The opening of the defense barrier blocked all energy channels from the universe, isolating the Shinobi World from the universe once again.
Apocalyptic scenes such as the dim sky and dark earth, thunder and lightning, and the shaking of mountains and earth all receded significantly with the activation of the barrier's light curtain.
However, the entire Shinobi World was still filled with an oppressive atmosphere!
"It's those barriers!"
The face of the fake Shibai Otsutsuki became hideous.
Because he possessed several types of Shinjutsu, even though his mind was controlled by the Hegemon of Terror, the fake Shibai Otsutsuki still retained a portion of independent consciousness.
However, this portion of independent consciousness did not reject the Hegemon of Terror but instead became hostile toward the defense barrier that blocked the energy channels and protected the Shinobi World.
"Everyone who stops me from becoming stronger must die!"
Roar
After letting out a roar, the fake Shibai Otsutsuki surged into the high sky and then lunged straight toward the God Tree, which served as the core node.
Nourished by the Hegemon's power, he had completely mastered the several types of Shinjutsu within his body, his self-confidence soaring to unprecedented heights. Thus, he wanted to personally destroy the God Tree and break the barrier, allowing the Hegemon of Terror's power to continue infiltrating the Shinobi World.
As for the life and death of the Shinobi World, he didn't care at all, because at his level, even if the Shinobi World was gone, he could still survive in the universe!
Almost simultaneously, the other shinobi whose minds were controlled by the Hegemon of Terror also lunged toward the other critical nodes one after another.
Breaking all nine critical nodes and destroying the defense barrier had become the top priority for the Hegemon of Terror's side at this moment!
"Attention all centers, incoming chakra reactions detected. Please prepare for defense!"
Early warning broadcasts rang out simultaneously within the nine critical nodes.
In each critical node, besides the surface buildings, there was a reinforcement spike deep into the earth's veins and an underground base attached near the reinforcement spike.
These deep underground bases were equipped with fully organized squads such as the Perception Squad, Communications Squad, Medical Squad, and Engineering Squad to assist the guarding personnel at each critical node. Thus, before the enemy attack arrived, the bases had already issued warnings.
"Hoo, are they here..."
Haku exhaled, slowly walked out of the thermal room, and came onto the outdoor ice lake.
The whistling cold wind and drifting heavy snow made the already dim world appear even more piercing. Haku lightly stroked the Kusanagi Sword in his hand and entered his unique Sage Mode.
Swoosh
At this moment, a figure wrapped in dark purple smoke landed on the frozen surface of the lake.
"To think it's you..."
Haku frowned slightly.
This figure completely wrapped in dark purple smoke was none other than Mifune, the General of the Samurai of the Land of Iron!
Precisely because of this, Haku hadn't expected that such a steadfast person would also have their heart corroded by the Hegemon of Terror.
Clang
Mifune drew his long sword; without pleasantries or provocation, he directly swung the blade to hack at Haku!
...
Another critical node.
Yakumo stood by the blood pool, coldly watching the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, who had crossed the sea to arrive before her.
The thick dark purple smoke on the other party made her realize that the opponent had become a puppet of the Hegemon of Terror.
Ido dropped from the sky at this time and said to Yakumo: "Stop standing there; other enemies are approaching, resolve this quickly!"
"Mhm!"
Yakumo nodded and immediately raised her arms; the blood in the surrounding blood pool instantly boiled upward!
Bang bang bang
Three after-images constantly intertwined, collided, and entangled within the vast underground cavern.
The whistling of breaking air, combined with the high-frequency sounds of fists and feet clashing, made the entire underground cavern echo with a howl like ghosts crying and wolves wailing.
Bang
With a muffled sound, one of the after-images was sent flying and slammed hard against a cave wall of the underground cavern.
Ryuzetsu hurriedly shouted: "Chino, are you alright?"
Clearly, this was the critical node guarded by Ryuzetsu and Chino, and the figure just sent flying was Chino!
Chino crawled up: "I'm fine, my blood blade stabbed him just now!"
Ryuzetsu's gaze immediately turned to the distant enemy; on the other party's burly and strong body, a trail of dark purple smoke was still wrapped, appearing very oppressive!
Noticing that the wound on the other party's chest pierced by Chino's blood blade was rapidly healing under the dark purple smoke, Ryuzetsu's expression darkened.
Chino flew over at this time and also saw this scene, unable to help but gasp: "How is it possible!"
Chirp chirp chirp
At this moment, a layer of dark electrical light suddenly flashed on that burly figure, enveloping it entirely.
Ryuzetsu said: "This is the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. He... he really is the Fourth Raikage!"
Chino was somewhat puzzled: "How was such a great figure also controlled by the Hegemon?"
The one attacking this critical node guarded by Ryuzetsu and Chino was precisely the Fourth Raikage controlled by the Hegemon of Terror.
...
A medical shinobi said to Sasuke: "Lord, please wait; your injuries have not yet fully recovered!"
Sasuke asked impatiently: "How much longer?"
The medical shinobi smiled: "Please rest assured; this is our newly developed rapid healing technique. The healing efficiency has greatly improved, and we will certainly complete the treatment before the enemy arrives!"
"Then hurry up!"
Sasuke sat back, allowing the medical squad to help treat his injuries.
Without a doubt, after withdrawing from the battlefield, Sasuke directly opened a spatial door and returned to the critical node he guarded.
Although he hurried back to the node he guarded in time, because he had fought a fierce battle with the fake Shibai Otsutsuki for a long time previously, he was covered in wounds, some even deep enough to see bone. Therefore, even though he possessed a Six Paths level constitution, he could not recover immediately. Thus, the medical squad in the node base urgently began treatment for him.
While receiving treatment, Sasuke listened to the broadcast within the base.
"Node 3 is under attack; a fierce battle is currently ongoing."
"Node 5 is under attack; there is no further news for now."
"A large number of chakra reactions have appeared near Node 9; the Perception Squad is currently identifying them."
"Node 2 is under attack."
Each piece of information played over the broadcast tugged at Sasuke's heartstrings; he frowned slightly, his expression exceptionally serious.
In fact, not only him, but the medical squad treating him was also listening to the news played over the broadcast.
Now that the Infinite Tsukuyomi has begun, everyone is either captured by the Infinite Tsukuyomi to become biological chakra batteries providing chakra for the nine critical nodes, or hiding in various bases and shelters. Thus, the communication broadcast is the only channel for people to know the outside situation.
"How did the attacks come so quickly? Damn it, I don't know how Naruto, Shion, and the others are doing now!"
Sasuke was secretly anxious.
In the broadcast, three nodes have already been attacked, and one node is about to be attacked. It can be said that the enemy's wave of offensive has come both fast and hard!
Therefore, Sasuke was now somewhat worried about Naruto, Shion, Toneri, and the others who had fought against the fake Shibai Otsutsuki with him earlier, because the injuries they suffered were no lighter than his own.