Chapter 335: From Defense to Offense
Feeling the crushing pressure rushing toward him, Uchiha Dali's body reacted instinctively.
Every cell in his body stirred to life, helping him swiftly adapt to the pressure while pushing his physical capabilities to the utmost limit.
At the same time, Uchiha Dali discarded all conscious thought.
He allowed his body to move entirely on instinct.
When Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki's attack came at him, Dali's body slipped aside naturally, easily dodging the blow.
Seeing this, Kyōshiki's face tightened, doubt flashing in his heart. "What's going on with this brat?? He actually dodged even that punch of mine?"
Unwilling to accept it, he launched another attack, sweeping a kick sideways.
With just a light hop, Uchiha Dali once again avoided it effortlessly.
Kyōshiki's expression turned grim.
He realized that in this state, Uchiha Dali had already risen to a level equal to, if not greater than, his own.
"Looks like I'll have to bring out the second form…"
With that thought, Kyōshiki decisively retreated, releasing a surge of even greater energy.
In the next instant, his outward appearance began to change.
His frame swelled monstrously, muscles coiling and bulging, exuding raw ferocity and overwhelming might.
Within moments, Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki had transformed into a towering, three-meter-tall muscle giant.
It was a stark contrast to his initial, refined appearance.
And it wasn't just his looks that changed—his aura had grown at least tenfold stronger than before.
Sensing this violent surge of chakra, Uchiha Dali slowly opened his eyes.
Even so, he remained in his Ultra Instinct state.
"You've got more forms? Fine, bring them all out.
If that's all you've got, the one who dies might just be you."
With that, Uchiha Dali crooked his finger at him.
The provocative gesture made Kyōshiki's eyes darken. "You're asking for death!"
He lunged forward without hesitation.
In this form, his speed and power were leagues beyond his earlier state.
Though he looked bulkier now, it didn't hinder his agility in the slightest.
In just a flash, he was in front of Uchiha Dali, unleashing a storm of strikes.
Wild and frenzied, Kyōshiki fought like a rabid beast, fists and feet tearing through the air.
Even though Dali had told him to unleash everything, facing this barrage still pressed down on him.
He had to admit—this guy was strong.
Strong enough that no one could afford to be careless.
Fortunately, Ultra Instinct transcended nearly all taijutsu.
Even though Dali had only just awakened the Sign of Ultra Instinct, his combat prowess was beyond Kyōshiki's reach in this mode.
Before long, he adapted to Kyōshiki's rhythm.
Soon after, he not only matched the tempo but seized the initiative, shifting from passive defense to active counterattack.
Now the pressure was on Kyōshiki.
Feeling the tide turn, his face twisted in shock.
"Impossible! This mode was developed specifically for taijutsu battles!!"
He couldn't comprehend the depth of Uchiha Dali's Ultra Instinct.
Forced onto the back foot, Kyōshiki instinctively tried to probe Dali's mind, to read his thoughts or predict his moves.
But he found nothing—Dali's heart was unreadable, his actions completely unpredictable.
His movements were chaotic yet flawless, seemingly devoid of pattern yet embodying some higher truth.
Every strike, whether fist or kick, connected with perfect precision.
Each time Dali moved, it achieved its purpose.
While Kyōshiki, disrupted and rattled, fell deeper into disadvantage.
Before long, Uchiha Dali's fist smashed into him with a heavy bang.
Kyōshiki was sent flying uncontrollably, ears ringing, vision spinning with stars.
Shock rattled his mind.
"What the hell is this kid? Why does he get stronger the longer we fight? Impossible!"
"Damn it, what secret does this mode hold?!"
He ground his teeth in fury.
He had already used the form he designed specifically for taijutsu, yet he couldn't even fight Dali to a draw.
Unthinkable!
"I told you already—your mode isn't much. If you've got more, bring it all out."
Before Kyōshiki could recover, Uchiha Dali was upon him again, unleashing a relentless storm of blows.
His opponent, shaken and disoriented, saw his combat power plummet faster than Dali had anticipated.
Within mere seconds, Kyōshiki had endured over a hundred precise strikes, every one landing squarely.
At last, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
He was injured.
Dali stopped his assault, his expression playful. "What's this? Gods can bleed too?"
"Damn you! Don't get cocky! The game's only just begun!"
Kyōshiki snarled through gritted teeth, surging forward once more.
But as he charged, his body began to change again.
Clearly, he was about to unleash a form never shown before.
At this moment neither Uchiha Dali nor Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki realized that their battle was already under the watchful eye of a hidden third party.