"You… do have a point."

Momoshiki, who already had his hand pressed against the Blackwater Nine-Dragon Coffin, paused when he heard Urashiki's words. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his white eyes strained to pierce through the jet-black stone and see what lay inside.

Kazuki, meanwhile, calmly infused his body surface with Kaguya's chakra.

"So it really is that disgrace of the clan! She not only betrayed the main family, she even forgot the pride of the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"

Momoshiki instantly recognized Kaguya's chakra. Any nervousness he had just moments ago immediately faded away.

If it was Kaguya…

Then the outcome of this battle was already set in stone.

"Urashiki, hurry it up!" Momoshiki said irritably, though he still dutifully waited.

Or rather—

He was waiting for Isshiki to successfully survive.

Isshiki must not die.

This was partly Momoshiki's pride as an Ōtsutsuki—he couldn't allow a mere mortal to kill a noble member of the main family—but also because he needed information about the shinobi world from Isshiki.

Who exactly was this Might Duy?

Even Momoshiki still felt a lingering fear. He and Urashiki had only just entered the shinobi world when they sensed a space-time fluctuation from the Dragon Vein—and had tracked the signal from a treasure tool that led them to Kazuki's dimension mid-way.

In other words, they didn't know much about this world.

If there was a Might Duy in their timeline too, and if they got kicked like Isshiki had been…

That would be far too dangerous.

Momoshiki needed Isshiki to provide intel on this ninja world.

"Understood, Senior! I'll speed things up!"

Urashiki looked down at Uchiha Obito, then turned to Kinshiki and said: "A few ants came looking for trouble. Go deal with them."

Kinshiki nodded. Behind his massive frame, a huge crimson ring appeared—he reached into it and drew out a massive glaive, which he then swung horizontally at the Konoha ninja rushing in for support!

Ferocious slashes tore across the ground.

Kinshiki, using his Byakugan, activated a phasing ability strikingly similar to Uchiha Obito's, instantly teleporting beside Senju Tobirama, Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and the others—engaging them in battle.

"Alright, that should just about do it…"

A moment later, Urashiki glanced at Uchiha Obito and nodded as he called out: "Senior Momoshiki, Senior Isshiki has survived!"

After all, Black Zetsu was never skilled at direct combat.

When it came to resisting Isshiki's invasion, it could only stall him slightly. It had no means of halting the process fundamentally.

It couldn't save Obito.

Black Zetsu could only fall back, step by step, watching helplessly as Isshiki rapidly devoured Uchiha Obito's body—and retreating into the shadows, trembling all over.

What do I do?

What the hell do I do now?!

Uchiha Obito collapsed to the side…

At that moment, Urashiki and Momoshiki stood shoulder to shoulder, one on each side, pressing their palms against the Blackwater Nine-Dragon Coffin—and together pried it open!

And in that instant—

All eyes turned toward them.

Momoshiki and Urashiki both grinned savagely, their eyes flashing with killing intent and greed.

It really was Kaguya.

And she still possessed such a vast amount of delicious chakra—these two could hardly wait to feast on her.

But in Black Zetsu's eyes, there was only despair.

It had caught a glimpse of Kazuki's gaze from inside the Blackwater Nine-Dragon Coffin…

And that was not the brother it feared and revered!

What lay within was the battle-idiot, the one who messed up everything she touched and couldn't get anything right—Kaguya!

In other words… Kazuki had lost? Lost to Kaguya?!

"No… No! Brother, you can't lose this time!"

Black Zetsu's eyes widened to the brink of bursting. More than anything, it wished that Kazuki would seize back control of the body in the next second—and turn everything around!

...

The lid of the coffin was flung open.

Kazuki, long absent from the shinobi world, had returned to this realm—once again visible to all.

Not only did Black Zetsu notice something was off, but the other shinobi familiar with Kazuki also felt a sudden jolt of dread in their hearts.

At this moment—

Kazuki's entire body was radiating chakra that didn't belong to him, but to Kaguya. His expression was one of forced ferocity masking inner weakness—an expression no one had ever seen on his face before...

But more importantly—his eyes.

There was an unsettling clarity to them, a kind of foolish innocence. Like a young genin, baring his teeth in a weak attempt to fight back, even though he knew he was powerless against the bullies surrounding him...

Could this really be Kazuki?

No. This wasn't him at all!

In the hearts of those who knew Kazuki's nature, even when facing an invincible foe, he would always remain calm, always calculating, always searching for a path to victory—not like this, falling into a disadvantage the moment the battle began.

Kazuki's current state...

Even the Sage of Six Paths and Ōtsutsuki Hamura were visibly shaken.

Others might still be uncertain, but the two of them knew exactly what was going on—

It was plain to see: Kazuki had been possessed by Kaguya!

