Chapter 344: Thousand-Year Blood War of the Ninja World

At this moment…

Kaguya Otsutsuki hurriedly chose to shoot two All-Killing Ash Bones!

To the other ninjas, Kaguya's attack seemed to be fueled by her anger at being treated as prey; only Black Zetsu and Kaguya understood that it stemmed from her fear!

Fear, tension, and unease.

These emotions truly reflected Kaguya's state of mind.

Upon truly becoming prey, Kaguya's first thought was to leave. However, this sea area was completely sealed by Akihara Kagura's timed space-blocking barrier, making it impossible for her to use any space-time techniques to escape. Her heart was filled with dread!

At this moment...

Kaguya's panic finally fermented, and the fear of being unable to use space-time techniques completely overwhelmed her!

The Progenitor of Chakra appeared like a rabbit cornered!

"She is in a hurry."

Akihara Kagura slightly tilted his head to dodge one of the All-Killing Ash Bones, then raised his finger and flicked another.

Crack...

The All-Killing Ash Bone instantly shattered!

Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she watched her attack being neutralized by Kagura. Her white hair immediately began to dance wildly, strands of it flying densely around!

Rabbit Hair Needle!

Countless strands of her hair attacked Kagura like long needles, while Kaguya used her Byakugan to observe Kagura's vital points and weaknesses!

Kagura raised his palm!

Lightning danced wildly!

Arcs of electricity suddenly flickered throughout the sea area, shattering the needle-like hair strands in an instant!

This was a battle between deities!

Under the mighty heavenly power, other ninjas appeared as insignificant as mortals!

"Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack!"

Kaguya raised her palm heavily!

Her Chakra surged, and numerous gigantic Chakra fists emerged from her back, appearing around her!

The enormous fists smashed towards Kagura, locking all escape routes with the assistance of her Byakugan!

This strike could only be endured head-on by Kagura himself!

Without fear, Kagura also raised his palm. White Chakra surged from his back, transforming into huge hands that caught the incoming fists!

The countless Chakra hands and fists clashed in the air, filling the sealed space with dense Chakra!

A group of ninjas stood on the sea, trembling!

Everyone hurriedly evaded their attacks, fearing collateral damage from the battle. Even Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke dared not be careless!

As fists and hands collided!

The white hands clenched the Chakra fists, crushing them!

The Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack appeared fragile at this moment!

The technique, an absolute offense and defense used by the Progenitor of Chakra, was directly countered by Kagura's similar technique!

"The technique was broken…"

Kaguya's expression became even more tense, her fair fingers faintly trembling, as her power was being utterly overwhelmed by Kagura!

Next moment!

All the white Chakra hands in the sky merged into a colossal hand, slamming into Kaguya!

She raised her palm to resist, but her body was sent flying like a meteor!

The Progenitor of Chakra's body crashed into the barrier, causing it to tremble violently!

Ignoring her injuries, Kaguya immediately raised her hand, trying to create a gap in the barrier to escape!

"Trying to leave?"

A voice appeared in Kaguya's ear.

"!!!"

Kaguya's heart panicked as she saw Kagura's figure close by. The hunter from beyond the heavens had appeared before her in an instant!

At this moment...

Kaguya felt like a frightened rabbit trapped in a cage, her body instantly fleeing from Kagura, afraid of being caught!

"Mother…"

Black Zetsu, sensing Kaguya's fear and unease, cautiously spoke, "Should we leave here first…"

"…"

Kaguya bit her lip.

Her eyes saw only the barrier over the sea, forming a dome. Within this barrier, she couldn't use any space-time techniques!

But…

A gray bone spike reignited her hope!

Kaguya remembered one of the All-Killing Ash Bones she had released; while one was shattered by Kagura, the other was dodged by him…

That bone finally reached the barrier's edge, embedding itself into it…

Next moment!

The barrier disappeared without a trace!

Could the All-Killing Ash Bone break this barrier?

Seeing the bone pierce the barrier, causing it to vanish, Kaguya quickly hid in her space-time realm!

