MTLNOVEL Chapter 168: CHAPTER 168
The crisis was averted, but that ultimate move had been wasted.
"As expected of Uchiha Madara... but it's not over yet." After swinging his sword, Kawaki Aoba turned and retreated, simultaneously commanding the Hundred-Armed Kannon to advance.
Raising his hand, he formed five new Truth-Seeking Orbs, which rapidly morphed under his will.
They transformed into five radiant golden swords.
Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion ×5.
Given the immense size of the Hundred-Armed Kannon, wielding multiple Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosions seemed fitting. The aesthetic match between the golden swords and the construct was striking—almost unnaturally harmonious.
"Now it's two-on-one, Madara-senpai. Don't say I'm bullying you. If you can still make wood clones, go ahead."
Uchiha Madara's expression darkened. Of course, he could produce Wood Clones, but against someone wielding multiple Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosions, each clone would stand little chance—perhaps even less than fodder.
Six devastating golden swords surrounded Madara. He took a deep breath. Though humiliation loomed, pride wouldn't allow him to falter before a mere junior.
"Sage Art: Deep Forest Emergence."
"Sage Art: Multi-Wood Dragon Jutsu."
Unleashing two massive Wood Release techniques augmented by Sage Chakra, Madara finally went all in.
But Kawaki Aoba still looked calm—unfazed, as if he had more cards left to play.
In the distance, the Konoha shinobi who had witnessed the battle unfold stood speechless. Originally, they had merely hoped Aoba could stall Madara. But now?
The legendary Asura of the ninja world, Uchiha Madara, was being overwhelmed by Kawaki Aoba.
If the cataclysmic battlefield didn't so clearly reflect godlike power, some might have suspected that this Madara was an imposter.
The shock in their hearts was indescribable.
"At this rate, unless something unexpected happens, Aoba-sama might resolve the Madara crisis singlehandedly," one ninja murmured—uncertain whether he was in awe or simply flattering him.
Either way, it didn't matter.
Even Senju Tobirama couldn't hide his astonishment. He watched, stunned, as his old rival Madara was being overpowered.
Madara had grown stronger than ever, even assimilating the power of Hashirama. He was an unstoppable force—yet here he was, being suppressed.
Of course, worry lingered, but it was quickly giving way to disbelief.
Not just the Konoha shinobi—even Nagato and Obito, who had come with Madara, were at a loss for words.
Weren't they supposed to be capturing the Nine-Tails and kidnapping that boy? Was this how things were supposed to go?
Had they come just to get beaten up?
"Heh. Looks like even the so-called Asura of the ninja world has his limits," Obito scoffed. Turning toward Konoha, he said to Nagato:
"Madara might be losing, but at least he's keeping that guy busy. What do you say? Still ready to move?"
"Hmph. I don't need you to tell me!" Nagato snapped, stepping toward Konoha with Rinnegan glowing.
Obito followed without hesitation.
"Don't say I didn't warn you—they've laid traps ahead."
Whether Obito had jinxed them or not, the two ran into ambushes moments later.
As Nagato landed, attacks came from multiple directions—Yamanaka clan's mental techniques, Nara clan's Shadow Imitation, and layered Genjutsu.
Oddly, Obito was ignored.
A Flying Thunder God Kunai whistled through the air, aiming precisely at Nagato.
Multiple attacks closed in, and Nagato's expression turned grim. But that was all.
The Human Path of the Rinnegan rendered soul-based techniques like the Yamanaka clan's ineffective.
Illusions? Useless against his Rinnegan.
Only the Shadow Imitation Technique had slight effect—several Jonin-level Nara members had synchronized to restrain him.
It lasted only a moment.
With a burst of chakra, he broke free—just in time to see a golden blur appear beside him.
A Rasengan—laced with Sage Chakra—was aimed straight for him.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A powerful repulsive force erupted.
But Minato Namikaze vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique just before impact—his reaction speed outpacing even Nagato's.
However, Nagato reacted in the nick of time.
