Naruto: This Genius is Somewhat Ordinary-Chapter 358

Tōma understood better than anyone how absurd what he was doing actually was.

Susanoo wasn’t just another high-level technique. Under normal rules, it simply didn’t exist outside the Uchiha bloodline. Even for him, pulling it off required a perfect storm of circumstances: prior firsthand experience through spiritual possession, an extreme mastery of Yin Release, and a mental framework strong enough to stabilize the construct.

And even then, this was the limit.

Other Mangekyō abilities might theoretically be possible without the Sharingan, but without direct experience, trying to reverse-engineer them through Yin Release alone would be like fishing for needles in an ocean.

At least there was an ocean.

Most people didn’t even get that.

"The Sharingan really is a cheat code," Tōma muttered under his breath. "Let people who barely understand Yin Release do things like this."

Madara heard him.

He stared at Tōma’s burning Susanoo, its armor formed from blazing feather-like flames, brilliant and oppressive. Even Madara had to admit it looked... excessive.

Hashirama had never done anything like this.

Whether that was because he couldn’t or simply didn’t need to, Madara wasn’t sure.

But one thing was certain.

This Sixth Hokage was just as monstrous.

And that made Madara laugh.

"Good," he roared. "This is exactly what I wanted!"

His Susanoo drew both swords and surged forward.

Tōma didn’t hesitate.

A flaming blade formed in his Susanoo’s grasp, shaped like an enlarged echo of his own sword. The two giants collided.

Every swing left a trail of fire across the sky. These weren’t visual flourishes. Each impact carried searing heat that scorched Madara’s Susanoo, white steam bursting from the contact points as chakra struggled to contain the damage.

No ninjutsu.

No tricks.

Just raw combat.

Steel and flame. Strength against strength.

Each missed strike sent shockwaves tearing through the landscape. Distant mountains were sliced clean through, collapsing seconds later.

Below, the Allied Shinobi Forces had already retreated further back.

They watched in silence, throats dry.

So this is what gods fighting looks like.

Numbers meant nothing here.

"Why can the Sixth Hokage use Susanoo?" Onoki asked hoarsely. "Is he secretly an Uchiha?"

"No," Gaara replied after a pause. "He’s never used the Sharingan. Not once."

Onoki nodded slowly. "Then whatever he is... it’s something worse."

He glanced at the remaining Edo forces. "Kazekage, we move. Their battle alone could wipe us out if it shifts."

Gaara felt it instantly.

As Onoki placed a hand on his shoulder, his sand grew lighter. More responsive.

"...You reduced its weight?"

"Earth Style: Light-Weight Technique," Onoki barked. "No time to admire it!"

Gaara nodded and surged forward, the battlefield shifting as the Allied Forces began clearing the remaining threats.

Orochimaru watched them go without concern.

His attention was locked elsewhere.

"So it’s possible," he murmured. "Sharingan abilities... without the Sharingan."

His tongue slid across his lips, eyes gleaming with hunger. The implications alone were priceless. Difficult? Of course. But science feared no difficulty. It feared ignorance.

And Tōma had just handed him a map.

Back on the battlefield, the clash between the two Susanoo slowed.

Tōma could feel it. Madara’s construct was weakening under the constant burn.

But this would take too long.

"Madara," Tōma called out. "Still want to keep going like this?"

Madara laughed. "I haven’t lost yet!"

"...Then let’s end it properly."

The two giants separated.

Tōma glanced toward the retreating Allied Forces. They were far enough now.

Good.

He drove his flaming sword into the ground.

The earth answered.

The battlefield melted.

Lava erupted, geysers of molten rock bursting upward as the land transformed into a boiling prison of fire and stone.

Madara threw his head back and laughed again. "Magnificent!"

His Susanoo rose into the sky. The sheathes were discarded. Four arms clasped a single blade as the twin swords merged, glowing deep blue.

Madara swung.

No flourish.

Just a downward slash.

The resulting blade of chakra tore through the sky itself.

Tōma drew his sword.

Every flame, every pool of magma, every ember surged into the blade. Space warped from the heat.

He swung upward.

A phoenix of molten fire screamed into existence, wings spread wide, rushing head-on into the descending strike.

The collision erased sound.

Red and blue consumed the world.

Far away, shinobi shielded their eyes. Some laughed. Some clenched their fists.

So this is why he waited until we left.

The explosion vaporized everything nearby.

Orochimaru was reduced to ash again.

When the light faded, both Susanoo were gone.

Tōma stood, his cloak damaged but intact.

Madara knelt, regenerating slowly.

The difference was clear.

This wasn’t ninjutsu.

The magma came from the earth itself.

Natural force couldn’t be absorbed.

"Clever," Madara admitted through a grin.

Tōma raised his hands to finish it.

Then he stopped.

The sky cracked with lightning. Wind screamed across the land. The earth shook. Distant floods roared.

"...This is new," Tōma muttered.

Madara’s eyes widened.

"Heh. Looks like it’s starting."

He turned away. "Our fight pauses here."

Tōma didn’t stop him.

As Madara vanished into the chaos, Tōma closed his eyes, sensing the overwhelming power spreading across the world.

Lightning. Wind. Water. Earth. Fire.

Ten-Tails.

"...You’re really something," a voice grumbled in his mind. "Still getting stronger?"

Tōma smiled faintly.

"Because I’m the Sixth Hokage."

"That’s not an answer."

"Then because my name is Fujimoto Tōma."

Silence.

"...Tch."

Tōma opened his eyes.

"We’re not done yet," he said quietly. "I’ll need you soon, Kurama."