Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

Using a Lightning Clone as a trap to create an extremely brief opening for an effective attack, this was Madara Uchiha's strategy in that crucial instant.

And it worked. Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was hit directly.

Even though Isshiki had reacted the moment the lightning surged through him and absorbed the ninjutsu, it still caused him a slight delay.

At this moment, facing Madara's scythe slashing toward him, it seemed like Isshiki had no way to escape.

After all, this was a physical attack, something that couldn't be absorbed.

However, thinking that Isshiki could be instantly killed like this would be far too naive and a gross underestimation of his abilities.

In an instant, Isshiki disappeared from where he stood, reappearing dozens of meters away the next second.

This wasn't teleportation in the traditional sense, it was another of Isshiki's unique abilities called Sukunahikona, an ocular power of his right eye that allowed him to shrink any object he saw, including himself, down to microscopic size.

However, this ability did not work on living beings other than himself.

Years ago, when Isshiki had been betrayed and gravely wounded by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, he had used this very technique to escape from the mouth of the Ten-Tails.

This was also how he gained control of Jigen's body and used it as a vessel.

It was safe to say that Sukunahikona was Isshiki's most practiced and frequently utilized technique.

The moment Madara's scythe descended, Isshiki had shrunk himself to a size invisible to the naked eye, effortlessly dodging the attack.

His movements were so fast that he expanded back to his original size and reappeared dozens of meters away almost instantly, making it seem like he had teleported.

Seeing this, Madara's expression grew grim.

During their last battle, Isshiki had relied solely on his ninjutsu absorption abilities and taijutsu to completely overpower him.

This teleportation-like ability was something Isshiki hadn't used back then.

Which meant that this man still had many unknown, mysterious abilities, Madara needed to be extremely cautious.

With that in mind, Madara silently summoned his Limbo: Border Jail shadows.

However, as soon as the invisible shadow clones emerged, Madara noticed that Isshiki's gaze flicked ever so slightly in their direction before quickly returning to normal.

He sensed them? It seems his eyes surpass this technique, Madara thought grimly as he sent his Limbo clones charging toward Isshiki.

Just as Madara had expected, his Limbo shadows could not escape the detection of Isshiki, who also possessed Rinnegan-level dojutsu.

In an instant, Isshiki appeared beside one of the shadows and launched a devastating kick.

His speed was so overwhelming that Madara's shadow could barely react in time.

Despite attempting to block the attack, the shadow was sent flying with a single kick.

Isshiki's taijutsu was terrifyingly strong.

Unlike Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Isshiki's taijutsu was flawless, without any discernible weaknesses.

He could absorb all forms of ninjutsu, which meant that to defeat him, one had to use either nature energy or pure taijutsu.

However, Isshiki's taijutsu was so exceptional that fighting him up close was an extremely dangerous proposition.

No wonder, in the original storyline, Naruto and Sasuke were completely overwhelmed during their fight against him.

Back to the present, after one of his Limbo shadows was kicked away, Madara understood the terrifying extent of Isshiki's power.

Isshiki's displayed strength was far greater than during their previous encounter.

Madara controlled his remaining Limbo shadows and sent them charging at Isshiki once more.

This time, he refrained from using techniques like Susanoo, as he remembered how Isshiki had effortlessly kicked him out of his Susano'o during their last battle.

Similarly, any fire, lightning, or other elemental ninjutsu would simply be absorbed.

Madara knew that defeating Isshiki required only one thing, taijutsu.

In an instant, with his four Limbo shadows surrounding Isshiki and his true body joining the fray, Madara launched a coordinated assault from all directions.

Madara's taijutsu was incredibly formidable, and with his Rinnegan, he could share vision among his Limbo clones. With this, there were no blind spots in his offense.

If his opponent were an average member of the Ōtsutsuki clan, someone like Kaguya or Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki, Madara would undoubtedly have been able to fight on equal footing, perhaps even claim victory.

Even against Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki in his golden Rinnegan form, Madara Uchiha, wielding dual Rinnegan, might still have stood a chance.

Unfortunately for Madara Uchiha, he was facing the pinnacle of the Ōtsutsuki clan, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who had mastered their abilities to perfection and was acknowledged as one of the strongest known member of the clan.

Faced with Madara and his Limbo: Border Jail shadows closing in on him from all directions, Isshiki's body suddenly shrank, so small that even Madara's eyes could barely detect him, allowing him to slip out of the encirclement effortlessly.

In the next moment, Isshiki expanded back to his original size several meters away.

As Madara rushed toward him again, several black rods suddenly emerged from within Madara's body.

Shhhh!

The sound of flesh tearing echoed as blood dripped from the impaled wounds. Madara came to an abrupt halt.

He stared at the black rods protruding from his torso, then shifted his gaze toward Isshiki in the distance.

"So... it's not a teleportation ability, but the power to shrink and enlarge objects," Madara muttered as he grabbed one of the black rods and pulled it out of his body.

As he removed each rod, his wounds began to heal. In a matter of moments, the injuries vanished without a trace.

Thanks to the cells of Hashirama coursing through his body, Madara's regenerative abilities were astonishing.

"Your analysis is accurate," Isshiki said calmly, "but it's meaningless. Today, you're destined to die here. That is your fate."

In Isshiki's eyes, Madara was already a dead man.

The only reason he hadn't killed Madara outright was that he didn't want to activate his Kāma seal too soon as it would place an immense strain on his host body.

Furthermore, it had been centuries since any shinobi had discovered his existence.

Let alone one capable of battling him.

That was why Isshiki wasn't in a hurry to end the fight. He was savoring the battle.

"Your ability is to shrink and enlarge objects... but you can't shrink living beings other than yourself, can you?" Madara said, narrowing his eyes as he analyzed Isshiki's powers further.

He had begun to piece together some critical information about Isshiki's abilities.

Of course, this was only what Isshiki had revealed so far, there were likely more powers yet to be shown.

Isshiki, however, was unbothered by the fact that his abilities had been partially deduced.

After all, the man who figured them out would soon be dead.

Last time, Madara had narrowly escaped death. This time, Isshiki would make sure there was no escape.

With that thought, Isshiki prepared to make his move.

He had a technique that would ensure Madara could not escape a spatial ability.

If he dragged Madara into his pocket dimension, there would be no way for Madara to escape.

Having made up his mind to stop playing around, Isshiki began using his full strength.

A transformation began as his Kāma seal activated.

In an instant, Isshiki's speed increased exponentially.

Before Madara could react, Isshiki had already closed the distance and grabbed him.

At that moment, as Isshiki prepared to pull Madara into his dimension, Madara opened his mouth, and a flash of lightning burst forth.

This was a seal-less technique.

In the original timeline, when Madara wielded Sage Mode chakra, this technique was called Sage Art: Storm Release – Light Fang.

However, since Madara wasn't using Sage Mode chakra at this time, it was simply Storm Release: Light Fang.

Though weaker than the Sage Art version, it was still effective.

Madara's real goal wasn't to defeat Isshiki with this attack but to force him to use his ninjutsu absorption ability.

As expected, faced with the incoming strike, Isshiki temporarily abandoned his plan to drag Madara into his dimension. Instead, he absorbed the lightning technique aimed at him.

At the same time, Madara used his repulsive force from the Rinnegan to launch an offensive shockwave at Isshiki.

He also used the backlash force to propel himself backward and create distance between them.

However, this distance was not truly safe.

Isshiki's speed was too great, closing the gap would be effortless for him.