206-210

Chapter 206: Hiruko 

As they spoke, Obito and Hiruko vanished from their spot. 

After scanning for a moment and not spotting them, Uchiha Hikari calmly withdrew her gaze, turning her attention to the distance. 

There, a towering wave of bloodlust practically solidified into a tangible force. A massive, purple-black form writhed and churned, devouring heaps of flesh and blood. With each gulp, its already overwhelming presence grew stronger, its aura turning even more ferocious and oppressive. Even from miles away, the sensation was unmistakable. 

Esdeath caught sight of it too. 

“Finally face-to-face with this thing…” she muttered. “I’ve been waiting for you—time to die!” 

Before her words even settled, Esdeath shot forward like a whirlwind. In mere seconds, she reached the district where Moryo loomed, raising a massive ice-forged sword and slashing down with ferocious force. 

“Die!” 

Moryo met the incoming blow with dozens of tentacles, weaving them into a dense shield. The tentacles snapped under the strike, but the beast absorbed the blow, then retaliated, its countless limbs whipping through the air with howling gusts. 

Everything in their path—houses, streets—was smashed into dust, leaving nothing but a smoky ruin! 

The air roared with deafening booms, chaotic currents swirling wildly. 

Esdeath, sizing up her opponent’s strength, felt a fiery battle lust ignite in her eyes. “Not bad for a super-dangerous beast from another world. I respect that power… Now, don’t disappoint me!” 

In that moment, a true monster from another world clashed with a demonic creature that had once brought ruin to the Land of Demons and half the ninja world. Their battle was like a collision of planets, shaking the very heavens! 

Meanwhile, Uchiha Hikari’s main group finally encountered their own enemies. 

“…Those must be the priestess of the Land of Demons and the people she hired, right?”  

On a cliff, several Yellow Springs Cult members spied on the distant group through binoculars, their expressions grim. 

“There are three women in priestess robes. Which one is the ‘Miroku’ Lord Moryo mentioned?” 

Indeed, the group had three priestesses. Kikyo was a traditional shrine maiden from the Sengoku era, while Eri, though only nominally the “Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto,” wore the classic red-and-white priestess attire. Combined with Miroku, the trio could easily confuse onlookers. 

But with a bit of scrutiny, it wasn’t hard to figure out. 

“It’s probably the older one,” said Meido, the cult leader. “Miroku took the throne over a decade ago and married a few years back, even having a daughter. She shouldn’t be too young. Plus, she’s got black hair. The redhead looks like she might be from the Uzumaki clan… but that girl who looks barely twelve or thirteen? She’s a mystery.” 

Though Meido didn’t know Hikari, his years of roaming the ninja world and surviving its dangers made him wary of the girl who didn’t quite fit the picture. 

And then there was… 

“Who’s that blonde woman in the dark green robe? She looks a bit like that legendary Sannin…” 

Earlier, Obito, under the guise of cooperation, had shared intel on the ninja teams sent by Konoha and other villages. Kakashi from Konoha and Yugito from Kumo were confirmed.  

But the problem was… why were there extra people? 

Despite the confusion, there was no turning back now. Meido waved a hand. “They’re getting closer… Move!” 

Minutes later, as Hikari’s group entered a narrow valley, the ground suddenly sank beneath them. A barrage of kunai and shuriken, rigged with explosive tags, rained down from all sides, erupting in bursts of fire. 

“Earth Style: Yellow Springs Marsh!” 

“Earth Style: Mud River!” 

The Yellow Springs Cult members sprang from their hiding spots. 

Faced with the ambush, Hikari casually floated into the air with her Sky Dance Technique, pulling Eri and Kikyo along. Kakashi and the others snapped into battle mode, forming a protective circle around Miroku. 

“It’s the Yellow Springs Cult!”  

“Form up! Protect the priestess at all costs!” 

The chaos was brief. Kakashi lifted his headband, revealing his Sharingan, and charged forward with a kunai, clashing with Meido, the cult leader. 

Hayate, Genma, and the Kumo ninjas paired off against their own opponents. In moments, over a dozen figures darted and clashed, sparks flying from kunai and short blades, shockwaves from jutsu collisions rippling outward. 

At the center of the battlefield, Hikari activated her Blood Jade Barrier, keeping it small to enclose just a few meters around herself, Eri, Kikyo, and Miroku. She leaned back, watching the show with a relaxed air. 

Gotta say, Kakashi at this point was still pretty green. Barely in his early twenties, he was nowhere near his Shippuden peak or even his strength when Team 7 first formed. He was a solid jonin, but not elite. His signature Chidori could only be used a few times a day, limited by his meager chakra reserves. 

Meido, on the other hand, was already stronger than Kakashi. Enhanced by Moryo’s power, he was close to Kage-level, with freakish durability. Even a direct hit from a lightning-infused kunai barely fazed him. Combined with speed rivaling Might Guy’s, he quickly overwhelmed Kakashi. 

Even with Hayate and Genma jumping in, they couldn’t turn the tide. 

Yugito, however, was having an easier time. Though not at her full potential due to her age, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki was a solid elite jonin, easily handling the cultists a tier below Meido. 

The sight made Tsunade’s face twitch. She didn’t care much for Konoha’s affairs, but watching her village’s younger generation get schooled—especially in front of Kumo, who she wasn’t exactly fond of—stung her pride. 

“Miss Hikari, Shizune, take care of Lady Miroku,” Tsunade said, rolling up her sleeves. “I’m gonna show these kids how it’s done!” 

Despite her high heels, Tsunade’s steps quickened, then exploded into a sprint. She leaped, twisting mid-air, and unleashed a devastating punch. 

“Take this!” 

Her signature Super Strength Fist roared through the air. Meido, caught up fighting Kakashi’s group, raised his arms to block, but the force sent him flying! 

Boom! 

Tsunade pressed the advantage, launching a high kick that split the ground, carving a ten-meter-long trench. 

“Round two!” 

She kept up the onslaught. In terms of raw taijutsu, Tsunade was among the ninja world’s elite, even if she hadn’t trained in years. Fueled by grit and having overcome her hemophobia, she single-handedly pushed Meido back. Each swing of her fist whipped up a fierce gust, forcing him to struggle. 

Seizing the moment, Kakashi pressed his hand down, purple lightning crackling in his palm.  

“Chidori!” 

