MCSDB Chapter 110 Return to Peak Level

Middle-aged Naruto and middle-aged Sasuke arrived at the secluded mountain stronghold.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun, I must admit, I didn't expect you to finally accept an arm restoration." 

Hearing their reason for coming, Orochimaru's expression flickered with mild surprise.

"Enough talk, Orochimaru. Do you still have my eyes?" Sasuke's voice was cold, his gaze sharp as ever.

"Of course, Sasuke-kun. Indra's power is a truly fascinating force… a rare and invaluable resource," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with a sly smile.

"Orochimaru, if Sasuke gets his original eyes back, will it restore the Power of All Things?" Naruto asked, his voice steady yet filled with urgency.

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Naruto-kun, I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"The essence of Indra's power faded when Sasuke's eyes were removed. It cannot be rekindled just by placing them back. The only way to awaken it again… would be through Sasuke's current eyes."

"Tch." 

Both Naruto and Sasuke frowned at his words. They had come here hoping to reclaim their lost power—or perhaps surpass it. But the reality was not as favorable as they had hoped.

Orochimaru, sensing their frustration, smirked. "That look on your faces… amusing as always. But perhaps there is another way."

Naruto's gaze hardened. "You have something in mind, don't you, Orochimaru?" he asked, his voice low.

"Hahaha! Naruto-kun, you're finally thinking like a proper Hokage. I suppose all these years have refined that reckless spirit of yours."

"In normal circumstances, no, Sasuke's former power cannot be restored. However… over the past decade, I've delved deeply into the secrets of Indra and Asura's lineage. I've even unearthed new knowledge about the power of the Ōtsutsuki."

"Come with me."

Without waiting for a reply, Orochimaru turned and led them deeper into the fortress.

Before long, the three arrived at the heart of his laboratory.

The moment they stepped in, both Naruto and Sasuke tensed, their eyes narrowing as they beheld the massive cultivation chamber before them.

"What… is this?" 

Naruto's pupils shrank as he took in the eerie glow of the vessel.

"A little experiment of mine," Orochimaru said, voice laced with amusement. "I acquired some essence from the Ōtsutsuki and… cultivated it."

"Using this power, I've managed to reawaken the traces of Indra's essence within Sasuke-kun's eyes. And I've added a few enhancements along the way."

He turned toward Naruto, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Naruto-kun, do you dare to test its potential?"

Sasuke's face darkened. "Orochimaru, what have you done?"

"Now, now, Sasuke-kun. No need to be so tense. Just a few modifications, nothing drastic," Orochimaru replied with a faint chuckle.

Naruto inhaled deeply before exhaling. "Fine. Let's begin."

"Naruto…" Sasuke's voice held an edge of warning.

Naruto met his gaze, his expression unwavering. "Sasuke, our current strength isn't enough. Not to protect the Shinobi world. Not to protect Konoha."

His voice was firm—he was no longer the reckless boy who rushed headfirst into battle. If there was a way to secure their future, even if it meant embracing something once unthinkable, he would not hesitate.

Orochimaru grinned. "You've certainly changed, Naruto-kun. So, who shall go first?"

Sasuke stepped forward. "I will."

"Very well, Sasuke-kun. Right this way. Naruto-kun, you wait here."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances but said nothing. They both knew the price of power, and hesitation had long ceased to be an option.

As Sasuke followed Orochimaru, Naruto's lips twitched slightly. He had no doubt that, at some point, Orochimaru had already collected samples from them—without their knowledge. 

But at this moment, it hardly mattered.

In their silence, Orochimaru's transplant began.

Transplanting arms and transplanting eyes, for Orochimaru at this moment, it was naturally not a problem.

It was completed quickly.

And during Orochimaru's actions.

In a different space.

"Who is it?"

As soon as the Ōtsutsuki Isshiki appeared, his expression changed, and his gaze instantly locked onto the Jūbi (Ten-Tails). At the moment he locked on, his pupils involuntarily constricted.

Because at this moment, above the cliff where the Jūbi (Ten-Tails) is located, two more figures appeared.

"Brother!" Jiang Xi's figure landed next to Jiang Chen.

Her expression carried a hint of seriousness.

Even though she hadn't seen the person in front of her make a move, due to the Sennin mode, Jiang Xi could clearly sense the dangerous aura emanating from this figure.

"Xiao Xi, why don't you give it a try? This guy is quite strong." Jiang Chen said with a smile.

"Okay!" Jiang Xi excitedly nodded and directly agreed.

In the instant of agreement, a light purple chakra surged, and in a moment, Jiang Xi entered Tenseigan mode, while the three major Immortal Techniques (Senjutsu) chakra began to surge.

"Hmph! You actually found this place? Lowly human!" Ōtsutsuki Isshiki coldly snorted, and the next moment, pitch-black stripes instantly spread across his body.

He activated the first stage of his transformation.

Combat erupted in an instant.

However, unlike the previous battle, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's strength was not comparable to Ōtsutsuki Isshiki; even in the first stage, his power was already on par with Jiang Xi's.

After realizing that the first stage couldn't take down Jiang Xi, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki quickly activated the second stage. Pitch-black inscriptions spread, and a horn unique to the Ōtsutsuki clan grew from the top of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's head, while the chakra within him suddenly expanded.

Jiang Xi clasped her hands together.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

A huge roar (explosion) echoed as the massive Hamura statue rose from the ground and crashed toward Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

"Such heavy power!"

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's cold voice spoke, and the next moment, his figure moved instantly.

"Boom!"

The massive Hamura statue collapsed.

His right hand was raised.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

A series of huge black rods pierced through the entire Hamura statue in an instant.

The Hamura statue, which was in the process of reassembling, immediately stopped moving.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Xi's pupils involuntarily constricted.

The Hamura statue was easily resolved just like that.

"In the second stage, his strength and chakra will increase significantly. Xiao Xi, be careful." Jiang Chen's voice came.

"Understood!" Jiang Xi replied, her expression carrying a hint of seriousness.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, Jiang Xi seemed to sense something.

Instinctively, she sidestepped, and the next moment, several black rods flew past the right side of her head. Before she could react, a massive black cube suddenly fell from the sky.

"Boom!"

Chakra erupted instantly, and a terrifying light purple chakra surged, directly supporting the black cube.

However, just as the light purple chakra supported it, Jiang Xi's expression changed.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's figure appeared instantly.

"Boom!"

His right fist struck directly into Jiang Xi's abdomen.

The next moment, her figure was sent flying as if hit by a massive truck, crashing directly into the distance.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

The distant mountain was directly pierced through.

Jiang Xi's figure fell into it.

"Cough cough!"

After a moment, Jiang Xi struggled to crawl out, her face slightly pale.

"That was truly terrifying!" Jiang Xi couldn't help but spit out some blood.

"How is it? This is a powerful expert known among the Ōtsutsuki clan." Jiang Chen's figure appeared, speaking with a light laugh.

"Brother, your sister has been beaten so badly, and you're still laughing!" Jiang Xi's somewhat dissatisfied voice rang out.

"Hahaha! Leave the rest to me! This guy hasn't even used his full power yet; with your current strength, it's still a bit lacking." Jiang Chen spoke softly.

"Not using full power?" Jiang Xi's eyes widened.

She had thought that the opponent's strength was already full power; after all, even in the previous scene she saw in the river of time, the opponent was only in this state.

"It seems you know a lot. But since you dared to come here, you will all stay!" Ōtsutsuki Isshiki spoke calmly, his eyes looking at Jiang Chen.

"Is that so?" Jiang Chen smiled as he asked this.

(Chapter complete)

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