All this time, Shimizu had used Storm Release quite frequently. Yet throughout all these years, whenever he wanted to activate his Kekkei Genkai, Samehada had always been able to provide enough Water Release chakra to help him fuse and form Storm Release.
But where had all that Water Release chakra come from?
After all, Samehada had never directly absorbed chakra from his body.
Of course, back in Kirigakure, he had already confirmed that Samehada could absorb chakra from other shinobi as though it were feeding, using it to replenish either itself or Shimizu.
But there had always been another theory lingering in the back of his mind.
From the very beginning, Samehada might have relied on the nutrients within his body to revive itself, grow, and convert that nourishment into chakra.
If that were true, then Samehada was practically like a parasite, continuously drawing sustenance from within him.
That was also the real reason his appetite had become more and more absurd over the years. Back when he had turned into a complete glutton, he had even managed to bankrupt Jiraiya's wallet by eating through all of his manuscript payment money.
Still, the most surprising change had been Samehada's "awakening."
Previously, all of Samehada's abilities had depended entirely on Shimizu's commands and control.
But this time, it was the first time the blade had instinctively acted to protect its master.
Had Samehada finally matured after all this time? Had it learned to care for its elder?
Or was it because he had fed it well earlier, raising its affection to the point of genuine loyalty?
Shimizu could not determine the true reason behind the change.
But one thing was certain.
A Samehada with this kind of trait made him nearly impossible to defeat in certain situations.
Like now.
Wave after wave of green surged forward like an endless ocean, slamming violently against the blue wall of water with deafening explosions, yet unable to advance even an inch.
For a time, the two massive forces remained locked in complete stalemate.
Meanwhile, Shimizu watched the deadly clash with keen interest as he analyzed it.
Because he was extremely familiar with this style of combat.
This was essentially the Fourth Kazekage Rasa's Kekkei Genkai—Magnet Release: Gold Dust.
It was also very similar to Gaara's sand manipulation.
Rasa controlled gold dust.
Gaara controlled sand.
And he controlled this blue water imbued with life.
The sensation was strangely fascinating.
At the same time that Tobi manipulated the sea of trees in a brutal struggle against Samehada, Shimizu focused all his efforts on having Samehada purge the toxins remaining within his body.
Unfortunately, after several breaths passed, Tobi's assault showed no signs of weakening, while the water currents controlled by Samehada began to show clear exhaustion.
After every violent collision, the water grew increasingly unstable.
Tobi's chakra reserves were ultimately not something a little creature like Samehada could compete against.
It was obvious that Samehada's chakra was gradually running dry.
The reserves it had accumulated over all these years were nearly exhausted.
"I truly didn't expect you to still have a trump card like this."
On the other side, Tobi—who had been concealed deep within the forest of trees—finally stopped hiding.
It pushed aside the layers of greenery and slowly walked toward Shimizu.
So it finally couldn't hold back anymore?
It was probably worried that he might recover faster than expected.
And honestly, that concern was justified.
But its caution had also caused it to miss the best opportunity earlier.
Shimizu's chakra flow within his body was becoming smoother and smoother.
He was on the verge of fully recovering.
"You tampered with Rin's body, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you just kill her directly?"
"..."
Tobi fell silent.
At some point, the battle between the sea of Wood Release and Samehada had already reached its conclusion. Samehada's chakra had grown extremely weak, while Tobi's Wood Release had also stopped advancing.
"I'm guessing you have some method of restoring chakra too, right?"
Though phrased like a question, his tone carried absolute certainty.
The moment the words left his mouth, Tobi attacked.
Earth Release: Rock Spear Pillars!
In an instant, numerous sharp stone spikes erupted from the ground beneath Shimizu's feet.
But they pierced only a fading afterimage.
"So it's the Body Flicker Technique... just as I expected."
Tobi continued strolling forward, nodding as he evaluated him.
"Still slower than before, but enough to evade ordinary ninjutsu like this."
