Chapter 243: I Become Light!

"ROAR!!!!!"

A deafening roar echoed through the night sky as an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted from the Gedo Mazo. The once-still golem suddenly convulsed, and a faint blue light began to slowly envelop its massive form.

Before long, a thick layer of dark blue chakra armor coated the Gedo Mazo's entire body.

Standing atop the monstrous creature, Uzumaki Raiden was momentarily distracted by the sudden shift, causing his golden chains to halt their pursuit of Uchiha Madara. Seizing the opportunity, Madara quickly retreated, forming a series of hand seals while focusing his chakra to gain full control over the Gedo Mazo.

"ROAR!!!!!"

With another earth-shaking bellow, the Gedo Mazo's armored hand grasped the Thunder Dragon constraining it and, with a powerful yank, tore the lightning construct into three fragments. The crackling energy dissipated into the night air, leaving only a lingering electric hum.

"It actually broke free! This is Madara's doing!"

Raiden's eyes narrowed in realization. From the start of their battle, Madara had been using only probing attacks, his Susanoo limited to its skeletal form and lacking even a complete ribcage.

Now it was clear—Madara's true goal had never been a direct confrontation. He had been subtly working to free the Gedo Mazo from the Thunder Dragon's restraints, biding his time and conserving chakra. Had Raiden realized sooner, he might have been able to prevent it.

But now, the golem stood unbound, its menacing form covered in Madara's chakra armor. Suddenly, several large spikes protruded from the freed Gedo Mazo, thrusting toward Raiden's position.

Recognizing the threat, Raiden abandoned his foothold atop the golem and leaped toward the ground below.

"So that's his plan!"

As Raiden descended, he looked down at the raging inferno consuming the forest. Thick plumes of smoke rose into the air, further complicating his landing.

The flames had engulfed the entire area, leaving no safe ground. Even with his Lightning Armor to shield him from the heat, Raiden still needed air to breathe—staying too long in the smoke-filled inferno would be fatal.

"I can only rely on my ultimate technique!"

Golden chains burst from Raiden's back, wrapping tightly around him and rapidly expanding. In moments, the chains formed a massive golden sphere that descended towards the ground.

"Kongō Fūsa: Gundam Mode!"

Excitement surged through Raiden as the golden chakra sphere absorbed the natural energy around it, swelling even larger.

A towering golden figure, rivaling the size of the Gedo Mazo itself, rose against the night sky. Its brilliant glow outshone even the raging inferno, casting a radiant light over the battlefield.

"This guy..."

Madara gazed at the golden giant with intrigue.

"To think his chakra is so vast that he can create something on par with the Ten-Tails' shell..."

This wasn't the first time Madara had witnessed Raiden's technique—he had seen a similar construct during his initial invasion of Konoha. However, back then, the giant had been only tens of meters tall, with visible chain patterns across its body.

But now, the golden colossus standing before him bore a refined, muscular form, its entire surface covered by a smooth golden chakra layer.

"Hahahaha!"

Madara laughed, exhilarated.

"What an interesting opponent!"

"I'll go all out to defeat you!"

The Gedo Mazo's mouth opened wide, gathering an immense amount of chakra as it prepared to unleash a devastating Tailed Beast Ball—its target, the distant Konoha Village.

"A Tailed Beast Ball?!"

Raiden's expression hardened as he watched the attack being charged.

Without hesitation, he seized control of his golden giant, sending its massive fist hurtling forward. Just as the Gedo Mazo was about to fire, Raiden's golden punch struck its chin with incredible force. The impact shattered the golem's jaw, sending shards of stone cascading to the ground.

Madara's Susanoo, which had been shielding the golem, was pierced through by the golden fist, unable to fully protect its massive body.

The staggering blow caused the Gedo Mazo's attack to veer upward, sending the Tailed Beast Ball soaring into the sky instead.

"BOOM!!!"

A blinding explosion erupted in the heavens, illuminating the entire night sky. Even Konoha, miles away, could hear the deep rumbling echo and see the sudden burst of light.

Raiden grinned, satisfied with his strike, but he wasn't finished.

Under the bright light, the golden giant's fists blurred into a flurry of rapid strikes aimed directly at the Gedo Mazo's face.

"DORARARARA!"

With each consecutive punch, the giant unleashed a relentless barrage, pummeling the Gedo Mazo without mercy. The repeated blows distorted its once-menacing visage, breaking through the layers of armor and revealing the dark, fleshy form beneath.

"It's not just a stone statue... it's a living body."

Raiden noted with grim realization. The Gedo Mazo, being the vessel of the Ten-Tails, wasn't mere rock—it was a living entity with regenerative properties.

Despite its deformed face, the golem's chakra remained potent. It had only suffered superficial damage thus far.

Raiden knew that brute force alone wouldn't be enough.

"Time to finish this!"

Releasing the seal on the Sakegari no Tachi, Raiden watched as the sword in his hand dissolved into spiritual energy and merged with the golden giant's hand.

A crimson chakra blade materialized in its grasp, glowing ominously under the fiery sky.

With unwavering determination, the golden colossus lifted the blade high and drove it straight toward the heart of the Gedo Mazo.

(End of this chapter)