Chapter 248: United in Purpose

Another one?

Taoshi stared at the suddenly appearing Ban, and his complexion turned exceedingly grim in an instant.

The guy who had been using Yin‑Yang Release to unleash Wood Release before had already become hard for him to handle.

Now another has arrived, and it seems to have already transcended the life tier, reaching the level of the Ōtsutsuki; how could this not make his scalp tingle?

He could naturally see that Ban, this 'Ōtsutsuki', was using the power of the Ten‑Tails, but so what?

As long as the leap in life level has been achieved, such an opponent is indeed hard to deal with!

No, we must summon Jinshi.

Taoshi was already inclined to compromise; if this continued, he didn't even know what he would become.

He must find a way to recover and a way to resolve the current predicament!

This guy, do you have any intel?

While Taoshi was feeling depressed, Ban also spoke softly, and he was especially excited at that moment.

Just now, after a round with Sasuke and Naruto, even though he was a "Heavy Punch Strike", in reality he truly couldn't give his all.

After all, he really worried about killing the opponent, which would make it hard for him to report back.

Now, facing this enemy—the most dangerous and greatest foe in the ninja world—he finally could unleash his freedom!

But as a ninja, he still kept a certain vigilance; even after hearing Yuzhi's extensive report on their situation, he still needed to verify.

"The intel isn't much, but this guy is extremely dangerous."

ZhuZhang replied softly right away; he was a bit weary but in a very good mood, as teaming up with Ban again had always been a dream come true.

"His speed is extremely fast, his strength formidable, and his regeneration very high, but…"

"Lacking combat will and combat experience?"

Before ZhuZhang could finish, Ban seemed to think of something and asked directly.

Yuzhi had mentioned these things, but he didn't expect to encounter such a guy again.

"Indeed there are some, but his tactics aren't as poor as imagined."

ZhuZhang wasn't surprised by Ban's reaction; he simply nodded,

"Moreover, even if his experience and tactics have issues, given his basic abilities, dealing with him is still difficult; we must set proper expectations."

"Hmph, that's because your strength is lacking; from now on you assist me!"

Ban heard ZhuZhang's words, but his nature destined him to make a boastful remark.

Nevertheless, he was still very serious, and at that moment he was especially excited—not only for meeting a strong enemy but also for teaming up with ZhuZhang!

"Go!"

Without a word, Ban surged forward, and ZhuZhang immediately provided support from behind.

Their speeds were extremely fast; in an instant they reached Taoshi's side, and Ban's tin staff swung out without hesitation!

"Damn!"

Taoshi muttered under his breath; Ban's force and intensity were truly incomparable to ZhuZhang's—previously ZhuZhang never dared to get close, resorting to Wood Release to harass and wear down.

But Ban was different; knowing ZhuZhang's strengths and his own situation, he chose a combat style centered on the One‑Body Technique!

Ding—

Taoshi reacted swiftly; his black staff blocked Ban's assault, but his Byakugan flashed, and his complexion changed.

"Divine Art: Wood Dragon!"

Behind Ban, ZhuZhang clasped his hands together, and a ferocious Wood Dragon rose from the ground, sweeping toward Taoshi.

Helpless, Taoshi instantly increased his force, crushing Ban outward, and at the same time his fist swept and shattered the newly emerged Wood Dragon with a single punch.

"Divine Art: Eternal Burial of the Tree Realm!"

Yet at the moment the Wood Dragon shattered, countless vines sprouted from its body, instantly entangling Taoshi.

"Shadow Release: Thunder Style!"

Ban knew Taoshi had little chance while trapped, so he hesitated not a moment and formed hand seals.

However, when that raging Lightning Release surged with violent arcs toward Taoshi, his eyes briefly lit up; he neither dodged nor flinched, and as he broke free of Wood Release, he raised his right hand!

A crimson Wheel of Reincarnation eye manifested in his palm, and after a strange energy ripple, Ban's Lightning Release vanished without a trace!

"This is…"

Ban and ZhuZhang's faces slightly changed; the Lightning Release was probably absorbed by this guy.

"What a marvelous chakra."

Taoshi's gaze turned somewhat fierce as he looked up at Ban and ZhuZhang; he seemed to have burning scorch marks on his body, after all Ban was using Yin‑Yang Release and divine arts.

Such power is something even Ōtsutsuki must be wary of, but he had been forced into a corner; even though he looked a bit disheveled now, he had already obtained what he wanted.

"Then let you taste your own power!"

Gao Huangchan Lingzun!

