Chapter 638: Mugetsu and Uchiha Madara's Panels
"Let's begin."
Inside the dimly lit cave, Uchiha Madara sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at the woman wearing a Grass Ninja forehead protector, half of her body covered in black matter.
"Yes, Lord Madara," Black Zetsu said respectfully with a nod.
He had invaded the Grass Ninja's body and was now controlling her.
"Dragon Life Reincarnation!"
Black Zetsu controlled the Grass Ninja to form hand seals, then placed both hands, glowing with the light of life, on Uchiha Madara's body, transferring all of the Grass Ninja's life force into him.
Under the infusion of powerful vitality, Uchiha Madara's pale, wrinkled face gained a trace of color. The wrinkles on his face gradually faded.
Meanwhile, the Grass Ninja's body aged at a visible rate, eventually becoming withered and decrepit.
After exhausting the Grass Ninja's life force, Black Zetsu immediately emerged from her body and asked Uchiha Madara, "Lord Madara, how do you feel now?"
Dragon Life Reincarnation was their backup plan. Ordinary life-force transfer could not truly restore youth. At most, it could provide a short-term enhancement to the body.
"My power is gradually returning. Not much, but enough," Uchiha Madara said indifferently as he opened his eyes.
His current state was naturally far from his peak, but this time, his opponent was not Senju Hashirama.
It was Hayate Mugetsu.
So this was more than enough.
"According to White Zetsu's intelligence, Hayate Mugetsu's forces should be about to clash with the Iwa Ninja Force. Lord Madara, after you absorb the Gedo Statue's Chakra and get used to your current body, you should encounter Hayate Mugetsu right after he has gone through a major battle," Black Zetsu explained his plan.
Although Uchiha Madara had always been only slightly inferior to Senju Hashirama, Black Zetsu still felt it would be safer to deplete Mugetsu's Chakra first.
"Why bother?" Uchiha Madara scoffed, walking to the Gedo Statue and rapidly forming hand seals.
He was merely a junior in his early twenties. He did not deserve such meticulous planning.
Madara had already decided to act personally.
As Uchiha Madara formed hand seals, a beam of light shot from the Gedo Statue's mouth and struck his body.
Then Uchiha Madara turned his gaze to the special White Zetsu with a spiral body.
Tobi was the most unique White Zetsu. He could expand his body to wrap around a Ninja and enhance their overall abilities.
Madara was too old now. To regain enough strength, he needed not only powerful life force and the Gedo Statue's Chakra, but also Tobi's enhancement.
Tobi immediately understood Uchiha Madara's intention and expanded his body to cover him.
Uchiha Madara clenched his fist, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
As he aged, his strength had gradually declined. Now, he was finally regaining a little of his former feeling.
"Lord Madara, what does it feel like to need to relieve yourself?" Tobi could not help asking curiously.
"Shut up and don't speak," Uchiha Madara said expressionlessly.
If Tobi suddenly said something like that during his battle with Hayate Mugetsu, wouldn't it tarnish the name of Uchiha Madara?
"Where is Hayate Mugetsu?" Uchiha Madara asked Black Zetsu.
"He should be in the Green Wood Forest area," Black Zetsu replied.
"But Lord Madara, do you really not need to get used to your power?"
"Do I not understand my own body?" Uchiha Madara replied calmly.
Then Chakra erupted from him, and he rushed out of the cave, heading straight for Green Wood Forest.
He was already eager to test the strength of Hayate Mugetsu, this second Wood Release Ninja.
Watching Uchiha Madara quickly disappear from sight, Black Zetsu's expression became somewhat displeased.
"How arrogant, for someone I am merely manipulating."
He had refused to take advantage of the situation and instead insisted on confronting Hayate Mugetsu while the other party was still in good condition. What was the point of that besides adding variables?
"But it's just Hayate Mugetsu. There shouldn't be any problems," Black Zetsu thought, recalling Hayate Mugetsu's intelligence.
Although Hayate Mugetsu had many techniques, he was still too young and had not yet surpassed the scope of an ordinary Ninja. Even if Uchiha Madara was not at his peak, he should still be able to handle him.
As he neared Green Wood Forest, Uchiha Madara immediately locked onto the strongest Chakra signature on the battlefield. His gaze fell on the blond-haired Ninja, openly scrutinizing Mugetsu.
Mugetsu met Uchiha Madara's gaze directly, staring into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan as he assessed the mysterious black-robed figure who had suddenly entered the battlefield.
[Name: Uchiha Madara]
[Chakra: 39,630,000]
[Potential: SS+ (Six Paths Bloodline + Hashirama Cells + Basic Talent)]
[Skills: Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 13600/15000), Earth Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient), Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient), Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient), Lightning Release, Yin Release, Yang Release, Wood Release (Proficient)...]
Undoubtedly, it was the strongest panel Mugetsu had ever seen.
