'Boom, boom, boom.'
The battle ahead continued.
Relying on his extensive combat experience, Madara, whose strength was approaching the Six Paths level, faced Urashiki Ōtsutsuki, who had reached the Kekkei Mōra level, without falling behind.
Of course, neither of them was using their full strength.
They were mostly testing each other.
There were others present. If they truly fought to the death, a third party might take advantage of them.
Although Urashiki possessed the arrogance of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, he was not stupid.
When faced with an enemy he could not easily defeat, he would choose another way to achieve his goal.
Using Karasuki to travel through time and attempting to capture the Nine-Tails before Naruto had grown up was a clever choice in itself.
Madara was even less willing to go all out. Seiryū, whom he remained wary of, was still present, so he merely countered each of Urashiki's attacks.
"Can't you fight a little more seriously?"
Watching the battle, Seiryū maintained the Eight Inner Gates Formation but had deactivated Dragon Vein Chakra Mode.
He had no intention of intervening yet.
He was assessing Urashiki's strength.
In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Urashiki had died under rather inexplicable circumstances and did not seem to have displayed his full power.
Although he was considered a disgrace among Kekkei Mōra wielders, he was still a genuine Kekkei Mōra wielder.
He could look down on the enemy strategically, but he still had to take him seriously in battle.
He could not afford to be careless.
Tsunade flashed over, glanced at the battle, and asked Seiryū, "How much longer can you maintain the Eight Inner Gates Formation?"
Seiryū briefly sensed the Chakra within his body.
"If I don't fight, maintaining it for about an hour won't be a problem."
"What about the aftereffects?"
"I still can't completely control how to deactivate it. Just like last time, removing my heart will work. It's only a minor problem."
Tsunade fell silent.
Only this brat could speak so casually about removing his own heart.
What a freak.
Tsunade asked again, "Do you know who they are? They must have come from another space-time, right?"
Seiryū replied, "The Uchiha over there is Fugaku's son, and the one who looks about my age is Naruto's son, which makes him Senpai's grandson."
Tsunade rubbed her temples.
"Although this isn't the first time I've seen something like this, it's still surprising."
Even Fugaku's son and Minato's grandson had appeared.
This was not a minor matter, and Tsunade was somewhat worried.
"Will this cause any lasting effects? I mean, could this happen again in the future?"
There had been a first time and now a second time. Could there also be a third or fourth?
If more incidents like this happened in the future, or if someone tried to travel to another space-time, it would become a serious problem.
Hopefully, it would not eventually develop into a war between two different space-times.
That would be extremely difficult to handle.
"It shouldn't."
Seiryū thought for a moment before saying, "Space-times with different histories are like two parallel lines."
"If Dragon Vein Chakra hadn't interfered with space and time, there would be no possibility of contact between them."
"It's more likely that both the previous incident and this one were accidents."
Accidental factors were indeed more likely.
At least for Seiryū, who had completely mastered the Dragon Vein Chakra, opening a passage to another space-time was still difficult.
The first time Naruto travelled through time, it was because the Dragon Vein Chakra in his space-time had completely gone out of control.
The erupting Dragon Vein Chakra forcibly tore open a space-time passage, allowing Naruto and Yamato to enter this different space-time.
As for this time, Karasuki had already explained what happened.
They had been disturbed inside the space-time passage, causing them to accidentally arrive in this space-time.
In both cases, accidents had played the greatest role.
Of course, was there a way for Seiryū's Dragon Vein to open a passage to another space-time?
There was.
He could completely ignite the Dragon Vein Chakra, similar to the Nine-Tails' Baryon Mode, sacrificing its life to stimulate even greater Chakra and forcibly tear open a space-time passage.
However, there was no reason to do so.
For Seiryū, the Dragon Vein was the key to unlocking intangibility. Without it, his strength would decline significantly.
There was also another possibility.
He could obtain the Karasuki of this space-time and combine it with the Dragon Vein's ability to distort space and time.
That might make it possible to open a passage to another space-time.
Tsunade exhaled.
"Let's hope so. I don't want this to eventually turn into a war between different space-times. I wouldn't know how to deal with that."
Seiryū rubbed his chin.