A burst of ferocious power instantly coalesced in his hand, forming a massive black sphere accompanied by vivid blue arcs!

"Is this… my chakra?"

Ban immediately sensed something was off, and ZhuZhang reacted extremely quickly, stepping forward with his hands clasped.

"Wood Release: Banpai Technique!"

A gigantic Wood Release ghost face rose from the ground, instantly enveloping both of them, and at that moment the massive black sphere with huge electric arcs surged forward!

Boom—

At that instant, space itself seemed warped, and the powerful energy, accompanied by a violent roar, blasted the earth in an instant!

This roar was in no way inferior to the technique Yuzhi was unleashing in the sky, and that ferocious power even caused the ground to continuously collapse!

Although ZhuZhang's Wood Release was strong, it clearly could no longer withstand the impact; the ghost‑face mask gradually cracked and then collapsed outright.

Beneath the Wood Release, several Truth-Seeking Balls formed a new defense, with ZhuZhang and Madara hiding behind the Truth-Seeking Balls.

Absorption technique, counterattacking with several times the force?

Madara's complexion looked somewhat grim; he had already guessed Momoshiki's ability.

My Wood Release should be in solid form, which he cannot absorb, so.

ZhuZhang also realized this; he seemed to somewhat understand why that Momoshiki only used some basic Rinnegan abilities.

Feelings, it was unconsciously restraining him, plus his own combat ability was just that, which forced him into such a sorry state.

Huh?

Just then, their eyes narrowed, and in the next moment the defense formed by the Truth-Seeking Balls instantly dispersed, while they also saw a red figure appear not far away.

Another one?

Madara and ZhuZhang had no time to worry about their current condition, seeing another Otsutsuki appear, their gazes became somewhat vacant.

One was already troublesome; even if they had confidence to handle another, it would ultimately become very troublesome.

However, what they didn't expect was that the big guy who had just approached walked straight up to Momoshiki Otsutsuki and then knelt on one knee.

"Momoshiki-sama, take my power, without any hesitation."

"Do I even need to say it?" Momoshiki's face was full of madness: "Your power is originally mine!"

Without any hesitation or mercy, Momoshiki immediately attacked!

The Rinnegan light in his palm flashed brightly, then after a moment the light faded.

Ah!

Accompanied by a anguished cry, Kinshiki's massive body suddenly vanished, and in Momoshiki's hand appeared a fruit resembling a peach.

This this is

Madara and ZhuZhang were all dumbfounded, what the hell is this?

Meanwhile, Momoshiki didn't care at all, he quickly ate the 'peach' in two or three bites, which really left Madara and ZhuZhang stunned.

This guy, he actually ate his own companion (guardian)?

And it seems what he swallowed wasn't really his guardian at all, but just food!

As he quickly finished eating the 'peach', an unimaginable surge of chakra burst from within him.

Thud!

The sound of the heartbeat rang out clearly, accompanied by the heartbeat growing stronger, Momoshiki Otsutsuki's body began to undergo astonishing changes.

The unique Yin-Yang Release chakra became increasingly vigorous, his body continuously began to swell.

The muscles in his arms bulged with veins, his forehead suddenly split open, and a purple Rinnegan appeared within.

As if feeling his own power constantly surging, Momoshiki Otsutsuki threw his head back and laughed like a monster, then his gaze fixed on the dazed Madara and ZhuZhang.

"Now, this is just the beginning!"

——

"Ninja Art: Mist Hidden Technique!"

A large number of ninjas simultaneously used secret techniques, vast amounts of mist spread out, obscuring the Ten-Tails' field of vision, while other ninjas also almost at the same moment quickly formed seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

"Lightning Release."

The Ten-Tails' roar shook the heavens; under Shikamaru Nara's long-range command, the ninjas of the major ninja villages continuously coordinated ninjutsu, actually managing to temporarily suppress the Ten-Tails.

Shikamaru Nara had long since arrived at the battlefield, rather than staying in Leaf Village.

After all, the situation now differs greatly from the original; the front lines are simply too long, with headquarters currently inside Leaf Village, forcing him to come over.

However, his arrival indeed made the battle command clearer, and also allowed the tens of thousands of ninjas to know better what they should do!

Boom——

Boom——

Boom——

After a barrage of ninjutsu strikes, the Ten-Tails let out a roar all day, but upon close inspection its body had not a single injury.

After all, it's the Ten-Tails; its strength cannot be wounded by ordinary ninjutsu!

However, the ninjas' target is obviously not that; their task is simply to control the Ten-Tails!

Under the bombardment of tens of thousands of ninjas, the earth suddenly sank, burying the Ten-Tails underground without anyone noticing.

"Wow, that's amazing."

Naruto and Sasuke both watched this from afar, Naruto couldn't help but shout loudly.

"This is the power of everyone joining forces!"

"Idiot."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, but he only muttered a sentence softly, without further comment.

He saw clearly that, although the ninjas were fighting fiercely, in fact they had not actually caused any trouble for the Ten-Tails.

Perhaps, because no one was commanding it, the Ten-Tails seemed somewhat dazed, which also caused it to stay in place and keep taking hits.

But to think that this could defeat the Ten-Tails would be somewhat wishful thinking.

"Are you okay, Neji?"

Turning his head, Sasuke looked toward Neji, who was still not quite back to his senses behind him, and asked in a low voice.

"What's wrong with you, did you also encounter an old man?"

"Hmm"

Neji pursed his lips, and in the end he still nodded.

"One could say he's an interesting and amusing senior."

Sasuke doesn't exactly respect the Sage of Six Paths, damn it; after all, to Sasuke, Yuzhi is the only sun, and the Sage of Six Paths has to step aside.

Neji, however, was a bit better, especially when he learned that the old man he saw was the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, an ancestor of the Hyuga clan, after which he had no choice but to be truthful.

"Interesting?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, after sizing up Neji he suddenly asked with a chuckle.

"Did he also give you some power, and at the same time tell you something—are you his son's reincarnation?"

Sasuke couldn't help but think in that direction, after all he discovered that the little guys his father paid attention to all seemed to be "possessing supreme skills."

He himself wouldn't say it, but he and that guy Madara Uchiha are both reincarnations of Indra, while Naruto is a reincarnation of Asura.

As for this guy Neji, valued by his own father, it's hard to say whether he might be someone else's reincarnation.

"No, don't misunderstand, I don't have anything like that."

Neji smiled, feeling the energy contained in his eyes, he shook his head and said.

"I'm only because my teacher helped activate my bloodline, giving me the ability to grow further, which is why Senior Hamura took notice of me—that's all."

"Alright, let's not talk about that; we have more important things to do, right?"

As he spoke, his gaze turned to the distance; at this moment the Ten-Tails had already been mixed with earth and water release and trapped underground.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Countless ninjas formed seals again, and a surging blaze instantly rushed toward the Ten-Tails.

The flames fell, evaporating the moisture in the boiling lime, and in a short moment solidified, immobilizing the massive Ten-Tails, making it difficult to move.

Such seamless cooperation also left them all feeling somewhat moved.

Such cooperation was previously unimaginable.

Because in the past such an attack would only fall on their own heads; there was no such thing as cooperation!

"Naruto, get ready."

Sasuke also watched all this, the Ten-Tails seemed suppressed, but he knew it could never truly be controlled!

"Grr—"

As expected, accompanied by a roar from the Ten-Tails, its power erupted wildly.

The solidified rock shattered instantly, and in the next instant the Ten-Tails suddenly leapt from underground, landing again and causing tremors.

"Damn."

Seeing this, the allied ninja forces' faces all turned grim.

Tens of thousands joined forces, yet the Ten-Tails easily dispelled them?

The Ten-Tails raised its head and howled, seemingly enraged by the attack launched by the countless ants before it.

He raised his head, and in an instant a chakra storm spread outward; the pure destructive chakra gathered, and heaven and earth instantly changed color.

"Is this... a Tailed Beast Ball?"

Dark clouds pressed down, an apocalyptic scene appeared before everyone's eyes; the pitch-black, deep chakra sphere that kept condensing rapidly expanded.

That terrifying power already stirred up raging winds all around!

Seeing this, all the ninjas' faces turned pale, yet they continued to construct defenses according to orders.

"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"

Earth walls rose up one after another, blocking their front, and at that moment a terrifying roar sounded, and a Tailed Beast Ball the size of a small hill shot out instantly!

However, at the instant the black Tailed Beast Ball made contact, the walls completely collapsed, unable to withstand even a second.

The same went for the remaining earth walls—walls rose up only to collapse instantly, and the Tailed Beast Ball swept across with devastating force.

"Oh no."

Watching the scene before them, all the ninjas' faces grew deathly pale, yet just as the attack was about to break through all defenses and strike the crowd,

"Hum—"

Accompanied by a chakra fluctuation, that massive Tailed Beast Ball vanished without a trace in an instant!

"This is"

Countless ninjas stared blankly at the scene, their minds seemingly unable to fully process it.

However, the next moment, a tremendous roar came from afar.

