Chapter 18: One shot
The Kamui dimension felt both quiet and heavy, the air thick with anticipation. Kurenai stood with her arms crossed, still trying to make sense of everything she'd just heard. Obito stood nearby, his expression one of deep contemplation. Before them, Team 7 stood, their demeanor changed—older, wiser, as if the weight of what they had learned in the limbo realm had already begun to reshape them.
Obito was the first to break the silence, his voice low and measured. "So… the Sage of Six Paths himself, along with his brother Hamura, spoke to you in that realm." He glanced at Sasuke's left eye, narrowing his gaze at the deep purple Rinnegan that now gleamed there. "That means Hagoromo must've entrusted this to you," he continued, gesturing to the Rinnegan. "It's been several hundred years since anyone last saw that eye… not since Indra Otsutsuki, Hagoromo's eldest son."
Sasuke gave a small nod, but his expression was still thoughtful, as though he was processing the magnitude of what had been given to him. The power, the responsibility—everything weighed heavily on his mind. But before he could speak, Obito's gaze shifted to Sakura.
"And you," Obito said, his voice tinged with surprise. "You now bear the Mitotic Regeneration seal, the same as Tsunade Senju."
Sakura touched the diamond-shaped seal on her forehead. "Yeah, I do…" she murmured. "Hagoromo said it would be essential for the sealing of Kaguya. I… I need it to perform the chant." She paused for a second, then continued, her voice growing stronger. "Without the chakra stored in this seal, I wouldn't have enough to perform the chant required to reseal Kaguya."
Kurenai's eyes widened slightly. "The chant?"
Sakura nodded, her face serious. "That's right. While Naruto and Sasuke hold Kaguya in place with their seals, I have to recite a specific chant to finalize the sealing. Hagoromo infused the seal on my forehead with his chakra so I could store up enough power for when the time comes."
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look, both of them nodding in agreement, but then Naruto furrowed his brow. "Wait… how did you know that, Sakura?" He scratched the back of his head. "Did the Sage tell you all of that back in the limbo realm?"
Sakura blinked in confusion, as if realizing for the first time what she had just said. "I… I don't know. It's like… I just know it. It's strange." She looked at her teammates, bewildered by the knowledge that seemed to flow naturally from her.
Obito, standing nearby, studied her thoughtfully. "It's possible that Hagoromo transferred not just power, but knowledge into those seals," he said, his gaze moving from Sakura's forehead to Sasuke's moon-shaped mark and then to Naruto's sun seal on his palm. "It wouldn't be the first time the Rinnegan has been used to pass on abilities. But this… this is on another level."
Sasuke examined the moon seal on his hand, his expression slowly morphing from confusion to understanding. "That makes sense," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. "Everything Sakura just said… it feels like I've known it my entire life. As if it's always been a part of me."
Naruto nodded quickly, raising his hand to show the glowing sun mark on his palm. "Yeah, same here. It's weird, but… I get it. Hagoromo gave us more than just power. He gave us knowledge. It's like…" He trailed off, his blue eyes widening as he looked down at his hand. "Like I just know how to do stuff I couldn't even dream of before. Techniques that didn't make sense to me before… now, I just… know."
Kurenai watched the exchange, her mind racing to keep up with everything they were saying. "So, not only did Hagoromo and Hamura give you the power to seal Kaguya, but they also passed down centuries of knowledge?"
"It seems that way," Sasuke said quietly, his tone thoughtful. "The seals themselves must be the conduit for their knowledge. It's why we understand what needs to be done without even thinking about it."
Sakura glanced down at her hands, still processing the enormity of what they had inherited. "It explains why I knew the chant, why I knew how important the chakra in this seal was… Hagoromo must have transferred his understanding of fuinjutsu into me when he gave me this mark."
Naruto let out a low whistle, his eyes wide with amazement. "That's crazy! We got a direct download from the Sage himself."
Sakura, still surprised by the clarity of her own words, looked at Naruto. "And it's not just that. He made sure we knew what's at stake. We don't have time to waste." Her expression hardened, the weight of their mission settling over her. "We know what we need to do."
