Chapter 44: Shadows of the Ōtsutsuki

Ōtsutsuki Council: The Gathering of Gods

In the void between worlds, Isshiki, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki stood within an ancient temple of their kind—a floating fortress carved from obsidian and laced with glowing inscriptions of forgotten Ōtsutsuki history. The temple drifted in a realm of shattered moons and dying stars, a graveyard of devoured worlds.

Before them, seated on a throne of cosmic stone, was an unknown figure—Shibai Ōtsutsuki.

A towering god, his presence alone distorted space. His body radiated energy beyond comprehension, his silver hair flowing like a celestial river, and his six golden eyes staring into countless futures at once. He had ascended beyond mortality, beyond flesh, into something… divine.

"You return in failure, Isshiki," Shibai's voice echoed through the void, calm yet suffocating.

Isshiki clenched his fists. "Kaguya has defied expectations. She has regained her power and built an army. Even the humans have grown stronger than before."

Shibai remained still. His six golden eyes flickered, peering into timelines unseen. "Interesting… That world has always held potential. And yet, we left it to rot. Perhaps we were too careless."

Momoshiki stepped forward. "Then allow us to correct that mistake."

Shibai finally moved, lifting one hand. The entire temple shuddered as cosmic energy pulsed from his fingers. His eyes glowed brighter, illuminating the space with a radiance that even Isshiki had to kneel before.

"You are impatient, Momoshiki," Shibai said. "War is not won by raw power alone. The game must be played carefully. Kaguya was nothing more than a servant… and yet she has managed to grow into something far greater."

Kinshiki, ever the loyal warrior, remained silent.

Isshiki gritted his teeth. "Then what would you have us do?"

Shibai slowly rose from his throne. "We do what we have always done. We evolve. We consume. We ascend."

The temple trembled as a new rift opened—a portal leading to a world yet untouched by the Ōtsutsuki's hunger.

Shibai smiled. "Before we reclaim the Shinobi World, we shall feast."

Konoha: The Summit's Tension

Back in the Hokage's office, the Five Kage sat in grim silence, absorbing the weight of Toneri's words.

Tsunade leaned forward. "You said there's another power. Explain."

Toneri sighed. "Deep within the remnants of the Otsutsuki ruins on the Moon, there is a sealed force—one that was left behind by Hamura Ōtsutsuki himself. It was meant to be a failsafe, should the Ōtsutsuki ever return."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "And why haven't you used it?"

Toneri looked away. "Because wielding it requires a sacrifice."

Naruto frowned. "What kind of sacrifice?"

Toneri hesitated. "A life."

The room fell into heavy silence.

Mei broke it. "So you're telling us that in order to gain this power, someone has to die?"

Toneri nodded. "It is the only way."

Onoki scoffed. "That's a dangerous gamble."

Gaara turned to Naruto and Sasuke. "What do you think?"

Naruto clenched his fists. "If it means protecting everyone… we have to at least consider it."

Sasuke, arms crossed, remained quiet. His Rinnegan glowed faintly as he thought. "We'll need to see it for ourselves first. No one is dying until we know exactly what we're dealing with."

Tsunade sighed. "Then we prepare a mission. But I don't like this one bit."

Toneri simply said, "Then we leave at dawn."

The fate of the Shinobi World now hinged on a decision no one wanted to make.