"Trying to escape?"

Kagura watched her disappear, showing no panic, even revealing a wild and rampant smile: "The whole planet is now my hunting ground, how can prey escape the hunter's pursuit!"

After saying this, Kagura raised his hand, opening a pitch-black space-time gate, and prepared to step through.

This was an inherent ability of the Progenitor of Chakra!

Any power the ancestor could use, Kagura could easily replicate, capable of breaking any technique, even Kekkei Mōra!

"Kagura!"

A voice stopped him!

Hatake Kakashi, weakly standing up, looked solemnly at Kagura, speaking in a deep voice: "I heard everything just now. Your purpose in coming to this world… is for Kaguya's Chakra? After obtaining her Chakra, will you leave here? Will you destroy this world?"

Akihara Kagura furrowed his brows, then immediately let out a faint smile, seemingly finding Hatake Kakashi's question somewhat foolish!

If he wanted to leave this world, besides destroying it, he would also need to be expelled from it entirely, making it impossible for this world to contain him…

However…

What did Kakashi mean by wanting to send him off?

"Kakashi…"

"The current you…"

"Why are you like a naïve child…"

Akihara Kagura shook his head with a smile, his eyes gradually becoming serious: "In view of our past acquaintance, let me tell you your fate in advance!"

"This planet…"

"Is a natural hunting ground…"

Akihara Kagura's gaze swept across everyone present, his lips curling into a chilling smile: "Since it's a hunting ground, there naturally won't be just one prey…"

"..."

Everyone's eyes widened in realization, instantly understanding Akihara Kagura's meaning—they were all prey he intended to hunt!

"Even the remnants of chakra observed at the brink of life and death are worthy prey for a hunter…"

After finishing his words, Akihara Kagura stepped into the dark portal of space-time, leaving behind only a sentence: "Even the souls hiding in the Pure Land of the Underworld are worthy of being caught by a hunter's net…"

"!!!"

Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were simultaneously shocked!

Akihara Kagura, this guy…

He wouldn't even spare the dead in the Pure Land!

"He's gone…"

Haruno Sakura watched Akihara Kagura step into the space-time portal, finally letting out a sigh of relief, her face still covered in cold sweat: "That man's aura… was so intimidating I didn't dare to move. It's amazing Kakashi-sensei could even speak to him…"

"One might as well die with clarity, right?"

Hatake Kakashi gave a bitter smile.

"That guy…"

Orochimaru recalled Akihara Kagura's past behavior and let out a light chuckle: "Indeed, he would ensure one dies with clarity, just like what he did to Danzo in the past…"

"Now, we have a big problem…"

Uchiha Sasuke's eyes flashed red, his expression exceptionally serious: "You all saw it just now; they both have the power to destroy the world. Whether it's Akihara Kagura or Kaguya Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths said that Kaguya wanted to collect the chakra of the Ninja World. Akihara Kagura also wants to gather the chakra of the Ninja World, including Kaguya's chakra, and he won't even spare the souls in the Pure Land…"

Whether it's Kaguya or Akihara Kagura, they are enemies we must face, something we cannot avoid!

Both are nearly unbeatable!

However…

They are dangers we must deal with!

"What Sasuke means…"

Haruno Sakura furrowed her brows, seeming to grasp Uchiha Sasuke's thoughts: "Are we supposed to find a way to deal with them? But we…"

"We are seemingly of no use."

Orochimaru shook his head, yet still had a smile on his face: "We should consider how to survive the aftermath of their battle, shouldn't we?"

"Let me think of a way…"

An old voice appeared above the sea.

"I never imagined there would be enemies even more terrifying than my mother in the Ninja World…"

The voice, though old, was powerful and lamenting: "Hamura once mentioned that gods as strong as our mother would feel fear. Now I finally understand what she was afraid of. Such an enemy, whether it's his cunning or strength, indeed induces fear…"

Some found the voice familiar, while others did not. Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto looked towards the source of the voice.

