"Tell us what you need us to do."
Although Shikamaru was from the younger generation, the Nara clan's intellect was renowned not just in Konoha, but throughout the ninja world. No enemy on the battlefield would dare underestimate the strategies of the Nara clan.
Despite their own pride as members of the Uchiha clan, even Obito and Itachi could consider the Nara clan's words.
Shikamaru's gaze was fixed on the battle in the distance, his mind constantly analyzing. His brain's central CPU was nearly overheating, and sweat constantly beaded on his forehead, despite not engaging in combat.
Shikamaru didn't keep them waiting long. He slowly exhaled, his face pale, and said, "Based on my observations and deductions, this Otsutsuki named Ryushiki possesses immense durability and primarily relies on physical attacks. Each time he takes damage, his speed and strength are significantly enhanced. This is likely the power of his dōjutsu."
"But this shouldn't be permanent, only a temporary enhancement. If it were a permanent increase... he would have become the Ōtsutsuki God long ago."
Naruto said urgently, "Shikamaru, we can see all that. Give us some useful strategy. I can't wait any longer!"
"Naruto, don't interrupt Shikamaru. Let him finish."
Shikamaru continued, "There's another point. Even if Ryushiki absorbs attacks and enhances his own power, he shouldn't be gradually gaining the upper hand like he is now. Lord First Hokage and Madara Uchiha's combat awareness are undeniable. They must have already identified Ryushiki's ability, yet the situation continues to worsen. Furthermore, their power and reaction speed seem to have significantly decreased since the beginning."
"Therefore, this should be Ryushiki's second dōjutsu ability: weakening opponents he's fighting and having a certain range. Otherwise, we should also be affected."
The Mangekyo Sharingan in Obito's eyes glowed with an increasingly eerie intensity. He said softly, "So, we need to use ranged attacks and break through his defenses in one blow?"
Shikamaru nodded and said gravely, "And we'll only have one chance. Otherwise, the longer we drag this out, the more terrifying his power will become, and we'll only become more passive."
"Actually, there's another method. His ability to endure damage can't be limitless; there must be a limit. But I don't recommend this method. Leaving the battle's outcome to his ability's limit is something only a fool would do."
Naruto felt as if Shikamaru's words were directed at him. He scratched his head in confusion, "Well, I'm just saying, don't all Ōtsutsuki clan members have the ability to absorb all ninjutsu? Then our combat power would be greatly diminished. We can't just be sending him energy, can we?"
Having obtained the Byakugan, Naruto was gradually realizing the terrifying nature of the Ōtsutsuki clan. Ninjutsu seemed to have minimal effect on them.
Shikamaru rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I've thought about this problem too. But I studied the previous major battle. That Ōtsutsuki named Urashiki lost his ability to absorb ninjutsu after consuming his own Rinnegan. In other words, not all Ōtsutsuki can absorb ninjutsu. Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki can only absorb with the golden Rinnegan on his hands. This Ryushiki shows no signs of having a Rinnegan."
Itachi then stepped forward and said calmly, "Actually, there's no need to worry too much about this. While Ōtsutsuki can absorb ninjutsu, it takes time. Furthermore, they must remain stationary when absorbing ninjutsu, which greatly increases their vulnerability."
Itachi had experience fighting Isshiki. While fighting an Ōtsutsuki one-on-one might lead to perpetual passivity, a group attack would significantly increase their chances of winning. After all, the Rinnegan wasn't an all-powerful eye.
Sasuke followed closely behind Itachi and said calmly, "If everything could be predicted, it wouldn't be a battle."
The crowd couldn't help but laugh. What he said was true. If everything could be perfectly predicted and planned for in advance, they wouldn't have the strength they possessed now.
Shikamaru smiled, his eyes sparkling with light. "Considering coordination issues, it's unrealistic to combine everyone's attacks into one. We'll divide into three groups: the three Uchiha seniors in one group, Naruto and Sasuke in another, and the rest of us with Toneri in a third."
While they were discussing tactics, the two combatants on the other side had already started to grumble.
"Hmph, these juniors, why are they so slow and indecisive?"
Madara Uchiha snorted and dodged another tail whip from Ryushiki. Unable to engage in close-quarters combat, he was constantly restricted, and his power was reduced by thirty percent. If it weren't for giving the younger generation an opportunity, he would have long since withdrawn from Ryushiki's suppression zone.
