"Demonic Statue of the Outer Path fused with Perfect Susanoo?"
"Now that's something!"
"Lord Madara sure knows how to break the mold!"
Seeing this, Shimoku, who had been watching from afar, couldn't help but whistle in amazement.
Shimoku couldn't help but marvel at Lord Madara's sheer ingenuity.
First using Susanoo to contain Nine-Tails; then using Susanoo to envelop the Wooden Giant and the Daibutsu; finally, even taking control of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path itself...
Tell me, is there anything Susanoo can't trap?
Even if one day,
Lord Madara uses Susanoo to bind Ten-Tails, Shimoku wouldn't be surprised at all.
Wait?
Now that I think about it, maybe I could also try binding Ten-Tails myself!
Hmm...
Find an opportunity to give it a shot later...
At this moment, the Perfect Susanoo, enhanced by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, was indeed overwhelmingly powerful.
So much so that even Hashirama's Giant Buddha Statue could no longer break through Susanoo's defenses.
After all, when it came to defense and raw power,
the Demonic Statue—crafted from the shell of the God Tree—was more than a match for Hashirama's Wood Release Daibutsu.
Add in the amplification from Tailed Beast chakra and Susanoo's power,
and defeating the Thousand Hands Manipulation Force was perfectly reasonable.
Besides, Hashirama's combat capability
was gradually decreasing as his life force drained away...
Sure enough,
not long after,
this monstrous "Demonic Statue–Susanoo Fusion" slammed heavily into the Thousand Hands Manipulation Force,
shattering the entire Buddha statue into pieces.
With this, Lord Madara had practically secured his victory.
After all, if he can destroy one Daibutsu,
then defeating a second or third should be equally possible...
Even if Hashirama used the Thousand Hands Manipulation Force again, it likely wouldn't stand a chance against the Demonic Statue–Susanoo Fusion.
"It really looks like Lord Madara has surpassed Hashirama?"
"Not easy at all!"
"He didn't even hesitate to reveal the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path just to defeat Hashirama."
"Such unwavering determination from Madara is truly amazing!"
Shimoku sighed inwardly.
Honestly, he didn't quite understand
how deep the bond between these two 'Warring States bros' truly was.
But for Madara to go as far as exposing the Demonic Statue just to defeat Hashirama,
it certainly spoke volumes.
After all, prematurely revealing the Demonic Statue would surely make his future plans significantly more difficult...
Yet just
as Shimoku thought the battle was decided
and was preparing to contact his clone to withdraw,
in the center of the battlefield,
a sudden surge of chakra erupted from the giant wooden Buddha's shattered remains, piercing the heavens!
[Eighth Gate Formation – Seventh Gate: Wonder Gate – Open!]
At this moment,
Hashirama had finally activated his hidden trump card.
Using the Eight Gates Formation to forcibly ignite every last bit of life force within his body,
he forcefully unlocked the "Wonder Gate."
Unleashing an unprecedented level of power.
One must remember, with Hashirama's perfected Sage Body,
even under normal circumstances, his strength already surpassed the Kage level—surpassing Might Guy's six open gates, even seven.
Now, with the Sage Body forcibly unlocking the 'Wonder Gate' within the Eight Gates Formation,
the sheer amount of power he unleashed in that instant...
Even more shocking and awe-inspiring beyond imagination!
It wasn't even weaker than Shimoku's triple boost from [Lightning Release + Setsuna + Six Gates].
In an instant, he shattered the Kage-level limit and reached Six Paths-level Taijutsu!
...
Right now, finally defeating Hashirama before his eyes,
Lord Madara was ecstatic beyond compare, gloating wildly:
"Hahaha!"
"Hasegawa! Did you see that?"
"This is my power—surpassing even your prime..."
"This time, I've finally defeated you!"
"Admit it honestly!"
"Your beautiful dream will eventually shatter—it'll be crushed by my own hands!"
"I..."
