Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Deep, resonant booms echoed through the forest, shockwaves rippling outward, startling flocks of birds and scattering herds of beasts.
The intense battle between the three continued, leaving the battlefield in ruins—trees toppled in swathes, the air thick with falling leaves and drifting wood chips.
"That's it! That's the way!"
Shinji's spirit surged, his fighting fervor growing.
The extreme taijutsu clash set his body ablaze, every organ, every cell, mobilized under the rapid operation of the 'Twelve Palaces.'
In that moment, his body and mind climbed toward their peak.
He could clearly feel the high-quality Yang Release chakra within the First Hokage's cells, tied to 'Otsutsuki Asura,' beginning to acknowledge him. This caused the fusion of his Yin and Yang chakras to accelerate to an unprecedented level.
Likewise.
The all-out battle also boosted Ryuzetsu and Chino's absorption of the 'Blue Higanbana No. 1' injected into them.
Their strength and speed visibly increased.
Initially, Shinji could rely on his deeper mastery of the 'Twelve Palaces' to suppress both of them simultaneously.
But as time passed, Shinji, who hadn't been injected with 'Blue Higanbana No. 1,' began to lag slightly in strength and speed.
If not for his ongoing fusion with the First Hokage's cells, the gap would have been even more pronounced.
Of course.
This was purely a physical stamina gap. If Shinji used his dojutsu or even basic ninjutsu, he could easily turn the tide!
Boom.
Another muffled thud, and the three figures, entangled in midair, separated, landing on the ground.
Huff.
Shinji adjusted his breathing, using his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan to observe Ryuzetsu and Chino's bodies.
In his Sharingan's vision, their chakra blazed like torches!
No doubt.
This near-combat-level fight had fully ignited Ryuzetsu and Chino.
Their bodies, fueled by 'Blue Higanbana No. 1,' voraciously absorbed the drug's potency. As it nourished them, their mastery of the 'Twelve Palaces' reached new heights, making their combined presence feel like Shinno in the 'Shock Gate' state of the 'Eight Gates.'
Ryuzetsu suddenly asked, "Leader, can we use ninjutsu?"
Shinji grinned. "Oh, you want to use ninjutsu?"
Ryuzetsu nodded. "With our chakra surging, it feels awkward not to use ninjutsu!"
Shinji laughed, spreading his arms. "Don't hold back. Attack me with the intent to kill! Show me your potential!"
Ryuzetsu and Chino exchanged a glance.
To them, Shinji, as the Akatsuki's leader 'A,' was an untouchable figure, a god they could never defeat!
Against a god, there was no need to hold back—because a god wouldn't care!
Ryuzetsu formed hand signs. "Fire Release: Ghost Lantern!"
Instantly, countless lantern-like fireballs floated around her.
The fireballs' outer layers were deep red, fading to pale blue at their cores. Just by sight, Shinji knew this Fire Release was formidable.
Meanwhile, Chino drew a kunai and decisively cut her palm.
Drip.
Drip.
Scarlet blood flowed from the wound, dripping onto the ground!
As Shinji watched, puzzled, Chino clenched her hand in the air. The blood from her palm and the drops on the ground gathered as if alive, forming a flowing blood blade!
Shinji narrowed his eyes slightly.
He wasn't fazed by Chino's move, recognizing it as likely tied to her awakened 'Ketsuryugan.'
The Ketsuryugan could manipulate blood, especially the user's own, with precision.
But turning her blood into a weapon? That was new to Shinji.
He didn't lack weapons or ranged attacks, and blood was a precious resource, so even when he wielded the Ketsuryugan or Koryugan, he rarely used his own blood.
It wasn't impossible—just unnecessary.
Still, seeing Chino master blood manipulation so soon after awakening her Ketsuryugan, Shinji grew curious about how a true Blood Pool clan member would wield their dojutsu!
Swoosh.
Ryuzetsu moved, her lantern-like fireballs following suit.
Beneath his cat-faced mask, Shinji activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Instantly, not only Ryuzetsu but also her orbiting fireballs were captured by his Sharingan's gaze.
Swoosh.
At that moment, Chino, gripping her blood blade, charged.
Shinji's brow furrowed.
With Chino added, even his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan couldn't fully track both.
Mid-charge, Ryuzetsu waved her hands, sending countless fireballs swarming toward Shinji.
Shinji leaped back, dodging through trees and rocks to evade her Fire Release.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battlefield erupted in flames and smoke!
As Shinji narrowly dodged the fireballs, Ryuzetsu burst from the smoke, her fist aiming for his face.
"Heh."
Shinji chuckled, grabbing her fist with one hand while preparing to counter with the other.
But as he moved, his peripheral vision caught Chino, hidden in the smoke, slashing at him with her blood blade.
With his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan's precision, he judged he could counter Ryuzetsu before Chino's strike landed.
Without hesitation, he struck at Ryuzetsu.
But as his fist connected, he was startled to see Chino's blood blade suddenly extend.
"She can freely adjust the blood blade's shape…"
Realizing this, Shinji abandoned his counter, using his grip on Ryuzetsu's fist to push himself back.
Barely dodging Chino's slash, Shinji thought, "Tch, a long-lost sense of danger!"
His temples throbbed—his 'killing intent perception' relentlessly warning him.