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Moments earlier, in Qianyu's spiritual world.
Hagoromo listened to the "intelligence" Qianyu shared about the Ōtsutsuki clan, and the more he heard, the more unsettled he grew.
When it came down to it, he was only a hybrid Ōtsutsuki. The only pure-blooded one he had ever truly seen was his mother, Kaguya.
He couldn't fathom the Ōtsutsuki possessing so many bizarre and formidable abilities. He hadn't realized that his own power was laughable, mere child's play, in the face of a true clan member.
"Junior, how do you know all this?"
Finally, the Sage of Six Paths looked at Qianyu, unable to suppress his confusion.
"Sage of Six Paths, how I know is unimportant. What's important… is you."
Mid-sentence, Qianyu snapped his head up, his eyes blazing with a profound, swirling purple light.
"You…?!"
The Sage's expression twisted in shock. He couldn't comprehend what was happening, but instinct screamed of a threat aimed directly at his soul.
"Moratta! (Got you!)"
Just as the Sage's chakra frantically tried to flee, Qianyu's figure suddenly materialized beneath him. One hand clamped down, holding him fast. A terrifying suction erupted from Qianyu, rooting the Sage's spirit in place.
Dōjutsu: Amenotejikara!
Truth-Seeking Orbs were, fundamentally, objects of highly condensed chakra.
Both in their spiritual forms, Qianyu had just locked onto one of the orbs beneath the Sage. His dōjutsu activated, swapping their positions in an instant.
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. This might sting a little. Try to bear with it."
"Young man, what are you— GAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Shock and fury were swallowed by excruciating, all-consuming pain. The Sage's majestic image shattered. His spiritual form contorted as a raw, agonized scream tore from him.
Dōjutsu: Takamimusubinokami!
To put it simply, this dōjutsu specialized in manipulating chakra. Right now, the Sage's soul was like a spirit that had fallen into the hands of an expert soul-eater. A perfect match.
"Keh keh keh, Senior. You pioneered this ninja world. Surely you're willing to make a little sacrifice for its continued existence?"
Qianyu let out a classic villain's chuckle.
No one got a free ride from him. If the Sage wouldn't give, he would just take. This overflowing chakra was pure nourishment. A feast.
"Don't worry, Sage of Six Paths. As thanks, I'll take good 'care' of your mother later."
To help Hagoromo pass on peacefully, Qianyu offered a kind consolation.
For some reason, Hagoromo's soul seemed to tremble even more violently, making the whole absorption process rather difficult.
…
Swish!
In the real world, Qianyu, Madara, and Hashirama opened their eyes simultaneously.
Qianyu's appearance had transformed dramatically.
Gray hair now fell past his shoulders. The sleeves of his white sage robe fluttered. Two short, elegant horns graced his forehead. His deep, mysterious purple Rinnegan held ancient power. Nine Truth-Seeking Orbs hovered in a perfect array behind him. He looked less like a mortal and more like a mythical being.
"Qianyu, you look like…!"
"Qianyu! Did you just steal the power that was rightfully mine?!"
Before a stunned Jiraiya could finish, Madara shoved himself up from the ground, pointing a furious, trembling finger at Qianyu.
"Yes. Exactly. That's what happened."
Qianyu considered denying it, but then he realized this was the perfect cover story for his sudden power-up. He nodded shamelessly.
"Actually, the Sage of Six Paths has been watching me, the Child of Prophecy, for a long time. Just now, after a thorough and mutually enlightening discussion, he decided to entrust all his power, and the future of this world, to me."
"I see!"
Jiraiya and the others had a sudden epiphany. Tobirama also wore a thoughtful expression.
While the trio had been unconscious, Tobirama had learned from Jiraiya about Qianyu's "Child of Prophecy" status.
Now it all made sense.
Perhaps the Sage had been guiding Qianyu all along, gradually bestowing power until he was ready to wield the complete strength of the Six Paths.
"Damn you, Qianyu! You always ruin my plans!"
Madara Uchiha glared, teeth grinding.
Qianyu was his nemesis. Ever since meeting this brat, nothing had gone right.
"What's this? Does the inherently evil Madara Uchiha wish to be 'killed' once more?"
Madara itched to lunge forward and strangle Qianyu with his bare hands. Tobirama stepped in, arms crossed, forming a cold barrier before him.
"Tobirama Senju!"
"Madara Uchiha!"
"Alright, alright. You two gave me enough headaches with your rivalry when you were alive. We share a common enemy now. Let go of the past."
