A Sage's Pursuit of Power

Aoba's body was sent flying. Although he quickly stabilized himself midair, the forceful blow successfully interrupted his attempt to seize Obito's Rinnegan.

Relying on wind-style sensory techniques due to his blinded eyes, Aoba hadn't sensed anything approaching in that moment. Yet, the attack was undeniably real.

He could feel it clearly, at least four ribs on his right side had been fractured by the direct hit.

Aoba focused his senses, yet still couldn't detect anything unusual. The next second, Kakashi, attempting a sneak attack from behind, was similarly struck by an invisible force and badly injured.

Even Minato, with his unparalleled reflexes, couldn't avoid the mysterious assault.

Though unable to see, Aoba sensed everything happening around him. A sudden, astonishing thought surfaced in his mind.

"Limbo: Border Jail!!!"

This ability, tied to the Rinnegan, was akin to the unique powers granted by Mangekyō Sharingan, reflecting the user's innermost self. The terrifying part was that this specific power belonged to Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan, and theoretically, only Madara should be able to activate it.

Moreover, its nature perfectly matched Madara's pride and arrogance. Madara, believing himself to be the strongest, manifested Limbo as invisible, intangible clones of himself.

But what had just happened? The three of them were struck by an unseen force that even Aoba, in Sage Mode, couldn't detect.

The only explanation Aoba could come up with was Limbo: Border Jail.

What baffled him, however, was how Obito could wield a power unique to Madara.

Limbo corresponded to the Rinnegan's true combat potential. Though lacking flashy effects or dramatic visuals, the ability's danger level far surpassed techniques like Shinra Tensei or Banshō Ten'in.

Facing an undetectable attack, even Aoba was at a complete disadvantage.

In truth, countering Madara's Limbo required one of two things: either a higher-grade Rinnegan like Sasuke's or a complete mastery of Six Paths power, not a temporary grant like Naruto's.

For now, Aoba had neither, making him nearly helpless against the ability.

The only silver lining was that Obito himself seemed at his limit. Showing no intention of continuing the fight, he quickly retreated, disappearing into the void of space.

Aoba landed on the ground, expressionless as he watched Obito vanish.

This was the most severe defeat Aoba had faced since he began making moves in the shinobi world. In every previous encounter, he had gained something valuable. Even during the Rain Country battle, he successfully obtained the other Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan.

But this time, despite being a spontaneous action, the operation to capture Obito had ended in utter failure.

Kakashi and Minato approached Aoba, both visibly shaken by the invisible assault.

"Aoba, do you know what just happened?" Kakashi asked.

"Not entirely, but I have a good guess."

"Then…" Kakashi started to press further, but Aoba's expression shifted as he realized something.

"Kakashi, Minato! You two need to go support Sasuke immediately. Ensure everything is fine on his end. Move quickly, now!"

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Currently on Chapter 300 - Mount Myōboku