Chapter 136: Turning the Tables in Tsukuyomi
If one were to ask what the two most difficult combat styles to deal with in the Ninja World are, Genjutsu and Taijutsu would definitely be the choice for the vast majority of Ninjas.
Genjutsu is easy to understand because it is impossible to guard against. Even if there is a pause of just one second during a fight, it is enough to reverse the roles of attacker and defender, leaving the Ninja who fell for it dead.
And what about Taijutsu?
Taijutsu has many shortcomings, such as the simplicity of its attacks and insufficient ability to handle complex situations.
To put it bluntly, Taijutsu is aimed at one-on-one duels. On the battlefield, it is far inferior to Ninjutsuin terms of wide coverage, powerful lethality, and the various advantages that facilitate clearing the field.
But one undeniable point is that when Taijutsu is strong to a certain degree, the chance of winning for a Ninja using Ninjutsu is really very small. This is because forming hand seals takes time, and a Ninja using Taijutsu obviously will not give them the time to do so.
Often, just as the hand seals are halfway finished, the Taijutsu Ninja's attack arrives, interrupting the hand seals while simultaneously dragging the opponent into the Taijutsu Ninja's rhythm of attack.
This is where the power of specialization lies. But if one is proficient in more than one, then when combined, the power that erupts is absolutely terrifying!
"Splash!"
A giant shark made of water leaped out from the pond created by the Great Waterfall Technique just a moment ago, opening its bloodthirsty maw and lunging fiercely at Uzumaki Naruto.
Although Kisame Hoshigaki was using Ninjutsuagainst Uzumaki Naruto, he could already be considered specialized in Water Release Ninjutsu. In fact, some Water Release Ninjutsu that only Kisame Hoshigaki could perform were mostly instantaneous!
This avoided some of the awkward problems for many Ninjutsu users when facing Taijutsu users. From this point of view, Kisame Hoshigaki was already very strong.
But in this world, there is no strongest, only stronger. Uzumaki Naruto's 0-version Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū swordsmanship is a combination of swordsmanship and Ninjutsu. In essence, it is not much weaker than Kisame Hoshigaki's instantaneous Water Release Ninjutsu.
"Hmm?!"
After charging towards the shark made of Water Release, Uzumaki Naruto raised an eyebrow. This shark didn't seem so simple! It could absorb Chakra!
"Is this a Ninjutsu derived from the nature transformation of Water Release, combined with some form transformation?!" Uzumaki Naruto made a judgment in a flash. "It increases the power of the technique further by absorbing the Chakracontained in the enemy's attack, and it belongs to the type that gets stronger when it encounters a strong opponent!"
After a brief judgment, Uzumaki Narutotemporarily gave up on continuing to use the 0-version Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, because the sharp Sword Qi contained Chakra.
"Since that's the case, then I'll use the most primitive Sword Qi!"
Uzumaki Naruto took a stance, his right hand gripping the hilt and his left hand steadying the scabbard. His gaze locked onto the approaching giant Water Release shark. With each inhalation and exhalation, his breathing was like a whale taking in water, and his body's strength was mobilized to the maximum in an instant.
"Hum..."
The unsheathed ninja sword vibrated restlessly. When the amplitude reached its maximum, Uzumaki Naruto's eyes narrowed. As the ninja sword left its sheath, a massive Sword Qi cut through the sky, heading straight for the giant Water Release shark.
"Heh, you are nothing more than this!"
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned wide, his sharp teeth gleaming with a cold light. At this moment, he seemed to have transformed into the giant shark rushing toward Uzumaki Naruto, as if ready to devour someone in the next second.
"Careful! That is pure Taijutsu!"
Uchiha Itachi, who was watching from the sidelines, was the first to discern the clue. Although this unremarkable Battōjutsu move from Uzumaki Naruto looked exactly the same as before, this time it was purely physical Sword Qi created by the ninja sword blade slicing through the air and utilizing the momentary pressure difference!
"What?!"
It was too late for Kisame Hoshigaki to dodge at this moment. The Sword Qi cut through the giant Water Release shark and continued on without losing momentum, heading straight for the chest of Kisame Hoshigaki, who wore a look of shock.
