Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 147: Struggling in Vain

Hagoromo Gengetsu noticed something else.

Uchiha Itachi's Susanoo had summoned a large sword wreathed in crimson flames, which was now hurtling towards him.

The Totsuka Blade, another famed spiritual weapon.

It can trap its victims in a genjutsu-induced dream-like state and employ a highly advanced sealing technique, permanently sealing the target within a gourd-like hilt.

Even Hagoromo Gengetsu was wary of the consequences of being sealed by the Totsuka Blade.

The combination of the Yata Mirror, the Totsuka Blade, and the Mangekyō Sharingan techniques gave Uchiha Itachi the confidence to confront him.

Unlike the dying state he was in when he fought Sasuke, Itachi was now in his prime.

The brilliance of the Yata Mirror and the Totsuka Blade would not be short-lived.

In this condition, even the mastermind behind the Akatsuki, Uchiha Obito, feared Itachi, placing his own trusted ally, Kisame, beside him to monitor his every move.

After all, if a real fight broke out, Obito couldn't guarantee victory over another Mangekyō Sharingan user like Itachi.

But Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't Uchiha Obito.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Under the rampage of the colossal Susanoo, the already ravaged battlefield became even more devastated.

Hagoromo Gengetsu's comparatively small figure darted around, dodging the Totsuka Blade's strikes. Seizing an opening, he clapped his hands together and said:

"Scorch Release: Grey Stone Giant!"

"Scorch Release: Lava Armor!"

With this combination jutsu, Hagoromo Gengetsu summoned a miniature fire deity.

Even in its smaller form, the fire deity was as large as the crimson Susanoo. Under Hagoromo Gengetsu's command, it charged at the Susanoo with great force.

Seeing this, the crimson Susanoo, which had been intent on pursuing Gengetsu, was forced to raise the Yata Mirror to block the attack from the miniature fire deity, then swung the Totsuka Blade to strike.

Although its target was not a living being, and thus immune to the genjutsu and sealing effects, the Totsuka Blade easily sliced off one of the fire deity's arms.

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the Totsuka Blade in surprise. It was much sharper than the swords wielded by Madara's Perfect Susanoo.

Neither Madara nor Izuna had obtained it; he wondered how Itachi had come by it.

Roar~

From within the fire deity, lava quickly extended out and reformed a new arm, continuing its assault on the Susanoo.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, intent on stalling for time, no longer paid attention to the fire deity. Gathering a large amount of chakra in his mouth, he formed hand seals and unleashed:

"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"

A massive cloud of highly acidic mist spewed from Gengetsu's mouth, swiftly enveloping the entire battlefield.

Suddenly, surrounded by the thick white mist, Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly.

Enclosed within his Susanoo, he sensed a powerful impending danger from the encroaching mist, his expression growing solemn as he surveyed his surroundings.

Soon enough, sizzling sounds began to resonate~~~

The Boil Release used by Hagoromo Gengetsu, capable of melting the bones of Madara's Susanoo, began to corrode the areas of Itachi's Susanoo that the Yata Mirror could not cover.

"The Boil Release developed to this extent...it's unbelievable!"

Seeing this, Itachi's expression grew more serious.

He had encountered many users of Kekkei Genkai.

But the effectiveness of the same Kekkei Genkai could vary drastically between different users.

Like Hagoromo Gengetsu at this moment.

As a true genius of the Uchiha clan, Itachi now fully understood why Gengetsu was so powerful.

It wasn't the multiple Kekkei Genkai that attracted superficial attention.

It was the profound understanding and control of chakra that underpinned these Kekkei Genkai and all his powers.

For someone like Gengetsu, even the most basic Fire Release jutsu could unleash power far beyond its rank.

Not to mention the more advanced jutsu, forbidden techniques, or Kekkei Genkai.

Once, Itachi couldn't comprehend why Gengetsu was compared to a deity.

After all, such a highly praised individual had ultimately died at the hands of Hashirama.

But now, he deeply understood that being compared to a deity didn't just refer to Gengetsu's power.

More importantly, it was an awe of his unparalleled talent.

At least, Itachi, proud as he was, couldn't guarantee he could research chakra to such a level in his lifetime.

"I can't stay here."

With even Susanoo's powerful defenses being corroded, and Wind Release failing to disperse the mist, Itachi decided to retreat, using Susanoo to escape the mist's range.

But as he attempted to leave, the miniature fire deity latched onto Susanoo, preventing its escape.

"It's too late."

With Susanoo unable to hold out much longer and the fire deity hindering him, Itachi quickly analyzed the situation and made a decision. The Yata Mirror on Susanoo's left arm emitted a blinding light.

"Yata Mirror: Absolute Defense!"

In an instant, the Yata Mirror expanded in the white light, enveloping Susanoo completely without leaving any gaps.

Whether it was the fire deity or the Boil Release mist, neither could harm Susanoo in the slightest, their attacks being continuously reflected.

Soon, the reflected Boil Release mist melted the lava giant entirely and surged back towards its creator, Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"An absolute defense and counter technique similar to the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation..."

Without even looking at the redirected Boil Release mist, Hagoromo Gengetsu extended his right hand, allowing the Dark Release to absorb the mist completely, converting it back into chakra, while keeping his eyes fixed on the fully shielded Susanoo.

After a moment of scrutiny, he calmly remarked:

"A futile struggle."

Sure enough.

The Yata Mirror's Absolute Defense didn't last long.

When Itachi reappeared, the Yata Mirror was no longer on Susanoo's left arm.

As the cost of using the Absolute Defense, the Yata Mirror couldn't be summoned again for a while.

Not giving Itachi a moment to breathe.

Hagoromo Gengetsu instantly appeared beside Susanoo and threw a punch.

Boom!

The massive Susanoo staggered heavily, toppling sideways.