The light shone upon the earth.
All the people of the ninja world were enveloped in the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a light that penetrated through buildings, leaving no place to hide.
Everyone illuminated by the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, without exception, raised their heads instantly, their eyes slowly transforming into Rinnegan.
Their consciousness...
was also instantaneously drawn into the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
This is the terrifying power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi!
Anyone shrouded in this light cannot escape its judgment; only those with the Rinnegan and Susanoo can resist the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi!
Uchiha Sasuke once again activated his Perfect Susanoo, spreading its wings to shield many people present under its protection!
Naturally, the most important person was Uzumaki Naruto!
"Time-space ninjutsu users, stay behind!"
Tobirama, standing within Sasuke's Susanoo, spoke in a deep voice, "All other jutsu users must enter the Infinite Tsukuyomi, gather their chakra on Uchiha Madara, and ensure that this guy can defeat Akihara Kagura!"
If the chakra is insufficient...
this plan they meticulously prepared might fail!
And if it fails...
there will be no chance for a comeback!
"We should also keep some medical ninjas here, right?"
Hatake Kakashi gently reminded.
Although medical ninjas might not be very effective, since Akihara Kagura could kill them with a single blow, Kakashi and his group were accustomed to having medical ninjas as a backup.
In the end...
two medical ninjas were left behind.
Tsunade and Haruno Sakura, because they excelled in medical ninjutsu.
Of course...
Orochimaru was also left behind.
Because Orochimaru had a sharp mind.
"Then I will go out first."
Hashirama strode out, standing on the sea, looking up at the light shining down from the sky, his eyes instantly transforming into Rinnegan.
Hashirama, gazing at the figure in the moonlight, murmured slowly, "Madara, take my chakra and fight..."
With the First Hokage leading the way, others followed suit, Jiraiya striding behind Hashirama.
Ninjas from other villages also stepped out from under the wings of Susanoo, leaving only those crucial to the battle below.
Tobirama, a user of Flying Thunder God.
Hatake Kakashi, a user of Flying Thunder God and Kamui Sharingan.
Tsunade and Haruno Sakura, medical ninjas.
And the most important person...
Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke didn't care much about others; he only cared about Uzumaki Naruto, who, like him, had been granted power by the Sage of Six Paths: "Hmph, as long as Naruto and I survive, it doesn't matter what happens to the others..."
The two of them...
must prepare for the possible resurrection of Kaguya.
Of course.
There was also the most crucial point.
Uchiha Sasuke, touching his eyes, whispered, "And Uchiha Madara and I can also dispel the Infinite Tsukuyomi with our Rinnegan..."
"Sasuke..."
Uchiha Itachi's voice appeared beside Uchiha Sasuke's ear.
To Sasuke's surprise, his brother Uchiha Itachi had also survived within the Infinite Tsukuyomi; it was ineffective against those brought back by the Edo Tensei!
"Now is not the time to reminisce..."
Ignoring Itachi, Sasuke said solemnly, "Let's deal with the crisis that threatens the ninja world first! I know you can't escape Akihara Kagura's control right now, so stay put and don't get close to anyone!"
After all...
the memory of Itachi piercing his chest was still fresh in Sasuke's mind.
He did not want to be stabbed by his brother again, especially not at a critical moment like this!
Even if he could bear it...
the ninja world could not withstand such a shock!
"..."
Uchiha Itachi, with an outstretched hand, stood rigidly in place.
When he had been controlled by Akihara Kagura and killed Sasuke, he had wished to sacrifice his soul to bring Sasuke back!
Now...
his little brother despised and feared him.
This was what he had foreseen on the night of the clan massacre, yet now, in this moment, he felt an immense pain. Why had everything turned out this way?
"Alright."
"He is still your brother..."
Tobirama, having no objections to Itachi's actions, spoke in a deep voice, "The priority is to deal with the evil Uchiha, Akihara Kagura. Everything happening now is his fault!"
Tobirama sighed inwardly. If Akihara Kagura had not insisted on saving some of the Uchiha, and instead allowed Itachi to completely eradicate them, Sasuke wouldn't have had to face those still alive from the Root.
Of course.
This thought was too extreme.
Because those Uchiha in the Root were also beneficial to Konoha.
