Chapter 121: The Dust Settles
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The clash between the Perfect Susano'o and the Wooden Golem was nothing short of legendary. Even with Naruto Uzumaki and Madara Uchiha now at the helm, they could only recreate this iconic battle but not surpass its grandeur.
Yet, both combatants relished the moment, each wielding the techniques once mastered by their former rivals and closest friends.
From atop the Wooden Golem, Madara observed Naruto's proficient control over the Susano'o. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind:
"His mastery over the Susano'o is far too adept for a first-time user. Could it be because of his past battles with Sasuke? But that doesn't seem right. According to Black Zetsu, their interactions were limited to the Valley of the End, weren't they?"
Naruto, on the other hand, was pondering something entirely different:
"Even though both are Perfect Susano'o, Madara's dwarfs Sasuke's significantly in size. If I were to compare them, it's like Kinshiki standing next to Momoshiki. Could this merely be a difference in chakra levels? But Sasuke's chakra grew stronger later on, and yet his Susano'o never increased in size. Does this mean..."
BOOM! BOOM!
The Perfect Susano'o and the Wooden Golem locked hands, fingers interlaced, caught in a fierce contest of strength.
Seizing the moment, Naruto called out, "Madara, you must have some secret ocular technique that enhances the Susano'o! Am I right?"
"Oh?" Madara's voice was low and calculating. "So you've deduced this by comparing me with Sasuke?"
He continued, "Indeed, my Izanagi no Mikoto is a new ocular technique that emerged when I awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. It doesn't require active activation—it passively amplifies the power of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and even ocular techniques to an extraordinary degree."
"I see..." Naruto's thoughts raced.
"Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan allowed him to use Itachi's Tsukuyomi, but he never developed a new ocular technique like Madara's. Amenotejikara, on the other hand, is a Rinnegan ability. Could it be..."
Madara's voice broke his train of thought: "The evolution of ocular power requires a process. Sometimes, taking too big a leap can cause one to miss certain opportunities. And what is missed... is lost forever."
Naruto's eyes widened in realization:
"Could it be that Sasuke evolved from the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan to the Rinnegan too quickly, thereby skipping the awakening of latent ocular powers? It's like missing a critical learning phase in childhood—once missed, it's nearly impossible to recover!"
Naruto exclaimed, "Madara, thank you! You've solved a mystery that's plagued me for years and clarified the path I must take for my own ocular evolution!"
"Hmph~!" Madara smirked. "I have no idea what you're babbling about. Now, continue to entertain me!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...!
The fierce battle resumed. Just as Madara was reveling in the thrill, the Perfect Susano'o before him suddenly disintegrated!
SWOOSH!
Naruto's consciousness returned to his original body as he opened his eyes. "The Mind Body Switch Technique has been released. It seems that with my current mental strength, controlling Madara's Perfect Susano'o for this long is my limit..."
Madara's excitement waned. "What? Are you unable to continue the dance?"
CRACKLE!
Naruto stood up, his body once again cloaked in Purple Lightning. "I can still fight you!"
"How unfortunate." Madara's tone turned cold. "At this moment, you are no longer worthy to dance with me!"
BOOM...!
A fierce wind swept through as Madara's long hair billowed. The Susano'o armor ignited and enveloped the Wooden Golem, transforming it into a colossal armored titan!
Naruto gasped, "That's... the technique Sasuke and I invented together!"
The wind howled, drowning out Naruto's words. Madara, lost in his own world, murmured, "Hmph, the combination of the Nine-Tails and the Susano'o I named 'Beast Calamity.' Now, the fusion of the Wooden Golem and the Susano'o shall be called 'Adamantine Catastrophe'... No, 'Buddha-Demon Unity' is more fitting. Hashirama, be grateful! This is the true union of the powers of the Senju and the Uchiha!"
Naruto's expression turned grave. "This... is bad! Power isn't simply additive!"
Madara pressed forward, his voice sharp and commanding. "Naruto... few have entertained me to this extent! But you are no Hashirama!!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The Susano'o-armored Wooden Golem launched its offensive!
——Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!!
Massive rock fists extended from its arms. Naruto braced himself and charged forward!
CRACK!!
But with just one clash, the rock fists shattered, sending Naruto stumbling backward, his arms numb from the impact.
SWOOSH!
Suddenly, the Wood Dragon, now armored with Susano'o, coiled around Naruto, its fangs sinking into his lightning-cloaked shoulder!
Naruto realized with horror, "Not good... This Wood Dragon is absorbing my chakra!!"
SWOOSH!
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Naruto teleported to a safe distance.
"Hmph." Madara smirked as the Wood Dragon opened its maw, firing a barrage of Yasaka Magatama!
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!!
Naruto swung his Gunbai, deflecting the projectiles.
Madara's voice rang out, "Naruto, unlike the Flying Thunder God mark, your Blade of Fate ocular mark can be erased. The trick you used earlier to eject me from the Susano'o won't work anymore. And judging by your chakra levels, your Super Expansion Technique won't hold much longer, will it?"
Naruto replied solemnly, "Yeah... which is why I have to act now!"
CLANG!!!
As the last of the Magatama struck, Naruto's Gunbai flew from his grasp. Detached from its wielder, the Gunbai rapidly shrank back to its normal size and fell to the battlefield.
——Shinra Tensei!
BOOM...!
A sudden surge of repulsive force swept away the remaining projectiles.
Naruto's spirits lifted. "The power of the Deva Path has finally returned. Time to unleash my trump card!!"
——Chibaku Tensei!
ZZZZ!
