Amegakure.
Through the crystal ball in front of them, Konan and Mei Terumi watched every move unfolding on the battlefield in the distant Kirigakure.
The last time Naruto faced Madara, Konan had been forcibly taken back to Amegakure midway through the battle, left to endure the anxious wait. She didn't want to experience that helplessness again.
Thus, she had learned the Telescope Technique from Naruto, allowing her to observe battles in real-time, even from afar.
However, what appeared on the crystal ball now was nothing but a sea of white—a dense fog that reduced visibility to nearly zero.
Outside Kirigakure: The Battlefield
The thick mist, created by Naruto Uzumaki using the secret technique Sage Art: Phantom Moon Hidden Mist, served to block all vision.
Using the Dustless Maze technique of the Second Tsuchikage, Naruto concealed not only his physical form but also his chakra and scent.
Meanwhile, in Sage Mode, his enhanced sensory perception allowed him to locate Obito Uchiha even without sight.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Under the cover of invisibility, Naruto moved at high speed, closing in on Obito.
Although Dustless Maze provided exceptional stealth, Naruto had to account for sound—a crucial factor in battle. For elite shinobi, locating an enemy by sound alone was not difficult.
To counter this, Naruto had mastered Kirigakure's Silent Killing Technique, eliminating any noise from his movements.
With both sight and sound neutralized, Obito's ability to detect him was severely restricted.
Whoosh!
Through his continuous use of Kamui, Obito began to thin out the mist. The visibility gradually improved to about ten meters.
"Aside from my Sharingan, I possess some chakra sensory abilities as well," Obito thought. "But Naruto's chakra has completely vanished. There's only one technique I know of that can achieve this…"
Having been taught by Madara Uchiha himself, Obito quickly deduced the situation.
"The Second Tsuchikage's Dustless Maze, huh? Naruto truly has mastered some remarkable techniques."
Swoosh!
Obito formed hand seals.
"Celestial Canopy Array!"
Whoosh!
Centered on Obito, a sensory barrier expanded outward, quickly covering the area where Naruto was hiding.
Naruto, however, remained unfazed.
"Oh? The Celestial Canopy Array, huh? Jiraiya-sensei could use this too. But the essence of this barrier is still chakra-based sensory—it can't detect me. Only physical sensory methods can break Dustless Maze. However…"
Obito smirked inwardly.
"Still, Dustless Maze has a weakness. When the user gathers chakra to launch an attack, their invisibility is temporarily disrupted. At that moment, their position will be exposed within my barrier."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"But hesitating out of fear isn't wise. When it's time to strike, you strike!"
Crackle!
Naruto activated his Purple Lightning Chakra Mode and charged toward Obito.
"So, he's making his move…"
The instant Naruto's chakra became visible, Obito pinpointed his location. As the purple lightning came into view, Obito's left eye focused sharply.
"Kamui!"
Whoosh!
Space distorted as Obito activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. However, Naruto vanished from his original position, reappearing hundreds of meters away at a pre-placed Flying Thunder God Kunai.
"Tch. He escaped again," Obito muttered.
Naruto observed calmly.
"When Obito uses Kamui, he has to materialize. I had hoped to bait him into attacking so I could teleport behind him and strike. But he's erased the Flying Thunder God mark on his body—he's ruthless, even to himself."
"Also, I tested something just now. Unlike Amaterasu, Kamui distorts space itself. Even with the speed of my Lightning Chakra Mode, I can't guarantee I'll evade it every time. The Flying Thunder God is still the safest option."
Whoosh!
Naruto once again concealed himself using Dustless Maze.
"Next time I strike, I'll be more cautious."
Naruto's tactical approach was clear:
No matter how powerful or convenient ocular jutsu might be, they relied on dynamic vision and a focused line of sight. If the target couldn't be seen, the jutsu couldn't be used.
This was the advantage of Kirigakure's secret techniques, which were uniquely effective against visual-based jutsu like the Sharingan.
However, while the theory was sound, executing it in practice was far more challenging. Achieving complete visual and sensory concealment was a feat even Kage-level shinobi struggled with.
But Naruto, with his immense chakra reserves and mastery of Sage Mode, had pushed these techniques to their terrifying limits.
Obito frowned.
"Hiding again, huh? What a cunning fox. I finally understand why he's so confident, even knowing I possess both Kamui eyes. He's mastered an arsenal of techniques specifically designed to counter the Uchiha's eyes. What I can't figure out is… how did he learn all this in just one night?"
"At this point, fairness doesn't matter. Even if it's underhanded, I have to win!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Five flames ignited at Obito's fingertips, which he pressed into the ground.
"Uchiha Flame Formation!"
A massive purple flame barrier erupted, sealing the battlefield. Black markings spread from Obito's hands to the barrier walls.
This barrier combined the principles of Kamui's space-time jutsu, giving it unique properties. Obito had used it once before in his previous battle with Naruto.
"This barrier prevents him from escaping with Flying Thunder God. It confines his movements entirely within its bounds."
"Tobi, use your jutsu to flush him out!" Obito commanded.
"Got it~!" Tobi replied lazily, clasping his hands together.
"Wood Release: Flower Tree World!"
Boom!!
Massive trees burst from the ground, rapidly filling the barrier. Flower buds bloomed, releasing clouds of poisonous pollen. In the sealed environment, the pollen became even deadlier.
Naruto, however, chuckled.
"So that's your play? But I've already mastered the First Mizukage's secret technique, Water Breathing. It was designed for situations where large-scale Water Release jutsu might affect the user. By opening my pores, I can extract oxygen from water to breathe. While there's no water here, the mist is rich in moisture!"
"Also, if you use Kamui to absorb the mist entirely, you'll take the pollen with it. I'd welcome that outcome."
The Flower Tree World failed to force Naruto out.
Obito began to doubt whether Naruto was even still within the barrier.
Time passed, and both sides remained motionless.
What ensued was a psychological standoff—a test of patience and composure.
Obito grew restless. The pollen, while less effective on him due to his Hashirama cells, was still an irritant.
"Tobi, move away. I'm going to absorb the mist and pollen entirely!"
"Understood~!" Tobi replied, distancing himself from Obito.
Whoosh!
Obito's right eye swirled with Kamui, pulling the mist and pollen into his dimension.
However, Obito wasn't acting recklessly.
"If I were Naruto, I wouldn't miss the chance to strike while I'm materialized during the absorption. If he's still here, he'll show himself now."
Naruto observed calmly.
"I know Obito is skilled at psychological warfare. If he's absorbing the mist so openly, he must have a plan. Attacking now might not be wise. Instead…"
Naruto's Sage Mode senses detected Tobi maintaining a significant distance from Obito.
"I'll target Tobi instead. He's a unique White Zetsu with exceptional combat abilities. And within him… is Captain Yamato. To be safe, I'll use that technique."
Naruto formed hand seals.
"Phantom Moon Shadow Clone!"
Boom!
A specialized shadow clone appeared and charged toward Tobi.
Obito immediately sensed the movement.
"He's making his move—toward you, Tobi!"
"Ah, I know~!" Tobi replied, drawing the twin blades Hiramekarei and swinging them forward.
The Phantom Moon Shadow Clone, created using a secret technique of the First Mizukage, possessed a unique trait: the Hydrification Technique of the Hōzuki Clan.
Tsshhh!
The blades sliced through the clone, but it turned to water, reforming instantly.
"If it's like that Suigetsu guy, then…" Tobi began, but—
Crackle!
Lightning Release surged, only to be repelled by the clone's Purple Lightning Chakra Mode.
Naruto smirked.
"My clone can also activate Purple Lightning, overcoming the Hydrification Technique's sole weakness—lightning!"
Swish!
As the two passed each other, the clone marked Tobi with a Flying Thunder God seal.
"Thunderbolt: Water Gun!"
The clone raised its hand, forming a gun-like gesture. A high-pressure water bullet, infused with Purple Lightning, shot forward, piercing Tobi's shoulder—and Yamato within him.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"The lightning will awaken Captain Yamato's suppressed consciousness!"
With a roar, Yamato broke free from Tobi's body, like a lion waking from slumber.
Whoosh!!
Naruto's real body teleported beside Tobi, grabbing Yamato and retreating to safety.
Clap!
Placing a hand on Yamato's shoulder, Naruto's Rinnegan glowed.
"I can't teleport you out of this barrier, so…"
"Human Path!"
Whoosh! Yamato's soul was extracted.
"King of Hell!"
Boom!
The King of Hell rose, engulfing Yamato's body and soul before vanishing.
"I'll revive you later. For now, rest, Captain Yamato."
Boom!!!
Obito's voice rang out, laced with killing intent.
"Naruto, unlike your Hokage father, you're truly cunning and resourceful!"
Black flames erupted as Obito's Susano'o enveloped him.
"Kamui Shuriken!"
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
"Don't you dare speak of my father so lightly!"
Massive chakra swirled in his hands as he formed a colossal jutsu.
"Sage Art: Wind Release: Super Giant Rasenshuriken!"
Boom!!!
The clash of titans reached its boiling point!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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