Sorry for the late upload, but I had a good Christmas this year.

"Interesting," Isshiki said, his voice quieter now. "You've tapped into something beyond chakra, beyond physical strength. But willpower alone cannot change the inevitable."

Naruto stood his ground, his body battered but unyielding. "Then come and prove it."

Isshiki's eyes gleamed as he steadied himself. "This time, I'll end it, Naruto. You will learn the hard way that even the strongest will can be crushed."

Naruto's body surged with overwhelming power, his Baryon Mode cloak radiating from him and flooding the surrounding area with intense light and crushing pressure. His gaze locked onto Isshiki, and without hesitation, he launched himself forward.

Isshiki raised his right forearm to block, bracing against the devastating blow that could have shattered a mountain. The impact sent a web of cracks rippling outward, fracturing the entire training ground. (Universal attacks vs Earth's surface meme. Look at my profile for it.)

With a grunt, Isshiki hurled Naruto away, but one of Naruto's tails lashed out, coiling around Isshiki and anchoring Naruto firmly in place. No matter how hard Isshiki struggled, he couldn't free himself.

Naruto landed heavily on the ground, the sheer force of his presence making the earth tremble. He began walking toward Isshiki, dragging him closer with the unrelenting grip of his tail. Isshiki dangled in the air, his golden eye narrowing as Naruto's piercing stare bore into him—into his very soul, or lack thereof.

"You think just because you got some power-up, you can come to my village, threaten my friends, and endanger my people just to get to me?" Naruto's voice was low and dangerous, filled with a fury that made even the air feel heavy.

He paused for a moment, his words hanging in the charged silence. "No matter how many times you try this, I will stop you."

Isshiki's lips curled into a sneer, his golden eyes glowing ominously. Without warning, chakra rods materialized in the air and launched toward Naruto with deadly precision. Naruto dodged the first rod, releasing his grip on Isshiki in the process. The Otsutsuki flew upward, attempting to regain the advantage, but Naruto snatched the first rod from the air and used it to deflect the rest in a swift, fluid motion.

Naruto vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Isshiki. Before the Otsutsuki could react, Naruto delivered a devastating kick to his back, sending him hurtling toward the ground. The impact was thunderous, shattering the earth beneath Isshiki as dust and debris erupted in all directions. Isshiki coughed up blood, his expression twisting in disbelief.

Impossible… he thought, the taste of blood on his tongue. How can I, a god, be reduced to this?

Before Isshiki could gather his thoughts, Naruto landed with precision on top of him, pinning him down with an iron grip. Dust settled around them, revealing Naruto's unwavering glare.

"This ends now," Naruto said, his voice resolute.

Isshiki growled, struggling against the weight of Naruto's presence. "You dare… humiliate me like this?" he spat, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "I am a god! You are nothing but a mortal clinging to fleeting power!"

Naruto's gaze didn't waver. "You're no god. You're just another coward trying to play one. And I'll remind you what happens to anyone who threatens what I hold dear."

Isshiki roared in defiance, his body glowing as he began to summon a surge of energy to break free. But Naruto anticipated the move, slamming a Rasengan into Isshiki's chest before he could fully react. The sheer force of the attack drove Isshiki deeper into the shattered earth, creating a crater that seemed to echo with the sound of Naruto's resolve.

"Give it up, Isshiki," Naruto growled, his voice steady despite the toll the battle was taking on his body. "You've already lost."

But even as Naruto spoke, Isshiki began to laugh—a chilling, guttural sound that sent shivers through the air.

Isshiki's fist roared through the air, slamming into Naruto's face with brutal precision and sending him hurtling across the newly-formed battlefield. The force of the blow was seismic, the earth trembling as Naruto's body carved a deep trench into the ground upon impact.

Groaning slightly, Naruto rose to his feet, brushing dust and debris from his battered cloak. His piercing gaze locked onto Isshiki, assessing his opponent. He could see it now—Isshiki's sudden surge in strength was fueled by adrenaline. If I can just outlast him for an hour, this will turn in my favor, Naruto thought grimly, his mind sharpening with resolve.

Isshiki didn't wait. He launched himself at Naruto, his leg cutting through the air in a devastating arc aimed for Naruto's head. But Naruto ducked at the last moment, and Isshiki's kick connected with the ground instead, shattering it even further. The battlefield, already cracked and scarred, now resembled a spiderweb of destruction.

Without hesitation, Isshiki surged forward again, this time aiming for Naruto's midsection. But Naruto was ready. As Isshiki closed the distance, Naruto drove a powerful fist into Isshiki's stomach, the blow landing with a resounding thud.

