High in the skies of the Moon's inner world, Tatsuya was panting heavily. That last use of his Heaven and Earth Giant technique had taken everything he had. Facing the Giant Tenseigan with its unknown abilities, Tatsuya hadn't held back, striking with his full power from the start.
After resting for a moment, Tatsuya flew into the sanctum.
Arriving beside the Giant Tenseigan, Kenichi Otsutsuki, his body severely shriveled, was already lifeless. Looking at this withered old man, Tatsuya's eyes flickered slightly, then his right fist unleashed a violent gust of wind. Where the wind passed, Kenichi Otsutsuki's body instantly turned to ash.
Having dealt with Kenichi Otsutsuki, Tatsuya looked up, his gaze intently studying the Giant Tenseigan. He didn't dare to recklessly touch this colossal eye. From what he remembered, it seemed only descendants possessing Hamura Otsutsuki's bloodline could interact with it.
With that thought, Tatsuya's hands quickly formed the seals for the Summoning Technique.
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke rose, and Suijin's figure appeared beside Tatsuya. Suijin's body had Hinata Hyuga's cells integrated into it, and Hinata, of course, possessed Hamura Otsutsuki's bloodline.
"Is this the Giant Tenseigan?" Suijin, suddenly summoned, looked at the massive orb, a look of delighted surprise on his face.
"That's right," Tatsuya nodded. "Try and see if you can seal it away."
"Alright!" Suijin immediately agreed. Taking out a sealing scroll from his robes, Suijin began to rapidly form hand seals. After completing them, he placed his hands directly onto the Giant Tenseigan.
Thump!
The moment Suijin's hands made contact, the Giant Tenseigan emitted a sound like a human heartbeat. Then, with a flash of yellow light, it vanished from the sanctum.
"Success!" A triumphant grin spread across Tatsuya's face. This Giant Tenseigan was an incredible weapon; Tatsuya had no intention of leaving it on the Moon.
"The Akatsuki members have arrived below," Suijin reported, his initial pleasure at sealing the Tenseigan quickly replaced by a grave expression as he turned to Tatsuya.
"Oh? They're quick," Tatsuya's eyes flickered. He glanced towards the depths of the palace Jizo had pursued Toneri into. "I wonder if Jizo will manage in time over there."
This time, Tatsuya had acted personally, in his guise as Ryujin, leader of the Divine Court. However, he didn't want his true identity exposed to the Akatsuki. When facing Kenichi Otsutsuki and Toneri Otsutsuki, he could go all out without reservation. But against the members of Akatsuki, Tatsuya had to exercise restraint. And if Tatsuya himself didn't engage, among their current group, only Jizo was a potential match for Nagato.
"Let's go. We'll head down and meet them," Tatsuya said softly, wasting no time. He instantly flickered to Suijin's side, placed a hand on his shoulder, and they both vanished.
In the palace where Toneri Otsutsuki resided, Jizo, longsword in hand, moved swiftly towards its innermost chambers. All the puppets that attempted to intercept him along the way were decisively cut down.
"Damn it!" From amidst the remaining horde, an Otsutsuki puppet cried out in frustration.
However, just as the words left its mouth, all the puppets shuddered and then froze mid-motion, like lifeless statues.
Jizo paused for a heartbeat, slightly surprised, then continued his advance into the palace depths with long strides. Without the puppets hindering him, his speed increased severalfold.
Soon, Jizo reached the innermost room. There, a young Toneri Otsutsuki sat quietly on an ornately carved chair. He faced Jizo, his eyelids open, revealing only empty, hollow sockets. His appearance was somewhat unsettling.
Looking at Jizo, a despondent expression settled on Toneri's face. "You actually killed my father… It seems the ancestor's dying wish can no longer be fulfilled."
Although Toneri had no eyes, having perfectly inherited Hamura's bloodline, his sensory abilities were exceptionally keen. Just moments ago, he had sensed his father's aura and that of the Giant Tenseigan completely vanish.
He was the only one left of his clan.
"Dying wish? Heh." A flicker of something almost like pity crossed Jizo's eyes. "Your clan's ambitions were flawed from the very beginning."
With that, Jizo's form blurred. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he appeared directly in front of Toneri. His longsword flashed, arcing towards Toneri's vitals without a shred of hesitation.
Toneri's face held a look of stunned surprise. He didn't even attempt to dodge.
Thwack!
A soft, wet thud echoed as the blade sank home. Blood began to seep from Toneri's neck, trickling down the steel. He still didn't understand the meaning behind Jizo's earlier, enigmatic words.
Having dispatched the unresisting Toneri in a single blow, Jizo stood beside him silently for a few seconds. Then, he quickly produced a vial-like culture dish from his robes and began collecting a sample of Toneri's flesh and blood.
Objective secured.
Once finished, Jizo performed a Fire Release jutsu, incinerating Toneri's body until only ashes remained. To prevent bio-engineering fiends like Orochimaru from getting any ideas, complete destruction of the corpse was the most reliable method.
Elsewhere, on the ground within the Moon's inner world, Kagutsuchi and Guren stood on a hilltop, gravely surveying the surrounding puppets. Just moments ago, whether due to Kenichi Otsutsuki's death or the disappearance of the Giant Tenseigan, all the puppets that had been relentlessly besieging them had abruptly stopped. They now stood motionless, as if their power source had been severed.
"Hah… Lord Kagutsuchi, what's going on?" Guren panted, clearly nearing her limit.
"I'm not sure," Kagutsuchi replied, shaking his head. "It's probably related to the Leader's actions." He wasn't clear on the specifics himself. Tatsuya and his permanent clones usually shared information via the experience link inherent in Shadow Clones. If the one who acquired new intelligence—be it the original Tatsuya or a permanent clone—didn't create a Shadow Clone to relay it, the others wouldn't receive real-time updates.
After speaking, Kagutsuchi didn't dwell on it, instead raising his gaze to the distance. There, at the exit of the spatial passage they had used to arrive on the Moon, he could clearly see the figures of Akatsuki members. A dark look crossed Kagutsuchi's face as he noted their numbers.
Of all the damned times for them to show up!
Swoosh~
Just as Kagutsuchi was pondering whether he should move to stall them, a kunai suddenly whistled up from the slope beside him, followed by the flickering appearance of Tatsuya and Suijin.
"Brother Tatsuya!" Seeing Tatsuya and Suijin, Guren's face immediately lit up with joy.
Tatsuya smiled warmly at Guren. He stepped forward, gently stroked her forehead, and said softly, "You've worked hard. Let me help you recover some stamina." As he spoke, he transferred a stream of soothing life energy into her body.
"Mm!" Guren replied obediently, her smile sweet as she readily accepted his aid.
Beside them, Kagutsuchi's voice was grave. "The Akatsuki are here. What's the plan?"
Tatsuya answered with a calm, "We wait."
Kagutsuchi was stunned for a moment, then understanding dawned on his face.
The four of them stood together on the hilltop, quietly awaiting the Akatsuki's approach.
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