*Chapter 339: The Power of Itsuki!*

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!"

Just as Itsuki finished speaking, in an instant, the Six Paths Sage and Kaguya simultaneously launched an attack on him.

The ferocious and relentless barrage of attacks made Hashirama Senju and the two younger ones break into a cold sweat.

They couldn’t believe that someone who had fought them so fiercely for so long had actually been holding back.

Is this their true strength?  

Compared to them, what are we?  

The two younger ones muttered in their hearts.

However, the Six Paths Sage and Kaguya suddenly halted their assault, their faces turning grim as they glanced to the side.

Itsuki's figure casually emerged from that direction, unharmed.

The earlier attacks had all missed.

“Six Paths Sage, that’s not fair!” Itsuki chuckled. “How could you attack me? What happened to our alliance?”

Though his words carried a tone of reproach, his expression betrayed no surprise, as if he had already anticipated the Six Paths Sage’s actions.

“Hmph!”

The Six Paths Sage sneered, “You must have expected this, didn’t you? I’m no fool. I wouldn’t let you pick us off one by one. My only chance to survive is to team up with Mother.”

“Wrong!”

Itsuki shook his head repeatedly, “You’re mistaken, Hagoromo. I’m smiling not because of that. Like I said, when I chose to ally with you, I never intended to break the agreement. After sealing Kaguya, you’re free to do whatever you want. If Naruto and the others end up fighting you, as long as it’s outside the boundaries of the Hidden Leaf Village, I won’t interfere.”

“In fact, if Kaguya weren’t so intent on casting Infinite Tsukuyomi and trapping the world, I wouldn’t even bother with her. Anything beyond the Hidden Leaf has little to do with me.”

The Six Paths Sage was taken aback. He asked instinctively, “Then why—”

“Because I don’t care!”

“About you!”

“About Kaguya!”

Itsuki smiled faintly, as strange and faint patterns began to appear on his face.

Seeing those markings, both the Six Paths Sage and Kaguya grew tense.

This is Sage Transformation!  

Although Itsuki had used Sage Transformation before, neither the Six Paths Sage, Kaguya, nor even Hashirama felt it was ever at its full potential.

There was always something lacking, though none of them could pinpoint what it was.

He’s already achieved Sage Transformation; what could still be missing?  

It wasn’t until this moment that they realized what had been wrong. In the past, Itsuki’s use of Sage power seemed to carry some regret—a piece of the puzzle was incomplete.

Now, that regret was gone.

Now, he was going all out.

Realizing this, Kaguya and the Six Paths Sage’s expressions grew even darker.

So Itsuki had never fought seriously before?  

If so, then we—  

Their suspicions weren’t wrong.

In the past, even when Itsuki had used Sage Transformation, he never went all out. The Sage’s power to him was merely supplementary.

Moreover, there was another reason he held back.

Countless streams of Sage power converged, eventually forming a clear mark on his forehead—a glowing dot.

In addition, his hair color began to change due to the Sage’s energy.

His once jet-black hair turned brown, including his eyebrows.

The transformation made him resemble the Child of the Sun!  

When Itsuki had privately experimented with full Sage Transformation for the first time, he’d been dumbfounded.

Were it not for his now longer hair, he would’ve looked like a child again.

Although no one in the Shinobi world would recognize the Child of the Sun, Itsuki still felt a deep sense of embarrassment.

This was partly why he had always held back during previous battles.

Going all out had an unwanted side effect: it affected his appearance.

But now, with the final battle underway, there was no room for hesitation.

Itsuki turned his gaze to the Six Paths Sage and Kaguya. His eyes transformed into Rinnegan as he smiled.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

The Six Paths Sage and Kaguya exchanged a glance before charging toward Itsuki.

“BAM!”

But they were intercepted.

A massive wooden figure stood in the Six Paths Sage’s path, while beside it, an enormous Susanoo materialized.

It was Hashirama Senju and Sasuke Uchiha!

“Did you forget about us?” Hashirama shouted. “Six Paths Sage, let us three test your strength!”

“Damn it!”

Both Kaguya and the Six Paths Sage wore grim expressions.

Great!

