Chapter 232: Isn't It Just Like Piloting a Gundam?

The intense battle between Uzumaki Raiden and Uchiha Madara shook Konoha, rousing many from their sleep.

In their half-conscious state, villagers caught a glimpse of the towering chakra colossus that dominated the night sky. However, it vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared, leading many to believe it was nothing more than a fleeting dream.

Outside the Senju compound, the Anbu had surrounded the area. Under Tsunade's command, the ninjas who had rushed over began assessing the situation, tending to the injured, and searching for those in need of assistance.

The aftermath of Raiden and Madara's clash had caused widespread damage; rooftops were torn apart, and debris had injured several civilians. The once-peaceful night had been shattered into chaos.

Fifty kilometers from Konoha...

The barren wasteland stretched endlessly under the moonlit sky, cold winds howling through the desolate terrain.

A massive blue chakra giant materialized on the open ground, and not far from it stood a red-haired young man, his eyes burning with determination.

"Kid, is this the burial ground you've chosen for yourself?" Madara scoffed, folding his arms casually, unbothered by the change in battlefield location.

"This just gives me the freedom to go all out!"

"If there's going to be a grave, it'll be yours!" Raiden shot back.

As he spoke, the golden chakra chains that had been tightly wrapped around him began to expand, revealing Mariko's unconscious figure. Glancing at her briefly, Raiden clasped his hands together, releasing the Yin Seal on his forehead. A surge of violent chakra erupted from him, flooding the battlefield.

"Hmph, you've got a decent amount of chakra," Madara remarked, his Sharingan gleaming. "But battles aren't won by chakra reserves alone, kid."

Despite his words, Madara remained motionless, watching Raiden closely. Since his battle with Hashirama, he hadn't faced an opponent worthy of his full strength. Even in his weakened state, this fight reignited the thrill of combat within him.

He was curious—could this Uzumaki boy truly surprise him?

"Don't worry," Raiden whispered, his eyes narrowing. "I just want to test a new technique."

In an instant, his chakra chains expanded exponentially, encasing both himself and Madara within a rapidly forming golden sphere. Within moments, the chains extended further, their interwoven structure growing larger and larger.

Soon, a colossal golden giant stood tall on the wasteland, mirroring the size of Madara's Susanoo. At its core, Raiden and Mariko were securely positioned within the heart of the massive construct.

Whoosh

The giant stabilized, matching Susanoo's towering height. With a flick of its right hand, it seized the Totsuka Blade, its ethereal glow radiating ominously.

A flicker of surprise crossed Madara's face as he observed the enormous form. His eyes narrowed before his lips curled into a grin.

"Heh... Hahahaha!"

"Interesting! Very interesting!"

"I've never seen someone manipulate Kongō Fūsa to this extent!" Madara praised, a hint of excitement in his tone.

Susanoo responded in kind, its once-empty left hand grasping at the air to conjure a second blue chakra sword. Facing Raiden in this form, Madara's fighting spirit was fully ignited. Susanoo transitioned from a single-sword stance to dual-wielding, ready to engage.

Despite their massive size, Susanoo moved with incredible speed, closing the gap in an instant and delivering a devastating slash toward the golden giant's chest.

Clang!

Raiden's Totsuka Blade met both of Susanoo's swords head-on, halting their advance. The collision unleashed a powerful shockwave, scattering dust and uprooting trees in the distant forest.

"The power... it's not just some oversized puppet!" Madara muttered, feeling the immense strain on his body. Maintaining Susanoo in his current condition was pushing him to the limit.

"Lord Madara, we should retreat!" Black Zetsu's voice whispered from within his sleeve. "The Fourth Hokage isn't an easy opponent to kill. If you continue, your body won't hold out."

"The chakra you absorbed earlier isn't enough for an extended battle."

Madara frowned, but he understood the reality of his situation. "Damn it... fine," he growled under his breath.

Seizing the moment, Susanoo twisted its torso, redirecting Raiden's blade aside while its twin swords slashed toward the golden giant's head.

But the golden giant reacted instantly—raising its left hand to intercept the blow. The force sent Susanoo skidding back a hundred meters, and to Madara's astonishment, his chakra swords dissipated upon impact.

Meanwhile, the golden giant remained unharmed.

"Madara, this is the end for you!" Raiden's voice echoed from within the construct.

With a powerful burst, the golden giant launched forward, plunging the Totsuka Blade into Susanoo's chest. The so-called "absolute defense" shattered, and Madara fell to one knee, coughing up blood as his body convulsed under the strain.

"Lord Madara!" Black Zetsu exclaimed in alarm. Even weakened, Madara was no ordinary opponent—yet Raiden had breached Susanoo's defenses, something even elite shinobi had failed to do.

"The Sharingan can't penetrate his Kongō Fūsa," Madara admitted, his expression darkening. "In a direct clash, I can't sustain this fight any longer."

"Although the objective hasn't been fully achieved... it's time to retreat."

Despite his frustration, Madara recognized Raiden's overwhelming strength.

Just as he reached this decision, the Totsuka Blade activated its sealing properties. A powerful suction force began pulling Susanoo's chakra into the blade, threatening to seal Madara completely.

"Damn it... the Totsuka Blade!"

Black Zetsu's warning came too late. Blood trickled from Madara's eye as he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. In an instant, his previously vibrant red eyes dulled and turned gray, losing their luster.

"This isn't over, brat!" Madara's voice rang ominously.

With those parting words, he sank into the ground, vanishing into the depths of Susanoo's dissipating form.

As the massive chakra construct dissolved, only the devastated battlefield and the deep crater left behind served as evidence of the battle.

(End of this chapter)