Inside the barrier.
As a surge of blue chakra flames erupted from Fugaku's body, Susanoo finally appeared.
However, compared to several years ago, Fugaku's current Susanoo had undergone even greater transformation.
This was no ordinary Susanoo—it had integrated the chakra of *Two-Tails*. The resulting form manifested as a massive feline demon cloaked in blue flames, wearing armor.
Combined with the power of the Tailed Beast and further amplified by Fugaku's formidable ocular strength, this technique became even more devastating.
Meanwhile, Hiashi Hyuga also revealed his ultimate skill.
[Eight Gates]
"Ha!"
He roared fiercely. Violent chakra erupted from within him, emitting blue steam formed from evaporated sweat that rose over three meters high around his body.
The Seventh Gate—Wonder Gate—was open.
Clearly, Hiashi had mastered Eight Gates to a much greater degree now, skillfully controlling his own aura. Even though he activated the Seventh Gate right from the start, there wasn't even the slightest sign of strain or difficulty.
Once both men unleashed their true power, their auras became truly astonishing.
"Not bad, but still not enough. Let me give you both a boost."
Heiyan nodded approvingly and made this evaluation before flicking his fingers with both hands at once.
Whoosh!
From his left hand, a black light shot out, expanding rapidly into a storm as it traveled through the air until becoming a gigantic black greatsword tens of meters long.
SMACK!
Fugaku controlled his Susanoo to catch the pitch-black blade midair, immediately sensing an incredibly powerful force radiating from its core.
This was a weapon forged from Six Paths chakra—a divine treasure akin to Ama no Hoko.
Whoosh!
From Heiyan's right hand, a white light shot forth, heading directly toward Hiashi Hyuga's chest.
Hiashi hesitated briefly but chose not to resist, allowing the white glow to sink into his body. Instantly, a warm energy coursed through him, and the blue vapor surrounding him surged outward violently.
This was the refined essence of Sage Transformation perfected by Heiyan—an ultimate enhancement akin to advanced Hashirama cells, capable of dramatically strengthening any living being.
Heiyan's actions left both the on-site spectators and television viewers completely stunned.
"Did I just see that? Uzumaki Heiyan actually empowered his enemies before the fight! Now that's... way too bold."
"Even though this guy is a major villain, we have to admit—he's got some nerve doing that."
"Now this clash might get even more intense."
"…"
As the audience burst into heated discussion, the battle erupted once again.
Swish! Swish!
Susanoo swung the greatsword repeatedly, unleashing one after another enormous jet-black blade aura straight toward Heiyan hovering above.
Reacting instantly, Heiyan summoned Truth-Seeking Balls in front of him, which fused together to form a solid black shield.
Boom!
The blade aura slashed against the shield, wild energies scattering wildly throughout the entire barrier. Even distant observers like Onoki turned pale and hurriedly raised their defenses.
Crack!
Although the shield formed from Truth-Seeking Balls blocked Fugaku's attack, it cracked and shattered under the impact.
At that moment—
Swish!
Hiashi seized the moment, his feet springing off the ground like coiled springs as he shot straight up into the air at an incredible speed, instantly surpassing the sound barrier.
He appeared in front of Heiyan as if teleporting, delivering a powerful punch that sent Heiyan flying backward.
Boom!
Heiyan crashed violently against the edge of the barrier, his body deeply embedded within its wall.
Did he go too far?
Countless spectators watching this scene were stunned—was Heiyan really about to be defeated?
Disappointingly, Heiyan didn't seem seriously injured at all. He quickly freed himself from the barrier wall and rushed toward Hiashi at high speed.
Truthfully, Heiyan had taken that blow on purpose earlier to test the power of the Eight Gates. It turned out he wasn't harmed at all.
That's the ultimate defense from his Perfect Sage Transformation.
It was about to begin anew.
Seeing Heiyan rushing forward, Hiashi's fighting spirit surged. Without hesitation, he charged straight ahead, engaging the other mid-air in an intense battle.
Punch after punch rang out rapidly!
Within just ten-odd seconds, both warriors exchanged blows hundreds of times mid-air. Through the camera lens, it was impossible to follow them—only bursts of explosive force marked their movements.
It was as if two gods were clashing mid-air.
