"Ridiculous."
Jigen let out a cold laugh, and black markings suddenly spread across his entire body, as if some ancient runes were crawling over his skin.
His aura instantly surged, the fluctuation of his chakra making the very air around him tremble.
"Kāma: First State!"
With his low shout, his body seemed to be wrapped in a layer of black energy, and his strength and speed instantly rose to a terrifying level.
He swung his right hand violently. A black chakra rod instantly formed and, with a sharp whistling sound, shot straight toward Senju Tobirama's Water Blade Slash.
"Bang!"
The chakra rod collided with the Water Blade Slash, producing a deafening explosion.
The Water Blade Slash was brutally shattered, and Senju Tobirama's body was struck by the residual force of the chakra rod. Most of his body was instantly destroyed, scattering into countless paper-like fragments.
"Such terrifying power…" Senju Tobirama's figure reappeared in the distance, muttering to himself.
A flicker of shock crossed his eyes. He had not expected Jigen's strength to rise to such a terrifying level after entering this state.
"This guy's taijutsu… is simply unbelievable." Senju Tobirama rapidly calculated the next tactical move in his mind.
He knew that with just his own power and Sarutobi Hiruzen's, they could no longer pose a real threat to Jigen.
He had to find his weakness quickly, or this battle would be hopeless.
In the distance, Senju Hashirama frowned slightly, a look of gravity in his eyes.
"This guy really is strong," he muttered, his tone carrying a rare seriousness.
Even he could feel the suffocating pressure emanating from Jigen.
That kind of power reminded him of his final battle against Uchiha Madara all those years ago.
Orochimaru stood off to the side, his eyes gleaming with fanatical light.
His gaze was locked tightly onto Jigen, as if admiring a perfect work of art.
"So this is the Ōtsutsuki clan? Truly a wondrous power… If I could study him, perhaps I could unlock more of the mysteries of chakra."
His voice carried a morbid excitement, the corners of his mouth curling into a sinister smile.
However, Orochimaru had no intention of joining the fight.
Though he was deeply interested in Jigen's power, he was also keenly aware that the man before him was nothing short of a monster.
Defeating the Impure World bodies of the Third Hokage and the Second Hokage in an instant—that level of strength had already exceeded his expectations.
As a researcher, he had no desire to get caught up in such a dangerous battle.
Senju Tobirama's figure flickered rapidly as he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Sarutobi Hiruzen back to a safe area.
He glanced down at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his brow furrowed.
Even though the chakra rod had been removed, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Impure World body was recovering at an abnormally slow rate. Clearly, the sealing effect of the chakra rod was still active.
"Rip—"
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief, both their expressions changed drastically.
Several black chakra rods pierced through their bodies without warning, their bodies shattering repeatedly.
"When did this…" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flashed with horror. He had been completely unaware of the chakra rods' appearance, as if the attacks had suddenly materialized out of thin air.
Senju Tobirama's gaze darted rapidly, his mind furiously analyzing the situation.
He remained calm.
"So it's an ability to instantly enlarge or shrink objects… These chakra rods must have been shrunk and hidden on his body, then enlarged at the critical moment to attack."
He spoke in a low voice, a hint of understanding in his tone.
"Two insects dealt with." Jigen sneered, black chakra rods gathering around him again before shooting rapidly toward Senju Tobirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The chakra rods tore through the air with a sharp whistle, intent on pinning both men to the ground for good.
But at that critical moment, a bold, hearty laugh suddenly echoed across the entire battlefield.
"Hahaha! Looks like it's my turn!"
With the laugh, Senju Hashirama's towering figure appeared like a mountain, standing in front of Senju Tobirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
His fist was clenched, his arm wrapped in a layer of pitch-black Busoshoku Haki, which blocked all incoming attacks.
"Bang!"
Senju Hashirama's fist swung out, his Busoshoku Haki erupting instantly, sending the incoming chakra rods flying.
The chakra rods shattered in midair, dissolving into specks of black light that faded away.
"Another insect." Jigen's gaze flashed with annoyance, his tone carrying impatience.
He clearly had not expected Senju Hashirama's strength to be so great that he could easily block his attacks.
He wasted no more words, his hands quickly forming hand seals, a cold glint in his eyes.
With his low shout, a black-red circular portal resembling a black hole suddenly appeared beside him.
The portal radiated an eerie power, as if it could devour everything.
"Daikokuten!"
Jigen's voice was icy. The portal instantly expanded, enveloping Roy, Orochimaru, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In the next moment, their figures vanished, transported to another dimension.
"A different dimension?" Senju Hashirama looked around, a hint of amazement in his eyes.
They were now in an unfamiliar space, pitch-black all around, with only distant specks of starlight twinkling.
"What a wondrous ability…" Senju Hashirama muttered, his tone carrying an undeniable excitement.
"So there are so many strong people in the ninja world. If Madara knew, he'd be so happy."
Senju Tobirama stood to the side, his brow furrowed, a look of gravity in his eyes.
"Brother, this is no time for sentiment. We must find a way out of this space as soon as possible, or we'll be trapped here."
Senju Hashirama smiled.
"Don't worry. If he can bring us in, there must be a way out."
His gaze held a trace of confidence. He pressed his hands together, and chakra surged wildly within him.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees!"
The ground split open instantly, and countless giant trees erupted from beneath the surface, attempting to burst through this different dimension.
But the growth of the trees could not break the space.
"It seems this space is more powerful than I thought." Senju Hashirama said in a low voice, his brow furrowing slightly.
Just then, Jigen's figure slowly appeared before them.
"Ants. Welcome to my dimension. You will die here."
Senju Hashirama smiled, his gaze filled with a bold fighting spirit. "Is that so? Not necessarily."
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
With his low shout, the ground split open instantly, and countless giant trees erupted from beneath the surface, surging toward Jigen like living creatures.
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