"You disgrace of the Ōtsutsuki clan, Kaguya! You abandoned the responsibilities of the branch family and fled with the Chakra Fruit for a thousand years. Did you really think the clan wouldn't find you?!"

Momoshiki pointed at Kazuki, eyes narrowed and voice cold. "And now, you've even colluded with these natives to turn against your kin. That is treason!"

He turned his head and cast a glance toward Shisui, who was using his dōjutsu Butōgyoku to keep Might Duy clinging to life, and gave a disdainful snort.

Yet he didn't make a move. Instead, he raised his voice and called out to Kinshiki, who was fighting the shinobi of this world: "Spare that mortal with the powerful taijutsu. Keep the fight away from him—I'm intrigued by his technique!"

Urashiki, meanwhile, wore a mocking yet cruel smile as he spoke in a low voice: "Long time no see, Kaguya... I must admit, I'm surprised. To think you, of all people, could fight Isshiki to a draw—forcing both of you into rebirth through vessels..."

"A shame, really. Your plan was nearly perfect. You lured Isshiki into an ambush using a formidable native. If not for me and Senior Momoshiki, you might have succeeded in taking him over."

Urashiki slowly drew out his fishing rod.

"The clan does not tolerate traitors... And this planet that gave you the will to rebel against us? Senior Momoshiki and I will make sure it's thoroughly investigated by the High Council."

"There are definitely some valuable jutsu here..."

The power released by Might Duy upon opening the Eighth Gate—Death Gate—had inevitably drawn the attention of both Momoshiki and Urashiki to the Eight Gates technique.

That a mere mortal, so insignificant in the eyes of gods, could suddenly burst forth with power strong enough to endanger even Isshiki's life—this deeply piqued their interest.

So, neither Momoshiki nor Urashiki delivered a finishing blow to the dying Might Duy. They allowed Shisui to keep him barely alive.

Because to them, Duy had become a valuable experimental subject.

"Kaguya, there's no need to panic. I'll provide cover for you."

Kazuki's voice was soft as he spoke to her. "I told you before—the best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on. The self-doubt in your heart can only be erased through real combat."

"I'll shield you. Don't hesitate. Use all the techniques I've taught you. You're not inferior to those two from the main family."

Kaguya took a deep breath, her gaze firming with resolve. "Understood, Kazuki."

But it wasn't just determination—

Kaguya was deeply moved.

Momoshiki and Urashiki—these were members of the main Ōtsutsuki line, terrifying enemies by any standard.

And yet Kazuki had willingly surrendered his own body to her—just to help her regain confidence and prove she was capable.

He wasn't even concerned that her clumsy fighting might cause them to lose the upper hand or that his own body might be injured in the process...

What kind of trust was this?

Even if she scoured the entire universe with a lantern in hand, she would never find someone who believed in her as completely and sincerely as Kazuki.

This wasn't just rare—it was nearly impossible.

In that moment, even Black Zetsu faded from her thoughts.

Although this third son had diligently operated in the shinobi world for over a thousand years, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk through wind and rain...

He hadn't really accomplished anything noteworthy.

He had cultivated Uchiha Obito, who, on the surface, appeared to possess a fairly decent dōjutsu—but the moment the fight began, he was instantly annihilated by Isshiki. Worse yet, he even ended up becoming the vessel that allowed Isshiki to cling to life...

This gave Kaguya a peculiar feeling—Black Zetsu would've been better off doing absolutely nothing. All he'd done was make things worse!

Moreover, Kaguya never even witnessed the supposed 'effort' Black Zetsu put in.

Looking strictly at the outcome, and judging by how badly Obito had flopped, it felt like Black Zetsu was that student who genuinely studied all day, but just as he finally picked up his phone for a short break, his parents walked in—and assumed he'd been slacking off the whole time.

Kazuki, by contrast—

Though he hadn't spent much time with Kaguya, every single day he had taught her useful knowledge. And more importantly, he gave her what she truly needed: emotional support. He kept telling her she had talent, that she was intelligent, and that her future was full of promise...

He had, in essence, spoon-fed her bowl after bowl of soul-warming encouragement.

And she lapped up every bit of it.

After all, wasn't that the reason she had originally split off Hamura and Hagoromo—to ease the anxiety in her heart by seeking companionship?

Kazuki had fulfilled that role perfectly.

Besides—

Who wouldn't like someone with top-tier looks, overwhelming strength, a warm smile, a kind disposition, and exceptional talent that even stood out among the Ōtsutsuki clan—yet remained genuinely humble?

Compared side-by-side...

Kaguya could only sigh and mutter in resignation—Black Zetsu, you're just not it!

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