Shimoku made a quick calculation.
If he pushed himself to the limit, his [Setsuna] could reach up to the sixth stage—granting him 64 times acceleration. As for the [Eight Gates], he could open up to the seventh gate.
Multiply those together, plus activating his [Complete Form Susano'o].
His overall strength would definitely rival an Ultra Kage at peak condition.
But it still fell short of Six Paths-level power.
More importantly, compared to the feat of Eight Gates Guy kicking apart Six Paths Madara with a single kick.
Therefore, right before stepping forward,
Shimoku activated his [Evil God Body], just to make sure he didn't suffer a stupid defeat.
Had he not possessed the [Evil God's Body], he wouldn't have dared to appear in front of Eight Gates Guy at all.
This wasn't cowardice—it was simply playing it safe.
After all, compared to showing off bravado for a moment,
Shimoku much preferred staying alive to enjoy the full VIP treatment life has to offer over the next few decades—it's a better investment.
That's why he didn't immediately attack Kakashi upon appearing.
Although that Mangekyō in Kakashi's possession was indeed quite valuable.
But Shimoku had already grown this strong—he now wielded the [Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan] himself—so there was no need to chase after other people's Sharingan anymore.
Doing so would only place him beneath others.
Just like how Lord Madara never coveted other clan members' Sharingan.
Besides, if he were to target Kakashi directly,
Might Guy, that die-hard friend, would certainly go all-out in rage.
Risking one stolen Sharingan
just to get kicked by Eight Gates Guy?
Didn't sound worth it by any standard…
Although even Shimoku himself wasn't entirely sure
whether Might Guy could currently unlock the Eighth Gate.
In short, gambling one's life over a Sharingan wasn't wise when facing Eight Gates Guy.
...
"It's you! Uchiha Shimoku!"
From a distance, Kakashi immediately recognized Shimoku.
He was there that night when Shimoku fought Fugaku in their staged battle—an act meant to buy his clan members time to escape.
He naturally remembered what this kid looked like.
"What? This brat is the one who led the Uchiha Clan's rebellion?"
"He's really that young? Has he even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet?"
Might Guy exclaimed in surprise.
Clearly, his thought process and focus points were completely different from ordinary people...
"Guy, don't underestimate him!"
"This guy's strength rivals even the Hokage!" Kakashi quickly warned.
"Huh? That strong?"
"Uchiha Shimoku! Why are you here?! What have you done to the Hokage and others?"
Kakashi glared at Shimoku, loudly accusing him.
At the same time, he secretly prepared to activate the Mangekyo Sharingan again.
Despite knowing he barely had enough chakra left for one more use...
"Oh? *Your* Hokage?"
"I've taken him out already..."
"What, gonna avenge him?"
Shimoku chuckled lightly, intentionally taunting.
Shimoku was trying to provoke them a bit,
to see whether Might Guy would lose control and reveal whether he could truly unlock the Eighth Gate.
"What?! You actually killed the Hokage?!!!"
As expected, Guy believed him instantly—and his anger skyrocketed.
"Guy!
Let's go!"
"Don't get excited, he's lying!"
"Believe in the Hokage. The Hokage won't fall so easily. Don't let him provoke you!"
Kakashi quickly urged restraint.
Obviously, he had no intention of believing Shimoku's words.
Furthermore, even if the Hokage truly had been assassinated,
they should remain calm now more than ever.
The best course of action was to retreat and preserve their fighting strength!
"That's right! The Hokage won't die that easily!"
Might Guy also came to his senses and shouted in agreement.
"Boring... Let them play with you for a while."
Shimoku clapped his hands, and in an instant, three clones appeared beside his main body.
He planned to use these clones to tire out Guy and the others.
First: each clone could activate [Fourth Form Susano'o], giving them sufficient combat power.
Second: clones were not afraid of death—even if they got kicked apart, he wouldn't feel heartache.
In short, Shadow Clones were indeed extremely useful.
After saying that,
Shimoku's main body turned and departed, continuing toward Jiraiya.
Compared to this battlefield, he found the other fight far more intriguing.
It would also be a good opportunity to see
whether that brat Naruto could be eliminated ahead of schedule.
...
Shimoku also left ample chakra within these three clones—
enough for each to activate [Fourth Form Susano'o].
