Chapter 248

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The dazzling blade light clashed with the Tenseigan Chakra.

Kyomu, with his spatial kekkei genkai, stood invincible against Ōtsutsuki Byakuya, who had only temporarily elevated his combat power to the Six Paths level using the giant Tenseigan. Byakuya couldn't even touch Kyomu.

This is what happens when one's combat power and realm are mismatched.

Even though the Tenseigan can absorb chakra, Kyomu's attacks were purely based on extreme speed, strength, and explosiveness. Byakuya had no effective means to counter except to block or endure the attacks with his body.

Conversely, Byakuya's attacks had no effect on Kyomu.

With the scales of victory tipping towards Kyomu, the news from Obito, Kakashi, Guy, and the others was also promising.

Individually, even Obito with his dual Kamui abilities only slightly suppressed Ōtsutsuki Houshi. However, with Kakashi, Guy, and Kimimaro assisting, they completely dominated Houshi.

The remaining Ōtsutsuki clan members on the moon suffered heavy casualties from the earlier battle's aftermath. Hiashi alone could restrain them by putting in his all.

This gave Obito and the others the chance to gang up on Houshi, who, despite reaching the Six Paths level with the giant Tenseigan, was struggling against their combined might.

The same principle applied.

Obito's dual Kamui abilities, being spatial in nature, allowed him to remain invincible in both defense and offense, as long as he had enough chakra and ocular power. He could protect Kakashi and the others by redirecting Houshi's attacks or moving teammates out of danger.

Guy unleashed his special technique, Daytime Tiger!

Houshi's Tenseigan shone as he watched the giant tiger charging at him.

After a prolonged battle of attrition with Obito and the others, his chakra was severely depleted. Seeing Guy's Daytime Tiger, Houshi thought it was the perfect opportunity to replenish his chakra.

The Daytime Tiger seemed to be the pinnacle of Wind Release chakra nature and form transformation, containing a substantial amount of chakra.

If he could absorb it, Houshi's chakra reserves would be replenished, allowing him to maintain the Tenseigan Chakra Mode longer.

Raising his hand, Houshi pushed forward to meet the charging tiger.

But in an instant, Houshi's expression changed drastically!

Boom! A dull thud echoed as Houshi was sent flying, his wrist fracturing and rebounding to his chest, collapsing part of his ribcage.

"It's pure taijutsu?!" Houshi was shocked. "What kind of explosive power, speed, and strength are required to achieve such a taijutsu effect? Is that bowl-cut guy even human?"

Regardless of Houshi's thoughts, Obito and Kakashi's eyes lit up, cheering in unison.

"Well done, Guy!"

As their words fell, Obito's eyes bled again, the Mangekyō Sharingan spinning rapidly, creating a swirling spatial distortion behind Houshi.

Simultaneously, Kakashi raised his blade, Yukihime.

"Extend, Yukihime!"

Swish! Like a speeding lance, Yukihime's blade shot forward, relying solely on its sharpness without any chakra, as Kakashi knew Houshi could absorb chakra.

While Kakashi attacked, Kimimaro also prepared his strike.

Extending his arm, a gray bone protruded from Kimimaro's palm, radiating a destructive aura that caught Obito's attention.

"Kimimaro..."

Kimimaro remained silent, blood seeping from his mouth.

He had pushed his Shikotsumyaku to the limit, making the bone resemble the All-Killing Ash Bones.

However, this extreme effort caused his previously suppressed or healed illness to resurface, rapidly deteriorating his body.

While not immediately fatal, another two attempts would render him incurable.

"Obito-sama, this is a decisive strike!" Kimimaro declared, and Obito nodded, understanding his intent.

In a flash, Houshi dodged Kakashi's attack, using his Truth-Seeking Balls to launch his strongest counterattack.

Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!

At the same time, Obito sensed the space around them being disrupted and suppressed, greatly hindering his Kamui abilities.

This was the same situation Kyomu had faced earlier, but Kyomu could withstand it, whereas Obito couldn't.

However, Kimimaro's bone still shot forward. As long as it reached Houshi before he could fully charge his attack, the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion would be thwarted, and Houshi himself would be doomed.

Spinning wildly! Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan spun like a windmill, his bleeding eyes tearing a hole in the suppressed space.

Though it consumed a massive amount of energy, the goal was achieved.

Swish.

The gray bone shot into the spatial distortion, appearing at Houshi's chest just as he raised his arm.

Houshi noticed it and looked down disdainfully at the gray bone.

Shikotsumyaku? Even if it hits, so what? Though not truly Six Paths level, Houshi's body under the Tenseigan Chakra Mode had near-Six Paths level resilience and regenerative abilities.

His body had already healed from the damage inflicted by Guy's Daytime Tiger. A bone piercing his chest would be a minor injury, quickly healed.

He dismissed it.

