Chapter 251
The changes in the giant python seemed to have affected the black shadow as well. Its body stood motionless, like an idle machine. The once-boiling sea of sand had gone still—only a pool of black water remained, eerily calm.
Chinano continued to gather energy, her chakra steadily building. Karin and Zixu funneled chakra into her like a pair of tireless engines feeding a bottomless abyss. Hatsuizumi wasn't standing idle either. Her chakra reserves weren't enough to support a full attack, but she had her own trump card.
A terrifying suction force erupted from Hatsuizumi. Though chakra in the air was scarce, she still managed to extract what little remained. But compared to the black python, it was nothing—the python was overflowing with chakra. How Kaguya managed to control such a beast was anyone's guess. But Hatsuizumi wasn't about to let this opportunity go to waste. Chakra poured from the python's wounds, pure and untainted. Hatsuizumi absorbed it like a vacuum, filtered it through her body, and fed the purest essence into Chinano.
Around Chinano's palm, truth-seeking orbs of various colors began to spin like planets in orbit. Each orb was condensed to an extreme, no larger than an ant, but the energy within them was staggering—even Kaguya would be impressed.
But such power came at a price.
Chinano's body couldn't withstand the growing pressure. Just when it seemed she might collapse, Zixu stepped in and took the burden from her. Chinano focused on forming the orbs, while Zixu carried them. Their teamwork was seamless.
Meanwhile, green flames burned wildly across Karin's body. The brighter the flame, the dimmer her life force became. She was literally burning herself up.
"It's alright..." Zixu murmured as he held the massive orb forged from dozens of smaller ones. He turned his gaze to the black shadow, steeling himself.
Kaguya, having secured control over the writhing python, left the battlefield. She was heading to reclaim what was rightfully hers.
The black shadow's body flickered between illusion and reality. As Zixu approached, he summoned Rosinante—his strongest ability. The battlefield darkened. Black winds howled, the ground turned to liquid shadow, and the rain transformed into writhing serpents.
Zixu looked like a lone boat adrift on a black ocean.