After Yggdra went on the attack, Naru and her group were forced into a purely defensive battle. However, no defenses worked, and their healing couldn't keep up. Any attack they launched was meaningless, and as hard as they might try to use their skills, they were all nullified. Naru's group had powered up a phenomenal amount since the start of the battle, but even then, they couldn't manage. Yggdra was just too ridiculous.
Yggdra spawned a universe outside the universe and another universe beyond that. Each universe was but a single cell of another one, which was in turn just another cell. After a dizzying hundred repetitions of this, a supergiant universe was born.
All of this was used by Yggdra as a consumable bomb. After starting a hundred big bangs, she destroyed it all with a big crunch. It was just way too much—way, way too much.
The scale of the fight was now so inflated it was becoming stale. What she was doing was just like selfish children arguing, saying, "Mine is way better than yours!" She was just making things bigger for the sake of it. She was using this childish non-logic as a brute-force response to everything, blowing all her problems away. All powers, speed, skills, everything was meaningless in front of what she was doing.
However, Naru laughed in the midst of this rough situation.
I see. She certainly is the strongest. She's incredible, but Yggdra is wrong about one thing . One simple, silly thing —but that thing will prove to be the most important truth here. She doesn't know that I too am a childish sore loser!
"Yggdra…" Naru said, trailing off.
"Hmm? What is it? Are you conceding already?"
"No, no. You were just going on for so long about your strength, so allow me to answer that with something of my own."
The corners of Naru's mouth lifted upwards in a fierce smile.
She's working on a much larger scale, but we're both standing on the same stage. We're both fighting as gods who have surpassed their worlds.
Then… Right. This is all just a competition of will. It's because I keep thinking useless thoughts like, "I'm at the limit of my strength," or wondering how strong I really am, that I get caught up like this. What's important here is just forcing things to be the way I like it. There doesn't need to be any reason or logic behind that. Those are just useless.
"You may be strong, but I'm stronger!"
As she spoke, Naru's power soared, surpassing the setting that Yggdra had laid down.
Supergiant universe? Who the hell cares. Infinite stats? That doesn't matter. You can overwrite anything? So what? "I am stronger than all of that." This simple line will counter everything.
Oddly enough, Yggdra was right. At this level, the concept of strength no longer exists. Concepts, providence, laws, and limits—all of these are decided by gods, so it follows that none of them exist in their dominion. We would have had to create them on our own.
What I have to do is paint over this pure-white canvas of a space and insist that I'm right. Yggdra could do it, so we can do it too! We came from the world that Yggdra made, after all, so normal laws don't apply to us!
Now that I think about it, that's probably why the laws of physics didn't apply to us at all. Of course we would be able to do things that would normally be unthinkable. We inherited Yggdra's power.
There's no doubt that Yggdra is the strongest. That's why the only thing that can defeat her is her own power. So from now on, it's a match of will and strength, one where the opponent says they're strong, and I say I'm stronger. This will just be a childish argument where we repeat that over and over. This is God's territory, so I can do it. I can do anything!
Naru's stats instantly switched to display infinity signs in every slot, and then those infinity signs started multiplying endlessly.
At this rate, simple physical force would solve everything. Naru's existence itself caused the supergiant universe currently around them to shatter into particles and disappear.
Naru punched.
Pure, distilled violence assaulted Yggdra, and the invisible wall protecting her broke, and she was sent flying. It was a Powerful Punch That Can Shatter Any Barrier that broke Yggdra's Amazing Barrier That Can Block Any Attack. The wind pressure from her attack continued onwards seemingly forever, destroying everything in front of it and even claiming one of Yggdra's arms.
"Ah, as I thought. You really have risen up to my level. Yes, I did faintly notice that things might turn out like this."
Yggdra instantly undid the damage to herself with a smile that made it seem like she was crying and laughing at the same time.
I never thought anyone would be able to reach here. I thought that no one would ever stand equal with me. I figured that all I'd ever do is play with puppets, moving small people as I pleased, and that I would be alone here forever. So… Why? Why was someone who was only supposed to be a puppet able to come this far?
"Seriously, nothing ever goes my way. I wanted to make thoughtless puppets, but they turned out the exact opposite. Nothing ever happens the way I plan it. You're all completely right. I'm just a deity who can't do anything right."
"Are you sure?" Naru questioned. Yggdra couldn't respond.
"Are you really sure that you never did anything right?" Naru asked, certain of the answer.
Yggdra's expression froze.
There was something that Naru had always wondered. Is Yggdra really just the careless, unthinking Goddess that we assume she is? She was too careless, too immature, too thoughtless. Thanks to that, Naru and her group had been able to carry out their plan properly and deceive Yggdra.
But maybe that was all because some part of her wanted this?
"That's not it. Your wish isn't something like that. What reason is there to use such roundabout methods to try and make me a puppet? No matter whom you ask, they'd say you made a mistake. What you actually want is the opposite, Yggdra. Your ability to force everything to be the way you want it, and the fact that you are alone, isolated by your power, causes you pain. You can't grasp a sense of reality. You don't feel alive. To you, there is only one true person alive in this place. It's as if you've shut yourself up in a room, playing with dolls by yourself while being hounded by a sense of loneliness. That's why you wanted someone to notice you and rise up against you. You wanted me to exist."
