A flicker of shock crossed the Rinnegan and Mangekyō Sharingan. They had been observing so carefully—and still missed it? How could that be possible?
At that moment, an invisible shadow clone was comfortably burrowed underground, surrounded by solid crystal, quietly sending a marked kunai to the surface. Who would expect someone to use the Transparent Escape Technique like a drilling machine?
Even a complete Susanoo couldn't stand against what Kazuyama and Tagitsuhime had unleashed—true monsters capable of devouring their enemies whole. A massive crimson serpent had Susanoo tightly coiled in its grasp. One was a pitch-black chakra construct, the other a blazing red Senjutsu entity.
Even Muren Uchiha, for the first time, felt the true grip of death. The serpent's massive jaws clamped down on Susanoo's head, and its fire-laced corrosive energy began slowly eating away at the construct.
As for Nagato, powerful chakra surged inside the Titan Python as well. Kazuyama's Senjutsu chakra couldn't match Tagitsuhime's, but Nagato wasn't going all out either.
"Tch, so he still managed to get close using Flying Thunder God?"
"But you still underestimated my..."
"What?!"
Muren remained dismissive. With his Dōjutsu, he could easily turn the tables. But just as he was about to shift his gaze, a beam of red light suddenly shot across his face. Blinded by the searing red, all he could see was crimson.
"Even with Uchiha Dōjutsu, without focus, let's see how far you can fly!"
"Sage Art: Poison Flame Sunset!"
Tagitsuhime's vicious voice rang out as the red glow engulfed her entire body—she had become a demon incarnate. Muren's Dōjutsu allowed him to adjust all distances within his line of sight, but if he couldn't see, he couldn't focus—and couldn't activate it.
Tagitsuhime, having lived for over a thousand years, knew countless techniques. Even facing this Dōjutsu for the first time, she quickly found a way to counter it. Watching her pin down Muren, Kazuyama was elated.
Of course the Snake Princess of Ryūchi Cave wasn't going to lose to an Uchiha. Now, all that remained was to kill Nagato—and it'd all be over!
"I'll turn you into crystal!"
Determined to finish Nagato, Kazuyama discarded his Titan Python form entirely. All of his Senjutsu chakra began transforming into crystal.
It happened in a flash. In the blink of an eye, the Titan Python's glow vanished, and its body turned to solid crystal. Nagato, now trapped inside, was in real danger.
"Damn, never thought a snake from Ryūchi Cave would cause this much trouble."
"As expected, none of the Three Great Sage Regions are to be taken lightly."
"In that case..."
"Summoning Technique!"
"Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"
Nagato had been driven into a corner. Even if he used Shinra Tensei while wrapped in the Titan Python, what could he do? Though he broke free, Muren was in just as bad a spot.
Pushed to his limit, Nagato summoned his ultimate weapon.
Meanwhile, far away in Kirigakure, Zetsu stood stunned—his Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had vanished!
"What the hell happened?!"
"Why would Nagato summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?!"
Back on the battlefield, the massive statue tore through Kazuyama's Titan Python, making him curse aloud.
"Shit!"
"That's the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?"
The Titan Python, composed entirely of Senjutsu chakra, could regenerate even if torn apart. But it wasn't the damage that stunned Kazuyama—it was the massive statue itself. This was the Ten-Tails' husk.
"Kazuyama?"
"What is that?"
Tagitsuhime, still holding the upper hand, immediately noticed something was wrong. The Titan Python had vanished, and the statue was charging toward her.
"Tagitsuhime! We're pulling out!"
Kazuyama wasn't about to tangle with the Demonic Statue. Even as a hollow shell, it was beyond anything he or Tagitsuhime could handle.
With its appearance, it was clear—they couldn't keep their enemies here. Nagato's remaining clones gathered and focused all their chakra into him. Activating the Demonic Statue required an insane amount of chakra. Even Nagato couldn't sustain it for long—but at this point, he no longer cared.
It was the first time Tagitsuhime had seen this monstrosity. Hearing Kazuyama's order, she immediately released Muren's Susanoo and compressed her enormous form.
The crimson blur before Muren's eyes gradually faded.
"Huh? The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?"
"Nagato?"
"Whatever—kill him first!"
Muren was about to speak, but all that remained was his murderous intent toward Kazuyama. The Lance of Longinus reformed in his hands, and he hurled it straight at them.
Boom!
Kazuyama and Tagitsuhime narrowly dodged the blast. With Susanoo and the statue closing in, Kazuyama didn't hesitate. He vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique—so fast that Muren and Nagato could only stare.
"Do we chase him?"
"Yeah! Can you see him?"
"No."
"Then what the hell are we chasing for?!"
Nagato cursed and dispersed his chakra, canceling the summoning of the Demonic Statue.
"Leaving?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Muren dismissed Susanoo, activated his Dōjutsu, and took Nagato with him.
Unbeknownst to them, Kazuyama and Tagitsuhime hadn't gone far—instead, they had gone underground.
"Kazuyama, you sneaky bastard—using your shadow clone to dig a tunnel with Crystal Release?"
"It's called being prepared, alright?"
Kazuyama laid back comfortably, surrounded by crystal—the very tunnel his clone had dug earlier.
"I can't sense their chakra anymore. They must've left."
"So, what now? Head to the Nine-Tails?"
Tagitsuhime had finally settled down. The battle had drained the Snake Princess—her massive use of Senjutsu chakra left her feeling a rare exhaustion.
"Forget it. Minato and the Old Man are at the Nine-Tails. Let them deal with it."
"It was hard enough just keeping those two busy."
"But hey, Tagitsuhime, I just had a wild idea. Wanna help me test it out?"
Kazuyama grinned mischievously, that wicked gleam returning to his eyes. Tonight had been huge for the village, and after all the effort he put in, he deserved a little reward.
"Ugh, whenever you smile like that, nothing good follows!"
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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