Chapter 545: The Battle for the Three-Tails
Upon seeing Aoba Yamashiro's Great Fireball Technique, Madara Uchiha was first taken aback, then let out a cold laugh.
What was this nonsense? Wasn't this the introductory fire ninjutsu of the Uchiha clan!
To Madara, this jutsu was the epitome of 'low damage, high insult.' Daring to show off such a paltry trick in front of him—did this man have a death wish?
Mei Terumi's Lava and Boil Release required caution, but a C-rank fire jutsu like the Great Fireball, which he had mastered at the age of four, warranted no such consideration. Tracking its trajectory, he shattered the ninjutsu with a single punch.
The fireball exploded, but what scattered out was not a wave of heat, but countless crows.
Aoba held the final "Tiger" hand seal. The technique looked like a Great Fireball, but it was actually his own jutsu, the "Scattering of a Thousand Crows Technique."
A dense swarm of crows filled Madara's vision. Just as he was about to dismiss it as a petty trick, several glints of light appeared in his Sharingan's sight.
Several of the crows had explosive tags tied to their legs.
Madara sneered, and a layer of a tightly woven ribcage manifested from his ethereal blue Susano'o, blocking all of the explosions outside.
This faint energy barrier not only stopped the blasts but also blocked Raidō Namiashi, who, wielding a long sword, often coordinated with Aoba and was mixed within the flock of crows.
"What a nuisance of ants." The skeletal hand of the Susano'o snatched Raidō, lifting him high into the air. Its five fingers tightened, preparing to crush the Konoha ninja.
The Susano'o's other skeletal hand blocked Mei Terumi's Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique, which carried a strong corrosive property.
The boil release jutsu was searingly hot, and the Susano'o's skeleton began to melt rapidly, but at its current speed, it wouldn't be in time to save Raidō.
Aoba and Raidō were extremely close friends. Seeing his friend in mortal danger, he immediately activated his trump card.
He took out a ninjutsu scroll containing a "Sage Art: Water Release: Water Severing Wave" that Ino had sealed using a special method.
Aoba quickly unsealed it, guiding the massive chakra within the scroll to form a silver water line. With a hiss, it severed the Susano'o's skeletal arm. A flock of crows swarmed in and rescued Raidō.
The numerous ninja Aoba had brought with him also attacked one by one. Fire Release, Wind Release, and a barrage of kunai were all thrown, not to defeat the enemy, but simply to assist Mei Terumi in stalling for time until Might Guy arrived.
The Azure Dragon had not yet fully unleashed his splendor, but his victory over Kitsuchi during the defense against the Hidden Stone ninja had been witnessed by many. Everyone had a fair amount of trust in his strength.
Their plan was sound, but unfortunately, the gap in power was too vast.
Madara was indeed powerful. While using his Susano'o to fend off their attacks, he used his Sharingan to completely take control of the Three-Tails, Isobu.
Mei Terumi had no intention of fighting to the death for Konoha. Seeing the Three-Tails fall completely into Madara's hands, she immediately decided to retreat.
After the Three-Tails spat out a dark purple Tailed Beast Bomb, she blocked it with three layers of Lava Release and one blast of Boil Release. Then, feigning chakra exhaustion, she collapsed without a sound.
Madara saw through her little trick with a single glance. These ninja... they're still the same after all these years.
He chuckled twice, standing atop the Three-Tails's back with an air of supreme confidence, looking down on the Konoha ninja.
With a single leap, he plunged into the midst of the Konoha forces. No longer tied down by the Three-Tails and with no need to pay attention to the Mizukage, he unleashed his taijutsu and Sharingan perception to their fullest. Madara sent Raidō flying with a kick, then moved like the wind, darting left and right. All eleven Konoha ninja were taken down in a single blow.
Only Aoba managed to block two attacks, but that was all.
"Konoha ninja truly get worse with each generation." Leaving behind this critique, Madara Uchiha rode away on the Three-Tails, making a grand exit.
In truth, the safest course of action would have been to have the Three-Tails submerge and then, once Madara returned to his secret base, summon it remotely. But who was he? He was Madara Uchiha. He preferred to do things with flair.
On the way, Zetsu sent his unique clone, Tobi.
Madara handed the Three-Tails over to Tobi, telling him to take it back to Obito to have its chakra extracted.
This mission would be credited to Tobi. For now, the news of Madara Uchiha's revival was not to be revealed.
The Konoha ninja and Mei Terumi had indeed seen him, but he didn't think they would tell Obito. Therefore, his identity remained hidden for the time being.
Madara considered Zetsu his creation and Tobi his subordinate. He commanded him like a servant, "Take the Three-Tails back, and tell Zetsu to speed up the reconnaissance on the Seven-Tails and Nine-Tails jinchuriki... Hmm? It seems the Konoha ninja have caught up again? What a relentless bunch of ants. You take the Three-Tails and go. I'll hold them off."
Madara stood his ground, arms crossed. Tobi left with the Three-Tails.
About a minute later, Team Three finally caught up.
"A Hyuga clan ninja, a very ordinary female ninja, a... a taijutsu specialist? Why is there a sick person too? Your team is certainly interesting. This isn't some Academy game of house." Madara felt that the enemies he had waited for were utterly subpar. You chased me all this way, and this is the best you can do?
In his eyes, the only one worth a second glance was Neji Hyuga.
The Uchiha and Hyuga clans had been rivals for many years, often on equal footing. The Hyuga clan was indeed qualified to face him, but this Hyuga ninja was far too young!
Is he even eighteen? After accumulating thirty years of visual power, perhaps he could withstand a dozen of Madara Uchiha's moves. But now? He was far too weak.
Neji Hyuga stood at the forefront of the squad, facing Madara directly. He had already learned of the enemy's identity from Aoba and was quite nervous, but for the sake of his comrades, he bravely assumed the Gentle Fist's opening stance.
Tenten also took out a long staff, her face full of caution as she watched Madara.
"Lee, put me down. I can... I can still fight..." Might Guy's seasickness had improved considerably, but his voice was still weak and listless.
The three members of Team Three were in a difficult position. Did Guy-sensei really have the strength to fight right now?
Madara wasn't about to listen to their teacher-student drama. Three half-grown kids and a sick man weren't even worthy of his Susano'o.
He shot towards Neji like an arrow. Before Neji could use his Sixty-Four Palms, Madara abruptly changed direction, circling around to attack from the side of Team Three's V-formation.
He aimed a kick at Tenten. This female ninja was the weakest and also the crucial link connecting the other two boys. By attacking a point the enemy must defend, he was certain to succeed.
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