Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

Chapter 172: NZNT: Chapter 172

As the Ryūchi Cave snakes launched their attack, a pillar of crimson-gold fire erupted, enveloping Yusuke and Kabuto. Simultaneously, within

As the Ryūchi Cave snakes launched their attack, a pillar of crimson-gold fire erupted, enveloping Yusuke and Kabuto.

Simultaneously, within the fiery pillar, a colossal warrior clad in black armor gradually materialized. This warrior wielded a katana engulfed in flames, his armor ablaze, and a massive sun-like inferno blazed behind him—Yusuke’s Susanoo with Ryūjin Jakka called: ”Ryūyan Susanoo”.

Witnessing this magnificent figure, a fiery deity incarnate, the White Snake Sage and the snake maidens were momentarily stunned, their attack reflexively faltering.

Yusuke’s Susanoo was comparable in size to the Gedō Mazō. Manda and Shinju, formidable summoning beasts, paled in comparison, and even the larger White Snake Sage in her true form would be dwarfed by Yusuke’s Susanoo.

What truly instilled terror in the hearts of the Ryūchi Cave snakes was the intense heat radiating from the Ryūyan Susanoo.

During the previous battle against Nagato outside Konoha, Yusuke had exercised considerable restraint. However, within the confines of Ryūchi Cave, he had no such qualms. Moreover, he had kindly forewarned the White Snake Sage at the outset of the conflict.

Despite their momentary hesitation, the Ryūchi Cave snakes did not cease their assault, continuing their advance toward the Ryūyan Susanoo.

The countless sharp stalagmites, formed through the Inorganic Reincarnation Technique, were almost instantly melted upon contact with the Susanoo’s body. They proved utterly ineffective against the Susanoo’s formidable defenses, rapidly vaporized by the intense heat emanating from its surface.

Similarly, the three colossal serpents, each infused with natural energy blended with fire, earth, and water-natured chakra, were reduced to ashes upon encountering the Ryūyan Susanoo’s searing flames.

Yusuke, positioned within his Susanoo at the glabella, surveyed the White Snake Sage and the other Ryūchi Cave snakes from his lofty vantage point, calmly stating, ”I wonder if this qualifies as successfully repelling your combined assault?”

The Ryūchi Cave snakes were now experiencing considerable discomfort. Snakes inherently favor cool, damp environments, and with the exception of Shinju, the fire-natured snake, the remaining serpents were already feeling the effects of rapid dehydration.

”Sufficient. You truly are the strongest ninja in the world. With your current power, even Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha in their prime might not be your match!” the White Snake Sage declared.

Upon hearing the White Snake Sage’s assessment, Yusuke deactivated Ryūjin Jakka’s Shikai and dispelled the Susanoo. The temperature within Ryūchi Cave, which had reached an unbearable level of intensity, instantly plummeted, affording the Ryūchi Cave higher-ups a much-needed respite.

The Ryūchi Cave snakes, who moments before had been glaring with malevolent intent, now adopted a more subdued demeanor, refraining from any further displays of hostility. The three snake maidens’ once-lustrous, raven-black hair had been singed by the intense heat, now appearing dry, brittle, and straw-colored.

The White Snake Sage reverted to her elderly human form and approached Yusuke and Kabuto.

”Kabuto, you may remain and study the Sage Arts. Even if you fail to master them, with your teacher present, we will not harm you.”

”And if you do succeed in mastering our Ryūchi Cave Sage Arts, as previously stated, you may choose one of these three snake maidens to form an equal summoning contract with.”

Kabuto immediately expressed his gratitude to the White Snake Sage, who then turned her attention to Yusuke, inquiring, ”I wonder if you, yourself, might be interested in learning our Ryūchi Cave Sage Arts?”

Yusuke responded with a smile and a shake of his head, ”My power and the Sage Arts are not compatible; studying them would be of little significance to me.”

Yusuke was not underestimating the potency of the Sage Arts; rather, his cultivation was primarily focused on the refinement of his spiritual power, rendering physical enhancements of limited value to him.

The White Snake Sage nodded, inwardly expressing a sense of regret but refraining from further comment.

