Chapter 285: Going Rogue Triples Your Power
However, Neji paid this no attention whatsoever.
His gaze swept across Konoha Village buildings destroyed by the Wood Release forest. A satisfied smile appeared at his lips.
Konoha Village's months of effort had completely vanished in that previous Wood Release wave.
This was the disadvantage of fighting within one's own village.
Enemies could act recklessly, but you had to exercise restraint. Otherwise, whatever you did, the losses were all your own property.
Neji's gaze quickly met Mizuki's below, knowing it was time to conclude this farce.
He raised his gaze toward the moon overhead, activating the massive Tenseigan hidden there.
With that thing's support, he became a cheat-enabled numerical monster.
In silent trembling, tremendous energy generated from the giant Tenseigan, entering Neji's eyes through some invisible channel.
"Hahahaha..." Neji laughed loudly. "Itachi, is this your limit?"
"If this is all you've got, then one year from today will be your death anniversary!"
Neji raised his hands again. Only this time, the golden light in his hands proved countless times thicker than before—radiating brilliantly, shooting straight into the clouds.
Even without experiencing it personally, just looking with naked eyes could sense that golden light's sharpness and terror.
Seemingly perceiving success or failure hinged on this one move, Itachi also roared loudly, stimulating Wood Release to its extreme while heavily whipping toward Neji.
A savage smile appeared on Neji's face. Not dodging or evading, he merely swung his arm. That brilliantly radiant golden sword descended like a heavenly blade, easily cutting through the super giant tree's thick bark without half a moment's resistance.
The golden light flashed once, then twice, three times—weaving into a densely packed golden light net enveloping Itachi's super giant tree.
After several seconds, the light vanished.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, that towering giant tree collapsed thunderously—like toppled building blocks, cut into cubic shapes piece by piece.
The giant tree tilted like overturned shipping containers, pouring tree blocks down toward Susanoo at its base.
However, Itachi couldn't spare attention for this. That golden light appeared again, slashing down toward Susanoo's head.
Itachi instinctively raised his shield, blocking above himself.
Susanoo's defense proved truly world's finest. That golden light sword which easily sliced the super giant tree couldn't immediately break through Susanoo's defense.
But this situation proved even worse.
The golden light sword and energy shield collided, erupting with blinding white light nearly capable of blinding eyes.
A massive explosion occurred at the collision point. A mushroom cloud shot skyward, sweeping everything on the ground toward the heights.
Even Susanoo's massive body stood somewhat unsteadily under this rising airflow's impact.
The massive quantity of tree blocks originally pouring down all ignited during collision with this mushroom cloud, burning into overwhelming flames that scorched half the sky.
Violent shockwaves centered on Susanoo, rushing toward the village in all directions. Everything in their path was scraped three feet deep—even underground pipelines were dug out and torn apart, performing more efficiently than demolition offices.
Konoha Village, previously ravaged once by Wood Release forest, again suffered secondary damage.
The village rebuilt over several months using countless money instantly returned to pre-reconstruction state in this battle—no different from ruins.
"Break for me!!!"
Neji shouted loudly, pushing Tenseigan's power to its extreme.
With a crisp "crack," Susanoo's shield finally shattered.
Without the shield's defense, the golden light sword descended smoothly, slashing into Susanoo's forehead. After pausing slightly, like a chainsaw cutting wood, it broke through irresistibly and cut inside.
Amid flying energy fragments across the sky, the golden light sword directly pierced Susanoo's head—including Itachi inside, ground into powder without escape.
Without an energy provider, Susanoo immediately disintegrated, transforming into light and vanishing.
Only Neji remained, he hovered in midair with his back to the bright moon, throwing his head back in laughter.
"Hahahaha..."
"This feeling of freedom is truly intoxicating!"
"Branch House clansmen, I'll give you one final chance to choose. Either soar freely like me, or sink into hell together with these decayed Main House members."
After speaking, Neji wasted no more words. His body shot out electrically like wind, ruthlessly striking down those Main House members present.
This time, even more Branch House members fled and hid.
After all, the battle outcome was decided—Neji had achieved great victory. Within current Konoha Village, no powerful individuals remained capable of opposing Neji.
As for those Branch House members still stubbornly willing to die for the Main House, Neji didn't indulge them—casually killing them all together.
Within just an instant, the field became covered in blood and corpses everywhere.
"Stop!"
Itachi, revived using Izanagi, charged over madly, attempting to prevent Neji from harming village comrades.
But the current Neji absolutely refused prolonged combat with Itachi. Regardless of how he activated Susanoo and Wood Release, Neji merely moved swiftly, prioritizing annihilating the Main House as his first objective.
Establishing authority had already been accomplished. Lord Yasushi's assigned tasks were complete. The remaining time belonged to Neji's revenge moment.
Fight Itachi? Too time-wasting!
"Ahhhhh..."
Itachi screamed madly, using various tactics attempting to stop Neji.
But against a peerless expert wholeheartedly conducting guerrilla warfare, only wanting to kill—these proved completely useless.
Itachi could only watch helplessly as Neji killed all Main House members present before laughing loudly and departing leisurely. He couldn't save anyone.
Neji flew away, his figure vanishing into the bright moonlight.
Deathly silence filled Konoha Village. No one spoke—only the "crack crack pop pop" sounds of flames burning throughout the village, and that faint weeping.
Finally, Mizuki first broke the silence.
"Everyone, don't stand around stupidly. Quickly begin rescue operations."
"Other matters—we'll discuss tomorrow after daybreak."
Reminded by Mizuki, others regained their senses, beginning rescue operations.
However, though people were rescuing, everyone wore wooden expressions—as though just awakening from nightmares, completely lacking spirit.
That previous great battle had destroyed everyone's fighting will.
Itachi's performance had already been exceptional. But before Neji, he still proved utterly vulnerable.
Previously only Uchiha Yasushi existed as such an enemy. Now another had emerged.
What's going on here?
Does betraying the village triple your power?
Or is there some curse on this place—shinobi immediately becoming unstoppable the moment they turn rogue?
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