After a brief charge, he dashed forward, exploiting Tsunade’s opening. He struck from the side, driving the Chidori clean through Meido’s right arm! 

“Agh!” 

Moryo’s power was strong, but it had limits. Tsunade’s relentless punches and Kakashi’s Chidori pushed Meido beyond his breaking point. His arm severed at the shoulder, his body began to crumble under the strain. 

Just as Tsunade and Kakashi moved to finish him off, a swift figure darted in like a gust of wind. With a single punch, Kakashi was sent flying—not just knocked back, but pierced through his palm and shoulder by countless white bone spikes erupting from the attacker’s body. Tsunade yanked him back just in time to save his chest from being skewered. 

With Kakashi out, it was Tsunade versus the newcomer. But her Super Strength Fists, so effective against Meido, barely dented this opponent. His body, beyond the Kaguya clan’s Bone Pulse, seemed to have a metalizing ability stronger than Earth Style: Hardening Technique, shrugging off even her punches. 

Worse, his speed was blinding, nearly impossible to track. Mid-battle, he formed hand signs, summoning dark storm clouds that rained spear-like lightning bolts. 

“Storm Style: Thundercloud Wave!” 

In the blur of combat, Tsunade squinted at the lean, white-haired man, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. 

“…Hiruko?!” 

The realization slowed her for a split second, and Hiruko seized the chance, sending her flying with a brutal strike. 

It was indeed Hiruko. He’d shed his black-and-red Akatsuki robe—too iconic for the organization, which wasn’t ready to reveal itself to the great nations. He’d left it with Obito before coming here.  

Not that he had a choice. His new Kaguya clan Bone Pulse ability shredded his clothes when activated, so it was better to ditch the robe anyway. 

In the fight, Hiruko had already unleashed four Bloodline Limits: Bone Pulse, Steel Style, Swift Style, and Storm Style, each at a high level. And then, as he raised his eyes, three black tomoe spun in his crimson pupils. 

The fifth Bloodline Limit: the Sharingan. 

“Impossible… What’s with those eyes?!” Tsunade gasped, stunned. 

She and Hiruko had been classmates at the ninja academy. She didn’t know him well, but she knew he’d defected in pursuit of power. Yet the Hiruko standing before her now felt like a stranger. 

“Heh,” Hiruko sneered. “Even the great Tsunade can make that face? You, Orochimaru, Jiraiya—born into great clans or blessed as prodigies. How could you understand the struggles of a commoner ninja like me? But times have changed. 

What you see now is the fruit of my years of research. As an old friend, surrender, and I’ll grant you a dignified death.” 

“Like hell!” Tsunade snapped, her face hardening. 

Hiruko wasn’t surprised. “Fine. I’ll make you see reality the hard way.” 

In an instant, his figure split—one afterimage fading while his real body flashed to Tsunade’s side. A massive spiral bone sword thrust forward. 

“Bone Pulse: Dance of the Larch!” 

“Steel Style: Iron Fist!” 

Faced with the sharp bone spikes, Tsunade didn’t dare meet them head-on and dodged back. But Hiruko’s speed, boosted by Swift Style, was beyond her expectations. He stuck to her like a shadow, landing a punch on her blocking arms. Blood sprayed instantly. 

Had Tsunade not recently overcome her hemophobia, that hit alone might’ve knocked her out. Even so, she was on the ropes, barely holding up against Hiruko’s relentless assault with her Kage-level durability, unable to counter effectively. 

“Lady Tsunade!” Shizune cried out. 

Hiruko’s gaze flicked over, locking onto Miroku in the center of Hikari’s group. 

“So, you’re the priestess?” he said. “Your life is mine!” 

With that, he split again, moving at a speed so fast even most Kage-level ninja couldn’t react. But just as he reached for Miroku, a pale, delicate hand shot out, gently seizing his wrist. 

“You seem… pretty confident in your speed, huh?” 

Chapter 207: The Power of Perfect Susanoo! 

Hiruko reacted swiftly. The moment Uchiha Hikari grabbed his wrist, he activated his Bone Pulse. With a sharp clatter, a mass of jagged white bone spikes erupted, wrapping his body like a porcupine. The spikes, sharp as the finest swords, stabbed toward Hikari’s hand and body. 

Faced with the lethal onslaught, Hikari stepped back slightly, her hands gently flicking aside the incoming spikes with minimal effort, her movements so graceful they seemed almost effortless. 

“?!” 

Hiruko’s eyes twitched. 

His Bone Pulse came from the Kaguya clan’s leader. Originally, Obito had planned to give him Kimimaro, the clan’s “secret weapon,” as experimental material, but Kimimaro was snatched away, forcing Hiruko to settle for the clan’s strongest member instead. Through the Chimera Technique, he perfectly absorbed the Bone Pulse, and combined with his Steel Style Bloodline Limit, his bone spikes were far harder and deadlier than the Kaguya leader’s ever were. When using Dance of the Larch, his entire body became a weapon, forcing even a taijutsu master like Tsunade into a defensive stance. 

So… what was up with this girl?! 

Even if she was the Uchiha clan’s ancestor, how could her seemingly fragile flesh-and-blood body deflect steel-hardened bone spikes with her bare hands? Even a Jinchuriki shouldn’t be capable of that! 

Unconvinced, Hiruko unleashed a storm of slashes, his attacks coming like a relentless tempest.  

“Bone Pulse: Dance of the Bracken!” 

Now it wasn’t just spikes. Bone blades, spears, and whips sprouted from his arms, shoulders, and back, encasing him in layers of weaponry. In this state, Hiruko resembled a miniature Thousand-Handed Buddha, wielding dozens of arms, each launching deadly strikes at Hikari. 

The air screamed with piercing whistles. Thanks to his Swift Style, Hiruko moved like lightning, his path barely traceable even to the Sharingan. To ordinary eyes, he was just a blur of afterimages, appearing and vanishing in multiple spots at once. 

“Kikyo, take Eri, Miroku, and Shizune and fall back!” Hikari said quickly. 

Kikyo’s barrier techniques were top-notch, and with the Blood Jade Coral Hikari had just given her, even Obito or the Six Paths of Pain would struggle to threaten Miroku in the short term.  

As for Hikari herself, she was in a playful mood, dodging and weaving within a small radius. Her crimson eyes locked onto Hiruko’s movements, countering each attack with precision. 

