(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
****************
This was none other than Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
While people didn't know who he was, the murderous aura he was putting on made them run off.
The people nearby fled to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
They knew Colt, and since this person was trying to pick a fight with him, they needed to run.
Isshiki, however, paid no attention to these "insignificant ants."
His mind was elsewhere, swirling with confusion.
He needed to sort things out.
First of all, yes, Colt had called out Ichibi's name, but the target wasn't Isshiki himself... it was his dog.
'The names almost sound similar…' and since he was watching Colt secretly, he mistook it and got out.
Isshiki gritted his teeth and glared at the dog that was now wagging its tail furiously at Shion.
"You gave your dog a name similar to mine?"
Colt was equally baffled, having merely called for his misbehaving dog to return.
Yet somehow, he had summoned the final boss instead.
"Pfft!"
Colt couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Isshiki, no, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, you've really made my day!" Colt laughed so hard he had to lean on something for support, recalling Isshiki's sequence of shock, puzzlement, and then furious expressions.
His stomach began to ache from the laughter.
"Colt, who is this person?" Shion whispered, tugging at Colt's sleeve, sensing something was off.
It took Colt a moment to catch his breath, still laughing as he tried to soothe his cramping abs.
"Him? That's Ichibi."
Both Isshiki and the dog turned to glare at Colt at the same time.
"You!"
Isshiki's face twisted with anger.
Colt, witnessing this ridiculous scene, almost burst into laughter again but suddenly stopped.
Bang!
Without any warning, Colt appeared directly in front of Isshiki, entering the Sage Mode instantly and delivering a powerful punch.
Isshiki was sent flying like a shooting star across the sky.
"Koyuki, Shion, you two head home for now. I'll explain everything later."
The two women barely had time to register Colt's words before he darted off, chasing after Isshiki.
Colt had intentionally held back the power of his punch, just enough to send Isshiki far away from the nearby countries to avoid collateral damage.
The two streaks of light crossed into the Land of Earth.
Isshiki spun mid-air, regaining his balance before landing in the middle of a wasteland.
They stood a hundred meters apart, both sizing each other up.
"So, you deliberately sent me away from the crowd?" Isshiki's voice was calm, but black markings began to appear on his face.
This was a secret technique of the Ōtsutsuki clan for taking control of others.
In fact, Isshiki had taken over the body of Jigen, using him as a vessel for his power.
"You think you can defeat me without using your real form?" Colt said, unfazed.
Kaguya had explained before the abilities of the Ōtsutsuki clan to Colt, and looking at Isshiki, Colt wasn't worried.
Even the older Naruto had struggled against Isshiki, but now the tables were different.
Ishiki's eyes glared at Colt.
He could tell that Colt seemed to know him, and possibly even his abilities.
There was only one possibility for that…
"You know so much… Kaguya betrayed me before, and it seems that she had now betrayed the whole clan…" Isshiki scowled, summoning a long black staff into his hand.
"I'll deal with her later. For now, I'll deal with you."
With a swift movement, Isshiki lunged forward, his black staff slicing through the air toward Colt.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The sound of metal clashing filled the air as Colt parried Isshiki's attacks with his sword, Kaminari.
As Colt had suspected, Isshiki couldn't match him.
Isshiki's staff technique, while formidable, was no match for Colt's speed and strength.
The only thing keeping Isshiki from being overwhelmed was his ability to defend.
Colt's eyes gleamed red with his Sharingan as he deflected Isshiki's staff and counterattacked, his blade piercing through Isshiki's side.
Poof!
Isshiki winced as blood spurted from the wound, but instead of showing anger, his eyes glinted with a strange satisfaction.
"Impressive... very impressive."
Colt frowned, disgusted by Isshiki's reaction, and kicked him away with a powerful blow.
Without hesitation, Colt extended his hand, purple lightning exploding from his palm and piercing through Isshiki's body.
Bang!
Isshiki was injured even more and his body began to shift.
The black markings on his face grew more prominent, and a horn sprouted from his head.
In mere moments, his wounds had completely healed.
"This body is perfect for me," Isshiki muttered as he floated back, his gaze fixed on Colt.
Isshiki had once considered Jigen to be a suitable vessel, but after witnessing Colt's talent and abilities, he realized that Colt's body was the perfect host for him to return to full power.
"You... actually plan on taking over my body?" Colt's thoughts stopped.
He had heard enough.
Colt's sword glowed with an electric blue light as he channeled his chakra into it.
With one mighty swing, a storm of lightning blades surged toward Isshiki, creating a massive web of energy.
Isshiki, trapped at the center, could barely move under the intense pressure.
"I'll make you regret underestimating me!"
Colt's voice was heard as he unleashed a relentless barrage of sword strikes, the web of blades closing in on Isshiki like a deadly net.
"This body... won't last much longer," Isshiki thought, his face grim.
The power contained within Colt's attacks was beyond what he could withstand.
Realizing he was running out of options, Isshiki made a decision.
Blue lines appeared on his forehead and spread across his body, the black wedge on his face condensing into his right eye.
His golden pupils, surrounded by eight triangles, glowed with ominous light.
In an instant, the barrage of blades surrounding him shrunk and dissipated.
"Are you satisfied now?" Isshiki's fully resurrected form floated in the sky, exuding overwhelming power.
"I only have two days, but that's all I need."
Isshiki frowned slightly.
If he couldn't find a new vessel in two days, his temporary revival would fail, and he would die permanently.
But for now, Isshiki was ready for the final battle.