"Still, other space-times sound rather interesting. I'm somewhat curious about you and the others in another space-time."
After thinking about it, Seiryū shook his head.
"Forget it. That probably shouldn't happen. I'm afraid I might kill someone."
It would be impossible to say that he was not interested in the original space-time.
He wanted to see the Fourth Shinobi World War there for himself.
However, when he thought about how the people he liked in that other space-time were either dead or married, only Tsunade remained single.
Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.
It was better for different space-times to have as little contact as possible. The personal complications alone would be difficult to handle.
Tsunade glanced sideways at Seiryū, guessed what he was thinking, and curled her lips.
"Are you still thinking about us in another space-time?"
"But I don't really want to know about them, and I don't want them to know about me."
From Naruto, who had come from another space-time, she had learned that Seiryū did not exist there.
Although she did not know why, she still found it difficult to accept.
At the same time, she did not want the other Tsunade to learn about her relationship with Seiryū.
She would probably be treated like a pervert.
Seiryū defended himself.
"Rather than thinking about it, I'm simply curious about what kind of life you would live without me."
Tsunade sneered.
"Maybe I would live better. I wouldn't have to worry about you."
"Do you know how troublesome you are? You have countless bad habits!"
"I think the other you would grow old alone."
Seiryū scoffed.
"Without someone as outstanding as me around, it's unlikely that you would take an interest in anyone else with your standards. She should envy you for having me by your side!"
Tsunade fell silent.
He truly had no shame.
'Boom!'
A roar echoed across the battlefield.
Two Dōjutsu collided as opposing repulsive forces surged against each other, distorting the air at the center of the impact.
The ground crumbled inch by inch, and a crater appeared.
The two figures retreated in opposite directions.
They stood at a distance, facing each other.
Urashiki's red six-tomoe Rinnegan stared at Madara as he cursed inwardly.
'What a troublesome opponent. Why did someone like him appear here?'
Why did this man feel even stronger than Naruto and Sasuke?
Urashiki still could not determine what point in time he had arrived in.
How could such a powerful person have appeared here?
Madara stared at Urashiki's red six-tomoe Rinnegan, his expression equally solemn.
"A red Rinnegan with tomoe. What kind of eyes are those?"
At first, Urashiki had possessed only a pair of Byakugan.
However, once the battle began, his eyes had transformed into red Rinnegan with tomoe.
Were those also Rinnegan?
Who exactly was this man?
What kind of clan was the Ōtsutsuki Clan?
Were they also Sages, like the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo?
"Lowly monkey, I admit that you're very strong!"
Urashiki narrowed his eyes and spoke to Madara.
"Not only did you awaken the Rinnegan, but you're also a descendant of that woman Kaguya. You're qualified to become a true member of the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"As long as you hand over the Tailed Beasts, I can recommend that the clan elders accept you as a true member of the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan."
Madara repeated the name, his tone calm.
"Hand over the Tailed Beasts? Are they your goal as well? What do you want them for?"
"As expected of a lowly monkey!"
Urashiki spat, still displaying the arrogance of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
"Even if your strength is impressive, you're still a monkey. Don't you even understand the true nature of Chakra?"
"Hand over the Tailed Beasts. They are not something you lowly monkeys are qualified to possess."
Urashiki stared at Madara.
"Only in the hands of the noble Ōtsutsuki Clan can the Tailed Beasts display their true power!"
He already knew that the Tailed Beasts were the essence of Kaguya's Divine Tree.
As long as all the Tailed Beasts were gathered, Kaguya's Divine Tree could bear fruit once more.
The Chakra Fruit was a treasure desired by every member of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, and it was also the key to their evolution.
Although Urashiki was one of the few Kekkei Mōra wielders in the Ōtsutsuki Clan and a genuine genius, he still longed for the Chakra Fruit.
It would increase his strength and raise his status within the clan.
"The true power of the Tailed Beasts."
Madara frowned.
The Tailed Beasts were Chakra creatures separated from the Ten-Tails.
As long as the Chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts was reunited, the Ten-Tails would be resurrected.
Becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki meant obtaining the power of a Sage.
Madara already knew this.