In terms of dealing with the Uchiha and Konoha, Akihara Kagura had handled it better than Danzo, Hiruzen, and Uchiha Itachi combined.
Unfortunately...
all of that was in the past.
Those Uchiha had also defected with Akihara Kagura.
Tobirama had no time to ponder these matters as the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi had ended, and he saw Uchiha Madara descending from the sky, continuing to orchestrate the final battle!
In the sky,
a red steam dragon suddenly charged at Uchiha Madara!
Akihara Kagura's figure rushed towards Madara, seemingly intent on killing him before he could absorb the chakra upon landing!
"Something's wrong, save him quickly!"
Tobirama's expression changed dramatically!
"No need to worry!"
Uchiha Sasuke lifted his gaze, and the Amenotekikara technique instantly activated. In a flash, his body swapped places with Uchiha Madara's, and he appeared in front of Akihara Kagura, directly facing Kagura's attack!
As for Uchiha Madara...
The moment he landed, he began manipulating the pre-arranged vines. The God Tree Realm Descends technique he had used earlier to force Kagura to stay in the battle came into play!
"Now, I will start absorbing chakra!"
Madara clasped his hands together and said solemnly, "For the next period, we must not let that brat interfere with me!"
"Understood!"
Uzumaki Naruto's figure immediately flew into the sky!
The vines throughout the entire ninja world came alive in an instant, moving rapidly. Small branches from the vines swiftly bound all those caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, suspending them like mummies!
Huge waves surged across the ocean!
Numerous chakras rushed from the vines toward Madara's body at an incredible speed. Some chakras even traveled impatiently from beneath the planet, crossing the ocean to merge with Madara's body!
With the infusion of chakra, Madara's body immediately began to swell, and a look of pain flashed across his face!
"How long will it take to complete?"
Tobirama demanded an answer from Madara.
Tobirama had witnessed Kagura's powerful attack, shattering Sasuke's Susanoo and sending Naruto flying with a single punch, displaying overwhelming dominance!
"..."
Madara couldn't respond, his expression becoming increasingly pained!
Even though he had reached the level of the Sage of the Six Paths, he still struggled to accommodate the massive influx of chakra, feeling his veins continuously expand!
"We have to join the fight too..."
Hatake Kakashi watched as his two students were no match for Kagura, and he rushed into the battlefield. As long as Kagura didn't use his Rinnegan techniques, Kakashi's Kamui could still be useful!
Tobirama, feeling helpless, swiftly appeared beside Naruto using the Flying Thunder God Technique, rescuing him from Kagura's attack. At this moment, he had no choice but to fight!
However...
Even with Tobirama and Kakashi joining forces, they couldn't stop Kagura, who relentlessly overpowered them!
Even without using his space-time techniques, Kagura's speed in his Eight Gates Released Formation was too incredible for Kakashi's Kamui Sharingan to keep up!
Boom!
Kagura landed a punch on Sasuke!
A cut instantly appeared on Sasuke's face, and the air pressure from the punch immobilized him!
The ocean waves surged violently from the impact!
Kagura's body transformed into a red dragon, and he kicked Sasuke's chest, forcing Sasuke to escape using his space-time technique!
At this moment...
Everyone realized the advantage of space-time techniques!
At least, it allowed them to evade Kagura's attacks temporarily. Kagura's speed in the Eight Gates Released Formation was too astonishing; only space-time techniques could dodge in time!
The battle in the sky continued!
Kagura, alone, fought against Sasuke, Naruto, Tobirama, and Kakashi, making them look utterly disheveled. Even a slight mistake could result in severe injury or death, making this battle more dangerous than any they had faced before!
"His Limitless Yomi time has six minutes left..."
Tobirama, always prepared to reposition with Naruto, continued to strategize, "If we can endure for six minutes, we will have a three-second window to counterattack..."
"It doesn't feel reassuring at all..."
Kakashi's forehead was sweating with fear.
"Don't give up, Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto raised his hand and shouted, "At least we still have a chance to defeat Kagura..."
"As long as Madara gathers all the chakra from the ninja world..."
While evading Kagura's attacks, Sasuke glanced at Madara absorbing chakra and said in a low voice, "At that time, Madara will have the power to contend with Kagura..."
At that moment...
