A long-lost reunion.
The God of Ōtsutsuki gazed at Prince Suigen before him and smiled with contempt.
"I never thought you would survive for so many years."
"And not only that—you even created such a clever little planet."
"Haha… you really are my little brother."
There was mockery in his voice.
But also certainty.
Prince Suigen laughed lightly.
"Brother, enough."
The smile on the God of Ōtsutsuki's face vanished instantly.
"You're still the same."
"Stubborn. Incorrigible."
Prince Suigen sighed.
Perhaps it was because he had not seen his brother for countless years.
Perhaps it was his last attempt to persuade him.
"Brother…"
"Life is sacred."
"You devour other lives, turn them into chakra, and use them as fuel."
"This destroys the balance of heaven and earth."
"The universe does not permit this."
"Shut up!!!"
The God of Ōtsutsuki roared.
"What do you know?!"
"The universe is a dark jungle!"
"The strong prey on the weak!"
"The strong harvest the weak!"
"That is the law of nature!"
"You think that just because you learned to borrow some energy from the environment, you're qualified to lecture me?"
"Innocent!"
He stared at Prince Suigen with disappointment.
"I thought after thousands of years, you would finally understand."
"But you're still as foolish as ever."
"Enough."
"I'll end this myself."
"I'll refine this planet into a Chakra Fruit."
"I'll eat it."
"And see how far intelligent life here has developed."
As he spoke—
His body expanded.
In an instant, he became a colossal being, towering over space like a divine giant.
At that moment, Takero and the others finally understood what their master meant by "invincible."
This power…
Was terrifying.
Unreasonable.
The God of Ōtsutsuki looked down upon the planet like a deity gazing at insects.
He spread his hands.
Massive energy gathered.
"Refining Field!"
Boom!!!
A gigantic barrier descended.
It sealed off the entire star region.
Crushing pressure poured down.
On the Chuigen Planet, countless weak cultivators exploded on the spot.
Animals perished.
Mountains collapsed.
Takero struggled and drew his sword.
But he couldn't move.
His body was completely suppressed.
"Damn it…"
"This isn't even the same dimension…"
Prince Suigen took a deep breath.
He began absorbing all surrounding dark matter.
Boom!!!
His body swelled.
In moments, he transformed into a giant equal in size to his brother.
With a violent strike, he smashed away the god's massive hands.
The God of Ōtsutsuki paused in surprise.
Then he sneered.
"So you've made some progress."
"Not just stubborn anymore."
Prince Suigen chuckled.
"Likewise."
The pressure vanished.
Takero could finally move.
He looked up, eyes trembling.
"Master…"
Natsuki wiped her tears.
"I knew… I knew Master wouldn't lose…"
Chuigen Yanshan spat blood.
"It's too early to say that…"
Sky Burial laughed weakly.
"If we die, we die… hahaha…"
Tianjian and Gongshan had already passed out.
"Come on, brother!"
Prince Suigen took the initiative.
He smashed aside a chakra hammer and charged forward.
Ōtsutsuki Retsu and others hurriedly ordered a retreat.
But Prince Suigen's control of dark matter was flawless.
"Stay!"
Wood Release bound them.
Fire Release incinerated them.
The God of Ōtsutsuki roared in fury.
"How dare you!!!"
He tried to rescue them—
Too late.
Most of the Ōtsutsuki warriors were annihilated.
Retsu was heavily injured.
Tatsuki was dead.
The God of Ōtsutsuki growled.
"You forced me!"
He raised his hand.
A supreme chakra sphere condensed.
Its power distorted space.
Prince Suigen narrowed his eyes.
If this exploded—
This entire star field would vanish.
"There's no other choice…"
He murmured.
He looked back.
At Takero.
At the disciples.
At Ichiro.
At the secret chamber.
At Naruto.
"Alright…"
"Alright…"
After whispering three times, he acted.
He seized the chakra sphere.
Opened his mouth—
And swallowed it whole.
Then—
He embraced his brother tightly.
The God of Ōtsutsuki roared.
"You dare!!!"
Takero screamed.
"No!!!"
Prince Suigen smiled gently.
The next second—
He detonated everything.
Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A universe-shaking explosion erupted.
Several star systems away, energy storms raged.
Even distant civilizations were affected.
But Takero and the others stabilized the aftermath.
Prince Suigen…
Was gone.
The God of Ōtsutsuki…
Disappeared.
For now.
Aftermath
Retsu was still alive.
Dozens of Ōtsutsuki remained.
The Chuigen Clan had few fighters left.
"Master!"
Tianlang, Tianxing, and Tianjian arrived.
Sky Burial shouted.
"Why are you here?!"
"Where's Naruto?!"
Tianxing cried.
"At Fire Gate… only three of us survived…"
"Naruto is safe. Brother Ichiro is guarding him."
Sky Burial staggered.
Takero gripped his sword.
"Well done."
"They're heroes."
"But don't cry."
"The enemy isn't dead yet."
Everyone turned.
Retsu stood, supported by survivors.
"Master… what do we do?"
"Let us feed you!"
"Absorb us!"
Silence fell.
If he absorbed them, he might win.
If not—
They would all die.
Retsu shook his head.
"No."
"You are all that remains."
"I won't sacrifice you."
"Help me up."
He prepared to burn himself.
To hold the enemy back.
To let his people escape.
Takero raised his sword.
Ready to charge.
Then—
A cold voice echoed.
"You almost succeeded…"
The void cracked.
The God of Ōtsutsuki reappeared.
His form shattered.
But alive.
His eyes burned with hatred.
The final stage had begun.