Chapter 38: Clash of the Ōtsutsuki

The air crackled with tension as the battle between Team 7 and the Ōtsutsuki began to unfold. Konoha, already battered from the initial assault, was now the stage for a fight that would shake the very foundations of the shinobi world.

Isshiki vs. Team 7

Isshiki's ominous form loomed over the battlefield, his dark chakra radiating with crushing intensity. His glowing eyes were fixed on Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura as they stepped forward, ready to face him. Behind them, the cubs stood close, watching carefully, their senses alert to every move.

"You think you can stop me?" Isshiki sneered. "I've transcended beyond your petty world. There's nothing you can do to stop me now."

Naruto's eyes blazed with defiance. "You've been a thorn in our side long enough, Isshiki. This time, we end it."

Sasuke's sharingan flared to life, and his voice was calm but deadly. "We've already fought you once, Isshiki. You were powerful, but you're not invincible."

Sakura cracked her knuckles, her focus unwavering. "We've trained for this. We won't back down."

Without warning, Isshiki vanished in a blur of speed, reappearing behind Naruto. His fist shot out, aiming to strike, but Naruto's reflexes were quick. He sidestepped, barely dodging the blow. "Nice try," Naruto said, grinning. "But you'll need to do better than that!"

Sasuke moved in, his sword drawn, and he launched a barrage of lightning-fast slashes. Isshiki countered with ease, flicking Sasuke's sword away with a casual gesture. The sheer power of Isshiki's chakra sent shockwaves through the air, causing the ground to crack beneath them.

Sakura wasn't far behind, launching herself at Isshiki with a powerful punch, her fist wrapped in chakra-infused energy. Isshiki blocked with a simple gesture, but the force of her attack still made him stagger back.

"This is getting interesting," Isshiki mused, his voice laced with amusement. "But it will take more than this to defeat me."

Toneri's Moonlit Assault

Meanwhile, Toneri stood high in the air, the light of the moon enveloping him as he raised his hands, channeling celestial energy. The moon above began to glow even brighter, its light turning into a concentrated beam aimed directly at Konoha. The force of the attack could destroy the entire village in seconds if left unchecked.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted. "We need to stop that beam! It'll level the whole village!"

Sasuke's eyes flickered with urgency as he activated his Rinnegan. "I'll handle the beam. You deal with Isshiki."

In a flash, Sasuke appeared near the beam's trajectory, using his Rinnegan's power to warp space and try to redirect the moonlight attack. The intensity of the celestial energy pushed him back, but he gritted his teeth and stood his ground. "This won't be easy…"

Back on the ground, Sakura threw herself into the fight with renewed determination, her strength bolstered by her training with the cubs. She delivered a series of powerful blows, each one shaking the air with the force of her chakra.

The Cubs' Decision

The cubs, who had been silently watching, felt the shifting energy in the air. They could sense the intense emotions of their trainers, the urgency of the situation, and the fierce battle raging around them. Their bond to the trainers and the powerful aura of their parents stirred something deep within them.

The yellow Nine-Tails cub, staying close to Naruto, growled softly. "Naruto... you're too loud," it said in a small, yet irritated voice, its tail swishing behind it.

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Wait, you can talk now? I thought... huh." He scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, buddy. I guess I got a little carried away."

The cub huffed, unamused. "You are always loud."

Naruto chuckled, a smile forming despite the serious situation. "Well, I'll try to keep it down, but... there's a battle going on here!"

Sakura's pink cub, still quiet, watched the fight closely, its ears perked. It looked up at Sakura, sensing the tension. She nodded, giving the cub a slight nudge. "Stay close. When the time comes, we fight together."

Kakashi's black cub stood silent but attentive, its amber eyes glowing with curiosity. "We're ready," Kakashi murmured. "Let's see how they respond."

Might Guy's green cub, full of energy, bounded forward with enthusiasm. "YOUTH!" the cub barked loudly, its tail wagging furiously. It seemed to share the same fiery spirit as Might Guy, ready to rush headlong into the fray.

Isshiki's True Power

Isshiki, seemingly amused by the attacks from Team 7, focused on Naruto as he materialized in front of him. "You've grown stronger, Naruto. But you're still nothing compared to me."

Before Naruto could react, Isshiki extended his palm, a gravitational pull emanating from his hand. The ground beneath Naruto's feet cracked, and he was lifted into the air, struggling to break free from Isshiki's hold. Sasuke attempted to intervene, but Isshiki's power overwhelmed him, and he was tossed aside with ease.

"Is that all you've got?" Isshiki taunted. "I thought you were the hero of this world."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "I'm not done yet," he growled, his hands crackling with chakra. "And I'm not fighting alone!"

At that moment, the cubs sprang into action. The yellow Nine-Tails cub leaped forward, its small but powerful chakra flaring. It rammed into Isshiki's side, distracting him long enough for Naruto to break free from his grip.

"Nice one, little guy!" Naruto grinned, his energy surging. "Let's do this together!"

Sasuke, recovering from his earlier throw, appeared beside Naruto, activating his Rinnegan once more. He distorted space around Isshiki, pulling him off-balance. "We can't let him have the upper hand."

The pink cub, sensing its trainer's will, launched itself at Isshiki, its chakra-infused paws striking at his legs. It wasn't much, but it made Isshiki stumble, allowing Sakura to land a devastating punch to his chest.

"Keep it up, everyone!" Sakura shouted, her voice fierce.

Toneri vs. Sasuke

High above, Toneri continued to harness the moon's energy, his celestial form shimmering with power. The light around him grew intense, but Sasuke was determined. His Rinnegan flared, and with a calculated move, he bent the space around Toneri's beam. Using his Mangekyo Sharingan's abilities, he twisted the trajectory of the moonlight, redirecting it into the sky.

But Toneri wasn't finished. He hovered above Sasuke, his expression darkened with anger. "You think you can stop me, Uchiha?" he spat.

Sasuke smirked. "I don't think. I know."

Suddenly, the sky crackled with energy as Toneri descended, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts. Sasuke dodged, his Rinnegan flicking between different dimensions, but Toneri's attacks were relentless. The village shook from the force of their clash.

The Cubs' Power Grows

Watching their trainers struggle, the cubs understood. They were connected to these humans, these warriors. They wanted to help, and despite their size and age, they charged forward.

The green wolf pup, barking with excitement, dashed at Isshiki, its claws glowing with chakra. It was no longer just a pup—it was a force of nature.

Kakashi's black cub, although quieter, finally spoke up, its voice soft but steady. "We fight for them, for Kaguya."

The battle raged on, but the true strength of Team 7 and their allies was now bolstered by the cubs' growing resolve.