During the exchange, Hiruko noticed something crucial. “…Gloves?” 

Indeed. Hikari’s pale hands weren’t bare—they were clad in thin, silk-like gloves. Only when her palms met his bone spikes did a faint silver-gray glow flicker between her fingers, vanishing just as quickly. 

East Sea Dragon Silk. 

After obtaining the East Sea Dragon’s hair from the Akame ga Kill world, Hikari had the Revolutionary Army process it. While they couldn’t recreate Lubbock’s Cross Tail due to lost techniques, crafting the hair into gloves and a vest was simple enough. When she decided to face Hiruko, she’d slipped on the gloves. 

That’s how she could fearlessly counter his taijutsu barehanded. 

“…I think I’ve got a read on your moves now,” Hikari said. “My turn.” 

With that, her speed surged. “Ten Heavens Breathing, activate!” 

A massive rush of oxygen flooded her lungs as she crouched low, then shot forward at several times the speed of sound. She closed in on Hiruko, her fists and kicks simple but carrying unimaginable force, channeled through his bone spikes. Hiruko’s expression twisted in shock. 

Crack— 

The first bone surface shattered. Then the second, the third… 

His Steel Style-enhanced Bone Pulse was incredibly durable, but it paled compared to the East Sea Dragon Silk. Amplified by the Ten Heavens Breathing, Hikari’s strikes were the true “Super Strength Fists.” In just a few blows, Hiruko’s spikes began to snap and crumble. 

Even with his three-tomoe Sharingan, he could barely track her movements. 

Hikari moved like a nimble tiger cub, every inch of her body—hands, elbows, knees, legs, feet—a deadly weapon, forcing Hiruko into a desperate retreat. 

“Five Bloodline Limits, and this is all you’ve got?” Hikari taunted. “I thought you’d be close to Pain’s level. Guess I overestimated you.” 

Finally, she leaped into the air, her petite form spinning 360 degrees. A sharp downward slash followed by a spinning kick sent Hiruko flying. She formed a single hand sign. “Fire Style: Majestic Flame Destroyer!!” 

Whoosh! 

A meteor-like fireball crashed down, engulfing Hiruko. Seconds later, he staggered out of the flames, his body wreathed in flickering embers, his bone spikes softened by the heat. 

Hikari crossed her arms, hovering mid-air, her long black hair billowing in the wind. “Got any more tricks? Impress me, and I’ll show you the true power of the Sharingan.” 

Hiruko glared at her, his eyes fierce. He bit his finger and slammed it to the ground. “Summoning Jutsu!” 

Boom! 

A massive dog-like beast emerged in a puff of smoke, roaring as it lunged at Hikari. 

Using the distraction—or rather, the opening Hikari deliberately allowed, since she could dispatch such a summon in seconds—Hiruko mobilized every ounce of his remaining chakra, forming hand signs. 

Boom! 

A surge of chakra flames shot skyward, piercing the clouds a thousand meters above. His chakra resonated with the heavens, drawing thick storm clouds that swirled and grew into a massive vortex of thunderclouds. Blinding lightning bolts collided and merged, radiating an overwhelming pressure. 

“…Like Sasuke’s Kirin, using nature’s power?” Hikari mused, looking up. “Wonder how it stacks up against General Budo’s Adramelech…” 

As she watched, Hiruko completed his preparation, letting out a fierce shout. He commanded the lightning and thunder to crash down. 

“Storm Style: Storm Dragon!!” 

A ten-meter-wide pillar of lightning, carrying the wrath of the heavens, plummeted down, connecting sky and earth in an instant. It engulfed Hikari and everything within a hundred-meter radius. 

“Dodge!” Yugito, cloaked in her Tailed Beast chakra, grabbed a Kumo ninja by the collar and dragged him away from the blast zone. 

Kakashi, Hayate, and the others scrambled to escape. 

Only Tsunade, worried for Shizune, activated her Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred and rushed toward the lightning’s impact zone. But before she could get close, the area was swallowed by the massive bolt. 

In that moment, Hikari, along with Kikyo, Miroku, and Shizune inside the Blood Jade Barrier, vanished from sight. All that remained were countless boulders, shattered and pulverized by the lightning, reduced to scattered dust. 

Cracks spread like a spiderweb from the impact point. 

“Huff… huff…” Hiruko panted heavily. 

Storm Dragon was the ultimate Storm Style technique, far surpassing Sasuke’s nature-powered Kirin. The lightning, striking at light speed, was impossible to dodge. Its only drawback was its massive chakra cost, leaving even Hiruko, who wasn’t chakra-starved like Kakashi, gasping for breath. 

But still… 

“That should’ve done it,” he muttered. “Even the Uchiha ancestor should be badly hurt after that. With luck, it might’ve killed her outright…” 

If he’d taken down Uchiha Hikari, it’d prove the Chimera Technique’s worth. The former nobody could finally hold his head high. 

Just as Hiruko started to entertain the thought, a shadowy figure emerged from the smoke, catching his eye. 

“What… is that?!” 

Red. No, a deep crimson. 

A chakra skeleton faintly appeared through the haze, rapidly growing and expanding. Flesh and dense armor formed, rising like a skyscraper from the ground. As the white smoke cleared, Hikari’s figure, borne by the chakra skeleton, rose dozens of meters into the air. 

Crimson chakra flames burned like a raging inferno. 

Susanoo, Fourth Form! 

“So… tall!” Eri, perched beside Susanoo’s “shell,” peeked out cautiously, her face full of awe. 

At the critical moment, Hikari’s Susanoo had shielded them from the Storm Dragon, which had nearly shattered the high-density Blood Jade Barrier. It saved Miroku and Shizune—Eri and Kikyo could’ve escaped to their own worlds if the barrier broke, but Miroku’s spiritual power might’ve only bought her a moment, and Shizune would’ve been vaporized. 

Now, both stood with Eri and Kikyo inside the Susanoo, staring out in stunned silence. 

From this height, everyone below looked like ants, identifiable only by their positions, their clothes and faces indistinct. 

On the ground, Yugito and the others who’d fled the lightning’s core turned back, gaping at the towering crimson giant, speechless. 

But even in its Fourth Form, Hikari wasn’t done. 

As she channeled more chakra, the crimson flames surged, and Susanoo’s form swelled further, piercing the sky like a divine pillar. It was as if a god from the heavens had descended, majestic and imposing. 

