The way the Ōtsutsuki clan sought vessels was simple.
They used their unique ability to digitize their own existence and implant it into another person's body. That host was called a vessel. Upon implantation, a black diamond-shaped mark would appear in the palm of the vessel's hand — the initial sign of what was called the Kāma.
Over time, or through the strain of battle, the vessel's body would gradually be overwritten by the digitized data of the Ōtsutsuki. When the process was complete, the Ōtsutsuki would resurrect through them.
As long as the Kāma remained, as long as the vessel survived, the Ōtsutsuki's revival was inevitable. It was only a matter of when.
They proclaimed themselves beings who transcended death.
Sound familiar? Even their method of revival resembled that of a certain someone.
Indeed — how strikingly similar the Kāma was to Orochimaru's Cursed Seal.
Who copied whom, one had to wonder.
And in terms of sheer spectacle, the Ōtsutsuki's possession was even less impressive than Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation.
But there was one critical flaw to revival through Kāma—
"This is…"
Nagato, half-kneeling, clutched his right hand in pain. In the center of his palm, a black diamond mark slowly surfaced.
The Kāma.
"Leader!"
The Akatsuki members rushed to help, but with a casual flick of Isshiki's hand, they were all sent crashing to the ground. Even Sasuke, shielded by Susanoo, was not spared — his Susanoo shattered in an instant.
Once again, the "ultimate defense" had proven to defend nothing at all.
"Suffer, struggle — this is the fate of insects who dare offend me."
Isshiki's expression finally softened into satisfaction, elegance once again gracing his face.
He had lost one vessel, but he had gained another. And by potential alone, this new vessel was far superior.
"Nagato!!!"
Konan's eyes widened at Nagato's pained expression. Then, looking at the nearly invincible Isshiki, resolve hardened across her face.
Let's vanish together!
She was ready to unleash her strongest trump card — the Super Paper Person of God Technique. Not the version of Six Hundred Billion Exploding Tags she once planned, but its upgraded form: Six Trillion Exploding Tags.
Like Deidara's C0, her ultimate technique was one that demanded her life as its price.
"Be still."
A hand pressed gently on Konan's shoulder, halting her.
That familiar whirlpool mask—
It was the Ancestor of the Uzumaki clan!
"Hm? And where did this insect crawl from?"
Isshiki finally noticed Naruto's presence. But he paid it little mind. His true form was already revealed — the only being capable of defeating him was that traitor of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
But that traitor had long since been sealed within the moon.
There was no one who could oppose him.
Isshiki extended his hand toward the newcomer. The Ōtsutsuki's "unrivaled" power was about to manifest—
And in the very next instant, a sharp sting shot through his nose. His body convulsed in pain, then the "invincible" Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was sent flying, crashing violently into the underground base below.
BOOM!
With a single punch — just one punch — half of the underground base was obliterated.
Of course, such a purely physical blow wasn't enough to kill Isshiki.
He was a true Ōtsutsuki now.
Even if incomplete.
"…Who are you?"
Isshiki staggered from the rubble, his form flickering, small patches of his chakra-formed body pixelating like a broken hologram.
"Me? Just an old man who's outlived his time," came the aged voice from beneath the mask.
"…What?"
Isshiki was left bewildered, unable to make sense of his words.
But Naruto had no intention of explaining.
Turning his back toward Nagato, he spoke slowly:
"Watch closely, Nagato. What I will now show you is the ultimate secret of the Uzumaki clan."
As his words fell, golden chakra erupted around his body.
"Yang Release: Chakra Mode."
In the next second, his body swelled like an inflating balloon, his height shooting upward, muscles bulging with power.
In an instant, he transformed into a towering musclebound warrior.
Naruto had evolved into Buffed-Up Muscle Naruto!
"Ancestor…"
Nagato stared in shock. He wasn't alone — all of Akatsuki stood dumbfounded at Naruto's form and the overwhelming aura radiating from him.
So this is the Uzumaki clan's ultimate secret technique?
Such vast chakra. Such terrifying power.
"Hmph… mere human."
Isshiki's body stabilized quickly. His words were dismissive, but in his eyes, the disdain was gone, replaced by rare gravity.
In the next moment, Isshiki struck, moving with lightning speed. His fist shot forward like a cannon blast, fierce and unstoppable.
Naruto did not dodge. He met it head-on with a fist of his own.
Their punches collided, the shockwave forcing both back half a step. Neither yielded.
Then they clashed again.
Fist against fist, strike against strike. Their rapid blows collided in a barrage, the dull thunder of impact echoing through the underground base, shaking the subterranean world.
This battle… this is insane.
The Akatsuki watched, slack-jawed, as if witnessing a duel of supermen, their fight carrying them from the ground all the way skyward.
Isshiki: "Aaahhhh!"
His fists struck like rocket launchers.
Naruto: "Adadadadada!"
At first, his blows resembled Goku's — but soon enough, it devolved into a storm of rapid-fire punches.
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora!"
Dust and rubble rained down, forcing several Akatsuki to choke on grit.
"Pff—ugh!"
Deidara, with three mouths, gagged and clutched his throat, having swallowed mouthfuls while watching the fight.
As time dragged on, Isshiki's energy waned rapidly. His taijutsu exchanges with Naruto began slipping out of his control. At last, he unleashed the Ōtsutsuki's esoteric techniques — Sukunahikona, Daikokuten, black cubes, even time-space ninjutsu in turn.
Naruto's answer was always the same: a single devastating ki blast.
Whatever tricks you pull, I only need one shot — to blow you away.
The two traded hundreds of rounds, yet the match remained deadlocked. Neither could best the other.
I've tested enough, Naruto thought. With my current strength, I can't yet kill Isshiki.
But in Nagato's eyes, the "Ancestor" seemed to come to a heavy resolve. His voice dropped, solemn and absolute.
"You are too dangerous. I must kill you."
"Kill me?"
Isshiki burst into wild laughter as though hearing a joke.
"Even if you could — what then? What would it matter?"
"Even if you kill me now, I will return. The Ōtsutsuki are eternal and undying. We are a clan that has transcended death."
"…Is that so?"
Naruto chuckled. "Do you truly believe you've surpassed death?"
There is nothing in existence that transcends death.
Even the emperor of the universe falls one day. Even Majin Buu, with his endless resurrections, was ultimately destroyed. Even the lofty Kaiōshin who govern creation, and the Gods of Destruction who govern annihilation, meet their end eventually.
None dared to claim they were beyond death.
And Ōtsutsuki dare call themselves such?
Unworthy.