Obito, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke again. "The Sage and his brother… they really did pass their will onto you. The power to end Kaguya's threat for good is now in your hands."
Naruto nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "Yeah. And this time, we won't fail."
Obito studied the three of them, his eyes lingering on the seals that now marked them. "Then we need to move quickly. Kaguya won't wait."
Kurenai, still processing everything, finally found her voice. "If this is true… if the knowledge of the Sage of Six Paths and his brother is now a part of you, then you have everything you need to stop her." Her eyes softened as she looked at Naruto. "We're all counting on you."
Naruto smiled warmly, giving her a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, sensei. We've got this."
Sasuke's eyes glinted with resolve as he turned toward the swirling portal that Obito had summoned. "Let's go. We have no time to waste."
Sakura clenched her fists, her heart pounding with determination. "Right. The sooner we face her, the better."
Obito stepped forward, his face grim. "Remember, this is your fight. I'll do what I can to support you, but the final blow… that's on you three."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood together, a united front. With the power of the Sage of Six Paths behind them, they were ready.
The time had come to end Kaguya's reign of terror once and for all.
Sakura bent low, brushing off the dust from her knees. "We don't have any time to waste. Naruto, Sasuke, summon the Sage's tools."
Sasuke nodded but frowned. "We should make sure we're ready first."
Naruto grinned and cracked his knuckles. "Don't worry, Sasuke, we'll be fine. Let's do this!"
As Naruto and Sasuke performed their respective summoning jutsu, Obito furrowed his brow. "Wait, Sage's tools? What are you talking about?"
Naruto's hands moved in quick succession as he spoke. "Hagoromo and Hamura weren't stupid. They knew that Kaguya might come back someday, so they created tools to counter her powers. Kind of like a backup plan."
With a puff of smoke, Sasuke revealed a sleek, pure black katana in his hand, its blade absorbing light like a void. Naruto summoned a dark sphere that hovered ominously at his side.
Kurenai's eyes widened. "What… what are those things?"
Sasuke examined the katana closely. "This is the Sword of Nunoboko. Hamura wielded it centuries ago. It can cut through almost anything, limited only by the will of the wielder."
Obito leaned in, marveling at the craftsmanship. "What material is it made out of?"
"No idea." Sasuke shrugged, giving it a casual swing, and the blade hummed as if resonating with something. "But it's going to be handy."
Kurenai shifted her gaze to Naruto. "And what about that sphere?"
Naruto studied the dark orb, furrowing his brow in thought. "This thing's called Mugenkei. With it, I can attack Kaguya's soul directly."
His eyes lit up as he realized something. "Wait a second… If this attacks her soul, I could probably—"
Kurenai blinked. "Attack Kaguya's soul? How are you going to do that with a floating sphere?"
Naruto raised his hand and touched the orb, and it immediately morphed into the shape of a kunai. "Like this."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Mugenkei can take any form its wielder desires."
Naruto grinned and focused on the sphere. In a flash, it shifted into a hatchet. Then, with a laugh, he transformed it into a staff, a shield, and finally, a crude depiction of Sasuke's head.
Sasuke scoffed, crossing his arms. "Stop fooling around, Naruto. That looks nothing like me."
Naruto shrugged. "Guess it's the thought that counts."
Obito turned to Sakura, curious. "And you? What weapon did the Sage gift you?"
Before Sakura could respond, Naruto chimed in with a smirk. "Sakura didn't get anything, hehehe...poor girl."
Sakura's face darkened as she glared at Naruto. "I don't need any special weapon, idiot! Kaguya's magic is weak against Nature Energy. With my Sage Mode, I can handle her just fine."
She paused, blinking in confusion. "Apparently…" she muttered, surprised by her own knowledge.
Kurenai, encouraged by the new developments, crossed her arms. "Well, if that's the case, we have no time to waste. We need to return to Konoha and stop Kaguya. Obito, can you transport us back now?"
Obito shook his head. "Not yet. We need a plan first."
Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Obito's right. Kaguya's incredibly powerful, even with all of this, we don't know if she's at her full strength. We're better equipped now, sure, but that doesn't guarantee victory."
