Mr. A calmly waved at the four people opposite him.
"Come on, let me see what your Twilight Hermits can do."
As for Uchiha Itachi? He wasn't worried at all.
After all, he was the 'Holy Child' of the Aurora Order, favored by the 'True Creator.'
Dealing with a few shadows would be easy, a piece of cake.
The real challenge was the enemies here!
No sooner said than done!
A compressed spear of blazing white flame streaked across the sky like flowing light, carrying an incredible heat aimed right at him.
Mr. A slightly tilted his head. Shadows thickly gathered in his palm, and with bare hands, he grabbed the blazing white spear.
He examined it for a moment before clenching his fingers, shattering the spear into sparks that exploded like fireworks.
A smile appeared on his face.
"So, you're on the 'Hunter' Pathway."
He not only recognized that power but had recently guided a soul from the same Pathway.
The Hunter Pathway, also known as the 'Red Priest' Pathway, judging by the power in that blazing spear, was probably at Sequence 5.
"Well then… what about you?"
Mr. A shifted his gaze to another masked person with interest.
"White Tower, Black Emperor, Red Priest — not bad. If I kill all of you, I can shepherd five Beyonder souls from different Pathways. My strength will definitely rise to a new level!"
Under the mask, Uchiha Mikoto's expression grew a little serious.
"That depends if you can pull it off!"
Orochimaru moved like a startled rabbit, his speed instantly maxing out.
"Attack!"
Onoki shouted loudly.
At Mr. A's feet, two giant stone hands appeared, summoned from the earth.
"Earth Release: Rock Arms!"
This move could protect teammates but was just as deadly for offense.
The two massive stone palms suddenly clapped together, trapping Mr. A between them.
Bang!
The rocks pressed together, and the force was so strong it pushed the air, creating visible ripples.
"Fire Style: Mighty Dragon Flame!"
Orochimaru took a deep breath and blasted scorching flames toward Iwao's pressed hands.
Boom!
The intense heat instantly melted the rocks.
However, Mr. A was nowhere to be seen inside.
Suddenly, Ōnoki spoke from behind, "Be careful! He's from the Hanged Man Pathway — he can escape by merging with shadows!"
"The first one—!"
But Ōnoki's warning came half a step too late.
From the shadow, flesh and blood rapidly gathered, and Mr. A appeared with a ferocious snarl, his shadow-covered hands filled with a sinister spiritual power.
"Just what I was waiting for!" Orochimaru said, not afraid but excited. "Now's the moment!"
He knew very well that Beyonder of the Hanged Man Pathway could move through shadows, and this was a trap to lure him out!
Without saying a word, masked Konan stepped forward half a step, raised her hand, and pushed forward.
Her open mouth gave an absolute command, filled with the power of rules: "No shadow movement allowed here!"
In an instant,
Mr. A felt his connection with the shadows completely severed!
In other words, he could no longer use the shadows to move — losing his most powerful ability entirely.
"So that's it—you're from Justiciar Pathway!"
Mr. A's pupils suddenly shrank. At last, he understood the hidden trump card his opponent was holding.
The Justiciar Pathway represents order and rules. Those who follow this Pathway are weaker in direct combat, but they make up for it with unparalleled support abilities.
Within a designated area, they can establish certain 'rules'—laws forbidding specific actions or Beyonder abilities—and force everyone and everything inside to obey these rules.
If prepared in advance, they can even influence a Sequence 4 Saint to some extent.
Though it may not always take effect, it can create significant interference.
But against a Sequence 5 Beyonder, the 'rule edicts' made by the Justiciar are absolute within this zone!
"Now you know, but it's already too late!" Orochimaru sneered coldly, retrieving the lost Kusanagi sword.
Intricate mysterious runes were carved on the blade, glowing faintly as if fully activated.
He thrust the sword directly at Mr. A's heart!
"A mere law? You think I'm helpless?!"
Mr. A's eyes blazed with rage. His flesh and blood seemed to come alive, beginning to dissolve.
But just then, Konan, her hands swirling with spiritual energy, pushed forward once more.
The power of the rule filled the area as she declared, "Here. Blood flesh magic is forbidden!"
"Damn—!"
Mr. A, who was just about to escape by dissolving, was interrupted again.
Right now, he wanted nothing more than to rip the Justiciar apart, realizing deeply just how terrifying their support powers could be.
However, after imposing two 'forbidden laws' in a row, Konan's condition was far from good—her spiritual energy was nearly drained.
The more specific the law, the greater the toll on herself.
She knew there was no way she could cast a third law.
Otherwise, what awaited Konan… was losing control.
The sword, etched with mysterious runes, forced Mr. A to abandon his target. He twisted his spine unnaturally, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike.
The blade grazed his flesh, leaving a deep gash.
Hiss!
Like boiling oil poured over skin, the pain shot directly into his soul.
In that instant, Mr. A realized—the sword was made to counter him. If it struck a vital point, even his immortal body might be sealed temporarily.
"Don't even think about escaping!" Orochimaru's blade spun sideways as he opened his mouth and let out a silent scream: "Wailing Curse of the Resentful Spirits!"
Coldness. Hatred. Fury. Envy.
All the negative emotions surged in waves, carried by that ear-piercing psychic shriek. They drilled into Mr. A's ears, shaking his very spirit—and for a moment, he lost control.
"Damn it!" Mr. A glared.
A curse of wailing spirits? What, like he didn't know how to use that?
Without hesitation, he opened his mouth—spitting out a language twisted with filth, corruption, and distortion.
Devil Language!
"Corruption."
The low, hoarse word carried the power of depravity itself—and triggered a violent mutation.
Buzz!
Orochimaru hadn't seen that coming.
That Devil Language invaded his mind, burrowing deep into his soul. His consciousness shook violently. Blood burst from his lips, and grotesque changes erupted across his body.
A thick, black, sticky liquid began to cover his skin—dragging him downward, as if trying to pull him into the abyss itself.
Mr. A grinned cruelly. From the shadows, his hand reached forward. He wanted to seize Orochimaru's soul and— Graze it. Like prey.
"Not good! That's the Abyss Pathway ability!"
Uchiha Mikoto's eyes flashed. Her pupils spun into Mangekyō form.
"Amaterasu—Fire Crow Art!"
This technique combined Beyonder abilities with ninjutsu. The pitch-black flames of Amaterasu transformed into fire crows, swooping down toward Mr. A in a fiery dance.
Facing the black flock, the sheer heat radiating from them made Mr. A instinctively retreat. He cursed angrily, his face twisted in frustration.
"Damn it! I was so close!"
If it hadn't been for the 'Red Priest' interfering, he would've already taken control of Orochimaru's soul.
But unfortunately… just a little short!
*******
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