Madara's power would be enough to handle Kagura, enough to outlast Kagura's Limitless Yomi time, giving them a three-second window to secure victory!
Thinking about it...
It seemed absurd...
"Despite having such immense power..."
"Now, we can't even secure a three-second chance..."
Sasuke took a deep breath, raising his hand to manipulate Susanoo, firing giant arrows at Kagura, who effortlessly kicked them apart!
Even if the giant arrows hit Kagura, it wouldn't matter; the Limitless Yomi made him invincible for ten minutes!
"By the way..."
Kagura suddenly stopped in mid-air, his red hair flaring upward, and his voice turned playful, "Aren't you curious about something?"
"What?"
Sasuke frowned.
When Sasuke saw Kagura halt his attack, he almost felt relieved but then remembered Kagura's cunning nature...
This guy...
Couldn't be planning something sinister, could he?
"Aren't you curious..."
Kagura glanced at Madara below and spoke with interest, "Why I've never wholeheartedly stopped anything? Be it the Infinite Tsukuyomi or Madara absorbing chakra..."
"There's a plot!"
Sasuke suddenly realized something, his voice rising in agitation, shouting, "Everyone, stay alert! Madara, stop absorbing chakra immediately!"
"Don't make a fuss."
Kagura chuckled, seemingly amused by Sasuke's skittishness, "You're always afraid I have a plot. What plot could I have now?"
"No need to worry..."
"Gentlemen..."
"You can celebrate a little..."
Kagura's red hair gradually faded, and to show he had no more hostility, he deactivated his Eight Gates Released Formation: "Celebrate a bit, my hostility towards you ends here."
"After all..."
Kagura spread his hands, a mysterious smile on his lips: "Nothing unexpected happened, the battle doesn't need to continue, and I no longer need to be in charge..."
"What do you mean?"
Naruto, somewhat puzzled, looked curiously at Kagura: "Is Kagura finally abandoning his plan to destroy the ninja world?"
"No, Kaguya is about to be resurrected!"
Uchiha Sasuke immediately thought of something, his gaze fixed intently on Uchiha Madara, who was swelling as he absorbed chakra from the sea.
Kaguya...
Could she have been resurrected in a way unknown to them?
"Madara!"
"Stop absorbing the chakra immediately!"
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't understand, but he urgently shouted, "This is a scheme by Akihara Kagura to revive Kaguya!"
"What?"
There was still a trace of pain in Uchiha Madara's expression.
At present, Uchiha Madara was struggling to handle the surging chakra within his body. Fortunately, he had the immortal body of the Sage of Six Paths; otherwise, any other ninja would have exploded and died by now!
However...
What did that little fellow Sasuke say?
That his chakra absorption was Akihara Kagura's scheme?
But…
Even if he wanted to stop, it was too late…
Madara could only feel the pain in his body. He had to first integrate the immense chakra flooding into him, which was proving very difficult to handle.
"Let us anticipate..."
Akihara Kagura spread his palms and slowly closed his eyes, as if waiting for a sacred moment: "The grand figure about to make an appearance!"
"This tedious battle…"
Akihara Kagura's eyes suddenly opened, a red light flashing within them: "It's merely a prelude to the real show... I've prepared the sacrifice. It's time for her to appear, isn't it, Black Zetsu!"
That name...
In an instant, it sent a shiver down everyone's spine!
"Madara, isn't absorbing chakra that doesn't belong to you quite taxing?"
As Akihara Kagura declared this, a familiar voice appeared beside Uchiha Madara, a voice he had countless times gritted his teeth in hatred over.
"Let me help you then… Madara…"
A figure as black as ink emerged from the sea, looking at the immobilized Madara, then directly pierced Madara's heart with its hand!
"!!!"
The faces of everyone on the battlefield showed a trace of panic!
However, those closest—Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Haruno Sakura—only reacted then, attempting to stop Black Zetsu, but it was too late. Black Zetsu had already taken control of Madara's body!
Madara's hair suddenly grew, wrapping around the three of them, immobilizing them completely!
"What an unexpected turn…"
Black Zetsu's mouth curved into a sinister smile. Even it couldn't believe the plan had come this far: "I always thought the plan would fail… Madara would never help me revive Kaguya. Yet, step by step, it all worked out!"