Yggdra felt as if something had stabbed her in the chest. However, that was just a feeling; nothing had actually stabbed her. In the first place, she was immortal. She'd created a setting where she couldn't be killed by anything. Even if she was struck by some supposedly god-killing weapon, she would be left without a scratch. She wouldn't even feel any pain.
So then… What is this pain? Why… do I feel so fulfilled?
"You wanted someone who wouldn't move just as you wanted them to, right? You wanted something to leave your hands and move on their own, didn't you? You didn't want to be omnipotent. You wanted at least one thing that your power could not do anything about. You wanted someone at your side who would not simply move as you wanted." Naru paused. "Well, be happy, Yggdra. Your dreams have come true. The despicable demon of your dreams who will oppose you is right here. The one you've always wished for is in front of your very eyes."
"Ahhh…" When she finally made a sound, Yggdra's voice was shaky, and she covered her face in her hands.
Ah, that's right. I remember now. This pain; this feeling. It's been such a long time since I've felt this. I've forgotten what it was like. How many millions or billions of years has it been…? Maybe tens of billions? I've forgotten.
This is… Right. It's delight.
I've been lonely. Ever since I was born, I was far too different from others, and I was completely separated from any and all laws. I was unable to stand on the same ground as others. While everyone else does their best just to live, I am the only one not truly alive. That was why I wanted to save them. I wanted to bring them all up as close to my level as possible.
That was what she truly wanted, but the height she wanted to bring people up to was just too great. When she had become a god, that distance only became worse, and her ever-increasing power drove her further and further into loneliness.
Though there were others who could speak and communicate their will, she herself was unable to join them. It was as if she were looking at characters displayed on the other side of a monitor, and when she tore her eyes away, she was reminded that there was no one there but her.
She was jealous of those small people. That was why she at least wanted to be involved in their stories, and she attempted to influence the world with a script. Desiring the satisfaction that came from granting their happiness, she continued a cycle of mistaken salvation.
However, all of it was just an act of consolation. None of it filled her heart. In truth, she'd always wanted someone who would stand right in front of her and defy her, just like what was happening right now.
Yeah, it's obvious to me now. I never wanted faithful puppets. I wanted someone who would walk on their own, think on their own, and show that they were their own person, even if they had to betray me… I wanted someone to chase after me—me, who became too strong and climbed so high that I could never go back—no matter what methods they had to choose.
I wanted someone to tell me that I wasn't alone…
"Come, poor girl who's been trapped in a prison by the name of omnipotence," said Naru. "You no longer have to save anyone. It's your turn to be saved by me."
For a moment, Yggdra was quiet, then she started laughing. "A… Ah ha ha… Ah ha ha ha ha…"
Laughter could be heard from Yggdra, even though her hands were still covering her face. Though it sounded like laughter, it also resembled crying… It was probably the first time in her life she'd ever had a happy cry.
"AH HA HA HA HA HA HA! AAAAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Eventually, the Goddess lost control of her emotions, and she descended into a long bout of uncontrollable laughter that echoed through space and time. Just the sound of her laughter was able to put cracks in space-time as well. A parallel world somewhere was totally destroyed along with the dinosaurs in it, who were unaware of the reason for their death. A spacefaring civilization that had sprouted from Earth in a different timeline and had even waged interstellar wars was erased with no recourse. The very concept of time was ripped out by its roots, causing Hinata and the others, who were awaiting Naru's return, to stop in their tracks. The aftereffects of the Goddess's laughter alone had erased half of the universes connected to the Endpoint.
Eventually, the Goddess removed her hands from her face and spoke, seeming to have calmed down. "Hee hee hee… That's some talk. Are you sure you can do it? It may sound like boasting, but my temper is a bit… extradimensional."
"I don't mind."
Naru beckoned Yggdra, prompting Sakura, who had been waiting for the conversation to end, to heave an exasperated sigh. Satsuki let out some strained laughter herself, and the two of them looked at each other and nodded.
"This is it for us then. You can take care of this spoiled brat by yourself," said Sakura.
"I'd like to say that I feel I could handle the Goddess too…" Satsuki said, pausing. "But it seems to me that things are reaching a point where we cannot keep up. I'll leave the rest to you."
From here on out, the fight would take place in a realm for gods who could make everything go exactly how they pleased.
Sakura and Satsuki had already been fighting in this Endpoint at a level normal people would consider godlike, and they were holding their own. However, they had realized something after that laugh. The fight up until now—with those big bangs and big crunches and whatnot—had been fought with the Goddess still holding back greatly. She might not have even considered it fighting. From here on out, things would be even harder. The combatants would climb to the summit of infinity, piling infinity after infinity upon each other. It would be a fight without any upper limits.
However, while Sakura might attempt to keep up for Naru, she couldn't work up that much fighting spirit against the Goddess. She knew she would always end up slowing down. In a similar fashion, Satsuki was unable to believe that she was the absolute strongest, well, strongly enough. She knew she would always end up paying attention to any inconsistencies and contradictions, causing shadows of doubt to sprout. She would unmistakably end up dropping out in the middle, and that could not be allowed.