Isshiki's body jerked violently, the force of the punch causing him to stagger backward. He coughed, a hint of blood staining his lips, but his golden eyes burned with rage and determination.

"You're resilient," Isshiki snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "But resilience alone won't save you."

Naruto's stance remained firm, his expression unyielding. "You talk too much," he shot back, his tone calm but laced with intensity. "I've already figured you out, Isshiki. That adrenaline boost you're riding on—it's temporary. All I have to do is hold you off until you burn out."

Isshiki smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Clever. But do you really think you can last that long against me? Let's find out."

In an instant, Isshiki disappeared, his speed making him nearly impossible to track. Naruto's eyes darted around the battlefield, sensing Isshiki's movements just in time to dodge a series of high-speed strikes. Each blow Isshiki delivered carried enough force to splinter the ground further, but Naruto stayed one step ahead, weaving through the attacks with practiced precision.

Despite his efforts, Naruto's energy was waning. The strain of Baryon Mode was taking its toll, each movement feeling heavier than the last. He clenched his fists, refusing to give in. I just need to outlast him. One hour—that's all.

As the battle raged on, the surrounding environment continued to crumble. Massive chunks of earth were thrown into the air as Isshiki's attacks grew more erratic, his frustration mounting. Finally, he stopped mid-attack, glaring at Naruto with cold fury.

"You're stalling," Isshiki hissed, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. "And it's starting to annoy me."

Naruto wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, his breathing labored but his resolve unshaken. "If it's working, then I'll keep doing it," he retorted.

Isshiki's sneer twisted into a grimace. He thrust his hand forward, summoning a massive black cube of compressed space that descended rapidly toward Naruto. With a grunt of effort, Naruto leapt clear, the cube smashing into the ground and sending a shockwave through the battlefield.

The clock was ticking, and both warriors knew it. The fight wasn't just a test of strength—it was a battle of endurance, and every second brought Naruto closer to his goal.

Far from the battlefield, Sakura stood at the edge of the treeline, her fists clenched as she stared toward the smoke rising from the village. "Do you think Naruto can handle it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kakashi glanced in the same direction, his visible eye calm but unreadable. "It's Naruto. He always finds a way."

Sai stood beside them, his face impassive. "But we don't even know what's happening. Isshiki's presence alone is enough to tip the odds against us. If Naruto's fighting him, it's bound to be dangerous."

Sakura turned to Kakashi, frustration etched on her face. "Then why aren't we doing anything? Why are we just standing here?"

Kakashi's gaze shifted to her, a shadow of guilt flickering in his expression. "Naruto made it clear—if Isshiki is here, then the village's safety comes first. That's why he had us evacuate everyone. If we interfere now, we could risk everything he's trying to protect."

Shikamaru, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms and sighed. "Naruto isn't one to fight recklessly. If he thought he needed us, we'd be in there already." He tilted his head, his sharp eyes fixed on the smoke. "For now, we stick to the plan."

"But what if he's…" Sakura trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Kakashi's voice softened. "He's not. Not yet. Naruto doesn't give up that easily."

On the battlefield, Naruto stood above Isshiki, his Baryon Mode cloak flickering but still intact. The once-pristine landscape had been reduced to rubble, the ground scarred and broken from their prolonged battle. Sweat dripped from Naruto's brow, but his stance was unwavering. This fight was over.

Isshiki lay sprawled before him, his once-formidable aura diminished to nearly nothing. His body was battered, his pride in tatters. For the first time in millennia, Isshiki tasted the bitterness of defeat.

Naruto's gaze bore into him, stern and unyielding. "You think power makes you untouchable. You think you can use people, destroy lives, and walk away without consequences." He paused, his voice heavy with resolve. "You're wrong. I'd give you a chance to change—like I've given others—but you've crossed a line no one can return from."

Isshiki sneered, his voice hoarse but defiant. "You don't understand what you're dealing with. My existence is eternal. You may win this battle, but you can't kill an Otsutsuki."

Naruto's expression darkened. "I don't need to kill you to stop you." He raised his hands, forming seals with deliberate precision. "There's a fate worse than death for someone like you."

Isshiki's golden eyes widened as he recognized the ancient hand signs. "No… impossible. That technique is forbidden—lost to time!"

"Fuinjutsu: Mugen no Inshō!" Naruto declared, his voice echoing with power.

As his hand made contact with Isshiki's chest, glowing white marks began spreading across the Otsutsuki's body, searing into his skin and clothes like a brand. The marks radiated with energy, forming intricate patterns that locked Isshiki in place.

"No!" Isshiki roared, struggling against the unbreakable force binding him. "You can't do this! I am a god!"

