Chapter 167: Yata Mirror in the Left Hand, Kusanagi Sword in the Right
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In the Shinobi world, within a secret underground cavern in the Land of Grass...
With the "assistance" of a certain Uzumaki clan member embedded within its body, Black Zetsu finally succeeded in perfecting the long-distance Edo Tensei technique.
The space-time barrier created by Hyūga Tenjin? That, too, was undoubtedly its handiwork.
Ironically, Black Zetsu owed Uchiha Kyosuke some measure of gratitude. Had it not been for Kyosuke's interference, the thought of using Impure World Reincarnation to augment its own power might never have crossed its mind.
More importantly, it might never have uncovered the secret research conducted by Hyūga Yayoi—a discovery that proved invaluable.
This time, however, the two individuals summoned through Edo Tensei were far from ordinary figures. They were legends who would tip the scales of power in Black Zetsu's favor.
One was the legendary creator of Explosion Release, a figure Black Zetsu had encountered briefly over three centuries ago.
The other was the originator of Star Release, a terrifying force who had once single-handedly inflicted catastrophic damage upon the entire Shinobi sect.
It had taken Black Zetsu an arduous amount of time to locate their long-forgotten graves and meticulously execute the Edo Tensei technique using their decayed, weathered remains.
But, of course, merely summoning these titans of power wasn't enough to ensure victory. The true trump card would only come into play with the arrival of Hyūga Tenjin.
While scouring the Shinobi world for the remnants of powerful individuals, Black Zetsu stumbled upon an unexpected discovery—an exceptional Edo Tensei body with the potential to elevate Tenjin's power to unprecedented heights.
With the Tenseigan nearing its mature stage, its immense capabilities would soon enable it to completely erase Uchiha Kyosuke from existence.
Even if it failed, Black Zetsu had contingency plans in place. Either way, it wouldn't be at a loss.
"No one can stop my plan," Black Zetsu murmured.
"After so long, I've finally found the right candidates. This time, I will revive Mother no matter what."
As it gazed up at the full moon hanging in the night sky, Black Zetsu shed what could only be described as grotesque, oozing tears.
How a Yin-Release-based lifeform could weep was anyone's guess, but perhaps this peculiar ability was what truly set the Shinobi world's greatest filial child apart.
---
On the moon, the fierce battle raged on.
The Star Brust, which erupted in an instant, posed no real threat to Kyosuke.
With the Flying Thunder God Technique at his command, he effortlessly evaded every attack, moving like a phantom across the battlefield.
Hyūga Tenjin, standing calmly on the sidelines, appeared composed. Yet, beneath the surface, his sharp, calculating eyes meticulously tracked the field, committing to memory every location where Kyosuke's space-time coordinates had been marked.
At the Super-Kage level, teleportation was far from invincible. With precise prediction, one could even reverse the tactic, turning it into a deadly trap.
For Tenjin, this was more than a battle—it was an unshakable mission. Uchiha Kyosuke had to die here and now. If he escaped, the Hyūga clan would never know peace.
"Struggle. Fight. Then drowned in the depths of despair," Tenjin muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with malice.
"Today, Kyosuke, there will be no escape for you."
---
On the battlefield, Kyosuke, who had returned to the ground, swiftly formed a series of hand seals, his fingers moving with precision before settling in front of his chest.
From behind him, shadowy serpents emerged, their jaws gaping wide as they unleashed a torrential sea of infernal flames.
Sage Art: Scorching Flames of Grief!
The blue-green flames twisted and transformed into serpentine forms, writhing with agility and brimming with destructive power, they embodied the essence of Sage Mode techniques.
This technique was a unique application of the Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation—simplified yet devastating. Not only could it manipulate the terrain of earth and stone, but it also extended control to the flames themselves, achieving effects comparable to Uchiha Izuna's Kagutsuchi.
Yet, facing the might of Kyosuke's Sage technique, his opponent remained unfazed. Calmly, he raised his hands before his chest and formed a peculiar seal.
In an instant, countless radiant stars materialized, blooming around his body like a celestial spectacle.
To Kyosuke's astonishment, his opponent abandoned all attempts at defense, standing motionless as the fiery serpents closed in on him.
Just before being consumed by the flames, the enemy completed the final preparations for his jutsu. With chilling precision, he locked onto Kyosuke from a distance and unleashed a deep, black hole-like surge of energy.
Star Release: Solitary Gamma Explosion!
Kyosuke's eyes narrowed as he muttered to himself, "So you're targeting the moment I attack, leaving no chance for me to teleport?"
