Looking at the pocket-sized figure in Naruto's palm—Sasuke said in amazement. "This is... a miniaturized version of Susanoo?"
Though small—it had everything. All the details Susanoo should have were scaled down and condensed into seven inches in his palm.
Naruto fondled it lovingly. "Yeah—the era of competing over who's bigger is over. Using power more precisely and effectively is what lets you go further."
Obito stroked his chin and nodded. "Mm—indeed. Though Susanoo is strong—it has major drawbacks when dealing with small, agile enemies. I'm impressed you thought of this, Naruto."
Hashirama asked, "But how do you apply this in actual combat?"
"Simple. Like this."
Naruto smiled. A smile that spelled uncertain fate.
Whoosh. Yomotsu Hirasaka appeared before Naruto. Directly shortening the distance of several thousand meters to right in front of them.
—Ōkuninushi.
The mini Susanoo was copied over a thousand times. And deployed into the enemy formation. Miniature greatswords appeared in their miniature hands. Miniature wings spread. And they went on a slashing rampage through the enemy ranks.
Slash slash slash.
Those poor fly ferrymen hadn't even processed what was happening. Before they were dismembered into pieces. Their broken remains fell into the Meigawa. Leaving no trace.
After killing the enemies—the mini Susanoo copies didn't disappear. Instead—they flew through Yomotsu Hirasaka in orderly formation. Arriving in the nearby airspace. And forming a square formation above the small boat to provide escort.
Whoosh.
Yomotsu Hirasaka closed. And the Susanoo serving as the copy template vanished.
Naruto said matter-of-factly. "See? Pretty simple, right? That's a relatively crude application. In actual combat—depending on needs—you can even grant some copies souls. To let them act more flexibly and adaptively. Or even use ninjutsu."
Obito, Hashirama, Sasuke: "..."
After eliminating the blocking fly ferryman squad—the boat sailed smoothly. And had reached the lower Meigawa.
Sasuke made a discovery. "Hey—look at the river's flow direction!"
At this point—the rushing Meigawa waters showed signs of splitting into three directions.
Naruto's gaze darkened. "Ah—we should be close. The three-way fork called the Sanzu River."
Obito's eyes focused. "Yomotsugawa, Abigawa, Gokurakugawa. Three completely different paths. Once you choose wrong—there's no turning back."
Hashirama clenched his fists nervously. His whole heart tightening.
All three waited for Naruto's judgment.
"I hate multiple choice questions. So I'll take all of them!"
Naruto closed his eyes. And placed his hand on the deck.
—Ōkuninushi.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
This boat capable of sailing the Meigawa was copied. One to the left. One to the right.
Naruto formed seals.
Poof. Poof.
Two shadow clones appeared in white smoke. Landing on the left and right boats.
Naruto said, "I'm counting on you for the other two paths!"
Naruto's clones replied. "Oh~ leave it to me!"
Whoosh. Whoosh.
The two boats followed the diverging currents. Disappearing into the mist toward Abigawa and Gokurakugawa.
The small boat carrying Naruto's main body and the other three headed straight for Yomotsugawa.
The mini Susanoo formation above also split into three groups. Each providing escort.
Obito couldn't help but worry. "Is it okay to split up your chakra in such a dangerous place?"
Naruto said, "Better than choosing wrong and being doomed forever. Besides—I've got plenty of chakra these days. Hm?"
Seeing Naruto's expression change—the three focused. "What is it?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "The clones' boats have already capsized."
Sasuke said, "Did the clones see anything before they were taken out?"
Based on the intel fed back from the clones—Naruto said. "One side had giant mosquitoes. The other giant moths. Unlike those flies before—their combat power was quite formidable."
Obito frowned. "Hey... in that case—"
Naruto clenched his fist. "Yeah. We're out of choices. This is the only path left. And we should have enemies blocking our way ahead too."
CRASH!
Suddenly—the Meigawa waters ahead surged up. A massive wave crashing down toward them.
Obito stepped forward. His eyes suddenly focusing.
—Yomotsuru: Time Stop.
Whoosh.
A gray domain enveloped a large area. Directly freezing that falling wave within it.
—Danmetsu Sendai.
The boat's causality was separated independently. Advancing unstoppably through this time-stopped region.
Splash.
Rising over the steep wave slope—the boat glided through the air on momentum.
Szzzt.
Obito withdrew the time-stop barrier. The wave behind crashed down. Swallowing the mini Susanoo formation lingering in the sky behind them. Then raising a hundred-foot-high surge.
Splash.
The boat fell back to the river surface. Rocking briefly before stabilizing.
The four on the boat looked ahead into the mist in unison. There—a giant fly monster was staring at them with glowing eyes.
That wave just now was its handiwork.
It said coldly. "Take a good look at where you are. Is this a place for you to run wild?!"
Naruto said with realization. "Oh—so there's still a big fly left!"
"Go to hell!"
The fly formed seals with its forelegs. And from its fly-mouth erupted a terrifying sea of green flames.
"Green fire?"
No time for shock. Sasuke formed hand seals.
—Blaze Release: Raging Flame Inferno.
He spewed a massive amount of Amaterasu flames from his mouth. Directly colliding with the front of the green fire. And overwhelming it with almost crushing force.
But—though the green fire was consumed—green fire mist rapidly spread.
Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "That's fire poison!"
Hashirama said, "Poison, you say? Leave it to me!"
—Wood Release: Sage Plank.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Thick wooden planks appeared. Hovering in midair.
Naruto asked, "What's that?"
Hashirama said, "Sage Planks. In places where Wood Release can't take root—you can use these planks as a base for deploying Wood Release."
With that—Hashirama changed his seal.
—Wood Release: Pure Platform Buddha Lotus.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
Golden lotuses bloomed from the Sage Planks. Absorbing the spreading fire poison before withering away.
Plop. Plop.
The Sage Planks fell toward the water surface. And dissolved completely.
Seeing this—even the fly captain's green face couldn't hide his shock. Suddenly it thought of something. "Hey—could you be—"
"Enough."
Whoosh. Naruto leaped up. Golden chakra cloak blazing. Behind him—the ten Kurotarō brothers all gathered in his left hand. And expanded and transformed.
"The Heavenly Swamp Spear. A divine artifact once used by the Sage of Six Paths. Forged by gathering massive amounts of Yin-Yang Truth-Seeking power. A weapon of the creator. But I'm not that rigid old man. I customize different weapons for different enemies. And I happen to have one perfect for you."
Snap. Snap. Snap.
After the Truth-Seeking Ball artifact took shape—it actually became a giant flyswatter.
Naruto gripped the flyswatter handle with both hands. Flashed above the fly squad leader. Bent his waist and legs back. Opened his body to the limit. Then swatted down hard.
"Exterminating pests—Naruto's responsibility!"
—Uzumaki Truth-Seeking: Fly Extermination Swatter.
The fly captain cried out in terror. "W-wait a sec—please wait!"
SPLAT.
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