Sakura raised a hand. "And even if we are stronger, we still need to figure out how to get close enough to use the weapons."
Naruto grinned, raising his hand confidently. "Don't worry. I've got that covered."
Kurenai tilted her head. "How exactly?"
Naruto looked around the group before revealing, "I marked Hinata before. I can teleport to her any time."
Sakura's eyes widened in realization. "That's right! You were able to appear in front of her instantly before. Smart thinking, Naruto! But when did you have the chance to mark Kaguya?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, I marked *Hinata, not Kaguya. I marked her before she got possessed."
Sasuke's eyes gleamed with approval. "That gives us an advantage."
Kurenai, however, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Wait, when exactly did you mark Hinata? You know the rules about seals in my house, Naruto."
Naruto coughed nervously, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead as everyone stared at him expectantly. He stammered, "Well, uh, you see, the night I heard Kaguya's voice… I may have, uh… connected with her when I placed a teleportation seal on Hinata…"
He avoided Kurenai's gaze, mumbling something incomprehensible, "on her boob…"
Kurenai's eye twitched, but she took a deep breath, closing her eyes and sighing heavily. "We'll discuss this later. There are bigger things to worry about."
Sakura rolled her eyes, muttering, "Of course. Only you, Naruto."
Naruto raised his hands defensively. "Hey, it's helping us now! And Hinata knew about it!"
Obito nodded thoughtfully, bringing the focus back. "Naruto has a point. That teleportation seal was how we landed our first hit on Kaguya. It'll help us again. But we still need to come up with a solid plan before jumping into action."
The group gathered in a tight circle, the atmosphere becoming tense and serious. They discussed strategies, each offering insights based on their newfound knowledge. Sasuke talked about using the Sword of Nunoboko to weaken Kaguya's barriers, while Naruto focused on how to best utilize Mugenkei to strike at her soul. Sakura added that they needed to time her chant perfectly for the final seal, and Obito pointed out the importance of teamwork in distracting Kaguya long enough for the plan to work.
In the middle of the discussion, Naruto clenched his fist, eyes burning with determination. "We've got this, guys. We've been through worse before. We'll stop Kaguya, save Hinata, and protect Konoha. No matter what it takes."
Kurenai gave a small nod, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle on her shoulders. "We don't have room for failure. The entire world is counting on us."
Obito gazed at each of them in turn, admiring their resolve. "We're going up against one of the most terrifying enemies we've ever faced, but with everything we've got, we have a real shot."
The tension in the air was palpable, but so was their determination. They all knew the odds were against them, but they were resolved to succeed, no matter the cost. Time was running out, and they had a plan.
Now, it was time to act.
Hinata knelt on the ground, her hands and feet restrained by the ethereal chains that had kept her bound for what felt like an eternity. Her nose still bled, the lingering effect of Itachi's Tsukuyomi, but she paid it no attention. She felt hopeless, broken, as if she was already dead.
Kaguya, still occupying Hinata's body, walked toward her, her footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness of Hinata's mind plane.
"Hinata," Kaguya's voice was calm, but it echoed with ancient authority.
Without raising her head, Hinata responded softly, "Go away."
Kaguya didn't move, instead, she continued. "If you help me... I can bring Naruto back for you."
Hinata remained still, unmoved, her head hanging low. Silence filled the space between them.
"If you help me ascend to my rightful place, Hinata, I will return him to you," Kaguya repeated, her tone soothing, like the gentle rustling of leaves in a forest.
For a moment, there was no response, but then, Kaguya's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Hinata chuckled. The laughter was quiet, but it was filled with grief. A laugh born from pain and hopelessness.
"Why do you keep bothering me?" Hinata finally lifted her head, her eyes dull but piercing as they met Kaguya's. "Can't you just read my mind? Can't you already see my answer?"
Kaguya's face remained stoic, but Hinata's words clearly struck a nerve.
With a slight smirk, Hinata continued, her tone now mocking, "Or... is that it? You can't read my mind here, can you?"
Kaguya's eyes narrowed, her cold, emotionless mask slipping just for a second.