An old, ethereal figure gradually appeared above the sea, standing over the remains of Uchiha Madara—remains from the battle between Akihara Kagura and Madara.

After all…

The sea was scattered with Madara's fragments…

Madara was the most injured in the battle because he fought Akihara Kagura the longest.

The figure was the Sage of Six Paths!

At this moment…

The Sage of Six Paths could no longer sit idle!

Because he initially thought Akihara Kagura was an ordinary ninja, but it turned out he was a terrifying extraterrestrial being. His strategies, his demonstrated power, and his attitude towards the Ninja World were far more dangerous than his mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki!

A powerful ninja of this level being exposed now, the residual chakra of the Sage of Six Paths could not ignore it. He used Madara's remains as a coordinate, despite his depleted chakra, to teleport to the present world!

"Old man Sage!"

Uzumaki Naruto felt a swift sense of calm!

However, Uchiha Sasuke, unlike his naïve friend, looked at the Sage of Six Paths and asked in a deep voice: "Sage of Six Paths, what should we do now?"

"I'll think of a way to unite everyone…"

The Sage of Six Paths gazed at the gathered ninjas and spoke calmly: "To resolve the threat posed by Akihara Kagura together with my mother…"

"This was my oversight. I initially thought Akihara Kagura was just an ordinary ninja. Once he appeared, I couldn't see through his darkness…"

"Before that…"

The Sage of Six Paths slowly set his eyes on Hatake Kakashi, looking into his eyes, he said in a deep voice: "Your power can become even stronger… Young Hatake Kakashi, please come forward!"

Everyone else present had reached their limits, but Kakashi, having transplanted a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, still had some potential for improvement.

Hatake Kakashi extended his hand, touching the hand of the Sage of Six Paths, and suddenly felt his ocular power greatly enhanced!

This was a gift from the Sage of Six Paths!

Hatake Kakashi felt he could activate the Complete Body Susanoo, and even his Kamui ability was strengthened, potentially allowing unlimited use like Obito in the past!

Unfortunately…

This power could be easily sealed…

Because Akihara Kagura's abilities greatly counter spatial ninjas.

However…

It couldn't be deemed completely useless.

Since the barrier created by Kagura will eventually dissipate, the time when it does is also when he can be useful!

"Now, I only have a little chakra left..."

After granting his chakra to Hatake Kakashi, the Sage of Six Paths scanned the people present and said in a deep voice, "I will summon all the ninjas that have ever appeared in this world, gather their chakra, and send you to the hiding place of my mother. Together with her, we will address this imminent crisis..."

"What do you mean?"

Uzumaki Naruto was still somewhat confused.

The next moment, the Sage of Six Paths raised his hand!

Countless phantom figures appeared beside the Sage of Six Paths! These were all the ninjas who had ever used chakra. All those who possessed chakra, their souls were summoned to the living world at this moment. Even the reanimated ninjas were summoned!

The moment these ninjas came into contact with the Sage of Six Paths' chakra, they understood his intention and the crisis facing the ninja world.

"Dad! Mom!"

Naruto even saw his mother, Uzumaki Kushina, and his father, Minato, who had previously resealed the Nine-Tails inside him and died. Minato had experienced much in his short life, dying twice, each time profoundly affecting his son...

His first death turned Naruto into the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, leading Naruto to live a life shrouded in darkness...

His second death, after being revived by Uchiha Obito's Rinne Tensei, allowed Minato to seal the other half of the Nine-Tails inside Naruto when the Nine-Tails was extracted, preserving Naruto's life...

This father...

Finally fulfilled his wish in his second death.

Minato returned to the Pure Land of the afterlife to reunite with his wife, Uzumaki Kushina, and ultimately sacrificed his life for the child he felt he had wronged.

Minato hadn't expected that he and Kushina would be summoned back to the living world by the Sage of Six Paths so soon after reuniting in the Pure Land. Standing among the crowd, the couple looked at their son with bright smiles on their faces.

"Naruto..."

"Dad, Mom..."

