Naruto and Sasuke are doing nothing; Madara and I will set an example.

Page 36

We need to speed things up.

The complete form of the Three Susanoo has risen again!

"Let's try to get this done before dinner, I need to at least catch a glimpse of that rabbit lady!"

Chapter 50: The Leaf Village in Sorrow [Exclusively Sponsored by the Great God Wuji Sang]

A sudden downpour enveloped Konoha in a somber and oppressive atmosphere.

Rain pattered against the windowpanes in a double-occupancy ward on the top floor of Konoha Hospital.

On the hospital bed near the door, Sasuke, with an IV drip attached, had just finished recounting his battle with Chen.

Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Konohamaru, who were there, were all terrified.

"Reversing time? This ability is a bit too exaggerated. Compared to it, even Obito's Kamui back then is a bit lacking."

Kakashi has not been involved in Konoha's daily affairs since stepping down from the position of Sixth Hokage, but this situation is too serious and his opinion needs to be considered.

The pair of black eyes above the mask held a greater sense of restraint and composure than before.

He cautiously asked Sasuke, "Are you sure? Was the final move that pierced your chest [Purple Lightning]?"

Sasuke said with certainty, "Ah, no hand seals needed, no eye coordination required, and an overwhelming piercing power even greater than Lightning Blade and Chidori. He is undoubtedly using Purple Lightning."

Kakashi pondered deeply. It had only been five years since he created Purple Lightning, and during that time, only Sasuke had mastered the technique without a teacher, and the other was recently when he was working with Konoha's newly established scientific ninja tool unit to test its results.

It couldn't possibly be someone standing next to me, secretly learning while I was studying in private, could it? There's no way someone could stand so close to me and conceal their presence.

Was Zi Dian something that Chen figured out on his own?

Possessing terrifying eye techniques with effects such as 'portable barrier', 'time reversal', 'true Dharma eye', and 'object annihilation', she has mastered Sage Mode... and even has the talent to create her own super S-rank ninjutsu.

The ninja world is truly a place where talented people emerge in great numbers.

At this moment, Sasuke said with lingering fear, "To be honest, it's unbelievable that I survived. I still feel a bit scared when I think about it now. If Uchiha Chen had reversed time again at the last dimensional gate where I was, Naruto and I would have both died there!"

Kakashi pondered for a moment and said, "I think there are two reasons why he didn't turn back time at that time: 'couldn't' and 'didn't want to.' We can start from these two angles to try to understand his situation at that time."

“Actually, there’s another possibility,” Shikamaru chimed in from the side, “that is, he doesn’t dare to.”

(Regarding the controversy surrounding Shikamaru's character design, let me reiterate: he was affected by some kind of 'jutsu,' which was done by an entity unknown to both sides at this moment. It was originally intended to be revealed gradually as the story progressed, but due to the great controversy, it was announced ahead of schedule.)

Naruto glanced at him from the hospital bed by the window. "What do you mean?"

Shikamaru said, "Chen is afraid of the threat Sasuke might pose to him!"

Upon hearing this, Konohamaru exclaimed in surprise: "A threat? But Sasuke was already exhausted at that time, and couldn't even maintain his eyesight, right?"

“I was just about to say that,” Shikamaru said. “From Sasuke’s description just now, I’ve concluded that Uchiha Chen’s time reversal is subject to the constraints of 'cause and effect'.”

"If he reversed Sasuke's time, then the chakra consumed by Sasuke to release the 'space gate' would be fed back by 'cause and effect'."

"At that time, Sasuke will realize that there is no hope of escape and will inevitably use the chakra that originally opened the space gate to launch a desperate counterattack against Chen."

"Uchiha Chen probably can't afford that kind of price."

"This is one of the things he dares not do."

Naruto asked, "Is there a second one?"

“That’s right.” Shikamaru nodded. “Secondly, Uchiha Chen doesn’t have the guts to take the lives of the two Kage of Konoha! Because if he did, he would become the mortal enemy of the entire ninja world, and would inevitably face the attack of the allied forces of the five great ninja villages led by the five Kage!”

"There will be no place for him in this ninja world! Therefore, Uchiha Chen dares not truly kill you two!"

Konohamaru was amazed: As expected of Shikamaru, Naruto's capable strategist and assistant! His analysis of the enemy's psychology was as sharp as a knife piercing the heart!