Hinata leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's the matter, Kaguya? Can't use your powers in here? In my mind?" She emphasized the last part, as if savoring every word.
Kaguya's silence was deafening, but her frustration was palpable.
Hinata's mockery gave way to anger, her voice rising as she spoke again. "Do you really think I would help you?" Her voice shook with emotion. "You ruined my life. You destroyed everything I cared about!" Her breathing became more erratic as she yelled, tears flowing freely once again. "Screw you! You're insane if you think I'd ever help you! I just want to die! I can't live like this anymore, not after everything you've done!"
Her tears fell in streams, her vision blurry, but her glare at Kaguya was fierce, filled with raw emotion.
Kaguya, though visibly restraining her anger, said nothing. She kept her eyes on Hinata, but beneath that calm exterior, her frustration simmered.
Just as Hinata was about to yell again, her expression suddenly changed. Her tear-filled eyes widened in disbelief as she murmured, "Kurenai…?"
Kaguya gasped, feeling it too.
In the real world, Kurenai stood on a rooftop, her eyes locked on the Hokage Tower where Kaguya resided in Hinata's body.
"Hinata!" Kurenai's voice was strong, filled with determination. "I know you can hear me!"
Kaguya, now fully back in the physical world, turned toward Kurenai, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. "What do you think you're doing?"
Kurenai's voice rang out again, unwavering. "Hinata, stay strong! Don't give up! We're coming to save you! I promise!"
"Save her?" Kaguya's voice was mocking, dripping with condescension. "What makes you think you can do anything against me?"
Kurenai stood tall, defiant. "I know Konoha failed you, Hinata. We all did. And I am truly sorry for that. But we're not going to fail you again. I promise you—we will save you!"
Kaguya let out a derisive laugh. "How pitiful." She casually waved her hand, summoning two of her Ten Tails clones. Sasori and Kisame descended from the shadows, their malicious presence looming over Kurenai.
But Kurenai didn't flinch. She stood perfectly still, her gaze locked onto Kaguya.
Just as Sasori leapt at her, a streak of lightning zipped through the air, slicing him cleanly in half before he could even blink.
Kisame, meanwhile, was yanked into a swirling portal mid-strike, vanishing from sight in an instant.
Kaguya's eyes widened. "Impossible..." she murmured.
Standing on a nearby rooftop, Uchiha Sasuke's form was clear. His eyes were dark, focused entirely on Kaguya.
"I killed you," Kaguya whispered in disbelief, her grip on reality slipping for a brief moment.
Before she could react further, a blur of motion appeared right in front of her.
There, in an instant, was Naruto. His fist clenched, a dark blade of chakra formed around his hand, ready to strike.
Kaguya's reflexes kicked in, and with a flick of her wrist, she sent Naruto flying backward with an Almighty Push.
Naruto twisted in midair, vanishing and reappearing beside Sasuke on the rooftop.
"Tch," Naruto cursed. "Her reflexes are even faster now."
Sasuke said nothing, his eyes fixed on Kaguya, who was staring back at them from the distance.
Suddenly, Sakura and Obito emerged from a rift in the air, stepping into the battlefield from the Kamui dimension. They joined Naruto and Sasuke, standing united.
Kaguya, from her perch at the Hokage Tower, watched them warily. Behind her, the colossal form of the Ten Tails loomed, casting a shadow over the shattered remains of Konoha.
The team stood together, facing the divine matron who had torn their world apart. Their battle was about to begin.
No one spoke, but they knew: this was their final stand.
Kaguya stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the group before her. Her wide eyes betrayed the calm, godlike demeanor she tried to maintain. "Naruto...?" she whispered in disbelief. "You... I killed you. All of you."
Naruto's piercing blue eyes never left her. "Hinata!" he shouted, his voice full of desperation and resolve. His heart thumped loudly, the weight of everything they'd been through driving him forward. "I'm here, Hinata! We're all here for you!"
In her mind plane, Hinata stiffened at the sound of his voice, her chains still clinging to her wrists and ankles. 'Naruto?' Her Tenseigan flared, showing her the faint image of Naruto standing in the real world, calling out to her. She could barely believe it, her heart lurching in her chest. Was he really there?
