Naruto: Heaven Rewards Diligence

Chapter 427: Madara vs Isshiki

The sudden shift on the battlefield shocked and thrilled everyone. They were stunned that Kakashi-senpai had defeated the enemy so quickly, and even more excited because the fall of the enemy's strongest fighter had tipped the balance firmly in their favor.

"Kill!!!"

"Victory belongs to us!!"

"As expected of Kakashi-senpai, we must also show him the strength of our ninja world!"

The younger generation shouted with excitement, their morale surging. Meanwhile, some of Kakashi's peers looked at him with complicated expressions before tightening their grips on their weapons and charging forward, cutting down waves of White Zetsu.

Seeing this, Kakashi tightened his hold on the White Fang. His figure flickered like a white Shinigami, leaving behind afterimages as he reaped the lives of the White Zetsu one after another. To conserve chakra, he stopped using ninjutsu altogether and relied purely on his physical prowess to sustain the battle.

At this point, there was no one left who could stop him.

Although the number of White Zetsu remained overwhelming, the balance had already been broken. Victory for the ninja world was now only a matter of time.

Meanwhile...

In outer space, the battle between Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, and the Ōtsutsuki Clan had reached an intense climax.

Within the vast starry sky, a colossal tree spread across the void, its countless branches lashing out like weapons. Nearby floating meteorites shattered instantly upon contact, as if they were nothing more than fragile dust before its steel-like limbs.

This was the current extent of Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, spanning hundreds of miles.

Although Wood Release originated from Asura, Hashirama's mastery had long since surpassed his predecessor's.

The Ōtsutsuki facing him dealt with the relentless assault with apparent ease, but Hashirama remained hidden at the core of the massive construct, making it impossible to directly target him.

"Hahaha, Hashirama! It's been a long time since I've been this excited. Let me lend you a hand!"

Uchiha Madara laughed loudly as his power surged outward, layering itself over Hashirama's Wood Release.

Hashirama did not resist. Without his consent, Madara would never have been able to integrate his power so seamlessly.

The originally vibrant, life-filled branches gradually took on a faint blue hue, their presence becoming even more oppressive and destructive.

Yet instead of restricting Madara, this fusion only made him more unrestrained.

At this level, battles had long since moved beyond the need for hand seals. Energy itself manifested directly, each attack aimed at the very essence of the opponent.

With a simple motion, natural transformations appeared, blazing flames, freezing ice, and crackling lightning, all unleashed at will.

"Madara, thanks!"

Hashirama clasped his hands together, his aura surging violently.

"Wood Release: Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"

Countless massive wooden constructs erupted, each branch thicker than ten meters, surrounding the Ōtsutsuki and crushing inward from all directions.

At the same time, the roots extended outward, greedily absorbing the opponent's chakra to replenish themselves. This ability had always been part of Wood Release, but now it had reached an entirely different level.

"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"

Under Hashirama's control, the Wood Release constructs moved with near sentience, as if alive.

"Isshiki! Hurry and act!"

One of the Ōtsutsuki, struggling under Hashirama's overwhelming pressure, shouted urgently.

The one called Ōtsutsuki Isshiki remained silent, his gaze sharpening. In the next instant, his figure vanished into the void.

When he reappeared, he was already beside Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki.

"Space-Time Ninjutsu: Spatial Severance!"

The layers of Wood Release binding Kinshiki shattered instantly, torn apart by a terrifying spatial force.

"Your opponent is me… hehe."

Madara stepped forward, appearing directly in front of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

Before Madara's attack could land, Isshiki created an illusion while his real body slipped back into the void.

Madara's eyes darkened slightly.

This style reminded him too much of Senju Tobirama.

Troublesome.

"You're asking for death."

"Space-Time Barrier: Spatial Lock!"

Several sealing tags fused into the surrounding space, distorting the void itself. Isshiki, clad in black battle attire, was forcibly dragged out of concealment.

Even so, his expression remained hidden behind his mask, revealing nothing.

In the next instant, his entire body transformed into a streak of light as he launched a counterattack.

"Seven Shadows Instant Kill!"

"First Strike: Flash Severance!"

A faint, glowing slash swept through the void. It looked utterly unremarkable at first glance, yet Uchiha Madara's scalp tingled as a sharp sense of danger surged through him.

Without hesitation, he retreated.

When he steadied himself, his eyes narrowed.

Not far away, space itself had been torn open, the rupture stretching all the way to a distant, barren planet.

Fragments of rock drifted silently in the vacuum, while the planet itself had been cleanly split into two halves, suspended in eerie stillness.

Fortunately, it was already a dead world.

Otherwise, that single strike would have reduced an entire living planet to nothing more than cosmic debris.

Madara's gaze sharpened.

This was no ordinary attack.

At the same moment, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki did not press the advantage. Instead, he shifted position and intercepted Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, creating an opening for Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki.

The overwhelming wooden constructs were sliced apart, allowing Kinshiki to break free from the chaotic onslaught.

"Hahaha! As expected of you, Isshiki!"

Kinshiki let out a booming laugh.

Isshiki gave no response.

After years of partnership, Kinshiki was already used to it. Isshiki had always been silent, cold, and precise.

Hashirama soon arrived beside Madara, his expression carrying a trace of surprise as he looked at Isshiki.

This opponent, who had barely revealed his strength before, was far more dangerous than expected.

"Hahaha! What's wrong, are you scared?" Kinshiki mocked loudly. "Isshiki has a fearsome reputation across the universe. He's known as Yinsha, one of the most terrifying assassins! Even within the Assassin Alliance, his ranking is among the top!"

"Madara, are you alright?" Hashirama asked.

Madara shot him an annoyed glance, as if questioning whether Hashirama was underestimating him.

Then both of them turned their full attention toward Isshiki.

They were familiar with the Assassin Alliance Kinshiki mentioned.

It was an ancient force that operated in the shadows of the universe, dealing in assassination and underground transactions. Much like the ninja world's black market, it accepted members from any race, and its origins were impossible to trace.

"Hashirama, this one is mine. Don't interfere."

Madara fixed his gaze on Isshiki, a cruel smile forming on his lips.

"Hahaha, fine! Then I'll take this one!"

Hashirama laughed heartily, his eyes shifting toward Kinshiki. Anyone partnered with someone like Isshiki could not possibly be weak.

Without further delay, Hashirama made his move.

"Wood Release: Wood Style, Deep Forest Emergence!"

The void trembled.

An endless surge of Wood Release burst forth like a raging tide, transforming into a storm of massive trees that expanded wildly, engulfing everything in their path as they surged toward Kinshiki.

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