Without dodging, he continued his downward swing, believing the golden light would kill Obito and the others.

Thunk.

The gray bone quietly pierced Houshi's chest, his grin freezing as his body suddenly halted.

Crack.

Staring at his chest in shock, Houshi saw a gaping hole radiating destructive energy from the embedded bone.

"All-Killing Ash Bones?!"

His raised arm dropped, and the golden light dissipated.

Thud. His body fell, kneeling, as the destructive energy spread from his chest, decaying his body like burnt ashes.

"You couldn't possibly awaken the All-Killing Ash Bones! That power... your body would collapse first, you couldn't survive to use it!"

"Is that your final words?" Kakashi replied coldly. "You can die quietly now. There's nothing more to say."

As Kakashi's words fell, Houshi's eyes turned completely gray, his body crumbling into ash.

Thoroughly dead.

"Is this the power of All-Killing Ash Bones?" Kakashi marveled, looking at Kimimaro. "A single hit can kill even a Six Paths level, with no chance of recovery."

Kimimaro didn't respond, vomiting blood before collapsing.

Obito quickly caught him, using Kamui to place Kimimaro in the Kamui dimension.

Obito and Kakashi exchanged worried glances before regaining their composure, turning to Kyomu and Byakuya's battle.

Byakuya looked extremely battered, one arm hanging limply, and the green chakra aura around him fading.

"Your blade..."

"It cuts the soul." Kyomu flicked his sword, advancing again. "But I didn't expect your soul to be so resilient, losing less than half after five slashes."

With those words, he slashed again, creating a large wound on Byakuya's back and taking another piece of his soul.

"I surrender, I can still..."

"Too late."

Kyomu flickered, using his spatial kekkei genkai to bypass Byakuya's Truth-Seeking Ball defense, slicing his neck.

Decapitation!

Killing with decapitation is swift and leaves no worries.

Grabbing Byakuya's head, Kyomu landed, while the headless body spurted blood and fell to the ground.

With both Tenseigan Chakra Mode users dead, the remaining Ōtsutsuki clan members lost all will to fight.

"Kyomu," Obito and the others approached, "What should we do with the surviving Ōtsutsuki clan members?"

Kyomu looked around at the kneeling, defeated survivors and couldn't help but smile.

"Since they're not resisting, there's no need to kill them all."

Kyomu wasn't worried about future revenge. How strong could their descendants be?

He doubted anyone would dare raise their descendants to seek vengeance.

"Hiashi, brand them with the Caged Bird Seal," Kyomu instructed. "Don't miss anyone."

Hiashi nodded, relieved. The Ōtsutsuki and Hyūga clans shared deep connections. With the enemies begging for mercy, exterminating them felt wrong.

Fortunately, Kyomu left them a way out, though they would bear the permanent, ugly mark of the Caged Bird Seal. It was better than death.

"By the way, do any of you know an Ōtsutsuki Toneri?" Kyomu asked.

"I am." A young Toneri stepped forward. "I'm willing to sacrifice my life..."

"I don't plan to kill you." Kyomu examined Toneri, confirming his identity by the absence of Byakugan.

Turning to Hiashi, Kyomu instructed, "Train this child well. If there are problems, there's no need to keep this clan."

"Toneri won't betray Ryūkage-sama!" Toneri declared.

Kyomu nodded, not fully believing but not concerned.

In this world, subjugating enemies into servitude was normal. They would not rebel unless Kyomu fell or declined.

"Hiashi, oversee them." Kyomu then gestured for Obito, Kakashi, and Guy to follow him to the Ōtsutsuki clan's temple.

Inside, Kakashi looked up at the golden and purple giant Tenseigan, marveling.

"These two eyes produced two Six Paths level fighters. If there were more, the world would be in for a wild ride."

"You said they were artificially enhanced to reach Six Paths level, and there's a difference between that and true power," Obito said, shaking his head. "Those who rely on external forces are like paper tigers—impressive on the outside but easily torn apart."

Kyomu laughed and interjected, "But no matter how you look at it, with these two eyes, the Hyūga clan's competitiveness can catch up to your Uchiha clan. Also, Kimimaro's body will be able to withstand the power of the All-Killing Ash Bones. In the future, the top clans of the ninja world will not be dominated by just the Uchiha."

"Like the Uchiha clan is afraid of a little competition," Obito scoffed. "Being at the top is lonely; a bit of competition is good. Plus, we Uchiha now have three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan..."

"Alright, we know the Uchiha clan is powerful, but the future is uncertain," Kakashi interrupted, then turned to Kyomu. "Kyomu, if we take these two eyes, what about the seal on the moon?"

"Whatever happens, happens. Even if the seal breaks, what does it matter to us?" Kyomu replied with disdain in his eyes. "We'll just kill whatever comes out, as simple as that."

(End of Chapter)