Chapter 377: Toxic Chakra
The figure that appeared beside the Fourth Raikage was none other than Hyuga Shizuka's spirit projection. She looked at the Sage of Six Paths before her, bracing herself as she asked:
"Since you've already made up your mind, I'll get straight to the point—this era belongs to him. Do you have any objections?"
The Sage of Six Paths gazed at her for a long moment before sighing and nodding. "Go tell Hyuga Fuji—I will not interfere in the transformation of the shinobi world. I did not intervene in the past, and I will not in the future… unless the shinobi world faces an invasion from the Ōtsutsuki."
This soul-transferring technique was truly peculiar. He hadn't even sensed her arrival before she was already standing there.
It seemed to bypass all conventional detection.
A divine technique of omnipotence… truly fitting for an Ōtsutsuki.
"That's good to hear."
Hyuga Shizuka let out a breath of relief. This was her first time using an unfinished divine technique to transfer her soul—and to meet the Sage of Six Paths, no less. Her heart had been pounding the entire time.
Luckily, the Sage did not seem like an unyielding or hostile figure.
With that thought, she shifted her gaze toward the Pure Land, where souls either slept in peace or had begun to awaken.
"My mission isn't just to deliver a message—I also need to retrieve two individuals. I ask for your understanding."
The Sage of Six Paths was about to ask what she meant when he saw her close her eyes, sensing through the realm. Soon, she locked onto two wandering souls—both Uchiha ninja from the Warring States Era.
"Well then, farewell."
Giving the somewhat bewildered Sage a polite nod, Hyuga Shizuka's projection vanished, taking the two souls with her.
The Sage stood there in silence before finally exhaling.
"It seems the battlefield will not reach here after all. I was overthinking things."
---
"Simply use your Yachihiko technique to support the chakra network—nothing else matters."
Through their mental link, Uchiha Hikari listened to Hyuga Fuji's plan and quietly asked:
"I'll do as you command. But I've done everything you've asked—what about my parents?"
"They've already been retrieved. You'll see them soon. For now, get some rest."
A faint light flickered in Hikari's eyes. He hesitated briefly before saying:
"Thank you."
---
"Impossible! How is your chakra still holding out? It should have started depleting by now!"
Kaguya roared in frustration.
The two had been locked in battle for a long time, unleashing devastating large-scale jutsu that had reshaped the very geography of the shinobi world.
But despite that, Hyuga Fuji had never stopped keeping up with her.
His chakra should have dwindled by now, yet it hadn't.
She had the chakra reserves of all those trapped within Infinite Tsukuyomi—but what did he have?
Receiving no answer, Kaguya clenched her fists and once again condensed her chakra to its maximum concentration, launching a barrage of chakra fists at Hyuga Fuji.
"Eighty Gods Vacuum Fists!"
"Eighty Gods Vacuum Fists!"
Mirroring Kaguya's attack, Hyuga Fuji unleashed an identical barrage of blue chakra fists from his palm.
Their attacks collided midair, triggering deafening explosions. The shockwaves rippled outward, distorting the very fabric of space itself.
Though Hyuga Fuji's technique wasn't as powerful as Kaguya's, he compensated with sheer volume, completely nullifying her attack.
"What?!"
Kaguya froze, staring at Hyuga Fuji in disbelief.
He copied my technique?
"It's nothing surprising," Hyuga Fuji replied calmly. "One of my goals in dragging this fight out was to observe your techniques."
He stood opposite her, meeting her gaze without a hint of hesitation.
"No matter how high your level is, your attacks are still based on chakra. Their essence remains the same. And since we originate from the same source in some ways, replicating them is not difficult."
Kaguya's frown deepened, but when she recalled Isshiki's identity, she found it less surprising.
However, Black Zetsu, who had been listening carefully, felt a jolt of unease in his heart.
One of his goals in dragging this fight out?
Wasn't Hyuga Fuji trying to seal Kaguya?
For the first time, Black Zetsu felt uncertain.
He had always assumed that Hyuga Fuji's plan was to seal Kaguya with the Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei.
But now, it seemed far more complicated.
Why would Hyuga Fuji go through all the trouble of reviving Kaguya, only to exhaust himself trying to seal her again?
That didn't make sense.
If Hyuga Fuji's goal wasn't sealing Kaguya… then what exactly was he trying to do?
Kaguya had been absorbing chakra from the shinobi trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi to maintain her peak condition.
Was it not the right time yet for Hyuga Fuji?
Wait—absorbing chakra?
A terrifying realization slammed into Black Zetsu's mind.
Throughout this entire battle, Kaguya had been constantly absorbing the chakra of all the shinobi trapped in the Divine Tree… that was the only major change.
If that was Hyuga Fuji's true goal… then right now—
"Mother, run!"
Black Zetsu screamed in alarm. "Hyuga Fuji, he—!"
"It's too late."
Hyuga Fuji's calm voice interrupted him.
"Sanctification."
All across the shinobi world, pillars of brilliant blue light shot into the sky.
The beams pierced through the heavens, radiating immense chakra waves. From every direction, they converged toward one central point.
"Mother, stop him!"
Black Zetsu desperately tried to emerge and block Hyuga Fuji, but it was already too late.
Kaguya herself had sensed it—the moment she absorbed chakra from the shinobi world, countless blue spheres had materialized inside her.
Although she had managed to destroy some of them, several had already taken root.
These spirit spheres, acting as conduits, were now channeling vast amounts of chakra into her body.
Her power surged to an unprecedented peak, a force so immense it felt like it could tear the heavens apart.
Yet neither Kaguya nor Black Zetsu felt this was a good thing.
Because the moment that power flowed into her, the spirit spheres inside her body began to absorb it uncontrollably, resisting her will.
At the same time, an overwhelming sense of restriction gripped her entire body.
No matter how she tried to break free, she couldn't move.
Her pure white eyes locked onto Hyuga Fuji, her voice filled with rage and suspicion.
"What have you done to me?"
Hyuga Fuji did not answer.
He was entirely focused on restraining her, his expression solemn.
Under Infinite Tsukuyomi, the shinobi world's warriors had become Kaguya's chakra batteries—mindless puppets for her to harvest.
But what if their chakra was poisoned?
During the last war, nearly every shinobi had already been infected with the spirit spheres.
This time, as Kaguya absorbed chakra through the Ten-Tails, those spirit spheres had been drawn into her as well.
One or two could be neutralized.
But millions at once?
And because she had been too preoccupied with fighting him, she hadn't noticed until it was too late.
Kaguya was an important guidepost on the path of evolution.
Unless absolutely necessary, Hyuga Fuji did not want to seal her outright.
That was why Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei was merely a last resort.
Now that the spirit spheres had her completely restrained, he had far more options.
As he prepared for the next phase of his plan, both he and Kaguya suddenly sensed two approaching presences—
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had arrived.
(End of Chapter)