"Getting closer now, let me see what you're truly capable of."
Suddenly, a series of round, blue ribs appeared around the body, taking on a solid form, formed purely by Chakra—a power only accessible to Uchiha Ninjas who have activated the Mangekyo Sharingan—Susanoo.
On the lowest stone tablet of the Nankai Shrine within the Uchiha Race, it was recorded as the destructive power of a god, which whoever witnesses it cannot escape death.
But that's not all; following the ribs, the arms and all the bones of the head grew out.
Then, with the upper body completely skeletal, it was covered with flesh and veins, making the solidified Chakra more condensed.
"Well then, let's use the second stage of Susanoo to test the power of this move, the little birds trying to dance with me."
Madara's aged face showed a mischievous smile full of bad taste.
"Yasaka Magatama!"
Before Madara's Susanoo, three massive blue magatama formed from solidified Chakra rotated swiftly, flying towards the forest ahead.
The flight speed of the giant blue Three Tomoe was too fast, and during flight, the rotation speed increased once more, making the three giant blue magatama appear as if they were fused into one, transforming into a massive blue ring. As it flew forward, it formed an infinitely elongated blue line on the road.
Hakushi and his two companions, rushing towards Madara, naturally noticed the unusual wind direction, aware that something dangerous was approaching.
Moreover, there was a pair of Byakugan in the team; the information was obtained the moment the surprise attack unfolded.
Ayane swiftly leapt to the front of the team, her expression serious, her palm rapidly raised before she forcefully struck forward.
"Divine Sky Strike!"
The three linked magatama forming the giant blue flywheel were strongly rebounded by the Divine Sky Strike, quickly slowing their advance.
The two forces clashed head-on, leaving no room for compromise.
In an instant, the forest trembled with immense terror.
The storm blew around, scattering the surrounding trees and White Zetsu.
After the airborne dust dissipated, the land devastated by both forces was revealed.
The ground, dozens of centimeters thick, seemed to have evaporated out of thin air, lying uneven, with lingering white smoke still not fully dispersed.
Seeing the three approximately ten meters away from him, Madara seemed to be choked by the lifted dust, coughed lightly, his voice steady and slow:
"Byakugan, huh? Indeed, quite different from the Hyuga Clan Ninjas I've met before. That's a derivative technique of the Gentle Fist style, isn't it? Dancing exquisitely."
Concentrating high-density, massive Chakra in the palm, then ejecting all that high-density Chakra through every pore in the palm instantly, creating an unparalleled shock wave.
Whether a single point breakthrough or large-scale destruction, it possesses considerable power.
Moreover, during the attack, it also provides defensive strength equal to the attack force, becoming an indestructible shield within the team, a weapon of attack and defense.
Through the recent power clash, Madara instantly grasped the principle behind Ayane's Gentle Fist technique.
Requires extremely high Chakra Control, as well as a resilient body and exceptional massive Chakra.
Ultimately, it's the Byakugan that's crucial.
Without the Byakugan as a foundation, even possessing the aforementioned three traits, one cannot execute such a precise attack-defend integrated Ninja Technique.
From this point, Madara could discern that it was an extension technique of the Hyuga Gentle Fist.
"To be praised by a legendary ninja like you, I truly feel honored."
Ayane smiled faintly, her palm slightly trembling, evidently struggling to block Madara's released Yasaka Magatama with her bare hand.
Her arm was still slightly numb.
"No need for courtesy, it's deserved acknowledgment. Among the Hyuga Ninjas I've encountered, your strength may well be the greatest. After all, the other Hyuga Ninjas rely too much on tradition, making their techniques very rigid and lacking so-called innovation."
Madara expressed calmly.
Ayane fell silent, her smile fading as she assumed a Gentle Fist stance.
Ruri adopted a similar pose, slightly lowering her body, gripping the Flame Circle Fan tightly, preparing attentively.
Facing this man, even a thousand percent vigilance is not overkill.
The previous battle still lingered in her heart.
Ruri was unsure whether she, after growing, could confront such power.
But hopefully not to the extent of losing the courage to engage as before.
Fearing strong power isn't shameful; just find ways to surpass it. That was Ruri's mindset.
In contrast, Hakushi appeared unremarkable on the side.
But to Madara, this unassuming, unnoticed silent man beside them might just be the most troublesome and central figure among the trio.
Medical Ninjutsu.
Odd Shadow Ninjutsu.
Summoning various strange beasts.
The other abilities and limits are unknown.
Entirely, an enigmatic figure.
A strategic ninja focused on intelligence work.
Through Nagato, finding this place might largely be Hakushi's idea.
The most difficult to fathom among the three.