With the matter concluded, Yusuke prepared to return to Konoha, as he was scheduled to embark on negotiations with Sunagakure in the near future.

After offering Kabuto a few brief instructions and exchanging farewells with the White Snake Sage, the crow clone utilized Kamui’s space-time jutsu to transport them back to Konoha.

As they witnessed Yusuke’s effortless traversal through the space-time vortex, the assembled higher-ups of Ryūchi Cave exchanged bewildered glances.

This individual was truly an untouchable force. Not only was his power overwhelming, but his mastery of space-time travel rendered him virtually impervious to attack. Should anyone dare to incur his wrath, he could materialize at their side without warning and swiftly dispatch them.

Just as Yusuke returned to Konoha, an unexpected visitor arrived—Madara Uchiha, seeking to enlist Yusuke’s services.

”You are Yusuke Uchiha, clan head of the Uchiha clan, are you not? Indeed, a rare talent. Do you happen to know who I am?”

Madara, his gaze fixed upon Itachi, displayed an expression of genuine admiration, addressing him with the paternal tone one might employ when speaking to a younger generation.

Upon arriving in Konoha, Madara had made his way to the Naka Shrine, located on the outskirts of the village.

While Yusuke was en route to Ryūchi Cave with Kabuto, Itachi had noticed signs of unauthorized entry at the Naka Shrine and had proceeded to investigate.

Upon encountering Itachi, Madara mistakenly identified him as Yusuke.

Observing Madara, clad in ancient armor, his arms crossed before his chest, and an air of arrogance emanating from his very being, Itachi’s brow furrowed slightly.

This man exuded a profoundly familiar aura, bearing the distinctive hallmarks of the Uchiha clan. However, the three-tomoe Rinnegan in his eye was a source of considerable perplexity.

”Following the recent great battle, Nagato, after having one of his Rinnegan eyes forcibly removed by Kabuto, was rescued by his subordinates. Therefore, the Rinnegan before me now—does it belong to Kabuto or Nagato?” Itachi pondered silently.

While contemplating this question, Itachi calmly replied, ”I am Uchiha Itachi, a disciple of the clan head. And who might you be, and what is the purpose of your intrusion into our clan’s sacred grounds?”

Madara’s expression registered a hint of surprise upon hearing Itachi’s response. He had not anticipated that the young man before him was not Yusuke Uchiha himself, but merely one of his disciples.

Madara, with his keen perception, could readily assess the considerable strength of Itachi’s chakra. While Itachi had not yet unveiled his Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara was certain that he had already awakened this formidable power.

Madara spoke slowly, ”This so-called forbidden ground was constructed by my own hand! And I never imagined that this clan, once on the verge of extinction, would rise again to such heights.”

”Your teacher is indeed a remarkable individual. However, the true source of your clan’s formidable power stands before you now. I am your ancestor, Madara Uchiha!”

Upon hearing Madara’s declaration, a flicker of astonishment crossed Itachi’s eyes, yet he maintained an outwardly calm demeanor.

Madara, while impressed by Itachi’s composure, also felt a surge of irritation. He had expected an outburst of shock and terror upon revealing his identity.

”You should be dead by now, given your age. Whose Rinnegan is that? And what brings you here?” Itachi questioned.

Madara, however, chose not to directly answer Itachi’s inquiries, instead diverting the conversation to Yusuke’s whereabouts: ”Where is Yusuke Uchiha? While you are indeed entitled to some understanding of my plans, I have no desire to repeat myself to multiple individuals.”

Itachi responded dismissively, ”That is unfortunate. My teacher is currently absent from Konoha. Your journey, esteemed elder, has proven fruitless.”

Although this self-proclaimed Madara Uchiha was technically an intruder upon Konoha’s territory, Itachi could sense the immense chakra reserves coursing through his body, coupled with the presence of a three-tomoe Rinnegan, dissuading him from initiating a conflict at this juncture.

Given his inherently cautious nature and the uncertainty surrounding the adversary’s true capabilities, Itachi opted for a conservative approach.

