Chapter 421: A Positive Signal
Uchiha Dali and the others all noticed that the chakra rod in Shibai's hand looked different.
They stared at it curiously.
Shibai, sensing their gazes, didn't bother to explain right away.
He only said, "I've tried this move before to break through the dimensional barrier. Unfortunately, it didn't work."
"But now, there are four of us—four gods working together. Maybe this time we'll have a chance. Let's give it a try."
As he spoke, he raised the chakra rod in his hand.
"Why is yours red?" Uchiha Dali asked bluntly.
It was clear that this wasn't a matter of strength.
After all, his own power far surpassed both the Ōtsutsuki King and Ōtsutsuki Aoshe.
Yet his own All-Killing Ash Bone chakra rod was identical in color and size to those two.
The Ōtsutsuki King and Aoshe also looked curiously at Shibai.
Shibai explained easily, "It's because of my chakra. I've been waiting here for so many years. Though my chakra hasn't increased, it has transformed through the passage of time."
As he spoke, he lifted his left hand.
In his palm appeared a flickering flame-like cluster of crimson chakra.
It was clearly unlike any ordinary chakra.
They could all sense it distinctly—the energy density within that small cluster was at least several hundred times greater than normal chakra.
Uchiha Dali's eyes widened slightly in astonishment.
Although Shibai spoke lightly, Dali could tell—this chakra had been tempered and refined over countless years, condensed into pure essence.
"It seems his power surpasses mine… perhaps by far," Uchiha Dali thought to himself, a trace of unease rising in his heart.
Though Shibai appeared courteous and composed, even when they'd refused to share energy with him, there hadn't been a hint of anger on his face.
Still, there was no telling if that was just an act.
A being stronger than himself, one who also sought greater power—such a person was inevitably dangerous.
Uchiha Dali quietly raised his level of alertness.
Of course, he wasn't the only one thinking this. The Ōtsutsuki King and Ōtsutsuki Aoshe were doing the same, secretly wary.
"Then let's begin," Shibai said calmly, as if unaware of their guarded thoughts.
At his command, the other three raised their chakra rods as well.
"We'll all strike the same point. If we can synchronize perfectly, we can focus our full power on a single spot to maximize the damage. The more precise our timing, the greater our combined effect."
"I'll count to three, and we'll strike together."
As he began the countdown, a small circular light gate—about the size of a fist—appeared in the air before them.
That was the point they were about to attack.
"Three, two, one—strike!"
At his shout, all four chakra rods shot forward at once, stabbing toward the circular point of light.
Everything happened in a flash.
In less than a second, the four rods imbued with destructive power hit the mark perfectly.
There was no deafening explosion.
Instead, as the chakra rods struck, the black miasma that filled the space began to disperse rapidly.
The rate at which it faded was far faster than when Shibai or Uchiha Dali had attacked alone.
In almost an instant, the darkness cleared, revealing a circular gap about four to five meters wide.
Then, before their eyes, the dimensional barrier began to distort slightly.
After a moment of wavering, it started to melt at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The white barrier gradually turned transparent, and once again, they could see the world beyond it.
Excitement and anticipation lit up their faces—along with a faint trace of tension.
After all, this was a barrier leading to a higher dimension.
No one knew what kind of world lay beyond it—or what kind of powerful beings might exist there.
Just as they thought the barrier was about to collapse, all four chakra rods suddenly shattered at once.
The rods, once indestructible, disintegrated in an instant into fine dust that scattered into the dark mist below.
They glanced at each other in bewilderment, unsure what to make of it.
Meanwhile, the dimensional barrier swiftly restored itself, returning to its pristine state.
"It seems we're still a bit short," Shibai said calmly.
"But that was at least a positive sign. It proves that with enough power, even this dimensional barrier can be broken."
"Did you all go all out just now?" Shibai asked, glancing at the others.
Uchiha Dali looked over at the Ōtsutsuki King and Ōtsutsuki Aoshe.
His gaze said it all—he had used his full strength. He only wondered if the other two had held back.
Shibai noticed his look and instinctively turned to them as well.
The Ōtsutsuki King and Aoshe both shook their heads.
"I went all out," Aoshe said, turning to the King.
"Why are you looking at me like that? You think I'd hold back at a time like this?" the King snapped, visibly displeased.
Hearing that, Uchiha Dali looked back toward the dimensional barrier.
It had already fully regenerated, and the black mist had gathered once more, filling the void until everything was pitch-black again—deep, endless darkness.
He stayed silent.
If everyone had truly given their all yet still couldn't pierce the barrier, then there was likely only one remaining method to succeed.
Sure enough, just as that uneasy thought crossed his mind, Shibai spoke again.
"In that case, it seems there's only one option left. The four of us using our powers separately can unleash great force, yes—but it will never match the strength of a single person channeling all that energy at once."
"To put it simply, that's the difference between 1+1+1+1=4…"
"But if you lend me your power, we could unleash something far beyond four. With that much force, we could shatter the dimensional barrier easily."
"What do you think?"