276-280

Chapter 276: "Your Genjutsu Is Trash" 

A sudden loud roar snapped Naruto out of the genjutsu and pulled him back into reality. 

“Huh? What’s going on? What happened?” Naruto woke up looking completely disoriented, glancing around and bombarding Kazama and the others with questions. 

“I remember falling into an endless abyss… and getting chased by all kinds of monsters… so how am I alive again?” 

Seeing Naruto this confused, Sakura just shook her head in exasperation. 

Kazama gave him a friendly smile and said, “Come on, Naruto. You’ve already fully mastered the Nine-Tails’ chakra and can even use Kurama Mode. So why are you still getting caught in such basic genjutsu?” 

“Uh… well…” Naruto scratched his head awkwardly, clearly embarrassed. 

“Hehe, maybe it’s just ‘cause someone’s a little dumb—makes it easier for genjutsu to work,” Kazama teased. 

“That’s definitely it!” Sasuke and Sakura chimed in, grinning as they poked fun at Naruto, who could only sigh in helpless defeat. 

Then Kazama refocused the group. “Alright, everyone. We need to hurry to the Kurama clan’s compound and break Yakumo’s genjutsu over the villagers. If we fail, this mission to save the Kurama clan is over.” 

“Got it! No problem!” With Kakashi leading the way, Kazama and the rest of Team 7 quickly made their way toward the Kurama compound. 

But what they didn’t expect was— 

As soon as they arrived, they were met by hundreds of Kurama clan members, all charging straight at them. 

Within seconds, the enemy shinobi launched a barrage of genjutsu attacks. 

Luckily, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were already on guard after the last encounter. So even as the genjutsu came their way, they were able to resist it. 

Kakashi stepped forward and called out to the attackers, “Listen up! We’re shinobi of Konohagakure! We won’t keep falling for your genjutsu over and over. So stop this madness and surrender now!” 

But the moment he finished saying that… 

Naruto collapsed again—caught in yet another genjutsu. 

Kakashi and the others stood there, stunned. It was like a slap across the face—especially for Kakashi, who had just tried to act cool in front of the enemy. 

He hadn’t expected Naruto to be that much of an idiot. 

He literally just said they wouldn't fall for genjutsu again, and yet… Naruto was already down for the count. 

The Kurama shinobi, still under the control of Kurama Yakumo’s genjutsu, burst into cold laughter when they saw Naruto fall. 

Without hesitation, they unleashed their deadliest jutsu and charged at Kakashi’s team. 

But Kakashi and the others were here to save them—not to fight them. 

They knew the Kurama clan weren’t evil by nature. These shinobi were being manipulated by Yakumo’s powerful illusions. So they couldn’t go all out—they could only defend, not attack. 

And then… 

From the shadows, Kurama Yakumo herself watched the battle unfold. 

The moment she realized that not only Kazama, but even Kakashi could resist her genjutsu using the Sharingan, she was consumed with rage. 

Humiliation burned through her. Her pride had been challenged. 

Chapter 277: Total Beatdown – Kurama Yakumo 

Kurama Yakumo wasted no time—she instantly closed the distance and pulled Kakashi, Sasuke, and the others back into her genjutsu. 

Even though both Kakashi and Sasuke possess powerful Sharingan— Especially now that Sasuke has awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, which should, in theory, be enough to counter most genjutsu— Kurama Yakumo had absorbed the Fallen Heart Flame, making her illusions godlike. 

Her genjutsu alone was overwhelming Kakashi and the others, pushing them back with ease. 

“I didn’t expect genjutsu could actually harm people physically. You really are something else!” 

“What?!” 

Yakumo was stunned to see Kakashi and Sasuke trapped in her illusions, but Kazama still standing unfazed. 

“Impossible! The Kurama clan’s genjutsu is unparalleled! Even an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan shouldn’t be enough to resist it!” 

“You’re right. Your genjutsu is amazing—especially after absorbing the Fallen Heart Flame. But I’m not limited to just the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.” 

With that, Kazama activated the Rinnegan, unleashing a surge of eye power that forcefully dispelled the Kurama clan’s illusions and sent their shinobi flying. 

Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all snapped back to their senses. 

“In the face of my Rinnegan, genjutsu is useless.” 

“What?! You have the Rinnegan too?!” 

Yakumo was visibly shaken as she saw Kazama’s Eternal Mangekyō evolve into the legendary Rinnegan. 

Despite having her mind clouded by obsession and no longer fearing death, the innate pressure of this supreme dōjutsu still struck a chord in her bloodline. 

Kazama, fully aware that Yakumo was in a state of madness, didn’t want to go all out and kill her. Otherwise, he could’ve simply used the Rinne Sharingan and ended her in a flash. 

“Listen, Kurama Yakumo—we came here to help you. So don’t do anything reckless.” 

“Spare me the crap! You Konoha shinobi need to get the hell away from me!” 

Before Kazama could finish, Yakumo cut him off with a furious outburst. 

Once a gentle and kind girl, Yakumo had become twisted and unstable after absorbing the Fallen Heart Flame. 

Then she opened her mouth wide, and from it emerged a gigantic demonic beast. 

“This is my ultimate genjutsu—Manifest Illusion! No matter how strong you are, this will be your end! Hahaha!” 

“She actually turned her illusion into a real entity… That’s insane!” 

Kazama was genuinely stunned. Even his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan couldn’t perform something as advanced as manifesting illusions into physical beings. 

Without hesitation, he launched into battle against the monstrous entity born from genjutsu. 

And the moment they clashed, Kazama realized just how terrifying this thing was— It shrugged off attacks from all five elemental natures—lightning, wind, fire, water, and earth. Even flames from otherworldly sources like Alien Fire had no effect on it. 

This revelation left Kazama deeply shaken. He had never fought something like this before. 

Seeing Kazama being pushed back repeatedly by her genjutsu monster, Yakumo couldn’t help but let out a cold, triumphant laugh. 

Chapter 278 – The Return of a Powerful Foe 

"I’ll tell you this right now— even though you possess the Rinnegan, there’s no way you can defeat me. My genjutsu beast exists beyond the Six Paths, outside of the Five Elements. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never beat me! Hahaha!" 

"Every jutsu has a weakness. Your genjutsu beast’s weakness… is genjutsu itself. As long as I cast a higher-level genjutsu, I can turn it to my side!" 

"What? Don’t make me laugh!" 

Hearing this, Kurama Yakumo burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. 

"This genjutsu beast is the ultimate illusionary technique of the Kurama clan! And you think you can take it down with genjutsu? Keep dreaming!" 

"What?!" 

While Kurama Yakumo was still mocking him, Kazama had already activated a unique genjutsu exclusive to the Rinnegan—seizing control of the genjutsu beast in an instant. 

Not only did the creature stop attacking Kazama, it immediately turned on Kurama Yakumo and lunged at her. 

Yakumo was completely stunned. 

She had never imagined that Kazama could actually take control of her clan’s ultimate genjutsu creature—and turn it against her. 

"This… this can’t be happening!" 

Seeing Kazama’s overwhelming strength firsthand, Yakumo was shaken. 

And in just a few short moves, Kazama’s controlled genjutsu beast had knocked her to the ground. 

"Your Kurama clan’s genjutsu is certainly powerful… but unfortunately, you’re still no match for me." 

Before Yakumo could recover, Kazama activated his system ability and absorbed the genjutsu beast into his own body. 

He had sensed the presence of the Fallen Heart Flame within the creature. 

To reclaim the flame, he needed to absorb it. 

Ding! Genjutsu beast successfully absorbed. Congratulations, host, you’ve obtained the Kurama clan’s strongest genjutsu: Manifest Illusion as Reality! 

Ding! Congratulations, host, you’ve recovered the Fallen Heart Flame! 

"This is amazing!" 

Kazama was thrilled—not only had he reclaimed the Fallen Heart Flame, but he had also obtained the Kurama clan’s most powerful illusion technique. 

Although his Rinnegan genjutsu was already incredibly strong, Kazama had always believed in the idea that “more jutsu means more strength.” 

The more techniques he mastered, the stronger and more unstoppable he would become. 

As the genjutsu beast was absorbed from Yakumo’s body, her mind slowly began to clear. 

Realizing how much damage she had unknowingly caused her own clan, Kurama Yakumo was overwhelmed with guilt and grief. 

At the same time, she was incredibly grateful to Kazama for stepping in and stopping her in time. 

If he hadn’t removed the Fallen Heart Flame that she had absorbed unintentionally, she might have truly destroyed the entire Kurama clan. 

“…It’s over now. There’s no need to keep blaming yourself.” 

“Yeah, you were only acting under the influence of the flame. Now that everything’s resolved, I’m sure your clan will forgive you.” 

Seeing Yakumo’s pain, Kazama and the others tried to comfort her. 

“Heh… you brats sure have time to comfort others.” 

Just then, a dark figure suddenly appeared in front of them. 

Chapter 279: Beating You Is Easy 

“Dark Emperor Flame!” 

The moment Kazama recognized the figure in front of him, he let out a cold laugh. 

He’d been hunting down the Dark Emperor Flame, intending to wipe it out once and for all—to stop it from competing with him for control over the Iryōka ( "Other Flames"). 

But since the Dark Emperor Flame wasn’t human, it had no chakra signature. Even with Kazama’s enhanced sensory abilities and his Rinnegan-Sharingan, tracking it down had been extremely difficult. 

Now that it had reappeared before him, there was no way Kazama was letting it escape again. 

“You little runt. Judging by that smug look on your face, you think you can actually kill me?” 

Though Kazama hadn’t spoken yet, the Dark Emperor Flame wasn’t stupid. 

He saw right through Kazama’s expression and understood his intent. 

Still, the flame spirit showed no fear—only mocking laughter. 

“So, you think you’re ready to punish me, huh?” 

Kazama immediately prepared to strike, but then he noticed something disturbing: The Dark Emperor Flame’s body now held multiple Iryōka once again. 

“Heh... Judging by your reaction, you must’ve figured it out.” 

“You—!” 