Whether it was Madara's separation from it or Madara seizing the Ten Tails, Black Zetsu felt the chances of Kaguya's resurrection growing dimmer.
But…
Through a series of unforeseen events…
Or perhaps under the pressure of Akihara Kagura's power…
Madara became the Ten Tails Jinchūriki and initiated the Infinite Tsukuyomi, absorbing the chakra of the ninja world, allowing Black Zetsu's plan to continue...
Such a thing...
It's almost absurd to think about…
Akihara Kagura always liked to say that the process was unimportant, the result was all that mattered. If the final result was satisfactory, then it was acceptable…
"Black Zetsu…"
Madara stared at Black Zetsu, his body immobile, watching helplessly as his body turned pitch black!
"What a pity…"
Black Zetsu sneered, not saying more.
Originally, it intended to use the stronger Akihara Kagura as the vessel to revive Kaguya Otsutsuki, but in the end, it fell to Madara!
"Though Mother cannot be resurrected in the perfect body…"
Black Zetsu's and Madara's bodies fused more quickly, its eyes becoming gentler: "As long as she can be revived, it will be perfect enough…"
"!!!"
Tobirama instantly appeared beside Madara, swinging his kunai to kill Madara in one blow!
At the same time, Sasuke also attacked with his ninja blade: "Madara is the sacrifice for Kaguya's resurrection, the vessel for her revival. If we kill him, Kaguya cannot come back!"
However…
Madara's hair was extremely powerful!
Black Zetsu controlled Madara's rapidly growing hair, flinging them away!
"Don't waste your time. The resurrection process cannot be stopped…"
Black Zetsu sneered as it transformed into liquid, slowly merging with Madara's body: "Once the technique to revive Kaguya is activated, with the Ten Tails, massive chakra, and my coordinates, Mother's resurrection cannot be halted…"
As Black Zetsu acted, more chakra emerged from the ocean, forcibly entering Madara's body, causing bulging masses to appear on Madara's body—those were chakra swellings!
"Kamui!"
Hatake Kakashi suddenly activated his Kamui!
Only to find, to his horror, that it failed!
"Do not interrupt…"
Akihara Kagura sealed Kakashi's Kamui with a time-space technique, watching the scene before him with great interest: "I warned Madara not to touch what doesn't belong to him, but he seemed to disregard my advice…"
"..."
Everyone present didn't know how to respond!
Even if Madara heeded Kagura's warning, what could he do? Could he just watch Akihara Kagura gather the Ten Tails and destroy the ninja world?
"You guessed I would revive Kaguya in this manner, Kagura…"
Black Zetsu's gaze fell on Kagura, contemplating his every move: "You foresaw the Ten Tails Jinchūriki becoming the vessel for Kaguya's resurrection…"
"Black Zetsu, I gleaned quite a bit from the Sage of Six Paths' legacy, so knowing some peculiar things isn't surprising…"
Kagura's figure drifted to the sea, where the water transformed into a massive chair under his control, freezing into ice from his Ice Release.
Kagura sat on the icy chair, his arm on the armrest, hand supporting his chin, with even a hint of a smile in his eyes: "Why worry about the process? As long as our results are favorable, that's enough, right?"
"Heh heh heh… you are right."
Black Zetsu sneered, nodding slowly. This partner turned out to be the longest-lasting of all its allies.
To avoid becoming the vessel for Kaguya's resurrection, he had been using his immense power to force Uchiha Madara onto a path that was always a trap—a road to death.
But...
It does not matter much!
"Madara..."
Black Zetsu, seeing Uchiha Madara's consciousness weakening, smiled and said, "This fate was always meant for you. Everything is just returning to its origin, to the destiny I originally arranged for you..."
"Black Zetsu!"
A flash of extreme hatred crossed Uchiha Madara's eyes!
However, he could not resist the invasion of another will because he could feel another powerful will about to awaken soon!
"Akihara Kagura!"
Uchiha Madara glanced one last time at Akihara Kagura and left his final words: "You little brat... cannot imagine the power of that being... you will not escape either..."
"Do not worry."
Akihara Kagura raised his hand, and a vine suddenly emerged, directly binding Hatake Kakashi. His gaze was somewhat gentle and calm: "Soon, I will know just how powerful that being is..."
