Atavaka's projection moved once more. Cracks of pitch-black other-dimensional space spread like spiderwebs, and a dark beam of energy shot forth from the rift.
The triple-layered defense Setsuna had constructed shattered instantly. The beam pierced through the barrier, boring a hole through his left abdomen.
Yet, almost the instant he was injured, the wound healed at a visible rate.
"Such regenerative speed…" Even Atavaka fell silent. This was, after all, only his spatial projection, with limited power to call upon. Breaking through the opponent's defense was already its limit.
While Atavaka felt troubled, Setsuna also had a headache.
Atavaka was essentially Obito's Kamui with no restrictions. Unless one possessed power strong enough to shatter space itself, one could never touch this enemy hiding in the dimensional crevices.
'If I can't solve the problem, then I'll solve the one who created the problem,' Setsuna thought. He turned and charged towards Edward.
Since Atavaka's attacks couldn't do anything to him anyway, he could just ignore them.
"Ahhhh!" Edward's scream echoed across the wasteland. His left arm turned to ash within Setsuna's energy flare.
"To ignore me so utterly? How arrogant," Atavaka's expression turned slightly cold. "I had no intention of using my abilities on a little brat who isn't even a Saint, but it seems I must teach you a lesson."
"Maten Rorin!"
Instantly, space seemed to be distorted by an invisible force.
Setsuna's sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch were extinguished one by one, like candle flames being snuffed out.
Darkness.
Absolute darkness.
It was as if he were cast into the void, the world forcibly stripped away.
For the first time, Setsuna experienced a silence more terrifying than death. Yet, he did not panic. Instead, he recalled how Ikki, after having his six senses stripped by Shaka, seized the opportunity to comprehend the Seventh Sense.
'Perhaps I can use this chance to truly comprehend the Sixth Sense.'
"Bastard!" Dohko's eyes nearly bled from fury. He stamped the ground, his body shooting forward like an arrow towards Atavaka's projection.
"Rozan Shoryu Ha!"
A purple dragon-shaped energy wave roared forth, charging straight at Atavaka's projection.
However, Atavaka merely raised his hand lightly. Space folded like paper, instantly deflecting Dohko's attack.
Boom!
Dohko was sent flying by his own power, crashing heavily into a distant cliff face, causing rocks to collapse.
"Foolish," Atavaka said calmly. "Next, I shall destroy his Sixth Sense and utterly shatter his spirit."
He raised a finger, aiming at the space between Setsuna's eyebrows, preparing to unleash the final blow.
Yet, the moment he prepared to strip Setsuna of his Sixth Sense—
"What?" Atavaka's pupils constricted sharply, his voice filled with disbelief. "How is this possible? He hasn't even comprehended the Sixth Sense yet? He hasn't even activated his Cosmos?"
"A mere mortal… how could he possess such power?"
While Atavaka was shocked, Setsuna finally grasped the inspiration he had been missing.
Training systems were like types of energy. Not having discovered them didn't mean they didn't exist.
Humanity once thought only 'thermal energy' from fire existed, then later discovered 'electrical energy', 'nuclear energy', 'light energy'… each energy stemming from different principles.
[Cosmos], in essence, was like Ki, Chakra, or Haki, a power rooted deep within life itself.
Setsuna had comprehended [Observation Haki] in the One Piece World, which was essentially the nascent form of the Sixth Sense.
Now, with his five senses stripped away, his spirit had instead been refined to an extreme purity.
Furthermore, he had just witnessed Dohko's [Cosmos] firsthand and personally experienced Atavaka's [Maten Rorin].
The threshold to the Sixth Sense was finally breached.
Hum!
Within Setsuna's spiritual world, a dazzling light bloomed.
Thanks to the awakening of the Sixth Sense, all five senses previously stripped from him returned.
Moreover, the ability brought by his Sixth Sense awakening was… Telekinesis.
Enhanced by his Namekian bloodline and the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki's spiritual fortification, combined with the foundation formed from years of mental training and Food Honor, Setsuna's telekinesis was born extraordinarily powerful from the very start.
His spiritual power was like a vast ocean. An immense psychic field rippled through the void.
Setsuna suddenly looked up. Conqueror's Haki and telekinesis merged perfectly, transforming into an invisible psychic tsunami that surged towards Atavaka's projection.
"What?!" Atavaka's projection shuddered violently. His originally ethereal body was actually shaken by this attack, even showing momentary distortion.
"How…? His Sixth Sense jhad ust awakened, and his spiritual power is already strong enough to breach the barriers of space?" Atavaka lost his composure once more.
Just then, Atavaka's projection paused slightly, as if sensing something.
He looked into the distance, a cold smile returning to his lips.
"It seems… the flies from Sanctuary are almost here."
His form began to blur, clearly not intending to continue the engagement.
"Little brat, your life…" Atavaka's voice gradually faded, "I shall take it when the Holy War begins!"
Hearing this, Setsuna smiled at his new 'great teacher'. "Thank you for helping me comprehend the Sixth Sense. Perhaps you should come find me sooner. I'd like to comprehend the Seventh Sense early as well."
Atavaka's smile froze.
Finally, he snorted coldly, and the projection completely dissipated into the air.
"Atavaka-sama! Take me with you!"
Edward's wails echoed across the wasteland, ignored by all.
Suddenly, a pure Cosmos fluctuation descended.
Golden Buddhist light spilled from the sky. A figure clad in the Virgo Gold Cloth appeared.
His eyes were slightly closed, his expression serene, as if nothing in the world could disturb his state of mind.
"Hmm?" He tilted his head slightly, as if perceiving the fluctuations in the air. "The presence of Atavaka…"
Though born blind, his Cosmos had long touched the realm of the Eighth Sense, allowing him to 'see' spiritual and spatial traces invisible to ordinary people.
He spoke slowly, his voice clear and resonant like a morning bell. "You actually survived that wicked ghost?"
Dohko climbed to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes. "Thanks to this big brother here. He drove Atavaka away."
Asmita's 'gaze' turned to Setsuna. His expression shifted slightly, clearly sensing the terrifying power concealed within Setsuna's body.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
Dohko said, "I am Dohko, a Sculptor Saint from the Land of the Immortals. I came to Sanctuary for training."
Setsuna replied calmly, "I am an ordinary traveler of the continent, Setsuna. I am also quite interested in Sanctuary."
"An ordinary person?" Asmita's lips curved slightly. "An 'ordinary person' who can repel Atavaka's projection?"
Setsuna smiled without answering.
Asmita did not press further. "I am Asmita, the Virgo Gold Saint. Since you wish to go to Sanctuary, accompany me."
Dohko pointed at Edward. "Asmita-sama, what about this guy? He's a Specter. He'll just revive if he dies."
"No need to worry. I will seal him." Asmita raised his hand, sealing Edward inside a string of Buddhist prayer beads.