Chapter 34 A Moment of Desperation

As the dust began to settle and the weight of their defeat pressed heavily on the shoulders of Team 7 and the Kage, something unexpected happened. Their summons—though powerful in their own right—had not been enough to stop the rampaging Ōtsutsuki. Yet, their true power had been hidden away, waiting for a moment of desperation.

The flashback began.

A Moment of Desperation: The Summoning Beast's Families Arrive

Just before the final blow was struck, the summons, in their near-dying moments, had done the unthinkable.

Naruto, his breath ragged, struggled to keep his consciousness intact. The Nine-Tails, who had been knocked out of the battle, had managed to rise again, albeit weakly, but it was too late. Isshiki and Momoshiki were already standing victorious. Toneri hovered above them, indifferent to the plight of those below. The team was on the brink of annihilation.

But then, the animals of Team 7's summons began to stir. The cheetah, the lion pride, the gray wolf, and even the Nine-Tails were battered and bruised—yet they refused to back down.

Suddenly, the ground shook, and the air was filled with a strange, otherworldly energy. A soft but powerful roar broke through the chaos. From the shadows, the families of the summons arrived.

For Sasuke's cheetah, a massive, muscular cheetah emerged, glowing with a fierce, radiant aura, its speed and agility unmatched. It moved faster than the eye could track, and with one swift swipe of its claws, it knocked Isshiki back, sending him tumbling several feet. The cheetah's power was formidable, but it was more than just strength. It had an intelligence that made it an unpredictable force.

For Sakura's lion pride, the alpha lioness led her pack forward. Her golden mane shimmered in the light as her roar sent shockwaves through the battlefield. She was massive, larger than any regular lion, with the ability to summon a powerful golden flame from within her. The pride followed her lead, attacking Momoshiki in coordinated strikes. The lions' sheer strength and battle prowess were enough to keep the Ōtsutsuki occupied for a moment.

Kakashi's gray wolf was joined by its alpha—a wolf as dark as the night, with piercing silver eyes that glowed with a cold fury. It was the very embodiment of loyalty and speed, the wolf's body emanating an aura that made it impossible to catch. Together, they unleashed a series of high-speed attacks, with the alpha wolf's howl shattering the atmosphere around them, creating shockwaves that slowed down the attackers.

And then, there was Kaguya's Nine-Tails, which seemed to awaken even further as its family of giant, ethereal Nine-Tails emerged from the ground. These were creatures of legend, each one possessing immense power over chakra, able to manipulate vast amounts of energy. They surrounded the team, offering protection, their tails sweeping through the air, causing explosions of chakra that reverberated through the landscape.

The Ōtsutsuki were momentarily caught off guard, their expressions shifting from amusement to something akin to frustration.

Isshiki, now facing multiple opponents, quickly shifted his attention. "So, this is the full extent of their power?" He smirked but remained unfazed. "Even if you have these... creatures by your side, it won't change the outcome." If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

However, Momoshiki found himself forced into a defensive position as Sakura's lioness charged at him again. The massive creature's claws clashed against his defense, and though Momoshiki was powerful, the battle was not as easy as it had been moments before.

"Impressive," Toneri noted, though his voice betrayed little emotion. "But it will be for naught. The time for resistance is over."

But still, the battle continued.

The Return of the Families: Team 7's Last Stand

In a flash, it was clear that Team 7's summons weren't the only ones to arrive. The Kage's summons had followed suit. Mei's giant crab, Gaara's sand guardian, Onoki's giant rock titan, and Tsunade's giant serpent all appeared from thin air, joining the fray. Together, the summoned beasts created a chaotic, chaotic battlefield, disrupting the dominance of the Ōtsutsuki for a few crucial moments.

Sasuke, his eyes narrowed, watched as the families of the summons overwhelmed Isshiki and Momoshiki, even if for only a moment. His cheetah darted between strikes, avoiding Isshiki's devastating blows as the giant cheetah leaped at him, delivering powerful hits. For a brief second, it felt like victory was within reach.

But the Ōtsutsuki were too much.

Isshiki and Momoshiki began to regain control, their techniques more refined than ever before. They shifted into battle mode, and with a single attack, Momoshiki eliminated the cheetah, the lioness, and the gray wolf. The animals fought bravely, but they were still no match for the sheer power of the Ōtsutsuki.

The Final Blow

With one final, devastating move, the Ōtsutsuki combined their powers to deal the decisive blow. The battlefield was engulfed in a swirl of energy, causing the summoned beasts to fall back, retreating into their respective planes as their energy reserves were drained. The creatures, though incredibly powerful, couldn't keep up with the sheer might of the Ōtsutsuki.

Naruto, barely able to stand, took one last glance at his summon—the Nine-Tails—before it too faded back to its home world. "We... We'll come back stronger," he said, his voice hoarse. "This isn't over."

The Aftermath

Though defeated, they had survived—thanks to the intervention of their summoned beast families. The Ōtsutsuki had not finished them off entirely, but it was clear they were playing with their food. The moment was fleeting, and the Kage and Team 7 had learned something crucial in that battle: they were nowhere near strong enough to face the Ōtsutsuki in a direct confrontation. But they had gained something vital—time. Time to regroup, time to grow stronger.

The Ōtsutsuki didn't pursue them further, perhaps seeing no challenge in finishing what they had already started.

For now, the battle was over, but the war had only just begun.