ACSP: Chapter 208: Uchiha Izuna, another hidden character! Part 1
"This is... the Fourth Form of Susanoo?!"
"How is that even possible? Isn't he only in his twenties in terms of level? Why is his Ocular Power so monstrously high?!"
"Good heavens... even those in our Zhao family who have reached level 90 and awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan can't force out the Fourth Form, yet he just manifested it effortlessly?!"
"No wonder Zhao Shui's Kotoamatsukami couldn't touch him. It seems his Ocular Power level is far beyond anything we imagined..."
"My god... the Fourth Form of Susanoo. This is absolutely terrifying!"
The moment Jiang Chen shattered the [Four Violet Flames Formation] and stepped out from the collapsing fragments of the barrier, enveloped in the towering visage of his [Susanoo], the surrounding air seemed to instantly freeze solid.
The Zhao family members stared dumbfounded at the spectral titan towering several dozen zhang tall, their faces a pale mask of raw fear and profound awe. Many instinctively staggered back several steps, their hearts pounding against their ribs from the sheer psychological shock.
In the entire history of the Zhao family, only two individuals had ever been capable of unleashing the Fourth Form of [Susanoo].
The first was Zhao Quan of the South Pavilion. He had become a Contractor in the mere second year following the onset of the Dimensional Era. At the time, his Contracted Character was Uchiha Izuna—a stone statue completely devoid of a Ninja rank, relegated to the very edge of the contract platform.
Initially, many within the clan assumed he had bound himself to a useless, non-combat type. It wasn't until later, when Zhao Quan displayed a terrifying growth potential that utterly eclipsed his peers, that the clan elders realized he had unlocked a hidden character. Furthermore, it was a hidden figure who was easily Kage-level, or perhaps even a legendary Strong Kage—a title reserved exclusively for those whose peak combat power completely transcended ordinary Kage-level metrics.
The only other person capable of summoning the Fourth Form was the deceased patriarch himself, Zhao Fugaku.
None of them could have anticipated that they would witness a third freak of nature achieve this feat today.
"This guy's strength... it's even greater than it was when we were inside the secret realm," Zhao Shui muttered, his gaze locked onto Jiang Chen.
A profound solemnity washed over his features, his eyes wide with unmasked shock. His fists clenched involuntarily, his fingernails digging so deeply into his palms that they nearly drew blood.
He remembered with absolute clarity that during their last clash, Jiang Chen's [Susanoo] had been just like his own—restricted to the skeletal skeletal confines of the First Form. He could not comprehend how, in a matter of just a few short days, the man before him had skipped straight to the catastrophic Fourth Form.
This absurd, logic-defying rate of growth struck a chord of genuine terror deep within his soul.
"Could it be that he didn't even bother using his full strength last time?" Zhao Shui thought silently to himself, the chilling realization gnawing at his composure.
"You people from the Zhao family really don't know the first thing about hospitality. We came here as guests, and this is the kind of welcome we get?"
At that exact moment, Li Dala soared out from behind Jiang Chen, riding atop a massive clay bird and ascending high above Zhao Xuansu and the crowd. He looked down at the gathering of Zhao family members, the corners of his mouth curling into a sharp, disdainful smirk. His hands were thrust deep into his pockets, where the hidden mouths in his palms were already continuously chewing on Explosive Clay. One word from Jiang Chen, and he would instantly transform this entire estate into an explosive inferno.
Simultaneously, the moment Jiang Chen shattered the [Four Violet Flames Formation], Ronan moved. Blurring with extreme speed, he blitzed past the perimeter, throwing dozens of Flying Raijin kunai into every strategic corner of the estate.
Both Li Dala and Ronan were elite, high-level Contractors. Ronan, in particular, had already reached level 95, unlocking an astounding 95% of the strength of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Even if one completely disregarded his [Flying Thunder God Technique] and various Forbidden Techniques, his sheer base strength was overwhelming.
In stark contrast, the strongest individual in the entire Zhao Family East Pavilion was Zhao Xuansu, who stood at only level 94—and his Contracted Character was a mere Elite Jonin. Even if Jiang Chen hadn't lifted a finger, the East Pavilion wouldn't have been able to lay a hand on Ronan, let alone handle a literal human nuclear weapon like Li Dala.
However, Jiang Chen had no intention of completely forcing a bloody falling out with these people.
Once the [Four Violet Flames Formation] lay in ruins, he calmly deactivated his [Susanoo], the towering purple entity dissolving back into the air.
"Elder Zhao Xuansu, since the three of us dared to walk directly into your East Pavilion estate, we obviously aren't afraid of whatever tricks you might have up your sleeve," Jiang Chen said, his body blurring as he reappeared directly in front of Zhao Xuansu. "If you truly believe you can suppress us just by relying on numbers, then by all means... feel free to try."
