Chapter 24: Devil's Defiance, Uchiha's Gambit
The mist swirled, thick and heavy, cloaking the scarred plateau where Vergil Sparda stood, his colossal Urizen form dominating the battlefield. The ground trembled beneath his root-draped frame, thirty-seven eyes glowing with malevolent intent, spiked crown glinting in the dim light. Yagura knelt before him, battered and bloodied, staff cracked at his side. Isobu's chakra pulsed weakly, defiance burning in his eyes despite the brink of defeat.
From the cliff, Zabuza, Mei, Haku, Ao, and a cluster of rebels watched, hearts pounding. Zabuza's grin was wild, Kubikiribōchō slung over his shoulder. "Sparda's got him, Yagura's done for!" That demon form's a nightmare. Kiri's freedom's in reach.
Haku's hands clasped tightly, eyes wide. "Vergil-sama… he's unstoppable." His power feels like a god's wrath
Ao's scowl softened, awe overriding skepticism. "Boy's more than I thought. Yagura's a Kage, and he's eating dirt."
Mei's green eyes locked on Vergil, her breath shallow. He's magnificent, a devil carving history. But Yagura's not finished yet… is he? Her fingers tightened, torn between hope and dread.
Suddenly, Urizen's form shuddered, blue light flaring from his core. With a guttural roar, he reverted, shrinking, roots dissolving, eyes fading until Vergil stood once more, silver hair slick with sweat, Yamato gleaming in his grip. His coat swayed, pristine despite the chaos, his smirk cold as he raised the blade toward Yagura's throat. "Time to end this, Mizukage."
Yagura glared, blood dripping from his lip, but before he could retort, a distortion rippled around Vergil's arm. A vortex, spiraling, erupted around Yamato, swallowing the blade and his right forearm in a violent pull. Vergil's eyes widened, a rare flicker of surprise, as the vortex snapped shut, severing his arm at the elbow. Blood sprayed briefly, then stopped, his demonic healing sealing the wound into a jagged stump.
Gasps echoed from the cliff. Haku's hand flew to her mouth. "Vergil-sama!" No, his sword, his arm… how?
Zabuza cursed, gripping his blade. "What the hell was that?!" Sparda's down a hand"
Ao's Byakugan flared beneath his patch, scanning. "A space-time jutsu… but whose?" This ain't Yagura's work. Someone else is here.
Mei's heart raced, her voice a whisper. "His blade… gone?" That was no accident. Something's coming, someone. Her eyes darted, searching the mist.
Yagura, panting, stared in confusion, staff trembling. "What… trick is this?" He's weakened, my chance? Or another foe?
Before anyone could react, another vortex swirled behind Vergil, larger. Vergil's smirk returned, colder, sharper. Without turning, he blurred forward, Trick Dash, and delivered a precise chop to Yagura's neck. The Mizukage crumpled, unconscious but alive, his staff clattering to the stone. Vergil quickly teleported Yagura away.
From the vortex stepped a figure, orange mask swirling with a single Sharingan, his black cloak billowing. Tobi, Obito Uchiha, tilted his head, voice lilting yet laced with menace. "Well, well, quite the show, Sparda."
Vergil turned, lifting his stump, blood still glistening. "I suppose I deserve this," he said, voice dripping with mockery, gesturing to the missing arm. "Pushed your buttons a bit too hard, didn't I?"
Obito's mask hid his expression, but his stance tensed, Sharingan spinning. "From what I saw of your little performance," he said, voice dropping to a colder edge, "that blade, was the heart of your power. Without it, you're a shadow of the devil you were. A pity." His strength crumbled with one move. My plans stay intact.
Vergil's chuckle was low, dangerous, echoing across the plateau. "You're not wrong, masked fool. Yamato's… special. It fuels my Devil Trigger, my Sin Devil Trigger, a conduit for my blood's wrath." His eyes glinted, smirk widening. "But you think that's all I am? I'm not so one-dimensional."
With a pulse of blue light, his stump shimmered, flesh and bone knitting together in seconds. A new arm formed, flawless, demonic energy crackling. Vergil flexed his fingers, then raised both hands, Beowulf materialized, gauntlets and greaves glowing with lunar intensity, their light casting stark shadows. He shifted into a boxer's stance, feet light, fists raised, his aura a blade of its own. "Why couldn't you just stay out of my way?" he taunted, voice icy. "Now I've got to put the great 'Madara' Uchiha in his place."
Obito froze, his Sharingan narrowing to a pinprick. Madara? He knows, too much, always too much. His gloved hand twitched, Kamui humming faintly, a reflex against the threat. This devil's a problem I can't ignore.
On the cliff, the name "Madara" hit like a thunderbolt. Ao's jaw dropped, Byakugan flaring. "Madara Uchiha? Alive? Impossible!" That monster died decades ago… unless… a ruse?
Zabuza's grin faded, eyes narrowing. "Madara? No way that old ghost's walking. Sparda's gotta be screwing with us." But that mask, that jutsu… something's off.