Hashirama Senju, however, smiled and shook his head. He once again used Wood Style to entangle Ryushiki. He wasn't attacking, just restraining him, binding him. Wood Style was a very annoying way to hold back an enemy.
"Madara, doesn't this feeling of having companions behind you feel more reassuring than being alone?"
"Hmph, I, Madara Uchiha, wouldn't consider a bunch of juniors as companions. I'm merely giving the youngsters a chance!"
Hashirama smiled. He knew in his heart that Madara was an extremely proud person. Being able to say he was giving the youngsters a chance indicated that he had already acknowledged their strength.
"It seems I can't be outdone by the younger generation."
Hashirama clasped his hands together and shouted. More and more thick branches erupted from the ground, tightly wrapping around Ryushiki and immobilizing him.
Although Ryushiki could shatter countless trees with a single punch, the branches erupting from the ground seemed endless. With multiple Susanoo assisting from the air, Ryushiki was unable to deal with Madara and Hashirama for the time being.
"Insects, you cannot stop me. Later, I will crush all of you one by one!"
Ryushiki tore at the Wood Style that bound him, internally cursing the scoundrel Kinshiki for not opening a portal yet. While he could endure, he couldn't withstand a group assault from so many people. If Urashiki were here, they could have held on for a much longer time with their teamwork. But now...
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light shot into the sky, and a Six Paths-level aura appeared on the battlefield. A figure enveloped in green chakra flew in the air, holding a massive golden sword that slashed through the sky.
On the ground, Shikamaru and the others collapsed, their ninjutsu power insufficient. They could only allow Toneri to absorb their chakra to amplify the power of the Tenseigan to its maximum.
In the air, Toneri held the golden giant sword, his face cold. His body trembled. He had not only absorbed the chakra of dozens of people but had also drawn a significant portion of the chakra from the giant Tenseigan on the moon.
At this moment, his power surpassed any point in his past. Supported by such a vast amount of chakra, the golden giant sword formed by nine Truth-Seeking Orbs tore through the starry sky, cut through the earth, and struck Ryushiki.
"Golden Wheel... Rebirth Burst!"
There was no earth-shattering roar, no dazzling light show. A beam of extreme golden light streaked across Ryushiki's scale armor on his chest and tore out from his back. It skimmed across the ground, and the moon was easily split in half.
*Crack!*
A sound like cracking armor echoed. Ryushiki clutched his chest and roared. Blood continuously seeped from the wound, but he was an Ōtsutsuki, and such injuries were far from fatal.
However, Ryushiki was terrified. He didn't know what Kinshiki was up to, but these humans could break through his defenses. He began to consider fleeing.
But how could the experienced Madara Uchiha fail to see Ryushiki's intentions? With Hashirama's cooperation, four Susanoo grabbed Ryushiki's limbs, pinning him firmly in place.
"Now is the time!"
From behind Ryushiki, a green spiral sword covered in black flames and swirling with Kamui's power shot towards him.
In front, Naruto and Sasuke, who were gradually developing white stripes on their bodies, used the power of the Byakugan. Their appearances began to show Ōtsutsuki characteristics. Sasuke's pupils instantly transformed into Mangekyo Sharingan, his left hand wreathed in black flames, intermingling with Naruto's crimson Wind Style Rasengan.
"Scorching Style: Light Wheel Gale Black Arrow Zero Form!"
*Boom!*
The two attacks hit Ryushiki's wound simultaneously. The violent explosion shattered three of Madara's Susanoo, and blinding white light enveloped the entire scene.
Ryushiki's pained cries continued to be heard, but as if sensing something, his scaled face twisted with malice. "They've come, they've finally come. All of you will die, and we Ōtsutsuki are immortal!"
With a deafening roar, Ryushiki's body turned to ash, leaving behind a deep crater that nearly pierced the moon.
"Is it over?"
Before anyone could catch their breath, the surrounding space made a sound like shattering glass. Then, a massive spatial rift was forcibly torn open, and figures clad in Ōtsutsuki attire emerged.
Eyes of black, blue, red, and gold Rinnegan opened. Some had commas, others had deeper patterns, all radiating a danger level exceeding Ryushiki's.
At this moment, everyone, including Madara Uchiha, felt an unprecedented pressure. They had to admit:
Between humans and Ōtsutsuki, there was indeed an insurmountable chasm!