261 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

"Mother, though Hagoromo and Hamura are gone, one of their descendants has stolen the power of the Ten-Tails. They are incredibly strong—it seems they have undone the Infinite Tsukuyomi," Black Zetsu's raspy voice echoed.

"It's nothing more than fragmented chakra. Insignificant," Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's expression remained indifferent. Her Byakugan flickered as she locked onto the direction of Konoha.

Black Zetsu warned, "Mother, do not underestimate them. There are two individuals there whose strength is extraordinary. One has absorbed a substantial portion of the Ten-Tails' chakra, while the other is even more enigmatic—I cannot discern his limits."

"It does not matter. Before me, they are nothing but scattered fragments of chakra," Kaguya responded impassively.

With a mere thought, a dark spatial rift opened before her.

Like slipping through a blank sheet of paper, Kaguya vanished within it.

...

Meanwhile, in Konoha, 

Akira's gaze suddenly sharpened as he locked onto a presence ahead.

A human-sized spatial rift appeared, and from within, a pale figure floated into view.

Akira's expression grew solemn.

"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya!"

Clearly, Uchiha Madara had paid no heed to his warnings.

He had blindly trusted Black Zetsu, only to become a vessel for Kaguya's resurrection.

"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya!?"

Hearing Akira's words, the gathered individuals turned their shocked gazes toward the figure before them.

Uchiha Hikari's expression turned grave as he muttered, "Madara is nothing compared to her. The intensity of this chakra... it far surpasses Uchiha Madara."

"So this is the progenitor of chakra..." Shisui felt a bead of cold sweat slide down his forehead.

Just the pressure of her chakra made it feel as though a mountain had crashed onto his chest, suffocating him.

"This is beyond ridiculous..." Tsunade's lips twitched as she steeled herself.

Kaguya's face twisted slightly, veins bulging around her eyes as she scrutinized those before her.

A chillingly powerful surge of chakra erupted from her, making everyone feel as though their very existence was being peeled apart under her gaze.

"Just as Black Zetsu said—you five have stolen my chakra!" Kaguya's icy voice echoed.

Finally, her gaze locked onto Uchiha Akira, a flicker of recognition passing over her face before she suddenly widened her eyes in shock.

"It's you!?"

Uchiha Akira smiled slightly. "It's me. Surprised?"

It was clear—Kaguya remembered him. They had crossed paths long ago, in the distant past.

"Compared to back then, you've grown far stronger... Not only have you merged Hagoromo and Hamura's power, but you've even fused my chakra into your own." Killing intent filled Kaguya's expression.

Memories surfaced—of the time she had taken on the form of the Ten-Tails, only to be gravely wounded by Akira's space-time abilities.

"But in the end, you're all just fragments of chakra. You could never be a match for me!"

Kaguya's gaze turned piercingly cold as her chakra flared, making the sky tremble slightly.

Uchiha Akira's expression remained serious. Kaguya was not at her peak, but her strength still far exceeded theirs.

However, he was confident they had a chance. His dojutsu was his greatest trump card.

With the ability to summon his past and future selves, along with the ultimate defense and offense of Kamui—

As long as Akira stood, Kaguya would not have an easy victory!

"Are you sure you want to fight us now?" Akira asked, his tone carrying a subtle implication.

Kaguya's Byakugan narrowed in confusion before she spoke as if stating the obvious,

"If you willingly return my chakra, I will spare you."

"Dream on!" Uchiha Hikari scoffed. "Not only are you dreaming, but you're also sleep-talking while dream-walking!"

Kaguya showed no anger. Her expression remained indifferent.

"Then I have no choice but to reclaim the chakra Hagoromo scattered with my own hands."

"If you're not afraid of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki reaping the rewards of our battle, then go ahead." Akira's Sharingan spun, ready for combat.

"Ōtsutsuki Isshiki..." At his words, Kaguya's expression finally darkened.

Her Byakugan bore into Akira as if she could see through his very soul. "Did you just say Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"

"If your hearing isn't failing, then don't ask pointless questions," Akira replied flatly.

Kaguya murmured to herself, "So he's still alive? Given the circumstances back then, he shouldn't have been able to find a suitable vessel..."

Unlike her, Isshiki lacked true immortality. When she had ambushed him, half his body had been destroyed—he should have perished.

A suitable vessel for an Ōtsutsuki was not so easily found.

"His luck must be extraordinary," Kaguya mused.

"His current vessel is named Jigen. Perhaps you should ask Black Zetsu," Akira glanced at the shadow lurking in Kaguya's sleeve.

At the mention of Jigen, Black Zetsu suddenly recalled the man who had fiercely battled Nagato.

"Mother, that man... His abilities allow him to shrink objects and restore them. He can also open space-time portals..."

Black Zetsu's voice faltered as he spoke, realization dawning upon him.

Kaguya's expression darkened completely. As Isshiki's former subordinate, she knew his abilities all too well.

"So after all these years, the 'Kāma' has not fully activated? Finding a complete vessel for an Ōtsutsuki is no simple task..."

But even if Isshiki fully resurrected, Kaguya was unbothered.

Having consumed Earth's chakra fruit, her strength had long surpassed his.

"You know a great deal," Kaguya's gaze locked onto Akira. "But if you think you can use Isshiki to intimidate me, you're mistaken."

Kaguya's voice turned icy. "Even if he fully resurrects, it won't matter. He'll serve as perfect nourishment for the God Tree."

To produce a true chakra fruit, a sacrifice was necessary.

The higher the quality of the Ōtsutsuki sacrificed, the more potent the fruit.

The stronger the fruit, the closer their clan came to true godhood.

"So intimidation has failed... That only leaves battle."

Akira's thoughts raced. His Sharingan spun as he discreetly exchanged glances with the others.

Understanding his signal, everyone tensed.

A battle was inevitable.