"..."
Hatake Kakashi glanced at the vine on his body.
Alright.
Knowing is one thing.
Why did he have to be bound with limited-time imprisonment and a vine together?
"Hashirama..."
More and more of Uchiha Madara's body was covered by Black Zetsu. His eyes were almost disappearing, and at this moment, he thought of his old friend Hashirama!
Because when Uchiha Madara cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, he saw Senju Hashirama step forward, wanting to entrust his chakra to him!
But...
He couldn't achieve it!
"Sorry, Hashirama..."
Black liquid chakra gradually appeared on Uchiha Madara's face, his consciousness slowly sinking, and the last image his eyes and brain registered was Tobirama charging at him full of killing intent!
"Hmph..."
"This insidious and despicable man..."
"He surely wants to take this opportunity to kill me too..."
Uchiha Madara knew Tobirama very well.
Because Tobirama's intention was indeed to kill him, his hands formed seals quickly, and he spat a high-pressure water jet at Uchiha Madara's body!
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
But...
The high-pressure water release, capable of cutting through stones and mountains, was useless!
Uchiha Madara's body turned completely into a pitch-black sphere, with only a head of white hair floating in the air. The black sphere shrank rapidly!
"The black sphere... is shrinking!"
Haruno Sakura's body was flung away by the hair!
"But the chakra is getting stronger..."
Sweat droplets appeared on Tsunade's forehead!
The next moment!
The black sphere transformed completely!
The black sphere quickly turned into a woman with closed eyes!
Her skin was somewhat pale, excessively so like all Jinchuriki of the Ten Tails. Her hair was even longer than her body!
The woman had a pair of horns on her head, and her forehead slowly cracked open, revealing a blood-red Rinne Sharingan, which did not mar her beautiful face!
A long robe with black magatama patterns draped over her body, extending past her feet, making her look extraordinarily sacred and majestic!
The woman was not standing on the ground.
She was floating in the air like a deity, or perhaps she was indeed a true deity!
"This is..."
Uchiha Sasuke's heart trembled with fear, sensing the terrifying level of her chakra:
"The Sage of Six Paths mentioned..."
"Ōtsutsuki... Kaguya!"
Uzumaki Naruto gritted his teeth!
"Ninjas... pray now..."
Black Zetsu's voice emerged from the sleeve of this fair and beautiful woman, rising in pitch: "Pray to the resurrected ancestor of chakra! Pray to the true ruler of this world! Offer your chakra to celebrate the reappearance of the Rabbit Goddess!"
After saying this, Black Zetsu's voice suddenly lowered, becoming eerie and filled with a chilling intent to kill: "Then, die, descendants of the traitors..."
"Black Zetsu, you seem to be quite arrogant?"
Akihara Kagura tilted his head, resting it on his left hand, and looked at the Ōtsutsuki Kaguya in the sky, sighing long: "But I can understand your arrogance because this chakra indeed instills fear..."
"!!!"
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya abruptly opened her eyes!
All the ninjas present couldn't help but feel uneasy about those eyes!
Those eyes...
They were just Byakugan...
Yet the pressure they felt was greater than from the Rinnegan!
"Is that... Byakugan?"
Tsunade couldn't believe that those were merely Byakugan!
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's gaze slowly descended, directly ignoring everyone present, and her eyes landed on Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. Her body, trailing long hair, floated towards them.
"..."
Everyone present dared not move!
Because no one knew what the Rabbit Goddess intended to do, and they did not dare to provoke her before seeing her actions, fearing her wrath!
But...
A strange sound suddenly arose.
Crack... crack... crack...
The sound was like someone eating something.
"Why does it sound like Chōji..."
Uzumaki Naruto instinctively thought of his good friend.
Probably only his thick-skinned friend Akimichi Chōji would eat at a time like this!
But...
Akimichi Chōji wasn't here...
Everyone couldn't help but look in the direction of the sound.
Even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya couldn't help but look over, seeing a young man sitting on an icy chair, leisurely biting into a fruit.
A...
Blood-red fruit.
~~~
Dun dun!
WTF?!
*Shock Face*
Btw, this Chapter is so long I need to paste it two times.
348 Ending so 7 Chapters more.