Because they were in the Uchiha clan's Naka Shrine, and close to Konoha, Yusuke chose not to use Ryūjin Jakka's flames, instead relying solely on spiritual pressure against Madara.
Madara, ever proud, reciprocated this unspoken agreement, eschewing his favored large-scale destructive ninjutsu in favor of taijutsu.
However, unlike his earlier, effortless suppression of Itachi, Madara found himself, for the first time in a long while, experiencing the sensation of being outmatched—a feeling he had previously only encountered when facing Hashirama Senju.
Under Yusuke's spiritual pressure-enhanced swordsmanship, Madara was completely on the defensive. Each clash of the Gunbai and the Zanpakutō sent a wave of immense power surging from Yusuke's blade, forcing Madara into a relentless retreat. However, due to the Gunbai's exceptional durability and expansive defensive range, Yusuke found himself unable to break through Madara's defenses in the short term.
"I never expected your taijutsu to surpass mine. This technique of releasing chakra to simulate pressure and enhance attack power is truly unique. It seems I need to take this more seriously,"
Madara declared, deeply disliking this position of inferiority. He decided to proactively employ non-taijutsu methods against Yusuke.
Activating his Rinnegan, Madara caused a current of air to flow from the Gunbai. Yusuke immediately recognized this current's ability to absorb the spiritual pressure emanating from his Zanpakutō, recalling the frustratingly effective Gedo Mazo's ability Chakra Absorption Technique previously employed by Nagato.
With the Chakra Absorption bolstering his defenses, each contact between the Gunbai and the Zanpakutō resulted in a significant reduction of the Zanpakutō's power, simultaneously replenishing Madara's own chakra reserves. This allowed Madara to regain the upper hand.
At that precise moment, the crow perched on Yusuke's shoulder suddenly underwent a transformation, its pupils shifting to resemble Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan pattern. Kamui's spatial distortion ability activated instantly, a space-time vortex materializing near Yusuke's Zanpakutō, aiming to ensnare both the Gunbai and Madara within its spatial distortion.
Witnessing this sudden development, Madara's heart skipped a beat. He was intimately familiar with the capabilities of Obito's Kamui.
Instantly activating Shinra Tensei, a potent repulsive force erupted from his body, propelling Yusuke several steps backward. Madara simultaneously utilized the repulsive force to retreat, deftly evading Kamui's grasp.
Fixing his gaze upon Madara's face, Yusuke activated his Yang Release. Sensing the imminent danger, Madara swiftly raised his Gunbai to block the attack, leveraging the Chakra Absorption's technique properties to neutralize the flames ignited upon the Gunbai's surface.
Just as Madara utilized the Gunbai to shield himself, the crow perched on Yusuke's shoulder activated the long-range attack function of Kamui's spatial distortion ability, utilizing the other Mangekyō Sharingan!
Since Madara's upper body was effectively shielded by the Gunbai, obstructing the crow's line of sight, Yusuke cleverly directed the crow's gaze towards Madara's arm, which was gripping the Gunbai. A twisting space-time vortex materialized precisely at the location of Madara's arm.
"What? Kamui can distort space remotely? No, that's the ability of Obito's other eye!"
Madara, taken aback by Yusuke's cunning ambush, quickly reacted, but it was already too late.
With a spray of crimson blood, Madara's right arm, clutching the Gunbai, was violently sucked into the Kamui dimension.
Having successfully inflicted a wound upon Madara, Yusuke seized the opportunity, relentlessly pressing his advantage, charging forward with his Zanpakutō to pursue his adversary.
Deprived of the Gunbai, his formidable defensive artifact, Madara, even with his exceptional prowess, found himself forced into a desperate retreat, utterly incapable of effectively countering Yusuke's relentless assault.
"To think that Obito, that useless fool, would even in death bequeath his Sharingan to his enemies!"
Madara exclaimed, deftly evading Yusuke's relentless attacks. Even he, Madara, felt a profound sense of trepidation in the face of Kamui's power.
Despite his undeniable disadvantage, Yusuke could still discern a note of composure in Madara's voice.
Yusuke, for his part, did not harbor any illusions about swiftly dispatching Madara. It was evident that both combatants were currently restraining their power, refraining from a truly desperate, life-or-death struggle.
However, Yusuke was eager to observe how Madara would continue to withstand his offensive maneuvers without resorting to a more substantial display of power, such as unleashing his Susanoo or summoning the Gedō Mazō.
"Yin-Yang Release: Black-Light Binding!"
Suddenly, Madara performed a single hand seal, and Yusuke instantaneously sensed an imminent, grave threat. Executing a Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to retreat, he simultaneously pulled Itachi along, swiftly escaping the Naka Shrine.
A flash of intense black light illuminated the interior of the shrine, followed by the sudden eruption of hundreds of projectiles, strikingly reminiscent of the Yin-Yang Release black rods previously employed by Nagato.
These projectiles, formed through the intricate manipulation of Yin-Yang Release, possessed immense destructive power, and any direct impact would result in the disruption of the victim's internal chakra flow.
As Yusuke unleashed his spiritual pressure, he ascertained that Madara had seized the opportunity to make his escape. While he had managed to gain a tactical advantage in this exchange, Yusuke recognized the formidable nature of his adversary, the tenacity of his opponent.
Unlike his previous adversaries, Madara Uchiha stood alone as the only opponent capable of engaging him in direct, close-quarters combat. Had he not resorted to the surprise attack enabled by Obito's Kamui ability, Yusuke doubted his ability to achieve such a decisive victory.
"Teacher, is his 'Infinite Tsukuyomi' plan truly feasible?"
Itachi inquired anxiously, his gaze fixed upon Yusuke.
Itachi, possessing the formidable Mangekyō Sharingan ability known as Tsukuyomi, found it difficult to even conceive of the level of chakra control required to subjugate every living being within the world into the confines of such a vast Tsukuyomi.
Yusuke nodded in affirmation, stating, "If he utilizes the Rinnegan to resurrect the Ten-Tails, then becomes the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails, achieving the status of a Six Paths-level entity, then indeed, the completion of such a plan would be entirely within the realm of possibility."
Observing Itachi's furrowed brow, Yusuke offered a reassuring smile, "However, there is no need for excessive concern. The resurrection of the Ten-Tails necessitates the acquisition of all nine tailed beasts, and at present, we are still a considerable distance from achieving that objective. In the interim, I shall attend to the matter of Sunagakure. You and Kakashi shall collaborate in gathering intelligence regarding Madara Uchiha's activities. Upon my return from Sunagakure, we shall definitively resolve the issue of Madara Uchiha and the remnants of Akatsuki!"
With these words, Yusuke produced a space-time vortex in his hand, and the Gunbai materialized within his grasp.
Presenting the Gunbai to Itachi, Itachi's countenance shifted dramatically, and he instinctively recoiled a step, his voice laced with deference and apprehension, "Teacher, the Gunbai is a symbol of our clan, and as such, it is only fitting that it should remain in the possession of its rightful owner, the clan head."
Yusuke responded with a dismissive wave of his hand, a smile playing upon his lips, "This fan does not align with my personal aesthetic, and in any case, it shall ultimately become yours."
Meeting Yusuke's expectant gaze, Itachi stepped forward and received the Gunbai with both hands.
Adopting a solemn expression as he looked upon Yusuke, Itachi declared in a tone of utmost sincerity, "Thank you for your trust, Teacher. I shall not disappoint your expectations!"
Placing a hand upon Itachi's shoulder, Yusuke nodded with evident satisfaction, "I shall depart for Sunagakure tomorrow. The affairs of the clan shall be entrusted to your capable hands during my absence."
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