Watching Indra descend rapidly, Isamu deactivated his Susanoo and dropped from the sky to catch him. At the same time, Karura, who had activated Tenseigan Mode, also rushed forward. Both moved to catch Indra, but in the end, Karura was a step faster.
"Big Brother, are you alright?" Karura asked worriedly as she landed while supporting Indra, looking at his tattered clothes and injured body.
"I'm fine."
After reassuring Karura, Indra turned to look at Isamu. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"To be able to unleash such a powerful spear… I lost this duel."
Indra remained silent for a long time before finally accepting defeat.
This was the second time he had ever been defeated.
The first time had been when Ashura inherited leadership of the Ninja Sect. Back then, Indra had lost while facing Ashura together with the support of the Old Man and many others. Losing while fighting against many opponents at once was understandable.
But this time was different.
This was a true one-on-one battle.
His first genuine defeat.
"Actually, you didn't lose," Isamu replied calmly. "In a pure Susanoo battle, I admit I'm not your match. This time, I borrowed power that wasn't originally mine. Besides, I don't believe this is your true peak. You're still not at your strongest."
Toward Indra, the ancestor of the Uchiha, Isamu showed neither mockery nor contempt—only respect.
"Heh, Isamu, you don't need to comfort me." Indra sighed lightly. "A loss is a loss. We Ōtsutsuki aren't incapable of accepting defeat. Besides, if you say I haven't reached my peak, do you think I can't tell that you aren't at yours either?"
Though he accepted the result outwardly, it was impossible for him to completely let go of it emotionally so quickly.
After all, he was one of the two great rulers of the age.
No matter how open-minded he appeared, accepting a personal defeat was not easy.
Thus, the duel between the two Dōjutsu users ended with Isamu's victory.
As for Ashura, who had rushed over after sensing the battle, he ultimately arrived too late. By the time he reached the area, the fight had already concluded. It wasn't until the following day that he learned who had been fighting Indra.
Ninja Sect Headquarters
"Second Brother, the one fighting Big Brother Indra was that fellow who appeared out of nowhere."
Mandala shook his head in amazement.
"I never imagined he would possess such strength. With him helping Big Brother, Indra's influence is bound to increase dramatically."
When he first met Isamu, Mandala hadn't taken him seriously.
After all, no matter how talented someone was, how strong could they be without Ōtsutsuki blood?
Yet Isamu had displayed power comparable to the pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki—and had even defeated Indra.
It was almost unbelievable.
"As expected, it was him."
Ashura sighed softly.
"I could already tell he wasn't ordinary. But I never imagined his strength would be enough to defeat Indra in a direct duel. This man is truly extraordinary."
A trace of concern appeared on Ashura's face.
Because of Isamu's appearance, the balance between him and Indra was slowly being disrupted.
The scales had begun tilting toward Indra.
And the source of it all was a mysterious outsider who had appeared from nowhere.
"Second Brother, now that such an unexpected powerhouse has appeared, isn't it meaningless for you and Big Brother to keep fighting?"
Seeing an opportunity, Mandala immediately pressed the issue.
"Why not make peace? Continuing this conflict will only create more casualties."
Although Isamu was extremely powerful, Mandala didn't believe he was invincible.
If he and Karura joined forces, they could still suppress him.
The reason he had exaggerated earlier was to pressure Ashura and create a chance for reconciliation.
Unfortunately, it failed.
"Mandala, don't bring this up again."
Ashura's expression darkened.
"Even if I die, I will never acknowledge Indra's ideology."
He slammed his hand onto the table.
"If I retreat now, what kind of world will exist under Indra's rule?"
"'Only absolute power can bring peace'—if Indra truly governs the world through force, it would be a disaster."
"I can never agree with that."
Looking at him, Mandala could only sigh.
His second brother was excellent in every regard.
Except for one thing.
He was every bit as stubborn as Indra.
Once he made a decision, not even death could make him change it.
There was nothing Mandala could do.
"I wonder how Little Sister is doing over there…"
Mandala muttered.
He cared deeply for the family's youngest and most beloved member.
Then his expression darkened.
"If that fellow Indra dares bully Little Sister, I definitely won't let him off."
"Lord Ashura! This is bad! This is very bad!"
A Ninja Sect member suddenly rushed into the hall, covered in dust and blood.
He dropped to one knee, trembling.
Ashura's expression immediately changed.
This man belonged to the Intelligence Department assigned to monitor Indra's forces.
The department consisted of ten elite operatives.
Yet only one had returned.
Didn't that mean the other nine had all been captured—or worse?
"What happened?" Ashura demanded, standing instantly.
The intelligence operative lowered his head.
"Yesterday, we detected a powerful battle near Indra's territory and went to investigate."
"We didn't expect to be discovered."
"Aside from me, the other nine members of the Intelligence Department were surrounded."
"Their current situation… is unknown."
His voice trembled, and tears streamed down his face.
"Damn it!"
Ashura's fist clenched tightly.
"Indra only suspended the war for a few days. Does he intend to start everything again?"
The Intelligence Department contained companions who had followed him since the earliest days.
They were not merely subordinates.
They were comrades.
Friends.
"We never abandon our companions."
Ashura immediately gave the order.
"Gather the warriors of the Ninja Sect."
"We move out immediately."
"We're bringing them home."
"Yes, Lord Ashura!"
The messenger rushed out.
Throughout the Ninja Sect headquarters, warriors quickly assembled without hesitation.
Their loyalty to Ashura was absolute.
Soon, only Ashura and Mandala remained in the hall.
Ashura looked toward his cousin.
"Mandala, I'm going to confront Indra and rescue our people."
"What about you?"
"Will you come with me, or remain here?"
Truthfully, Ashura hoped Mandala would join him.
Someone would be needed to keep Isamu occupied.
However, Mandala wasn't a member of the Ninja Sect.
Even as family, Ashura couldn't order him around.
The choice had to be his own.