"Kazuki, it's not that I don't believe in your comrade," Kaguya said quickly, her tone serious. "It's just that Isshiki's dōjutsu is extremely effective at countering jutsu-type opponents!"

She continued in rapid explanation: "One of his eye techniques, known as Sukunahikona, allows him to instantly shrink any non-living object down to the atomic level—along with altering his own size…"

"The other dōjutsu is called Daikokuten. It enables him to store the objects shrunken by Sukunahikona in a dimension where time stands still, and retrieve them at will."

"Do you understand what these two techniques combined really mean?"

Kaguya took a deep breath, just about to explain further—only for Kazuki to speak softly: "Sukunahikona causes any ninjutsu aimed at Isshiki to be instantly reduced to a powerless state. Coupled with the chakra-absorbing power of the Rinnegan, nearly all ninjutsu powered by chakra—which I specialize in—become utterly ineffective against him."

"Daikokuten means that Isshiki can summon shrunken black rods from that dimension right next to his enemy. In a near-unobservable state, they instantly return to full size, delivering massive piercing damage…"

"This is likely his preferred method of ambush—or even his standard combat tactic, isn't it?"

"His opponents are forced to rely solely on taijutsu, while Isshiki retains the ability to strike at will using black rods…"

Kaguya's gaze toward Kazuki grew complicated.

He had already deduced Isshiki's entire combat approach after listening to her brief explanation.

Even if she had waited just a little longer…

Kazuki's mind worked so quickly that it made her feel as if her own existence was… almost unnecessary…

"You… you're right, Kazuki," Kaguya murmured, nodding slightly.

"Not only that—Isshiki's taijutsu is also terrifying… Among the Ōtsutsuki clan's mainline warriors, his punches and kicks rank among the heaviest."

"Even Susanoo of the Uchiha clan wouldn't be able to stop him."

Kazuki looked at Kaguya, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Then how did you manage to ambush him back then?"

Kaguya was caught off guard, her gaze drifting slightly.

"Isshiki… Isshiki didn't consider me a threat at the time. My techniques—All-Killing Ash Bones, Expanding Truth-Seeking Ball—were all countered by his Sukunahikona."

"Plus, there was the status divide between the main and branch families, and the ironclad rule of the Ōtsutsuki clan forbidding reckless attacks on one's kin. He didn't think I would dare to strike…"

"So, while he was completely focused on planting the God Tree, I seized the moment and pierced his heart with All-Killing Ash Bones…"

Kaguya spoke in a low voice, "It's just a pity… Isshiki's physical body is far too powerful. Even the All-Killing Ash Bones couldn't kill him completely!"

"Kazuki, you mustn't underestimate Isshiki just because I managed to ambush him!"

Seeing Kazuki seemingly lost in thought, Kaguya quickly explained, "I only succeeded because I violated the clan's iron rule—breaking with thousands of years of tradition and perception. It was a stroke of luck, that's all…"

"That doesn't mean he's the kind of enemy who easily exposes openings!"

Kazuki gave a knowing nod to reassure her. "I won't take him lightly."

Was it strange that Kaguya succeeded in ambushing Isshiki?

Strange—and yet not so strange…

It was like the Hyūga Clan's branch house, which for generations had loyally protected the main house—only for one day, a branch member to suddenly draw a blade and drive it into the heart of the very house they served…

Assuming the main house was stronger than the branch—if their guard was completely down, would they have time to counterattack? Or activate the Caged Bird Technique?

They wouldn't.

The only reason the branch house never rebelled was because of the inevitable purge that would follow—no one dared.

And Kaguya was clearly the kind of person who could erupt without warning. But such a method… could only work once.

After suffering a setback, Isshiki—if he survived—would undergo a tremendous transformation in mindset. He'd become even more cautious and meticulous!

In a way, Kaguya had inadvertently helped temper Isshiki's warrior spirit.

"Kazuki, this state Isshiki's in—it's the explosive surge of his Kāma! His vessel can no longer withstand the power within. If he can't find a suitable vessel soon, his life will begin its final countdown…"

Seeing that Kazuki had no intention of retreating, Kaguya grew even more anxious.

Due to faulty intelligence, Isshiki mistakenly believed that Kazuki and Kaguya were inside the Nine-Dragon Coffin of Black Waters—and so, he acted with great confidence, recklessly unleashing his power!

And yet, if they had just withdrawn… Isshiki would essentially have committed suicide prematurely…

"No, Kaguya… I may not understand what counts as a 'suitable vessel', but Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara are both still out there…"

Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "Compared to the body he's using now, both of them possess powers nearly equivalent to an Ōtsutsuki. Isshiki even said Obito carried traces of your chakra…"

"If he uses Obito as a vessel—wouldn't that be possible?"

Kaguya was momentarily speechless…

It really did seem that way. That foolish third son of hers, in his desperation to revive her, had inadvertently created a potential backup vessel for Isshiki!

Truly, he had a knack for ruining things more than accomplishing them!

If Black Zetsu hadn't interfered and brought Obito and the others here, then Isshiki might have self-destructed on the spot today!

