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Chapter 288: King vs. King!
🕑 Added 2025-01-23 13:33:07 +0000 UTCChapter 288: King vs. King!
Senju Tobirama: "Yuhiko can’t hold on any longer. Let’s go."
Uzumaki Ashina, Hyuga Miyuki, and the others nodded, instantly charging toward Bayakushi.
Morality? Honor?
These old-timers, having already experienced death, had long since seen through such notions. They had no qualms about ganging up on Bayakushi, a “one-year-old” clone, without a shred of guilt.
And so, the tide turned. Bayakushi, who had been steadily pushing Kaguya Yuhiko back and was on the verge of victory, suddenly found himself overwhelmed by the combined assault of these "elderly" shinobi.
These seasoned veterans of the shinobi world exploited every flaw in Shiroshiki’s technique, targeting his inefficient movements and exposing the gaps in his defense.
Bayakushi: "..."
The words “inexperienced” echoed in his mind.
Bayakushi wasn’t foolish—he was fully aware of his shortcomings.
Every renowned shinobi had earned their strength through countless life-and-death struggles, battles on the frontlines, and missions where survival was uncertain. Their combat experience was their greatest treasure.
Bayakushi, however, was a different case entirely.
As a clone, he was born with immense power and talent, but those very advantages had become his greatest weaknesses.
The Iwa shinobi he sparred with were never true challenges. Every fight felt hollow, offering little improvement. Over time, his training sessions instilled fear in the Iwa shinobi, who came to view him as a wild beast.
He wasn’t unique in this regard. The other clones also lacked experience, but because Shiroshiki inherited a portion of the Otsutsuki’s genes and divine techniques, his deficiencies were more pronounced.
Without real opponents, Bayakushi had no way to refine his abilities through genuine combat. Isshiki would never lower himself to spar with him, let alone allow Bayakushi to learn through life-and-death battles.
Isshiki had once told him that his current situation mirrored that of some Otsutsuki clan members—armed with terrifying power but lacking the skill to wield it effectively. However, Isshiki reassured him that as a “one-year-old,” recognizing his weakness was the first step toward growth.
But Bayakushi had never imagined that his growth would come at the hands of others beating him into shape!
Desperate to fight back, Bayakushi continuously adjusted his techniques, minimizing wasted movements and tightening his defenses. Yet, the results were minimal.
...
Two kilometers above the battlefield, Hyuga Fuji and Otsutsuki Isshiki faced each other in the sky, locked in a distant standoff.
"You seem very confident in using those people as whetstones for your clone. Aren’t you worried the blade will snap under the pressure?" Fuji asked.
"If Bayakushi decides to leave, your people won’t be able to stop him," Isshiki replied.
The "kama mark" divine technique wasn’t a spatial jutsu, making it exceedingly difficult to restrict. Fuji did not argue, instead letting out a soft chuckle.
"And what about you?"
"You’re welcome to try."
Isshiki’s gaze lingered on Fuji’s dojutsu-enhanced eyes and his chakra-rich Otsutsuki body. A glint of greed flashed in his eyes, though it quickly dissipated.
Fuji observed this subtle shift in Isshiki’s expression, his own eyes narrowing slightly in interest. He smiled faintly.
"I annihilated the branch family on the moon, yet you still seem so confident. Should I take this to mean that your power far surpasses theirs? If so, why not reclaim everything that was once yours?"
Isshiki froze for a moment before realization dawned.
Hyuga Fuji knew he was from the "Moon Otsutsuki Clan!"
To conceal his identity, Isshiki had deliberately disguised himself as a member of the Otsutsuki main clan. It had been a calculated move to deceive Onoki and the Land of Lightning, but he hadn’t expected Fuji to uncover the truth.
This revelation confirmed one thing: the ninja world’s historical records likely held no information about Isshiki or the other Otsutsuki invaders. Otherwise, Fuji wouldn’t have been so dismissive of his strength after identifying his origins.
Perhaps Kaguya hadn’t revealed the truth to her descendants, or maybe the Sage of Six Paths had omitted it from his teachings...
Whatever the case, now that Fuji was convinced Isshiki belonged to the Moon Otsutsuki, he clearly underestimated him. Fuji’s confidence likely stemmed from possessing the Tenseigan—a power comparable to Otsutsuki Hamura’s. To him, the descendants of the Moon Otsutsuki weren’t worth taking seriously.
Isshiki observed Fuji carefully. The faint smile and relaxed posture conveyed a sense of condescension. A new thought began to form in his mind.
A man who underestimates me yet possesses the Tenseigan—should I let this opportunity slip by?
He couldn’t deny Fuji’s strength. After all, Hamura, armed with the Tenseigan, had once aided the Sage of Six Paths in sealing Kaguya. Fuji, too, would be a formidable opponent, even against Isshiki in his current, incomplete state.
But a powerful and compatible vessel was what Isshiki needed most.
Jigen had been nothing more than a temporary solution—a vessel barely modified to sustain Isshiki’s existence. Without a superior replacement, Isshiki’s life would remain precarious.
And Fuji? Fuji was an ideal candidate. The fact that he had unlocked the Tenseigan proved his compatibility with the Otsutsuki lineage.
Perhaps... it’s worth trying.
A faint smile crept across Isshiki’s face.
"Since you’ve uncovered the history and even visited the moon, you must know about the feud between the main and branch families of the Moon Otsutsuki. I am not of the branch family and bear no malice toward the ninja world. There’s no conflict between us."
"You’ve aligned yourself with the nations of this world. Isn’t it too late to say that now?"
"Then may I join your side instead?" Isshiki asked with a sly smile. "The giant Tenseigan posed a great threat to me. If not for your intervention with the branch family, I wouldn’t have dared to appear openly. In fact, I owe you my gratitude."
Fuji shook his head slightly. "Empty words without sincerity are meaningless. And besides..."
His tone suddenly turned icy.
"Even if Uchiha Madara wasn’t at his peak, the fact that you defeated him makes you a wildcard. The ninja world doesn’t need wildcards. You won’t be leaving here today."
Eight Truth-Seeking Orbs appeared behind Fuji, forming a ring that rotated slowly, emanating an overwhelming pressure.
In an instant, Fuji vanished.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion shattered the air. As their fists collided, Isshiki sidestepped and blocked Fuji’s punch, their combined strength distorting the air with rippling shockwaves.
Isshiki narrowed his eyes.
Strength equal to mine...
Wait—
Isshiki’s eyes widened in surprise as an unexpected surge of power forced him backward several steps before he could stabilize.
That technique... Gentle Fist?
The internal shock he had felt was undoubtedly the result of a Gentle Fist strike.
Yet, what intrigued him more was the flicker of emotion in Fuji’s expression after forcing him back.
So, he’s comparing me to Uchiha Madara?
Isshiki’s thoughts raced as he recalled Fuji’s earlier words. A plan began to form in his mind.
If he sees me as comparable to Uchiha Madara, I might as well play along.
(Chapter End)