However, in the end, Heiyan's Immortal Body still proved stronger than the Eight Gates technique. With one final punch unleashing overwhelming force, he drove Hiashi from midair crashing down onto the surface, forming a crater with a diameter of over ten meters.
Fugaku only got his chance to jump in because they were locked in such a fierce battle. He reactivated his Susanoo and launched a full-on assault on Heiyan.
Facing Fugaku's ferocious onslaught, Heiyan's right eye pupil pattern changed instantly, transforming into the same Mangekyou shape as his opponent's, then suddenly releasing terrifying ocular power.
[Dojutsu: Amaterasu – Sea of Flames]
Next instant.
Hissing...hissing...hissing...
A vast sea-like spread of black flames erupted around the Susanoo as Heiyan focused his gaze, instantly engulfing it completely.
"This is...Amaterasu?!"
Fugaku was shocked beyond belief. He hadn't expected Heiyan to have mastered even his Mangekyou Dojutsu techniques—and the displayed power level wasn't even in the same category.
Under the burning onslaught of the Amaterasu–Sea of Flames, the massive Susanoo had no resistance capability at all, melting away rapidly until only half its skeletal frame remained.
Fugaku himself barely managed to escape through sheer effort, but in a very messy and pitiful state.
At this point,
The second round of their clash came to an end.
At this stage, the strength displayed by Fugaku and Hiashi had already reached the pinnacle of the ninja world. Yet they still weren't match for Heiyan.
Heiyan remained in complete control throughout, not even breaking a sweat.
Heiyan's might brought forth despair in others.
"Is this really all you've got?"
Unsatisfied with the fight, Heiyan directly stated to both of them, "Let's end this. Show me the true power of the Eight Gates Formation."
Upon hearing this, the two exchanged glances and saw determination reflected in each other's eyes.
"Hiashi, give it your all. I'll protect you with these eyes. To defend Konoha's honor, we must defeat Heiyan."
Fugaku promised through the power of his Sharingan.
Hiashi nodded, then turned his head and warned Heiyan solemnly, "Watch yourself."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than he let out a fierce roar, his entire body erupting in red mist as he unlocked the final of the Eight Gates—the Death Gate.
Then Hiashi charged toward Heiyan once more, diving straight into battle.
This time, Hiashi finally gained the upper hand, overpowering Heiyan and forcing him into a desperate defense.
It was the first time Heiyan had been placed on the defensive.
No wonder it burns through someone's life force like that.
"That might actually be enough to win…"
Fugaku watched the fight intently, silently rooting for Hiashi while calculating the time in his mind.
His Three Paths River ability could rewind up to five minutes—Hiashi had to defeat Heiyan within that window.
Hiashi also knew his time was short, so he quickly unleashed his ultimate technique.
[Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack]!
He shot into the air, throwing punches so fast they left afterimages—hundreds of crimson chakra fists rained down on Heiyan like a storm.
Heiyan's eyes narrowed. Finally, he grew serious.
Raising both fists, he fired an endless stream of black chakra fists directly at Hiashi's [Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack].
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Countless red and black fists clashed midair above the plaza, triggering deafening explosions. Many of the fists struck the surrounding barrier, even causing deep cracks to appear across its previously unbreakable surface.
Some chakra fists flew toward Tsunade and the others standing on the stage during the collision.
Tsunade slightly furrowed her brow, performed a hand seal, and used Summoning: Great Wood Release Technique, conjuring a massive wooden face resembling a demon mask to absorb the shockwaves from the battle.
At this moment, the two figures suspended halfway in the sky had finally determined a victor.
The Eight Gates were undoubtedly powerful, but at best, they only temporarily elevated Hiashi to Six Paths level. Heiyan, however, was a true Six Paths Tier powerhouse.
Moreover, Heiyan had ascended to Six Paths Tier by fusing his Sage Transformation with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and incorporating chakra from all nine tailed beasts, making his physical durability among the strongest even at Six Paths Tier.
In the original timeline, Six Paths Madara nearly died from Might Guy's Eight Gates-enhanced kick. That kind of scenario would never happen to Heiyan.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Without flinching, Heiyan used his body to endure countless red chakra fists.
Meanwhile, Hiashi on the other side was pounded relentlessly by wave after wave of black chakra fists—until he was finally beaten to death.
The corpse of Hiashi Hyuga dropped lifelessly from the sky like a broken rag doll.
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