Three clones wielding [Fourth Form Susano'o] weren't comparable to the previous five using [Second Form Susano'o].
Each possessed combat power rivaling peak Kage-level strength (the highest level of ninja power).
Certainly not something a [Sixth Gate Guy] could rival.
Unless he activated the [Eighth Gate Formation] beyond the sixth gate.
Therefore,
not long after leaving,
Shimoku heard the thunderous cry of [Eighth Gate Activation] from behind.
"[Eighth Gate Formation – Seventh Gate: Wonder Gate – Open!]"
"[Daytime Tiger!]"
"Roar, youthfulness!"
A shocking pressure wave surged from behind as that magnificent blue chakra whirlwind ascended into the sky.
Even from hundreds of meters away, [Daytime Tiger]'s chakra whirlwind remained clearly visible,
radiating an aura nearly matching the clones' peak Kage-level strength.
Shimoku glanced back slightly, murmuring with mild admiration:
"So it's true—Might Guy can forcefully open the seventh gate already."
But even against seven-gate Might Guy, three clones wielding [Fourth Form Susano'o] still wouldn't back down.
"But I still haven't confirmed whether he can forcibly open the eighth gate..."
"If he really activates the eighth gate, these three clones will certainly be defeated..."
Of course, even if the clones were narrowly defeated by luck, it wouldn't matter much.
If these three clones could suppress the enemy together and force him to open the eighth gate,
thus taking down one Might Guy in exchange,
that would definitely be worth it!
This was exactly why Shimoku left three clones behind.
...
Half a minute later,
Shimoku's main body had crossed a small part of Konoha,
arriving at another battlefield.
Here, Konan and [Human Path] Pain were working together, battling and entangling with Jiraiya.
Just as Shimoku suddenly showed up,
the [Human Path] Pain engaged in fierce combat immediately withdrew, jumping to stand beside Shimoku.
Smiling, Shimoku teased:
"Looks like things aren't easy on your end either, huh?"
"What do you have in your hand?"
"Pain (Human Path)," his expression tightened as he asked immediately.
"Sasori's core."
"He was defeated — utterly obliterated by two Konoha ninja."
"I happened to pass by and picked him up..."
Shimoku's explanation left Pain momentarily stunned.
He knew precisely how strong Sasori was.
Never did he expect that there were still people in Konoha capable of pounding him so thoroughly, nearly to death...
Looks like he'd badly underestimated Konoha after all!
"I understand. Leave him to me then."
"For real? He's safer with me, right?"
Shimoku smiled faintly, refusing Pain's request.
This "Puppet Master" had already fallen into his clutches.
Besides, he was waiting for Sasori to crank out a few more Gundam puppets so they could work alongside his [Susanoo].
How could Shimoku possibly let him go so easily?
Pain didn't push the issue further either.
After all, Sasori was indeed rescued by Shimoku.
And there was no way he would actually provoke conflict with the brat right here...
"What about other situations?"
"Biwa Juzo ran off in fear, Orochimaru is on his own."
"I left behind a few Clone Techniques, playing around with Konoha ninja over there."
Pain gazed toward the distance.
Sure enough, three towering Susano'o could be seen locked in fierce battle with someone.
The commotion seemed even fiercer than what he faced earlier.
He actually calls *that* play?
This Uchiha Shimoku really is one hell of a lunatic!
Pain twitched his lips, saying nothing further.
Shimoku: "Hmm? What about your side? Is that really Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Sannin?"
Pain: "Yes."
"He's extremely powerful. Just you in this body and Konan probably won't stand a chance against him..."
"That's right."
Pain from the Human Path nodded in agreement.
That was the truth, no need to argue otherwise.
With just one Pain and Konan alone, it was truly difficult to confront Jiraiya.
"Do you want backup?"
"No thanks."
Pain rejected bluntly.
If he let this brat get involved now,
who knows how they'd split the Nine-Tails afterward?
Would they have to fight again?
"Fine then. Good luck. I'll just keep watching."
Shimoku shrugged his hands.
Truthfully, he never intended to interfere anyway.
Let Akatsuki take all the risks.
He'd rather reap the benefits without effort.
Just then, however,
several powerful presences suddenly approached rapidly...
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