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Chapter 146: Is This All You’ve Got?
Chapter 146: Is This All You’ve Got?
Chapter 146: Is This All You've Got?
Faced with Hagoromo Gengetsu's casual gesture, Uchiha Itachi wasted no time. Their eyes locked, and Itachi instantly tested him with a genjutsu.
"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!"
Inside the newly-formed illusionary space, Itachi was about to drive large iron stakes into Gengetsu's body when Gengetsu calmly looked at him.
Crack!
The sound of shattering glass rang out once again. In less than a second, they returned to reality. Being from the Warring States period and on par with Uchiha Madara, Hagoromo Gengetsu naturally had extensive experience countering genjutsu. Now in his prime, he was unperturbed by genjutsu like the Shackling Stakes Technique and could easily handle even Tsukuyomi after the recent experience.
Itachi understood this after the test. He refrained from using Tsukuyomi again. A special solution to counter it was given by a previous Uchiha, and as the superior, Hagoromo Gengetsu likely possessed the same method. Moreover, every use of the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities strained his vision and body significantly. Battling someone like Gengetsu required precision and conservation of strength.
Itachi deftly flipped his hands, launching eight shuriken with exquisite arcs toward Gengetsu's vital points.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The shuriken hit as though striking steel, not even scratching Gengetsu's skin. He didn't bother looking at them.
"Stop wasting time with these trivial tests," he said calmly, lifting his gaze. "My time is precious. Since you won't take the initiative, I'll push you a bit."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gengetsu stepped forward.
Boom!!!
The ground trembled. With a speed that seemed like teleportation, Gengetsu crossed dozens of meters in an instant, appearing before Itachi. Without any flashy moves, he simply clenched his right hand, drew back his elbow, and swung a straightforward punch.
Normally, with the Mangekyō Sharingan, Itachi could easily counter such a simple punch in numerous ways. But this was Hagoromo Gengetsu. Remembering the intelligence on Gengetsu's abilities and the test's results, Itachi didn't dare underestimate the punch. He crossed his arms to block, preparing for a counterattack.
Boom!
A violent shockwave exploded outward. Itachi felt like he had been hit by a mythical giant. With a sharp sound of a sonic boom, he was sent flying, crashing through numerous trees and plowing a deep trench in the ground before finally coming to a stop, coughing up blood.
Strength over finesse.
Unlike his clone, who relied on Mangekyō Sharingan's techniques, the real Hagoromo Gengetsu's fighting style was dominant, direct, and efficient. Even against a Mangekyō Sharingan user, he delivered a straightforward punch, keeping his opponent in his rhythm. This was the advantage of immense strength and defense, even against the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"This punch is as powerful as the famed strength of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade," Itachi thought, his hands trembling as he wiped the blood from his mouth, eyes narrowing in shock. There was no mention of such power in Gengetsu's previous intelligence. "Has he improved again?"
Noticing Gengetsu's overwhelming presence rushing at him, Itachi didn't hesitate.
Susanoo!
A massive orange-red skeleton enveloped him. Before Itachi could react further, Gengetsu was upon him, delivering another punch.
Crack!
Itachi's newly-formed Susanoo shattered instantly, forcing him to retreat.
The ground erupted with a loud explosion where Itachi once stood. Amidst the dense smoke, Gengetsu stood up calmly, dusting off his hand and summoning a gust of wind to clear the smoke.
With visibility restored, Gengetsu turned to Itachi's new position. The shattered Susanoo had reformed around Itachi, now more robust and covered in a majestic tengu armor.
"Just the third form... Is this all?" Gengetsu said, his tone disappointed.
To others, the sight of Itachi's Susanoo would be awe-inspiring. But Gengetsu had witnessed Uchiha Madara's complete Susanoo, a towering blue giant that rivaled mountains. Compared to that, Itachi's red Susanoo seemed lacking.
Unfazed by Gengetsu's words, Itachi advanced, his colossal red Susanoo exuding immense pressure as it charged Gengetsu. Shaking his head, Gengetsu stepped forward and threw another punch at the Susanoo. This time, however, Itachi's eyes flickered. Susanoo's left hand conjured a massive mirror-like shield, blocking Gengetsu's punch.
Boom!
The ground shook again. Despite his Steel Release-enhanced strength, capable of toppling a Wood Release dragon, Gengetsu's punch had no effect this time. Not only did the Susanoo remain unmoved, but the mirror-like shield also rebounded his force back at him.
"Oh?" Gengetsu stepped back for the first time. "Yata Mirror?"
The Yata Mirror was a legendary "non-physical" spirit weapon recorded in Uchiha history. It could adapt to any chakra nature transformation, nullifying ninjutsu attacks, and reflect physical attacks. It was said to be more formidable than the strongest defense of the Fivefold Rashomon.