In the southeastern valley of Peach Paradise's second layer, Kaguya sat cross-legged atop a lotus platform formed from Wood Release.
Natural energy surged into her body like a tidal wave.
Those who had consumed the chakra fruit of the Divine Tree possessed permanent mastery over natural energy. For Kaguya, senjutsu was no longer a technique—it was as instinctive as breathing.
Beyond enhancing her base strength, she also adapted natural energy to the trace amounts of Tailed Beast chakra within her, creating a compatible and amplified power.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Truth-Seeking Orbs began forming behind her one after another, hovering in orderly formation.
Like Hagoromo, Kaguya could generate Truth-Seeking Orbs at will.
But her control over natural energy and Tailed Beast power was even more refined, her efficiency far superior.
In just one minute, she had already condensed twelve orbs.
"Whoosh!" The formation of the thirteenth was interrupted as she opened her eyes, looking toward the three figures descending through a space portal.
"Boom!"
Without a word, Akira launched a Time-Slaying Spear straight down!
Kaguya leapt aside. The spear pierced the lotus platform, freezing and sealing it where it stood.
The three landed, their eyes drawn to the row of Truth-Seeking Orbs behind her.
Obito muttered, "In just a few seconds… she's already come up with something new."
Both he and Madara now wielded Sage Art staffs formed from Truth-Seeking Orbs—created earlier by extracting Yin-Yang Release from Black Zetsu.
Floating midair, Kaguya scanned the battlefield before narrowing her gaze slightly.
"Madara's Limbo clones… have become eight. His Rinnegan shouldn't allow that number…"
Her eyes quickly locked onto Akira.
"The left eye shows signs of recent activation… enhancing technique output. Ototsu's Midobane… so that's it."
Kaguya thought calmly: The strength of Limbo clones is tied to the caster. Increasing their number alone isn't the issue… the real danger lies in the tactics they enable.
And the best way to counter tactics—
Is to eliminate their source.
Kill Akira.
"Whoosh!"
Kaguya struck first once again!
"Buzz!"
In front of her six-tomoe Rinnegan, dark red chakra condensed violently—forming a Tailed Beast Bomb of Ten-Tails level!
"That's…!"
Akira's gaze darkened. "Firing a Tailed Beast Bomb from the eye… that ability… so Kaguya can do it too?"
With a flick of her fingers, she adjusted the trajectory—
The bomb shot forward at terrifying speed!
"Boom!"
The forest erupted, swallowing Akira and the others!
Wood Release and Tailed Beast Bomb combined—there was no room to evade!
Madara activated Susanoo, blades tearing through the encroaching trees.
Obito summoned Susanoo as well, launching a Kamui shuriken upward, intercepting and warping the bomb into a chaotic vortex!
Madara roared, "Akira! Go execute your plan! I'll cover you with Limbo!"
"Exactly what I intended!"
Akira clasped his hands, riding a massive tree upward at high speed.
Kaguya frowned. Such blatant close combat… he must have a purpose.
She summoned her Truth-Seeking Orbs into a parasol-like shield while secretly opening Yomotsu Hirasaka, Ash Bones ready to strike.
—Divine Illumination!
"Crack!"
Akira's right eye flared, shattering the orb shield into black particles.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the hand emerging from the spatial rift—
But he didn't react.
Madara would handle it.
"Whoosh!"
A Limbo clone instantly appeared, blocking the rift and taking the Ash Bone hit!
Akira closed in.
Kaguya's brows knit. He wants to get this close… is he trying to seal me!?
"Swish!"
Her hair exploded outward, turning into a storm of Rabbit Hair Needles!
Too many—
Even Divine Illumination couldn't handle them all.
If he couldn't counter—
Then he would endure!
—Asura Sage Mode!
Takemikazuchi instantly shifted form!
No need for overwhelming output—
He would fight steadily!
Hands forming seals—
—Sage Art: Wood Release: Wood Dragon Spiral!
"Crack! Crack!"
The tree beneath him grew wildly, spiraling around his body to block the needle storm!
Then—
Seal changed.
His left eye glowed crimson.