As the final words left his lips, a terrifying, suffocating surge of Tailed Beast Chakra violently erupted from his core. The sheer physical density of the crimson energy forced the surrounding Zhao family guards, who had been creeping forward to encircle him, back by several meters.
"The power of a Tailed Beast?!" Zhao Xuansu's heart leaped into his throat, utterly shocked.
He had expected the terrifying ocular prowess of the Fourth Form Susanoo, but he never could have anticipated that Jiang Chen was also a Jinchuriki harboring the catastrophic power of a Tailed Beast.
"Elder Xuansu..." Zhao Shui stepped forward, turning to look at the older man. He opened his mouth to interject, but Zhao Xuansu cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand.
"You don't need to say another word. I understand exactly what you mean," Zhao Xuansu muttered grimly.
The Zhao clan was currently navigating an incredibly volatile, critical transition period. The internal factions of the four major pavilions were all desperately clawing and vying for the supreme position of Clan Leader. Whomever successfully claimed the patriarch's seat would earn the absolute right to command the clansmen of the other three factions.
Furthermore, the victorious faction would gain exclusive ownership over the sacred "Night of the Clan Annihilation" secret realm, along with the massive inheritance and assets left behind by the deceased previous leader.
And as far as Zhao Xuansu knew...
...the other three factions were each making their own secretive preparations to secure victory in the upcoming succession.
The champion chosen by the East Pavilion to contest this election was none other than Zhao Shui.
Yet, while Zhao Shui's prowess was undeniably outstanding among the younger generation, his Mangekyo Sharingan Dōjutsu carried a dark, forbidden stigma within the clan. The usage of [Kotoamatsukami] on fellow clansmen was strictly taboo. If he ever dared to use it to manipulate the election, the clan laws dictated that his eyes would be gouged out on the spot, followed by absolute expulsion.
Therefore, the only real trump card Zhao Shui could safely bring into the arena was the standard [Susanoo] granted by his awakened eyes.
But that was where the problem lay. Within the vast Zhao clan, there was no shortage of prodigies among the younger generation who had also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. For Zhao Shui to expect to dominate the competition solely on that advantage meant his chances of winning were practically zero—especially since the heavy burden on his eyes was already rapidly approaching its absolute limit.
This was the very dilemma that had been keeping Zhao Xuansu awake at night.
Thinking of this, the old man let out another heavy, weary sigh. He raised his eyes, his expression deeply troubled as his gaze locked onto Jiang Chen.
After a long, tense hesitation, he finally spoke: "The succession trial is strictly an internal affair of the Zhao clan; only those who carry our bloodline are permitted to step onto the field. This old man is deeply curious—just how exactly do you intend to help our East Pavilion seize the seat of Clan Leader?"
Jiang Chen cast a calm, sweeping glance over the surrounding Zhao clansmen, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips as he looked back at the elder. "Are you entirely certain you want me to reveal the plan right here?"
Hearing this, the realization finally clicked for Zhao Xuansu.
With a sharp wave of his hand, he signaled the surrounding guards to disperse, before personally escorting Jiang Chen and his two companions into a private, heavily secured lounge nearby.
Once the heavy doors sealed shut and he was certain they were completely alone, Jiang Chen finally laid out his strategy.
"Actually, my method is incredibly straightforward: I will simply use Transformation Technique to take on Zhao Shui's appearance, and enter the competition on his behalf."
Zhao Xuansu froze, completely stunned.
He had genuinely believed that since Jiang Chen spoke with such absolute confidence, he must have possessed some brilliant, reality-bending stratagem. And this was it?
Zhao Shui and Zhao Bin, who had followed closely behind the elder, were equally dumbfounded.
Zhao Shui's brow furrowed tightly as he spoke up, his tone laced with heavy skepticism. "The Transformation Technique is nothing more than a basic D-rank Ninjutsu. It is completely transparent when faced with the insight of a Sharingan. I'm afraid your grand plan falls apart at the very first step."
Zhao Bin nodded in immediate agreement. "He's right, Jiang Chen. The Sharingan is standard issue for nearly everyone in our clan. During the grand succession, core clansmen and elite elders possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan will be watching the arena in person. The moment you step up, your disguise will be exposed instantly."
Listening to the sharp counterarguments of the two younger men, Zhao Xuansu's expression darkened completely once more.
"Jiang Chen, this old man acknowledges that your individual strength is extraordinary," he said, stepping forward as the Chakra aura around his body violently surged outwards like a burst levee. "But if you truly believe you can pull a fast one on the entire Zhao clan with a parlor trick of that caliber, then you are grievously mistaken."
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