Although Itachi harbored such intentions, Madara, upon encountering Itachi, found himself captivated by the prospect of engaging in combat, and he displayed no inclination to depart.

”While it is indeed a pity, the opportunity to encounter such a promising young talent as yourself has rendered my journey worthwhile. Allow me, then, to personally assess the extent of your capabilities!”

Madara erupted into boisterous laughter, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes as he launched a direct assault upon Itachi.

In keeping with his unwavering nature, Madara never resorted to surprise attacks in combat. However, the only individual who had ever successfully countered his frontal assaults was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Madara’s intentions extended beyond a mere evaluation of Itachi’s prowess; his aim was to capture Itachi alive and cultivate him as one of his loyal subordinates.

Following their earlier conversation, Madara had come to greatly admire Itachi’s composure, and he now sought to ascertain whether Itachi’s strength would prove equally impressive.

Faced with Madara’s relentless advance, Itachi did not retreat but instead met the attack head-on.

The ensuing engagement eschewed the use of ninjutsu, focusing solely on the raw power of taijutsu. Their swift movements and prodigious strength generated gusts of wind that rippled through the air, and each impact of their fists and feet resonated with earth-shattering force, underscoring the sheer intensity of their blows.

Madara, a seasoned veteran of the Warring States Period, possessed taijutsu skills honed in the crucible of countless battles. In that era, elaborate ninjutsu techniques were less prevalent, making taijutsu the cornerstone of every ninja’s arsenal. Madara, in particular, epitomized the pinnacle of taijutsu mastery during that era.

While Itachi’s most considerable expertise lay in the realm of genjutsu, his versatility as a ninja extended to exceptional proficiency in taijutsu.

In his initial appearance in the original storyline, he had demonstrated remarkable power and speed in his taijutsu duel against Kakashi and Kurenai within the confines of Konoha. In this present timeline, however, under Yusuke’s rigorous tutelage, Itachi’s taijutsu skills had been elevated to even greater heights.

Both Madara and Itachi were among the foremost taijutsu masters, and coupled with their exceptional dynamic visual acuity—granted by their Rinnegan and Sharingan, respectively—they consistently identified fleeting openings in their opponent’s defenses. While their movements appeared effortless, the underlying reality of their engagement was fraught with peril.

However, in terms of sheer mastery of taijutsu, Madara held a clear advantage, gradually pushing Itachi onto the defensive.

Although Itachi, leveraging his extraordinary perceptive abilities, successfully evaded many of Madara’s calculated killing blows, the pressure he faced steadily intensified, leaving him with little recourse beyond purely defensive maneuvers.

”To have honed your taijutsu to such a degree, young one, is truly commendable. Many members of our clan have grown overly reliant on the genjutsu capabilities of the Sharingan, failing to recognize that taijutsu forms the very bedrock of a ninja’s prowess!”

Madara, while simultaneously showering Itachi with praise, instantaneously elevated both his speed and power to a new echelon, catching Itachi completely off guard.

In this critical moment, Itachi was compelled to unleash Amaterasu, one of the Mangekyō Sharingan’s most formidable techniques, as a means of escaping the immediate danger, his gaze fixated upon Madara’s face.

Anticipating the imminent threat, Madara effortlessly evaded Amaterasu’s fiery assault, relying solely on his exceptional taijutsu speed, and his offensive maneuvers showed no signs of abatement. Itachi was forced to summon his shadow clone technique to evade Madara’s relentless assault, thereby creating a strategic distance between them.

Madara, at this point, remained composed, his breathing steady and controlled, while the preceding high-intensity taijutsu duel had left Itachi slightly breathless.

Itachi’s performance had far surpassed Madara’s expectations, solidifying his resolve to recruit Itachi as one of his most valued subordinates.

Without affording Itachi any opportunity to catch his breath and regroup, Madara utilized the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to swiftly close the distance, preparing to unleash his full might to subdue Itachi. However, the sudden emergence of a space-time vortex within the confines of the shrine brought Madara’s advance to an abrupt halt.

From the depths of this unexpected vortex, Yusuke, with the crow clone perched upon his shoulder, emerged calmly and deliberately.

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