Chakra levels surpassing a Tailed Beast, top-tier SS+ potential. Only the skills section surprised Mugetsu, because Uchiha Madara's Fire Release had not reached the Perfect level.
After thinking about it carefully, although Uchiha Madara's Fire Release performance had been impressive, it did not have any truly decisive achievements. Mei Terumī's Water Release had been enough to extinguish it, so it was reasonable that it had not reached the Perfect level.
Moreover, Uchiha Madara's true strength was not Fire Release. It was the combination of Ninjutsu, Sharingan, and Chakra.
Mugetsu estimated that if the Sharingan counted as a skill, Uchiha Madara's Sharingan would most likely be at the Perfect level.
"This isn't even his peak. It's truly exaggerated," Mugetsu sighed inwardly.
Although he did not know what method Uchiha Madara had used, no matter what it was, Uchiha Madara could not possibly have returned to his peak. At most, he had temporarily recovered part of his strength. Otherwise, Madara would not need to train successors and could simply go after the Tailed Beasts himself.
[Name: Hayate Mugetsu]
[Chakra: 896,000 (???)]
[Skills: Wood Release (Perfect), Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Perfect), Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Perfect), Armament Haki (Perfect), Thunder Breathing (Perfect), Water Breathing (Perfect)...]
Looking at his own panel, Mugetsu sighed.
Eight hundred ninety-six thousand Chakra was enough to crush most Ninja, but compared to Uchiha Madara's thirty-nine million, it was nothing more than a drop in the bucket.
He had too little time to develop.
If his disciples had another ten years to train, Mugetsu's Chakra might not equal Uchiha Madara's, but the gap would not be so enormous.
Actually, it was mainly because of Nagato. The Chakra provided by all his other disciples combined was not even half of what Nagato had given him.
Mugetsu was glad he had taken the risk to find Nagato and accept him as a disciple back then. Otherwise, the current gap would have been even more immense.
The two stared at each other.
In the half-second their gazes met, they attacked without warning.
Swish! Swish!
Their figures flickered, constantly approaching each other at speeds difficult for ordinary people to follow.
As he ran, Uchiha Madara extended a black Chakra rod from each palm.
At the same time, Mugetsu retrieved Enma from his system space.
These Chakra black rods had the effect of disrupting Chakra and could not be touched directly with the body.
Whoosh!
Mugetsu erupted with Chakra, gripped Enma tightly, and leaped forward. The sharp greatsword sliced through the air with a shrill whistling sound, aiming straight for Uchiha Madara's throat.
Uchiha Madara remained calm. He lightly tapped his foot against the ground, shifting his body sideways at an incredible angle and easily avoiding the fatal blow. At the same time, he thrust the black rod in his hand forward, carrying fierce wind pressure as it stabbed directly toward Mugetsu's waist.
Mugetsu had already activated Transparent World and Byakugan, predicting Uchiha Madara's counterattack in advance. He quickly adjusted his posture, sweeping the long blade upward and drawing a brilliant silver arc through the air.
The blade collided violently with the black rod in midair, producing a loud clang and sending sparks flying.
The powerful force forced both of them back several steps.
Uchiha Madara noticed the chip in the black rod and slightly raised his evaluation of Mugetsu.
At least in terms of Taijutsu, Mugetsu was not bad.
Uchiha Madara's sudden arrival caught the attention of both forces, because the person he attacked was Mugetsu, who had just used Wood Release: World of Trees.
"Who is this? Did Senior Retsuishi arrange another strong fighter as a precaution?" Since Uchiha Madara had attacked Mugetsu the moment he arrived, Kitsuchi assumed Madara was an Iwagakure Ninja.
From his position, Kitsuchi could only see Madara's back and had not seen his Sharingan.
After observing with his peripheral vision for a while, Kitsuchi felt that was probably not the case.
He knew all the strong individuals in Iwagakure, and there was no reason to disguise themselves in this situation.
"Such powerful Chakra! And is that a Three-Tomoe Sharingan?" Kakashi, who had activated Transparent World, sensed Uchiha Madara's Chakra, and his expression became extremely serious.
This mysterious black-robed figure wearing a white spiral mask actually had Chakra stronger than a Jinchuriki and even possessed the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
Had someone stolen an Uchiha's Sharingan and transplanted it?
Or was this attacker an Uchiha Clan Ninja?
Did the Uchiha Clan have such a powerful Ninja?
Why would an Uchiha Clan Ninja attack Mugetsu to help Iwagakure?
Kakashi's mind was now filled with questions.
"Sharingan!"
Shisui and Obito both froze when they saw Uchiha Madara's Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Then expressions of extreme shock appeared on their faces.
Not only Mugetsu's disciples, but many Konoha Ninja also showed surprised and confused expressions after seeing Uchiha Madara's eyes.
