Just as Madara Uchiha was about to reclaim his eye from the little girl, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki launched a furious attack.
He summoned several massive black cubes from above using Daikokuten, each carrying the power of destruction as they slammed violently toward the ground, interrupting Madara's action.
Immediately after, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki charged at Madara like a berserk beast, attempting to engage him in close combat.
Facing this sudden and ferocious assault, Madara did not retreat in the slightest.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward to meet Isshiki head-on, intent on deciding the outcome through taijutsu.
However, just as the two were about to collide—
"You're… Hinata?!"
The unexpected voice rang out, a thunderclap to both Madara and Isshiki, neither of whom had sensed anyone else's approach.
Both paused in unspoken agreement and turned toward the voice.
It was Hikaru Uchiha, who had just teleported in and was now staring at the little girl in surprise.
Upon hearing that long-lost name, Hyūga Hinata fell into momentary confusion.
Memories long buried surged in her mind, overlapping with the present scene, leaving her disoriented.
Then, something clicked.
She looked at Hikaru with joy lighting up her face.
Although the Great Toad Sage's prophecy had been vague and lacking a clear answer, for someone in this time to know her name—there could be no mistake. He had to be the anomaly.
She had wished countless times for this person to appear. And now, that wish had come true.
Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
Instead, tears streamed down her face like broken beads. She wiped at them nonstop, but they wouldn't stop.
This completely stunned Hikaru.
He had just teleported in, spotted a girl who looked like Hyūga Hinata, and reflexively shouted.
Only for the girl to break down in tears without a word in reply.
It left him feeling utterly at a loss.
But clearly, this was not the time to be asking questions.
Hikaru turned his gaze to the two mid-battle.
One was his old acquaintance, Madara Uchiha. The other, unfamiliar.
Yet judging by his features, Hikaru could more or less guess who he was.
He had to be a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
The traits were hard to miss—horns, Byakugan, pale skin. No other race in the ninja world matched that description.
Isshiki Ōtsutsuki also became intrigued. After chasing Hinata for so long, he naturally knew what she was seeking.
And seeing her current reaction, he understood that this newcomer was likely the one Hinata had been searching for—the one fated to defeat him.
"Oh~ so this is the person you were looking for? You actually believed that old toad?"
Isshiki sneered with mocking disdain, trying to shake Hinata's resolve.
"Just another sacrifice. This world, like all others before it, will become my new garden."
He, of course, didn't believe in anomalies.
As someone who aspired to become the next Ōtsutsuki god, Isshiki dismissed such nonsense.
"Fine. Since you believe in him so much, I'll shatter that fantasy for you."
"The despair that comes from seeing your hope torn apart… must be delicious."
"Hahaha!"
Isshiki's cruel laughter echoed across the battlefield, chilling to the bone.
But the laugh irked Hikaru.
Frowning, he waved his hand and snapped:
"What's so funny? Don't you know your laugh is unbearable?"
That casual motion caused Isshiki to recoil like a startled rabbit, leaping back with blinding speed.
His reaction was so fast it was almost commendable.
And in that instant, a flash of pitch-black flame blinked in and out of existence.
It came quickly, left just as fast—but it sent a wave of dread through Isshiki.
His eyes widened in alarm as he tried to calm his racing heart.
The arrogance and mockery had vanished from his face, replaced with raw fear.
At that moment, Isshiki finally understood—the enemy before him was no simple opponent.
Seeing this, Hinata was even more certain—Hikaru was the one she had been searching for.
Madara now looked at Hikaru with newfound seriousness.
He could feel it—this man was far stronger than he had been six years ago.
Cold sweat slid down Isshiki's cheek. He felt like he had just brushed against death.
That black fire… it exuded a threat like nothing he had ever experienced.
Somehow, he instinctively knew—it was lethal to him.
It made him deeply uneasy.
As someone with a Kāma seal, he had never faced this kind of danger before.
Now, retreat seemed tempting—but like Hinata, his "sacred treasure" was still on cooldown.
And judging from Hikaru's sudden appearance, he clearly had spatial abilities.
Which meant escaping might not even be possible.
Isshiki found himself caught in a dilemma.
He tried to suppress his unease and forced a smile:
"Okay, maybe I misspoke earlier. There's no real grudge between us, right? What if we both just step back?"
But Hikaru didn't give him the chance.
He chuckled with a teasing tone:
"I preferred your smug arrogance a moment ago. Could you go back to that?"
His words dripped with mockery and provocation. He had no intention of accepting Isshiki's offer.
Veins popped on Isshiki's forehead.
Fury and frustration surged—but Hikaru's display had left him truly wary.
So he bit back his anger and said in a more pleasant tone:
"There's no need for us to fight to the death. I promise never to return to this world. Deal?"
Hearing that, Hinata panicked and rushed to Hikaru's side.
"Don't trust him! He's destroyed entire worlds already! Nothing he says can be believed!"
Of course, Hikaru didn't trust a word Isshiki said.
But looking at the Hinata before him, he still felt like it was all a bit surreal.
He'd never watched Boruto—only heard stories about it, including the time-travel arcs.
Never expected to actually run into one himself.