A 200-meter-tall Perfect Susanoo, as grand as a mountain! 

Even Eri and Kikyo were stunned. They’d never seen Hikari’s Perfect Susanoo in person. Back in the Akame ga Kill world, only Esdeath and Night Raid had witnessed it, and Brand only mentioned it in passing without streaming it to the group chat. 

As for Tsunade, Kakashi, and the others? No words could describe their shock. The last person to wield a Perfect Susanoo was likely Uchiha Madara. Apart from Tsunade, who’d seen him as a child, the others had only read about Susanoo in scrolls. Now, they finally understood what “the power of the Uchiha” truly meant. 

Hikari exhaled softly, commanding her Susanoo to raise its crimson greatsword. 

Not Fire Thunder God—she wasn’t sure if Obito or Black Zetsu were lurking nearby, so she held back on revealing that ability from the Akame ga Kill world. Instead, she used the weapon that had been with her Susanoo since its inception. 

No need for anything more, anyway. With Perfect Susanoo active, pulling out a spiritual artifact would be overkill. 

“Pay attention,” Hikari said, her voice steady. “This is the true power of the Sharingan.” 

With her words, the crimson Susanoo raised its sword with one hand and swung. 

A wave of sword energy sliced through the air, traveling kilometers before crashing into a low mountain. After a brief silence, the mountain’s peak was cleanly severed, like a lid flung away. 

Hiruko was dumbfounded. 

“What the…?! A single slash to cut a mountain? Even for a Mangekyo Sharingan, that’s absurd!” 

Chapter 208: Can You Take My Blade? 

From a distance, Obito, hidden in the shadows, witnessed the scene. 

To be precise, he was positioned right beside the mountain that had just been cleaved in half. If the blade’s energy had veered slightly eastward, he might’ve had to use Kamui to escape. 

“Zetsu, the eye technique she’s using… is it…?” 

“That’s right. It’s Susanoo—and a complete form at that,” Black Zetsu, disguised as a Venus flytrap, replied slowly. “In the history of the Uchiha clan, only a rare few with extreme mastery of their ocular powers and immense chakra reserves could manifest Susanoo to this degree. Lord Madara achieved it, and before him…” 

Before him, it was the successive Indras! 

Theoretically, any Uchiha could awaken a complete Susanoo, but in practice, it was almost exclusive to Indra’s reincarnations. Only they had the potential and fortune to fully develop their ocular powers in a single lifetime. For most Uchihas, even awakening the Mangekyo was a monumental feat, let alone perfecting it. 

At that moment, Black Zetsu felt a pang of regret. 

As a schemer lurking in the ninja world’s shadows for a millennium, he had long known of Uchiha Hikari’s existence but paid her little mind. The Uchiha clan had seen countless fleeting geniuses over the years. Initially, Black Zetsu had tried manipulating non-Indra prodigies, but the results were lackluster, so he shifted his focus to pitting Indra and Asura’s reincarnations against each other. 

But now, in hindsight… 

If he had approached Hikari earlier, perhaps even dug her out of her seal a few years ago and swayed her with honeyed words… wouldn’t his mother have already been freed from the moon? 

Both Uchihas, yet such a gap: one a twelve-year-old with the potential of the Five Kage, and a girl no less; the other, a twenty-year-old raging child still stuck at Sage-level… 

Black Zetsu sighed inwardly, then regained his composure, analyzing coolly, “She’s still young, with limited chakra. Even if she’s awakened a complete Susanoo by some fluke, she can’t sustain it for long. But if we let her grow, it’s hard to say. She might soon reach the heights of Lord Madara.” 

“So…” Black Zetsu turned to Obito. “Don’t hesitate, Obito. You need to reclaim Kakashi’s eye soon. Only then will you have the strength to face Uchiha Hikari. It’s essential for the Moon’s Eye Plan.” 

“…” 

Obito fell silent. 

This wasn’t the first time he and Black Zetsu had had this conversation. 

He knew that to create a world with Rin, the full power of Kamui was indispensable. With only one eye, he could only flee from the might of a complete Susanoo. 

But… 

“Let’s talk about it later,” Obito said. “Even if I reclaim the eye, now’s not the time to act. But you’re right—Hikari’s too dangerous. For the plan to succeed, we need to eliminate her. Zetsu, record this battle and show it to Nagato. To kill her, we’ll likely need their strength.” 

“Got it,” Black Zetsu nodded. “What about Hiruko?” 

“…” Obito hesitated. “Let’s see how it plays out. If Hikari can’t maintain her complete Susanoo for long, Hiruko might still have a chance to survive.” 

Obito still hoped to save his subordinate. His relationship with Nagato was cooperative, not commanding. Having capable allies like Hiruko made things easier. 

For now, Obito and Black Zetsu watched from the mountain, observing the battle unfold. 

… 

On the other side, Hiruko stared up at Hikari, who loomed like a descended deity, fear creeping into his heart. 

He knew the Mangekyo was powerful, but he hadn’t imagined it could be this powerful. 

The sight before him defied comprehension. Against a force so far beyond his level, he had no idea how to win. 

“Heh,” Hikari’s light chuckle echoed. “Your Chimera Technique is pretty interesting, so I’ll give you a chance. I’ll strike one blow. If you survive it, I’ll let you go. How’s that?” 

“…Are you kidding me?!” Hiruko snapped, stunned, then furious. 

After witnessing the mountain-cleaving might of her complete Susanoo, even with confidence in his Chimera Technique, he knew he couldn’t defeat an opponent of this caliber. 

But… one blow? 

Did this Uchiha matriarch think he couldn’t even withstand a single attack?! 

“That’s what I hate about you so-called geniuses!” Hiruko roared. “If you weren’t born with that bloodline and those abilities, how could you ever reach heights normal people can’t even dream of?!” 

In his rage, Hiruko grew eerily calm. Swallowing two soldier pills, he channeled his chakra fully. Bone Manipulation, Storm Release, Swift Release, Steel Release, Sharingan—five bloodline limits manifested in succession. His aura surged, an invisible storm forming around him, blasting dust and debris outward. 

“Storm Release: Thundercloud Activation!” 

“Steel Release: Steel Fortification!” 

“Bone Manipulation… Dance of the Clematis!” 

Winds howled, and lightning crackled. 

