Chapter 199: Departure and Arrival
"Haah!"
With a sharp cry, Uchiha Nagisa drove her right fist into the massive boulder before her, the blow carrying the force of a thunderclap.
A sharp crack echoed through the cavern. Fissures spiderwebbed across the rock's surface from the point of impact, but it was still a long way from shattering completely.
Nagisa glanced down at her right arm, which had disintegrated into a foam-like substance. She merely frowned, ignoring the pain. As she mentally calculated how much longer it would take to break through, she spoke to the figure beside her. "Give me another arm."
"You're pushing yourself too hard," White Zetsu commented, but his actions were swift as he attached a new limb for her. It seemed he was just as curious to see if the girl could actually escape through her own power.
Nagisa flexed the new arm, took a deep breath, and the sound of furious strikes once again filled the cave.
I have to get out of this cave as soon as possible. Grandfather... I will save you with my own two hands. The thought gave her an extra surge of strength, and her fists struck with even greater force.
Within her body, a strange transformation was taking place. The Hashirama cells, which should have been aggressively invasive, had somehow adopted a peaceful state. They were rapidly and seamlessly fusing with her original cells. Had Madara been aware of this, even he would not have been able to remain seated.
Even with his immense power, Madara's own fusion with the Hashirama cells had been a brutal process, requiring the suppression of his own vast chakra and powerful dōjutsu to finally achieve absorption. Even then, it had been nothing like the smooth, natural integration Uchiha Nagisa was experiencing.
It was as if the volatile Hashirama cells had been completely subjugated, bending effortlessly to Nagisa's will.
As time passed, the majority of the cells in her body had been converted. Less than half a day had passed since she first awoke, yet she had already accomplished what took Madara decades.
Closing her eyes, she felt the surging power within her. The lingering wounds on her body began to heal at a visible rate. If she hadn't been consciously suppressing it, her original right arm would have likely begun to regenerate on its own.
All signs pointed to one conclusion: through the mass fusion of Hashirama cells, Uchiha Nagisa had unconsciously awakened the Sage Body. Furthermore, its level was exceptionally high, far surpassing that of individuals like Danzo or Yamato.
She waited for ten minutes. By then, her injuries had completely healed. She felt better than she ever had in her life—stronger, more powerful. The boulder in front of her seemed insignificant. If Tōshi were to appear before her now, she was confident she could kill him on the spot.
It was an inexplicable, baseless confidence, but she didn't question it. She was eager to test this new power.
Slowly, she walked toward the boulder and took a deep breath. Following an instinct she didn't know she had, she drew upon the immense power now coiled within her.
"Boil Release: Peerless Strength!"
In an instant, an unrivaled force exploded from her fist. The massive, hundred-foot-tall boulder shattered into countless fragments with a deafening roar.
As the Hashirama cells had strengthened her, her physical durability had increased exponentially. Not only was her new arm completely unharmed, but she wasn't even out of breath.
Seeing this, Madara, who had been sitting with his head lowered, instantly looked up. The Sharingan in his eyes—acquired from some unknown source—fixed on the triumphant young woman. After a long moment, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"It seems you are leaving," Madara said slowly.
"Yes. And thank you again for saving me," Nagisa replied. "Don't worry, I won't reveal to anyone that you're still alive." She turned to leave, but stopped after only two steps.
She walked back, a little embarrassed, and cleared her throat. "Um... where exactly am I supposed to go to save my grandfather? White Zetsu, you must know. Please tell me."
"Tobi will take you," Madara said. The moment he spoke, the spiraled-masked figure connected to the Gedo Statue tore the tubes from its back, walked over to Nagisa, and enveloped her in its body without a word.
"Wearing me will effectively block enemy sensory abilities. It will make your rescue mission easier," Tobi's voice echoed as it relinquished control of its body to her.
"Thanks. And... Ancestor Madara..."
Before she could finish, her figure vanished from the cave.
"You... will return," Madara whispered to the empty air.
In a canyon deep within the Land of Grass, hundreds of Iwa ninja lay in ambush, waiting.
Kyosuke had made no attempt to hide his furious departure, and the news had quickly reached the Iwa forces through their spies.
As the commander of the ambush, "Tōshi" was busy directing his subordinates. His orders were simple: do not stop the target from entering the canyon. Simply cut off his escape and ensure he is killed.
Suddenly, Tōshi's body twitched, and a strange, knowing smile spread across his lips.
"The fish... are all on the hook."
He glanced over at the Uchiha clansmen tied to numerous wooden frames, his anticipation for the coming drama growing.
Uchiha Kyosuke. Let's see how you escape this dead end.
"Get out of my way!"
With a single slash of his sword, Kyosuke cut down an Iwa ninja who blocked his path. His face was a dark, thunderous mask as he continued toward the canyon.
Along the way, he encountered several lone Iwa squads. Consumed by rage, Kyosuke showed no mercy, slaughtering them all, genin and jonin alike.
He left a river of blood in his wake.
He understood it was a trap. This meant the Second Elder and the others were likely still alive, their safety guaranteed until he arrived. He had no desire to waste time on small fry, but they kept throwing themselves at him. He was more than happy to use them to vent his fury.
After cutting down several more enemies, Kyosuke crossed the border into the Land of Grass. The canyon was not far now.
Whether by order from Iwa high command or not, the attacks stopped the moment he entered the country. His path to the canyon's edge was completely unimpeded.
Sensing the vast number of enemies hidden around him, a cold, merciless smirk crossed Kyosuke's lips. Without a trace of fear, he began to walk steadily into the canyon.
When news of Kyosuke's arrival reached him, "Tōshi" called over a subordinate and placed him in temporary command of the ambush. He then quietly slipped away from the main force and, unnoticed by anyone, phased into the ground below.
His existence could not be revealed. If he were accidentally killed by Kyosuke, his disguise would be exposed, and the entire charade would be for nothing.
Besides, even without his direct involvement, he was confident that the forces assembled here were more than enough to kill Uchiha Kyosuke.
After all, there were over two hundred elite shinobi waiting for him.
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