Momoshiki had lost.
Even after devouring Kinshiki and unleashing every power at his disposal, he was still unable to defeat Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
It felt like fate itself was mocking him.
Momoshiki was unwilling—utterly unwilling.
No.
I am a proud member of the Otsutsuki clan.
How could I possibly fall like this?
Impossible.
I will not accept this!
Momoshiki's body trembled violently in mid-air. The crushing sense of defeat gnawed at his pride, forcing him to cling to his final contingency.
That's right.
The Otsutsuki clan has never feared death.
Because a true Otsutsuki never truly dies.
With that thought, Momoshiki—who was already falling apart—suddenly opened his pupils wide.
At that instant, Naruto, who had remained alert the entire time, felt his heart violently contract. Without hesitation, he grabbed Sasuke and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, attempting to retreat immediately.
Naruto had never let his guard down against Momoshiki.
In his previous life, it was at this exact moment—when victory seemed assured—that Momoshiki had unleashed a terrifying technique.
Time Freeze.
An ability completely unprecedented in the shinobi world at that time.
After being defeated, Momoshiki had frozen time itself, halting everything within that space except Boruto.
And now, in this life—
Momoshiki reappeared at the same critical juncture.
"Time Freeze!!!"
Momoshiki roared.
Fearing Naruto and the others might escape using space–time ninjutsu, he activated the technique instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
In a single moment, space and time were completely locked.
Naruto.
Sasuke.
Toneri.
All of them were frozen in place, unable to move even a finger.
Momoshiki's physical body continued to crumble, but his soul detached and floated free, drifting through the suspended world like a ghost.
His gaze settled on Toneri.
There was no doubt—Toneri was the most suitable vessel available.
First, Toneri possessed Otsutsuki blood, sharing the same lineage. Second, Toneri had awakened the Tenseigan, an eye of pure and refined power, perfectly capable of integrating Momoshiki's data and allowing a flawless resurrection in the future.
Momoshiki was just about to force his data into Toneri's body—
When he suddenly tilted his head.
His Byakugan, activated in his soul form, turned toward Naruto.
The moment Momoshiki examined Naruto more closely, his expression froze.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"So that's how it is… Hahaha…"
"There are traces of space–time markings on your body. Interesting. Truly interesting."
"And not only that… you actually carry within you the secret of the Tenseigan's resurrection."
"This is huge. Absolutely enormous."
Momoshiki's laughter echoed silently through the frozen space.
Compared to Toneri, Naruto was far more valuable.
Although the Otsutsuki blood within Naruto was not particularly pure, he possessed far too many secrets—and an unimaginably vast amount of chakra.
That alone made the gamble worthwhile.
Time was running out.
The Time Freeze technique was nearing its limit.
Momoshiki made his decision.
He abandoned Toneri and floated directly toward Naruto.
"Fox… I'll take my chances with you."
In the final instant before time resumed, Momoshiki used the Kāma-like data imprinting technique, forcibly embedding all of his remaining information into Naruto's body.
Thus—
Uzumaki Naruto became the vessel of Otsutsuki Momoshiki.
"Hahaha… fox… wait patiently… until the day you become me…"
Momoshiki's consciousness fell into slumber.
The Time Freeze shattered.
Space and time resumed their flow.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Toneri all staggered slightly as sensation returned to their bodies.
Because Naruto and Sasuke still possessed the Yin and Yang power left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, they could clearly feel that moment of suspended existence. In their previous lives, they had been completely unaware of it.
"Naruto… did you feel that just now?"
Sasuke turned to him, his expression grave.
Naruto nodded slowly, worry etched across his face.
Then he immediately looked toward Toneri.
"Toneri, do you feel any discomfort in your body?"
Toneri shook his head.
"No. Nothing unusual."
The three of them approached Momoshiki's remains.
His physical body was rapidly dissipating, breaking down into scattered chakra particles.
Without hesitation, Sasuke pulled out a sealing scroll and unfurled it mid-air.
His Mangekyō Sharingan spun violently as he aimed it at Momoshiki's fading form.
"Fūinjutsu: Uchiha Soul-Sealing Technique!"
With a sharp sound, thick sealing smoke burst from the scroll, wrapping around Momoshiki's remaining chakra before forcibly pulling it inside.
The scroll snapped shut.
Sasuke exhaled and handed it to Naruto.
"Place your seal."
Sasuke activated the Yin Seal.
Naruto followed immediately, placing the Yang Seal atop it.
When the sealing was complete, Naruto looked at Sasuke curiously.
"What was that seal you just used?"
Sasuke gestured for Naruto to keep the scroll.
"It's a forbidden soul-sealing technique passed down within the Uchiha clan. It requires the Mangekyō Sharingan to activate."
"Our clan excels in genjutsu, so sealing souls is something we've studied extensively."
"As long as the target is illuminated by the Mangekyō and captured by the sealing smoke, their soul will be forced into eternal slumber."
Naruto blinked in surprise.
"Uncle Fugaku knew something like that?"
Sasuke closed his eyes briefly.
"That technique… was meant to be my father's final trump card."
"It was originally prepared to assassinate the top leadership and seize control of Konoha."
"But Itachi… stopped everything."
Naruto fell silent.
He understood.
If Itachi hadn't chosen the village over his clan—if Fugaku and Itachi had joined forces—Konoha's fate might have been completely different.
But that path would have led only to destruction.
Itachi had chosen sacrifice.
Toneri broke the silence with a faint smile.
"Then Momoshiki and Kinshiki are finished. That leaves only Urashiki."
Sasuke nodded.
"Yes. One Otsutsuki still remains."
"And Naruto was right—Urashiki never showed himself. It seems the Otsutsuki clan isn't as united as they claim."
Naruto, however, remained deep in thought.
Sasuke noticed and frowned.
"What's wrong, Naruto?"
Naruto sighed softly.
"I'm wondering… where Momoshiki really went."
Toneri looked confused.
"Didn't Sasuke seal him?"
Naruto stared down at the scroll in his hands, his expression heavy.
Sasuke understood immediately.
"In this life, Boruto doesn't exist," Sasuke said quietly. "You're worried that Momoshiki implanted his data into one of us… and might resurrect in the future."
Toneri's eyes widened in shock.
"Resurrect…?"
The battle was over.
But the shadow of the Otsutsuki had not vanished.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon