The entire battlefield had fallen silent.

Now that Isshiki was essentially dead, the temporary cooperation between Tobirama and Izuna vanished, and the two returned to their usual state of confrontation.

The situation had become unbelievably tangled.

Mysterious powerhouses kept emerging one after another, each hiding their strength until the final moment—unveiling their trump cards right in front of Kazuki's coffin.

Just what was going on?

Tobirama and Izuna exchanged another look. Both were deep in thought.

To Izuna, it seemed Tobirama had used Kazuki to resurrect himself, but then failed to control him and had come to the Land of Water to reinforce the seal.

To Tobirama, Izuna and Madara had become enforcers for the Sage of Six Paths, here to forcibly take Kazuki and hasten the process of possession.

But during the battle against Isshiki—

Both of them came to a subtle realization: neither of them appeared to harbor ill intent toward Kazuki. In fact, both seemed to be trying to protect him—though from different perspectives and with different motives.

They didn't say it aloud, but after decades of clashing, the understanding engraved into their bones told them clearly—

There had been a misunderstanding.

"You…" Tobirama narrowed his eyes and glanced toward the half-dead Isshiki. "What the hell is your deal?"

"What do you mean my deal?"

Izuna snorted. "Why don't you tell me what your deal is!"

In an instant, both activated their Mangekyō Sharingan again, locking eyes without backing down—as if they were ready to clash all over again.

As for Isshiki? Neither of them spared him a second glance.

Off to the side, Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara could only watch helplessly.

Having received Isshiki's 'special attention'—and added punishment—their injuries were severe. They wouldn't be recovering any combat capability anytime soon.

And just like that, the field returned to another standoff between Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna.

Meanwhile, Kazuki slowly exhaled, a glimmer of excitement flickering in his eyes.

Though he had lived his life walking on thin ice, Kazuki had also earned the admiration and support of countless shinobi across the ninja world, garnering loyalty from many powerful allies.

Starting with Senju Tobirama as his first and foremost supporter, later joined by Uchiha Madara, Uzumaki Mito, and even clan-wide backing from the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Kaguya…

Not to mention individual supporters like Hatake Sakumo, Kakuzu, Ōnoki, and various Jinchūriki from across the nations—

The support had come from every direction.

The number of rewards Kazuki received steadily increased, and so did his strength.

Even Six Paths-level viewers had begun to offer him gold coins—names like Kaguya and Hagoromo included.

Yet despite the esteem of these Ōtsutsuki, Kazuki did not consider any of them to have surpassed the incredible gift Might Duy had delivered for him today!

[Youthful Devotion of the Might Father and Son]: When the physical condition of Might Duy or his son improves, you will receive corresponding enhancements, dramatically increasing your physical recovery, strength, and potential.

[From the unique talent 'Youthful Devotion of the Might Father and Son', your physical body has undergone comprehensive enhancement, significantly boosting your strength, speed, explosive power, defense, and endurance.]

[From the target Might Duy, you have acquired the unique talent—'Burning Youth Without Regret'!]

[Burning Youth Without Regret]: The recoil effect caused by opening the Death Gate will be converted into sustained damage over time. Killing enemies while in the Death Gate state will absorb their life force to heal the self-inflicted damage caused by the gate's overdraw.

Why had Kazuki urged Duy to open the Death Gate?

It wasn't just to impress Kaguya. More importantly, it was so the immense power Duy unleashed upon opening the Death Gate could be transformed and channeled into Kazuki himself.

The explosive strength boost Duy gained was evenly redistributed across Kazuki's own physical capabilities.

Kazuki might not be able to unleash Night Guy like Duy—but even in his base state, he now possessed exceptionally balanced combat prowess. In fact, at this very moment, Kazuki was curious—could the Ōtsutsuki even withstand a punch from him now?

After all, Kazuki had always been known in the shinobi world as an all-rounder, a master of ninjutsu, and an exceptional scientific researcher—but he had never neglected physical training.

From the moment he debuted, he had used medical ninjutsu in combination with Lightning Release Chakra Mode to continuously temper his body.

And after mastering Sage Mode, he enhanced his physique further using natural energy.

Chakra had always been a tool the Ōtsutsuki used for colonization. Once someone obtained the Rinnegan, the difference between ninjutsu and a joke became minimal.

To fight the Ōtsutsuki head-on, the most straightforward way was through taijutsu!

The most primitive, most rugged—and yet most direct and effective—fist!