The Six Paths Sage was now stuck dealing with Hashirama, Naruto, and Sasuke, while Kaguya was left to face Itsuki alone.

Can she even win?  

The current Itsuki exuded an aura of danger that was impossible to ignore.

Moreover, the two younger ones—Naruto and Sasuke—were stronger than their original selves, and Hashirama was no slouch either.

A single mistake, and the Six Paths Sage could fall.

This was bad!

“Buzz!”

Hashirama activated Sage Transformation first.

Then Sasuke’s Susanoo underwent Sage Transformation as well.

Yes! Sage Transformation!

At some point, Naruto had joined Sasuke inside Susanoo. His Sage power flowed into Sasuke’s Susanoo, boosting its strength further.

“Attack!”

Hashirama roared, unleashing True Several Thousand Hands, while Naruto and Sasuke summoned the blade that had once defeated Obito, slashing toward the Six Paths Sage.

…

“Tsk, tsk, it’s just the two of us now.”

Itsuki smiled at Kaguya. “How about we call it a draw and not fight?”

“Not fight?”

Kaguya sneered. “Would you let me cast Infinite Tsukuyomi if we didn’t fight?”

“Kaguya, why are you so foolish?”

Itsuki sighed. “If you execute Infinite Tsukuyomi, not a single person will help you—not your sons, nor us. Anyone who lives in the Shinobi world will oppose you. Do you really think you’re invincible?”

Kaguya remained silent.

What could she say?

In her era, she might have confidently declared: Who can stop me?  

But things were different now.

Her two sons had grown.

Her two grandchildren had become formidable.

And now, there was this Uchiha Itsuki!

Just as Itsuki said, she was likely the weakest of them all.

Everyone was against her.

Had it not been for their conflicting interests, she would’ve been dealt with long ago.

Itsuki alone or Hagoromo alone would be tough enough. Together, they’d be nearly impossible to overcome.

“Uchiha Itsuki, you don’t understand!” Kaguya said calmly. “I’m desperate. If I don’t fight now, I’ll die later. Fighting now gives me a sliver of hope.”

“The Ōtsutsuki Clan, right?”

Itsuki chuckled. “Do you think your chances of survival are better if I help you, or if you create countless White Zetsu?”

Kaguya froze, momentarily stunned.

Itsuki helping her?

If he did...

Wouldn’t her odds against the Ōtsutsuki Clan be significantly better?

Her breathing grew heavy.

White Zetsu?  

No matter how many of them she created, could they truly match the Ōtsutsuki Clan?

How many White Zetsu would it take to defeat even one Ōtsutsuki?

What’s more, Uchiha Itsuki had so many powerful allies!

The more she thought about it, the more she felt convinced.

But then—

Kaguya sighed. “Uchiha Itsuki, I don’t trust you.”

---

This statement already reflects Kaguya’s intentions:

“If you can earn my trust, you don’t need to say a word—I’ll definitely join forces with you. But if you can’t, sorry, there’s no way we’re teaming up, even if I die!”

At least, for now, she still has a partial ally.

Hagoromo!

Once Hagoromo is dealt with, she’ll truly be left all alone.

“Heh, you want me to prove myself?”

Itsuki chuckled softly.

“Yes.”

Kaguya’s expression was serious.

She didn’t have any particular ambitions for power; she just wanted to survive.

“No problem!”

Itsuki agreed without hesitation.

If it were the old him, he would’ve scoffed: “Prove myself? Who do you think you are? Believe me or don’t—your choice!”  

But now, Itsuki was different. He had grown and matured.

He was a leader, no longer the reckless kid he used to be, and he was proud of that.

So—

Boom!  

In an instant, Itsuki appeared in front of Kaguya and threw a punch.

Kaguya went flying. Her head tilted awkwardly, stunned.

Just a moment ago, they were talking peacefully, so how did it escalate so quickly?

Buzz!  

Itsuki’s body trembled as his massive *Susano’o* materialized.

This time, the Susano’o was covered in mysterious patterns, infused with the energy of Sage Mode.

“Slash!”

Itsuki roared as Susano’o swung its sword with immense power.

Boom!  

Kaguya dodged swiftly, but the earth split in half under the force of Itsuki’s strike. Even Hagoromo was alarmed.