Mei's breath caught, her mind spinning. Madara Uchiha, the legend who burned nations? If he's alive, Kiri's fight's just a speck in his shadow. Vergil, what do you know? Her gaze flicked between the two, tension coiling.
The rebels murmured, fear and disbelief rippling. "Madara's a ghost story," one muttered. "Ain't no way," another hissed, clutching his blade.
Obito's voice cut through, Tobi's lilt gone, replaced by a steely growl. "You think you can toy with my plans, Sparda? I won't let you unravel my machinations. This world's salvation lies in my hands, not some devil's whims." He's a wrench I should've crushed in the forest. No more games.
Vergil's smirk didn't waver, Beowulf's glow intensifying, his stance unshaken. "Salvation? Spare me your delusions, Uchiha. You're a puppeteer with broken strings, and I'm the blade to cut them all. Step up, or crawl back to your shadows." His voice dropped, lethal and final. "I'm waiting."
The plateau fell silent, mist curling between them, the air thick with the promise of violence.
Chapter 25: Devil's Dance, Uchiha's Shadow
The mist hung heavy, a ghostly veil over the cratered plateau where Vergil Sparda stood, Beowulf's gauntlets and greaves glowing with sacred light, his boxer's stance radiating defiance. His silver hair gleamed, blue coat swaying, a smirk curling his lips, Dante's cocky edge seeping through his usual ice. Across from him, Obito Uchiha, masked as "Madara," stood poised, orange spiral mask glinting, Sharingan spinning, his black cloak billowing with Kamui's faint hum.
Zabuza's grin was feral, Kubikiribōchō propped on his shoulder. "Sparda's got balls, calling out 'Madara.' This is gonna be a bloodbath." He's toying with a legend, gutsy or suicidal?
Ao's Byakugan flared beneath his patch, scanning. "That's no ordinary shinobi. Space-time jutsu, Uchiha chakra… Sparda's in deep." Madara or not, this guy's trouble.
Mei's green eyes locked on Vergil, pulse racing. He's a storm, elegant, reckless, taunting a ghost. If he survives this, Kiri's future's his to shape. Her lips parted slightly, caught between awe and desire. That smirk… damn him.
Vergil cracked his knuckles, Beowulf's veins pulsing white. "So, 'Madara,'" he drawled, voice dripping with Dante's sarcasm, "you gonna keep hiding behind that mask, or do I gotta knock it off to see the real fraud?" He tilted his head, smirking. "C'mon, impress me."
Obito's Sharingan narrowed, his voice a low growl. "You talk too much, Sparda. Let's see if your fists match your mouth." He snapped his fingers, Uchiha Flame Formation. Chakra flames flared on his hand, slamming into the ground, erecting a cylindrical barrier of fire around them, its heat scorching the mist.
Vergil laughed, unfazed, Air Trick teleporting him through the flames, invincibility frames nullifying the heat. He reappeared behind Obito, Beowulf Combo A, a right-left punch combo, light erupting with each hit, ending with a double-roundhouse kick. Obito phased, Kamui Intangibility, the kicks passing through. "Predictable," Obito taunted, countering with Wood Release: Cutting Technique. Sharp wooden spikes shot from his arm, aiming to skewer.
Vergil smirked, blurring aside, spikes grazing his coat. "Wood? Really? I've seen better toothpicks." He unleashed Blistering Blades, blue spectral swords firing in rapid succession, their blue-green glow, slicing through the spikes. Obito teleported, Kamui Dash, reappearing above, gunbai swinging as a flail, chain rattling. The fan's tomoe glowed, Uchiha Return, converting Vergil's blades into a wind blast that hurled them back.
Vergil Trick Up, teleporting skyward, dodging the reflected swords. "Nice fan, gramps. Borrow it from a museum?" He dove, Starfall, a light-infused diving kick aimed at Obito's mask. Obito countered, Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique, sinking into the ground, sand parting like water. The kick cratered the earth, light bursting outward. Obito emerged behind, Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance. A spiraling fire vortex roared from his mouth, Kamui's whirlwind amplifying its fury.
Mei's breath hitched. That fire's Kage-level… but Vergil's laughing? "He's insane," she whispered, eyes wide. Magnificent.
Vergil Trick Down, teleporting below the flames, then Beast Uppercut, lunging with a glowing uppercut that launched a shockwave of light. Obito phased again, Kamui, but Vergil anticipated, Spiral Swords. A ring of spectral blades formed around Obito's reappearance point, trapping him. "Gotcha, ghost boy!" Vergil quipped, Lunar Phase, spinning into a revolving kick, light erupting, shattering half the swords as Obito dodged with Kamui Dash.
Obito snarled, Wood Release: Wood Dragon. A massive serpentine dragon burst from the ground, its trunk-like nose biting at Vergil, draining chakra. Vergil Flush, a light-charged jump, vaulted onto the dragon's head, Rising Dragon. A charged uppercut, glowing with demonic power, smashed the dragon's skull, wood splintering. "Chakra-sucking lizard? Cute," he mocked, landing with a spin. "My brother's got better pets."