Naruto spread his hands, generating the core of a Chibaku Tensei. Unlike before, he didn't hurl it skyward but clenched it tightly in his fist!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...!!
The ground ruptured as countless boulders converged on Naruto's fists, forming the "Chibaku Tensei: Rock Fists"!
"Hmm?" Even Madara was impressed. "To integrate Chibaku Tensei into a 'Rock Fist' technique for a giant form... remarkable!"
CRACKLE...!
The Purple Lightning erupted, cloaking the newly formed Rock Fists.
Naruto shouted, "Madara... this is it!!!"
"Hmph." Madara remained unfazed as multiple Wood Dragons coiled around the Wooden Golem Susano'o's arms.
"COME ON!!!"
The two titanic figures charged at each other!
——Buddha-Demon Unity: Adamantine Strength!
——Thunder Roar: Twin Star Explosion!
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
But just as their fists collided, Naruto added a final touch!
——Earth Release: Ultra-Weighted Rock Fist Technique!!!
BOOM...!!!!
The Susano'o-armored Wooden Golem's arm shattered!
The explosive force of Naruto's Starburst Fist struck the Susano'o armor, causing cracks to spread across its surface as the entire structure was sent flying!
Unlike Hashirama's overwhelming numerical advantage with the True Several Thousand Hands, this was a decisive blow capable of turning the tide with a single strike!
If one strike wasn't enough, then two!
CRACK! CRACK!
Naruto's right arm's Rock Fist crumbled.
"RAAAAAHHH!!!" With a roar, Naruto charged forward, his left fist gathering power for another Ultra-Weighted Rock Fist!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Another direct hit! The Susano'o armor of the Wooden Golem faltered, its structure on the verge of collapse!
CRACK! CRACK! Naruto's left arm's Rock Fist disintegrated.
"Hahaha! Magnificent! I must admit, Uzumaki Naruto, even without Wood Release or Sage Art, you are a force equal to Hashirama himself!!!"
Madara's laughter echoed even as the Wood Dragon coiled around Naruto, absorbing his chakra.
Naruto could have used the Flying Thunder God to escape once more.
But he knew this was his only chance. If he let this moment slip, he wouldn't have the strength to break the Susano'o-armored Wooden Golem again.
He had to give it everything he had!
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Naruto, with his now freed hands, grabbed the Susano'o-armored Wooden Golem by the waist, lifting it overhead. His body erupted with lightning that surged to a blinding intensity!
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
——Thunder Roar: Peerless Explosive Barrage!!!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...!!!
The earth shattered, and the skies trembled.
The deafening explosion echoed across the battlefield, even reaching the distant Amegakure.
CRASH!
The battlefield lay in ruins, with fragments of Susano'o armor and wooden debris scattered everywhere.
Madara, having leapt out of the Susano'o just before its destruction, was still caught in the shockwave, parts of his body crumbling.
Naruto's Super Expansion Technique had dissipated. He now stood gaunt and skeletal, his body drenched in sweat.
"Huff... huff... huff... Chakra depletion... I've burned through my reserves to the point of tapping into my fat stores. No choice but to..."
Naruto's form and chakra vanished, leaving behind the Mecha Naruto: Unit-01!
Madara, hovering mid-air as dust swirled around him, scrutinized the mechanical figure. "A puppet mechanism? How dull."
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!
Suddenly, rockets launched from below!
——Shinra Tensei!
BOOM! The repulsive force stopped the explosions a meter away.
RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE
The Third Eye of Sand reappeared, instantly teleporting Mecha Naruto to another position!
——Asura Path: Backstab Mechanism!
CLANG CLANG CLANG!
From Mecha Naruto's arm mechanisms, a series of black rods shot out, piercing Madara's still-recovering back!
Madara's heart sank. "These black rods... They're targeting my chakra points?!"
ZZZZ!
Naruto revealed himself, biting his wrist to draw blood and forming seals.
BUZZ!
The black rods emitted a powerful interference!
This was the same overwhelming chakra suppression that Madara had once used after his revival, even subduing Sage Mode Hashirama!
"This is bad!!!" Madara realized that one misstep could lead to eternal regret.
Naruto stepped forward, placing his hand on Madara's chest and activating the Preta Path!
GURGLE GURGLE GURGLE!
Madara's chakra surged into Naruto's palm, converting into calories through Yang Release. Naruto's emaciated body began to recover.
With his chakra points sealed, even Madara's Edo Tensei body couldn't regenerate chakra.
CRACK! CRACK!
Cracks spread across Madara's body, signaling its imminent collapse.
But just as Madara was on the verge of shattering, Naruto released his grip.
Madara, both confused and enraged, demanded, "Why? If you drained all my chakra now, this Edo Tensei would end completely! Why didn't you finish me? Do you dare to look down on me?!"
Naruto retrieved the fallen Gunbai and slung it across his back, his expression inscrutable. "Is that how you see it?"
RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE!
The ground turned black as Black Zetsu emerged. "Madara-sama, we should retreat for now!"
"Hmph, you're just like Hashirama—naive to the core. When the time comes, don't regret this decision!"
Madara's Rinnegan remained fixed on Naruto as he sank into the shadows with Black Zetsu, disappearing without a trace.
The second clash between Naruto and Madara ended in a hard-fought victory for Naruto, bringing this chapter to a close.
Huff... Naruto exhaled deeply, exhaustion washing over him like a tide.
THUD! He collapsed forward, only to be caught in a soft, warm embrace.
"You've worked hard." A gentle voice whispered in his ear. It was...
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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PS:"Sorry for keeping everyone waiting. I took a few days off for myself, haha. Moving forward, updates will be stable. The new book will also be launched within three days. Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend."