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Within the mirage released by the giant clam.
The phantom of Gengetsu Hōzuki vanished with the explosion.
One of Sasuke's clones observed with the Byakugan.
"So that's the mirage phantom conjured by the giant clam? A Yin Release ability. But unlike ordinary genjutsu, which creates mental illusions by disrupting chakra, this is an objectively existing 'phantom.'"
Swoosh!
Several water orbs gathered before his palm.
"How about attacking the giant clam creating the phantom directly?"
BOOM BOOM BOOM…!
The explosions engulfed the giant clam, but when the smoke cleared, the supposedly destroyed mollusk remained perfectly intact, still releasing its hazy, shimmering mist.
"…" The clone silently lowered its hand. "Including that clam, it's all part of the mirage phantom. I see. A flawless sleight of hand indeed."
Inside the shimmering haze, Gengetsu's phantom spoke with a laugh. "Well now, boy. Impressive you deduced the nature of my ability with a simple probe. But even knowing the truth won't help you easily locate the real clam's hiding place. Of that, I'm quite confident!"
"Is that so…"
Sasuke's clone slowly closed its eyes. "An 'illusion,' in the end, is just a materialization of Yin Release power. No matter how lifelike, a fake is always a fake. And no fake can escape… my 'truth.'"
Fizzle!
When those Byakugan eyes reopened, their gaze had turned intensely invasive, piercing into the depths of the mirage, seeing… the true outline of the giant clam's real body!
"Found you…!"
Swish!
Sasuke shot forward like an arrow, charging into the mirage. The countless water orbs floating in the sky followed, swarming in his wake.
Gengetsu's real body: "He poured the Yin Release power inherent to the Mangekyō Sharingan into his Byakugan… enhancing its perception!"
Gloop gloop gloop…!
The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique activated. Gengetsu's body released a massive amount of an oily substance.
"Then let our ultimate techniques clash! Let's see who is the true representative of infinite explosive ninjutsu!"
— Secret Technique: Steaming Danger Tyranny!
…
The water battlefield was reaching its peak. The earth battlefield was no less intense.
Second Tsuchikage, Mū, used the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique to make his body feather-light. From a height Sasuke's clone couldn't reach, he reigned down Particle Style strikes with a commanding advantage.
BOOM…!
A beam of disintegration swept past. The clone dodged frantically.
Fizzle! One strike missed. Mū gathered another cube of Particle Style energy before his palm. From behind the bandages, his dark eyes held a look of utter confidence. "Your mobility is commendable. But this reincarnated body pays no price for using Particle Style. One hit is all it takes. Even if you're a clone, losing one with this much chakra would be quite detrimental to you, no? I can assist Uchiha Izuna against your main body at any time."
"True. Constantly dodging isn't a solution… not against a sneaky, one-hit-kill specialist like you!"
The clone formed seals, then slammed its palm to the ground.
Mū: "Hah. The hand signs for Earth-Style: Earth Core. A technique I taught Ōnoki, stolen by you…"
— Earth Style: Super Earth Core!
RUMBLE…!
With a deafening groan, a massive square slab of earth was violently wrenched upwards by the earth-style chakra. In an instant, it rose to Mū's altitude… and shoved him even higher into the sky.
Under the sudden, immense weight, Mū's form squatted low, his eyes widening. "You can't be serious… This is Earth Core!?"
"They say you were Tsuchikage Ōnoki's master in Particle Style. So I wasn't sure. I watched you use it a few times to be certain. When using Particle Style… your body must remain completely still. The moment of release is your weakness!"
Sasuke—using the rising earth slab as cover—had appeared above Mū.
Mū, seeing the white wings unfurled from Sasuke's back: "So… you can fly too."
Crack crack crack crack!
Rock rapidly encased the clone's right arm, morphing into a gigantic, stone-hard fist.
"Using another's signature move isn't my style. But today, I'll make an exception."
— Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique!
"So… you're destined to fall by my hand."
Slap! Mū caught the massive rock fist with a single hand. His gaze darkened as his other hand, bracing against the earth core, lifted and formed a seal.
— Earth Style: Super Weighted Rock Technique!
WHOOM…!
The scenario of Sasuke's rock fist becoming super-weighted and shattering Mū to pieces didn't happen. Instead, his arm couldn't bear the sudden, explosive increase in mass. The entire limb, from the fist down through the wrist, snapped off and embedded itself into the earth core.
Mū's hand shot forward, clamping around the clone's throat. "I understand your intent, deliberately using earth-style. But your earth jutsu is merely a hollow imitation…"
— Earth Style: Super Weighted Rock Technique!
Hummmm…!
Mū released his grip. This time, the target of the super-weighting… was Sasuke's clone itself.
CRASH…!
The earth core, unable to bear the sudden colossal weight, began to crumble and collapse.
Mū hovered in the air. Before his palm, the light of Particle Style gathered. "As they say… you've lifted a stone only to drop it on your own foot."
The clone, sinking within the crumbling mass, spoke calmly. "Allow me to return those words to you… in full."
CRACK!
The clone's chest split open. Amidst a spray of white, wood-like pulp, a brand new Wood Clone burst forth, wings spreading as it shot into the sky.
On Azure Moon Island.
Itachi, surprised: "That 'molting' technique… even clones can use it?"
Orochimaru, smiling: "Only Wood Clones. And it's the result of brutal training."
"?"
Mū's shock was palpable. His hastily fired Particle Style beam was, predictably, dodged by the agile, flying clone.
Now the clone was closing in… Mū promptly used Dustless Bewildering Cover, vanishing from sight.
The clone hovered, scanning with the Byakugan. "Perfect concealment of form and chakra. Even the Byakugan's perception is useless. So this is 'Dustless Bewildering Cover.' But hiding doesn't mean you cease to exist physically. Physical senses are always effective."
Fizzle!
The vertical pupils of a white snake manifested within the sclera of the Byakugan eyes.
— Heat Source Perception!
Found you.
— Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Whoosh…!
White snakes erupted from Sasuke's sleeves, lashing through empty space… and coiling around Mū's physical body.
Mū: "This kid's abilities are downright unnatural…!"
Sasuke pivoted his shoulder, using the snakes as a chain to swing Mū through the air.
— Uchiha Shoulder Throw!
KABOOM…!
The tremendous impact force caused the remaining half of the earth core to completely disintegrate.
Upon crashing down, Mū's form became visible again.
— Earth Style: Rock Golem Technique!
Crunch crunch crunch…! CRACK!
The snakes coiling around him were covered and hardened by solid earth. The increased weight tore them free, sending them crashing to the ground in a broken heap.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
From within the distant, misty mirage, the sounds of explosions echoed one after another.
Mū brushed the dust from his clothes, his gaze fixed on the clone that had landed nearby. "It seems you've done your homework. For the chatterbox, you prepared a trump card water jutsu. For me… it surely can't be just a few stolen techniques, can it? Come then, Uchiha Sasuke. Let me see the surprise you've prepared for me!"
"As you wish."
Sasuke formed a rapid, dazzling sequence of hand seals never seen before… ending with his hands clasped together in the 'Snake' seal.
— Earth Style: Earth Roar!
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