—Midobane Enhanced Sage Art: Myojin Gate!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Crimson gates, etched with black runes, descended from the sky to suppress Kaguya!
Without hesitation, she redirected her Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack upward!
"Boom!!"
White fists collided with the gates!
Cracks spread—but the black runes bound them together, preventing collapse!
Only after sustained bombardment did the gates begin to shatter.
Kaguya thought, He enhanced them… with Midobane.
If I'd been pinned, he could've frozen me with time.
Seeing Akira's hand reaching—
Her mind flashed with memories.
Hagoromo and Hamura.
Naruto and Sasuke.
"Even if he lacks Yin-Yang seals… I still don't trust this!"
Her Rinnegan flared—
"Whoosh!"
A spatial rift opened between them!
Fall into it. Don't come near me.
Akira's eyes sharpened.
This first contact is everything!
—Time Reversal!
"Whoosh!"
Time rewound.
The rift snapped shut—
Vanished.
"What!?"
Before Kaguya could react—
Akira's fist slammed into her face!
"Bang!"
She shot downward!
"Now, Madara!"
"Bang!"
A Limbo clone struck her back, sending her flying toward Akira again!
"Bang!"
Akira punched her down again—
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Limbo clones and Akira formed a relentless aerial combo!
Kaguya was battered back and forth like a pinball, shockwaves rippling through the air!
"Not enough… I need at least twenty contacts to establish the causal link…!"
Fifteen hits landed in rapid succession—
But Kaguya recovered.
Truth-Seeking Orbs formed a barrier—
Breaking the combo!
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, Obito appeared behind her via Kamui!
Kaguya's Byakugan reacted instantly—six orbs shot toward him!
"Clang! Clang!"
Obito deflected them with his staff—
Then—
—Kamui!
"Crack!"
He tore open a hole in the barrier!
Madara emerged from Obito's vortex, launching forward—
His staff smashing into Kaguya's waist with immense force!
"Boom!"
She slammed into the barrier—
Cracks spread—
Two Limbo clones rushed in—
"Crack!"
The barrier shattered!
Kaguya flew out—
Straight into Akira's waiting fist!
"Don't even think about it!"
She fused the last two Truth-Seeking Orbs into her arms—
Black, molten power coated her fists!
Akira's eyes widened. "You can fuse them into your body!?"
"Boom!"
Her punch met his—
Crushing his entire arm into blood!
So strong… but it still counts as contact!
Then—
"Bang!"
Her other fist slammed into his face!
"Crack…!"
His skull shattered!
I'm going to die!
Desperately, Akira activated Time Reversal—
But the destructive force continued even as time rewound!
One misstep—
And his brain would burst.
He was walking a razor's edge.
He should've retreated—
But instead—
He leaned forward.
Using his head to push against her fist—
Kaguya's eyes widened in shock.
In that instant—
"Snap!"
Akira's restored hand shot out—
Grabbing her horn—
And breaking it!
"!"
The pain froze her movement!
"Clack!"
He grabbed both her wrists!
She retaliated—
Her nails elongated, piercing through his hands!
Akira, eyes bloodshot, bit into her neck!
"Ah…!"
This time—
She cried out.
Both fell to the ground together.
Blood flowed.
Proof—
She was no longer immortal.
I must survive… I must return to full power… or when they come—no one can—
Suddenly—
She froze.
Akira… was hugging her.
His blood-soaked hands gently held her head.
His voice, soft against her ear:
"Don't be afraid… I'll protect you. I swear it. Even if it costs my life… I'll protect you. Protect this world… so don't be afraid."
Tears streamed down her face.
For the first time—
Someone treated her like this.
From the moment he risked death to take her punch—
She had sensed his resolve.
Now she understood.
He truly wanted her as an ally.
Why…
Why did someone like you appear only now?
She embraced him tightly.
Lips near his ear—
"Thank you… I'm sorry."
"Crack!"
Ash Bones erupted from her body—
Piercing through him completely!
Cracks spread across Akira's skin—
But he smiled.
Relieved.
"Finally… it's done…"
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