CHAPTER 58

No one expected that a relatively unknown shinobi could resist the illusion cast by Uchiha Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

But of course, this was far from over.

Madara merely raised an eyebrow at Mizuki Ryosuke's ability to break free from his genjutsu. However, as the legendary "Shura of the Ninja World," he had faced countless warriors and adversaries—this was nothing new to him.

"Not bad… but foolish."

Before Madara could make a move, Black Zetsu took the initiative.

The pitcher plant-like body that usually enveloped White Zetsu unfurled, and the black mass quickly overrode its counterpart, taking full control.

Seeing that it was Black Zetsu who made the first move instead of Madara himself, a flash of understanding appeared in Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes.

"Madara is observing me. He doesn't see me as a threat… yet."

"Wood Style: Insertion Technique!"

A cruel glint flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes.

Instantly, the ground beneath Mizuki Ryosuke cracked open as countless sharp wooden spikes erupted from below, aiming to skewer him alive.

Many underestimate Zetsu's combat abilities due to its more covert and tactical role. However, the Spore Technique, which White Zetsu used to infiltrate and overwhelm even the Five Kage, and Black Zetsu's hidden Wood Style abilities, prove otherwise.

Wood Style, originally wielded by Senju Hashirama, is an immensely powerful kekkei genkai, allowing its users to suppress Tailed Beasts and overwhelm entire battlefields. Its sheer dominance made it feared, even among the strongest shinobi.

Even though Black Zetsu's Wood Style was far weaker than the First Hokage's, it remained a formidable force, especially for those who were unprepared.

Mizuki Ryosuke had long anticipated an attack.

"No conventional ninjutsu can counteract Wood Style effectively."

Whether it be Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, or Lightning Release, all were inherently weaker against Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, which combined Water and Earth in an unnatural way.

Moreover, the Insertion Technique wasn't just meant to pierce—it multiplied upon impact, making it nearly impossible to escape once caught.

Thus, Mizuki Ryosuke wasted no time.

With one hand, he rapidly formed a seal, slamming his palm onto the ground.

A massive surge of cold mist spread across the battlefield.

"Ice Style: Ice Formation Wall!"

A thick sheet of supercooled ice erupted at his feet, forming a translucent barrier.

The deadly wooden spikes smashed into the ice, but instead of penetrating, their tips froze solid, turning into brittle shards of wood.

"Hmph! Clever little rat!"

Black Zetsu snarled and increased the output of its Wood Style: Insertion Technique, causing more spikes to break through the ground with greater force.

The Ice Wall trembled under the pressure, already on the verge of collapse.

But Mizuki Ryosuke had no intention of reinforcing his defenses.

He was already preparing his counterattack.

During the Chūnin Exams, he had already displayed his ability to weave the forty-four seals required for a Water Dragon Bullet Technique in just three seconds—a feat that had stunned even elite Jōnin.

But that was only a fraction of his true skill.

Even though he wasn't on Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju's level yet—who could invoke devastating ninjutsu with a single hand seal—his mastery over seals had reached inconceivable levels.

As Black Zetsu focused on overpowering the ice barrier, Mizuki Ryosuke's one-handed seals blurred at a terrifying speed.

Watching from a distance, Madara's Sharingan immediately narrowed.

His battle-honed instincts kicked in, instantly assessing the sheer amount of chakra being gathered.

"Run."

A single, cold command left Madara's lips.

Black Zetsu, still locked in battle, froze in confusion.

"Run? Me?"

Just as it was about to mock Madara's unusual remark, it realized too late what was happening.

"You're too late!"

Mizuki Ryosuke's ultimate technique was ready.

A bone-chilling aura erupted from his body.

"Ice Style Secret Technique: Mokobotmo!"

A wave of absolute zero coldness surged forth.

The sheer temperature drop was so extreme that even the air itself froze, and the surrounding moisture turned to solid ice instantly.

Time itself seemed to halt.

Everything—space, motion, even the very laws of physics—was being devoured by the creeping frost.

This was no ordinary Ice Release Technique.

This was the pinnacle of what Ice Release could achieve—an artificial Absolute Zero attack.

Naruto and Kakashi had previously demonstrated that the nature transformation of Wind Release was cutting, and Lightning Release was piercing.

Mizuki Ryosuke had spent countless days and nights researching Ice Release's true nature.

And now, he had his answer—cold itself was the true power of Ice Style.

The lower the temperature, the denser and harder the ice became, surpassing all known materials.

By achieving this level of cold, even space-time itself would freeze.

Black Zetsu could only watch in horror as his body was encased in translucent ice, his smug grin frozen in place.

"Wood Style: Hotei Technique!"

At the last moment, a massive wooden statue resembling a grinning demon face appeared in front of Black Zetsu.

Madara had intervened.

Mizuki Ryosuke's ultimate attack clashed with Hashirama's legendary wooden defense—a technique once used in the Valley of the End battle to withstand Kurama's Bijūdama.

Yet, even this legendary defensive jutsu wasn't unscathed.

A thick layer of ice rapidly spread across the wooden shield, freezing even the legendary Hotei face and turning it into a frozen relic.

Black Zetsu, trapped behind the frozen shield, was encased in solid ice.

For a brief moment, the entire underground chamber fell silent.

Then—

Crack!

The frozen shield shattered into dust, and with it—

Black Zetsu's body crumbled into thousands of ice shards.

Yet, just as Mizuki Ryosuke was about to celebrate—

A dark mass of ink-like energy shot toward Madara, wrapping around his arm.

Although Black Zetsu's body had been destroyed, his true essence—the formless manifestation of Kaguya's will—remained intact.

Madara glanced at his now blackened arm, his Sharingan flickering with amusement and intrigue.

"Interesting… quite an interesting technique indeed."

Mizuki Ryosuke exhaled slightly, his breath turning to mist in the frigid air.

"Almost."

If he had just one more shot of Mokobotmo, he could have erased Black Zetsu completely.

But he wasn't given that chance.

Uchiha Madara slowly stood up from his wooden throne.

The mere act of rising caused a suffocating pressure to descend upon the room.

"Tell me your name, boy."

His Sharingan glowed ominously, filled with newfound interest and amusement.

"…Mizuki Ryosuke, a nobody from Kirigakure."

For the first time in years—

Madara Uchiha laughed.

"Hah… a nobody, you say?"

His eyes gleamed, his battle aura rising like a towering inferno.

"If nobodies like you exist, then the world must be far more interesting than I thought."

This was the presence of the true Ninja Shura—Uchiha Madara!

JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 40+ CHAPTERS

patreon.com/Kora_1