Naruto asked, "Kakashi-sensei, what do you think of what Shikamaru just said?"

Kakashi lowered his eyes, thinking: It makes a lot of sense, but I still feel like something's off...

However, since it was Shikamaru who made the judgment, there must be sufficient evidence for it.

He carefully considered his words and said, "Perhaps it's as Shikamaru said, but I think there are too many suspicious points about Uchiha Chen. Before we figure things out completely, it's not advisable to have another conflict with him. I think we can start by examining the 'Sage Techniques' that Uchiha Chen practices to find out his background. Naruto, what do you think?"

"Kakashi-sensei is right."

Naruto closed his eyes and pondered: "Uchiha Chen, his Sage Mode can use taijutsu similar to 'Frog Kyuubi'. After it hits, my body will produce slugs that release strong acidic fluid. Combined with his unusually calm state after activating Sage Mode, it should be the 'Wet Bone Forest Sage Technique' from the sacred ground of the Living Slug Sage."

Kakashi was shocked: It was Shikkotsu Forest! He had heard that no one had ever mastered Lord Katsuyu's Sage Mode since the Warring States period. How did Uchiha Chen manage to do it?

"Phew." Sasuke pulled the IV needle out of his wrist with his teeth and got out of bed. "I can't delay any longer, I'm going to get Sakura to summon the slug..."

"Thump!" Before he could finish speaking, his body swayed and he collapsed beside the bed.

"Hey! Sasuke!" Kakashi stepped forward and helped him up, saying earnestly, "Your eye power has been overused, and you've just recovered from a serious injury. You should rest in bed properly. There's no need to rush."

"But... just thinking about that dangerous guy, somewhere I don't know, doing things I don't know about, makes me restless... cough cough cough!!"

Sasuke struggled to get up, but a burning pain shot through his chest cavity from the wound, causing him to cough up blood.

"Sasuke... sit down." Naruto's deep voice came.

Naruto said in a low voice, "Let's not even talk about how Sakura worked all day to heal our injuries."

"If Chen is indeed a disciple of the Living Slug Sage of the Wet Bone Forest, then it would be extremely impolite for him to use Sakura to summon a slug clone to inquire about this matter."

"The slug's clone was in your yard during the day, and it didn't say anything when it heard Chen's name, which already says something."

"Even if we really wanted to inquire, it should be the two of us who went to the sacred wet bone forest to ask the Living Slug Immortal himself."

"In short, there's no rush. Let's focus on healing the injury first."

"Sigh, it seems this is the only way." Sasuke sighed and sat back down on the bed.

Kakashi thought to himself: After years of experience as Hokage, Naruto is indeed more mature and experienced than Sasuke in handling interpersonal relationships.

Naruto removed the IV drip, got out of bed, and walked to the window. On the rain-soaked window, he saw his own haggard face.

Feeling a surge of irritation, he pushed open the window.

"Whoosh!" Boruto, who was eavesdropping between the rooftop and the hospital window, quickly climbed back onto the roof upon seeing this. (Please don't criticize, this is how it was portrayed around the same time in Boruto.)

Amidst the pouring rain, the solemn faces of the Hokage throughout history on the Hokage Rock appeared to be weeping.

Naruto pressed hard on the window frame's sliding rails.

This Konoha is like a train speeding along a track, it can't stop, and it won't stop because of anyone or anything!

"The Chunin Exams are just around the corner. This is a grand event jointly organized by the five great nations. There are also many backlogged cases waiting for me to handle. I need to have a shadow clone over the office."

He raised his hand and formed the seal that was etched into his life.

"Ah..." The white smoke dissipated, the shadow clone did not appear, and Naruto collapsed to the ground.

"Hey!! Naruto!!" Shikamaru rushed over to help him up.

"You've been working non-stop, pulling all-nighters! First there was the letter, then the dust! And you've just recovered from such a serious injury! Don't worry about the case for now! I'll work overtime to handle it for you later!"

Naruto sat on the ground, staring blankly at his bandaged right hand, and said dejectedly, "For the first time, I really feel like I'm not young anymore..."

Just then, the ward door opened, and a man with a square face, wearing a white coat and glasses, walked in.

