Yami's Sharingan had two eye techniques.
One was Takamagahara, which he often used, capable of copying any dōjutsu. Up until now, all known Sharingan techniques in the ninja world had been copied by him, including Shisui's Kotoamatsukami.
In order for Yami to master this skill, Shisui had once used this so-called strongest illusion on an ordinary Chunin. Even with the superposition of Hashirama cells and double Mangekyō pupil power, it still required three years of cooldown before it could be used again.
Compared to Takamagahara, the other eye technique was rarely used.
Other than practicing with it a few times to familiarize himself, Yami had never used it in actual combat.
The reason was simple. He had been overwhelming his opponents the entire way, and there was no one worthy of forcing him to use it.
Now, Isshiki had briefly regained his peak strength, but he was still no match. The only reason Yami used Takamagahara was to prevent Isshiki from escaping with his spatial ability.
These Ōtsutsuki, including Yami himself, had already mastered the power of space to perfection, so it was better to be cautious.
Yami's pupil power continued to improve and evolve, and now the range of Takamagahara had increased from tens of meters to several kilometers.
Isshiki felt as if his body was stuck in a swamp, his movements sluggish and heavy, an unbearable sensation.
Swoosh!
Several Yin-Yang black rods flashing with cold light gathered in the void, and several sharp spears protruded from the ground, ready to skewer Isshiki like a hedgehog.
"Is this kind of person worthy of my temporary avoidance?"
Yami glared at Kaguya, and with a flash of light, the black rods were already before Isshiki.
Isshiki's black pupils glowed with golden light, Sukunahikona activated, and the Yin-Yang rods vanished without a trace.
But before he could smile—
Puff, puff!
The black rods that had just shrunk stabbed through his body.
"Fool, competing with me in control."
Yami sneered and stepped forward. Before the afterimage behind him disappeared, he was already in front of Isshiki.
This was not a spatial ability, but pure speed. Under the cover of the Takamagahara, Yami's attributes increased tremendously. Isshiki's eyes reacted, but his body still could not move.
Bang!
A slap struck Isshiki's face, and Yami's hands did not stop.
The second punch broke his sternum.
The third shattered his shoulder bone.
The fourth pierced his abdomen.
Puff!
Isshiki coughed blood, retreating rapidly while enduring the searing pain. He wanted to use spatial power to escape, but the entire space seemed welded shut. No matter how he activated his ability, there was no response.
"Little god of the Ōtsutsuki, you tried your best." Yami's voice followed as he closed in.
The contemptuous words cut through Isshiki's body and soul like a knife, making him spit blood in rage and howl to the sky.
"How can you be this strong!"
He refused to believe that such a monster could exist on a backward, indigenous planet, completely crushing him.
"It's not that I'm strong, it's that you're too weak."
Purple lightning flickered around Yami's hand, and a Truth-Seeking Orb transformed into a spear, stabbing out. The distorted void formed a spiral vortex, squeezing so hard that Isshiki's speed dropped drastically, slower than even a Chunin.
Isshiki could only roar in anger, watching helplessly as another hole was pierced through him. Several black rods then struck, embedding into crucial acupoints across his body, blocking his chakra flow and preventing him from activating Sukunahikona.
Yami walked step by step toward Isshiki, grasped his throat, and lifted him into the air.
At the same time, his body sent out hunger signals, craving to devour Isshiki whole.
Isshiki sensed it and his eyes filled with fear.
"Yami, what do you want to do?"
"What?" Yami tilted his head and smiled, unsettling Isshiki.
"Of course, I'll seize you and refine you instantly."
The chakra in Isshiki's body surged into Yami like a flood.
"Royal family… you're actually royal family!"
"My lord, forgive me! I have offended you, please, please…"
Isshiki finally understood the source of his dread.
Yami's bloodline was even more refined and pure than his.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but Yami absorbed him too quickly.
In just a few seconds, Isshiki reverted back into Jigen's appearance, the black Kāma markings on his body fading until they disappeared completely.
Kaguya, who had been watching, floated closer. After confirming Isshiki was truly dead with no chance of resurrection, she finally smiled. It was a breathtaking sight.
"Dead, truly dead."
At least for the short term, she no longer had to fear the Ōtsutsuki clan's revenge, a relief that lifted the weight of constant dread from her heart.
Watching Yami put Isshiki down and dig out his eyes, Kaguya no longer cared where they were. She threw herself into his arms, releasing the passion hidden in her cold exterior…
(To be continued.)