Seeing Neji charging toward him, Toneri wore a strange expression. "Do you have a misunderstanding of our strength?"
Toneri still had some impression of this distant kinsman who was never good at cheating.
Indeed, back during the World's Strongest Ninja Tournament, the three of them had been at a similar level, and Neji had only been slightly weaker than him!
The problem was, he had enhanced his power once during the tournament, and after it ended, he, Naruto, and Sasuke had enhanced again!
In that case, how could Neji, still at his tournament-starting strength, stand a chance against them?
"It's rare to see a ninja as genuine as you, someone who doesn't rely on external forces!" With this thought, Toneri lightly kicked Neji, sending him flying.
"Do you think I want shortcuts? The problem is I have no shortcut to take!" Neji muttered to himself silently, then roared in frustration, "You've actually suppressed me in Taijutsu!"
He had known he wasn't a match for the opponent, but he hadn't expected such a huge gap!
During the Ninja Tournament, although he had lost to Momoshiki Otsutsuki, that had been due to the latter's ability to freeze time. In terms of physical combat, having opened seven of the Eight Gates, he had still surpassed those Otsutsuki!
Yet now, he couldn't even withstand a single casual kick from the enemy!
Naruto and Sasuke had no time to care about their companion's mental state. In perfect sync, they approached from both sides.
[Six Paths: Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken]!
[Indra's Arrow]!
Naruto looked like a rising Nine-Tails, raising the swirling golden-yang and purplish-black-yin Rasenshuriken with both hands toward Toneri!
Sasuke, like a demon god commanding thunder, strung an arrow and shot it through space-time straight at Toneri!
Before the battle, both had drawn chakra from each of the nine Bijuu and combined it with Six Paths chakra, allowing them to unleash these techniques!
These two attacks represented the peak of their power!
Space trembled; the sky cracked. Even Toneri found himself feeling intense dread at that moment!
"Without ancestral regression, you still perfectly harmonize with Otsutsuki's power. Impressive, disciples of the Alliance Leader!" Toneri's eyes turned sharp. He raised his right hand, summoning a golden sword formed from nine Truth-Seeking Balls, slashing it from left to right!
[Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion]!
An incredibly brilliant arc met the arrow and shuriken. It was as if chaos was clearing, with blinding light filling every corner. The terrifying rumbling exploded in everyone's heart, making the confused crowd feel as if the sky itself had collapsed!
Then, endless light and heat spread outward, vast and boundless!
Even though the three were fighting several kilometers above ground, the shockwaves of their power still shattered the earth below, piece by piece!
The people battling below were bowled over like grass in a storm—some flattened, others uprooted!
"Do you see now? This is the power of a new generation of ninja!" Tobirama casually stood up, brushing off some of his thinner soul body, and said to an astounded Izuna beside him.
"These are ninjas?" Izuna couldn't help but curse out loud in shock.
Shouldn't a true ninja walk in the shadows, relying on intelligence and assassination?
He once thought Aniki and Hashirama Senju were ridiculous enough, but this era is even more absurd!
Tajima Uchiha pointed at the sky, laughing with one hand on his hip. "Butsuma, look! Among those three, there's an Uchiha and a Hyuga, but no Senju! In the end, the Sharingan still reigns supreme!"
Senju Butsuma frowned and remained silent.
Seeing how much stronger Naruto and Sasuke had become, Neji finally stopped hesitating. "I'll open the Eight Gates!"
The Eight Gates were not something he could open at will—in the past, his limit had only reached the Seventh Gate!
However, several days ago, when their teacher used their mental focus to study Kekkei Mora, a wealth of knowledge had been passed back to them.
What Naruto and Sasuke received was enhanced chakra control, while he gained the method to open the Death Gate!
Above the battlefield, the three continued their intense battle!
Though the previous shockwaves had been fierce, they hadn't significantly affected them!
"This isn't working!" Sasuke thought for a moment before shouting, "Naruto, let's fuse!"
"Fuse?" Naruto hesitated for a moment. "How exactly do you want to do it?"
Sasuke frowned slightly. "Obviously, you become my mount while I cover your Kyūbi form with my Susanoo!"
Naruto grimaced. "Both me and Kurama strongly oppose this!"
"Don't be childish..."
Just then, Neji's fiery shout echoed from the horizon. "Let me turn the tide!"
"Neji, not this again..."
However, before they could voice their refusal, a gust of wind rushed past them!
"So fast!" Sasuke and Naruto's eyes widened simultaneously. They knew Neji was strong, but unless...
A horrifying thought struck them both. "Neji, can you really open the Eight Gates?!"
But Neji was already too busy to reply.
He was now like a candle burning its life away, and he had to make the most of every flicker of light!
*Thud thud thud thud thud!*
Like a beam of light endlessly reflecting between mirrors, Neji's afterimages leapt across the battlefield, each punch landing heavily on Toneri's body!
Although non-ninja couldn't open the Eight Gates, theoretically speaking, a regular person opening all Eight Gates could momentarily obtain strength surpassing the Kage!
His taijutsu had always been formidable, and combined with his cultivation of a yao monster-like physical form, amplified by the Eight Gates Formation, he had practically gained power beyond the Ōtsutsuki clan itself, becoming even stronger than Toneri!
Quickly realizing Neji's decision, Naruto and Sasuke were naturally determined not to let his efforts go to waste.
After all, now that they had mastered the Yin-Yang Release, they could definitely ensure Neji wouldn't die!
[Rasengan!]
[Chidori Current!]
Because of Neji's incredible speed, they couldn't use techniques that required longer preparation times.
However, enhanced by Six Paths Mode, even seemingly "mere" A-ranked ninja techniques could unleash power far surpassing S-ranked jutsu!
Under the combined assault from the three, Toneri's situation quickly became extremely dire!
"Damn it! I should've taken care of him first!" Toneri gritted his teeth, enduring the pain and regretting bitterly in his heart.
He had actually made such a rookie mistake—underestimating his opponent!
"This isn't over yet!"
Toneri shattered the Espada mask covering his face. The Soul Strength contained within the mask instantly erupted!
Neji was highly accomplished in Taijutsu training, but soul-based techniques were his weakness.
Stunned by the sudden surge of spiritual power, he hesitated for a split second.
Toneri seized this opportunity, unleashing his full strength on Neji!
Neji spat out a large amount of blood and fell toward the ground like a meteorite!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>