Black Zetsu was moving quickly through the Forest of Death, preparing to meet up with Obito and leave the area.
Just then, a low voice suddenly rang out, "Amaterasu!"
Black flames erupted from Black Zetsu's body like a volcanic explosion.
In an instant, the burning black fire wrapped around his entire body, as if it wanted to consume him completely.
Black Zetsu was startled. He knew very well that the flames of Amaterasu were not ordinary fire. Dark Release could not absorb or neutralize them.
A gray-white Susanoo instantly burst out from his body.
Like a massive shield, it forcefully blocked the terrifying black flames outside.
At the same time, a figure slowly stepped out of the forest.
It was Uchiha Itachi, disguised by Rengoku. His face was expressionless, and his cold gaze was fixed on Black Zetsu, creating tremendous pressure.
He had already been inside the Null Horizon, and the distance to this place was not far.
The moment Obito boldly attacked Naruto, Rengoku immediately noticed Naruto's shining golden chakra mode.
Without any hesitation, Rengoku rushed over at once.
At this moment, if Naruto activated Sage Mode as well, he would only be a step away from his strongest state in the original timeline.
Against a Naruto like that, Obito trying to snatch Hinata from him was simply impossible.
To make sure his plan proceeded smoothly, Rengoku temporarily focused all of his attention on this side.
When he saw Black Zetsu grab someone and run, how could Rengoku just watch?
So Rengoku transformed into Uchiha Itachi and immediately used Amaterasu.
The burning black flames roared forward and swept directly toward Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu had no intention of staying behind to fight Itachi. After blocking Amaterasu, he once again activated his chakra and used Swift Release, attempting to escape with this high-speed ninjutsu.
But what Black Zetsu never expected was that just when he thought he had already shaken off his pursuer, he suddenly sensed an extremely powerful chakra fluctuation behind him.
When he looked back, he was stunned.
"Itachi's" chakra had suddenly surged like an erupting volcano. The ground beneath his feet instantly collapsed into a deep crater because it could not withstand such immense force.
At the same time, "Itachi" shot forward like lightning and rapidly closed in on him.
'How is this possible?'
Black Zetsu was shocked.
He knew that Uchiha Itachi was highly skilled in taijutsu.
But he had never imagined that the man's speed could reach such a terrifying level, enough to rival the Swift Release he specialized in.
It was unbelievable.
At the same time, massive amounts of chakra burst from Itachi's body like an erupting volcano.
Seeing this, Black Zetsu was alarmed.
'Could it be the Eight Gates?'
But the situation was too urgent. He had no time to carefully examine Itachi's condition and could only make that guess while continuing to run.
Swift Release was a rare kekkei genkai.
Its greatest characteristic was the extraordinary speed it granted after activation.
With that kind of speed, even top experts would struggle to match it no matter how hard they tried.
After Black Zetsu activated Swift Release, his body shot forward like lightning, and the scenery around him seemed to race backward.
Then something unbelievable happened.
Itachi (Rengoku) actually kept pace with Black Zetsu as if he had cheated, running beside him and catching up completely.
It was as unbelievable as someone outrunning a car speeding down a highway through pure physical strength alone.
At such extreme speed, even the mighty Susanoo could not be used properly.
And because Black Zetsu possessed Dark Release, taijutsu was clearly the most effective combat method at this moment.
Itachi (Rengoku) swung his arm, clenched his fist, and threw a punch at Black Zetsu with overwhelming force.
A deafening boom instantly rang out.
Black Zetsu had transformed with Steel Release and answered with a heavy punch of his own.
The moment the two fists collided, a dull impact echoed through the area.
But during the clash, an immense force surged from Itachi's (Rengoku's) fist, making it difficult for Black Zetsu to withstand.
Black Zetsu's body suddenly tilted. Like a branch being tossed around by a storm, he lost his balance from the impact and stumbled backward repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Itachi (Rengoku) stayed right on him. His figure flashed forward and immediately followed up.
Then he leaped high into the air and kicked down with tremendous force.
Black Zetsu was still carrying Hanabi, which greatly restricted his movements. He could only free one hand to defend himself.
However, against such fierce attacks from Itachi (Rengoku), defending with one hand was clearly not enough.
With a dull impact, Black Zetsu was struck head-on without any suspense and was sent flying away like a cannonball.
Black Zetsu gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly, but he did not dare relax for even a moment.
Enduring the pain, he quickly mobilized his chakra and recreated Susanoo.
However, what he never expected was that the instant Susanoo finished forming, a black shadow streaked through the air like a meteor and charged directly at it.
With a sharp bang, Black Zetsu watched in disbelief.
Itachi (Rengoku) used only a single heavy punch to smash a huge hole through the supposedly indestructible skeletal Susanoo.
At that moment, Black Zetsu was completely stunned.
'Since when has Itachi's taijutsu become this powerful?'
'He actually broke through Susanoo's defense like cake, and with such a direct steel-fist fighting style at that?'
He had originally thought Hiruko's body was already close to perfection, with balanced abilities in every aspect, a true all-around fighter.
But now, compared to the Itachi (Rengoku) before him, it was nowhere near the same level.
At this moment, a chill shot from the soles of Black Zetsu's feet to the top of his head, and his scalp tingled.
Itachi (Rengoku) could keep up with Swift Release in speed and directly break Susanoo with raw power.
'How am I supposed to fight this?'