Even someone as powerful as Jōren Yōson couldn't help but stagger back several steps, cold sweat dripping down his face.
"And you got one thing wrong—I'd never treat my comrades as pawns, Kōren Gōka!"
At Kazama's call, the fire spirit formed by Kōren Gōka instantly understood his intent. In a flash, she absorbed the remaining nineteen types of strange flames into her body.
The moment Kōren Gōka completed the absorption, the heavens trembled, and eerie wails echoed through the air. The entire shinobi world was left dumbfounded by the supernatural phenomena caused by Kazama's battle with Jōren Yōson.
Having fused with twenty strange flames, Kōren Gōka was utterly transformed. Her body was enveloped in twenty distinct, radiant colors. Already a beauty of unparalleled grace, Kōren Gōka's appearance now surpassed even her former splendor. Truly, one glance could captivate a city, and a second could topple a nation.
The aura she now exuded was so overwhelming that even Kazama felt a jolt of awe. That kind of presence alone was enough to dominate the entire shinobi world.
"Monster! What a freaking monster!"
Jōren Yōka, witnessing Kōren Gōka's transformation and Kazama's role in it, let out a string of shocked exclamations before turning tail to flee.
But against Kōren Gōka, now fused with twenty strange flames, how could he possibly escape? With a casual lift of her hand, Kōren Gōka pinned Jōren Yōka in place. No matter how desperately he struggled, he couldn't break free.
"So, Jōren Yōka, are you ready to submit to me now?"
If Kazama didn't need to fully subdue Jōren Yōka for his own use, he would've already ordered Kōren Gōka to burn him to nothingness.
"Hmph! Even if I submit, it'd be to Kōren Gōka, not you! You're nothing—you didn't even defeat me!"
"Alright then!"
Seeing Jōren Yōka still refusing to yield, Kazama burst into laughter.
"The only reason I let Kōren Gōka fight is because you're not worth my effort. But since you won't submit, I'll show you my true strength!"
"Stop acting tough! If you've got the guts, let me go and see how I crush you!"
"Kōren Gōka."
At Kazama's command, Kōren Gōka released her hold on Jōren Yōka. But instead of fighting, Jōren Yōka bolted, fleeing into the distance.
"Puny brat, if you want to subdue me, catch me first! Haha!"
In just a few breaths, Jōren Yōka vanished without a trace, leaving Kazama torn between amusement and frustration.
"Think you can run? Dream on!"
Kazama transformed the Happa Hametsu-en into a pair of massive, hundred-meter-wide flaming wings. Within moments, he caught up to the fleeing Jōren Yōka.
"You—how is this possible?!"
Despite exerting all his strength, Jōren Yōka was effortlessly overtaken by Kazama. Furious and humiliated, he turned and charged at Kazama.
"You little punk, you think catching me means I'll submit? Wrong! I lured you away from Kōren Gōka on purpose so I could take you down right here! Haha!"
"Chō Shinra Tensei!"
Before Jōren Yōka could land a hit, Kazama's Rinnegan technique sent him scattering in all directions.
"How is this possible?!"
Jōren Yōson, stunned that Kazama possessed such power, was thrown into disbelief.
"In this world, your techniques are useless against me. Banshō Ten'in!"
Before Jōren Yōson could react, Kazama pulled him right back to his side.