Kazama finally understood what had happened. The Dark Emperor Flame had beaten him to it. It had gone around the Shinobi World and reclaimed the scattered Other Flames. 

“I am the embodiment of the Other Flames. My ability to sense them far surpasses yours. Whenever I sense one, I snatch it up right away. Not like you—hesitating, wasting time playing therapist with that Kurama Yakumo. You could’ve ended her instantly, but instead you babbled on like a fool. Pathetic.” 

“What?! You bastard! How dare you insult Kazama-niisan!” 

Naruto didn’t yet know who or what the Dark Emperor Flame really was. All he heard was it trash-talking Kazama, and that was more than enough to enrage him. Without hesitation, he charged in. 

“Heh... You little punks still dare act tough in front of me? Fine then. I’ll send all of you straight to the afterlife!” 

With that, the Dark Emperor Flame launched a sudden assault. 

Even though it hadn’t yet collected all 22 types of Other Flames— It had already reclaimed 20 of them. 

Its power was still immense—far beyond what Naruto, Sasuke, or Kakashi could handle. 

If not for Kazama shielding them with Susano’o, the three would’ve already been incinerated in an instant. 

“Hahaha! You trash! Let’s see how long you can keep this up!” 

Seeing that no one but Kazama could hold their own, the Dark Emperor Flame cackled wildly. 

“Everyone, listen! This enemy is the embodiment of Other Flames. It’s not a human. So we have to fight with everything we’ve got!” 

As Kazama spoke, he instantly activated Yomi no Hirazaka ("Yomotsu Hirasaka")— A Rinnegan technique that opened a portal into another dimension. 

He pulled Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the Dark Emperor Flame all into the otherworldly space. 

“This space is sealed. Just us and the enemy. Now you don’t need to hold back to avoid harming the Kurama clan. Go all out!” 

Chapter 280 – I Can Absorb Attacks Infinitely 

"No problem!" 

As soon as Kazama said the word, Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke immediately prepared to unleash their ultimate moves. 

After all, they had come a long way since their days as rookie genin—they were no longer weaklings to be pushed around. 

"Hahaha! Don’t make me laugh!" 

The Dark Emperor Flame (Kokuan Teien) had originally flown into a rage after being dragged into an alternate dimension by Kazama. But when he heard Kazama say he planned to team up with the others to kill him, he burst out laughing so hard he nearly bent over. 

"Kazama, you little runt, you sure love to dream. Don’t forget, even when you teamed up with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, you couldn’t defeat me. And now you think these weaklings can take me down? What a joke. Are you trying to make me laugh myself to death so you can inherit my Alien Flame?" 

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! 

Before he could finish, Kazama used Amenotejikara (Heavenly Hand Power) to teleport directly in front of the Dark Emperor Flame and smacked him across the face three times in a flash. 

Caught off guard, the Dark Emperor Flame was instantly sent tumbling to the ground. 

"You bastard…!" 

Even though he had fused with twenty different Alien Flames, he was still knocked down so easily by Kazama. The shock on his face was unmistakable. 

"I’ll spell it out for you, Dark Emperor Flame—You haven’t successfully fused all twenty-two Alien Flames yet, which means your power isn’t what it used to be. And I, on the other hand, possess your original essence: the Imperial Flame. So even if I can’t kill you, I can still beat you into the ground. 

Besides, my allies here—though not as powerful as Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—aren’t to be underestimated either." 

"That’s right!" 

As Kazama spoke, Naruto immediately charged at the Dark Emperor Flame in Kurama Mode. 

Then came Sasuke, activating his Perfect Susano’o, followed by Kamui Kakashi and Monster Strength Sakura—all of them launched a coordinated assault. 

Despite the Dark Emperor Flame's terrifying strength, the current Team 7 was nothing like before. 

Their teamwork was seamless and refined from countless battles. 

In just a few exchanges, they had him completely on the defensive. 

"You damn brats! If I don’t kill you all, I swear I’m not human!" 

Enraged by his sudden disadvantage, the Dark Emperor Flame unleashed all twenty of his fused Alien Flames in a single overwhelming burst. 

In an instant, the tides shifted, and he regained the upper hand, suppressing Kakashi and the others completely. 

"Damn… this guy really is powerful!" 

Even after going all-out with their ultimate techniques, Kakashi and the others were shocked to be pushed back so easily. The realization hit hard. 

"Hahaha! You little pests! I told you, you’re no match for me! You thought you could defeat me? Eat dirt!" 

"What?!" 

Just as the Dark Emperor Flame was cackling arrogantly, he suddenly noticed something unbelievable—Kazama was absorbing all of his flames into his body! 

"What?! How is this possible?!" 

The sight left the Dark Emperor Flame stunned. 

Sure, he knew Kazama had the ability to absorb attacks, but he also remembered clearly—Kazama had previously failed to absorb his Alien Flame. 

That had proven his ability had limits. There was no way he could just endlessly absorb any attack. 

So why now? Why could Kazama suddenly absorb all those devastating flames in an instant? 

The Dark Emperor Flame was completely dumbfounded. 

"This can’t be... I remember you failed to absorb my flames before! How are you doing it now?!" 

Kazama just laughed in response, a broad grin on his face.