"Hinata," Naruto called again, his voice softening. "I can't imagine what you're going through right now. But I'm here. I made you a promise, remember? To bring you back." His voice was raw, laced with a tenderness that spoke of everything they'd shared. "We're all fighting for you. We're not giving up. I'm not giving up."
Inside her mind, Hinata trembled. 'He... He really came for me...' She could hear the sincerity in his words, feel his warmth, his unwavering belief in her.
Naruto pressed on, his gaze unwavering from Kaguya but his heart reaching out to Hinata. "Hinata, I need you to hold on. Just hold on for me... for everyone. I know you're still in there. I can feel it. I can feel you in my heart." His voice cracked, emotion rising to the surface. "I'm not going to stop. I'll do whatever it takes to save you from this nightmare."
Kaguya's lips curled into a sneer, her brief shock giving way to mockery. "Delusional," she hissed. "Do you really think your empty words mean anything here?" She raised her arm toward Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, her voice echoing with dark power. "I am the one in control. I am the one who will crush you all for your foolishness!"
Six golden chakra orbs materialized around Kaguya's hand, spinning rapidly as she prepared to unleash her attack. But as she prepared to strike, something strange happened. The orbs suddenly stopped mid-spin.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed in confusion. "What…?" she muttered, trying to move her arm, but it didn't respond. Her arm jerked unnaturally, reaching up as if controlled by an unseen force. Kaguya grabbed it with her other hand, struggling to regain control. "What's happening?!"
Her leg gave out, and she dropped to one knee, her body trembling against her will. "No..." she growled through gritted teeth.
Konan, who had been standing nearby, rushed to Kaguya's side. "Lady Kaguya!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm as she reached out to support the faltering goddess.
Meanwhile, in Hinata's mind plane, she grit her teeth, tears streaming down her face as she pushed herself to stand. Her chains rattled as she fought against them, every muscle in her body straining. 'I won't let her win… not anymore!'
Back in the real world, Obito furrowed his brow, watching in confusion as Kaguya's body seemed to twist and tremble, her limbs moving erratically. "What's going on?" he asked, glancing toward Sasuke.
Sasuke, standing on a nearby rooftop, stared at Kaguya with wide eyes. "Is… is she losing control?" he muttered, astonished.
Sakura's jaw dropped, her gaze flicking between Kaguya and Hinata's struggling body. "Could it be… Hinata? She's fighting back, isn't she?"
Naruto's face lit up with realization. "It's Hinata!" he shouted, pointing toward Kaguya. "Hinata's fighting her! She's still in there!" His heart swelled with hope. 'She's fighting back. She hasn't given up.'
Sasuke, who had been skeptical moments ago, now raised an eyebrow. "The power of love? Really?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "What kind of ridiculous bullshit is this?"
But Naruto wasn't deterred. His voice rang out with renewed determination. "Come on, we have to help her! We can still save her!"
Sakura slammed her fist into her palm, a fiery determination sparking in her eyes. "Naruto's right! We attack now while she's weakened!" She glanced at Sasuke and Naruto. "Stick to the plan. We take Kaguya down together."
Kurenai, standing a little distance away, nodded in agreement. "You three handle Kaguya," she said firmly. "Obito and I will take care of any of her followers." Her voice softened as she whispered to herself, a silent prayer in her heart. 'Please, don't fail. You can't fail.'
Sasuke gave a curt nod, rallying his teammates. "Let's go," he ordered, and without another word, the trio leapt off the rooftop, heading straight for Kaguya.
As they descended, Naruto glanced back one more time, a silent promise to Hinata in his heart. 'I'm going to get you back. No matter what it takes.'
Kurenai watched them go, her eyes narrowing with focus. This was their chance. They couldn't afford to lose.
Kaguya's presence surged back into Hinata's mind plane like a dark storm, her aura suffocating and oppressive. The world around them seemed to warp, the once vast, open plane of consciousness constricting into a darkened, twisted void. Hinata's chest tightened as she felt Kaguya regain control of her body in the real world. She struggled to break free from her chains, but her arms and legs were weighed down by the oppressive force of Kaguya's will.