Though he too had lost the powerful abilities that were within his grasp, Hashirama remained magnanimous. He stepped between the two, draping an arm around Madara's stiff shoulders.
"Madara. We could only accomplish so much in our lifetimes. You have to accept that. Leave the unfinished work to the next generation. We 'dead men' have no need to interfere."
"Hmph!"
Madara snorted. He was still furious, but nestled in his old friend's hold, the urge to fight Qianyu to the death reluctantly subsided.
"Child. I trust you as I trust all the children of the Leaf."
After calming Madara, Hashirama turned to Qianyu with an encouraging smile. "Since the Sage of Six Paths chose you, proceed with confidence. Follow your own path. If you need mine or Tobirama's help, just ask. We will assist you with everything we have."
"Thank you, Lord Hashirama. I understand."
To be trusted so unconditionally moved Qianyu. He nodded, his response solemn and sincere.
For the first time, Qianyu felt the profound charisma Hashirama radiated. Even with his own overwhelming power, Qianyu suddenly felt Hashirama was more the protagonist than he was.
No wonder so many were willing to die for him. Even a villain like Madara fell for that long, dark hair. As a rookie Hokage, I still have a lot to learn.
Qianyu shook off the sentiment. His expression turned serious as he addressed the group.
"Seniors, please stay here. Leave Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to me. I have the perfect plan."
Jiraiya and the others fell silent.
It was true. As the enemy's power level skyrocketed, they were out of their league. Following would only make them a burden.
"Be careful, Qianyu!"
"You have to beat that woman, Qianyu!"
"Hmph. You'd better die by her hand. It would save me the trouble."
Amidst their parting words, Qianyu's figure shot into the sky, a streak of light speeding toward Kaguya's location.
With a double dose of Six Paths power… I'm fully charged and overflowing. I'm on her level now.
As he flew, Qianyu glanced at his hands, a sharp glint in his eyes. He ran through countless scenarios, rehearsing the coming confrontation.
…
Meanwhile, at the massive severed base of the God Tree.
Under Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's chakra, the thousand-meter-tall tree trunk returned to its place. The mirror-smooth fracture began to mend rapidly, soon to be fully restored.
The God Tree was the nursery for the Chakra Fruit, the incubator for her White Zetsu army, and part of Kaguya's own "body." She couldn't afford to lose it. Her focus on the task was absolute.
"…Amenominaka!"
Suddenly, the red Rinne Sharingan on Kaguya's forehead flashed. Her form vanished instantly, abandoning the wounded tree without a second thought.
"Her combat IQ might be low, but her instincts are terrifyingly fast. Worthy of the Rabbit Goddess."
Qianyu's figure materialized silently before the God Tree. He muttered, a hint of genuine surprise in his tone.
He had approached stealthily, intending to repeat his trick: use Amenotejikara to swap with something near Kaguya and hit her with a Six Paths—Chibaku Tensei to seal her.
But Kaguya's reaction speed was monstrous. Sensing the spatial fluctuation the moment it began, she activated Amenominaka, forcibly canceling the teleportation.
Amenominaka was the unique power of Kaguya's Rinne Sharingan. It could instantly transfer herself and others to another dimension—an inescapable technique for any non-Ōtsutsuki.
Swish!
A moment later, Kaguya reappeared. Her beautiful eyes scanned Qianyu warily, her body poised to counterattack.
"Lady Kaguya. We don't have to be enemies. Since we can't easily overcome each other… let's talk. What do you say?"
Qianyu shelved his attack plan for now. He spread his arms open, a friendly smile on his face.
"…Black Zetsu said you carried the will of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki. But the chakra you bear… it belongs to my son, Hagoromo. You carry his will."
Kaguya had seen through his "essence." Her voice was clear, cold, and accusatory. "So, like that unfilial child, will you use the very chakra born from me to seal me away for another thousand years?"
"No, no, no. I serve no one. I don't wish to live as someone else's vessel. And… I know far more than Hagoromo ever did."
Qianyu shook his head, his tone turning grave. "I know how terrifying your clansmen are. I know they will descend upon this world one day."
"I have already claimed this planet as my own. I suspect you have as well. We share a common enemy."
"So let's cooperate, Lady Kaguya. But as your equal… I demand a share of the God Tree's fruit!"
Qianyu's gaze burned into Kaguya. He delivered the proposal he had crafted on the way, awaiting her response.
As for whether it was genuine cooperation or a ruse… only Qianyu knew. A dangerously bold idea simmered in his mind. Its success hinged entirely on Kaguya's next move.
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