Having forcibly mobilized chakra to use the Body Flicker Technique and evade the ambush, Shimizu appeared completely focused on Tobi's every movement.
But in reality, forcing his not-yet-recovered body to circulate chakra had brought severe consequences.
His chakra pathways had already suffered serious damage—and for a shinobi, that was the very foundation of their entire career.
At the same time, Shimizu did not dare move carelessly.
He feared that even the slightest motion would cause the blood lodged in his throat to burst out, destroying the imposing front he was maintaining.
"Sometimes, I genuinely get the illusion that you're the true child of destiny."
As he spoke, Tobi suddenly stopped walking forward.
Then, without warning, he leaned against a large tree and sat down.
What was he doing?
What was he planning now?!
"Relax. I've already... run out of chakra."
Tobi let out a heavy sigh and raised a hand to show he meant no threat.
"I can't even use a single ninjutsu anymore."
Shimizu's eyes widened in disbelief at those words.
Just moments ago, he had nearly thought Samehada was about to lose. He had even been wondering why Tobi had suddenly stopped pressing the attack so aggressively...
And yet now, this Tobi—who possessed such monstrous chakra reserves—had actually exhausted all of his chakra?!
"You think extracting the Three-Tails from a jinchūriki is easy? That's still a Tailed Beast, after all!"
"And that brat Obito kept rushing me nonstop. To speed up the extraction process, I had no choice but to consume even more chakra."
"I barely had any rest, and then immediately had to use Wood Release on this scale... and fight you on top of that..."
Shimizu said nothing.
He was judging whether the other man was telling the truth.
After forcibly calming the backlash from his chakra, he finally spat out the mouthful of blood lodged in his throat.
"...So you fooled me again. Turns out you still hadn't recovered this whole time."
"Even like this, I can still kill you."
"Fair enough. After all, I really am out of chakra now."
Tobi gave a careless smile, no longer dwelling on it.
"To think that the Valley of the End—formed after the battle between the First Hokage and Madara—would also become the valley where I meet my own end."
"Why didn't you run?" Shimizu asked.
Based on what he knew about Tobi, the man had never fought this desperately before. Nor had he ever engaged in such direct, overwhelming combat.
It truly felt as though...
...this was his final battle.
And more importantly, something else felt strange.
With Tobi's ability to escape, unless Shimizu could kill him instantly through surprise, there was no way Tobi should have been unable to flee.
"Run? Where would I run to?"
Tobi shook his head.
"The moment I saw you appear, I already knew how this would end."
"What do you mean?"
Tobi did not answer Shimizu's question. Instead, he asked one of his own.
"Shimizu Uzuki, why do you think I spent so much chakra creating a battlefield like this?"
Shimizu looked up at the forest world enclosed beneath endless layers of dense trees.
He had always believed Tobi created this sea of forest to prevent him from escaping.
Even now, he still believed that.
"You're smart enough. I'm sure you can figure it out."
Shimizu fell silent.
"Hahahaha... That expression tells me you definitely can't."
Tobi laughed maliciously before his tone gradually turned sorrowful.
"But I can't find any reason to tell you everything anymore."
"Because... we stopped being friends a long time ago."
"We never were," Shimizu replied coldly.
Feeling the chakra within his body finally settle into stability, he knew his strength had at last returned.
Though the damage to his chakra pathways from earlier would still require time recovering back in Konoha before it could fully heal.
"Oh, right. Even though I really did sincerely think of you as a friend once."
Tobi gave a self-mocking smile.
"But unfortunately... from beginning to end, that was only my own wishful thinking."
"Any last words?"
Shimizu raised his sword and stepped before Tobi.
Since Tobi had no intention of explaining everything, there was no reason for him to continue delaying things.
The silver blade radiated deadly killing intent.
"Make sure to destroy my body completely."
"And also..."
Tobi scratched his head. For once, his voice carried genuine sincerity as he spoke softly.
"About Natsue... I'm sorry."
Shimizu froze for a moment.
Then a streak of azure sword light flashed past.
"Too late."
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