Yami's skeletal form, still gleaming with an eerie, pale light, faces Vistago across the battlefield. The two lock eyes, the tension palpable, the air thick with the weight of their power. In a flash, Vistago lunges forward, moving faster than the eye can track. But Yami's Kusarigan flares to life, its blood-red eyes illuminating the battlefield with an otherworldly glow. His dojutsu, activated since birth, sees through the very fabric of fate itself—the chains of destiny, invisible to all but him. Every movement of Vistago's is mapped out before it happens.
With an almost lazy grace, Yami twists his body, ducking beneath Vistago's ferocious strike, his movements impossibly swift. He can see the attack coming, and with a flick of his hand, he redirects Vistago's fist with minimal effort. The force of the blow still rattles the ground beneath them, but Yami is already on the offensive. He retaliates with a series of brutal, precise strikes, each landing with a deafening crack against Vistago's defenses.
Vistago is pushed back, his stance faltering for just a moment, surprised by the strength and speed of Yami's counterattack. His once carefree smirk fades, replaced with a calculating intensity. "Impressive," Vistago mutters under his breath. "But I've seen enough."
Yami, his form still ethereal in its skeletal structure, grins, the glowing eyes of his form narrowed in concentration. He steps forward, closing the gap with a series of rapid blows—his fists like the fury of a storm. Each punch connects, but Vistago moves with fluidity, dodging and countering with deadly efficiency. They trade blows, Yami's speed and control against Vistago's raw, primal power. The ground beneath them trembles with the force of their exchange, shockwaves rippling through the air.
For a moment, it seems as though Yami might have the upper hand, his chains of fate guiding each strike with uncanny precision. The team watches from a distance, their eyes wide in disbelief at the sheer power Yami is wielding. It's almost impossible to comprehend how a 14-year-old could hold his own against someone of Vistago's age and strength. Even Naruto, normally full of unshakable confidence, watches in stunned silence. He's never seen Yami fight with such ferocity.
But despite his incredible power, it's clear that Vistago is no ordinary opponent.
In a sudden burst of movement, Vistago lunges again, his form almost blurring with speed. Yami tries to dodge, but this time, Vistago's strike connects, his fist landing squarely in Yami's chest. The impact sends Yami hurtling backward with bone-shattering force, his body propelled at the speed of sound, smashing through the air and crashing into a towering mountain in the distance. The earth trembles as the mountain cracks apart from the force, Yami's body leaving a deep fissure through the stone, the echo of his collision reverberating for miles.
The entire battlefield falls silent. For a moment, everything seems to freeze, the dust hanging in the air, the fire still burning in the distance. The team watches in horror, unable to process what just happened. Yami is… gone.
Rei's heart lurches, her body stiffening as she stares in shock at the smoking crater where Yami had been thrown. She knows he's strong—stronger than anyone else here, but this? This is beyond anything she expected.
A voice breaks through the silence. "Stay back," comes the cold, commanding tone of Horiba, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. The Moukage vanishes from his previous position, appearing beside the crater where Yami's broken form now lies, his skeletal Death Deity transformation already fading.
The sight of Yami, unconscious and battered, sends a pang of worry through Rei's chest. She doesn't move from her spot, frozen in place as she watches Horiba kneel beside Yami's form.
Horiba's eyes narrow, the harsh glow of his Kusarigan flickering as he inspects the young boy. His expression hardens, and then, with a decisive motion, he places a hand on Yami's chest. "This boy's potential is limitless," Horiba mutters to himself, but there's a hint of admiration in his voice. He gently presses down, sending a surge of chakra into Yami's weakened form.
Yami stirs, his body twitching slightly, but it's clear he's not yet conscious. His skeletal form is gone, leaving only his battered human body behind. Horiba's eyes flash with understanding. The transformation took its toll, but there's a way to bring him back—an even greater power hidden within him.
Horiba sighs, standing tall. "There's no time to waste."
With a swift motion, Horiba draws a ceremonial dagger from his belt, the blade gleaming in the dim light. The air grows heavier, charged with the power of the moment. He looks to the sky, as if seeking approval, then begins a series of precise, deliberate hand seals. Blood pours from a gash along his palm, and he begins to inscribe intricate markings across his body—deep, red lines that pulse with the rhythm of his chakra. The ritual of the Dream Demon Jutsu, forbidden for many, but one that can unlock unimaginable power at a cost.
As Horiba completes the final seal, a ripple of energy surges through the air. The markings on his body glow, a strange, dark aura encasing him. He channels the technique through his hands, placing them gently on Yami's chest, sending an enormous surge of energy into the boy.
"Wake up, Yami," Horiba murmurs, his voice laced with both urgency and a sense of solemnity. "You have a greater destiny than this. I will give you the power to stand against him."
The Dream Demon Jutsu is dangerous—far too dangerous. But in this moment, Horiba understands what must be done. If Yami is to have any chance against Vistago, he needs more than just his Death Deity form. He needs the strength of a demon—the strength of someone who is willing to do anything to protect those they care for.
As the dark energy swirls around Yami's body, his eyes snap open, glowing with newfound power. But there's something different now. The weight of the transformation is much greater than before. Yami's muscles tense as the overwhelming power surges through him, and his mind begins to reel from the newfound abilities flooding his senses.
Horiba stands back, watching intently. He can only hope that Yami will be able to control the power, for if he loses himself to the demon inside… it will be a battle not only against Vistago but against himself.