"Boom!"
Kisame Hoshigaki was struck squarely by the Sword Qi. As he was sent flying backward, he crashed through several giant trees in succession, and only after bouncing on the ground twice did he finally dissipate the force, landing in a sorry state.
"Your teammate is no longer a threat for the time being. Now it's our turn, Uchiha Itachi!"
Uzumaki Naruto did not pay attention to Kisame Hoshigaki. This was not his arrogance, but confidence in his own move. Even a pure Taijutsu Ninja like Might Guy would need three or four minutes of recovery time after taking this move head-on.
In this short three or four minutes, it was completely enough for Uzumaki Naruto to reach a perfect collaboration with Uchiha Itachi.
"Uzumaki Naruto, your growth really exceeds my expectations!" Uchiha Itachi instantly entered the zone. "Do you also want to witness the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan?!"
"No need. The Mangekyo Sharingan is just like that."
Uzumaki Naruto's words made Uchiha Itachi freeze for a moment, then he felt a sense of ridicule. Since when did the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyo become so unthreatening?
"Just like that? Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue from talking so big!"
"It really makes one unable to suppress the killing intent in their heart!" Uchiha Itachi activated the Mangekyo Sharingan, staring at Uzumaki Narutowith an unfriendly expression.
Regarding Uzumaki Naruto, who had a deep bond with his younger brother Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi had originally intended to go easy on him, but now... tying him up and handing him over to Nagato at the Akatsuki Organization in advance also seemed like a good choice.
"Hmm?!"
But subsequently, Uchiha Itachi discovered an abnormality. His habitual opening offensive using Genjutsu was actually ineffective against Uzumaki Naruto. This was the first time since Uchiha Itachibegan his career.
"Things like Genjutsu, you'd better not use them in front of me." Uzumaki Naruto reached out and flicked the blade, then waved it in front of Uchiha Itachi. "Do you recognize this ninja sword?"
"It is..."
"It seems you recognize it." After nodding, Uzumaki Naruto sheathed the ninja sword. "Then, if I say I have some understanding of your childish plan, do you believe me?!"
The cautious Uchiha Itachi did not answer. The Mangekyo Sharingan in his left eye rotated rapidly. As blood tears streamed down, he activated Tsukuyomi, pulling Uzumaki Naruto into the Tsukuyomi Genjutsu space without any resistance from him.
"Everything in this space is controlled by me. These factors naturally include time, space, mass..."
Uchiha Itachi walked up to Uzumaki Naruto, who was tied to a cross. A ninja sword suddenly materialized in his hand, and he gestured repeatedly at Uzumaki Naruto's body with an expressionless face.
"In this technique, everything you experience is real, and no matter how much torture you endure, you will remain conscious. For me, the executioner, this is simply enjoyment!"
Uchiha Itachi finally chose his spot. The ninja sword in his hand plunged into Uzumaki Naruto's flesh. Furthermore, Uchiha Itachi twisted the hilt of the ninja sword, intending to bring the maximum painful experience to Uzumaki Naruto.
"Have you ever heard a saying?" It was as if the ninja sword hadn't stabbed into Uzumaki Naruto's body; not only did he not wail in pain, but he smiled instead. "Even the strongest Ninjutsu has weaknesses, no matter how perfect a Genjutsu is, it has loopholes, and the only thing that is truly strong is the person!"
Uzumaki Naruto struggled slightly, and the ropes binding him automatically fell off. Instead, they slithered like pythons, twisting and crawling to Uchiha Itachi's feet, winding their way up his pant legs.
The ninja sword in Uchiha Itachi's hand also vanished into thin air. After a flicker, it was held in Uzumaki Naruto's backhand grip. The situation was instantly reversed, and Uzumaki Naruto became the executioner.
"This is impossible!"
Seeing Uchiha Itachi, who was known for being calm, lose his composure, the smile on Uzumaki Naruto's face grew wider. He flipped the ninja sword in his hand, pointing the tip directly at Uchiha Itachi's abdomen, and without hesitation, slowly stabbed it in.