This time, Duy's Death Gate didn't just boost Kazuki's combat potential on the surface—it had given him an invaluable trump card: a way to open the Death Gate without suffering the usual backlash!

"Kazuki… is this truly the strength a mortal can unleash?"

Kaguya stared at the half-destroyed Isshiki, disbelief in her eyes.

Even she, back in the day, had only managed to pierce Isshiki's heart with All-Killing Ash Bones under unique circumstances. She had never left him this utterly devastated.

Clearly—

Isshiki now stood one step away from death, like a candle guttering in the wind, needing no push to go out—it would extinguish on its own.

"This has nothing to do with mortals or sages. It's the result of peak-level talent fused with indomitable will."

Kazuki shook his head, eyes narrowing as he looked toward the tense standoff between Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna.

Weren't they just getting along a moment ago?

Why the sudden discord again?

At this rate, how could he unite everyone, bring all hearts together, and truly become the spokesperson of Gaia's Will?

And just then—

The confrontation between Tobirama and Izuna was once again interrupted.

A dimensional portal opened—Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki descended onto the battlefield!

No sooner had they arrived—

Urashiki cast out a fishing hook and, with unerring precision, snagged Uchiha Obito.

Momoshiki, meanwhile, picked up the remains of Isshiki's half-destroyed head and tossed it toward Urashiki, saying coldly, "Heal him."

Urashiki shrugged. "Got it, senior."

The sheer absurdity of the scene—

Instantly plunged the battlefield into silence once more.

Just as one wave had barely settled, another rose—and then yet another…

Just how many more factions would show up before this ended? And this time, would there be another Might Duy to burn himself away for the cause?

These pale-skinned, horned strangers—just what kind of divine beings were they?

"The shinobi world… truly is an eye-opener," Urashiki muttered, eyes narrowing. "That you people actually managed to defeat this man… it seems I may have been wrong to call you lower lifeforms…"

"Perhaps… it's finally time to call you humans."

Momoshiki stood before Kazuki's coffin, eyeing it with interest as he murmured, "What exactly is inside here that made Isshiki willing to burn through his vessel just to get it? Is it the sinner—Kaguya?"

"No idea, senior," Urashiki replied casually. "But whatever it is, it must be something of great value… Maybe a legendary treasure or something?"

With a teasing smile, Urashiki lifted Isshiki's severed head and joked, "Senior, here's your vessel—go hide in it for now. Being defeated by mortals… really doesn't suit your reputation."

He moved again.

Using a strange technique, Urashiki froze Uchiha Obito in place—even as Obito's body, riddled with black rods, struggled to resist.

As the freezing took hold, Isshiki's Kāma mark began to spread across Obito's body.

Meanwhile, inside Obito—

Black Zetsu's eyes snapped wide open. "No… no! He's going to possess Obito!"

"Someone save him! Kazuki—no, Brother, I beg you—please save Obito!"

The usually terrifying Black Zetsu now stared desperately toward Kazuki's coffin. That once-feared silhouette was now its only hope.

Only Kazuki—only Kazuki might be able to stop this. Only he could save Obito… Only he could stand against these Ōtsutsuki from who-knows-where!

Silently, Kazuki shifted back into the coffin. In the total darkness within, he whispered softly to Kaguya: "Kaguya… are you ready to fight your own kin?"

Kaguya tilted her head, slightly bewildered.

"Eh? Me?"

Kaguya was lost in confusion.

Why was she the one who had to face Kinshiki, Urashiki, and Momoshiki?

No, Kazuki-sensei, even though I, Kaguya, have exceptional talent and pick up combat skills quickly…

I'm still just a child!

Do I really have to fight those terrifying main family members?

I don't even have the Ten Tails inside me right now!

"The best way to overcome fear is to face it…"

Kazuki gently patted Kaguya on the shoulder, smiling as he said slowly: "I've more or less grasped the strength of these main family members from the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Don't be afraid. I'm right behind you—you just need to give it your all."

"Even though they're from the main family, they're not stronger than you. What you've lacked is a platform and an opportunity. Now that you've met me, the education you've received has allowed some of your talent to be realized."

Kaguya blinked and looked at Kazuki's gentle smile, and gradually, she began to feel at ease.

She trusted Kazuki.

If he said so, then he must be confident in defeating these Ōtsutsuki members.

A strange feeling brushed across her heart—

It felt as if she were a bullied child who had come home to complain, and after getting comforted and backed up by the adults, was now about to storm back out to reclaim her pride!

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

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