"Hozuki Mangetsu, now that Uchiha Madara has appeared, you should believe it, right?"
Yagura Karatachi's expression was grave as he stared at Hozuki Mangetsu. His voice was low and heavy. "I will take into account your loyalty to the Village and the fact that you did not know the truth. That much can be forgiven."
"I will give you a chance to make up for your mistakes. Help me kill Uchiha Madara, and everything that happened today will be forgotten."
"Since the Mizukage has spoken in front of me, it will not be a lie," Mei Terumī added calmly from the side.
Hozuki Mangetsu fell silent, his thoughts conflicted.
If it were only Yagura, he would not have believed a single word. But with Mei Terumī backing him up, doubt crept in. Even so, handing over Samehada was not something he could accept lightly.
"No need to be so tense, Yagura Karatachi. I did not come here for you this time."
A soft chuckle broke the atmosphere. Obito Uchiha stood calmly, as if everything around him was beneath his concern.
At that moment, Kisame Hoshigaki stepped forward, his gaze locked onto Mangetsu. He extended his hand.
"Samehada. Time to return it."
After killing Suikazan Fuguki, Kisame had claimed Samehada as his own. The blade suited him perfectly, and he had no intention of leaving it behind, especially now that he was leaving the Village.
"If you want it, come take it yourself," Mangetsu replied coldly, tightening his grip on the massive sword.
Without Samehada, his strength would drop significantly. There was no way he would hand it over willingly.
Kisame grinned, revealing his shark-like teeth. "Careful. I might take your life along with it."
Without another word, he dashed forward.
Mangetsu met him head-on, swinging Samehada with full force. The clash erupted instantly, their battle breaking away from the rest of the field.
"Mei Terumī, we attack together. Kill Uchiha Madara," Yagura ordered.
"Understood, Mizukage."
Mei Terumī quickly formed hand seals and unleashed her attack.
"Lava Release: Corrosive Monster Technique!"
A torrent of viscous, highly corrosive liquid surged toward Obito, engulfing him completely.
But in the next instant, her eyes widened.
The attack passed straight through his body and splashed onto the ground behind him.
It was as if he did not exist.
"His body can phase," Yagura said grimly. "Ninjutsu and taijutsu are ineffective."
Mei Terumī frowned deeply. If that was true, then how were they supposed to fight him?
"There must be a limit," Yagura continued after a brief pause. "As long as we keep attacking without stopping, we can break through it."
He remembered clearly, back when he had been manipulated, how Ryūjin Uchiha had forced Obito into a similar situation. The conclusion was obvious.
Obito clicked his tongue inwardly, irritation flashing across his mind.
Kamui had always been his greatest advantage. With it, he could move through the ninja world freely, untouchable. But now, its weakness had been exposed.
All because of that damn Ryūjin.
His resentment grew sharper.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"
Yagura and Mei launched relentless streams of water, aiming to overwhelm Obito without giving him time to recover.
But Obito did not rely on phasing this time.
He brought his hands together.
"Wood Release!"
The ground split apart with sharp cracking sounds. Thick wooden branches burst upward, twisting and surging toward Yagura and Mei like living creatures.
Mei Terumī's eyes widened in shock. "Wood Release?"
The unnatural forest that had appeared earlier suddenly made sense.
She quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to evade, but her attack was interrupted. Yagura was forced into the same situation, dodging awkwardly as the branches pursued them relentlessly.
The wood seemed endless.
Before long, both of them were caught.
"Lava Release: Corrosive Monster Technique!"
Mei spat out another wave of corrosive liquid, melting the wood restraining her. But more branches surged in immediately, wrapping tightly around her body and constricting her neck.
Her breathing faltered. She could not even form hand seals, let alone use her techniques.
Yagura roared and entered his Tailed Beast state, crimson chakra erupting around him as he struggled violently.
But Wood Release naturally suppressed Tailed Beast chakra.
No matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free.
A Mizukage Jinchuriki and a genius like Mei Terumī were subdued with ease.
This was the overwhelming power of Wood Release.
Even if it was inferior to Hashirama Senju's original ability, it was still far beyond what ordinary shinobi could handle.
"Damn it... Is this really Uchiha Madara?" Mei struggled, her voice filled with disbelief and anger.
She had always stood at the top of the Hidden Mist, yet now she was completely helpless.
Suddenly, the sound of slicing air echoed.
Konan had silently moved behind Obito and launched a barrage of paper shuriken.
But it was useless.
Wooden branches rose instantly, blocking every attack without effort.
Then they turned toward her.
The branches shot forward rapidly, forcing Konan to retreat into the air. She narrowly escaped being captured.
"Konan," Obito said lightly, "do you not care about Yahiko anymore?"
Her expression changed instantly.
Obito redirected the wooden branches toward Yahiko.
Without hesitation, Konan dove down to protect him, intercepting the attack. But in doing so, she was quickly entangled as well.
In the next moment, her body scattered into countless sheets of paper, slipping free from the bindings.
She did not look at Obito again.
Her focus was entirely on saving Yahiko.
Within moments, everyone on Yagura's side had been completely suppressed.
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