Although internal clan regulations prohibited cannibalism among kin, there was one exception—those serving as hosts or sacrifices during the God Tree Festival!
Kinshiki had originally existed to be sacrificed, so offering him early wouldn't raise much objection.
However, the downside was that Momoshiki might lack proper offerings when presiding over future God Tree Festivals.
Right now, though, Momoshiki-sama couldn't afford to care.
His pride as a higher-ranking warrior would never allow him to submit to someone beneath him!
If necessary, he'd just defeat this guy and use him as the sacrifice!
These thoughts flashed through Momoshiki's mind like lightning as he roared, "Gatai!"
Without resistance, Kinshiki flew toward him, declaring, "Momoshiki-sama, please, take my strength!"
In the blink of an eye, his body transformed into a plump, glistening Chakra Fruit, red and lusciously tempting!
But just as Momoshiki reached for the fruit, a golden light flashed, slicing it in half!
Luckily Momoshiki reacted just in time, slightly altering the fruit's trajectory.
A wave of sword energy slashed through, splitting the Chakra Fruit into two unequal halves.
Momoshiki snatched the larger half, while the smaller piece landed in Toneri's hands!
"A gift shared upon meeting!" Toneri tossed his incomplete fruit piece playfully, teasing, "Giving me only one-third—don't you think that's rather impolite?"
Momoshiki gnashed his teeth, "Give it back!"
Toneri smiled gently, "Do you really think that's possible?"
"Aaaargh!" After a fit of helpless rage, Momoshiki glared fiercely at Toneri while devouring his portion furiously, as if chewing up Toneri's very flesh!
Toneri hesitated, staring at his own fruit piece. Although it was a Chakra Fruit, knowing it had once been Kinshiki made him feel nauseated.
Still, he didn't hesitate for long. The shadow of hesitation vanished quickly from his brow, replaced by renewed determination.
"To become Aizen-sama's sharpest weapon, one must have the resolve—no matter what it takes, even eating human flesh wouldn't be out of the question!"
Upon eating the fruit, instead of revulsion, an unexpectedly exquisite aroma filled his mouth, the flesh dissolving instantly on his tongue!
A surge of power coursed through his body, as if his very soul had been transformed and elevated!
"My strength has at least doubled!" Toneri felt astonished inwardly. If just one-third of the Chakra Fruit could produce such effect, no wonder Momoshiki wanted to devour him whole!
Yet soon another thought struck him, "If even I could gain this much from one-third, how immensely powerful has that guy become?"
"Aaaargh!" Momoshiki threw back his head with a furious howl, releasing an overwhelmingly mighty aura!
His body began to grow taller, the curved horns atop his head straightened upright, his hair extended down his back to his waist, dark patterns surged across his body, the Rinnegan in his palm turned golden, and even a third eye began opening between his brows, radiating a faint golden glow!
Yet just as the forehead Rinnegan was about to fully awaken, the transformation suddenly halted!
Like a zebra caught mid-doodle with the ink running out, the black patterns on his upper body abruptly vanished!
The majestic and mysterious golden Rinnegan on his forehead had transformed into a pair of squinty eyes!
When they saw this, the crowd that had just been stunned by his overwhelming aura couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Hahaha, is this idiot here to entertain us?"
"One minute you realize it's just squinty eyes, the next it looks like someone's butt!"
Momoshiki became furious, his whole body trembling. He first shot a murderous glare at the people off to the side before turning his gaze to Toneri. "It's all because of you, you bastard!"
Right after he said that, Momoshiki instantaneously appeared in front of Toneri, delivering a powerful kick.
"So fast!" Toneri's pupils constricted sharply as he quickly crossed his arms in front of his chest to block.
Bang!
Toneri felt as if he'd been hit head-on by a meteoroid, being smashed violently backward.
After finally stopping, his hands were nearly numb and devoid of sensation!
Before he could even catch his breath, Momoshiki was already charging at him again.
Toneri quickly arranged his nine [Truth-Seeking Balls] in a ring around him, forming a shield-like barrier in front of his body.
However, this shield only offered minimal resistance, [shattering in the next instant with a resounding crash].
Momoshiki's knee slammed into Toneri's abdomen, sending him flying backward like a cannonball.
It wasn't over yet. Momoshiki used gravitational force to pull him back, then drove his elbow hard into Toneri's chest.
"Ugh!" Toneri spat out a large mouthful of blood.
"You hit me pretty hard earlier, huh? And you stole my Chakra Fruit too? Come on, keep going! What's wrong, can't show off anymore?" Momoshiki laughed arrogantly.
Seeing the tide turn, the people who were just laughing at Momoshiki suddenly fell silent and looked serious.
"Fucking hell, this guy can still transform!"
"Three years ago, that guy consumed himself; this guy eats his allies. Is their way of growing stronger equally brutal?"
"What noble aliens? They're just a bunch of beasts that still [eat raw flesh and drink blood]!"
"[His strength]..." Seiki, sitting calmly in the sky above, thought inwardly in astonishment. Previously, Momoshiki's power was roughly equivalent to 1.2 to 1.4 Urashikis. However, after consuming two-thirds of Kinshiki, his strength had skyrocketed to the level of 3.5 to 4.5 Urashikis!
Consider that Kinshiki wasn't even stronger than Urashiki!
Consuming less than one Urashiki's worth (two-thirds of Kinshiki) had increased his power by more than two Urashikis!
It defies common sense, but that's just how the [Otsutsuki] work!
Seiki murmured to himself, "Still, I can handle this level of strength without too much trouble!"
Meanwhile, within the conference hall, transformed into a speck of dust, Isshiki Otsutsuki gazed intently at Toneri.
"The birth of every Otsutsuki requires a massive amount of chakra. I didn't expect a third Otsutsuki to emerge on this planet!"
"Moreover, his talent in both [Dojutsu] and physical abilities is practically perfect. He's even good enough to serve as my vessel!"
Because of the presence of the Kāma, normally, it would be difficult for one Otsutsuki to take over another Otsutsuki's body. However, that Tenseigan was clearly newly born, and hadn't returned to the Main Family, so it likely didn't even know how to use the power of the Kāma properly.
Under these circumstances, soul transference had a high probability of succeeding!
"Even if I can't take over his body, [refining him into a fruit] and eating him would still provide tremendous benefits!"
"But that Main Family brat seems to have the same plan in mind..."
Thanks to his sharp mind, he could easily read Momoshiki's thoughts.
"We must sabotage his plan!"
Just as Isshiki was about to forcefully break through the Chakra Barrier to seize Yugito, the situation on the scene seemed to undergo a subtle change!
At some point, a layer of faint Gekko flowed around Toneri's body, forming a dome of light that blocked Momoshiki's attack!
"What is this?" Momoshiki clenched his fists. That frustrating feeling of punching air annoyed him greatly!
"This is the power of the Branch Family you dared to look down on!" Toneri's right hand tore through space, revealing a huge eye behind the rift—as large as the Moon and faintly glowing!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>