Crack!
With Upper Moon Two's relentless onslaught, a crisp sound rang out as a noticeable crack appeared on one side of Shinji's Susanoo!
"How is this possible!?"
Shion was stunned.
If Upper Moon Two managed to breach Shinji's Susanoo, the consequences were unthinkable.
Yet, Upper Moon Two didn't press the attack on the crack. Instead, it feigned strikes at other areas, constantly adjusting its stance and building up power.
Having invaded the ninja world for so long, it was familiar with the various dojutsu and their characteristics.
For instance, the Sharingan was the ninja world's most powerful insight eye, but it couldn't see through objects. Thus, Upper Moon Two planned to secretly amass chakra and demonic flesh power within its body, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to Shinji at the critical moment!
However, it was unaware that Shinji's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan wielded the dojutsu Susanoo Tomoshibi, capable of controlling other dojutsu. Nor did it know that Shinji was currently using a pair of pure Byakugan obtained from the Otsutsuki branch family.
As a result, Upper Moon Two's scheme to covertly gather chakra and flesh power was fully exposed to Shinji.
Still, Shinji remained impassive.
After a moment, Upper Moon Two completed its positional adjustments, having accumulated sufficient chakra and flesh power. It struck decisively: "Moon Breathing, Eighth Form: Moon Dragon Wheel Tail!"
"Watch out!"
Though Shion lacked dojutsu, her miko senses detected the impending danger, prompting her to warn Shinji as Upper Moon Two attacked.
Before Shion's warning fully landed, Upper Moon Two lunged forward, slashing fiercely at the cracked section!
Based on Shion's reaction, it deduced she was a novice who had mastered a powerful sealing technique. If it could breach Susanoo's defenses and critically wound Shinji, it could turn the tables, just as it had in countless desperate battles before!
Meanwhile, Shinji, who had been silent until now, smirked and finally acted!
With a wave of his right hand, his Susanoo mirrored the motion, perfectly timed to seize the charging Upper Moon Two in its grip.
Shinji had anticipated the timing and position of the attack, allowing him to subdue the enemy in one move!
"!?"
Only when it was firmly grasped by Shinji's Susanoo did Upper Moon Two realize its mistake, its expression shifting dramatically!
It finally understood that everything had been a trap set by Shinji.
Shinji's Susanoo was clearly a full tier above Sasuke's, not only capable of finely adjusting its defensive strength but also moving at astonishing speed—only a fraction slower than Upper Moon Two's maximum. By predicting its movements, Shinji could easily capture it.
Shinji paid no mind to Upper Moon Two's regret. While urging Susanoo to bring the still-struggling demon before him, he retrieved the Third-Generation Aging Agent from his ninja pouch.
Seeing Shinji produce the drug, Upper Moon Two's face tightened.
Recalling how Shinji had injected it with a drug during their last encounter, a surge of intense humiliation welled up in the proud demon's heart!
Shinji couldn't care less about Upper Moon Two's feelings. He coldly injected the Third-Generation Aging Agent into its body, saying, "Upper Moon Five barely survived it. Let's see if you can withstand it!"
"Damn you!"
Upper Moon Two's three pairs of eyes glared at Shinji, as if it wanted to devour him whole.
But Shinji's Susanoo held it tightly in its grip, and no matter how it struggled, it couldn't budge an inch.
This wasn't its fault.
For one, it wasn't a demon renowned for strength. For another, the arm of Shinji's dojutsu-enhanced Susanoo was far sturdier than the research group's containment cell.
Soon, the Third-Generation Aging Agent took effect.
Unlike Upper Moon Five, which endured for several minutes, Kokushibo, Upper Moon Two, showed immediate large-scale skin decay, its body seeming to melt!
Witnessing such a horrific sight, Shion covered her mouth, nearly gasping in shock.
Shinji, however, remained focused, undeterred by Kokushibo's ghastly appearance. Using the Byakugan wielded through Susanoo Tomoshibi, he observed Kokushibo's internal state.
Soon, he noticed something amiss.
While Kokushibo's exterior appeared far worse than Upper Moon Five's, its internal cellular structure showed no signs of collapse. Even the neurotoxin in the Third-Generation Aging Agent was being metabolized at an alarming rate.
"Hm?"
Shinji frowned slightly.
Shion asked, "Is… is he about to die?"
Shinji shook his head, then abruptly urged Susanoo to crush Upper Moon Two into a pulp in its palm.
Shion froze, then noticed that the blood and flesh slipping from Susanoo's palm turned to ash and vanished. She asked, "Did you kill Upper Moon Two?"
"No!" Shaking his head, Shinji suddenly looked into the distance. "That guy seems to have combined Blood Demon Art with chakra to develop some secret technique, hiding a portion of its flesh and using it to regenerate!"
"What?!"
Following Shinji's gaze, Shion peered into the distance.
Shinji, however, withdrew his gaze and began to ponder.
Having been ravaged by the Third-Generation Aging Agent, Kokushibo seemed to have judged it had no chance of turning the tide. It decisively abandoned its body here, regenerating through the hidden flesh. That's why Shinji had Susanoo crush it.
Kokushibo's secret technique might trouble others, but for Shinji, the Lampbearer, it was inconsequential. If he wished, he could instantly use the Lampbearer's power to locate and pursue the regenerated Kokushibo.
After all, the Lampbearer could unconditionally transport Shinji to the invaders' location.
This was also why Shinji immediately detected Kokushibo's feigned death and escape.
What made Shinji pensive wasn't Kokushibo's escape but the fact that the Third-Generation Aging Agent's effect on it was slightly below expectations.
After a moment, Shinji said to Shion, "Let's head back!"
"No more pursuit?"
Shion was still on her tiptoes, looking in the direction Shinji had gazed, hoping to spot Kokushibo.
"The drug's effect was somewhat underwhelming. I'll figure out a solution back home, so we'll let him live for now!"
With that, Shinji and Shion returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.