A mass of white bones sprouted from Hiruko’s body, growing and spreading wildly. In moments, a forest of bone trees, each dozens of meters tall, filled the area. Coated in a metallic sheen and laced with blue-purple lightning arcs, they stood like a fortress. 

The Dance of the Clematis was the pinnacle of Bone Manipulation. In the original story, only Kimimaro had used it, nearly killing Gaara and Rock Lee while buried under a sand tomb, only to succumb to his waning life force. Now, Hiruko, not even a Kaguya by birth, had unleashed it through his Chimera Technique. 

(Looks like the Chimera Technique can enhance absorbed bloodline limits…) Hikari mused, her expression neutral as she waited for Hiruko to prepare. 

“Ready?” she asked, raising her massive sword in a poised stance. 

Then… 

“…Hundred-Eight Cross Slash!!” 

Hikari commanded her Susanoo, its crimson sword tracing a horizontal and vertical arc through the air. 

In an instant, two blazing red blade beams formed a fiery cross, streaking across the night sky with overwhelming force, leaving a dazzling trail of red flame. Even the moonlight paled in its glow. 

The next second, the beams struck Hiruko’s bone forest. 

Crack! 

The bone trees, reinforced by Steel and Storm Release, were fragile against the mountain-splitting blade. Entire swaths snapped, crushed into fragments, then ground to dust in the sea of fire. 

The bone forest spanned hundreds of meters, with thousands of trees. The sound of snapping bones echoed relentlessly. 

In mere seconds, Hiruko and his forest were engulfed by the crimson light. Smoke and flames roared skyward, cloaking the area in a gray haze. Bone dust drifted like falling snow. 

“Did he block it?” 

“Or… is he already dead?” 

Obito, Black Zetsu, Tsunade, Kakashi, and the others held their breath, staring at the smoky center, eager for the outcome. 

Hikari, hovering in the air, squinted slightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. 

“He actually… blocked it?” 

Though her strike hadn’t used her full power—no “Fire Thunder God,” and only half her chakra—surviving it was impressive. 

As the smoke cleared, a bone shield, over ten meters thick, stood amidst the white-dusted ground. Two long, narrow slashes—one horizontal, one vertical—nearly pierced it through, stopping just centimeters short. 

Whoosh. 

A gust scattered the bone shield into fragments, blending with the powdered ground—all remnants of the crushed forest. 

Hiruko’s figure emerged. 

He looked years older, his face drained of color, his body trembling, barely standing. His chakra was clearly overdrawn. 

“…” Hiruko’s lips moved, but no sound came. He only stared at Hikari in the sky. 

Hikari dispelled her complete Susanoo and descended with Eri and the others. 

“Not bad,” she said. “You survived my strike, so I’ll keep my word. You’re free to go. I won’t kill you today.” 

“?!” Kakashi spun around, shocked. “Lady Hikari, you can’t let him go! His abilities are too dangerous for Konoha. If he escapes, it could—” 

“What, scared?” Hikari tilted her head. “The mighty Konoha, afraid of a mere rogue ninja? I doubt the Third is that timid. Besides, I gave my word. You wouldn’t want me to break it, would you?” 

“…” Kakashi opened his mouth but said nothing. 

Fair enough. Hikari had single-handedly subdued Hiruko. Whether to kill or spare him was her call. Even Tsunade didn’t object, so what could a regular Konoha Jonin say? 

Just another rogue ninja… Konoha had plenty of those. One more or less shouldn’t matter… right? 

Meanwhile, the Cloud Village’s Yugito Nii and her team narrowed their eyes, whispering among themselves, seemingly debating whether to ambush Hiruko later. 

Hiruko, after catching his breath, stared at Hikari. “You’re really letting me go?” 

“Of course,” Hikari replied. 

“…You’ll regret this,” Hiruko said with conviction. 

“Oh?” Hikari smirked. “Then prove it. I look forward to that day.” 

Her decision to spare Hiruko wasn’t just about keeping her promise. 

She wanted to plant another pawn within the Akatsuki, particularly near Obito and Black Zetsu. 

Danzo, her previous “undercover” agent in the Akatsuki, was sidelined due to his role in destroying the original Akatsuki, earning Nagato and Konan’s resentment. He was relegated to grunt work and wasn’t trusted by Obito either—his age and reputation didn’t help, even if Obito’s own deeds were just as vile. 

Danzo’s intel was limited. 

But Hiruko was different. 

A technical genius with a Chimera Technique rivaling Orochimaru’s, he’d defected from Konoha decades ago to focus on his secret arts, with no ties to the Rain Village or Akatsuki. He’d likely be more readily accepted by Nagato and Obito. 

Plus, Hikari wanted to test if Black Zetsu could detect or remove her mark. In that fleeting moment of eye contact, she’d already placed it on Hiruko. 

For now, she watched as Hiruko staggered away. 

At the same time, a Cloud Jonin quietly slipped away from their group, using an earth-burrowing technique to pursue Hiruko. 

Well, that was a Cloud Village tradition. 

They’d even dared to kidnap Konoha’s Kushina and Hinata, so a weakened, wild bloodline limit user like Hiruko was too tempting to ignore. 

Still, making such a move right under Hikari’s nose, after witnessing her complete Susanoo, was bold to say the least. 

Hikari cast a cold glance, then drew the “Spear of Judgment” from a sealing scroll. Gripping its handle, she tapped it lightly on the ground. 

Instantly, a gravitational force dozens of times stronger than normal descended from the sky, centered on her. 

Chapter 209: The Ice Throne 

In that moment, everyone—except for Eri, Kikyo, and the others standing behind Uchiha Hikari—felt an overwhelming force press down on their shoulders, forcing them to their knees, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. 

Thankfully, the pressure came and went quickly. 

In just a few seconds, Hikari dispelled the gravity field of the “Spear of Judgment” and tucked the Imperial Arms away. 

Kakashi and the others felt the weight lift from their bodies. But the Kumo ninja who’d been burrowing underground was now trapped deep in the earth, struggling futilely and letting out faint whimpers. 

Yugito and her team shot resentful glares at Hikari. 

She didn’t bother explaining. “Do whatever you want out of my sight,” she said coolly, “but don’t pull any tricks in front of me. Not if you want to live.” 

The Kumo ninjas clenched their fists, seething but silent. 

