As Seimei anticipated, after Kaguya Kotaro's rampage, he was forced to stop due to exhaustion.
However, with the resilience of the Kaguya clan, as long as he had a brief moment to catch his breath—just one or two minutes—he would likely be full of energy again.
But would Seimei give him that chance? The answer was clearly no.
Likewise, Uchiha Shisui wouldn't allow him that opportunity either.
The moment Kaguya Kotaro stopped spinning and ceased using his "Dance of the Camellia," Shisui activated his signature "Body Flicker Technique," appearing in front of him at a speed too fast for the average person to perceive.
In the next moment, the kunai in Shisui's hand slashed toward Kaguya Kotaro's throat.
However, after battling Shisui for so long, Kaguya Kotaro had already learned about his fighting style and knew that his speed was extraordinary. He had been on guard, and although Shisui was fast, Kaguya tilted his head just in time to avoid the attack.
If his only opponent had been Shisui, he could have taken the opportunity to recover his stamina.
But unfortunately, this time he faced two opponents.
The instant he dodged Shisui's attack, Seimei appeared behind him.
Although Seimei wasn't as fast as Shisui, at such a close distance, the difference wasn't that noticeable.
Kaguya Kotaro had almost no time to react.
This is where the strength of the Kaguya clan's "Shikotsumyaku" (Dead Bone Pulse) came into play.
Even though Kaguya Kotaro didn't have time to dodge or block Seimei's attack, as soon as he sensed danger, he willed the bones in his body to form a bone armor on his back.
Seimei's blade struck the armor, producing the sound of metal clashing against metal.
Unwilling to give up, Seimei applied more force.
A harsh scraping sound followed.
Even though he infused a large amount of wind-release chakra into his blade to make it sharper, he still couldn't cut through Kaguya Kotaro's bones.
This demonstrated how well Kaguya Kotaro had developed his "Shikotsumyaku." After all, to block such an attack, he had to increase the density of his bones to the level of steel.
Although Seimei's blade didn't penetrate his defense, it did leave a one-inch deep cut on the bone armor, which would require a significant amount of chakra to repair.
Seimei couldn't see from his position behind Kaguya Kotaro, but Shisui, standing in front, clearly noticed that Kaguya's face had turned noticeably pale after taking that hit. The massive chakra consumption had taken a toll.
As the saying goes, "Strike when the enemy is down."
Though Shisui had a gentle personality, that was reserved for his allies. On a battlefield where it was kill or be killed, he had no hesitation.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
With a light tap of his toes on the ground, Shisui leaped back while completing a series of hand signs, launching his fire-style jutsu.
*Fwoosh!*
A stream of flames shot from his mouth.
In an instant, they transformed into three roaring fire dragons, charging at Kaguya Kotaro from the left, center, and right.
Clearly, Shisui had switched from physical attacks to ninjutsu.
Earlier, when the two had been fighting, Kaguya's relentless pressure had left Shisui with few opportunities. But now, with Seimei's support, Shisui could fight freely.
Seeing this, Seimei's eyes gleamed.
The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun slightly, and in an instant, he learned this upgraded version of the "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu."
Immediately, his skill panel reflected the change, with the "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu" leveling up from [Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu: lv5 (0/0)] to [Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu: lv5 (1/5000)].
Clearly, he had broken through the skill's limit.
Seimei was satisfied with this.
But now wasn't the time to admire it.
He stood behind Kaguya Kotaro, directly between him and Shisui, which meant Shisui's attack could harm him too.
"Better move now!" he thought.
In a flash, Seimei withdrew his blade and retreated, quickly putting distance between himself and Kaguya Kotaro.
In the next moment, the three fire dragons lunged forward.
Kaguya Kotaro dodged two of them, but there was no avoiding the third.
With no other option, he used his bones to form a shield on his arm.
*Boom!*
The fire dragon collided with the shield, causing a loud explosion as flames erupted, swirling past the shield and engulfing Kaguya Kotaro.
Through the raging fire, Kaguya Kotaro emerged.
His clothes were mostly scorched and tattered, clinging to his body in rags. His skin was badly burned, clearly suffering significant injuries.
Had it not been for his Kaguya clan bloodline and the enhancement from "Shikotsumyaku," an ordinary ninja would likely have fallen by now.
But he wasn't far from that point.
As soon as he escaped the flames, Seimei followed up with another attack.
Without pausing to sheath his blade, he raised his left hand and, with a single-hand seal, unleashed the "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
A multitude of fireballs shot from his mouth, scattering like flower petals toward Kaguya Kotaro.
Sensing the danger, Kaguya immediately moved to dodge.
Thanks to his long practice of the "Dance of the Willow" and "Dance of the Camellia," his movements were extremely agile. Even while injured, he managed to avoid most of the fireballs.
Those he couldn't avoid, he tanked with his "Shikotsumyaku."
*Pfft!*
He spat out another mouthful of blood.
Kaguya Kotaro's eyes burned with rage as he glared at Seimei and Shisui.
After a moment's standoff, instead of fleeing, he once again activated his "Shikotsumyaku," drawing two bone swords from his body and charging at the two of them.
"This guy's really a madman!" Seimei muttered.
Without hesitation, he raised his sword and rushed forward.
Since Seimei was clearly stronger in close combat than Shisui, he took the lead.
As for Shisui, his task was simply to find the right opportunity to strike.
Shisui, a seasoned fighter, understood Seimei's intention without needing a word. The moment Seimei engaged, Shisui used his Body Flicker to silently pull back.
A flurry of clashing sounds filled the air as Seimei pushed his swordsmanship to the limit, engaging in a brutal melee with Kaguya Kotaro.
Time passed, but Shisui hadn't made a move.
Just as Kaguya Kotaro was losing his mind, focusing all his effort on Seimei, Shisui struck.
And this strike was fatal.
*Clang!*
Seimei and Kaguya clashed again, and this time, Kaguya didn't back down. He used all his strength to try and overpower Seimei.
In that split second, Seimei realized this was a perfect opportunity.
Taking the risk of being impaled by Kaguya's bone spikes, he held his ground, matching Kaguya's strength.
Seeing this, the bloodshot eyes of Kaguya Kotaro cleared momentarily, and he prepared to pierce Seimei's chest with bone spikes.
But just then, Shisui used the "Body Flicker Technique," silently appearing behind Kaguya Kotaro.
In the next moment, Shisui's kunai pierced straight through Kaguya's back, puncturing his heart.
*Pfft!*
With this severe injury, Kaguya spat out a mouthful of blood, and his energy rapidly faded.
Seizing the chance, Seimei slashed his sword diagonally.
*Swish!*
The blade flashed.
In an instant, Kaguya Kotaro's carotid artery was sliced open.
Blood gushed out, and the bone swords in his hands fell to the ground. He clutched at his neck, trying in vain to stop the bleeding.
But nothing could stop the life from draining away.
In the end, his eyes wide with rage, Kaguya Kotaro collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
(End of Chapter)