[Lee's Knock · Open!]
Madara: "..."
"No way!!!"
"Hashirama, when did you master this forbidden technique?"
"Hmph! Don't think just because you used this jutsu, you can defeat me!"
"It seems you can only open up to the seventh gate anyway..."
"Using such a forbidden technique—it's like fallen leaves in autumn, withering away..."
"Hashirama, you disappoint me greatly."
"I..."
The next moment,
A blinding burst of aura suddenly erupted skyward, radiating pure brilliance.
This aura tore through the air, warping space.
"Boom—"
Susanoo was shredded, the Demonic Statue pierced...
Hashirama's fist slammed heavily into Madara's chest.
Everything happened in a flash—
And ended just as quickly...
The strike came so fast, Madara didn't even have time to blink before being smashed!
At this moment, Madara finally realized the truth.
Not all [Eight Gates Techniques] are as weak as Might Duy's, only capable of challenging Seven-treasure Pagoda-level opponents.
Hashirama's [Eight Gates Technique], were simply on an entirely different level!
The gap was just too vast!
...
In reality,
An Impure World body is inherently fragile, unable to bear the burden of the [Eight Gates Technique].
That's also why Hashirama insisted on recovering his own remains—he needed his original body.
Only with his own restored physical strength could he possibly withstand the strain brought forth by the [Eight Gates Technique].
Of course,
The final gate—the Death Gate—was something Hashirama could never hope to open.
First of all, within just a few days, he hadn't yet mastered this last and most difficult gate.
Even if he had,
His corpse alone wouldn't have been able to handle the ultimate Death Gate!
Corpse… dead body…
No matter how well-preserved it was, it was still a dead man's body!
Once a person dies, their Death Gate is forever sealed—there's absolutely no way to reopen it...
At this moment, Hashirama forcing open the seventh gate
Was purely relying on the immense vitality of the Sage Body, barely managing success.
Moreover, this caused the residual life force left within his remains to pour out like a flood breaking its dam.
He'd probably burn out before holding it for long...
Maintaining half a minute was already a stroke of luck.
That was exactly why
Hashirama waited until now to reluctantly unleash the [Eight Gates Technique].
...
Far away,
Witnessing that ultimate punch,
Witnessing the collapsing [Demonic Statue · Susanoo].
Shimoku couldn't help but shudder inwardly. It was as if he had just seen the punch he desperately threw out a few days ago.
Equally powerful, equally terrifying!
Above Kage-level—unmatched and invincible!
Even seemingly somewhat stronger than his own attack!
To the point where Shimoku let out a slight sigh.
Thankfully, when Hashirama revived five days ago, he hadn't yet mastered this technique.
Otherwise…
In that battle…
It might have been Shimoku himself who was utterly crushed into oblivion.
At the same time, this unexpected turn of events
Sent a sharp warning ringing through him.
"Hashirama has actually learned [Eight Gates]!"
"Now that's something!"
"These two each kept a secret ace up their sleeves!"
"How low can you go?"
"This really lives up to them being called the [Two Great Rivals], huh!"
Clearly enough,
Whether it's Hashirama or Lord Madara,
Neither of them ever stopped moving forward.
Each, in their own way and through different paths, relentlessly pursued greater strength and power!
Only a few days had passed since their revival.
Yet both of them now possess strength beyond what they had in life.
If given even more time, who knows how much further they could ascend?
[The Ninja God], [Two Great Rivals]—truly terrifying indeed!
Although...
Shimoku does have the advantage of his System, making him incredibly lucky to gain power at a speed unimaginable to ordinary men.
But should he underestimate these warlords from the Warring States era,
Or presumptuously assume he understands the limit of their power,
Then surely, next time he'll be the one suffering an embarrassing defeat.
After all, having stayed in this world for so long now,
Everything has already strayed far from the future he once knew.
He couldn't afford to be careless or underestimate any opponent ever again!
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