Obito, unfamiliar with his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, failed to properly execute Kamui to sever Ye Zi's right arm holding the blade.
Normally, with Ye Zi unaware of the incoming threat, the speed of Kamui distorting objects into a different dimension would have been enough to injure him before he could react. However, thanks to Sage Mode, Ye Zi managed to evade in time.
"Hm?"
Amid his embarrassment, Obito suddenly felt a swelling pain in his eye, as if needles were relentlessly stabbing into his pupil. The discomfort was intense.
"The side effects of using the Mangekyō Sharingan?" Obito realized this as the pain intensified.
Having just awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and immediately using two ocular techniques, the backlash manifested quickly.
Left with no choice, Obito blinked, and his Mangekyō Sharingan reverted to the standard three-tomoe Sharingan.
Ye Zi noticed the change and thought to himself: So it's not an Eternal Mangekyō. The strain on the eyes and body must be considerable, especially after awakening the ability and using it so recklessly. He couldn't maintain the Mangekyō Sharingan form.
The spatial distortion in the area had also been observed by Kushina and Shisui. While they trusted Obito, his failure made the situation awkward. Even so, they recognized the destructive potential of Kamui as a versatile and powerful offensive technique.
If Obito could seize the right opportunity next time, it might become the decisive factor in this battle.
Kushina and Shisui both pulled back to widen the distance between themselves and Ye Zi.
"Obito, we'll create another opening for you. Make sure you take advantage of it this time," Kushina said without turning back.
"Huh?" Obito froze, startled.
Shisui added, "That technique of yours might be the key to victory."
"Huh?" Obito's mouth twitched awkwardly. He replied hesitantly, "Well… the thing is…"
"What's wrong?" Kushina and Shisui were still focused on Ye Zi and didn't turn around. However, they noticed something unusual in Obito's tone.
"I… probably can't use Kamui again for now," Obito admitted awkwardly, naming his Mangekyō ability.
"…" – Kushina.
"…" – Shisui.
Kushina sighed. This idiot… even as an adult, he's still prone to dropping the ball. She said firmly, "You both need to leave for now."
Her resolve had changed. She no longer wanted Obito and Shisui to risk themselves in this dangerous fight. She intended to hold Ye Zi off alone. After all, this was Konoha, and reinforcements would arrive if she could stall long enough.
"I'm not leaving," Shisui said with determination.
Konoha was in danger, and as one of its ninjas, there was no way he could flee from a battle.
"Even though I know you mean well, it seems you're underestimating me," Shisui said as the flames on his blade dissipated. He sheathed his sword, and a resolute gleam shone in his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Hm?" Kushina was about to speak when she suddenly sensed a shift in Shisui's chakra.
Not only Kushina, but Ye Zi also noticed the distinct change in Shisui's chakra.
In the next moment, a surge of green chakra erupted from Shisui, forming the upper half of a massive humanoid skeleton. The figure wielded a spiraling sword, its entire form radiating with green chakra.
"What is this?" Kushina's face was filled with astonishment. She didn't know what this technique was, but it was clearly linked to the Mangekyō Sharingan.
It seemed that today, the Uchiha clan's eyes were revealing more abilities than she ever imagined.
"This is Susanoo. It's the most powerful technique I've mastered so far," Shisui said.
Seeing Shisui's Susanoo, Kushina set aside her intention of sending him and Obito away. Obito, meanwhile, stared blankly at the enormous green skeleton, his thoughts frozen. This… is so cool!
Even as Shisui unleashed Susanoo, Ye Zi's expression remained indifferent. He had yet to receive any signal from his wood clone, and waiting any longer was beginning to frustrate him. He contemplated abandoning the fight with Kushina and the others to head to the hospital and check the situation himself.
The downside of this plan was the constant attacks he would have to endure from Konoha's ninjas while searching without focus.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Shisui, controlling Susanoo, launched an attack. He charged at Ye Zi, and as the distance closed, he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear directly in front of him.
The spiraling blade spun rapidly, thrusting toward Ye Zi.
Ye Zi leaped forward to evade the downward slash of the spiraling sword, simultaneously closing in on Shisui's position. The black lightning-infused blade, Chijin, stabbed straight toward Shisui.
Faced with Ye Zi's attack, Shisui's expression remained calm.
Clang!
The tip of Ye Zi's blade was blocked by the outer layer of Susanoo, but it still had some effect. Cracks spread outward from the point of impact, forming several fine fissures on Susanoo's surface.
Seeing these cracks, Shisui was slightly surprised but didn't let it disrupt his counterattack.
Confident that Ye Zi's strike wouldn't penetrate Susanoo's defenses, Shisui had already prepared his response the moment the blade came toward him.
The ribcage structure of Susanoo's chest suddenly opened to the sides, revealing a red magatama glowing ominously.
Susanoo: Magatama Barrage.
The red magatama rapidly fired countless green chakra arrows, all aimed at the nearby Ye Zi.
The black lightning surging around Ye Zi's body condensed into a massive hand, intercepting the barrage of chakra arrows. Taking advantage of the momentary respite, Ye Zi withdrew his blade and retreated, dodging the majority of the projectiles.
Shisui pressed the attack, pursuing Ye Zi relentlessly, while Kushina created dozens of shadow clones again. Instead of coordinating with Shisui, she attempted to form a circular encirclement to trap Ye Zi.
Without Kamui, Obito could only stand awkwardly on the sidelines, watching as Shisui and Kushina launched wave after wave of attacks at Ye Zi without being able to contribute.
"What should I do now? No, what can I do?" Obito wondered. When he had first joined the battle, he thought he looked pretty cool, but now he just felt awkward.
Even with the Mangekyō Sharingan, beyond Kamui, he had no effective way to harm Ye Zi. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique to approach Ye Zi was possible, but he lacked an effective follow-up attack. Trying to drag Ye Zi into the distorted space of Kamui would require physical contact, but the layer of black lightning surrounding Ye Zi made getting close an extremely dangerous proposition.
Obito's presence in the battle… was slowly fading.
Kushina's shadow clones moved to encircle Ye Zi, coordinating their attacks with Shisui.
Her most powerful offensive technique was the Tailed Beast Bomb, but it required time to charge. Against someone as fast as Ye Zi, it would be impossible to land the attack unless someone restrained him. Other than that, she relied on her golden chains, and with enough shadow clones, she could theoretically immobilize Ye Zi.
However, despite the increased number of golden chains through her shadow clones, they still couldn't hit Ye Zi, let alone bind him.
Ye Zi deftly dealt with Shisui's Susanoo, dodging its thrusting spiral sword while simultaneously cutting through the golden chains and destroying Kushina's shadow clones. He showed no signs of strain.
The battle continued in this manner for some time until, suddenly, a tree began to grow rapidly in the direction of the hospital.
Upon seeing the tree, Ye Zi's eyes lit up slightly.
"It's time…"
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