Naruto had contributed greatly to Gensou's plans during this battle.
He had helped delay Kaguya, giving Gensou the chance to ascend to the Six Paths Kekkei Sōmō; he had personally handed him Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei; and he had even defied the will of the Sage of Six Paths to continue opposing Kaguya.
Such a valuable ally—even Gensou felt a slight twinge of guilt for that moment in Mount Myōboku, where Naruto had died because of him.
"Keep up the good work."
Offering a heartfelt blessing, Gensou walked past the fallen Naruto with ease, heading toward Kaguya. Compared to everyone else present, he moved with far greater composure.
Although Amenominaka was a space-time barrier, and Kami-Musubi no Mikoto could not absorb it like it had Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei, the divine halo behind Gensou still granted him partial resistance to its effects.
Sensing the overwhelming threat as Gensou approached, Kaguya raised her hand, about to launch All-Killing Ash Bones at him.
At that moment, the Sage of Six Paths' voice rang out:
"Gensou's halo can absorb and strip away any technique."
Having fully analyzed Kami-Musubi no Mikoto, the Sage wasted no time in revealing its properties. He even added one final detail:
"The halo can only store up to five techniques at a time."
No matter how overwhelming Kami-Musubi no Mikoto seemed, it had its limits.
Once it absorbed five techniques, it would not be able to take in more unless Gensou first released one of the stored abilities.
Everyone present immediately understood what this meant.
Gensou could not indiscriminately absorb everything.
Hearing this, Gensou cast a glance at the Sage, whose consciousness resided in Toneri's body.
He had to admit—the Sage's Rinnegan, which could instantly discern all techniques, was truly enviable.
He had already demonstrated just how vital intelligence was in battle.
At his peak, the Sage of Six Paths possessed a pair of Rinnegan that could immediately see through any enemy's techniques, alongside mastery of the ultimate sealing technique, Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei.
It was no wonder he had sealed Kaguya and became the new ruler of the ninja world.
By comparison, even the elite members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan could hardly measure up to him.
However—
No matter how glorious he had been, both the Sage and Kaguya were now at an absolute disadvantage.
Gensou glanced at the halo behind him.
The Sage was correct that it could store only five techniques at a time—but who said he had to keep them stored indefinitely?
Why not absorb one and release one as needed?
Of course, if it were a technique like Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei, All-Killing Ash Bones, or Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, which posed a real threat to him, Gensou had no intention of letting it go.
Keeping them within his halo meant their original casters could never use them again.
Even with the Sage's warning, the others were now consciously avoiding using their most powerful abilities against him.
"But how long do you think you can keep this up?"
Smiling faintly, Gensou continued his approach toward Kaguya, who was still seated on the ground.
At that instant—
The surrounding space shifted.
Knowing that the Gravity Dimension only put her at a disadvantage, Kaguya dispelled Amenominaka.
Everyone returned to the real world.
The blazing sun was already high in the sky, illuminating the land below.
In contrast, Gensou's halo, now free from the constraints of the Gravity Dimension, flared with even more brilliant radiance.
Like two suns standing in the sky.
Bathed in divine light, Gensou stepped forward, his aura akin to the descent of a Sun God, advancing toward Kaguya.
Toneri and the recovered Naruto reacted immediately, launching a barrage of Rasengan variations and green energy spheres at him.
But—
None of these lesser attacks could stop Gensou.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the battlefield.
Unlike before, Kaguya was no longer composed in her battle against Gensou. She continuously used Yomotsu Hirasaka to create spatial rifts, trying to keep her distance from him.
But she wasn't fleeing too far—
Not only did Gensou also possess Yomotsu Hirasaka, but Naruto and Toneri lacked space-time techniques.
If they got separated, Kaguya would be left to fight him alone.
This cat-and-mouse struggle didn't last long.
Gensou ignored Naruto and Toneri, relentlessly pressing his assault against Kaguya.
And finally—
A fraction of a second too late, Kaguya was struck.
Gensou's Myriad Path Ninjutsu sent her crashing to the ground, kicking up an enormous mushroom cloud.
Seizing the opportunity, Gensou prepared to finish her off.
But—
Naruto, frustrated from his constant failure to land an attack, once again conjured a Truth-Seeking Orb Rasenshuriken and hurled it at Gensou at high speed.
Gensou turned back.
As before—
The Truth-Seeking Orb Rasenshuriken phased seamlessly into his body.
The halo behind him spun even faster.
"Thank you."
Gensou once again thanked his loyal "friend" Naruto, then unleashed the stolen Truth-Seeking Orb Rasenshuriken, hurling it straight into the newly risen mushroom cloud where Kaguya had fallen.
BOOM!
The earth was shattered into countless fragments.
A mushroom cloud even larger than before erupted skyward.
Hearing a muffled groan from within the smoke, Gensou's eyes flickered—
Without waiting for Toneri and Naruto to get close, he stepped into a portal of Yomotsu Hirasaka.
A beat too slow, the two of them immediately flew toward the battlefield.
"Naruto, stay calm," Toneri cautioned.
"I know," Naruto exhaled deeply.
Although Gensou's thanks had no trace of mockery—
It still hit a nerve.
Why was it that every time he encountered Gensou, things never went his way?!
Clenching his fists, Naruto refocused.
But before they could enter the mushroom cloud, the battle had already moved elsewhere.
By the time they changed course and arrived—
The ruins of the desert battlefield had been completely obliterated by the fight's aftermath.
And in the center of the chaos—
Kaguya, her long blue-white hair flowing wildly, was locked in a ferocious battle with Gensou.
Naruto and Toneri had barely arrived when—
The Sage of Six Paths' chakra suddenly emerged from Naruto's body.
The chakra took on the Sage's form and shot toward Kaguya at breakneck speed, seemingly about to return his chakra to his mother.
"Gensou..."
Tears welled in Kaguya's eyes.
It was Gensou's voice that had guided her here, telling her to prepare to reclaim her chakra.
And so—
She chose to believe in him.
After all...
What mother would resent her son forever?
Opening her arms, Kaguya braced herself for the return of her son.
Gensou watched—
His Rinnegan flashed.
A razor-sharp shockwave erupted from his eyes, tearing through space—
And slashing straight toward the Sage of Six Paths.
(End of Chapter)
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