In the air, Kaguya moved swiftly, like a startled swan and a swimming dragon, weaving effortlessly through the numerous vines. Her demeanor was calm and composed, and she even wore a slight smile at the corners of her mouth.
"Isn't it a bit too careless to use such a technique?" Kaguya smiled faintly. "Do you really think such a technique can stop me?"
"Is that so?" Uchiha Madara's lips curled into a faint cold smile. "You'll see soon enough."
Suddenly, buds began to grow on the trees within the forest, and then they bloomed, releasing puffs of pink pollen that spread into the air. This pollen was powerful enough to render someone completely powerless or even cause them to faint. Surrounded by the sea of flowers, Kaguya had no place to escape, and the pollen had already reached her location.
Kaguya's expression changed, and her crystalline eyes gradually became hazy, while her body grew weak and limp, staggering until she finally collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
"Little girl, you have much to learn," Madara said with a mocking smile on his face. "Since we have the kindling, let's add a little spark."
Madara's fingers flew rapidly as he formed hand seals, like a series of illusions.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation."
A scorching red flame shot from Madara's mouth like a torrent, rushing towards the forest below like a lightning bolt.
With a "boom," the flames ignited the trees, and the fire spread rapidly, transforming into a sea of flames in the blink of an eye. The area was engulfed in scorching heat and the smell of burning.
"No, we have to help her," unexpectedly suggested the Raikage. "She can't possibly defeat Uchiha Madara."
"Yes," Tsunade nodded in agreement. "We can't let this girl act recklessly; we need to defeat Madara quickly."
"Then let's go," Onoki stepped forward, snorting, "Even though I don't like this little girl, we can't just stand by."
As they turned to head toward the battle, intending to help, a figure stood in their way, blocking their path.
"You can't go," said the twin-tailed, blonde-haired little girl, Black Zetsu, standing seriously in front of them.
"Why?" Gaara, arms crossed, asked in a deep voice. "If I'm not mistaken, you seem to be very close to Kaguya. Why wouldn't you save her if she's in danger?"
"You're mistaken," Black Zetsu said earnestly, blinking her watery eyes. "Madara is not a match for Mother. Please don't disturb Mother."
"Disturb?" The five Kage looked at each other in astonishment. They could hardly believe that this little girl would say such a thing. The current situation was clear: Kaguya was in extreme danger, clearly not a match for Madara. Defeat was only a matter of time.
"We can't let you mess around any further," Raikage said with a stern face. "This is war, not a child's game."
"If you insist on disturbing Mother," the twin-tailed, blonde-haired little girl said, her eyes flashing with a cold light, "then don't blame me for teaching you a lesson."
However, in her current vulnerable state, she appeared more cute than intimidating.
As they continued to argue, the battle situation shifted once more.
With a deafening "boom," the ground shook, mountains trembled, and the sky seemed to collapse, shrouded in a cloud of dust and billowing smoke.
"What?" Uchiha Madara lowered his arm from his face, which had been shielding him from the dust, and the scene before him left him stunned.
The forest he had created with the Wood Style: Flowering Tree World technique had vanished completely, as if erased from the earth. What remained was a circular crater over a kilometer in diameter and several dozen meters deep, barren as though struck by a meteorite.
This effect was a result of Kaguya's use of repulsive force, similar to the Shinra Tensei. Originally, Kaguya didn't intend to create such a large impact, but since it was her first time using this technique, she applied too much force.
"Aren't you already…" Madara was utterly bewildered.
"Are you talking about the pollen?" Kaguya blinked her clear eyes and smiled lightly. "Sorry, I'm not allergic to pollen."
Even if Madara were foolish, he would realize that Kaguya was mocking him, causing his anger to surge, and his eyes shone with a terrifying light. The ground trembled again as a massive tree grew up from beneath it. From the trunk, numerous figures emerged, separating into dozens of individuals, each resembling Madara.
This was the Wood Style: Multiple Wood Release Clone.
"Little girl, you've angered me," Madara said sternly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "I'll teach you a lesson."
"Teach me?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow and laughed derisively, "Sorry, you're not my father, so you're not qualified."
"Is that so?" Madara mocked, "You'll find out soon enough."
As soon as he finished speaking, Madara's wood clones dashed towards Kaguya like shadows, their bodies suddenly igniting with purple flames that grew larger until they formed colossal purple giants.
These purple giants were all Susanoo.
A group of purple giants charged at Kaguya like mountains, shaking the ground beneath them with each step, creating an imposing scene. For ordinary people, such a sight would be terrifying enough to make them wet their pants.
Although the purple giants were enormous, their size did not hinder their movements. On the contrary, they were surprisingly agile and reached Kaguya in the blink of an eye.
"If you beg for mercy now, I might spare your life," Madara said, looking down at Kaguya. "Beautiful women are usually foolish; I hope you're not one of them."
"Though being praised by you like this," Kaguya smiled faintly, "doesn't make me happy at all."
"Come forth, Lava Beast."