Chapter 214: Ishihara vs. Madara!
"Hahahaha! I've finally waited long enough for you! Looks like you do care about your subordinates after all!
I deliberately didn't kill him just to lure you out! So, what do you say? Aren't you grateful to me?"
As soon as Ishihara arrived on the battlefield, Uchiha Madara immediately withdrew from his meditative state. Looking at the man before him, he inexplicably burst into laughter.
This left Ishihara speechless. Was this guy mentally ill or something?
Otherwise, why would he look so excited upon seeing him? Did he actually think Ishihara had come to help him?
What a joke.
Besides, even if Ishihara hadn't shown up, Madara wouldn't have been able to kill Haku anyway.
Every member of the Immortal Organization carried a spiritual energy seal left by Ishihara.
If they encountered a fatal threat, the seal would detonate instantly, unleashing a devastating surge of spiritual energy that would obliterate everything around them!
Of course, those marked by Ishihara would naturally survive.
But as for everyone else… well, that was another story.
That said, since Madara had been "considerate" enough not to severely injure Haku, Ishihara figured he might as well play along with him for a bit.
With this thought in mind, Ishihara suppressed his strength to match Madara's level.
And right now, Madara's power was… well.
He was at the Super Kage level—an extremely powerful Super Kage level, at that.
It was no surprise that Haku couldn't defeat him.
Every member of the Immortal Organization could reach Super Kage level strength if they activated their Zanpakutō.
However, they were still no match for Madara.
Though Madara had yet to attain Six Paths-level power, he wasn't far from it.
In fact, he could almost be classified as a Quasi-Six Paths-level fighter!
Considering this, Ishihara restricted his own power to the Super Kage level.
That should make for a fair fight, right?
——
"What's wrong? Are you scared? Or do you think you can defeat me, so you're not making the first move?"
Madara crossed his arms, staring at Ishihara. Then, in the blink of an eye, he used a Body Flicker to appear behind him.
"Right now, I'm incredibly strong!"
Madara smirked wickedly as he reached for Ishihara's throat.
"Ishihara-sama!"
From the sidelines, Haku cried out in alarm. He hadn't even seen Madara's movements clearly just now.
Fast. He was unbelievably fast!
He wasn't sure if Ishihara could handle him.
Meanwhile, the ghosts who had been attacking Haku earlier were now cheering excitedly.
"Incredible! As expected of Lord Uchiha Madara! His speed… I couldn't see it at all!"
"Of course! That's why he's Lord Madara! There's a huge gap between us!"
"Hahaha! Looks like Madara-sama has already won. That guy probably didn't even have time to react!"
"Hmph. Rescue? Stronger? I thought he was some big shot.
But he can't even—"
Before that ghost could finish speaking, Ishihara casually turned around—SMACK!—and blocked Madara's attack effortlessly!
In the next instant, Ishihara slightly raised his right leg and kicked toward Madara's lower leg.
However, as if he had anticipated this, Madara immediately pushed off with both legs and leaped into the air.
Then, he pulled out three kunai and three shuriken, hurling them toward Ishihara!
Seeing this, Ishihara smirked.
What an old-school way of fighting.
It had been a long time since he had engaged in close-quarters combat like this.
Without hesitation, Ishihara pulled out a kunai and—clang clang clang!—deflected all the incoming projectiles in an instant.
And with one final flick of his wrist, he sent his own kunai flying toward Madara in midair!
All of this happened in the blink of an eye!
Haku barely managed to follow their movements.
But the ghosts? They had no clue what had just transpired.
"What just happened? After Madara-sama's attack was blocked, what happened next?"
"No idea! I couldn't see anything! It was way too fast!"
"Damn it! My eyes can't keep up with their speed at all!
But I can see a few kunai and shuriken on the ground!"
"Wait… those kunai and shuriken—did that guy throw them?"
"No, that's not right. Judging by their direction, they were thrown by Madara-sama!"
"Impossible! Are you joking? Why would Madara-sama use basic ninja tools? Those are things only Genin and Chunin use!"
"You're talking nonsense! Are you saying Jonin don't use kunai and shuriken?"
"Oh, like you would know!"
That ghost rolled his eyes. He was confident in his words because he was a Chunin himself!
And even he rarely used kunai in battle.
So, stronger Jonin wouldn't bother with such "trash" either, right?
But another ghost snorted and retorted, "Oh, really? Well, guess what—I am a Jonin.
And let me tell you, your idea of a Jonin is way off. I use kunai and shuriken in combat all the time."
At this moment, Haku finally spoke up…