Channeling Chakra into a puppet to replicate the characteristics of a clone was a unique technique of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Strictly speaking, it could not truly be called Ninjutsu. The Ōtsutsuki Clan had never possessed the concept of Ninjutsu in the first place.
It was Indra who created Fire Release and discovered that condensing Chakra into powerful techniques relied heavily on hand seals. By forming different hand signs, one could produce a variety of effects.
Thus, he named those hand signs "seals," and the resulting techniques became known as "Ninjutsu."
From that point onward, the concepts of Ninjutsu and seals spread throughout the world.
Hamura and his descendants had left Earth long ago and naturally never experienced this development.
The creation of Ninjutsu and seals undoubtedly allowed more people to harness Chakra effectively and greatly increased the power of techniques. However, it also slowed down the speed at which attacks could be executed.
Whether the advantages outweighed the drawbacks was difficult to judge objectively.
Still, puppets possessed one undeniable advantage. They did not fear death and could retain most of the original user's combat ability.
Therefore, when their Puppet Clone was instantly destroyed, not only Genjin but even Sōgi and Zon felt genuine fear.
How old was this young man?
Yet he already possessed such terrifying strength.
The difference between both sides was simply too great. This was no longer a matter of combat experience. The disparity in raw power was a chasm that seemed impossible to cross.
As the dust gradually settled, Hayashi brushed the dirt from his clothes.
A black pattern appeared between his brows, while scarlet markings spread around his eyes, giving him an eerie and imposing appearance.
The concentration of natural energy on the moon was comparable to that of Ryūchi Cave, which was excellent news for him.
Hayashi reached up and grasped the thin cord around his collar. With a light pull, he removed his ceremonial robe and handed it to Himeji behind him.
Even on a battlefield, the girl calmly smoothed out the wrinkles in the robe without changing her expression before draping it neatly over her right arm.
Far away, inside the artificial sun, Genjin observed everything through a special method.
He remained silent.
Whether due to inheriting the Ōtsutsuki name or because of his own talent, he possessed an innate arrogance. He had always looked down on the Ninshū founded by the Sage of Six Paths and, by extension, the shinobi of Earth.
Yet after witnessing this visitor from Earth casually destroy his clone and then calmly remove his robe as though preparing for a routine exercise, Genjin felt more than fear.
For the first time, he felt jealousy.
Especially after glancing at the expressionless Kawakui standing nearby.
"Seriously... are all the girls on Earth this beautiful?"
Genjin Ōtsutsuki clicked his tongue, his thoughts wandering.
Even so, despite his arrogance, he was not a fool.
That young man's strength was far beyond anything they could handle.
It was inevitable.
The moon's Ōtsutsuki Clan had declined to this extent while living in peace for generations. Their actual combat power was only slightly stronger than that of the Hyūga Clan on Earth.
In a true battle to the death, they might not even win.
Yes, their inherited techniques remained complete, but what did that matter?
The Byakugan needed to utilize those abilities had long since developed problems.
Yet none of them were panicking.
Because they possessed a final trump card.
The Branch Family had defeated the Main Family in the past through the power of the Giant Tenseigan, created from the fused Byakugan of the entire clan.
Through a secret technique, the Giant Tenseigan's power could be temporarily infused into a member of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, drastically increasing that person's combat ability.
It could not compare to a true Tenseigan, but it was more than enough.
Naturally, such overwhelming power came at a price.
The user's Byakugan would be completely destroyed.
In the current era, due to generations of inbreeding and bloodline degradation, the cost was even greater.
It would burn away the user's bloodline itself.
Against most enemies, they would never resort to such a measure.
But this situation was different.
A perfect pair of Byakugan was already within reach.
As long as they defeated the young shinobi and captured the girl's eyes, they could inherit the Giant Tenseigan's ocular power and eventually create a true Tenseigan.
Once they descended to Earth, any damage to their vitality could be replenished through the Hyūga Clan.
The only question was who would accept the Giant Tenseigan's power.
If the chosen individual failed, they would die.
But in their eyes, failure was impossible.
After all, this was the power of the Progenitor's Eye.
The gathered Ōtsutsuki possessed absolute faith in it.
Genjin was about to speak when Ōtsutsuki Sōmoku stepped forward first.
"Let me inherit the power of the Progenitor's Eye."
The elder Ishii stared deeply at Sōmoku through his clouded eyes.
After a long moment, he nodded.
"You shall go. End this battle quickly."
Sōmoku glanced once at his daughter, Kawakui, before turning and walking toward the chamber housing the Giant Tenseigan.
Kawakui did not even spare him a glance.
To be honest, she had long grown tired of this so-called family.
Even if her father died right now, she would feel nothing.
Meanwhile, within the ancient city, Hayashi remained where he stood.
His Wood Clone had already used the Flying Thunder God Technique to send Himeji away.
A major battle was about to begin, and protecting her at the same time would be troublesome.
Hayashi raised his head toward the artificial sun.
He could feel a tremendous power being gathered.
So this is the power of the Tenseigan...
Suddenly, the heavens and earth changed.
A pillar of white Chakra, as massive as a mountain, descended from the sky and engulfed the area before him.
Within a hundred-meter radius, everything was swallowed by the blinding light.
The immense Chakra rivaled that of a Tailed Beast.
It resembled a pure white waterfall pouring from the heavens.
Moments later, Ōtsutsuki Sōmoku emerged from within the pillar of light.
He stood only a few meters from Hayashi.
Green Chakra cloaked his entire body as he stared coldly at his opponent.
"Shinobi of Earth, surrender your eyes and the eyes of that Byakugan girl. If you do, I will spare your life."
Hayashi rolled his neck and smiled.
"You really talk too much. I happen to know a teacher who would probably be very interested in your body. Whether for scientific research or some other purpose, who knows?"
The instant he finished speaking, a spear of lightning condensed in his right hand.
Sage Art: Chidori Sharp Spear!
With a piercing screech, the lightning spear tore through the air, crackling with violent arcs of electricity.
Sōmoku remained calm.
Landing lightly on his feet, he extended one hand and casually caught the incoming Chidori Sharp Spear.
His fingers closed.
Crack.
The lightning spear shattered in half as easily as a child snapping a twig.
But in the next instant, Hayashi appeared beside the broken spear.
Leaving a Flying Thunder God mark on his own Ninjutsu was a simple matter for him.
Hayashi raised his right leg and unleashed a devastating kick.
Sage Art: Heavenly Foot of Pain!
Ōtsutsuki Sōmoku was instantly sent flying.