Naruto clenched his fists, never having expected to see them again, even if only their souls.

"..."

Hatake Kakashi silently watched the group of souls.

As a ninja who had constantly lost people, Kakashi saw many individuals who were extremely important to him.

A middle-aged man who looked somewhat like Kakashi smiled kindly at him, "I thought I wouldn't get to apologize to you until much later... Kakashi..."

This middle-aged man was Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi's father, who had committed suicide when Kakashi was five, casting a shadow over his life...

To see his son again, Sakumo had lingered in the Pure Land, waiting. Unexpectedly, he was summoned to the living world by the Sage of Six Paths, giving him a chance to contribute to his son.

"Hey, Kakashi!"

After his death, Uchiha Obito's soul returned to his youthful appearance. Standing beside Sakumo, he shouted, "Don't be so down, pull yourself together!"

"Hang in there, Kakashi!"

Rin Nohara loudly encouraged her friend.

"Okay..."

The gloom in Kakashi's heart finally dissipated, and he managed a smile in front of his friends' souls.

"Sister, you can do it!"

A chubby boy's immature voice echoed in Tsunade's ears. He even saw Orochimaru beside him, "And Orochimaru-sensei, you must also do your best!"

A white-haired ninja standing beside the boy spoke softly, "Tsunade, you are the best medical ninja, keep going..."

"Nawaki... Dan..."

Tsunade looked at her brother and former lover, tears streaming down her face.

"Nawaki..."

Orochimaru looked at the chubby boy, a nostalgic expression in his eyes.

As Orochimaru pondered, two familiar souls appeared before them. The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had a serious expression, "Orochimaru, Tsunade, you two are my best students..."

"Orochimaru, kill that boy..."

Shimura Danzo, standing beside Hiruzen, still bore a grudge against Kagura, "That boy used us as pawns and filled the Root I created with Uchiha. Do not let him go..."

"Hey, what's wrong with Uchiha!"

A voice sounded beside Danzo.

A man with a headband looked at Danzo, while a group of Uchiha in clan attire stood behind him.

The number of Uchiha souls was so vast...

One couldn't see the end of their ranks!

For a thousand years, countless Uchiha had been born. Their souls, which had resided in the Pure Land, were now summoned, confronting their most hated individuals!

"Itachi is here!"

"Danzo is here too!"

"Uchiha Itachi and Danzo are here!"

A group of Uchiha called for those who died on the night of the massacre to come over, making the scene chaotic.

Fortunately, a figure stopped them!

"Quiet down..."

Uchiha Shisui, who had saved some Uchiha during the massacre and provided them with a new refuge, commanded great respect.

His soul had also been summoned. With a serious expression, he said, "This is not the time for revenge. We are here to address the crisis in the ninja world. Your relatives are still being deceived!"

"..."

The vengeful Uchiha fell silent.

"Unfortunately..."

One Uchiha sighed, "We are already dead and have no time to hold a clan meeting to deal with Uchiha Itachi..."

At the end of the Uchiha souls' ranks...

Uchiha Itachi's soul painfully watched two souls standing before him, with Uchiha Sasuke beside them, staring at the couple.

"Dad... Mom…"

Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath, forcing himself to hide his vulnerability. In a low voice, he said, "I'm sorry. I thought I was strong enough, but I couldn't even protect your peace. Instead, I'm disturbing your rest at this moment..."

"Sasuke!"

Uchiha Fugaku's spirit shook his head and said solemnly, "Sasuke, you are already exceptional. Don't be too hard on yourself!"

"Sasuke, don't overwork yourself..."

Uchiha Mikoto smiled as she comforted her younger son. She then looked at her elder son, "Itachi, don't blame yourself too much. Didn't we agree on this?"

"Itachi."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and said solemnly, "This is due to our narrow perspective. Saying anything more is useless now. Let's cherish this final reunion! If this battle fails, the souls in the Pure Land will not find peace either..."

"..."

The sea area was lively for a moment, then gradually quieted down.