“…Looks like Obito’s not showing up,” Hikari muttered, scanning the surroundings. After waiting a moment and seeing no sign of him, she figured he was either not here or hiding somewhere, too cautious to reveal himself. Her gaze shifted to a figure nearby. 

“…Still not dead?” 

Lying there was none other than Meido, the Yellow Springs Cult leader. He’d been half-dead from Tsunade’s beating, yet somehow, thanks to Moryo’s power boosting his resilience, he’d clawed his way back from the brink. Now, he was shakily rising to his feet, looking dazed, as if caught between sleep and waking. 

Suddenly, Meido plunged his hands into his chest, his chakra-wrapped fingers piercing skin and digging into flesh. 

“?!” 

The sight startled Genma, who’d been watching him. 

But in the next moment, purple-black runes began to glow across Meido’s body, radiating an eerie light and spreading like a spiderweb. His body started to swell, faint wisps of mist seeping out, enveloping him entirely. 

“What’s that…?” Tsunade’s face flickered with uncertainty. 

Even with her vast experience, she couldn’t quite grasp what was happening to Meido. Those runes looked vaguely familiar, though—like some kind of summoning jutsu? 

“It’s Moryo!” Miroku exclaimed, realization dawning. “That man’s body is hosting Moryo’s power. It’s trying to take over his flesh!” 

“Hm?” Hikari raised an eyebrow. 

Hosting power, taking over a body… That sounded a bit like Orochimaru’s Curse Mark of Heaven. 

In the blink of an eye, Meido tore his chest open with a violent tug, exposing his organs and ribcage. The pain drew a guttural scream from him, but soon, a mass of purple-black matter surged, stretching his body further, as if something was about to burst out. 

In mere moments, Meido was unrecognizable. His form had ballooned into a dozens-of-meters-tall, dark purple monstrosity. His limbs were replaced by thick tentacles, his body now resembling a reptilian creature. A dragon-like head reared up, letting out a low, menacing roar. 

It should’ve been an imposing sight—kind of an ugly-cool vibe. 

But instead, the tentacled monster was covered in white ice crystals, as if it had just crawled out of a frozen sea. Its back was pierced by several massive, dozens-of-meters-long ice spikes, making it look rather pathetic. 

“…I see,” Hikari said, her eyes locking onto the ice spikes. 

This thing must’ve escaped from Inashiki Castle. 

Her shadow clone was still active, so she hadn’t seen the scene at Inashiki herself, but there was no doubt who could create those ice spikes and beat Moryo this badly: Esdeath. 

So, it seemed Moryo had a trick similar to the Curse Mark of Heaven, embedding its soul in those it empowered, using their bodies as a medium to “revive” at critical moments. Or rather, “summon” itself. 

The runes that appeared on Meido’s body clearly carried the principles of a summoning jutsu, allowing Moryo to teleport from Inashiki Castle and escape Esdeath’s grasp. 

As soon as it arrived, Moryo sensed Miroku’s presence. Its lantern-like eyes fixed on her, and it spoke in a low, resonant voice. 

“…So, you’re here, Miroku. I’ve been looking for you.” 

Its voice echoed under the night sky, laced with a hypnotic pull. “Join your power with mine, and we’ll become an unstoppable force. No one in this world could stand against us. Come, merge with me, and I’ll embrace your strength.” 

The voice wasn’t just persuasive—it compelled. Everyone who heard it fell into a trance-like state. 

Hikari, with her immense mental resilience, snapped out of it almost instantly, followed closely by Miroku and Kikyo, the two priestesses from different worlds. But the others, including Tsunade and Eri, were dazed, their feet moving involuntarily toward Moryo. 

The creature extended its tentacles, lashing out like lightning to ensnare and devour them. 

“Hmph!” Hikari snorted. A skeletal Susanoo flared behind her, and she shot forward, her blade flashing. She severed Moryo’s tentacles in quick succession, then grabbed Tsunade, Kakashi, and the others, flinging them back to safety. 

Meanwhile, Miroku formed hand signs, casting a spell. Her movements were distinct from ninja techniques, belonging to a different system entirely. As her seals completed, her white robe billowed, and her moonlit hair floated without wind. Firefly-like specks of light scattered outward, seeping into Tsunade and the others, snapping them out of their trance. 

Miroku exhaled softly, resolve hardening in her eyes. “Miss Hikari, Lady Tsunade, please cover me. We didn’t make it to Mount Sealing as planned, but I have no choice now. I’ll use my final technique and seal it away with my life!” 

She reached for the bell around her neck, a mystical artifact brimming with spiritual energy, ready to activate it. 

But at that moment, Kikyo stepped forward, pulling her longbow from her back and nocking an arrow, drawing it to a full moon. “Exorcising demons is a priestess’s duty, true, but don’t shoulder everything alone or give up your life so easily. My strength may be modest, but let me lend a hand… ‘Demon-Breaking Arrow’!” 

With that, Kikyo released her grip. 

The arrow, wreathed in immense spiritual energy, shot forth with a quiver of the bowstring, tearing through the air with a piercing whistle. A translucent, pale aura formed around its tip, rocketing toward Moryo. 

The creature wove its tentacles to block, but Kikyo had calculated the trajectory perfectly. Though two tentacles grazed the arrow, sapping some of its spiritual energy, it still pierced through the barriers like lightning, striking Moryo’s body. 

Crack! 

A sound like firecrackers rang out. To others, it was just a flash of silver-white light, but on Moryo’s massive purple-black form, a circular chunk of flesh vanished, obliterated by the arrow. 

Without hesitation, Kikyo nocked another arrow. 

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! 

This time, it was a volley of arrows. She’d brought four quivers from island, all slung on her back. Drawing, aiming, and firing in one fluid motion, she unleashed dozens of arrows in moments. Circular wounds riddled Moryo’s body, the pain driving the beast into a frenzied rage. 

“Hm…” Hikari’s eyes narrowed. 

She’d seen Kikyo fight before, even teamed up with her against foes like Naraku and the Dragon Bone Spirit. Compared to then, Kikyo’s archery had clearly improved, and her spiritual energy was richer—thanks to Souki, the former priestess of蓬莱岛. After rescuing the half-demon children like Kohaku, Souki had gifted her remaining spiritual energy to Kikyo, restoring her strength to its peak from her living days, despite her incomplete soul. 

