Momoshiki extended his hand, lifting Kinshiki's body into the air with ease. A swirling black portal opened behind him, and without a word, he stepped inside, dragging his comrade along.
Minato froze, stunned for a heartbeat before shouting toward Obito, "Not good! Obito, hurry, go support Madara and the others!"
"Yes!" Obito answered sharply, placing a hand on Minato's shoulder. His Mangekyō swirled, and the two vanished into Kamui's distortion.
On the battlefield, Urashiki writhed in the grip of Amaterasu. With a desperate gasp, he swallowed the black flames whole. Dark smoke curled from his lips as he raised his hand and hurled several violet orbs of destructive energy in fury.
"Damn humans, how dare you—"
"Control yourself."
The words cut like ice. Momoshiki appeared beside him, his expression filled with disdain.
Urashiki's body stiffened instantly. "M… Momoshiki-sama? You've returned!"
He had almost slipped and said "Little Peach," but thankfully Momoshiki had not noticed. Instead, the golden-haired Ōtsutsuki's gaze locked onto Madara, narrowing in surprise.
"The Rinnegan? Just what are these humans?"
Urashiki quickly interjected, "That one is the most troublesome, without question. He must be connected to Kaguya!"
"Hmph. Then I suppose I'll stop holding back."
Momoshiki released Kinshiki's broken body, drawing him forward with invisible power. The giant's fading eyes flickered open.
"Momoshiki-sama… use me."
"You needn't tell me twice."
A crimson beam of light enveloped Kinshiki. His form twisted, compressing until only a glowing red fruit remained. Before the horrified eyes of Madara and the others, Momoshiki raised the fruit to his lips and consumed it piece by piece.
Dark markings spread across his body, but unlike Urashiki's grotesque transformation, his appearance remained unnervingly elegant. From the crimson ring that formed behind him, he drew forth a radiant staff, its glow pulsing with overwhelming power.
With a single motion, he charged straight for Madara.
Madara shoved Itachi aside, conjuring a black Truth-Seeking Orb staff to meet the strike. Their weapons clashed with a sound like thunder, shockwaves ripping through the ruined valley.
Urashiki joined the fray without hesitation, forcing Madara to split his focus.
Itachi prepared a Fire Release to assist but was stopped by Minato, who reappeared at his side.
"Don't. Ninjutsu only feeds that Rinnegan of his," Minato warned. His eyes were sharp, his voice calm, yet his mind was racing. The brief skirmish earlier had already told him Momoshiki's secret.
Instead of fire, Minato surged forward himself, his Sage Mode cloak igniting around him.
Obito and Itachi exchanged glances and remained back. Their techniques, in a battle like this, could too easily tip things in the wrong direction. For now, they observed, waiting for their opening.
The clash raged violently. Momoshiki's newfound might, paired with Urashiki's frenzy, pushed Madara and Minato into a desperate struggle. The Rinnegan's powers and Minato's Sage-enhanced reflexes bought them time, but the gap was clear.
Minato's thoughts churned. Chiga, where are you? If this keeps up, I'll burn through what's left of my life all over again.
As though summoned by his wish, another black portal spiraled open above the battlefield.
Minato's heart leapt—only to freeze as he saw who emerged.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya descended, her presence bringing the entire clash to a halt.
Urashiki's eyes went wide. "That's—"
Momoshiki cut him off sharply, his voice venomous. "Kaguya! Disgrace of our clan! So you finally crawl from hiding."
Kaguya's face betrayed a flicker of fear, but the black mass in her sleeve hissed before she could respond.
Black Zetsu emerged, pointing accusingly. "What are you? How dare you address Mother like that! Look at yourself—you're neither human nor ghost!"
"What?!" For the first time, Momoshiki faltered at being openly cursed. His eyes narrowed at the strange creature. "And what exactly is that?"
Zetsu held his gaze defiantly. If he had the strength of Hagoromo or Ashura, he would have leapt to battle. But all he had were words—and words were his only weapons.
Urashiki's lips twitched, a laugh threatening to escape. He despised Momoshiki's arrogance, that unshakable superiority he carried even among his own clan. Still, they were allies for now. Forcing down his amusement, he growled, "Senior, ignore that parasite. Kaguya has shown herself. Let's finish these humans and claim the Ten-Tails' location."
Momoshiki shot him a withering glare. "Are you giving me orders?"
Urashiki clenched his fists, grinding his teeth as a storm of curses raced through his mind. But Momoshiki's authority in the clan was absolute. He could only breathe out slowly and swallow his pride.
Instead, he flung a volley of violet orbs toward Kaguya in frustration.
She dodged swiftly, her long hair transforming into countless silver needles that rained toward the two Ōtsutsuki.
Momoshiki scoffed, summoning a shield from the crimson ring behind him. It deflected every strand with ease.
Kaguya landed lightly between Madara and Minato.
Minato's eyes flickered with both relief and confusion. "Why are you here? Do you know where Uchiha Chiga is?"
Kaguya shook her head softly. "I do not know where Master has gone…"
In truth, she had sensed the arrival of Urashiki and Kinshiki long ago, but fear of her clan's wrath had driven her into hiding at Chiga's dwelling. Yet she knew she could not remain in the shadows. If Urashiki slew Minato or the others, Chiga's fury upon his return would be far worse than facing her own terror now.
Especially Minato—she had learned that he was Chiga's closest friend. If Minato perished here, she dared not imagine the consequences.
So, after a long internal struggle, she had chosen to appear.
Madara's eyes, however, narrowed with contempt. He harbored nothing but disdain for her. The reasons were simple: she was Ōtsutsuki, and her puppet Black Zetsu had deceived him for decades.
Black Zetsu shrank back beneath Madara's gaze, forcing a nervous laugh. "Madara-sama…we meet again."