These souls, long dead, knew it wasn't the time for reminiscing. They silently looked at the Sage of Six Paths who had summoned them.

"Hmph..."

The leader of the Uchiha clan seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the Sage of Six Paths.

Among the Senju clan stood a simple man, "Brother, we have been dead for a thousand years, and our chakra has fought for a thousand years. Isn't it time to stop?"

This was Indra and Asura.

For a millennium, only their chakra reincarnated, not their souls.

"..."

The Sage of Six Paths glanced at the souls of his two sons, seeming somewhat helpless as he slowly raised his palm. A vast void barrier appeared on the sea surface. In a deep voice, he said, "Now, all ninjas, please connect your chakra to the barrier I have created. I need to borrow your chakra to open a passage to the battlefield and send all participants over..."

"..."

All the souls present raised their palms.

At this moment, countless ninjas, ever since the birth of chakra, were finally gathered together!

Countless glowing souls raised their palms, and countless hands touched the barrier of the Sage of Six Paths, linking their remaining chakra through the barrier.

"Everyone..."

Uzumaki Naruto watched the countless ninjas extending their hands, contributing their chakra for the upcoming battle.

Among them were ninjas he knew, even his family...

But...

There were more ninjas he did not know.

These known and unknown ninjas, their lives spanning thousands of years apart, many not knowing each other, were all united at this moment for the survival of the ninja world, for a common goal!

Uzumaki Naruto remembered Jiraiya's teachings, and his heart suddenly opened up. The pressure brought by Akihara Kagura's power vanished at that moment!

"Ninjas..."

"Can unite..."

"Ninjas..."

"Can understand each other!"

Uzumaki Naruto clenched his fist, his gaze falling on Uchiha Sasuke beside him!

"Hey, Sasuke!"

A determined look flashed across Uzumaki Naruto's face, "This time, we will definitely win!"

Meanwhile,

Amenominaka.

This was a space belonging solely to Kaguya Otsutsuki.

Within this space, there were six different spaces, with the central one being the Initial Sphere Space, connected to other spaces of desert, magma, ice, acid, and gravity.

This space was entirely controlled by Kaguya Otsutsuki, each space having a castle and statues for her residence. Here, she could absorb the chakra of those under the Infinite Tsukuyomi to restore her strength!

This was her space.

However, Kaguya Otsutsuki didn't dare bring Akihara Kagura into this space because she feared it couldn't protect her. She only wanted to hide here for a while.

Yes.

Hide for a while.

Kaguya Otsutsuki knew very well that space was merely a toy in the hands of beings at their level. This space could only hide her for a while; eventually, Akihara Kagura would find her.

Kaguya Otsutsuki hid in a castle within the space, took a deep breath, and slowly calmed herself, thinking about how to escape the hunter...

"Are we hiding here?"

Black Zetsu sensed his mother's unease.

"No..."

Kaguya Otsutsuki slowly shook her head, still thinking about the scene where Akihara Kagura shattered the All-Killing Ash Bones with a flick of his finger, "We must find a way to leave this planet... he will find this place eventually..."

Before she finished speaking,

A pitch-black space-time gate silently opened.

Akihara Kagura stepped out leisurely from the space-time gate.

Obviously...

Akihara Kagura arrived too quickly!

Kaguya Otsutsuki's eyes tightened, and she disappeared instantly, reappearing in another desert space!

Akihara Kagura followed closely!

Just as Kaguya Otsutsuki arrived in the desert space, Akihara Kagura, like a shadow, appeared in the desert, looking up at Kaguya Otsutsuki in the sky.

Even...

Akihara Kagura raised his hand and greeted her.

"Kaguya..."

Akihara Kagura smiled, his eyes still revealing the dangerous glint of having everything under control.

"Where do you think you can escape to?"

This is the Thousand-Year Blood War of the Ninja World!

Finally reaching its end!

~~~

Dun! Dun!

Wahhhh! Tomorrow I'm gonna post all 4 Chapters! It's 24 hours of waiting for one last time...

I'll be waiting for you all!

Thank you!