What a close call…
He glanced down at his torn robes, the fabric shredded where the Rasengan had made contact. Narrowing his eyes, Nagato muttered to himself.
If it had been a standard ninjutsu, he wouldn't have been concerned. The Preta Path could absorb most chakra-based attacks. But that Rasengan—it had been different.
It felt like the power of Sage Mode—similar to what he'd sensed from Naruto Uzumaki and even reminiscent of the legendary Hashirama Senju. That natural energy-infused technique bypassed absorption; the Preta Path had failed to neutralize it.
Before Nagato could process more, a new threat emerged—a roaring water dragon surged behind him.
Reacting swiftly, he turned, but the chakra signature didn't seem unusual this time.
Just a standard elemental ninjutsu.
"Preta Path: Chakra Absorption."
The Water Dragon Bullet dissolved on impact, its chakra seamlessly drawn into Nagato's body.
"Everyone, stay alert! This enemy uses powerful repulsive force techniques and can absorb ninjutsu!" came the commanding voice of Tobirama Senju.
Nagato turned toward him with cold eyes, raised his palm, and whispered: "Shinra Tensei."
A wave of gravitational force exploded outward. Tobirama was caught mid-sentence and violently repelled, unable to counter in time.
But as he skidded back, dark inked symbols began crawling across the battlefield.
A sealing jutsu?
It wasn't improvised. The precision suggested preparation—only someone like Tobirama, a master of fūinjutsu and tactics, would have devised such a trap.
Nagato realized: Tobirama had willingly made himself bait, drawing him into the center of the seal.
He narrowed his gaze. If he didn't act fast, he could be bound.
Just then, chakra flared behind Tobirama.
"Susanoo."
A shimmering ribcage of ethereal energy sprang up, shielding Tobirama and halting Nagato's advance. The translucent bones thickened, forming a humanoid upper torso.
Obito Uchiha, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes.
"…That's the Susanoo. Another Mangekyō Sharingan user?"
With Susanoo and unknown ocular abilities in play, Nagato could be seriously delayed.
Obito considered intervening. He didn't care much for Nagato's well-being, but losing him now would disrupt the Akatsuki's plans.
Just as he stepped forward, a Flying Thunder God kunai embedded itself in the ground before him.
A golden blur followed instantly.
"Give it up, Obito," said Minato Namikaze. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp—his Rasengan glowing with Sage energy as it flew toward Obito's face.
Obito: …
Telling me to give up, yet trying to blow my face off? Very convincing.
The attack phased through him. As always, he kept Kamui's intangibility active in battle.
He ignored Minato and began advancing toward Nagato, his body untouchable.
But then—whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The sharp whine of slicing air drew his attention. From afar, a storm of senbon needles streaked toward him.
Obito blinked.
Senbon? Really? That's your big counter?
Even if he were tangible, they would barely scratch him. And in his current state, they'd pass through harmlessly.
…Except they didn't.
As the senbon made contact, they clung to his phantom form, suspended unnaturally—overlapping his projected image as if anchored by some unseen force.
"What…?"
He looked down. The needles were following him, sticking to him no matter how he moved.
"A kekkei genkai? Magnet Release?" he muttered, frowning. "You think this will stop me?"
His eyes tracked the source—Kurenai Yuhi stood calmly in the distance, her red eyes gleaming.
"A trivial trick, maybe," she said, palms raised, "but surprisingly effective, isn't it?"
With a twist of her wrist, the senbon around Obito began to spin—rapidly.
"To most ninja, senbon are harmless toys. But for someone like you…"
Her voice dropped. "If you dare become tangible again, these tiny things will tear you to ribbons."
And Obito knew it wasn't empty bravado. Even through Kamui's barrier, he could feel the wind pressure generated by the rotating senbon.
If he emerged from the Kamui space now, even for a moment, he'd be shredded.
"Tch. You think a parlor trick like this can hold me? How foolish."
Still, his eyes drifted from Nagato to Kurenai.
Nagato could wait. He phased toward her, determined to eliminate the threat directly.
Kurenai smirked.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters