Under the effects of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, life energy from across the world flowed rapidly into Ōtsutsuki Zero-shiki's body. A twisted look of euphoria appeared on his face.

"The biological energy of this world is incredibly rich, far superior to the last one!"

Zero-shiki had consumed a Chakra Fruit before becoming Ōtsutsuki Shibai's guardian, but even that power paled in comparison to the energy he now absorbed.

He had only drawn a fraction of the life force, yet the gain already surpassed his expectations.

Uchiha Chiga's expression grew serious. If Zero-shiki continued absorbing at this pace, not only would his power skyrocket, but Gion and the others—trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi—might not last much longer.

He had to act. Now.

The twelve Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him stirred as if sensing his resolve. They floated in front of him, merging and twisting into a long, spiraling sword.

Chiga blinked at the sight—then his eyes widened in recognition and a faint smile formed.

"This is... Amenonuhoko?"

It was a sword born from conviction. The more resolute the wielder's heart, the more devastating its power.

And at this moment, Uchiha Chiga's determination was absolute: he would destroy Ōtsutsuki Zero-shiki.

Grasping the sword tightly, he aimed it directly at his enemy.

"Die!!!"

Amenonuhoko extended suddenly, launching forward like a divine spear toward Zero-shiki, who was still absorbing energy from the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Sensing the incoming danger, Zero-shiki immediately stopped his absorption. Ten pitch-black tails unfurled behind him, lashing out to intercept the divine weapon.

Buzz!

As the two forces clashed, waves of black energy radiated outward, disrupting the space around them. Light and shadow flickered violently.

A flash of purple light gleamed in Chiga's Rinnegan as he growled,

"More More Power!"

The Amenonuhoko swelled with enhanced power, breaking through the barrier of ten tails and piercing straight into Zero-shiki's torso, sending him crashing into the ocean below.

Without hesitation, Chiga raised his other hand and released a barrage of crackling purple lightning. Bolts rained down into the water.

The sea erupted violently. Then, with a wave of his hand, Chiga parted the ocean with a tremendous surge of will, revealing the devastated figure of Ōtsutsuki Zero-shiki at the bottom.

Half of Zero-shiki's body had been annihilated by the Amenonuhoko. What remained was charred and broken—a shadow of his former form.

Even in that state, Zero-shiki glared upward and muttered bitterly,

"Damn it... These Devil Fruit powers are so troublesome. A single mistake and I'm hit..."

His body didn't regenerate immediately. He floated upward using only his remaining strength.

Chiga watched him grimly. The immortal Ōtsutsuki body truly was a nightmare. No conventional attack would finish this battle. Only sealing would work.

He considered unleashing a massive Chibaku Tensei, the sealing technique used by the Sage of Six Paths against Kaguya. But sealing Zero-shiki might require a celestial-scale Earth Explosion Star... perhaps even the entirety of the Grand Line itself.

"What would even be left to protect?" he muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, Zero-shiki regained some confidence, seeing Chiga hesitate.

"What's wrong? Out of tricks already?" he mocked, rising through the air.

Chiga ignored the taunt. He was calculating.

Zero-shiki's remaining body began writhing, regenerating at an alarming pace. Chiga couldn't afford to stall.

In a flash, he closed the distance and drove his fist into Zero-shiki's face, sending him hurtling across the sky.

Mid-flight, Zero-shiki's regeneration completed. He stopped himself and cracked his neck with a wicked grin before rushing back to engage in close combat.

The two abandoned their abilities and fought purely with taijutsu. Their battle shifted from sky to sea and back again, each blow fracturing the very fabric of space.

When they finally separated, hovering in the air again, Zero-shiki smiled darkly.

"Your strength is impressive... You'd be considered elite even within the Ōtsutsuki Clan."

It was the first time in a while that Chiga had faced someone who could fight him on equal footing, but he wasn't interested in admiration.

He glanced at the crimson eye-patterned sun in the sky—the source of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

I have to end this... now.

To truly kill Zero-shiki, he had to remove the Ten-Tails from his body.

Only one power could manage that—the Op-Op Fruit.

Chiga focused, channeling his Rinnegan's energy into the tomoe linked to the Op-Op Fruit. A purple ROOM space expanded, enveloping both him and Zero-shiki.

Zero-shiki's expression grew grim.

He raised a finger and fired a black beam of energy at Chiga, but the beam veered upward unnaturally before it could reach him.

Another followed—and another. Each shot twisted and turned, never touching Chiga.

Inside the awakened ROOM space, Chiga had gained full control. His opponent's attacks were meaningless here.

Chiga closed his eyes, syncing with the power of the awakened Op-Op Fruit. Through it, Zero-shiki's body became translucent. Deep inside, he saw it—a dense, black mass of energy suspended in Zero-shiki's core.

The Ten-Tails...

Chiga opened his eyes and reached forward, pulling with all his strength.

Zero-shiki's expression changed instantly. He tried to escape the ROOM, but it was too late. A black substance began to pull from his abdomen.

Panic set in. He gripped the dark mass tightly, desperately trying to shove it back inside.

Chiga's eyes narrowed. With a focused glare, explosions ignited along Zero-shiki's body—not damaging, but enough to break his concentration.

"Now!" Chiga roared.

With a final yank, the entire Ten-Tails entity was forcefully ripped out of Zero-shiki's body.

Zero-shiki's eyes went wide. His face contorted in desperation as he let out a thunderous, soul-shaking scream.

"NO!!!"

---

Man, I wonder the kind of face Orochimaru would give Chiga when he return to the Ninja world.

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