Urashiki seized the chakra basket and shoved it into his mouth. A golden portal shimmered into existence before him. He raised his foot to step through, but before leaving, he turned his head back toward Madara, his lips curling into a sinister smile.
"Humans, when I return, I won't be as gentle as I am now. By the way—your chakra tastes exquisite."
Madara's brow furrowed in disgust at the remark.
Urashiki chuckled, his laugh nervous yet mocking, before disappearing into the glowing doorway.
When he emerged again, his appearance had warped. His body had taken on avian features, feathers sprouting across his frame. A third Rinnegan gleamed on his forehead, golden like the pair in his eyes. His voice, once sharp and mocking, was now hoarse and twisted, his laughter echoing unnaturally through the battlefield.
Madara let out a cold snort. "Putting on a show."
The laughter stopped instantly. Urashiki's gaze turned icy as he extended his hand toward Madara. "I noticed how fond you were of this ability. Perfect. Let's see how you like it when I use it."
From his palm surged a wave of repulsive force—Shinra Tensei.
Madara countered with his own Shinra Tensei. The two invisible walls of force collided, sending shockwaves across the Valley of the End. Yet Urashiki's transformation had tipped the scales. Madara skidded backward, jamming a black rod into the ground to stabilize himself.
When he lifted his eyes again, Urashiki had already closed the distance. A taloned claw slashed for his face. Madara's Limbo shadows were still on cooldown, leaving him no choice but to block with his arm. The sheer power of the strike launched him across the battlefield.
Seeing Madara fall, Itachi's Susanoo manifested, the spectral warrior forming blazing red tomoe in its hands before hurling them at Urashiki.
The transformed Ōtsutsuki sneered. He opened his mouth wide and inhaled, swallowing the projectiles whole. Then he raised a clawed hand and loosed a sphere of violet energy toward Itachi.
The Susanoo's Yata Mirror rose just in time, absorbing the brunt of the impact. But before Itachi could respond, Urashiki was already there, his claw slamming into Susanoo's abdomen.
Crack!
The sound of breaking armor echoed as the Susanoo shattered, dissolving into crimson fragments of light.
Itachi had anticipated this. His body dissolved into a flock of crows, scattering into the air just as Urashiki's claw reached for him.
Urashiki growled in frustration. "These tricks again!"
Purple energy spheres rained wildly from his hands, tearing apart what remained of the Valley of the End.
At that moment, Madara returned to the field. His hands flew into seals, his voice low and commanding.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
The earth split, and a massive wooden dragon surged forth, coiling toward Urashiki. With a single punch, the Ōtsutsuki obliterated it. Yet the fragments reformed instantly, dozens of miniature wood dragons wrapping tightly around his limbs and torso.
Urashiki roared, unleashing another Shinra Tensei that blasted the bindings away. Itachi seized the opening.
"Amaterasu!"
Black flames erupted, devouring both Urashiki and the battlefield around him.
On the other side of the valley, Kinshiki's broken body toppled to the ground, riddled with black rods. Obito stepped forward and, without hesitation, drove another rod into the giant's frame. Kinshiki convulsed violently before finally falling still.
Minato grimaced. "Obito, your methods are even harsher than mine."
Obito shrugged. "Minato-sensei, you literally shoved a Rasengan down someone's throat. Don't play innocent." He gave Kinshiki's body a rough kick. "This guy is weaker than Jigen was."
Minato frowned. "Jigen? Did Chiga go after him?"
"Yes," Obito replied. "But don't worry, Sensei. That guy was nothing compared to Uchiha Chiga."
Minato still looked troubled. "Even so, Chiga hasn't returned yet. I can't help but worry."
Before Obito could respond, space warped. A swirling black portal opened, and Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki stepped forth.
Both shinobi tensed immediately, their bodies shifting to flank him from opposite sides. Momoshiki exuded an oppressive aura, his mere presence heavier than Kinshiki's had been.
He ignored them entirely. His gaze fell coldly on Kinshiki's fallen body.
"To be reduced to this by humans… shameful."
Kinshiki's eyes fluttered open weakly. His voice rasped. "Forgive me, Momoshiki-sama. I was… too useless."
The title made Minato's eyes narrow. This one stood higher than Kinshiki, and if Kinshiki was already overwhelming, then Momoshiki's power would be far worse.
Obito shared the same thought, his expression grim. With a quick glance, the two launched forward together, aiming to strike before he could act.
Momoshiki raised his arms as if embracing their attack. The Truth-Seeking Orb Minato hurled was instantly absorbed by the crimson Rinnegan embedded in his right palm. From his left hand, a massive orb, several times larger, materialized and fired straight at Obito.
Obito's pupils shrank. In the last instant, his body blurred into intangibility. The destructive orb tore through him harmlessly and detonated in the distance, blooming into a massive mushroom cloud.
Momoshiki tilted his head, intrigued. "A space-time ability? Interesting." His eyes then shifted to Minato. "But you—your chakra carries the stench of the Ten-Tails. Even more fascinating."
He extended his hand, and the gravitational pull of Banshō Ten'in yanked Minato toward him. Just as Momoshiki's claws reached for him, Minato flickered and reappeared back at his original spot. His chest heaved with relief.
Good thing I left a Flying Thunder God mark earlier. That Rinnegan in his hand is dangerous—if he had caught me, it would've been over.
Momoshiki's composure cracked. His scowl deepened. "Another space technique? No wonder you defeated Kinshiki."
Kinshiki coughed, his voice strained. "Momoshiki-sama… these two are not to be underestimated. Please—let me become your power."
Momoshiki froze. His pride bristled. "Become my power? Against mere humans? Don't insult me—"
Before he could finish, a tortured roar echoed across the valley. Urashiki, still engulfed in black flames, screamed in pain.
Momoshiki's head snapped toward the sound. His Byakugan activated instantly, sight piercing the battlefield.
His eyes widened. "That fool… he actually transformed?!"
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