"You are……"

In response to Naruto's question, the man who entered politely said, "Seventh Hokage, let me introduce myself first. My name is Tohno Kakusuke, and I am the head of the Konoha Scientific Ninja Tools Team. I heard that you and Sasuke were defeated by a man named Uchiha Chen, is that right?"

"The news spread pretty fast," Naruto thought, frowning. "But with such a big fuss at Sakura's house, it's impossible to keep it a secret."

After he helped Shikamaru to his feet and steadied himself, he turned to face Tono Hosuke and said seriously, "It is true. Do you have any advice for me?"

Tono adjusted his glasses, took out a sophisticated wristband from the pocket of his white coat, and smiled confidently.

"If you and Lord Sasuke were equipped with the latest advancements from our Scientific Ninja Tools Team, then dealing with the mere Uchiha Chen would be a piece of cake..."

"Achoo!" Chen suddenly sneezed.

"Did you catch a cold?" Ban asked with concern.

"It's nothing, it just felt like a little pinworm brushed against my nose hair."

"Rumble...!!" Above, amidst the roaring sounds, a giant white shadow appeared faintly among the shattered fragments of the celestial body on the verge of disintegration.

The three brothers, noble as they were, looked up together under the moon.

"Hey, is that you...?"

"That's right. It can only be that one."

"That's right, there's no mistake, that's... Kaguya's true form, Usagi!"

Chapter 51 Star Shattered, Kaguya's Rabbit Appears

Kaguya's Rabbit Returns

Rabbit (卯兔), Kaguya's true form. For convenience, we will still refer to her as 'Kaguya'.

As the white claws peeled away the obscuring fragments of the celestial star.

What Kaguya saw in her enormous Byakugan eyes were the complete forms of the three Susanoo: blue, cyan, and silver.

The rabbit head made three visits; the first visit revealed blue!

"Hmm? The reincarnation of Indra that I devoured back then, I remember his name was... Uchiha Madara."

The second visit, Qing!

“That was… the nameless person who was killed by the Empress Dowager using the ash bones of the mutual killing.”

The third visit, Silver!

"I've never seen this handsome young man before, but he possesses the Rinnegan, and..."

With her Byakugan focused, she could clearly see the chakra pathways within Chen's body!

"He can see the chakra and consciousness of Indra and Ashura, so who exactly is he?"

"Hmm?" Kaguya's focus quickly shifted to the Gedo Mazo, which was located far below the three of them.

"When the golem suddenly disappeared from my side, I had a feeling of unease. I also vaguely sensed the chakra of Kinshiki, Momoshiki, and Urashiki, and I thought it was a group of pursuers from my clan coming to kill me."

"But soon after, the chakra of those three disappeared."

"Then, the Earth Explosion Star that sealed my soul almost never stopped wailing."

Their gazes returned to Chen and his two companions.

"Did they do this? How could they bring me back to the world in this state! No chakra, no power, just a broken body with a soul attached to it!"

Madara: "Look, Obito, she's glaring at us!"

Obito: "Ah, it seems we're aligning with the current situation."

Chen glanced down at his watch.

7:48 p.m.

Let's finish this job as soon as possible and call it a day.

"Chen, are you planning to freeze her time? How do we do that, run over and grab her?"

"To be honest, that's a bit risky. Even though it's just an empty shell, it's Kaguya. You can't predict what power she might suddenly use!"

“That’s right, so I’m going to use a ‘ranged attack’ instead of a melee grab to freeze her time.”

"Buzz!" As soon as the words were spoken, a shattering spear materialized in the palm of Susanoo.

"I'm going to try to inject the time-freezing power of 'Omota Flow' into the Annihilation Spear. To be honest, even activating the Rinnegan might not be enough to do this, but fortunately my eye technique is [Danmyo-chantika], so it's worth a try..."

"Crack! Crack! Crack!" Blue-white frost began to condense in the middle of the silver shaft of the musket, and then spread outwards...

Obito asked curiously, "Wait, isn't the 'Danmie Chanti' supposed to sever cause and effect? ​​This kind of ability that can't be attached should be used to 'strengthen cause and effect'."

Ban was also watching closely; he was very curious about this matter as well.

Chen smiled slightly and said, "Severing causality in the reverse direction, isn't that just strengthening it?"

"Can it still be like this!?"

"Snap!" Frost completely covered the gun!

"finished."

This is—the Time-Killing Annihilation Gun!