The Wolf God's fist crashed down, colliding with the Reflective Shield. Ripples spread outward layer by layer, a sign of the immense power striking against it. Yet the shield did not simply absorb the impact—it redirected it.
The Wolf God's expression shifted sharply as he realized what had happened. The same energy he had unleashed was now reflecting back at him. Nearly half of his own strength was hurled into his body.
The blow struck without warning. Blood burst from his lips as his body reeled from the backlash.
It was natural. He had never imagined his opponent's defense would possess such a terrifying property, nor had he prepared countermeasures. What's more, he had poured tremendous force into that strike. For such a devastating attack to rebound at half its power—it was no surprise he was left coughing blood.
"Like a fool," Zenkichi muttered coldly.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, pressing the advantage. While the Wolf God staggered, Zenkichi's energy gathered in his hand, condensing into a gleaming blade of pure light. His killing intent surged as he aimed directly for his opponent's neck.
But the Wolf God was no ordinary opponent. Even while bloodied, his strength did not falter. His body steadied within moments, and his energy flared violently.
"The power of the Spiritual God!"
Three waves of power burst from within him, his aura skyrocketing to a level far greater than before. His strength multiplied severalfold in an instant, his presence becoming suffocating.
His eyes shifted, blood vessels bursting one after another until crimson tendrils laced across his gaze. The sight was grotesque, unnerving, almost monstrous. This was his secret technique—Heart of Fear.
Those who looked into those eyes would be gripped by terror, trapped in a trance of dread for a second or two. Against most opponents, that brief hesitation was all the Wolf God needed to deliver death. It was a technique honed in countless battles, a weapon that had never failed him.
He unleashed it now, certain that Zenkichi would falter.
But he had overlooked one truth. His vision was not ordinary—it was as if he saw from the perspective of a god. And before him stood a man who carried eyes far beyond the realm of mortals.
Arakawa Zenkichi slowly lifted his gaze.
The Wolf God froze.
What stared back at him was no ordinary sight, but the legendary Rinnegan. Eyes so fearsome that any who gazed into them would find their souls ensnared. Their mere presence bent the will of lesser beings, dragging them into an abyss of despair.
The Wolf God's confidence shattered. His Heart of Fear clashed against the might of the Rinnegan, and it was as if a candle had been cast into a storm. His technique crumbled instantly, devoured by a force far greater.
The moment their gazes locked, his body stiffened. Confusion clouded his thoughts, his limbs froze, his very soul seemed pulled from his body.
This was no mere stalemate. It was complete domination.
Before him stood not a man to be frightened, but a predator, and he had walked willingly into the jaws of the tiger.
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