He smirked faintly. "You've really studied the weaknesses of the Flying Thunder God well."
Through the keen insight of his Sharingan, Kyosuke immediately grasped the overwhelming destructive power of the technique.
With Tenjin and his Tenseigan eyeing him hungrily, Kyosuke was unwilling to expend a large amount of ocular power to directly counter the opponent's move.
Acting swiftly, he formed intricate hand seals, conjuring a black Flying Thunder God formula in the air before him. The devastating energy wave collided with the seal and, in an instant, was redirected several kilometers away, exploding harmlessly over a distant shoreline.
BOOM!
A few seconds later, a powerful tremor rippled through the area, shaking the very earth. Yet Kyosuke remained unfazed, paying no mind to the aftermath.
Instead, he lifted his head, his sharp gaze locking onto the enemy before him—a figure whose damaged body was slowly regenerating.
It was then that the realization struck him—his opponent was an Edo Tensei body.
Could he have miscalculated? Was this an elaborate trap laid by Tobirama Senju?
No, that wasn't possible. Tobirama lacked the means to orchestrate something of this scale. And there was no way Hyūga Tenjin would willingly divulge information about the moon's secrets.
No, the pieces fit only one way. This had to be the handiwork of Black Zetsu. Only that cunning manipulator could engineer such a scenario, and it explained Tenjin's uncharacteristically passive behavior.
"Are you kidding me? Black Zetsu is dabbling in Impure World Reincarnation now?" Kyosuke muttered, disbelief in his voice.
"That old schemer must have unearthed the graves of powerful individuals," he mused, piecing things together. "It explains these two unfamiliar figures."
"But how did it overcome the inherent weakness of Edo Tensei bodies being weaker than their prime?"
Kyosuke's sharp intellect swiftly connected the dots. Through Black Zetsu's surveillance, it had likely discovered the existence of Hyūga Yayoi and used her research against him.
"Great. Did I just dig my own grave?"
Despite his mild exasperation, Kyosuke wasn't overly concerned.
For most ninjas, Impure World Reincarnation would be a formidable threat.
But for someone of his caliber, unless Black Zetsu could summon an Edo Tensei Madara, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
---
On Earth, Black Zetsu observed Kyosuke, now surrounded by enemies, through the eyes of its summoned Edo Tensei bodies.
The reason it could execute such long-range techniques was due to a reincarnated puppet, one skilled in space-time ninjutsu.
Not only could this puppet teleport Hyūga Tenjin to the moon, but it could also track Kyosuke's concealed space-time teleportation array, ensuring his every move was monitored.
Whether the plan succeeded or failed, it was enough to trap Kyosuke on the moon for a significant time.
That window would provide Black Zetsu with more than enough opportunity to move forward with the next stage of its plan.
As always, no one could stand in the way of its ultimate goal: the resurrection of its mother.
"What a pity... You would have made the perfect sacrifice," Black Zetsu murmured, a hint of regret lacing its voice as it observed the unfolding scene through the puppet's perspective.
---
On the battlefield, dark golden energy surged around Kyosuke as he steeled himself. Unwilling to prolong the confrontation any further, he activated the third stage of Susano'o.
The spectral armor of the Tengu manifested, its towering form exuding power. In its hand, the Kusanagi sword transformed, becoming an even sharper, indestructible blade.
This time, however, something new emerged—an additional feature: a circular, dark-golden shield that radiated an otherworldly glow.
The Yata Mirror.
With the already formidable defense of Susano'o now bolstered by the Yata Mirror, Kyosuke finally possessed a truly impenetrable defense—worthy of its legendary name.
Crossing his arms before his chest, Kyosuke's indifferent gaze locked onto the two enemies before him. Beneath his feet, a few small serpents slithered silently into the earth, their presence barely perceptible.
"That shield..." Hyūga Tenjin muttered, his voice tinged with recognition. "It looks oddly familiar."
His sharp eyes narrowed as he recalled the Yata Mirror, an artifact he knew all too well from his vast knowledge.
"Left hand holds the unstoppable Kusanagi sword; right hand wields the impenetrable Yata Mirror."
Even Tenjin, who now considered himself invincible, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. He realized with a sinking feeling that, had he faced Kyosuke in his previous state, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
As for the two seemingly impressive Edo Tensei bodies…
Apologies, but apart from slightly draining Kyosuke's chakra, they served no real purpose.
..
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[IMAGE]
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[Chapter End's]
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