Kaguya's footsteps echoed as she approached, her eyes burning with fury. Her voice, cold and venomous, rang out, "Get back on your knees." Her command was absolute, dripping with contempt.
Hinata, still standing, but trembling from her earlier effort, clenched her fists. She raised her gaze defiantly, meeting Kaguya's hateful eyes. "No," Hinata spat, her voice trembling but resolute. "I won't kneel to you anymore."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed dangerously. Without a word, she raised her hand, and more chains materialized out of the ground, snaking around Hinata's arms, legs, and neck. They yanked her down with a violent force, pulling her back to her knees. Hinata let out a gasp of pain but kept her glare locked on Kaguya.
"Ah, there we are," Kaguya said with a twisted smile, looming over Hinata like a malevolent specter. "Such bravery…" She knelt down slowly, her voice lowering to a mockingly sweet tone, inches from Hinata's face. "… but it's all for nothing, little girl."
Hinata's breathing quickened as Kaguya's words slithered into her mind like poison, but she bit down on her fear, refusing to let it show. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but she couldn't afford to falter now.
Kaguya's cold, soulless eyes bore into hers as she whispered, "I am going to kill them, you know. Every single one of those fools who came here for you. And you… you are going to watch. Helpless." Her smile widened into something grotesque, almost delighted. "Every. Last. Moment."
Hinata's heart sank at the thought. 'Naruto… Sakura… Kurenai…' Her pulse raced in terror, but she clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay strong. "You… You won't win," she said, her voice shaking with both fear and defiance. "I won't let you control me anymore."
Kaguya's eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to stop me?" She gestured to the chains binding Hinata, the dark links tightening around her. "Look at you, chained like a dog at my feet." Kaguya tilted her head, her mockery dripping with every word. "You can barely stand."
Despite the pain, despite the crushing weight of Kaguya's power, Hinata glared up at her captor, her Tenseigan burning with the remnants of her strength. "It doesn't matter how many chains you bind me with," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I'll keep fighting with everything I have left. I'll fight until my last breath."
Kaguya rose slowly, her smile never wavering, an expression of twisted delight on her face. "Your courage amuses me, girl," she said, her voice silky and cold. "But courage won't save you from reality."
Turning her back on Hinata, Kaguya began to walk away, her voice echoing in the suffocating darkness. "Your dear Naruto's return has only accelerated my plans," she said, her tone now laced with a triumphant, mocking edge. "Once I capture the Nine-Tails from him and cast the world into the Infinite Tsukuyomi, maybe I'll reward you for your… cooperation."
Hinata's heart skipped a beat. 'Naruto... the Infinite Tsukuyomi...'
Kaguya paused, glancing over her shoulder, her cruel smile widening. "Perhaps I'll leave you in a world where you and Naruto can be together. A dream of eternal happiness. A token of my gratitude for helping me achieve my goals."
Hinata's eyes widened in horror at the thought. An illusion, a false world where she and Naruto could live in peace—but it would be a lie, a hollow existence under Kaguya's twisted control.
"Don't you dare..." Hinata hissed, her body shaking with rage and desperation. "I don't want your twisted dreams. I won't let you…"
But Kaguya simply laughed, the sound hollow and echoing through the dark plane. "Such a shame," she murmured. "You could have been happy." And with that, she vanished, leaving Hinata alone, bound and surrounded by shadows.
Hinata stared at the space where Kaguya had stood, her mind racing. She felt the weight of her chains, the suffocating presence of Kaguya's power, but her determination burned hotter than ever.
'I'll keep fighting,' she thought fiercely, clenching her fists despite the chains cutting into her skin. 'No matter what it takes, I won't let her win.'
Her breath came in heavy, ragged gasps, but Hinata's resolve was unbreakable. She closed her eyes, her heart echoing with Naruto's words, with the love and support of her friends. 'Naruto… everyone... I'll keep fighting. I'll keep fighting for you.'
[Author's note]
"Mugenkei" means 'Boundless form'... I think
