Chapter 251 : Isshiki Dead?

[The scene shifts back to the present.

Kawaki, who had been trembling with fear, suddenly feels a sense of security he had never experienced before. 

It's as if a new kind of light is filling the dark corners of his soul. He closes his eyes and remembers his time with Naruto—how their relationship started awkwardly but evolved into something more meaningful. 

Naruto's unwavering dedication and kindness had slowly illuminated Kawaki's heart.

It's as if a warm sun had risen in the damp, shadowy recesses of Kawaki's mind. This moment left many viewers moved.

Some thought Naruto's actions were influenced by the spirit of Ashura, the second son of the Sage of Six Paths. 

But now it seems that Naruto's compassion came from his own experiences, from understanding the hardship and pain of life.

Kawaki's heart shakes. His master, who had cared for him and never given up on him, once said that Kawaki reminded him of himself. 

This bond, this connection, is something Kawaki cannot ignore. And now, seeing his master suffering as he once had, he knows he cannot remain idle.

With determined eyes, Kawaki picks up his prosthetic limb from the ground—the symbol of his struggle and hope. 

It's a reminder of the emptiness he once felt, now filled with the warmth of those who care about him.

The countdown continues, and Naruto is on the brink of death if Kawaki does not come forward. 

But just as the final moments tick by, Kawaki stands tall on a rock behind the tormentor, fearlessly facing him.

The familiar sound of footsteps brings a triumphant smile to his enemy's face, but Kawaki isn't concerned about his own safety—he's more afraid of losing Naruto, who has become like a father to him, than any other danger.

Kawaki's stance is steady as he looks down at the man who once seemed invincible. 

But this time, there's no fear, only determination. 

Many people watching notice that Kawaki's resolve mirrors Naruto's—a testament to the bond they share.

In the darkness, there is always a longing for light. This belief, this shared awareness, feels like a torch being passed from mentor to student.

On the ground, trampled and battered, Naruto's gaze meets Kawaki's, and he sees the strength and hope in the eyes of the person he once believed in.

Naruto's expression was a mix of relief and helplessness. It wasn't because his disciple, Kawaki, had come to his rescue, but because he was relieved that Kawaki no longer showed fear in situations like this.

However, the danger was real, and Naruto knew this might be the end.

"There's not much time," he thought as an attack flew towards Kawaki.

But Kawaki wasn't about to just sit still. He quickly countered with a Great Fireball Technique, scorching the incoming threat. 

The flames surged and dissipated, but in that instant, Kawaki was captured.

"What is this? Do you really think you're a ninja?" came the cold voice.

Kawaki replied calmly, "I've already become a disciple of the Seventh Hokage. He told me I had talent, and I believe him."

The seemingly simple exchange revealed a deeper spiritual clash. Kawaki's calm words were a direct counter to the accusatory tone. 

The questioner, who believed Kawaki to be nothing more than a tool, a puppet, couldn't understand why he would have his own will.

Naruto had given Kawaki a reason to live, filling the empty shell with meaning. He no longer conformed to the roles imposed on him.

But then the voice retorted, "Without the arm Naruto gave you, you wouldn't have been discovered by me. Without the emotions he taught you, you wouldn't have been caught by me. Accept it, this is your destiny. This is reality."

Kawaki didn't flinch, responding with unwavering resolve, "You don't get it. A world without the Seventh Hokage is meaningless to me!"]

Meanwhile, in an underground base:

Uchiha Madara raised an eyebrow at Obito.

Orochimaru's expression mirrored that of Madara.

Obito, looking annoyed, turned to them, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh, it's nothing, just reminds me of someone who used to talk like that every day."

["Whatever you do, remember," said Isshiki, "you're just a vessel, a container."

Isshiki's patience running out, he grabbed Kawaki by the neck.

In an instant, Karma once again etched itself into Kawaki's body. As the process completed, Isshiki burst into laughter. 

"In the end, the winner will always be the Ōtsutsuki!" 

Not far off, Naruto and Sasuke's eyes filled with despair.

This time, no one could stop Isshiki—the fate of humanity on this planet was about to reach its end.

At that moment, Isshiki felt extremely relaxed, even envisioning the day he'd consume the fruit from the God Tree, achieving the same power as Momoshiki. 

"Oh, my time is almost up," he thought. He raised his palm and watched as his weathered fingers began to crumble, piece by piece, with no sign of panic. 

He even observed the scene with mild interest.

The decay spread, and Isshiki's body began to slowly erode, crumbling apart as if aged by time. 

He sneered, "If you could force me to do this, you're quite powerful."

With the arrogance of a victor, Isshiki uttered his final words as if granting a favor, quietly waiting to reincarnate through Kawaki. 

But then he sensed something was off. He didn't see despair in Kawaki's eyes—only calmness.

A sudden hiss filled the air. Karma that had just been drawn onto Kawaki's body turned red and then gradually vanished.

 "Wait, what's happening!? Impossible!" Isshiki shouted, disbelief clouding his voice, as he felt his grip on victory slipping into an abyss. His joy transformed into intense fear.

With the disappearance of Karma, reincarnation was impossible! 

This time, Kawaki slowly raised his head and looked at Isshiki with cold, unflinching eyes. "Go on, keep talking. Tell me how much longer you can stay in this world!" he taunted.

"Speak up, Mr. Ōtsutsuki Isshiki."

Enraged by the mocking words from someone he'd once considered nothing more than an ant, Isshiki lunged forward to strike Kawaki. 

But as he moved, his knee shattered, causing him to collapse at Kawaki's feet. The despair and unwillingness overwhelmed him—he couldn't understand where he'd gone wrong!

Karma's reincarnation should've been a success, granting him victory! 

But at that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed through the space, and Isshiki's heart sank as he noticed another Kawaki stepping out from the shadows.

"The Shadow Clone Technique," he whispered, realizing his mistake.

From above, the real Kawaki smirked down at Isshiki. "The Seventh Hokage taught me this."

"The last words Isshiki heard in this world were the ones he never thought he'd hear.

In the next instant, Kawaki leaped down and landed with crushing force on Isshiki, mirroring the same brutal move that had once been inflicted on him.

Suddenly, a cloud of white smoke and dust enveloped the area, leaving no trace of a body behind. The once-mighty Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was reduced to nothing more than ordinary ash.

This dramatic scene left countless viewers in stunned silence, their hearts heavy with the gravity of what they had just witnessed.

The cycle of causality had come full circle.

Isshiki had finally fallen to the very ninjutsu he had always scorned." 

****

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