Chapter 21: Isshiki's Intervention

The sun had long set, leaving the village of Konoha bathed in a blanket of starlight. Inside the Hokage's office, the Kage and the leaders of the villages were still discussing the implications of Toneri Ōtsutsuki's warning. The air was thick with tension, the room quiet except for the occasional murmurs between the leaders.

Sasuke and Naruto stood by the window, their thoughts heavy with the weight of the news they had just delivered. The threat of the Ōtsutsuki—real Ōtsutsuki—was too great to ignore. But as the conversation continued, none of them noticed the sudden shift in the air, the temperature dropping slightly, an ominous presence growing in the shadows outside the window.

Back in the clearing outside Konoha, where Naruto and Sasuke had left Toneri to recuperate, something dark and foreboding stirred. The ground trembled ever so slightly as a crackling energy formed in the sky. Suddenly, a large rift tore through space, opening with the sound of a thunderous roar. Through the portal, a tall, imposing figure emerged—his face emotionless, his body draped in the black robes of the Ōtsutsuki clan. It was Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, the very embodiment of death and destruction.

Naruto and Sasuke had just left the Hokage's office when they felt it—the powerful surge of chakra, like a distant storm, radiating from outside the village. Their eyes widened as they rushed to the door, aware of what this could mean.

As they arrived at the clearing, they saw Isshiki standing over Toneri's crumpled form. The once-proud Ōtsutsuki prince lay unconscious, his body bruised and battered from his fight with Sasuke and Naruto. But Isshiki's eyes, filled with cold, calculating disdain, were fixed on the two of them.

Sasuke immediately activated his Rinnegan, while Naruto gathered his chakra, preparing for what was about to unfold. Isshiki's aura was oppressive, like a black hole pulling everything in. There was no question about it—this was a force they were not prepared to face.

Isshiki looked at them, his expression unreadable. "So, you're the ones who've been causing trouble for my kin," he said, his voice like ice. "You should feel honored. Not many get the chance to face me and live to tell the tale."

Sasuke clenched his teeth. "We're not going to let you get away with whatever you plan, Isshiki."

Naruto stepped forward, his fists clenched. "We'll stop you here."

Isshiki's lips twisted into a smirk as he raised his hand. Without warning, he activated his power, and in an instant, a massive energy surged through the air. The ground beneath them cracked open as if it were made of glass, splitting wide with immense force. Sasuke and Naruto leaped back, narrowly avoiding the devastating blast of chakra that Isshiki unleashed.

"We won't make it easy for you," Sasuke warned, his eyes scanning for any weak points in Isshiki's form.

But Isshiki simply raised an eyebrow. "You think you stand a chance? You two are but ants in comparison to what I've faced. But I'm feeling generous today. I'll entertain you for a brief moment."

In the blink of an eye, Isshiki vanished from sight, moving faster than either Sasuke or Naruto could react. He reappeared behind them, his power overwhelming them before they could even fully react. A simple flick of his wrist sent Naruto crashing to the ground, while Sasuke narrowly avoided a lethal strike.

Isshiki's power was unlike anything they had ever faced. Every move he made seemed to bend the very laws of physics, distorting reality around him. His speed, strength, and chakra control were terrifyingly precise, and his combat prowess was on an entirely different level. Naruto, battered and struggling to stay on his feet, gritted his teeth. "We're not giving up. Not like this."

But Isshiki was relentless. He moved with the ease of a seasoned warrior, his body flickering in and out of existence, attacking from every angle. It wasn't long before both Naruto and Sasuke found themselves overwhelmed, struggling to land a blow.

Isshiki finally stopped, looking down at them with cold, calculating eyes. "Impressive. But not enough," he said, stepping over them like they were nothing more than insects. "I've decided to take Toneri with me. He's still useful to our cause."

As Naruto and Sasuke fought to rise, Isshiki turned to Toneri, who was barely conscious. "Get up, you," Isshiki commanded. "It's time for you to fulfill your role. The true Ōtsutsuki are not as weak as you are."

Toneri, his eyes flickering open, looked up at Isshiki, a mix of awe and fear in his gaze. He had never felt such power before, and for a brief moment, he wondered if he had made the right choice in fighting against these beings. His body was heavy, his limbs weak, but Isshiki's presence stirred something deep within him—a primal need to survive.

Isshiki reached down, grabbing Toneri by the collar of his robes and lifting him effortlessly. "You're coming with me," he said. "And you will be part of the plan. Don't think for a moment that your failure is forgotten. I'll make sure you know your place."

Sasuke and Naruto both glared at Isshiki, their bodies bloodied and bruised from the assault. They couldn't even manage to get back on their feet in time. Isshiki was too powerful—there was no way they could defeat him now, not in their current state.

Isshiki took a step back, ready to leave. "This world is far more interesting than I anticipated. But there's no need for me to waste time here any longer."

Just as Isshiki was about to step through the rift to leave, he turned back, his gaze sweeping over Naruto and Sasuke one last time. "You can keep fighting, if you wish. But remember this: you cannot stop the Ōtsutsuki. We are the true rulers of this world."

With a final flick of his hand, Isshiki stepped through the portal, Toneri in tow. The rift closed behind them, leaving Naruto and Sasuke in the dark, the weight of the battle still heavy in their bones.

As the two of them staggered to their feet, Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration. "We're not strong enough yet. We need to warn the others."

Naruto stood beside him, his gaze firm. "We'll be ready next time. We won't let them take the world."

They turned and made their way back to Konoha, their thoughts on the new threat they now faced. Isshiki had made his move, and they were running out of time. The Ōtsutsuki were far from done with the world, and it was up to Naruto and Sasuke to make sure they didn't succeed.