Chapter 234
The Eight Gates technique unleashes immense power, scaling with the user's physical strength and recovery ability. The stronger the body, the more devastating the attack—but at its highest level, the final stage demands the user's life in exchange for a single, overwhelming blow.
Luckily, this wasn't that moment. Zixu had no intention of sacrificing himself just yet. Thanks to his powerful physique, the Eight Gates had become even more formidable. The kick that sent Black Zetsu flying had landed hard—but it hadn't come without a cost.
Black Zetsu groaned as he clawed his way out of the crater he'd made upon impact. Black mucus oozed from his mouth, blood masked his face, and his long, matted hair gave him a ragged look.
"My ribs are shattered... Even with my ability, I can't completely disperse that kind of power..." he coughed, spitting out another glob of black blood. If Orochimaru hadn't fused Hidan's body into his own, things could've been far worse.
As for Zixu, there were no visible injuries at first glance, but the damage was there. Even with Armament Haki reinforcing his leg, the recoil from that monstrous kick had left his foot throbbing in agony.
In fact, it was far worse than just pain. On closer inspection, his foot was bleeding steadily—he was simply recovering faster than it could be noticed.
Zixu turned his eyes toward Madara, who had now shed his Impure World Reincarnation body. He furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
"Why would he abandon his immortal body?" Zixu wondered. "A living body isn't bound by the same sealing techniques as one summoned through Impure World Reincarnation, sure—but trading away an immortal body for that advantage doesn't add up."
Now wasn't the time to make assumptions. With enemies on all sides, a single mistake could be fatal—even for him.
"No..." Zixu's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't adding up. He muttered under his breath, trying to piece it together.
"Releasing the Impure World Reincarnation only severs Kabuto's control—it doesn't revive the soul. And yet... Madara's body clearly detached from the jutsu at that moment..."