Chapter 287: Power That Surpasses Everything
The lines that should have been completely closed now showed flaws. This meant that in truth, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's reincarnation this time still had certain deficiencies and could not be considered his most perfect state.
He lightly clenched his fist, his gaze turning razor-sharp as a terrifying murderous aura surged from his body. "Although I wasn't able to wait until the very last moment for the Kāma to fully dissolve before reincarnating—causing my strength to fall short of its absolute peak…"
"But this is already more than enough for me to take back everything I want."
As he spoke, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's left eye shifted in an instant from a flawless Byakugan into a Rinnegan.
Once more, he peered into the shinobi world.
By now, his power had basically returned.
The issue caused by the Kāma not being fully unsealed wasn't much of a problem. As time passed, the last traces of genetic data would eventually unravel and merge into this vessel. By then, he would truly reach perfection.
So—it was time to head for the shinobi world.
With that thought, Isshiki's body slowly began to rise.
At the same time, through his Rinnegan, he caught sight of what was happening below.
At this very moment, Senju Hashirama was being completely suppressed by Uchiha Madara.
Though Hashirama possessed Sage Mode, the gap between his power and that of a Six Paths-level being was far too wide.
On top of that, being in an Edo Tensei state meant his strength was nowhere near what it had been in life.
As the battle dragged on, the advantage tilted more and more heavily in Madara's favor. By now, he was fighting Hashirama almost as if toying with him.
But then, mid-battle, both suddenly stopped their attacks and instinctively looked up into the sky.
Under the blazing sun, of course, they saw nothing.
Yet the overwhelming chakra aura radiating unrestrainedly from Isshiki made his presence unmistakable to everyone.
"This chakra presence… it's so strong!"
Hashirama's expression grew grim as he turned to Madara. "Madara, that should be the Ōtsutsuki Isshiki you spoke of, right? Looks like he's already taken notice of us."
The answer was obvious, and since Hashirama had already voiced it, Madara gave no reply.
Though his gaze remained calm, his heart wavered with unease.
For the chakra he sensed at this moment was so terrifying, even he couldn't help but feel dread.
"So this is his power after recovering? Compared to before, it's an entirely different league…"
"No wonder Kaguya chose to betray and strike him down back then."
Madara's heart quaked at Isshiki's might.
This was strength that completely surpassed his own.
It seemed inevitable that a clash would occur between them.
As that thought crossed his mind, Isshiki suddenly appeared before them.
In an instant, a pressure even greater than before descended upon everyone present. Madara's pupils trembled violently.
Hashirama's expression grew even heavier than before.
As for Nagato, cold sweat streamed down his face.
This was no longer a battle he could intervene in—nor was it an opponent he could ever hope to challenge.
At this moment, he felt as though Isshiki needed only a single glance to kill him.
"So this is… the power of a true god?"
"No… based on what I've learned, strictly speaking, he isn't yet a true god. He's only close to one!"
Nagato's heart surged with shock as his eyes locked firmly on Isshiki, who hovered above.
The latter calmly looked down upon them.
"You still haven't decided a winner? Carry on. I'm only here to watch."
Isshiki finally spoke.
He folded his arms leisurely, gaze passing over Madara and landing on Hashirama.
Madara was no fool. Knowing this man came with hostile intent, he snorted coldly. "No need to just spectate. Hashirama, I'll deal with you later! Let's take care of him first!"
With that, he took the initiative to attack Isshiki.
"You've chosen to challenge me? Very well."
Isshiki watched the oncoming Madara with a calm, mocking smile tugging at his lips.
Unhurried, he sneered as if ridiculing him: "You once had the chance to become my partner. Together, we could have traveled across countless worlds, harvesting chakra fruits."
"But instead, you chose the most foolish path."
"In that case, let me show you the true difference between us."
The words had barely fallen when Madara closed the distance, slamming his Six Paths staff down toward Isshiki's head.
At that moment, Isshiki finally moved.
He merely raised his palm toward Madara.
Without any visible effort, countless black chakra rods erupted in an instant, piercing through Madara's body.
Stunned, Madara looked down at himself in disbelief.
Gazing at the rods disrupting his chakra flow as they impaled his body, he could hardly believe he had been subdued in a single move.
Though shocked by his opponent's speed, Madara was far from finished.
As a Six Paths-level being himself, he would never be restrained so easily.
With a sharp snort, he swept his staff forward, shattering every chakra rod it touched—those inside his body cracking apart as well.
Freed once again, Madara erupted with power, accelerating in an instant as if going from zero to hundreds of kilometers per second, closing in on Isshiki in a flash.
He kicked straight toward his opponent's chest.
Isshiki coolly raised his arm to block, and the two clashed in midair, exchanging blow after blow.
On the ground, Hashirama watched their battle, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
The air reverberated with constant, thunderous booms.
Each casual punch or kick between them distorted the air itself, their collisions roaring out as shockwaves whipped up violent storms.
The earth below was the first casualty.
Already ravaged from Hashirama's earlier fight with Madara, the terrain now crumbled even further. Enormous fissures split the ground, tearing outward in every direction.
The winds themselves became as sharp as blades, their pressure almost unbearable.
Even Hashirama struggled to endure it—his clothes whipped and shredded, invisible blades slicing gashes across the fabric.
Glancing down at the state of his garments, his expression hardened as he issued a grave warning.
"Nagato, was it? Leave this place now. This is no longer a fight you can be part of!"
"If you stay… you'll die."
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