On the other side, Hashirama was at an absolute disadvantage against Momoshiki. Although he was constantly maneuvering, his disadvantage was undeniable.
It wasn't that Momoshiki's tactical abilities were far superior to Hashirama's. It was simply that Momoshiki's techniques were too special, and in terms of physical constitution, he was far above Hashirama.
Even though Hashirama once had a Sage Body, theoretically inheriting Hagoromo's physique, even Asura would probably be somewhat inferior in constitution when facing Momoshiki, let alone Hashirama. Even an Edo Tensei body was no match for Momoshiki.
No, to be precise, if Hashirama were alive, the combat power he could display might even surpass that of the Edo Tensei state.
For other ordinary ninjas, Edo Tensei might be an enhancement. After Edo Tensei, Itachi could use Mangekyo Sharingan ocular jutsu without restraint, and the Kekkei Genkai illness had no effect on him.
But for powerhouses like Hashirama and Madara, Edo Tensei was a flaw. Battles required a physical body to make oneself passionate. Both Hashirama and Madara were like this.
Under Momoshiki's overwhelming power, even if Hashirama was as careful as possible, he still suffered significant injuries, especially his left arm, which completely disappeared due to Momoshiki's attack. Even Edo Tensei could not restore this left arm.
Hashirama knew this was due to the effect of Yin-Yang Release. Kazuki had mentioned this weakness of Edo Tensei before.
Clearly, Edo Tensei was countered by Momoshiki.
"It seems there have been some unexpected developments over there. It looks like I need to deal with you quickly, you ant." Momoshiki's eyes grew cold.
The situation in the Ninja World had greatly exceeded his expectations.
A new Ōtsutsuki, Isshiki's Karma, and someone whose bloodline was close to the Ōtsutsuki and could use Ten-Tails' power, plus a half-dead fellow whose strength was quite formidable, almost comparable to some un-matured Ōtsutsuki.
Just as Momoshiki was about to make a move, a spatial fluctuation came from not far away. Momoshiki quickly looked over and saw three people arriving near Hashirama.
One of them was the white-haired guy who had left earlier, and the other two piqued Momoshiki's curiosity.
"Hashirama!"
Madara assessed Hashirama's condition, and anger welled up in his heart. It was the first time he had seen Hashirama in such a sorry state. Even when fighting him, Hashirama had never been so dishevelled.
What? You said Hashirama's Chakra was over-strained, and he died not long after their final battle?
Only he could beat Hashirama, no one else could.
"Madara, be careful. He can absorb Ninjutsu, then strengthen it, and reflect it back." Hashirama sensed Madara's emotions and patiently explained.
"Is that so?" Madara narrowed his eyes.
Rinnegan can absorb Ninjuts. Madara had known this for a long time, as he was the first person to awaken the Rinnegan after the Sage of Six Paths in the Ninja World. Even Indra back then hadn't achieved it.
However, according to Madara's understanding, the Rinnegan's absorption ability couldn't amplify the Ninjutsu's power and reflect it back.
So, was it a special Rinnegan dojutsu?
Madara himself possessed special Rinnegan dojutsu, but the Rinnegan he currently had was not a true Rinnegan. It was merely a replica created by Edo Tensei, not the real thing. Although he could use some of Rinnegan's power, he couldn't unleash those special dojutsu.
Otherwise, if he had a true Rinnegan in his Edo Tensei state, wouldn't he be able to perform Rinne Tensei indefinitely?
Even if he couldn't resurrect himself, resurrecting Hashirama would theoretically be possible, but Rinne Tensei requires a living person to use.
A dojutsu that specifically absorbs Ninjutsu and reflects it with amplified power. Then, using Ninjutsu for combat is out of the question.
This was within Madara's expectations. After all, he had long known that Otsutsuki possessed the Rinnegan, so ordinary Ninjutsu would be ineffective against them.
As for Taijutsu, Madara prided himself on his excellent Taijutsu. There were few people in the Ninja World who could compete with him in Taijutsu, and Hashirama was one of them. Even Hashirama was suppressed by this Otsutsuki in such a manner. The opponent's physical prowess was superior to theirs.