“Heh.”

Itsuki chuckled lowly and disappeared, reappearing instantly in front of Kaguya.

“So fast…”

Boom!  

Before Kaguya could react, the colossal Susano’o landed another punch, smashing her to the ground.

“How is this possible?”

Even Hagoromo was stunned.

Hashirama muttered, “Is that Flying Raijin?”

But how could Susano’o use Flying Raijin?

Actually, it might be possible. After all, the technique’s creator, Tobirama, was a Senju. Who’s to say an Uchiha couldn’t master it?

And what if someone could combine Flying Raijin with Susano’o?

If Tobirama had heard these thoughts, he’d probably spit in frustration.

“Flying Raijin is a space-time jutsu that already pushes the limits of what’s possible. And you want to use it while wielding a giant like Susano’o? Are you trying to defy the laws of reality?”  

But Itsuki had done it—thanks to Sage Mode.

His mastery of Sage Mode had reached such a level that he seamlessly merged his Susano’o with his own body.

Susano’o raised its arm again, and Kaguya coughed up blood, looking battered and exhausted.

“Heh heh, hahahaha!”

Itsuki let out a strange laugh and threw a few more punches.

Boom! Boom! Boom!  

After several more blows, Kaguya finally fought back, shattering Susano’o’s fist. But she wasn’t unscathed and kept coughing blood.

Swish!  

Itsuki suddenly deactivated Susano’o and appeared before Kaguya in his true form.

The Grasscutter Sword swung down.

Pfft!  

The blade pierced through flesh with a sharp sound, pinning Kaguya to the ground.

“Well?”

Itsuki gripped the sword, pressing it against Kaguya’s shoulder, looking down coldly. “Do you believe me now, Kaguya?”

Hearing this, Kaguya almost wanted to curse.

This is how you expect me to trust you? You’ve got some nerve! Why not just kill me? That way, you wouldn’t even need to prove anything!  

Click.  

Suddenly, several *All-Killing Ash Bones* shot out, targeting Itsuki.

No matter her condition, Kaguya’s space-time techniques allowed her to launch attacks with precision.

Itsuki casually swung his blade.

Slash! Slash! Slash!  

The bones shattered in midair.

“This sword of yours…” Kaguya’s expression shifted slightly.

“It’s just a little sharper than usual,” Itsuki replied with a smile, pointing at her. “So, do you trust me now?”

Kaguya’s gaze wavered as the surrounding gravity intensified.

Pfft!  

But Itsuki stood right above her. Without hesitation, he pressed the blade into her shoulder again.

“Ungh!”

Kaguya groaned in pain, glaring angrily at him.

“Kaguya, don’t you understand?”

Itsuki smirked. “You’re no match for me. If we keep fighting, you’ll only get more injured.”

Kaguya bit her lip, glaring at Itsuki with defiance.

She had lost.

Defeated by her two sons in the past, and now by this random upstart.

If she had read the original story, she’d probably feel even more bitter—beaten by her grandsons too.

No matter the excuses, a loss was a loss.

“Fine,” Kaguya sighed in defeat. “I get it, Uchiha Itsuki. I trust you.”

“Haha!”

Itsuki chuckled, shaking his head. “Kaguya, you don’t seem convinced. That’s no good. Let’s fix that—I’ll give you another chance.”

Green energy flowed from Itsuki’s hand, rapidly healing Kaguya’s injuries.

He wasn’t just a fighter; he was a skilled medic too, especially with Sage Mode enhancing his abilities.

“What…?”

Kaguya looked at him in disbelief.

I already admitted defeat, and now you’re healing me and giving me another shot? Are you that confident?  

Swish!  

At this moment, Black Zetsu appeared in front of Kaguya, glaring warily at Itsuki. “Mother, what do we do now?”

“Stop!”

Before Kaguya could speak, Itsuki interrupted.

He rolled his eyes at Black Zetsu and sighed. “Can you not call her ‘Mother’ like that? It’s kinda gross.”

He shifted his gaze to Kaguya, smirking.

“Though if you want to call me ‘Father,’ I wouldn’t mind at all.”

(End of chapter.)