When the massive tree that had sunk into the earth rose again, her form had changed completely.
Hinata Hyuga—no, what had once been her—now stood cloaked in a jet-black tailcoat mantle. Her skin had taken on a colder, pale hue. Her hair flowed long and straight again, just as it had in her youth.
But the most terrifying change—
Her right eye had become a golden Tenseigan.
Her left eye, a pale purple Rinnegan.
She was no grotesque half-beast like the Ten-Tails puppets of legend.
She stood entirely human in form… yet utterly inhuman in essence.
"Hinata!! What did you do to her!? Give her eyes back!! Those disgusting eyes—change them back!!!"
Naruto's roar tore through the air.
Isshiki Otsutsuki ignored him.
Instead, he turned toward her—toward this new being—and spoke with solemn clarity:
"Hyuga Hinata. Setting aside my personal grudge with the Hokage, I respect women like you."
"The humiliation you endured before… is over."
"From this moment on, you will act as the embodiment of my Ten-Tails' will. Your power will be second only to mine."
"Leave your past behind. Begin with your name."
"Choose one worthy of your rebirth."
She—once Hinata—raised her gaze to the blazing sun.
Its light bathed the land.
Yet it could not save the rotting tree that was Konoha.
How ironic.
"…Tenki."
Her voice was cold, detached.
With that single word, Hyuga Hinata ceased to exist.
In her place stood—Isshiki's Divine Tree incarnation:
Tenki.
Isshiki gave a faint, almost amused smile.
"Tenki… a fine name. If you had a sister named Tenya, you two could debut as the 'Kaguya duo.'"
Tenki did not react.
She stood like an ice statue—silent, distant, absolute.
Isshiki continued, unfazed:
"You are the human manifestation of my Ten-Tails' will."
"You can wield all its power—wood release derived from divine techniques, and the Rinnegan in your left eye."
"That Rinnegan possesses not only the Six Paths abilities, but also the same ocular power as my own."
"You also carry Ōtsutsuki power—your right eye, the Tenseigan."
"And of course… you can freely use my techniques as well."
"You retain Hinata's memories—but only the memories. Her emotions are gone."
"Your will belongs to the Ten-Tails. You exist to serve me."
"Your sole mission—protect Kawaki until I complete my reincarnation."
Tenki listened, then spoke calmly:
"To protect Kawaki… I alone am not enough."
Isshiki narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Oh?"
"Kaguya has already revived. And Uchiha Akira is far more dangerous than you think."
Isshiki's expression grew serious.
"I was planning to visit this 'Hidden Darkness Village' soon… to meet them myself."
Tenki continued:
"Uchiha Akira can freeze time within a certain range."
"That alone makes him untouchable."
"Even Naruto, when he used power surpassing your pre-fusion state… was defeated by that ability."
"And that was before Akira used the Tailed Beasts."
"He already possesses the Demonic Statue and all Tailed Beasts. He can revive Kaguya's Ten-Tails at any time."
"Combined with Kaguya, and his allies… even with your current power, you do not have absolute victory."
"…I see."
Isshiki nodded slowly.
"Valuable intelligence."
"Very well. I'll adjust my plans."
Tenki raised her hand again.
"I need more guardians."
"More Divine Tree soldiers."
Boom—!!
Thick roots erupted without warning—
Wrapping around Sai and Ino Yamanaka.
"Hinata—NO!!!" Naruto screamed.
But Tenki did not stop.
Another hand rose—
Boom!!
A towering tree engulfed Kurenai Yuhi.
"Mom!!" Mirai Sarutobi cried—only to be knocked unconscious instantly.
Boom!!
Temari fought back with wind—
—but the tree did not yield.
She was swallowed.
Boom!!
Moegi Kazamatsuri closed her eyes in resignation.
"MOEGI!!" Konohamaru Sarutobi charged—
—but a branch pierced through his abdomen, dropping him instantly.
Five.
Tenki's golden gaze swept the crowd.
Then—
It stopped.
On a woman with violet hair.
"Me…?"
Yugao Uzuki barely had time to react—
Boom!!
She too was consumed.
Moments later—
The trees retracted.
Six figures stood.
All identical in transformation:
Black hair. Pale skin.
Right eye—Tenseigan.
Left eye—Rinnegan.
Six living puppets.
Six extensions of Tenki.
Isshiki's eyes gleamed with interest.
"You didn't create copies… you altered the originals."
"How?"
"By replacing their souls," Tenki replied calmly.
"With Tenseigan spirit orbs."
Isshiki chuckled softly.
"…Remarkable."
"They are my avatars. My puppets. My Six Paths."
"Tenki… you've exceeded my expectations."
Behind her calm exterior—
Yugao's consciousness trembled silently.
Incredible…
Even like this, my awareness remains…
That power… it must be Akira-sama's doing…
I can see… think… feel…
But I cannot move.
A window… watching my own body.
Meanwhile—
Isshiki turned his attention back to Naruto.
The Hokage hung from the Binding Bone Tree—
Eyes empty.
Light gone.
Isshiki sighed lightly.
"Honestly… you're already broken."
"There's no fun left in tormenting you."
"Perhaps I should just kill you."
Tenki spoke again:
"If I shatter him completely… will you spare him?"
Isshiki raised a brow.
"…You're saying he's not broken yet?"
"No."
She lifted her hand.
From the crowd—
Iruka Umino was dragged forward by invisible force.
She gripped his throat—
—and turned him toward Naruto.
Naruto's head lifted.
His hollow eyes trembled violently.
"…No… don't…"
Iruka smiled.
A gentle… final smile.
"Naruto… even if you can't be Hokage… there are many paths in life."
"Don't give up."
"You may fall… but stand again."
"You'll become stronger."
"…Ah… I wish we could share one more bowl at Ichiraku…"
CRACK.
Before Naruto's eyes—
Iruka's head flew into the sky.
And something inside Naruto—
finally—
shattered.
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