Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Nara Shikamaru continued to interrogate Amado. The battle had already begun, and he had to obtain as much intelligence as possible about Otsutsuki Isshiki in the shortest possible time to provide more assistance for the Seventh Hokage and Uchiha Sasuke to defeat the enemy.
"What exactly do you mean?" Nara Shikamaru demanded. "Planting the [God Tree] to obtain the [Chakra Fruit]... What does Kara's plan have to do with Boruto?"
Tsk~
Amado took a drag from his cigarette and said unhurriedly, "I've said it before. To plant the [God Tree], one must use the [Ten-Tails] as its seedling."
"After planting, for the seedling to grow strong and bear a Chakra Fruit, the [Ten-Tails] must consume a living [Otsutsuki]."
"Meaning, in an Otsutsuki clan two-person team, one is destined to become a sacrifice to be eaten?" Nara Shikamaru was shocked.
"Mmm." Amado nodded slightly. "One person is eaten to provide nutrients for the [God Tree]; the other guards the [God Tree]'s growth until it bears the [Chakra Fruit]."
"Roughly speaking, the Otsutsuki who becomes the sacrifice will use Karma for reincarnation. Therefore, they need to prepare a [Vessel] for revival in advance, digitize their own data, and implant it into the [Vessel]'s body, awaiting resurrection."
"I see..." Shikamaru's expression was dazed. "Everything makes sense now."
"According to Sasuke, Otsutsuki Isshiki came to this planet with Otsutsuki Kaguya," Shizune interjected. "Were they also planning to use the method you just described to plant a [God Tree] on this planet back then?"
"That should have been the original plan... At least, Isshiki thought so." Amado exhaled a puff of smoke. "From their perspective, Otsutsuki Kaguya, being of a lower rank, should have become the sacrifice to nourish the God Tree's growth. But for some unknown reason, Kaguya suddenly rebelled, ambushed and injured Isshiki, disrupting the entire plan."
"With the existence of Karma, why did Otsutsuki Isshiki become what he is now?" Nara Shikamaru was puzzled.
"The reason is simple," Amado said. "After being ambushed by Kaguya, Isshiki's physical condition was unprecedentedly weak; one could even say he was hovering on the brink of death. And inscribing [Karma] is an extremely exhausting task, both mentally and physically. He no longer had the spare energy at that time."
"Just then, a traveling monk happened to pass by him. You all know this traveling monk."
"Jigen!" Kawaki gritted his teeth.
"Correct." Amado confirmed his answer. "The weakened Isshiki had no choice but to parasitize Jigen's body—like a parasite—and wait for an opportunity. He inscribed the [Karma] seal on Jigen's body much later."
"Returning to the initial topic, what exactly does Boruto mean to the Kara organization?" Amado continued. "Due to Kaguya's betrayal, Isshiki had to parasitize Jigen's body. Forced by circumstances, Isshiki could only [plant] the God Tree himself."
"...Meaning, if he wants the [God Tree] to grow, Isshiki can only use himself as 'sustenance' for the Ten-Tails?"
"Yes." Amado leaned back in his chair. "Because there are no other Otsutsuki, only him."
"Kara's original plan was to have Jigen, already Otsutsuki-fied, become the sacrifice. Isshiki, then, would revive through the Karma on Kawaki's body. Because apart from himself, there was no more suitable candidate."
"However!" Amado's tone shifted. "Boruto's appearance changed the entire plan."
"Compared to an unhealthy and dying Otsutsuki, a young and healthy Otsutsuki is clearly more suitable as 'sustenance' for the [God Tree]. Don't you agree?"
"A few months ago, Boruto was implanted with Karma by Momoshiki. As long as his Karma fully thaws and he becomes an Otsutsuki, he can replace Jigen and become the sacrifice for the [Ten-Tails], correct?" Sensing the other's provocation, Nara Shikamaru followed his line of thought and stated the conclusion.
Amado smiled faintly and continued, "Actually, the [God Tree] may or may not bear a [Chakra Fruit]. Just like ordinary orange trees, a high-quality fruit tree bears high-quality fruit. A high-quality [God Tree] will bear a high-quality [Chakra Fruit]. And the quality of the [Chakra Fruit] is directly linked to the sacrifice."
"Is this why Sasuke felt Boruto would be the breakthrough point?" After understanding the relationship between the Otsutsuki and the God Tree, Nara Shikamaru finally understood why Sasuke had chosen to bring along such a "burden" as Boruto. "But this alone isn't enough to defeat Otsutsuki Isshiki, is it?"
"Who knows?" Amado seemed quite open-minded about it. "In any case, we can only let nature take its course."
Those present were either shocked or worried, but as Amado had said, they could only choose to trust the Seventh Hokage; there was nothing else they could do.
The void in your heart can only be filled by Karma... Kawaki looked at his empty palm, clenching his teeth secretly. Seeing Amado's detached, "none-of-my-business" attitude, anger flared within him.
"Why don't you tell us, how far have things progressed according to your expectations? Huh?!"
"..." Amado glanced at him but said nothing.
"You bastard! Say something!" Kawaki suddenly erupted, grabbing Amado by the collar.
"I'm very curious, what exactly are you so anxious about?" Amado's expression remained calm. "Is it hatred for your own powerlessness? Or the sense of loss from losing Karma?"
"Bastard!" Hearing this, Kawaki recalled his past grievances with Amado in Kara. He raised his fist, about to retaliate all at once. This bastard was the one who modified my body! And without my consent!
"Kawaki, stop!" Seeing the situation, Nara Shikamaru could no longer remain a bystander and quickly restrained him with the Shadow Paralysis Jutsu.
"Your feelings, I can understand them," Amado said, straightening his sleeves. "The freedom of a new life, the bonds established, yet on the verge of collapse in an instant. Annoyance, self-blame—it's all meaningless. Perhaps, I can offer you some assistance..."
Alternate Dimension.
Gazing at Boruto, who held a kunai to his own neck, Otsutsuki Isshiki frowned slightly. "What do you mean by this? Trying to threaten me in this way?"
"If you think I can't do it, then you're gravely mistaken," Boruto threatened sharply. "From the moment I threw myself into battle, I was prepared to [die]!"
Shwoop!
A Flying Thunder God kunai landed behind Isshiki.
Otsutsuki Isshiki was still pondering which fool had thrown the kunai so poorly when a figure covered entirely in black markings suddenly appeared behind him. A sweeping kick, carrying terrifying force, landed on him, sending him flying tens of miles away. The residual shockwave caused the ground below to sink by more than a foot.