Chapter 43: The Gathering of Gods

Isshiki's Retreat

Far beyond the reach of mortal eyes, in the void between dimensions, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki drifted through a fractured space, his body still burning from his battle with Kaguya. The power he had gained from consuming his Ten-Tails had been formidable, but it had not been enough.

She was still stronger.

He gritted his teeth. He had underestimated her. Even worse, the shinobi world was no longer as weak as he remembered. Naruto, Sasuke, and even their pathetic allies had managed to push him to his limits.

He needed reinforcements. This work was created by shredder121

A rift tore open in the void. Isshiki stepped through, arriving in an unknown space—a world of floating, shattered moons and swirling nebulae. The energy here was dense, pure, ancient.

And standing at its center were two figures.

Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki—a massive, red-skinned warrior with a towering presence, his broad chest glowing with the energy of the stars. His golden eyes locked onto Isshiki, sensing his power and exhaustion.

Beside him, Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki—a pale-skinned being with sharp, golden eyes and long, flowing hair. He stood with an air of superiority, his white robes untouched by time, as if he had been expecting Isshiki's arrival.

"You look… wounded," Momoshiki mused, stepping forward. "Not the image of an Ōtsutsuki God."

Isshiki scowled. "I fought Kaguya."

Momoshiki's amused expression turned serious. Kinshiki clenched his fists.

"She still lives?" Momoshiki asked, his tone laced with interest.

"Not just that," Isshiki growled. "She has grown stronger. Stronger than any of us anticipated. She has rebuilt her forces, and she has found a way to turn this world against us."

Momoshiki narrowed his eyes. "Then that world is doomed."

Isshiki shook his head. "No. If we attack now, she will destroy us. We need more power."

Kinshiki crossed his arms. "You mean another Ten-Tails?"

Isshiki's eyes gleamed. "More than that. I need to consume a world. And I know the perfect one to start with."

Momoshiki smirked. "Then lead the way."

Konoha: The Aftermath

Back in Konoha, the village was still in chaos. Fires had been put out, the wounded were being tended to, and the shinobi forces were on high alert. The Five Kage gathered in the Hokage's office, along with Naruto, Sasuke, Toneri, and several key figures.

Tsunade sat with her arms crossed. "So let's summarize. An Ōtsutsuki invasion is coming. We barely survived Isshiki, and now more might arrive?"

Gaara nodded. "If Kaguya hadn't interfered, we would have lost."

Mei sighed. "And we can't count on her to save us every time."

Onoki leaned forward. "Then the question is—how do we fight them?"

Naruto placed his hands on the table. "We have to get stronger. We need to start training immediately."

Tsunade nodded. "We need every village to prepare."

Toneri, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "There is… another way."

Everyone turned to him.

"I know of a hidden power. Something that may help you stand against the Ōtsutsuki."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "And why haven't you mentioned this before?"

Toneri looked at him grimly. "Because accessing it… will come at a cost."

The room fell silent.

Shikamaru muttered, "Why do I get the feeling that this just got a whole lot worse?"