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"Caw! Caw! Caw!"
Accompanied by the grating cries of crows, Sasuke and Suigetsu returned to the ground empty-handed.
Yet, everyone else was focused solely on Hinata and Karin, not sparing the two a single glance.
"Just saying you'll work hard is useless," Karin stood up again and looked down at Hinata. "Never show mercy to enemies who would harm you or those important to you."
Before Hinata could react, Karin lunged toward Sasuke, trying to cling to his arm.
"Sasuke! You're back!"
"Hmph." Sasuke dodged her with visible irritation, his gaze darkening as he stared at the artificial sun in the sky.
"At least you took care of those puppets," Kaito patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"And no new ones have appeared since," Hikaku added with a smile.
"Let me handle this," Izuna stepped forward. "That brat Kaito mentioned probably doesn't dare show his face now."
"Give it a try," Madara narrowed his eyes. "If you fail, I'll take over."
"Don't underestimate me, brother."
A flash of red light gleamed in Izuna's eyes as he instantly activated the complete form of Susanoo.
The winged tengu-like warrior giant raised its sword, its massive wings flapping as it soared into the sky.
Susanoo hovered just outside the artificial sun, its colossal blade poised for a strike.
Swish.
The sword cleanly sliced through the protective layer covering the sun's surface.
Yet, energy surged, and the thin barrier instantly repaired itself.
"Tch."
Izuna manipulated Susanoo to raise the sword again.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
A rapid succession of slashes struck the same spot. Then, just as the fissure began to close, Susanoo thrust the blade deep inside.
"Let me open the path."
Kaito leaped into the air, riding the currents of natural energy to fly toward the artificial sun.
In moments, he reached his destination, landing atop Susanoo's massive sword.
The five-pointed star in his eyes spun as his hands formed a rapid series of seals. With another leap—
"Izuna!"
At Kaito's signal, Susanoo's blade swung horizontally, widening the fissure on the sun's surface.
Kaito's gaze locked onto the crack. With a sharp exhale, a pentagram pattern materialized over the rupture, instantly forming a barrier that bridged the inside and outside of the artificial sun.
"Come up."
Kaito gestured to the group below before stepping into the barrier's passageway.
Izuna dispelled Susanoo and followed.
Below, the others were ferried up one by one by the crows—even Madara lazily hitched a ride.
Once everyone passed through the barrier, a bizarrely structured, towering castle came into view.
"Let's go." Kaito led the way toward the castle gates.
Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!
Countless mechanized puppets of varying designs surged from the castle, unleashing another overwhelming barrage of golden beams.
"Then let's each handle our share."
Kaito flicked his sleeve, a defensive barrier enveloping him. Several talismans shot out, their inscriptions glowing blue.
In an instant, the talismans multiplied, streaking through the air in dense arcs before slamming into the puppets.
"Tch!"
Eager to redeem himself, Sasuke dashed forward, unleashing a massive fire-style jutsu.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"
"Sasuke! Don't hog the spotlight!" Suigetsu grinned, forming hand seals.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Hikaku stood beside Madara, sighing nostalgically. "It's been a while since we fought alongside you two."
"These worthless puppets don't require our combined effort."
Izuna drew his ninjato, flames erupting along its edge.
"Uchiha Style: Blazing Sword Dance!"
He flashed into the puppet swarm, cleaving through several in a single slash.
"You go ahead." Madara crossed his arms, yawning. "Such opponents aren't worth my time."
"As you wish, Lord Madara."
Hikaku darted to Izuna's side, their synchronized attacks swiftly decimating the enemy forces.
Meanwhile, the others joined the fray—until only Kaito and Madara remained idle.
Kaito eventually withdrew, walking over to Madara.
"Wonder if we'll find Kaguya's seal here," Madara mused, scanning their surroundings.
"Unlikely," Kaito replied indifferently. "And it's not yet time for Kaguya's return."
"Boring." Madara sat on a nearby rock.
"I never expected the moon to be like this. Had I known, I wouldn't have mobilized everyone." Kaito shrugged helplessly. "Seems I overestimated the situation."
By then, the group had cleared the puppets, advancing toward the castle's interior.
"Let's take a look." Kaito motioned to Madara. "Truthfully, I came mainly for the possible archives and texts left by Hamura's descendants."
"Hmph."
Madara stood. He, too, held some interest in the remnants of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Just then, the battle ahead took an unexpected turn—the remaining puppets swiftly encircled Hinata.
"Princess of the Byakugan."
A white-haired youth descended gracefully, standing before Hinata with a polite bow. His eyes remained closed.
"To think you'd come here willingly. Perhaps this was fate all along."
"Who are you?" Hinata assumed her Gentle Fist stance, wary.
"I am Ōtsutsuki Toneri." His unseen gaze fixed on her face before he dropped a bombshell.
"Your fiancé."
"F-fiancé?!" Hinata recoiled, only for the puppets to block her retreat.
"You must be mistaken," she shook her head frantically. "I have no fiancé."
"You may have forgotten." Toneri's voice dripped with feigned tenderness. "We met in childhood. From that moment, you were destined to be my bride."
"No!"
Hinata spun, shattering a puppet with a palm strike, only for another to immediately fill the gap.
"Then I'll have to subdue you myself."
She lunged at Toneri.
"Gentle Fist Art!"