The nine chakra streams torn from the Ten-Tails surged back into the bases of the Chibaku Tensei spheres—carrying with them the will of the Nine Tailed Beasts.
Their chakra volume hadn't changed.
But their will—
Had doubled.
Kurama, being only half, now carried the will of a full Nine-Tails on top of itself—effectively doubled twice.
The effect was immediate.
"RUMBLE—!!!"
Cracks spread across the planetary spheres.
They were about to collapse.
"Oh?" Akira glanced upward. "They broke free from my genjutsu… even pushing Chibaku Tensei to its limit."
"BOOM!"
Tails burst out first.
Then heads.
Each beast emerged—eyes glowing crimson—locking onto Akira standing atop the Ten-Tails.
Obito frowned. "Their chakra hasn't increased… so why are they this strong?"
Akira replied calmly, "Their power hasn't changed."
"Their will has overloaded them."
Madara added, "Like humans in rage—drawing out strength beyond their limits."
"WHOOSH—!"
The beasts opened their jaws.
Enormous Tailed Beast Bombs gathered—
Far larger than before.
Akira's expression remained cold.
"…You find me that unpleasant?"
"You're just like the Sage."
"BOOM!!!"
Nine Tailed Beast Bombs rained down.
Obito narrowed his eyes. "If it were me before… my internal chakra would've been dragged out just by this."
Akira formed a seal.
The Ten-Tails opened its mouth.
—Mitsubō Energy · Ten-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb!
A single blast—
Matching a third-stage super bomb—
Shot upward.
Colliding with all nine.
"BOOOOOOM—!!!"
Flames engulfed the sky.
—Toyomike Kashin!
Nine time-piercing spears followed—
Driving through the beasts.
Time itself crushed their resistance.
Akira lowered his hand slowly.
His voice was icy.
"Sooner or later…"
"The Sage will end the same way."
Frost spread.
The Nine Beasts were sealed back into the time domain.
Chibaku Tensei shattered completely—
Falling as a rain of stone.
At the same moment—
"BOOM!"
The Ten-Tails began to transform.
Its skeletal frame stretched upward—
Limbs elongated—
Face twisted into something grotesque—
Like a living abstract painting.
Second Form.
"…Already?" Akira murmured. "That was fast."
He leapt down—
Carrying Kaguya's small body over his shoulder—
Evading the falling debris.
Setting her down, he stood beside Madara and Obito.
All three looked ahead.
At the roaring monstrosity.
"ROOOOAR—!!!"
Distorted air rippled around it.
Storms formed.
Lightning ravaged the land.
Obito sighed. "Back then, this felt overwhelming."
"Now… not so much."
Akira chuckled. "Once you've seen the ocean…"
"Rivers don't impress you anymore."
Madara spoke calmly.
"The same power… depends on the wielder."
"You possess more complete conditions than we did."
"Your Ten-Tails Jinchūriki form…"
"…will surpass ours."
That was undeniable.
Akira had both Hashirama and Madara's power from the start—
And chose a more mature stage for absorption.
Still—
He smiled lightly.
"Madara… you could've been stronger too."
"If you had waited until its final stage."
Madara chuckled.
"At the time… I didn't think Naruto and Sasuke would stand again."
"Without them—"
"It wouldn't have mattered."
"…But well."
He waved it off.
"Past is past."
Minutes passed.
The Ten-Tails grew—
Filling out.
Its massive hands clasped together.
Natural energy flooded in—
Like an ocean.
"GROOOO—!"
Its body swelled—
Becoming a giant.
Third Form.
Power surged wildly—
Even beyond control.
It slammed its hands into the ground—
Ten tails anchoring it.
Its Rinne Sharingan locked onto—
Akira.
Akira paused slightly.
"…Is it just me?"
"There's… something different in its gaze."
"BOOM!"
Suddenly—
The Ten-Tails turned—
Charging toward him.
Madara dropped his arms.
"If it misbehaves at this stage… it'll be troublesome."
"Let's pin it."
"BOOM!"
Myojin Gates slammed down—
Binding its head and tails—
Crushing it to the ground.
Obito rested his hand on his waist.
"…You think it'll split into smaller clones like before?"
Madara smirked.
"I wouldn't mind."
"Good for passing time."
But—
The Ten-Tails didn't resist.
It lay there quietly—
Absorbing natural energy.
All that remained—
Was reaching the final threshold.
The point where it would become the Divine Tree.
Then—
Akira would ascend as its Jinchūriki.
Obito suddenly asked,
"…Why not wait until it becomes the Divine Tree?"
"You'd gain immortality like Madara did."
"And more complete power."
He glanced at Kaguya.
"If she becomes your ally… betrayal wouldn't be a concern."
Madara remained silent.
Akira only smiled.
"…I'll let Madara explain that later."
His left Rinnegan hadn't awakened yet.
According to Madara—
It required a true near-death experience.
Not something forced.
If he became immortal now—
That door would close forever.
"Gurgle…"
Minutes later—
The seed on the Ten-Tails' back began to stir.
"…It's time."
Akira's eyes gleamed.
At last—
The moment had come.
He didn't notice—
Just one meter behind him—
Kaguya's eyes—
Had regained clarity.
Silently—
She stared at his unguarded back.
Then—
Slowly—
She reached out her hand…
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