"You're getting close... Let me test just how much power you actually have."
Then, one by one, arcs of blue rib bones materialized around his body—pure force formed entirely from Chakra, the ultimate power usable only by Uchiha Ninja who have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan—Susanoo.
Etched into the stone tablet at the lowest level of the Uchiha Clan's Nankai Shrine, it is written that those who witness this destructive force are doomed to die.
But that was not the end. Following the ribs were the arms, and soon the skeletal head was fully formed as well.
Next, although the upper body was still a skeleton, flesh and muscle rapidly covered it; the manifestation of Chakra became even denser and more solid.
"Well then, let's use the second stage of Susanoo to test out this technique's power, little chicks who wish to dance in my presence."
On Madara's weathered face, a taunting smirk of wicked amusement appeared.
"Yasaka Magatama!"
Before Madara's Susanoo, three gigantic blue magatama, formed from concrete Chakra, spun at incredible speed and flew toward the forest ahead.
Because the massive blue Three Tomoe were moving so fast, and as they rotated their speed soared even higher, the three giant blue magatama looked as if they merged into one, becoming a massive blue ring. As it shot forward, it left an endlessly stretched blue line in its wake.
The three approaching Hakushi and his companions instantly sensed the abnormal wind, realizing that some great danger was closing in.
And with Byakugan in the team, even in the instant the sneak attack was unleashed, they already had the information they needed.
Ayane instantly leapt to the front of the group, her expression severe. She raised her palm sharply and then thrust it forward with all her strength.
"Divine Sky Strike!"
The three magatama, joined together to form a gigantic blue spinning disc, were struck head-on by Divine Sky Strike, slowing their advance dramatically.
The two forces collided directly, neither yielding nor pausing.
In a split second, the forest was wracked by a terrifying tremor.
Violent winds swept outward, blasting away all surrounding trees and White Zetsu in the area.
As the swirling dust finally cleared, the ground destroyed by the clash of the two powers was exposed.
Dozens of centimeters of earth seemed to have completely evaporated, leaving a pitted, uneven plain, wisps of white dust still curling into the air.
Seeing the three were now separated from him by some ten meters, Madara seemed almost bothered by the dust in the air, coughed, and spoke in an unhurried tone:
"Byakugan, is it? You're quite different from the Hyuga Clan ninja I've met before. That must be a derivative technique of Gentle Fist. Beautiful dance."
To gather a massive, high-density Chakra in her palm, then, through all the pores, forcefully expel that Chakra in an instant, generating an unparalleled shockwave.
Whether for breaking a single point or causing widespread destruction, its power is extraordinarily impressive.
And while attacking, it also possesses a defense equal in strength to its offense, making it an indomitable shield for the team—a true weapon of offense and defense combined.
From that clash, Madara immediately saw through the principle behind Ayane's Gentle Fist move.
It required extremely precise Chakra Control, a body of incredible toughness, and a superb reserve of Chakra.
But most crucial of all was the Byakugan.
Without the Byakugan as its foundation, even with those three traits, one could not perform this kind of precise all-in-one ninja technique.
From this, Madara could tell that it was an advanced Gentle Fist technique belonging to the Hyuga style.
"To receive praise from a legendary ninja like you is truly an honor."
Ayane smiled softly, her palm trembling ever so slightly—clearly, blocking Madara's Yasaka Magatama head-on with her bare hand had taxed her strength.
Even now, her arm remained slightly numb.
"No need for modesty. That recognition is well-deserved. Among all the Hyuga Clan ninja I've met, your strength might just be the greatest. After all, most Hyuga ninja rely too heavily on tradition, making their techniques rigid and devoid of innovation."
Madara spoke these words with utter calm.
Ayane did not reply, her smile fading as she assumed the opening stance of Gentle Fist.
Ruri likewise readied herself, lowering her body and gripping her Flame Circle Fan tightly, her focus absolute.
Against this man, even devoting a thousand percent of one's attention was not enough.
The memory of their last battle still filled her with dread.
Ruri wasn't sure if she, having grown stronger, could truly match such power.
But she wouldn't be so overwhelmed as before, when she didn't even have the courage to engage.
There's nothing shameful about fearing overwhelming power, as long as you find a way to surpass it. That was Ruri's resolve.
In contrast, Hakushi beside them showed no particular reaction.
But in Madara's eyes, it was this silent, nondescript man, so easy to overlook, who was likely the most troublesome and the true core of the trio.
Medical Ninjutsu.
Strange Shadow Ninjutsu.
The Summoning of bizarre Summoning Beasts.
Other abilities unknown, upper limits unknown.
Completely, an enigma in human form.
A calculating, intelligence-focused support-type ninja.
This time, their arrival here through Nagato must have been largely Hakushi's plan, Madara thought.
Of the three, he was the hardest to fathom.