The massive impact exploded through the tree sea, sending waves of force rippling outward, carrying wood chips and shattered stones in a ferocious blast!
The sturdy trees were no match for Shinno in his "Gate of Wonder" state, and even the relentless regenerative power of "Wood Release" lagged behind.
In just a breath or two, Shinno broke through layers of trees, closing in on Yakumo, who was sheltered deep within the tree sea.
"Unbelievable…"
Yakumo muttered to herself, her face filled with conflict.
From Shinno's displayed strength, relying solely on "Wood Release" would likely not secure victory. Yet, with Shinji, the Hidden Stone ninja, and others nearby, Yakumo hesitated to unleash "Ido," which would fully reveal her power.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
Amid a series of explosions and flying debris, Shinno continued his rapid advance through the tree sea!
In his "Gate of Wonder" state, every move carried devastating force. Normally, even a taijutsu master like Might Guy wouldn't recklessly charge into a tree sea, as the immense force exerted would also recoil on the user's body.
But Shinno, with his forbidden medical technique "Body Regeneration," could ignore such physical damage.
Whoosh!
Just as Shinno was about to break through the final wooden barrier and reach Yakumo, a figure descended from above, intercepting him.
"You!?"
Shinno froze.
It was none other than Kimimaro, the first one he'd sent flying.
Without a word, Kimimaro launched a full-on assault.
THUD, THUD, THUD.
In an instant, the two clashed fiercely within the encircling tree sea.
"You're still moving? I underestimated you!" Shinno smirked, then continued, "The 'Eight Gates Release'? Too bad you've only opened the Third Gate, the 'Gate of Life.' That's no match for me!"
Kimimaro remained composed.
After his previous defeat to Shinno, he had requested Orochimaru to teach him the "Eight Gates Release." Unfortunately, due to his Bloodline Limit illness, he had to halt his training, managing only to reach the Third Gate, the "Gate of Life."
Like Yakumo, he had his own concerns, unable to freely use his "Shikotsumyaku" abilities in front of others. Facing such a formidable enemy, he had no choice but to reveal his training in the "Eight Gates Release."
Soon, Neji, having recovered, joined the fray.
On a nearby tree.
Watching Yakumo, Kimimaro, and Neji hold their own against Shinno in his "Gate of Wonder" state, Kurotsuchi's jaw dropped. "They're actually holding him off?"
Shinji shook his head slightly.
If Yakumo could unleash "Ido," or if Kimimaro and Neji could combine their powers, they'd have no issue handling Shinno in his "Gate of Wonder."
But in their current restrained state, they were clearly no match.
In taijutsu, once an opponent's speed surpassed what you could handle, the situation would spiral out of control.
In the original timeline, Sasuke, with only a three-tomoe Sharingan, easily defeated Shinno using the "Eight Gates Release" because, at that time, Shinno was still a spy posing as a physician, not yet part of the Akatsuki, and his Zero-Tail was incomplete.
The Shinno before them now had joined the Akatsuki, survived countless battles, and transformed from a spy into a true ninja. His taijutsu skills and combat experience had grown immensely. Most importantly, with the Akatsuki's help, he had completed the Zero-Tail and become its Jinchuriki.
If the original timeline's three-tomoe Sasuke faced this Shinno, he'd fare no better than Yakumo or Kimimaro!
THUD.
As expected.
After a flurry of exchanges, Neji was the first to be sent flying, forced out of the fight!
Next, Shinno landed a punch on Kimimaro, dislocating his arm and knocking him back!
Without Kimimaro and Neji's support, all the pressure fell on Yakumo. Sensing danger, she used the "Monster Strength" technique to meet Shinno's fist head-on.
BOOM.
A low, resonant impact echoed across the battlefield!
Both fighters were pushed back by the immense recoil.
Yakumo, lighter in frame, was sent back over ten meters, only stopping with the support of her vines. Shinno, retreating less than ten meters, left deep furrows in the ground with his legs!
Huff, huff.
Yakumo's chest heaved with heavy breaths, her punching arm burning with pain, her fist numb.
"Hmph!"
Shinno let out a soft grunt.
He was far more injured—his punching arm was twisted and deformed. For anyone else, it would've been ruined.
Yet, under the effects of "Body Regeneration," his mangled arm healed at a visible rate.
Shaking his restored arm, Shinno sneered, "That was 'Monster Strength,' huh? I didn't expect you to know such a secret technique. If I hadn't used 'Body Regeneration' beforehand, you might've had me!"
Yakumo, her blood surging, couldn't respond.
Shinno advanced toward her, his aura growing stronger with each step. As a Jinchuriki, his recovery was vastly improved, and his chakra could sustain such extravagant combat!
Seeing this, Yakumo had no choice but to manipulate "Wood Release" to attack Shinno.
But the trees lunging at Shinno were easily torn apart by his hands, as if made of paper!
Yakumo panicked, biting her lip, weighing whether to unleash "Ido."
A freely moving spiritual entity was rare in the shinobi world. Releasing "Ido," even without it donning the Akatsuki's red-cloud cloak, would still expose Yakumo as Akatsuki's "D"!
Whoosh.
At that moment, Shinji flashed down, landing in front of Shinno!
Shinno wasn't surprised, continuing his advance. "Another one looking to die!"
Seeing Shinji step in, Yakumo sighed in relief but quickly warned, "Shinji, be careful—this guy's tough!"
Haku, Karin, Kurotsuchi, and the surrounding Hidden Stone ninja watched the battlefield tensely. Many were astonished by Shinji's courage, daring to face Shinno after such a display of power.
Whoosh.
As everyone worried for Shinji, he activated "Twelve Palaces," flashing forward to Shinno.
"You!?"
Shinno froze.
Shinji's "Rasenshuriken" followed, striking Shinno under his shocked gaze!
BOOM.
In an instant, Shinno was sent flying!
Shinji said calmly, "Why can't you just leave quietly?"