Only by becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki and gaining the power of a Sage could he activate Infinite Tsukuyomi, the strongest Genjutsu.
Apart from that, did the Tailed Beasts have another purpose?
Perhaps he could learn something from Urashiki.
Thinking of this, Madara asked calmly, "What kind of people are the Ōtsutsuki Clan? Are you also Sages, like the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo?"
"Heh. You don't even know about the Ōtsutsuki Clan. You truly are a descendant of Kaguya, that lowly subordinate."
Urashiki became even more disdainful, his tone filled with mockery.
He spread his arms and spoke with pride.
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan is the noblest clan in the entire universe."
"Every member is born with immense power and an extraordinarily long lifespan."
"It is something you native monkeys could never imagine."
"Before us, all people and all powers can only submit."
"We rule this vast universe, and everything within it will eventually belong to us. That is the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"
Urashiki looked proudly at Madara.
"Hand over the Tailed Beasts. They are the essence of the Divine Tree cultivated by that foolish woman Kaguya."
"A monkey like you, who possesses only a thin trace of her bloodline, is not qualified to possess them."
Being belittled repeatedly caused murderous intent to appear in Madara's eyes.
However, he did not lose his temper and merely spoke coldly.
"If what you say is true, then why have I never heard of this so-called Ōtsutsuki Clan?"
The Ōtsutsuki Clan ruled the universe?
The Tailed Beasts were the essence of the Divine Tree?
Kaguya, the progenitor of Chakra, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya?
Madara realized that things were not so simple.
"That is why I said you're a lowly monkey. You don't understand true power at all."
Urashiki sneered, his tone arrogant.
"Submit to me and hand over all the Tailed Beasts in your possession."
"I can make an exception and allow a monkey with diluted blood like you to become one of our clansmen and bear the Ōtsutsuki name!"
"Submit to you? Bear the Ōtsutsuki name?"
Madara's eyes became sharp and filled with killing intent.
"Who do you think you're speaking to? I am Madara!"
Make Madara submit?
It was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
Even a god or a Sage could not make Madara submit, much less the so-called Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Because he was Madara!
"Forget it. Once I defeat you, I can force you to reveal everything I want to know."
Madara no longer intended to waste time talking.
Urashiki was unlikely to reveal much more anyway.
Then he would fight.
As long as Madara defeated him, he could force the answers out of him.
"It seems your negotiation failed."
Just as Madara prepared to attack again, Seiryū flashed over.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Then I have something to say."
Looking at Urashiki, Seiryū smiled meaningfully.
"Sir Ōtsutsuki, there is something very important I need your help with."
"Hmm?"
Urashiki looked toward Seiryū.
His gaze was even more disdainful than when he looked at Madara.
"And what kind of monkey are you? Your bloodline is so diluted that even its most basic power hasn't awakened."
"Heh. I suppose it is already surprising that Kaguya, that lowly subordinate, managed to produce one or two descendants who awakened the Rinnegan."
"A monkey like you doesn't even deserve to possess the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"
Seiryū's bloodline was so diluted that he had not even awakened the Byakugan.
Urashiki did not even want to acknowledge that such a person carried Ōtsutsuki blood.
What else could he be but a native monkey?
It disgusted him.
"Who I am isn't important. What matters is that I want to ask you for a favor."
Seiryū did not care about Urashiki's words.
His smile only grew brighter.
"Would you mind kneeling and bowing your head before me? Even the system can't stand your arrogant attitude."
Just moments earlier, the system had issued a mission.
[Ding! A member of the Zero Division has descended. The Zero Division is the Royal Guard. Its primary duty is to protect the Soul King Palace and the Soul King, and all its actions must follow the will of the Soul King!]
[Originally a guard of the Soul King, this member descended to the Soul Society because of personal ambition, attempting to use the authority of the Zero Division to overthrow the Soul Society and bring chaos to the Three Realms!]
[This is a betrayal of duty and an unforgivable crime!]
[As the future Soul King, the host must correct this wrongdoing and punish the Zero Division member who harbors evil intentions!]
[Mission issued: Make this Zero Division member recognize the identity and responsibilities of the Zero Division!]
[Mission reward: Advanced Bakudō Compendium!]
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)