered piece of porcelain, his life force rapidly slipping away.
"Captain! Hang in there!"
" Shira! Don't sleep! Look at me!"
"Medical team! Quickly! All the medicine! All the scrolls!"
The Sunagakure members cried out, but Shira's aura continued to weaken irreversibly.
Madara Uchiha withdrew his gaze, seemingly losing interest in this "interlude," and prepared to proceed with his next move.
However, just when everyone thought the hero who had just saved the Allied forces was about to fall, and sorrow and despair began to permeate once again—
A sudden change has occurred!
Shira's battered and charred body suddenly convulsed violently! Immediately afterward, a faint but extremely tenacious and vibrant emerald green light burst forth from deep within his body!
This light is neither Chakra nor Natural Energy, but a more essential life force, originating from the deepest part of the cell and forcibly activated!
It is the true core of Shinnō's forbidden art— the Flesh Regeneration and Activation Technique!
As Shira's own life was about to end, stimulated by the massive influx of external medical forces, this forbidden technique, which had been fused with Zero-Tails' immense life force and modified by him with his own "ki" and will, finally broke through a certain critical point and began to frantically repair his collapsing body at a speed beyond common sense!
Click, click...
The sickening sound of bones realigning and growing filled the air.
The charred skin peeled off like a molting process, revealing tender new flesh underneath, which healed and became tough at a visible speed.
Twisted and broken bones are forcibly corrected, reconnected, and even made denser by an invisible force.
The failing organs began to beat again, and the dried-up meridians were once again filled with "qi" and Chakra, which began to flow slowly.
"This... this is?!"
Ameno and Maki, who were standing right next to each other, stared wide-eyed at this miraculous scene in disbelief.
Gaara and Rasa were also stunned.
Within the Allied Forces, the most perceptive ninjas sensed the rapidly burgeoning, vibrant life force and looked in astonishment toward the direction of Sunagakure.
Even Madara Uchiha, who was about to leave, stopped again, his eyes fixed on Shira on the sand, a clear expression of shock appearing in his eyes for the first time.
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the terrifying injuries on Shira's body healed by 60-70% in just over ten seconds!
Although his face was still pale and his breath was weak, that vibrant life force had returned! He slowly, with some difficulty, opened his eyes.
His bluish-gold eyes, though dimmed, remained clear and resolute.
Struggling, with Gaara's help, he slowly sat up, his gaze piercing through the crowd, colliding with the eyes high in the sky that looked down upon all living beings.
silence.
A deathly silence enveloped the entire battlefield.
Then, a deafening roar of cheers and shouts, a mixture of ecstasy, awe, and disbelief, erupted from every corner of the Allied forces!
He's alive! He's alive!
"A miracle! This is a miracle!"
" Blue Mountain Haze of the Sand! Blue Mountain Haze of the Sand!"
"Hero! Our hero is still alive!"
On the Sunagakure Village's battlefield, cries and cheers resounded. Ameno threw herself into Shira's arms and burst into tears.
Gaara pursed his lips tightly, but tears welled in his eyes. Rasa turned away, his shoulders trembling slightly.
The Five Kage exchanged glances, each seeing deep emotion and a hint of awe in the other's eyes.
He erupted in such desperate circumstances, and returned from the brink of death with incomprehensible regenerative abilities. This young Sunagakure commander has shattered their understanding time and time again.
Madara Uchiha quietly watched Shira below, who was engulfed in cheers, and looked into her eyes, which showed no sign of backing down even when she was weak. He remained silent for a moment.
Then, slowly, very slowly, he began to clap his hands.
"Clap, clap, clap."
The crisp applause, though not loud amidst the deafening cheers, eerily reached everyone's ears.
"A truly magnificent performance, Shira of the Sunagakure."
Ban's voice rang out, filled with undisguised admiration and an even more fervent fighting spirit, "With a mortal body, you touched the realm of gods, even snatched yourself back from the clutches of death? You've given me a tremendous surprise."
He spread his arms, his eyes blazing with red light, and terrifying Chakra surged once more, even more powerfully than when he summoned the meteorite!
"To express my respect..."
A wild, destructive smile curled at the corners of Ban's mouth.
"I'll be more serious from now on. I hope you can give me a good time."