"They're still fighting, Kaguya… All those mortals you see as insignificant—they are my people. Just like you…"

Kazuki spoke softly. "I can let them fight for me, bleed for me, even probe the enemy's strengths and weaknesses—but I will not turn into a coward once they rise up again."

"Trust me—when they fight as one, you will witness gods being slain."

Although Kazuki and Kaguya exchanged many thoughts, theirs was a communication of the soul—time had nearly stood still, and information flowed at lightning speed.

On the battlefield, only a few seconds had passed.

At this moment—

Senju Tobirama used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport beside Uchiha Izuna. He slapped both hands on Izuna's shoulders, enveloping him in a soft green glow of medical chakra, healing his wounds while simultaneously pouring vast amounts of chakra and ocular power into him.

Uchiha Izuna was stunned.

It was already shocking enough that Senju Tobirama could use medical ninjutsu… but how could he even infuse someone else with ocular power?!

There was no secret to it—only mastery through repetition.

Having exchanged energy with Kazuki countless times, and being a body personally forged by Kazuki himself—

Until Kazuki withdrew the power stored within him, Senju Tobirama could essentially be considered a miniature version of Kazuki…

Tobirama roared sternly, "Focus your dōjutsu! Freeze the space around us! That bastard's attacks—there must be a spatial component involved!"

"Don't let him interrupt Duy from opening the Death Gate—"

Before Tobirama could finish, Izuna shouted, "I know already! Quit analyzing out loud! I'm going all in!"

Streams of thick, pitch-black blood flowed from Uchiha Izuna's eyes, the whites now filled with dense webs of blood vessels.

This was a clear sign—he was recklessly overextending his ocular power!

Interestingly enough…

In order to save time, Senju Tobirama hadn't explained why the space needed to be frozen, nor had he specified exactly which space to target…

Yet the spaces occupied by Might Duy, Yashiro, Shisui, Uchiha Izuna, and Tobirama were all properly locked down in a protective freeze, preventing Isshiki from launching a surprise attack with exploding black rods—

Whereas the space surrounding Isshiki had become like an invisible ice prison, trapping him within completely!

Just a moment ago, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna had been locked in life-and-death battle—now they were moving in perfect sync. No transition was needed; their coordination was seamless, like comrades who had fought side by side for a lifetime.

Uchiha Izuna didn't know who Shisui or Yashiro were…

But with just a single glance at the red glint of their eyes and the chakra surging within, he immediately recognized them as individuals to protect.

Meanwhile—

Uchiha Madara, with his immense combat experience, and Uchiha Obito, with his hypersensitivity to space-time techniques, had both roughly guessed how Isshiki's attacks functioned…

But the two of them couldn't keep up with the rhythm set by Tobirama and Izuna.

The elder and younger Mangekyō users stood wide-eyed, stunned, watching their respective little brother and Tobirama work together so fluidly. Madara couldn't help but think—these two were so coordinated, it nearly rivaled his own synergy with Izuna…

Madara wanted to join in, do something—anything—but both he and Obito had been directly targeted by Isshiki's focused assault. They wouldn't be combat-ready again anytime soon…

"Yashiro-nii, this is our last chance!"

Amid Might Duy's furious roar, Shisui suppressed the tremors in his chest. Dark blood streamed from his eye sockets.

For a boy, being thrown into a chaotic battlefield where Tobirama, Izuna, Madara, Hashirama, and Ōtsutsuki clashed in dramatic succession—was far too much stimulation.

Yet Shisui managed his emotions well and recovered quickly.

No matter why Tobirama and Izuna were suddenly working together…

The fate of Kazuki—his most beloved older brother—now rested entirely on Might Duy!

"Understood!"

Uchiha Yashiro responded crisply. The Mangekyo in his eyes spun madly as he poured his ocular power into Might Duy without hesitation!

The immense drain of energy made it feel as though Yashiro's eyes might burst—

And yet—

He felt no pain at all, because behind him lay the coffin where Kazuki had sealed himself…

In a moment of blurred awareness—

Uchiha Yashiro's mind flashed back to the memory burned deepest into his soul—the day he first met Kazuki.

He had been the one to pick a fight, and was ruthlessly put down by a combined pummeling from Izuna and Tobirama. But Kazuki had still forgiven him for his arrogance—forgiven the Uchiha clan—and that was the day their path back to glory had begun…

"Duy—it's all on you now!"

Yashiro shouted hoarsely, his scarlet pupils dimming until they turned ashen gray with the complete depletion of his ocular power.

The same went for Shisui's Mangekyō, the one hosting Kagutsuhane—

Under the full-force amplification from Shisui and Yashiro—

Might Duy pushed his body past its absolute limits, draining every last ounce of potential and future vitality. His already-bulging muscles surged once again, tearing through the tight green jumpsuit that had stretched to its limit. A terrifying aura of power erupted from his physique!

His comically watermelon-shaped haircut now stood fully on end—each strand rising high, reflecting the overwhelming fighting spirit that burst from him!

With the blessing of Kagutsuhane, Duy's eyes turned pitch-black, like twin devouring voids—

And Kanayano infused the boiling red steam that billowed from his body with threads of dark golden lightning…

In that moment, his entire appearance rapidly approached that of a Super Saiyan.

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I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. patreon.com/TitoVillar

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