A violent explosion accompanied by an extreme roar, and the shockwave visible even from far away came crashing down!

The entire earth cracked open, and in the aftermath countless ninjas struggled to resist.

Even at such a distance, the aftershocks were still strong, showing just how vast the explosion's scale and power were—one could imagine what the scene far away must look like!

"It's... Assistant Commander!"

"That's right, it must be the Fourth Hokage; back then he used a similar technique!"

"We're saved."

How many people at this moment felt a sense of having survived a disaster, only now noticing that their backs were completely soaked!

Faced with such a terrifying Tailed Beast Ball, they couldn't help but feel afraid, but for the sake of their homeland they had to fight with all their might regardless.

"Dad is really awesome!"

Naruto also knew it was his father's doing, he was especially excited, but his perception remained outward, constantly sensing his father's condition.

After confirming there was no serious problem, he also let out a sigh of relief.

"Naruto, Neji, let's get ready to go."

Upon hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke immediately confirmed that the Fourth Hokage had no issues.

If there really were a problem, Naruto couldn't possibly still be standing here foolishly.

Looking at the distant Ten-Tails, Sasuke's chakra surged, purple chakra quickly covered his body, and a chakra giant began to rapidly coalesce.

Bones, muscles, and armor appeared one by one, violent power continually spreading; when everything solidified, Sasuke was already standing in the crystal vat atop Susanoo's head.

Tch

Susanoo's appearance made the entire ninja force cheer; Naruto, seeing this, couldn't help but press his lips, then he leapt up and jumped directly onto Susanoo's body.

What a conspicuous guy.

When Susanoo brought Naruto into the crystal vat, Naruto pressed his lips at Sasuke, but soon he laughed.

Forget it; taking care of this guy is most important—I, the great one, will cooperate with you properly this time!

Boring guy.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, then spoke.

Come on, let me see what you've gotten.

It definitely won't be worse than yours!

As they spoke, Naruto's instantaneous surge entered this huge Susanoo, and Susanoo changed at that moment!

It no longer displayed the effect of the 'Tailed Beast Difficulty,' but Susanoo's body now bore rune-like magatama.

Nature's Power and Yin-Yang Release combined, instantly making Susanoo grow enormously!

Feeling his own power surge, he also glanced at Neji, who floated up with green light shimmering on his body, flying beside them; Sasuke smiled at Naruto beside him.

Don't screw up, Naruto, Neji—are you ready? We're starting!

Good!

Naruto gave Sasuke a contemptuous look, while Neji laughed loudly.

In the next instant, the three of them rushed toward the Ten-Tails——

Is this so-called bloodline net, this so-called Otsutsuki?

On the other side of the battlefield, Madara and ZhuZhang stood together, with a huge wooden statue beneath their feet.

The wooden statue was cloaked in blue Susanoo, terrifying power continually emanating from them.

Opposite them was a huge, ferocious-looking monster!

The current Momoshiki looked utterly inhuman, that terrifying aura continually spreading over his body.

Merely, Madara and ZhuZhang's faces were very strange; Madara this guy fully exhibited the Uchiha Clan's traits, openly mocking.

You guy, you're only relying on the power brought by your bloodline advantage, letting you run rampant.

But your combat ability is so weak I can hardly imagine; a guy like you couldn't possibly survive to now in the ninja world!

Damn it.

Momoshiki cursed angrily, and in the next instant he shot out, his massive body roaring forth with extreme power.

Yet no matter how fast his attack, it still missed; the wood dragon imbued with Susanoo's power nimbly dodged his strike, while at the same time the wooden statue's huge fist already blasted out.

Boom—

The tremendous boom echoed across Momoshiki's lava-monster-like body, momentarily making him unsteady on his feet, while Madara's voice rang out again.

You have no idea what we've been through, you idiot will never reach our heights!

As they spoke, the wooden statue and Susanoo struck again; that immense power seemed to distort space, and at that distance, Momoshiki's lava-like body cracked!

Shut up!

Momoshiki felt the pain, but he immediately launched another counterattack; sadly, his attack was truly too slow in Madara and ZhuZhang's eyes.

Madara and ZhuZhang's combination is truly a perfect match; even if their powers differ somewhat in strength, they are remarkably compatible.

The wooden statue merely twitched again, and Momoshiki's attack missed once more, while Madara's voice rang out again.

For a thousand years, our battles have never ceased; our will has long been condensed, we can skillfully wield all our power, we have grown step by step in the fires of war.

And you lot are merely a bunch of worms relying on bloodline; you don't even understand your own power, you're truly no different from trash!

Madara's mouth is truly not ordinary poison; perhaps this is the Uchiha Clan.

Momoshiki was indeed somewhat affected by Madara's words, and he couldn't help wondering: Am I really that weak?

Isshiki had told him not to underestimate the people of this world, and he had indeed taken those words to heart.

But his caution only applied to someone like Yuzhi, who had already crossed the life-death boundary, achieving the bloodline net incarnation as an Ōtsutsuki.

He paid no attention to anyone else, yet it was precisely those he ignored who dealt him a heavy blow!

In a one-on-one fight, he had a headache even before consuming Kinshiki.

It wasn't that he couldn't win; he simply couldn't land a hit, as his opponent ran incredibly fast and used Wood Release imbued with Nature's Power and Yin-Yang Release to counter him.

But when facing two opponents, he knew he couldn't afford any luck, so he consumed Kinshiki.

Yet even after doing so, he found no improvement at all; in fact, the situation kept deteriorating.

Those two were practically a single entity; their powers were so compatible, their coordination so seamless, offense and defense unified, leaving him virtually no chance.

How could this be. Why is this like this?

Momoshiki was beaten up badly, but the him hidden inside the lava monster's body underwent no major change.

But his mindset had already begun to collapse; sensing the continual violent booms from his body, he finally let out a roar.

You all deserve to die!

In his roar, Momoshiki's lava body swelled again; heedless, he grabbed the wooden statue's body, and in an instant he forcibly absorbed its chakra!

Cornered like a dog?

Madara and ZhuZhang were somewhat startled; after fighting so long, they naturally understood why Momoshiki dared not lightly absorb Wood Release's chakra.

The reason is simple: Nature's Power and Yin-Yang Release—even an Ōtsutsuki cannot withstand them.

But this guy's actions undoubtedly aren't proving anything; he has clearly gone mad!

You all deserve to die!

Taoshi let out a roar, his body also undergoing frantic transformation, but at this point his breath had become unstable.

It's obvious, his such frantic actions still affected him, but he really no longer cares about that now!

Hum—

The lava monster incarnation Taoshi raised his neck, a black chakra sphere suddenly condensed beside his mouth.

Violent chakra erupted wildly at this moment, he had already released his maximum power!

"Really putting your life on the line, then"

Ban did not choose to attack at this moment, but turned his head to look at ZhuZhang, this look instantly let ZhuZhang know what he was thinking.

"Is it, too risky?"

"Why not try it, are you really willing?"

"Really a lunatic."

ZhuZhang helplessly looked at Ban, but soon he nodded, although he said that with his mouth, his eyes also revealed an eager urge to try.

The next moment, ZhuZhang clasped his hands together, and the violent chakra poured forth.

"Come on, Sage Art: Wood Release: True Thousand Hands!"

The ground suddenly rang with a violent roar, this roar echoed alongside the sounds from elsewhere.

In an instant, the wooden warriors beneath their feet shattered, a thousand-meter-tall giant Avalokitesvara with countless massive arms burst forth from the earth!

"Well, it's my turn, heh!"

Ban's power also roared at this moment, Susanoo's chakra completely covered that Avalokitesvara.

He actually had wanted to do this for a long time; after seeing Yuzhi use such a technique, he had always had this idea, but he had been restraining himself.

He didn't want to use such a technique alone; he wanted to use it together with ZhuZhang!

The True Thousand Hands form kept expanding under Ban's chakra infusion, the thousand-meter height seemed no longer the limit.

"These two, are they crazy?"

In the distance, Senju Clan's Tobirama watched this scene and couldn't help swallowing his saliva, but soon he shook his head.

Jinshi suddenly fled, allowing him to finally relieve all pressure, which also made him realize he probably shouldn't stay on this battlefield any longer.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, the power about to erupt next is absolutely beyond what he can withstand.

"Die!"

Just as he was pondering, Taoshi suddenly launched an attack, that black sphere tore through the air and heavily headed toward the True Thousand Hands.

"Well."

ZhuZhang looked at Ban, and Ban smiled and nodded, letting ZhuZhang know what to do.

"In that case, Sage Art: Summit Buddha!"

Boom—

The piercing roar sounded again, at this moment the sky appeared with an extreme white light, the entire space trembling wildly.

Indescribable destructive power instantly became bewildering, in that silent roar, everything seemed to turn to dust.

Especially Taoshi's lava body, amidst such infinite power, slowly began to disintegrate.

Under the successive impacts of the Summit Buddha, his life force also changed, even slowly beginning to dissipate.