Chapter 16: The Last Hope

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood their ground, battered and bloodied. Every attack they launched was countered, every strategy dismantled in an instant.

Isshiki was untouchable.

Sakura wiped blood from her lip, panting. "He's... on a completely different level."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "Damn it... we can't give up!"

But Isshiki barely looked phased. "You're finished," he said coldly.

Then he moved.

Naruto barely had time to blink before Isshiki's knee slammed into his gut.

The force ripped the air apart—Naruto vomited blood as he was sent crashing into the mountainside.

Sasuke teleported behind Isshiki, his Chidori crackling—

Isshiki spun and drove his foot into Sasuke's ribs.

Sasuke's world exploded into pain as he was launched into the sky.

Sakura barely had time to react before Isshiki appeared in front of her.

One strike—

And she was down.

The battle was over.

Isshiki stepped forward, ready to finish them—

Then—

A black vortex opened in the sky.

And from it—

Obito Uchiha emerged.

"Not so fast, bastard."

A second later—

A blinding green light erupted as Might Guy arrived, standing tall.

Then, the final piece—

Kakashi Hatake landed beside them, his Sharingan burning.

Isshiki raised an eyebrow. "More nuisances."

Guy cracked his knuckles. "Don't know who you are, but I know one thing—"

He entered his fighting stance.

"You're about to get your ass kicked."

Obito activated his Mangekyō.

Kakashi pulled up his headband.

The three legends stood between Isshiki and their fallen comrades.

Isshiki smirked. "How amusing."

Then—

The fight resumed.

—

Thirty minutes later…

Isshiki stood on a shattered battlefield. His cloak was torn, but he was otherwise unharmed.

Obito was breathing heavily, one eye closed.

Kakashi was on one knee, exhausted.

Guy had nearly opened the Eighth Gate but stopped at the last second. He was barely standing.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were back on their feet, but barely holding on.

Isshiki exhaled. "I see no point in continuing this. You're all insects beneath me."

He turned away.

"This world will fall. Enjoy your borrowed time."

And with that—

He vanished.

Silence filled the battlefield.

Obito looked around, then sighed. "Well… that could've gone worse."

Naruto clenched his fists, frustration burning in his chest.

Sasuke looked at the sky. "This isn't over."

Kakashi lowered his headband. "No… it's just beginning."

The war against Isshiki had begun.