It was common knowledge that the Sharingan was the unique Bloodline Limit of the Uchiha Clan.
Because they were on the battlefield, some Konoha Ninja closer to Uchiha Madara decisively attacked him.
He had attacked their commander. Even if this black-robed man truly was a Konoha Ninja, he deserved to be killed!
However, how could their attacks possibly be effective against Uchiha Madara?
Uchiha Madara moved with effortless agility. With just a few swings, he nearly killed the Konoha Ninja who attacked him. Fortunately, Mugetsu intervened in time and saved them.
"It seems I need to clear out the weeds first," Uchiha Madara said, sweeping his gaze over the surrounding Ninja.
Chakra erupted from his feet as he leaped into the air.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Uchiha Madara condensed a massive amount of Chakra in his throat, rapidly converted it into Fire Release Chakra, and expelled it in one breath.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A massive flame erupted like a volcanic explosion, instantly igniting a large number of trees and engulfing some nearby Iwagakure Ninja.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Some Iwa Ninja who had mastered Water Release tried to block the flames, but their defenses were instantly evaporated.
The forest became fuel for the sea of fire, helping it expand even further and making the Fire Release appear even more terrifying.
Both Konoha Ninja and Iwagakure Ninja rapidly retreated, pulling away from the terrifying Fire Release.
Kitsuchi and Might Guy were forced to stop fighting. Both sides flashed back toward their respective comrades.
"What terrifying Fire Release! Who is this?" Kitsuchi was extremely curious about the identity of the black-robed figure.
Such immense power, and yet he belonged to neither Konoha nor Iwagakure.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Mugetsu, who had used Flying Thunder God to save his subordinates, formed hand seals and unleashed Water Release.
In theory, he could also use Fire Release to cancel out Uchiha Madara's Fire Release, but that would waste more Chakra.
Given the huge disparity in Chakra, Mugetsu had to use his Chakra sparingly, using countering Ninjutsu whenever possible.
A massive torrent of water was expelled by Mugetsu, forming a wave almost eight meters high, as if it intended to turn the forest into a lake.
Under such a wide-ranging Water Release, the sea of fire was rapidly extinguished.
Mugetsu's disciples gathered together.
"Shisui, Obito, do you know this person?" Kakashi asked in a low voice, staring intently at Uchiha Madara.
Obito and Shisui both shook their heads.
There was no Ninja in the Uchiha Clan currently as powerful as this. Even the strongest among them, Uchiha Fugaku, was far inferior to this black-robed man.
"This might be it. Everyone, be extremely careful," Kakashi said gravely.
As Mugetsu displayed more abilities, Kakashi had once doubted whether Mugetsu would truly face a life-or-death crisis.
But reality was always sudden.
An incredibly powerful unknown enemy had suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
All the disciples nodded with serious expressions.
"Teacher Mugetsu, I must save you! I won't accept a world without Teacher Mugetsu!" Obito locked his gaze on Mugetsu and Uchiha Madara, vowing inwardly.
Before meeting Mugetsu, he had been nothing more than an unremarkable dead last.
It was Mugetsu who had constantly taught and helped him, allowing him to become the pride of the Uchiha Clan, a genius who became a Jonin at the age of ten.
Mugetsu had always helped him.
This time, he would help Mugetsu escape this certain death situation!
"The enemy has the Sharingan. His Genjutsu level is unknown. His Fire Release power exceeds my Flame Breathing Chakra Mode..." Shisui began formulating a battle plan based on the information the black-robed man had displayed.
But the more Shisui thought, the more a sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.
This black-robed man was not only extraordinarily powerful, but his abilities also overlapped heavily with Shisui's own.
Shisui feared that only his still-incomplete Azure Flame might have some effect.
"All my usual hard training is for this very moment!" Might Guy recalled Mugetsu's teachings in his mind.
Undoubtedly, Mugetsu was one of the most important people to him.
Might Guy believed that to protect something important, no matter the circumstances, one had to fight to protect it until the very end, even if it meant losing one's life.
Dying that way was dying as a man.
At this moment, Might Guy was ready to fully activate the Eight Gates. Not just the Gate of Opening or the Gate of Healing. If necessary, he would open them to his absolute limit, even to the Gate of Death.
"Water Release..." Seeing Mugetsu use such a wide-ranging Water Release, Uchiha Madara's expression became somewhat displeased.
It was not because his Ninjutsu had been countered and he had lost confidence, but because this Water Release reminded him of someone he disliked.
"You can use water to extinguish fire, so how will you deal with this?"
Uchiha Madara ignored the gazes of others.
His blood-red Three-Tomoe Sharingan stared at Mugetsu, and a massive amount of Chakra erupted from his body. Blue Chakra flames rapidly surged upward, quickly forming a blue miniature giant with only an upper body.
The blue miniature giant was more than eight meters tall. It had four arms, and each arm held a blue longsword.
.....
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