As the barrier rose, the battle officially began.
Two powerful auras collided, and a faint wind rippled outward from the center of the arena.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Shisui had lost interest in the match entirely. Their minds were already on the Moon—on Kaguya—and the truth she alone could provide.
Far beyond the sky…
"The Grand Elder warned us to be cautious. This mission may be dangerous."
Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki spoke respectfully to Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Kinshiki existed solely as a subordinate—an enforcer. Even Momoshiki's communicator was carried on Kinshiki's person.
Momoshiki laughed with cold arrogance.
"Dangerous? This insignificant planet? Are you referring to that traitor?"
He snorted.
"So what if she devoured the God Tree's chakra fruit? She's nothing but a branch-family lowlife. How dare she swallow a main-family fruit on her own?"
Their words transmitted through specialized chakra channels, vibrating between their bodies like thought itself.
"That Isshiki is useless as well," Urashiki Ōtsutsuki added dismissively.
"He relied entirely on being the Third Elder's grandson and still managed to be defeated by a servant."
Momoshiki glanced at Urashiki, choosing not to speak; he knew that engaging would only unleash Urashiki's incessant chatter.
With a flare of chakra, Momoshiki accelerated forward, tearing through space.
"…So they're finally coming."
Kaguya murmured.
The Ōtsutsuki Clan was divided into main and branch families. The branch family existed solely to serve—to fight as expendables or become nourishment for the God Tree.
Recalling the vast changes in the Ninja World—and the evolution of her own strength—Kaguya's eyes hardened with determination.
"Then let them come.
Let's see who is truly stronger."
She remembered Naruto's words—words that had carved themselves into her heart.
"Systems like main and branch families shouldn't exist. Strength should define a person, not bloodline hierarchy."
A faint light flickered in Kaguya's gaze—hope, and longing for something she had never possessed.
A spatial gate tore open beside her.
Naruto and Shisui stepped through.
"Are the Ōtsutsuki already on the move?" Naruto asked directly.
Kaguya looked toward him, her bearing calm and divine. It was difficult to imagine that she had once been considered insignificant among her clan.
In truth, any Ōtsutsuki dispatched to a lower world was already a supreme figure by their clan's standards.
She guided them into the Moon Palace.
Toneri was stationed before the giant Tenseigan interface, his clan's puppets and Byakugan users assisting in surveillance.
Due to changes in the Ninja World, the Moon's branch of the clan still had several surviving descendants—Toneri was now their acting leader.
With a graceful gesture of her hand, Kaguya activated the Tenseigan.
A beam of light expanded into an image—three glowing chakra signatures speeding through the void.
The Ōtsutsuki trio.
"Judging by their velocity, they will arrive in the Ninja World within three days," Kaguya said softly, her voice echoing like distant chimes.
Naruto lowered his head, thinking.
"Three days…"
He wasn't worried about defeating them.
He was worried about the chain reaction their deaths would cause.
Right now, the Ninja World was a pile of dry tinder.
One spark—and everything could burn to ashes.
"It's manageable. Just prepare for the arrival of stronger Ōtsutsuki," Naruto said. "If things become impossible, transfer your consciousness into a clone and join the Spark Plan."
The Spark Plan—an initiative created by Naruto's team—was designed for the worst-case scenario: abandoning the Ninja World, preserving life, and wandering the universe until the flames of civilization could rise again.
Naruto was painfully aware that reaching true godhood in a few short years was unlikely.
Even without bottlenecks, even with Heaven Rewards Diligence, rising from demigod to true divine strength was a leap that dwarfed the gap between human and demigod.
Thus, the Spark Plan was born.
A genetic library storing samples from across the Ninja World—records, data, even frozen fertilized eggs—ensuring the continuation of life should destruction become inevitable.
Orochimaru oversaw the entire project.
Kaguya shook her head.
"No. This concubine will not flee."
Her voice was firm.
"And besides… we may not lose."
She looked deeply at Naruto.
"I see the power of destiny woven around you.
It is like a mist—no matter how I grasp for it, it slips away.
But the windmill of fate spins wildly upon you."
Her tone trembled with something between reverence and hope.
"You are a turning point, Naruto."
Kaguya spoke with earnest seriousness, and Naruto couldn't help feeling a little helpless at the weight in her eyes.
Did even Kaguya see him as a savior now?
Or… was she searching for a spiritual anchor after centuries of isolation?
"You really do put your faith in me, don't you?"
Naruto let out a small laugh. It wasn't just Kaguya—many people in the Ninja World believed the coming war would be won under his leadership. Their confidence in him was unwavering.
His gaze shifted toward the image projected by the Tenseigan, lost in thought.
On the Battlefield
"Metal, give it up. My Lightning Release Armour isn't something you can break!"
The battle between Metal Lee and Yotsuki Fū had reached its peak.
Fists clashed, bodies blurred, momentum thundered. Their abilities were no secret—neither possessed a long list of techniques. Their strengths were simple and direct:
Pure physique. Pure speed. Pure power.
You couldn't defeat them with knowledge alone.
Both were covered in bruises.
"Take this! I'm not losing to someone who only talks big!"
Metal shouted, glaring at Yotsuki Fū, whose body was battered but whose arrogance remained intact.
Metal himself wasn't faring much better—bloody scratches lined his arms and torso.
Once again, the two surged forward, vanishing and reappearing in streaks of speed so fast that afterimages filled the arena.
Someone unaware might easily mistake it for Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their clashes created a brutal rhythm—no flashy ninjutsu, no overwhelming spectacle.
Just raw taijutsu: bodies crashing, fists meeting flesh, muscle against muscle.
Lightning crackled around Fū's form—this was the upgraded Lightning Release Armour, electricity surging along every nerve and muscle fiber. Each blow he landed was like a high-voltage Lightning Release technique striking from point-blank range.
Metal, meanwhile, was wrapped in pure physical vitality and willpower.
His fists were heavy with the power of intent—the essence of martial spirit.
After reaching the level of Martial Arts Super Kage, one naturally began to comprehend the power of intent—a focused spiritual pressure that merged with physical strikes.
Martial arts and chakra cultivation had grown more sophisticated in modern times, and power at equal levels was now greater than ever.
Ever since Shisui introduced the concept of intent, and Might Guy had awakened the True Intent of the Tiger, Martial Arts True Intent had started spreading among elite martial artists.
This stage was now known as the Master Realm.
The True Intent of the Tiger, once condensed, could even shield the mind against genjutsu—though the effect depended on the purity and clarity of one's intent.
The clearer the intent, the deeper the comprehension, the stronger the leap in power.
Metal had not yet stepped into the Super Kage tier…but he had already begun to touch the power of intent.
A faint, invisible aura of fighting spirit flickered around him.
(End of Chapter)
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