In that case, only solid techniques could be used.
Madara looked at Hashirama beside him and asked, "Hashirama, you can use that technique, right?"
"Huh? That technique?" Hashirama was stunned.
He understood what technique Madara was referring to, the technique he had used to defeat Madara back then. It was his trump card, a technique he wouldn't use unless absolutely necessary.
"I can't use it." Hashirama gave a wry smile.
"Kazuki used Sage Mode before, and a lot of Natural Energy on the moon was absorbed. If I use True Several Thousand Hands, there probably won't be enough Natural Energy."
"Is that so?" Madara nodded thoughtfully.
True Several Thousand Hands had left a deep impression on him. After awakening the Rinnegan, he had ways to evade True Several Thousand Hands's attacks, but to personally block True Several Thousand Hands, even Rinnegan Madara felt somewhat willing but unable.
Even though he later mastered Wood Release, Madara couldn't use True Several Thousand Hands no matter how hard he tried. The Chakra consumption would leave even him feeling stretched thin.
Keep in mind, that was him with the Rinnegan awakened.
Of course, it might also be because he couldn't use Sage Mode. Madara admitted that Sage Mode had its unique advantages. He could absorb Natural Energy from others through the Rinnegan to obtain Senjutsu Chakra, but this wasn't a long-term solution. He needed to enter the so-called Six Paths Sage Mode.
Over these years, Madara had been researching Six Paths Sage Mode, but how could this mode be entered at will?
Even with Kazuki's help and guidance, it was almost impossible for Madara in his Edo Tensei state to enter it.
This was a very normal thing. Kazuki had once said that Sage Mode is very important, a crucial means to fight against the Otsutsuki in the future.
If one could easily enter it by taking shortcuts with the Rinnegan, wouldn't everyone in the Otsutsuki clan be able to possess it?
However, some powerful Otsutsuki looked down on Sage Mode and Natural Energy. After all, the power of the Ten-Tails itself was related to this.
With Ten-Tails, they could easily obtain this power, so why bother with other means to acquire it?
Of course, Kushina's state was also noticed by Madara, which made Madara envious beyond words—Six Paths Sage Mode.
It was the ideal state he envisioned.
However, Madara could naturally see that Kushina's Six Paths Sage Mode was still a little short of the ideal state.
Madara even felt that even if he were resurrected, he might not be able to defeat Kushina, but that was only by borrowing Nine-Tails's power.
This made Madara somewhat envious. If he had known that Nine-Tails could do this, he wouldn't have treated Nine-Tails that way back then. He had to admit that this beast had some use.
Not only could it provide its own Chakra, but it could also provide the Chakra of other Tailed Beasts, which made Madara unable to help but feel envious.
However, there was only one Nine-Tails. As for the other Tailed Beasts, sorry, he, Madara, looked down on them. They were not worthy of being used by him.
But now...
Madara took a deep breath, and a hundred-meter-tall Susanoo appeared. The moment the Susanoo appeared, its greatsword was drawn and slashed down towards Momoshiki.
Momoshiki's expression was somewhat subtle upon seeing Susanoo.
Susanoo?!
This power existed within the Otsutsuki clan. It's just that no one paid too much attention to it.
After all, for powerful Otsutsuki, they had many ways to deal with Susanoo.
Looking at the Susanoo attacking him, Momoshiki showed a disdainful sneer, swinging his fist and smashing it towards the Susanoo.
Boom!
The size difference between the two was immense. No matter how one looked at it, in front of the hundred-meter Susanoo, Momoshiki was as tiny as an ant. The gap between them was like a chasm.
However, what no one expected was that Madara's Susanoo began to crack along its greatsword, heading towards Susanoo's main body.
"Madara!" Hashirama exclaimed in surprise.
He hadn't expected this scene either. In terms of destructive power, Susanoo was much stronger than his Wood Golem. It was only inferior to the Wood Golem in defense, but now Madara's Susanoo was shattered by a single punch.
How could Madara accept this?