NOVEL NEXT Chapter 200: 200: Acting
The shattered mask fell away completely, and Uchiha Obito's hidden true face was fully exposed to the world!
"Obito?!?!"
Although half of Obito's face had been completely destroyed and disfigured, becoming extremely hideous and grotesque in appearance, the other half remained perfectly normal and recognizable.
If someone was familiar with Uchiha Obito from his past, they would be able to quickly identify him despite his drastically changed and damaged appearance.
Shihouin Naraku put away Kurikara with what appeared to be genuine panic and shock, staring at Obito's severed head that had fallen to the ground with a look of complete surprise and disbelief written across his face.
"How could it possibly be you?!" Naraku exclaimed in apparent shock.
"Aren't you supposed to be dead already?"
"What in the world happened to you?"
Seeing that his true identity had been completely exposed and there was no point in continuing the charade, Obito no longer bothered to hide behind his false persona. A cruel, bitter smile appeared on his ferocious and damaged face as he stared at Naraku with his final breath, using the last moments of his consciousness.
Although he looked as though he desperately wanted to curse and spit out a few final words of hatred and defiance, with his head separated from his body, he could only die with unwillingness and rage burning in his heart.
Only the look of genuine disbelief and shock on Naraku's face allowed Obito to feel some small measure of satisfaction and vindication in his final moments.
Naraku pretended not to notice that the Three Tomoe Sharingan in Obito's left eye was gradually turning gray and lifeless, continuing to maintain his expression of confusion and loss.
Nice try!
Do you really think I've never seen Izanagi before?
Naraku knew without any doubt that Obito must have carefully prepared and activated Izanagi in advance as a contingency plan.
After all, Obito had been nearly killed in their previous battle, so he would definitely have made preparations before facing Naraku again in this encounter.
"ROAAAR!"
Just as Naraku was still contemplating whether he should shed some tears and express his condolences to make the performance even more convincing and perfect, the Three-Tails Isobu released a thunderous roar that rudely interrupted Naraku's carefully crafted emotional display.
Damn it!
The emotions I had worked so hard to build up and maintain!
Naraku looked at the Three-Tails Isobu who was charging toward him with obvious dissatisfaction and annoyance, thinking that the beast really didn't know how to choose the appropriate time for such interruptions.
I just helped you solve the source of your years of pain and suffering. Not only do you fail to thank me, but you actually come to attack me, your benefactor?
BOOM BOOM BOOM...
The Three-Tails Isobu transformed into a massive wheel and rolled forward with relentless, devastating momentum!
BANG!
Shihouin Naraku calmly stretched out his left hand and positioned it in front of him, firmly blocking and resisting the Three-Tails that carried infinite impact force and destructive power.
CRUNCH!
In a single instant, the Three-Tails' rapid speed was reduced to absolute zero.
The seemingly insignificant Naraku stood completely motionless, extending just one hand and easily stopping the massive Three-Tails Isobu in its tracks!
"Can something like that actually be done?"
"He stopped the Three-Tails with just one hand! What kind of monster is this person?"
"With such horrible impact force and momentum, Shihouin Naraku didn't even move a single step!"
"What absolutely terrifying physical power!"
"Even though I'm seeing it with my own eyes, I can't believe this is real!"
"The number one shinobi in the world is truly so powerful!"
"What should we do? Mizukage-sama is being completely overpowered by Shihouin Naraku!"
The Kirigakure shinobi who were observing the battle from a safe distance stared at the scene in complete horror and disbelief, having no idea what they should or could do in such a situation.
Even Yagura, who had undergone full transformation into a tailed beast, proved to be absolutely no match for Shihouin Naraku's overwhelming power. There was simply nothing they could accomplish.
They weren't even strong enough to cause any meaningful trouble or distraction.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Just as the Mist shinobi were hesitating and trying to figure out their next course of action, the entire island suddenly began to shake and tremble violently, as if a massive earthquake had struck the area.
Looking toward the source of the disturbance, they witnessed Shihouin Naraku gripping one of the Three-Tails' enormous tails in a single hand, bursting forth with incredible power, and smashing the colossal tailed beast around like a ragdoll in a display of absolute dominance.
Deep craters were smashed into the ground with each impact, and the Three-Tails was struck so hard and repeatedly that it became dizzy and disoriented, completely lacking any ability to resist or fight back effectively.
A seemingly "small" human being was actually lifting and throwing around a massive tailed beast with just one hand, making it appear no heavier than a piece of straw.
Swish!
Naraku burst forth with supernatural power and strength, hurling the Three-Tails Isobu high into the air above the island, then smoothly drew his sword and prepared to deliver a devastating finishing technique.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Three crescent-shaped, extremely sharp black blade projections broke through the air, spanning the distance instantly while carrying terrifying destructive power. The energy slashes cut through space itself as they flew toward the Three-Tails Isobu's massive body.
