Chapter 406: Self-Preservation and a Plea for Peace
On the other side, powerful members from the Ōtsutsuki Clan's Celestial faction had already departed from the Divine Realm, heading out to hunt down Uchiha Dali—and to reclaim the energy belonging to Ōtsutsuki Shoushi.
After all, Shoushi had already absorbed the energy of nine other elite members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, making his current strength far beyond that of an ordinary elite.
The energy contained within his body was so immense that even the King of the Ōtsutsuki Clan coveted it.
Naturally, they could not allow such power to fall into the hands of an enemy.
Following the King's command, Ōtsutsuki Hishiki—the leader of the Second Enforcement Squad, who had completed his fusion and grown into a super-powerful being—formally set out.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Dali had completely subdued Ōtsutsuki Shoushi.
At this moment, he was preparing to fully absorb Shoushi's energy.
But just then, Uchiha Dali suddenly felt a sense of danger.
It wasn't that he sensed a powerful aura specifically, but rather an overwhelming intuition—the result of his Observation Haki at work.
He foresaw an imminent threat.
Uchiha Dali frowned slightly. "Looks like your companions—no, your allies—are on their way to rescue you."
Hearing his words, the immobilized Ōtsutsuki Shoushi's eyes flickered slightly in surprise.
Then he gave a cold snort. "What's this? Are you afraid?"
"Afraid? Hahahahaha…"
Uchiha Dali burst out laughing, as though he had just heard something amusing.
After laughing, he straightened his expression and instantly appeared right before Shoushi.
"I haven't asked your name yet. You're at least a worthy opponent for me to fight. Killing you without even knowing who you are would be a bit disrespectful."
"Hmph, your grandpa's name is Ōtsutsuki Shoushi!"
Shoushi replied arrogantly.
"Well, since you're about to die anyway, I suppose I can let you boast a little before you go."
Uchiha Dali nodded calmly, showing no anger.
At that, Shoushi narrowed his eyes and spat contemptuously. "Then hurry up and give me a clean death!"
"What are you waiting for?"
"Don't be impatient," Dali said casually. "If you want to die, that's easy."
"But to kill you just like this—it'd be far too merciful for your kind."
He spoke with such calm detachment that Shoushi's eyes narrowed again.
"What are you planning?" he asked warily.
"What am I planning? Heh…"
Uchiha Dali sat cross-legged in midair, his tone unhurried. "There's no harm in telling you."
"Since your comrades are rushing all the way from your headquarters to rescue you, they must care deeply about something you possess. I don't believe in things like 'bonds,' so let me take a guess."
"They don't want your energy falling into my hands. Am I right?"
When he finished speaking, Dali looked at Shoushi with a half-smile.
Shoushi's expression instantly darkened.
Because deep down, he had already guessed as much.
In fact, he could be one thousand percent certain—those coming to "rescue" him were doing so not out of loyalty, but simply to prevent his energy from being absorbed by someone else.
Which meant Uchiha Dali had guessed correctly.
Despite all being members of the same Ōtsutsuki Clan, even among the elites, betrayal and internal strife were commonplace.
If anyone showed even the slightest weakness, the others would seize the chance to kill and absorb that person's energy.
So when Dali bluntly revealed this truth, Shoushi's face twisted in frustration.
After a pause, his tone softened. "Uchiha Dali… what do you want?"
The sudden shift in attitude—180 degrees from arrogance to negotiation—instantly piqued Dali's interest.
He looked at Shoushi with amusement, but said nothing.
Seeing Dali's silence, Shoushi continued, "I admit, you're right. Those people aren't coming to save me—they're coming to stop you from gaining my energy."
"When they arrive and see me in this state, even if you don't kill me, I'll still die—without a doubt."
"My energy will fall into their hands."
"And one more thing—you'll never be able to defeat them, Uchiha Dali. So why don't we work together?"
"After all, our goals now align."
"I just want to stay alive—not to be killed by you, and not to be devoured by those who covet my power."
"And you, you wish to challenge the entire Ōtsutsuki Clan. But to do that, you'll have to face the King himself. So, how about an alliance? That's an offer you can't refuse."
After laying it all out, he looked at Dali expectantly.
Right now, he desperately hoped Dali would release him.
If Dali freed him, working together wouldn't be out of the question.
The situation was clear enough—those in the Divine Realm had already abandoned him.
Uchiha Dali, however, remained unmoved after hearing Shoushi's proposal.
In fact, he found it a little funny.
"You really don't seem to understand the situation, old friend."
"I'm about to seize your energy. What makes you think you're in any position to negotiate with me?"
The thing he desired most was right before him, and this fool still wanted to "make a deal."
Wasn't that laughable?
To Dali, this man was truly ridiculous.
Yet even under Dali's mocking tone, Shoushi didn't get angry. Instead, he calmly said, "I know what you're thinking."
"And I know what worries you, Uchiha Dali. Since I'm offering an alliance, I obviously have something far more valuable than what you imagine."
"If there wasn't an extraordinary benefit to entice you, would I waste time talking? Do you really think I'm the fool here—or is it you?"
Shoushi's words were sharp and provocative—an open challenge to anyone's pride.
But Dali didn't get angry. Instead, he looked even more intrigued.
"Oh? Then tell me," Dali said, his eyes glinting with interest. "What kind of offer could you possibly make—one that I can't refuse?"
"What benefit could you give me?"
"I'll make one thing clear—if you're talking about a Chakra Fruit or anything of that level, don't bother. That sort of thing can't even begin to satisfy my appetite."
As soon as Dali said that, Shoushi's heart sank.