The transformation happening to Duy undoubtedly made him the center of attention.
The raging blood steam continued to burn on his body, flickering with an incredibly intense red glow; even standing far from him, one would feel a heartbeat skip in fright.
Ruri couldn't help but squint her eyes slightly, looking down at the crack formation on the Chakra blade held by Susanoo, lost in thought.
"Red steam... is this the legendary Array of Eight Inner Gates? I never imagined it would be so powerful."
Ruri's tone was filled with caution.
Honestly, she previously didn't think the so-called Eight Gates was all that formidable.
At best, it was a method of Taijutsu enhancement. Moreover, this Taijutsu enhancement was based on damaging the body, laden with hidden dangers.
Based on the Amplitude of Chakra when Duy opened the Seven Gates before, even if all Eight Gates were opened, Susanoo in its fourth stage could suppress it with a backhand.
With the Seventh Gate entirely opened, Duy only managed to leave a crack on her Susanoo.
Going further with this deduction, opening all Eight Gates merely enlarges that crack.
However, opening the Eighth Gate turned the Seventh Gate's shown technique into a usual attack mode under the Eight Gates.
This was where Ruri found it unbelievable.
Even though the chronicles recorded that opening the Array of Eight Inner Gates could grant a power surpassing common sense for a brief time, compared to the Seventh Gate, the power obtained by opening the Eighth Gate was exceedingly peculiar.
Ruri's brows furrowed tightly.
The leap in magnitude, in her eyes, was even greater than the leap between the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
As she contemplated, the aura on Duy kept intensifying, and the red steam diffused around like a blood mist.
The sound of air breaking rang in her ears, startling Ruri into quickly turning, swinging out the restored Chakra Giant Sword.
"Karai!"
The explosive thunder light gathered on the blade, mercilessly slashing at the figure burning in red steam.
Boom!
The sky buzzed and trembled, Ruri gritted her teeth tight, as the thunder light dispersed, and the Susanoo samurai staggered back, the blade groaned in agony, quivering and cracking.
The crimson trace flashed by and vanished, Ruri's Mangekyo Sharingan only captured a trace this time.
Boom!
A heavy blow struck from behind.
No matter how hard Ruri controlled, the Susanoo samurai stumbled forward, tilting uncontrollably.
The Mangekyo Sharingan only captured the trace, not to mention those underneath among the Hidden Sand.
They could only hear terrifying explosive sounds continually ringing in their ears, completely unable to discern Duy's movement trace.
Nonetheless, seeing someone able to block that giant warrior, many Hidden Sand Ninjas wept tears of joy.
Even though as ninjas, battle deaths on the battlefield are a destiny.
But, if there's hope for survival, who wouldn't wish to stay alive?
"In Konoha... there are experts like this?"
Rasa, receiving treatment from medical ninjas, stared dumbly at Susanoo being forced into a defensive stance by Duy, unable to believe they'd still have such a powerful ninja in Konoha.
Right, what was the name again?
It seemed to be Might Duy, an ordinary Konoha Chunin, with average looks, somewhat quirky, blending into a crowd, absolutely belonging to the inconspicuous type.
Rasa recalled Duy's personal details; amidst joy, he also felt troubled, finding his feelings towards Konoha growing complicated.
The highs and lows of life, none exceed this.
The outcome of this war might turn favorable.
The heavy pressure weighed on Ruri, and many dark red Chakra fragments fell from Susanoo, collapsing and swirling before her eyes, reverting to essence Chakra, returning to the void.
The slashing speed of the Chakra Blade couldn't keep up with Duy's figure.
Duy let out a low roar from his mouth, bypassing the defensive field of the Chakra Blade zone, and jumped onto Susanoo's head, Ruri's eyes were a beat slow to follow upward.
Boom!
The top of Susanoo's Chakra Shield suffered an impact, and cracks appeared, subsequently, quickly expanding.
Boom!
Another punch landed.
The frantic air energy vented out, if an outsider stepped in, they might be directly knocked flying out by this spurting residual energy.
Crack!
This was not the sound of Susanoo shattering, but the sound of bones cracking apart.
Duy's congested face began to twist painfully, his attack movement paused.
A good opportunity! Ruri quickly seals, releasing a jutsu.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The Great Fireball fused with Sage Art Chakra had a size similar to a regular Great Fireball, yet its power was incomparable.
The fireball struck Duy's body, and then came the sizzling sound.
Ruri sensed the danger, but it was too late to evade.
The air pressure formed by the combination crushed directly on Ruri's body.
Bang!
Ruri's body was blasted away, separated from Susanoo, coughing once, blood flowing out.
The whole body ached intensely, the bones were creaking, the eyes opened with difficulty, Ruri only saw a red figure using Susanoo as a jumping platform, transforming into a projectile, approaching rapidly.
The burning blood steam caused the air to emit sharp tearing sounds, audible even here.
If this move hits me, it'd be over immediately. Ruri thought to herself.