Naruto stepped back, his eyes steady and unyielding as the seals completed their work. A brilliant flash of white light engulfed Isshiki's form, illuminating the battlefield. When the light faded, Isshiki was gone—sealed away, his presence erased from the world.

Naruto fell to one knee, the strain of the battle and the technique taking its toll. He took a deep breath, letting the remnants of his Baryon Mode dissolve as he surveyed the battlefield. The fight was over.

Back at the treeline, Sakura gasped as the ground stopped shaking and the oppressive energy that had hung in the air dissipated.

"It's over," Sai said quietly, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "Naruto did it."

Sakura's shoulders sagged with relief, her hands trembling. "He… he really did it."

Kakashi allowed a small smile to tug at his lips. "Of course he did. He's Naruto."

Shikamaru exhaled deeply, his tension easing as he crossed his arms. "Let's get back to the village. If Naruto used that much power, he's going to need help."

He clenched his fist, feeling the ache in his muscles, but he also felt the satisfaction of victory. The people he cared for were safe—for now.

"You did good, brat," Kurama's voice rumbled faintly in his mind, weary but proud.

Naruto chuckled weakly. "Yeah… but I'm not doing that again anytime soon."

With that, he turned toward the village, his steps heavy but his resolve unbroken. This wasn't the end—it was just another chapter in the fight to protect everything he loved.

Deep below the surface, Obito sat against the cold, jagged walls of his self-imposed prison. He had felt the battle raging above him—the waves of chakra, the tremors that rattled even his solitary confinement. Part of him thought it might finally be the end. But, as always, fate had spared him again.

"Death would be a mercy," Obito muttered bitterly, his voice echoing faintly in the cavern.

It wasn't long after the battle's end when he heard approaching footsteps. Kakashi and Naruto emerged from the darkness, their faces illuminated by the faint light of a torch Kakashi carried.

"What do you want now?" Obito growled, his tone laced with disdain.

Kakashi stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute. "The same thing I've always wanted."

Obito let out a dry laugh, though there was no humor in it. "I thought I made myself clear in all our talks, Kakashi. There's no saving me. You're wasting your time."

Kakashi didn't flinch. "Maybe I can't save you. But I think he can." He gestured toward Naruto.

Obito's eyes narrowed as they flicked to the younger man. "Him? What could this brat possibly do?"

Naruto stepped forward, his expression serious but not unkind. "I've been through a lot, and I've met people like you before. People who were hurt, lost, and thought there was no way out of the darkness."

"Spare me your speeches," Obito snapped.

But before Obito could say more, the air around them shifted. Naruto's eyes glowed faintly as he extended a hand toward Obito's chest, and in an instant, the two of them were pulled into an astral plane—a boundless space filled with shifting lights and memories floating like clouds.

Obito looked around, startled. "What is this? Some kind of Genjutsu?"

Naruto shook his head. "No, this is a place where I can show you something important."

As he spoke, images began to form around them—memories of Rin, Kakashi, and even Minato. Obito froze as he watched scenes from his past play out before him.

"Just because someone you cared about is gone doesn't mean you have to let it destroy you," Naruto said gently, his voice carrying both firmness and understanding. "I've lost people too—people I loved like family. My sensei, Jiraiya, was killed, and for a while, it felt like the whole world was dark. But I had people who believed in me. Who reminded me that giving up wasn't the answer."

Obito's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on an image of Rin smiling brightly. "You think I didn't try? You think I didn't want to believe in something better? But the world isn't like that. It's cruel, unforgiving."

Naruto stepped closer, his tone unwavering. "You're right—the world can be cruel. But that's why people like us have to make it better. You wanted peace once, didn't you? You wanted to protect Rin, to make sure no one else suffered like we did."

Obito turned away, his expression conflicted.

"I'm not asking you to forgive yourself overnight," Naruto continued. "But you don't have to stay in this darkness. You don't have to keep punishing yourself. You still have a chance to fight for something good—to honor Rin's memory the way you really wanted to."

Obito clenched his fists, the weight of Naruto's words pressing down on him. Memories of Rin, of his ideals, and of the path he had chosen clashed within him.

"What if it's too late?" Obito's voice was barely a whisper.

"It's never too late," Naruto said firmly. "Not as long as you're still here."

As the astral plane began to fade, Obito found himself back in the cavern with Kakashi and Naruto. For the first time in years, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—hesitation, maybe even hope.

Naruto smiled faintly. "Think about it, Obito. You don't have to decide now. Just… think about it."

As Naruto turned to leave with Kakashi, Obito remained seated, his gaze distant. The war within him was far from over, but for the first time, it wasn't completely one-sided.