Chapter 236: Spear of the Firmament
With a deafening roar, a massive splash erupted as Hozuki Mangetsu and his clansmen reformed their bodies a short distance away. But not all of them possessed the clan's secret Hydrification Technique. Several had been instantly killed by the Susanoo's single, devastating blow.
As he reformed, a tremor ran through Mangetsu's body, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. The Susanoo was a pure manifestation of chakra and dōjutsu. While its attacks were physical, they were imbued with a massive amount of raw energy that even the Hydrification Technique couldn't completely negate.
"The legendary Susanoo... Wood Release... I'm very curious as to who this person is," Mangetsu said with a wicked smile. He gave a hand signal, and he and his two remaining clansmen charged toward the white skeleton.
They formed their index fingers into the shape of a pistol, and a highly compressed ball of water shot out with a loud crack, striking the Susanoo.
"Secret Technique: Water Gun!"
The water bullets, with their immense piercing power, created a series of cracks on the Susanoo's skeletal frame. The force of the impact sent Dark Owl stumbling back.
Seeing that their attacks were effective, the three of them unleashed a relentless barrage of water bullets, the sound of their jutsu echoing through the battlefield.
As the Susanoo began to crumble, Dark Owl had no choice but to retreat, using the last few moments of the construct's existence to form the hand signs for another jutsu.
"Wood Release: Thorn Killing Technique!"
The ground trembled, and countless wooden stakes shot up from the earth, enclosing the area for hundreds of meters. From the stakes, vine-like branches emerged, writhing and coiling before lashing out at their targets.
"Fall back!" Mangetsu shouted, seeing the overconfidence in his clansmen's eyes.
But it was too late. One of them, still inwardly mocking his clan leader's caution, felt a searing pain rip through his abdomen.
"What is this... how..." he stammered, looking down at the blood pouring from his wound before he collapsed. The other was more fortunate. A branch pierced through his skull, killing him instantly.
Of the Hozuki who had come as reinforcements, only their leader, Hozuki Mangetsu, remained.
His face contorted with rage. He took a deep breath, and his arms suddenly swelled to several times their normal size.
"Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!"
"You bastard! I'll use your blood to honor my fallen clansmen!" With a roar, Mangetsu vanished.
The Great Water Arm not only amplified his strength, but also his defense. With his bare hands, he tore through the wooden branches that stood in his way, carving a path directly to Dark Owl.
"Die!!!"
As his monstrous, demonic arms swung down, the Mangekyo in Dark Owl's eyes blazed. The white skeleton of her Susanoo, now fully restored, materialized around her once more.
The instant it appeared, Mangetsu's attack connected. For a brief moment, they were locked in a stalemate, but then a massive, overwhelming force sent Dark Owl flying, her body crashing through the wooden stakes until she finally came to a stop.
She staggered to her feet, a trickle of blood seeping from beneath her mask and dripping onto the ground. Even with the Susanoo's protection, a direct hit from Mangetsu's full-powered attack had not left her unscathed. The sheer force of the impact had been enough to cause significant internal damage.
But with her perfect fusion of the Hashirama cells, she knew her injuries would heal quickly. She may have been at a disadvantage, but she was far from defeated.
"Cough, cough." As she rose, she ignored the charging enemy, her mind lost in a spiral of dark thoughts.
This piece of trash, who was killed by him with a single blow... he can actually threaten me. Is the gap between our strengths really that great?
If that's the case, how will I ever get my revenge? How can I create that "beautiful" world?
I hate it...
"AHHHHH!!!"
Hearing her sudden, agonized scream, Mangetsu felt a flicker of unease, but he did not hesitate. He raised his arms again, gathering his strength for a final, even more powerful blow.
The white skeleton of the Susanoo appeared once more, but this time, its form was different.
Fueled by the surge of hatred, the power of her Mangekyo exploded, and her Susanoo leaped past its second stage, manifesting in its third.
Tendons and muscles grew over the skeletal frame, and it was then encased in a suit of white Karasu-Tengu armor.
Ignoring the pain that shot through her body, Dark Owl reveled in the Susanoo's newfound, surging power. A smile touched her lips from behind her mask. With a single thought, the armored arm of her Susanoo effortlessly blocked Mangetsu's attack.
At the same time, a long, white spear materialized in its hand.
Seeing the highly condensed chakra of the weapon, a wave of despair washed over Mangetsu.
"I won't die here! No one can kill me!" he roared. A giant, humanoid figure composed entirely of water rose up to meet the Susanoo.
"Secret Technique: Water Giant!"
"Die, Dark Owl!!!"
From within the white Susanoo, Dark Owl's form was a hazy silhouette. "The one who will die," her cold, emotionless voice echoed, "is you."
Her powerful dōjutsu locked onto her target. The Susanoo's arm drew back and, with a surge of immense power, hurled the spear.
"Susanoo: Spear of the Firmament!"
The water giant offered no resistance. The spear, with its unparalleled piercing power, shot straight through it, impaling Hozuki Mangetsu and pinning him to the ground below.
And then, a thunderous explosion that shook the very heavens.
BOOM!
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