Each arrow trailed a silver-white arc, like a meteor shower raining down on Moryo. A few were blocked by its tentacles, but the rest struck true, blasting gaping holes in its flesh. 

Roaring in agony, Moryo thrashed wildly, its massive body lashing out. Dozens of tentacles surged from the air, ground, and even burrowed up from the earth, attacking Hikari’s group. Its dragon-like head reared back, spewing a several-meter-wide purple-black beam. 

Miroku acted. Hesitating only a moment, she channeled the bell’s spiritual energy, raising the tiny artifact before her. It rapidly expanded into a silver-white barrier, blocking the beam. The collision sent a massive boom rippling outward, shockwaves spreading like water. 

The barrier morphed, softening into a vast, dome-shaped net that enveloped Moryo’s body. Kikyo seized the moment, firing several “Sealing Arrows.” 

A demon like Moryo, in the Inuyasha world, would rank among the great demons, possibly on par with or surpassing the Dog General at his peak. A single sealing arrow, like the one that pinned Inuyasha, wouldn’t cut it. Each arrow could only paralyze a small part of its body, like a few tentacles. 

Moryo fought back ferociously, its roars chilling the air, its aura surging to terrifying heights. Its tentacles swung with devastating force, capable of killing a seasoned jonin with a glancing blow. 

Just then, a bone-chilling wind swept in from the horizon, causing Moryo’s movements to falter, as if it felt fear. 

A purple-black cloud drifted in from the distance, slowing as it approached a few hundred meters from the battlefield. As the sky darkened, a 100-meter-wide ice meteor appeared, held aloft by a small figure who let out a shout and hurled it downward. 

Boom! 

Moryo tried to dodge, but restrained by Kikyo and Miroku, it only managed a slight shift before the meteor smashed into its head, driving it into the ground. A fierce gale erupted, and a massive crater formed in seconds, cracks spiderwebbing outward. The once-unstoppable Moryo was now buried beneath the earth. 

Dust filled the air. 

Hikari looked up to see two figures standing atop a purple-black cloud, surrounded by dozens of mountain-sized ice spikes, like a grand ice throne framing them as monarchs of frost. 

“Heh,” Esdeath’s voice rang out, her eyes locking onto Hikari from the crowd, a smirk curling her lips. “I thought the fight would be over by the time I chased it here. Did you leave it for me on purpose? Well, I’ll graciously take it down again!” 

With a wave of her hand, countless ice lances rained down, piercing Moryo’s tentacles like the Sage Art: Myojin Gate, pinning the struggling beast to the ground. 

Chapter 210: The “Sage Arts” of the Shrine Maiden Lineage 

The moment Hikari’s shadow clone and Esdeath appeared together, Moryo’s fate was sealed. 

Miroku and Kikyo both possessed the power to seal it but lacked the strength to defeat it outright. Esdeath, on the other hand, could overpower it completely but lacked the specialized sealing techniques needed to contain or kill it. 

Together, they were Moryo’s perfect counter. 

The battle lasted mere minutes. 

Hikari watched from the sidelines as Esdeath, alongside the two shrine maidens, pummeled Moryo into the ground. They bound its body with temporary sealing techniques, layer upon layer, before Esdeath encased it in a massive ice sculpture dozens of meters tall, bringing the fight to an end. 

Even in its final moments before being frozen, Moryo glared at Hikari and the others with blood-red eyes, spitting venomous words. “Hmph, I miscalculated this time… I didn’t expect Miroku to bring allies like you. But you can’t kill me—no shrine maiden ever has! When I break free again, it’ll be the end for all of you!” 

“Yeah, yeah, got it,” Hikari yawned, waving dismissively. “You talk too much.” 

In theory, Moryo could indeed break free again in a few centuries. But by then, Hikari, Esdeath, Kikyo, and the others might no longer be in this world. No need to worry about problems for descendants generations down the line. 

That said… 

“Lady Miroku, is there really no way to kill this thing?” Hikari asked. 

“…No,” Miroku replied after a brief silence, a wry smile on her face. “I’m sorry, it’s beyond my ability. Moryo’s power shares the same origin as mine, but it’s far stronger. Sealing it is the best I can do.” 

“Same origin?” Hikari’s brow furrowed. She’d heard the phrase before but now sensed something deeper. “Can you elaborate?” 

“Well…” Miroku sighed. “You could roughly think of Moryo as a clone of the Land of Demons’ first shrine maiden.” 

“?” 

“This is the greatest secret of our land, known only to the shrine maidens of each generation. You and your companions helped seal Moryo, making you benefactors of our country, so I won’t hide the truth. But it’s a long story. Let’s first transport Moryo to Sealed Demon Mountain to complete the final seal, and I’ll explain everything afterward.” 

“Fair enough,” Hikari nodded. 

The group took a moment to regroup before setting off. It took half a day to transport the frozen Moryo to Sealed Demon Mountain, where Miroku activated the mountain’s sealing array, sinking the ice sculpture deep into its core. 

During the process, Hikari and Kikyo followed Miroku inside the mountain to observe the shrine maiden’s sealing techniques. 

“What do you think, Kikyo?” Hikari asked. 

“…It’s different from the sealing techniques I’ve learned, but I can discern some patterns,” Kikyo said after a moment’s thought. 

The sealing techniques of the Naruto world naturally differed from those in Inuyasha. The distinction was like that between different languages—unique in script, pronunciation, and grammar, but a master linguist could grasp the underlying logic and quickly adapt. Kikyo was such a master. 

Minato Namikaze was another. 

[Unnamed: [Sealing Technique Diagrams.jpg]×20] 

[Unnamed @ForeverCarryingSis: These are all the techniques Kikyo and I could observe. What’s your take, Minato?] 

[ForeverCarryingSis: …I’ve heard the shrine maiden lineage’s sealing techniques are uniquely exquisite, and seeing them now, it’s true. I’ve studied the Uzumaki clan’s sealing arts with my wife, but these are hard to decipher right away. It’ll take some time to analyze.] 

[Unnamed: No problem. I’m sure Kikyo would love to discuss them with you.] 

While Minato was fascinated by techniques, Bulma and others were more intrigued by Moryo itself. 

[Bulma: Hikari, you and Eri talked about this “Moryo” thing—what does it look like? How strong is it? Why didn’t you livestream it for us?!] 

[Unnamed: Uh… forgot.] 