A rebel gasped. "He destroyed a Wood Release dragon… effortlessly
Ao's scowl deepened. "He's fast, but that Uchiha's playing cagey.
Obito teleported, Kamui, reappearing with gunbai raised, Uchiha Return deflecting Vergil's Storm Blades pincer-attack. The wind blast staggered Vergil, and Obito pressed, Wood Release: Great Spear Tree. Thick roots erupted, aiming to crush. Vergil Trick Dodge, weaving through, then Kick 13, a flurry of light-infused kicks shredding roots, each hit flashing like a strobe. "Keep swinging, 'Madara'! I'm just warming up!" he taunted, flipping back.
Obito's Sharingan spun faster. He's relentless, mocking me to throw me off. "Enough games," he growled, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. A volley of small fireballs, shuriken hidden within, swarmed Vergil, guided by chakra. Vergil Spiral Swords, a sword barrier spinning, deflecting flames and shuriken, but Obito phased through, Kamui, landing a gunbai strike to Vergil's chest. The impact sent him skidding, coat singed.
Vergil grinned, wiping blood from his lip, regeneration kicking in. "Not bad, old man. Almost felt that." He blurred, Air Trick, reappearing mid-air, Heavy Rain Blades. Spectral swords rained above Obito, pinning him momentarily. Vergil dove, Dragon Breaker, a double uppercut charged to the max, light exploding. Obito phased, Kamui, but the shockwave cracked the plateau, forcing him to teleport away.
Zabuza roared, "That's it, Sparda! Break his damn mask!" He's got the Uchiha running, love it.
Mei's heart raced. He's turning this into a show, humiliating a legend. Her cheeks flushed. And that grin… gods help me.
Obito reappeared, Wood Release: Sea of Trees Erosion. Massive roots tangled across the battlefield, crushing stone. Vergil Flush, light-charged jumps navigating the maze, then Beowulf Combo B, lightning-fast kicks into a rushing punch, light bursting, shredding roots. Obito countered, Genjutsu: Tomoe Sharingan. Their eyes locked, illusions of Vergil's past life.
Vergil's smirk didn't falter, demonic will breaking the genjutsu. "Mind tricks? My brother's insults hurt worse." He Trick Up, then Starfall Level 2, a powered-up diving kick slamming Obito's gunbai, cracking its edge. Obito retaliated, Kamui Dash, phasing through Vergil, chain wrapping his arm. He solidified, yanking Vergil into a Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, a massive fireball engulfing him.
Vergil emerged, coat scorched, Azure Flames flaring around him, nullifying the fire. "Hot enough for ya, 'Madara'?" he quipped, Blistering Blades firing rapidly, forcing Obito to phase. Vergil pressed, Lunar Phase Level 2, faster spins and a heel kick sending Obito skidding, gunbai raised defensively. He's good, but I'm better, Vergil thought, channeling Dante's bravado. Let's crank this up.
Obito growled, Wood Release: Cutting Technique, spikes erupting from his body. Vergil Trick Dodge, weaving through, Beast Uppercut launching Obito skyward. He followed, Kick 13, a flurry of kicks in mid-air, light flashing, but Obito teleported, Kamui, reappearing with Uchiha Flame Formation reinforcing the barrier, trapping Vergil.
"You're done, Sparda," Obito hissed, Wood Release: Wood Dragon reforming, chakra-draining jaws snapping. Vergil laughed, Heavy Rain Blades, swords pinning the dragon, then Dragon Breaker, shattering its head. "Done? I'm just getting started, fake!" he taunted, landing with a flourish.
Obito's Sharingan blazed, Kamui Dash closing the gap, gunbai swinging. Vergil blocked with Beowulf, light flaring, but the force pushed him back.
''Time to end the charade, 'Madara.'" A bluish-white aura erupted, Devil Trigger. His form shifted, skeletal face, green glowing eyes, bone-white cranial crest fanning like a crown, dark muscle plating glowing with white energy. Clawed feet dug in, jagged wing-like protrusions flared, two pairs of strip-like wings boosting aerial agility. His blue coat melded into the form, glowing faintly.
The plateau quaked, light pulsing from Vergil's fists. "Feel the light, Uchiha!" he roared, voice echoing with demonic menace. He blurred, Rising Dragon, an enhanced uppercut launching Obito, followed by Lunar Phase in DT, Rising Sun chaining automatically, kicks blazing with light, sending Obito crashing through his own flame barrier. Storm Blades followed, swords pincer-attacking, Obito phasing to avoid, but Vergil's speed in DT matched him, Starfall slamming him into the ground, light bursting.
Haku whispered, "His devil form… it's divine."
Ao grunted, "That's no man, that's a devil." Even 'Madara' can't keep up now.
Obito staggered, his Regeneration healing gashes, but Vergil loomed, DT aura crackling. He raised a gauntlet, light coalescing, not into a ball, but a shimmering, katana-like shape, its blade glowing with lunar patterns, feathers etched along its edge. The Lunar Blade flickered Vergil's smirk returning.