"OWWWW!"
A shrill wailing sound echoed across the battlefield as the Three-Tails twisted its enormous body in agony and slammed heavily onto the island, causing violent tremors and vibrations throughout the entire landmass.
"Great Spiral Wheel!"
Surrounded by swirling rings of energy, chakra was rapidly compressed and condensed into a pitch-black sphere of devastating power, which Naraku launched toward the fallen Three-Tails with perfect accuracy.
BOOM BOOM BOOM...
Towering flames shot up into the sky as violent explosions overturned and shattered the earth. Powerful shockwaves spread outward and crushed everything in all directions with tremendous force.
The Great Spiral Wheel technique exploded with earth-shattering power, striking the Three-Tails without any deviation whatsoever, landing a direct hit that left nothing to chance.
The Kirigakure shinobi stood completely stunned and speechless.
With their eyes wide open in shock and terror, they watched in absolute panic as the devastating scene unfolded before them.
They couldn't help but wonder if the Three-Tails Isobu would actually die from such a brutal and overwhelming assault. Even tailed beasts would find it extremely difficult to withstand such a relentless series of powerful attacks.
After swallowing nervously, everyone turned their desperate eyes toward their leader, Terumi Mei, hoping that she might be able to come up with some appropriate solution or strategy!
Terumi Mei could only smile bitterly in response. What else could she possibly do in such an impossible situation?
Among the three powerful combatants who had been fighting moments ago, Terumi Mei felt that she might have had some confidence in subduing only the Three-Tails Isobu if she had faced it alone. After all, Kirigakure had successfully controlled and managed two different tailed beasts for many years, so they should theoretically have effective methods and techniques.
But she absolutely couldn't afford to offend either of the remaining two incredibly dangerous individuals!
Now that Shihouin Naraku had launched such a devastating attack against the Three-Tails Isobu, what else could Terumi Mei and her forces do except stand there helplessly and watch the destruction unfold?
The only possible solution to this terrible problem was to wait until Shihouin Naraku had vented enough of his anger and frustration. Only then could the Mist shinobi find a safe way to approach and determine whether the Three-Tails Isobu was still alive or had been killed.
Although at this particular moment, the chances of the Three-Tails Isobu surviving such an assault appeared to be extremely low.
On the other side of the battlefield, Naraku watched with his own eyes as the massive eruption of flames and explosions completely engulfed the Three-Tails Isobu. He no longer paid any attention to the creature's fate. Whether Yagura lived or died would depend entirely on his own luck and resilience.
Naraku didn't particularly care that Yagura's sanity had been shattered and corrupted because of Obito's powerful genjutsu manipulation. That situation had absolutely nothing to do with him personally.
It didn't matter to him if Yagura somehow managed to survive, and it mattered even less if the man died in the process.
At that crucial moment, Naraku's powerful Observation Haki suddenly detected something significant and concerning.
Looking back toward where the battle had concluded, he noticed that Uchiha Obito's body had completely disappeared.
"Uchiha Madara once lay motionless on the battlefield for an extended period in order to deceive the two Senju brothers before finally using Izanagi to escape and get away safely. Obito, this amateur, tried to deceive me but couldn't even maintain the act for that long."
Naraku shook his head with obvious disdain and contempt, raising his head to look around the devastated landscape. His eyes moved slightly as his Observation Haki instantly spread outward, covering the entire island without leaving any area unexamined.
Despite his incredibly powerful perception abilities, he couldn't detect anyone else present except for the few remaining Kirigakure shinobi and the Three-Tails Isobu, who was still struggling desperately within the raging flames.
"Has he really escaped already?"
"Is he that terrified of me?"
"Obito fled so quickly that he doesn't even worry about being discovered by me. He just wants to get as far away as possible."
Naraku didn't fully understand the psychological consequences of beating up Uchiha Obito twice in such decisive fashion.
When facing Naraku in combat, Obito had initially thought about fighting back and mounting some kind of resistance, but he had still been beaten severely and thoroughly.
During their previous battle, he had nearly died from his injuries.
If Black Zetsu hadn't intervened and provided assistance, Obito would never have regained consciousness.
This time, Obito's head had been completely severed by Naraku's blade, but fortunately he had prepared and activated Izanagi in advance, preventing his actual death.
Faced with such an overwhelming and hopeless situation, it was perfectly normal and understandable for Obito to escape immediately without paying attention to any potential loopholes or evidence he might be leaving behind!
Especially considering that in this latest battle, Obito's strength had obviously increased significantly since their last encounter, yet he remained completely powerless when facing Naraku's superior abilities.
What else was there to say about such a situation?
Run away as quickly as possible!
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion