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One could lack a strong man's power, but not a strong man's heart.
To dare dance before him, Uchiha Madara, to prove one's Shinobi way, even in death, Uchiha Madara would consider him a true Shinobi.
If Gojo Kaigetsu had not only reacted but also chosen to counterattack, to fight for a sliver of hope—then, Uchiha Madara would have granted him the utmost respect!
Gojo Kaigetsu had completely abandoned defense, intending to trade blows, to engage in a full-throated ninjutsu duel with the Perfect Susanoo.
This scene—reminded Madara of his childhood fights with Hashirama.
One turn each, one punch each, only to the chest. See who falls first. A young, arrogant Madara had accepted Hashirama's challenge...
The outcome, naturally, was Madara, beaten black and blue, unable to rise, while Hashirama sat beside him, picking his feet, unfazed. Perhaps if the rules had been—one glare each, the outcome might have been different.
As one grew older, one always yearned for the past...
———
"Hashirama... I think I've found your replacement. A fellow who has inherited your will!"
"Hahahahaha!" Uchiha Madara laughed wildly. "Want to see who falls first? Then let's try it!"
Uchiha Madara didn't believe he would lose.
The absolute power contained within the Susanoo—even if he stood still, completely defenseless, letting these—commoners of the Shinobi World attack with all their might, they would struggle to pierce the Tengu armor, to cause any damage.
And this white, muscular monster...
What right did it have to compare its durability with Susanoo?
Summoning a "beast" capable of facing the Demonic Statue was already a burden for an average Shinobi. Once his Susanoo's slash killed the beast, Gojo Kaigetsu would be near death.
"Gojo Kaigetsu, you truly are the best!"
Uchiha Madara raised his right fist. The moment the slashes reached each other, he clenched it. "Slash!"
"Pfft—"
Uchiha Madara's arrogant smile froze. Blood trickled uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth. His Rinnegan eyes were filled with astonishment. He looked down, and saw a thin, red line across his waist...
He, Uchiha Madara, had been bisected??
Though the wound was shallow, far from fatal, and was already healing at a visible rate thanks to his Sage Body...
But...
Gojo Kaigetsu's slash—had indeed pierced the Susanoo's defense, reaching his true body.
How??
Before Madara could react, after the initial slash across his waist, an endless barrage of "Cleaves" and "Dismantles" slammed into the Susanoo's surface.
The terrifying impact of the slashes, like a spiked silicone dildo, brutally slammed into the Susanoo's—Shinobi way.
As anyone who's played with a spiked dildo knows, such a sudden impact, without proper lubrication, can easily cause bleeding and injury.
And, the waist would uncontrollably rise, the body instinctively recoiling.
Finally, one might even have to visit a proctologist and explain, "I thought it would be fun to try, I didn't expect this to happen."
Though crudely put, this was essentially the Susanoo's current state.
Fine cracks appeared on the Tengu armor's surface. The massive body stumbled back several steps uncontrollably.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The God-like Susanoo, in the process of being slashed and conflicted, stumbled, its heel catching on a small mountain peak. It lost its balance and fell heavily to the ground, creating an earth-shattering roar!
And Mahoraga's movements—completely froze in that moment.
Along with the Wood Golem behind it, it was sliced into four pieces, falling to the ground with a thump.
———
What a thrilling battle!
Uchiha Madara's smile widened. The bisection had brought a long-forgotten pain, reminiscent of his battles with Hashirama.
Only by being injured—could it truly be called a battle. Otherwise, it was just a one-sided slaughter.
Gojo Kaigetsu had wounded him. For that alone, he deserved acknowledgment. The moment he fell, the Susanoo braced itself, slowly rising from the ground.
"To achieve this, Gojo Kaigetsu—I, Madara, acknowledge you as the strongest after Hashirama!"
"However, even your summoned beast has been slain. This is where it ends~" Madara's gaze shifted to the distance, his expression one of astonishment.
He'd expected to see Gojo Kaigetsu kneeling, coughing up blood. Instead, the fragmented remains of Mahoraga transformed into a thick white smoke, surging towards Gojo Kaigetsu, who hovered in the sky.
Thump, thump...
Uchiha Madara could almost hear—a strong, steady heartbeat.
Then, a silvery-white chakra cloak enveloped Gojo Kaigetsu. A six-spoked wheel appeared on his head, the Sword of Extermination in his hand...
Mahoraga Chakra Mode!
It was common knowledge that only when a Jinchuriki and their Tailed Beast reached a true understanding, their chakras completely merging, could they achieve their strongest form.
Just as Gojo Kaigetsu had experienced, the moment Mahoraga was slain by Madara, its immense chakra and properties had surged into Gojo Kaigetsu.
And Mahoraga itself—hadn't truly died. It had merely retreated into Gojo Kaigetsu's body, awaiting its respawn cooldown.
Gojo Kaigetsu, standing before the phantom of the Malevolent Shrine, spread his arms, his voice laced with amusement as he addressed Uchiha Madara. "Surprised, Madara? The real battle—has just begun. If this is all you can muster, you'll be killed by me."
Madara completely shed his previous contempt, now considering Gojo Kaigetsu an opponent who required his full attention to defeat.
No... perhaps it's unnecessary to kill him. The goal has always been singular. A character like Gojo Kaigetsu—can be dealt with later.
Madara flexed his wrists, limbering up.
This time, his tone was no longer arrogant, but grave. "I underestimated you—From now on, I will truly consider you an opponent, and then—kill you."
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
He clapped his hands, and whatever he willed, appeared.
Uchiha Madara, using his own chakra as a life source, formed the "Serpent" hand seal.
In the next instant, a terrifying sea of trees erupted within the Uzushiogakure ruins. Everything within the forest—was under Madara's control. Vines, like a tidal wave, surged towards Gojo Kaigetsu, sealing off all his escape routes.
Wood Release—was the ultimate counter to Shinobi in Tailed Beast Chakra Mode.
A single touch would drain their chakra. And the Wood Release's defensive properties—were enough to drive ordinary Shinobi to despair.
Susanoo was the sharpest spear; Wood Release, the hardest shield. To possess both—was to be invincible.
Facing the surging vines, Gojo Kaigetsu didn't flinch, didn't evade. He drew his hands back, as if drawing a bow.
A phoenix, its wings spread, ready to take flight, materialized in his hands.
The Will of Fire it embodied, the ultimate expression of Fire Release, seemed to illuminate the dim sky.
"Open-Fuga!"
The phoenix soared!
It shot straight towards the densest part of the forest, the heart of the Deep Forest Emergence.
BOOM—
The Will of Fire erupted!
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