[Unnamed: Its look? Kinda ugly-cool, I guess…] 

To satisfy Bulma’s curiosity, Hikari gave a verbal rundown of the battle. 

She also checked in on Bulma’s situation. 

[Bulma: I’m back in the Dragon Ball world. Najenda gave me some Orichalcum, and I’m working with Dad to analyze its components to see if we can replicate or mass-produce it with tech. Yamato’s here too.] 

[GhostPrincess: Yup! Uncle Briefs and Aunt Bikini are so nice—they don’t mind me being here at all! They’ve made tons of food, way better than what I got on Onigashima!] 

[Unnamed: …] 

The Briefs’ acceptance of Yamato wasn’t surprising. They were probably the most laid-back couple in the Dragon Ball world. A 2.6-meter-tall Yamato was no big deal—heck, even a 7.1-meter Kaido would probably just prompt them to ask if he struggles to find clothes. 

Still, it seemed Yamato was planning to enjoy herself fully before returning to Onigashima. Like a kid running away from home, knowing a scolding awaits but wanting to make the most of it. 

Then, the chat group was flooded with pictures. 

[GhostPrincess: Oh, the photo button’s here? That’s so cool!] 

[GhostPrincess: [Almond Pudding.jpg], [Black Forest Cake.jpg], [Fresh Fruit Ice Cream.jpg]… These are what I’ve eaten lately!] 

[YotsuyaMiko: They look so tasty!] 

[NishinakaTiger: Yeah, I wish I could try some.] 

[GhostPrincess: Easy! I’ll ask Aunt Bikini if she’s okay with it. If she is, I’ll put some in the group shop for you to buy and try.] 

[NishinakaTiger: Sweet, I want the Black Forest Cake!] 

[YotsuyaMiko: I’ll take the almond pudding, thanks, Big Sis Yamato!] 

Slurp… 

The stream of dessert photos flashing through Hikari’s mind made her a bit hungry. 

She’d planned to ask Yuji Itadori about the progress in the Jujutsu Kaisen world and whether he needed help with cursed spirits. But seeing him eagerly chatting with Yamato and Miko about food, she figured nothing major was happening and decided to save the topic for later. 

—Helping was partly an excuse to check out the special-grade cursed spirits, like Mahoraga and Mahito. Mahoraga’s adaptability could theoretically counter Esdeath’s time-stop, and Mahito’s soul manipulation might help repair Kikyo’s damaged soul—or at least inspire advancements in Yin-Yang Release. 

Sukuna was another interest, but as a spirit residing in Yuji’s body, dealing with him without harming the “human pillar” was tricky. Plus, with only a few of his twenty fingers recovered, killing him now felt like a waste. It required careful planning. 

… 

After completing Moryo’s sealing ritual, Hikari’s group followed Miroku back to the capital. 

The crisis in the Land of Demons was mostly resolved, though some lingering puppets needed cleanup. That task carried separate pay and was straightforward—without Moryo’s power, the puppets’ regeneration was weaker, breaking apart permanently after a few hits. 

Kakashi’s team from Konoha took on the job. 

Yugito Nii and her Cloud team, after collecting their reward for escorting Miroku, left immediately—either to return to the Cloud Village or to track Hidan. 

Esdeath was a bit disappointed. “That blonde woman seemed pretty strong. I was hoping to spar with her.” 

“There’ll be a chance,” Hikari said. “Next time, I’ll take you to her village. There are two other tough guys there who might catch your eye.” 

She meant the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee—both physical powerhouses, with Bee being a perfect Jinchuriki. Together, they could probably give Esdeath a good fight. 

For now, Hikari was focused on Miroku’s explanation of Moryo’s origins. 

As Miroku had hinted, Moryo was a “clone” derived from the first shrine maiden of the Land of Demons, created due to natural energy corruption. 

“Natural energy corruption?” Hikari asked. 

“Exactly,” Miroku nodded. “The shrine maiden lineage dates back over a thousand years, before the Ninja Sect existed. Back then, there was no concept of chakra or ninjutsu—just the omnipresent energy of nature. Gifted individuals discovered this energy and learned to harness it, giving rise to the ‘shrine maiden’ role. 

Long ago, there were multiple shrine maiden lineages, but most have faded over time. Today, only the Land of Demons’ lineage remains.” 

“I see,” Hikari said, rubbing her chin. “So, the ‘spiritual power’ of your lineage is essentially the same as the ‘sage arts’ of the Three Holy Lands?” 

“You could say that,” Miroku confirmed. “Our so-called ‘spiritual power’ is really sage chakra, refined from absorbing and processing natural energy. But not everyone can do it. I can because my bloodline, inherited from the first shrine maiden, gives me the potential. 

Compared to humans, animals have a longer history of mastering natural energy. The most advanced among them became demon beasts and formed groups like the Three Holy Lands. Humans, limited by their physiology, have a lower capacity for natural energy. Even the most talented risk death or corruption during training, becoming puppets of that energy.” 

Miroku’s explanation was understated. 

Even the sage arts of the Three Holy Lands had high failure rates. The toad statues at Mount Myoboku were remnants of failed Sage Mode practitioners. Jiraiya’s frog-like features in Sage Mode and Kabuto’s later monstrous appearance were side effects of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave’s techniques. 

Outside the Holy Lands, there was another clear example: Jugo. 

Jugo, a natural sage, unconsciously absorbed natural energy. When it accumulated excessively, it overrode his will, turning him violent and murderous—actions he’d never commit in his calm state. 

Likely, the first shrine maiden had a similar constitution. Unable to control the overwhelming natural energy she absorbed, she separated it and sealed it away, inadvertently creating Moryo, a demon that nearly brought catastrophe. 

“Got it,” Hikari said, finally grasping what Miroku meant by “same origin.” Moryo and the shrine maidens were like Kami and Demon King Piccolo. 

“One more question,” Hikari said, taking a breath and looking at Miroku. “Can the shrine maiden method of refining natural energy be taught to others?” 

“…” Miroku paused, then spoke slowly. “I’m… not sure. 

As I mentioned, my ability to refine spiritual power comes largely from my bloodline. Since you’re not of our lineage, even if I taught you the method, you might not be able to use it. But if you’re willing to learn, I’ll do my best to teach you. If we can analyze the principles and adapt them to your constitution, you might develop your own unique ‘spiritual power’ system.”