What was needed to win this fight was a selfishness that would not be outdone. They needed to absolutely hate losing. Only those who could truly believe they were the absolute strongest without a shadow of a doubt could stand against the Goddess. That was why, from here on out, only Naru and Yggdra would take to the battlefield.
Honestly, Sakura and Satsuki were frustrated. They didn't want to be left behind. However, they realized that they would be in the way, so they couldn't, in good conscience, attempt to stop Yggdra.
"I'm bored. I'll be going home first, so I'll be waiting for you." Sakura tried to hide her frustration with harsh words as she patted Naru on the shoulder. When she did so, she transferred all the mana, or experience, she had within her to Naru. With that, Sakura lost the right to stay in this place and was flung back to where she had come from.
"Sorry about not being able to fight with you to the end," said Satsuki.
"Don't worry about it."
Satsuki also transferred all the mana she carried to Naru before disappearing.
Now there were only two people left: Naru and Yggdra. From here on out, it would be a clash of wills to decide who was stronger, so it had to be one-on-one.
If we were to fight three-on-one,Yggdra probably wouldn't accept the result. It'd give her wiggle room to make an excuse. That can't be allowed. She has to completely accept her loss, or this lonely Goddess will never stop.
"Now then, Yggdra. We're finally alone. No need to hold back…" Naru paused. "Come at me!"
"Yes… Let's start this thing!"
Naru and Yggdra both raised their hands, unleashing manifestations of pure destruction that had no name. There was no more need for skill names. Thinking of them was too much work.
Both combatants wielded infinite power, so they each one-upped their opponent's infinite power, going ever more infinite as the fight went on. Small attacks, like big bangs and big crunches, were no longer used. They would be useless, after all. With no need for skill names, they clashed with the purest expressions of power.
I'm strong, thought one.
I'm stronger, thought the other.
Then I'm even stronger than that, thought the first.
Naru continued to get ever faster, continuing to double the speed of light to increase the definition of speed itself without end. However, Yggdra accelerated at a pace that left such definitions behind in the dust. The next moment, Naru did the same thing back to Yggdra.
If Naru threw a punch with impossible power behind it, Yggdra would double up on it and punch back, which prompted Naru to add on another stack and return the favor. If one of them were to state that the other's infinity was just a one to them, then the other would just come back with an even higher level. The two of them used each other as footstools, trying to set themselves as the absolute powerhouse in the fight.
As this exchange of attack and defense went on, the two of them paid no heed to the heights they were reaching. They weren't interested.
Another universe was layered on top of the original. Then another was layered on top, then another, then another, then another, and then another. Universes were surpassed and became Multiverses, which were then also surpassed. Omniverse were then leapt over until Yggdra surpassed everything that could be perceived!
None of that mattered. At this point, there would be no end to this pattern. Either way, it was all basically worthless if it didn't leave a lasting effect on the opponent.
"Heh heh heh… Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
Yggdra let out an innocent, childlike laugh before immediately throwing out a nasty, ruthless attack.
The ability to kill anything, piercing through all resistances as long as the attack is in the same space as its target. The ability to reflect any and all attacks. The ability to turn back time, invalidating something's very existence. The ability to always make me win, no matter what. The ability to bestow defeat upon the opponent. The ability to delete anything just by its being in my vision. The ability to cancel out all other abilities.
I destroyed the concept of attacking and sealed off all attacks, and then I did the same for defending as well. Not to mention all of the abilities of countless gods from myths. Even abilities that came straight out of fictitious works. I've used everything I can think of, and still, Naru hasn't disappeared. She hasn't stopped.
This is so fun!
"That's right… Enjoy it as much as you can, Yggdra. I'll take everything you can throw at me."
Naru smiled as if she were looking at something cute and lovable, but all the attacks that were being thrown at her were pure overkill.
Arm strength that will allow my punches to pierce through any ability and kill. Leg strength that will allow me to dash through any tricks. Eyesight that will allow me to see through my opponent's next move and her move after that. The grit to bounce back, no matter what is done to me. The control to steal all of my opponent's abilities and turn them back on her. The mental fortitude to declare that I am unaffected, no matter what settings are laid upon me. I'll use everything I have to overcome and surpass everything that is thrown at me, all to chase down Yggdra.
Clash! A universe contained within a dimension was erased, along with all its parallel universes.
Clash! A greater dimension, made of a nearly unlimited number of dimensions coming together, was unable to resist and was blown away.
Clash! Not even a supergreater dimension, made of countless greater dimensions, was able to withstand the fight as it was smashed apart.
Not yet. I haven't had enough yet. It still won't reach. My opponent in front of me is still fresh as a daisy. There's no damage at all, so I need to go higher. I need to reach greater heights! Until the end of the end of the end!
It was no longer even a fight. It was basically a game, only playable because they were both monsters who lived in an entirely different dimension. They were messing with each other.
The Goddess and her rebellious Devil laughed together from the bottom of their hearts as they clashed, and the aftereffects erased countless worlds.