The deployment of many small reinforcement nails significantly slowed down the speed of the shinobi world's collapse, but it could not stop the Hegemon of Terror from continuously transmitting power into the shinobi world through the space barrier.
Actually, with the shattering of the defensive barrier, the Hegemon of Terror's power seeped into the shinobi world continuously, causing more and more shinobi to have their hearts eroded by the Hegemon of Terror, becoming puppet weapons controlled by the Hegemon of Terror.
These puppets controlled by the Hegemon of Terror were attacking every reinforcement nail, attempting to destroy the final resistance of the shinobi world!
...
Core Node.
Bathing in the dark purple smoke, Otsutsuki Shibai's power was increasing every moment.
To be sure, the massive God Tree behind Shinji was covered with various living beings of the shinobi world, and there was still a continuous stream of chakra being transmitted to Shinji. However, the balance of power between the two sides had long since tilted, and Otsutsuki Shibai's aura had completely overwhelmed Shinji's.
Otsutsuki Shibai closed his eyes and spread his arms, seemingly feeling the surging power within himself, as he spoke: "To be honest, I somewhat admire your... stubbornness! But it doesn't matter. Many worlds have one or two fellows who consider themselves 'heroes' and persist until the end, but that changes nothing!"
Shinji's brow furrowed tightly: "Who are you?"
Otsutsuki Shibai shrugged his shoulders: "I am Otsutsuki Shibai, of course!"
Shinji, however, already had an answer in his heart.
Clearly, while obtaining the Hegemon's power, Otsutsuki Shibai's own intelligence had also begun to be influenced by the Hegemon of Terror. Thus, how much of his self remained in the current Otsutsuki Shibai was something he likely had not even noticed himself.
Otsutsuki Shibai gave a yawn: "Truly boring resistance. Since you are willing to be destroyed along with the shinobi world, I will grant your wish!"
Swoosh
Having said that, Otsutsuki Shibai vanished from his spot with a flicker.
In the next instant, he appeared in front of Shinji and threw a punch!
"So fast!"
Shinji thought to himself and blocked with both arms.
Bang
Accompanied by a roar like a sonic boom, Shinji was violently sent flying for over a thousand meters, crashing into the trunk of the God Tree, causing even the towering God Tree to shake once.
Otsutsuki Shibai did not take the opportunity to pursue him, but instead hovered in the air with a grin: "Now you should have felt it!"
Now the power of the Hegemon had completely activated the Shinjutsu on his body. In the punch just now, he had used the Shinjutsu Great Strength, sending Shinji flying with ease.
In the massive tree crater, Shinji slowly rose and wiped away the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Otsutsuki Shibai pointed at him and tilted his head slightly: "As a reward for the fear you once caused me, I will kill you with my own hands, then level the God Tree behind you and erase all traces of your existence!"
Shinji's brow furrowed slightly: "Is this all..."
Otsutsuki Shibai was stunned: "What did you say?"
Shinji said: "Is this your limit? For seventeen seconds, your power has not continued to climb!"
"Seventeen seconds?" After a pause, Otsutsuki Shibai's face darkened: "What are you talking about? My power is far above yours!"
Shinji ignored the angry Otsutsuki Shibai, only looking at him calmly with a scrutinizing gaze: "It seems it doesn't want you to become too strong!"
He had been waiting for Otsutsuki Shibai's power to climb to the extreme, but it seemed the peak Kekkei Mora level was the limit Otsutsuki Shibai could reach. Or rather, this was the limit the Hegemon was willing for Otsutsuki Shibai to reach!
Undoubtedly, the higher All Creation Power realm already involved the level the Hegemon itself resided in. Therefore, the Hegemon of Terror would not spend time and effort pushing a puppet like Otsutsuki Shibai to the All Creation Power realm.
Otsutsuki Shibai became increasingly furious: "Damn it, what kind of look is that? You dare to look down on me? I can easily kill you right now!"
Provoked by Shinji's calm gaze, Otsutsuki Shibai lunged toward Shinji.
Bang
There was another roar like a sonic boom. Shinji, who met Otsutsuki Shibai, was sent flying again. He flew back violently and smashed heavily onto the ground, not only shattering a large area of land but also stirring up dust and smoke that filled the sky.
Facing the dust and smoke, Otsutsuki Shibai roared ventingly: "Uchiha Shinji, I am not afraid of you, I am a god!"
On the ground, Shinji rose slowly, staggering a few steps.
Otsutsuki Shibai gave a casual wave, and the dust filling the sky was instantly dispersed. The field of vision in front of him suddenly became clear.
He flickered again and sent Shinji flying: "I will return all the fear you once gave me back to you!"
The sent-flying Shinji crashed heavily on the ground, shattering another large area of land and smashing a massive deep pit into the ground. This time, the speed at which he climbed up became slower, and with the accumulation of injuries, his body appeared even more sluggish.
Rising staggeringly, Shinji curled the corners of his mouth: "I didn't expect you to be so afraid. It's truly laughable..."
"Damn it, what is there to laugh at!"
The enraged Otsutsuki Shibai lunged at Shinji once more.
Clearly he had the advantage, clearly the shinobi world was about to be destroyed, but this person in front of him, who had once given him bone-deep fear, still looked at him with contempt. This was unacceptable to him!
Watching the aggressively approaching Otsutsuki Shibai, Shinji grinned: "Leader was indeed correct; anger makes one lose their reason—Tamatsukuri no Hoko!"
Swish
Instantly, a distorted power hit the lunging Otsutsuki Shibai, causing his state to plummet from the inside out in an instant!
"!?"
Otsutsuki Shibai's soul was nearly scared out of him for a moment!
A moment ago, his Shinjutsu Premonition had already been frantically warning him, but his arrogance had lowered his vigilance, and his anger had blinded his eyes, causing him to ignore the warning of Premonition and be hit by Tamatsukuri no Hoko.
Poof
Just as he was still somewhat confused, not understanding why his state would drop so sharply, a burst of white smoke suddenly exploded on the distant Shinji, and then Karin's figure was revealed.
"B!?" His eyes widened, and Otsutsuki Shibai had a face full of disbelief: "You are not Uchiha Shinji? How is this possible! You are clearly the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, and the God Tree behind you..."
After seeing Karin's true face, Otsutsuki Shibai still refused to believe that the opponent was not Shinji.
Because in his understanding, in the entire shinobi world, only Uchiha Shinji could fight against him. A mere Akatsuki 'B' was not qualified to resist him for so long. Furthermore, he had confirmed multiple times that this God Tree standing between heaven and earth belonged to the person in front of him, and the only Ten-Tails Jinchuriki in the shinobi world was Uchiha Shinji. This could not be faked!