Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood together, their breaths labored but their resolve unbroken. Their eyes were fixed on the figure before them.
Kaguya—or rather, the being now fully in control of Hinata's body—floated above the ground, her presence suffocating. Her once-dark hair was now a cascade of pure white, flowing like silk. The white, shoulder-less robe she wore clung to her figure, regal and commanding, with intricate patterns etched in blue and black. The split down the front of the robe exposed the black leggings underneath, an almost mocking reminder of her humanity. The purple chakra staff in her hand radiated a destructive energy that made the air itself seem heavier.
Her eyes swept over them with a mixture of disdain and amusement. She was beautiful, terrifying, and utterly inhuman.
Sasuke's Sharingan glowed faintly as he analyzed her, his brow furrowing. "This chakra… This isn't just the Ten Tails. She's merged with it entirely." His voice was low, his tone grim. "She's ascended to something beyond what we've faced before. A goddess."
Naruto clenched his fists. His usual fiery determination was tempered by the weight of the moment. "This is her," he muttered, his voice quiet but filled with intensity. "The Kaguya who pacified the world centuries ago… the sword of the Otsutsuki clan that turned against her own people for power."
Sakura took a step forward, her gaze locked on Kaguya. Her acid-green chakra armor flared faintly, a protective layer of power. "Her spiritual energy is absurd... I can't even imagine the scope of her strength now," she said, her voice tinged with both awe and defiance. "Years of gaining power, and now this…"
Kaguya tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You finally understand," she said, her voice soft and melodic, yet carrying a dangerous edge. "This is the true form of my strength. The world bows before me. Even you children should feel honored to witness it."
Naruto took a step forward, his jaw tight. "You can keep talking like that all you want. But we're not done yet. We're gonna stop you and save Hinata!"
Kaguya's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Save her? How amusing. She is no more. Her body is mine, her soul a faint whisper in the void. You fight for a mere memory, jinchuriki."
"That's enough!" Naruto growled, his form glowing with golden chakra as his Six Paths power flared around him.
Kaguya chuckled softly. She raised her staff, the energy swirling at its tip casting an ominous glow.
"How quaint," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "You cling to hope like insects scrambling beneath a falling stone."
Naruto's voice broke through the tense air, sharp and resolute.
"We don't care how strong you are! We're not giving up!"
He turned to Sasuke, his expression firm.
"Sasuke, we're gonna need Kirin again. That's the only way we'll stand a chance!"
Sasuke's eyes locked onto Kaguya, calculating. He nodded slowly, though his voice was measured and cautious.
"Kirin alone won't be enough. We need to be sure it hits her directly. No distractions, no interruptions."
Sakura stepped forward, her gloved fists clenched. Her acid armor shimmered around her, flaring in response to her growing determination.
"We'll make sure it does," she said firmly, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Kaguya's gaze swept over them, and her smile widened, the light of her silver eyes growing sharper.
"How fascinating. You still think you have a chance against me. Very well."
She raised her staff, pointing it skyward. The air around her crackled with energy, and the wind began to howl as though summoned by her will. Her voice reverberated with power.
"Come then, children of this broken world. Show me the strength you cling to so desperately."
Naruto stepped forward, his voice loud and clear.
"Sasuke, get ready. Sakura, let's move!"
The three of them leapt into motion, their resolve solidified. The battle was far from over, and their enemy was unlike any they had faced before. But they had no choice.
Kaguya chuckled lightly, the sound sending chills down their spines. "You truly believe your party tricks can claim me... very well," she said, raising her staff. "Entertain me. Let's see how long you can last before despair claims you."
With a single glance, Team 7 synchronized, their unspoken understanding born from years of battle together. Naruto, at the center of their assault, opened his palm, gathering chakra. The Rasenshuriken swirled into existence, its blades spinning with an ominous hum before blazing red as he infused it with elemental energy. He roared, hurling the searing vortex toward Kaguya.
[Fire Style: Rasenshuriken]
Simultaneously, Sakura inhaled sharply, her hands forming a seal as her lungs filled with acidic chakra.
[Sage Art: Venom Cutter]
She exhaled a high-pressure jet of corrosive acid that shattered the sound barrier with a deafening crack.
The twin attacks streaked through the air, their combined power ripping the earth beneath them as they converged on Kaguya.
Kaguya's Tenseigan glowed faintly as she studied the trajectory of the attacks. She could see through their intent as clearly as reading a page from a book. Her mind raced:Sakura's senjutsu-infused venom is troublesome, and Naruto's weapon... I must not let it touch me.
The crimson orb floating at her side surged forward, morphing into a translucent shield. The Rasenshuriken detonated against it with a fiery explosion, flames cascading harmlessly around her. At the same moment, Sakura's acid struck the shield with a deafening hiss, creating a blinding steam cloud.
Unfazed, Kaguya remained motionless, her eyes scanning the chaos.
Predictably, Naruto appeared beside her in an instant, Mugenkei in hand. The weapon's blade, now shaped into an elongated katana, glowed ominously.
Kaguya twisted with an inhuman grace, her staff deflecting the blade just before it could reach her. At the same moment, Sakura charged from her blind spot, her fist cocked back.
Kaguya sidestepped smoothly, spinning her staff and slamming it against Sakura's shoulder. A sickening crack echoed as Sakura cried out, her arm hanging limply at her side.Her staff,she thought.It didn't melt?
Naruto leaped at Kaguya again, his sword raised high, but Kaguya crouched, her leg snapping upward in a vicious high kick. The blow caught Naruto under the chin, sending him hurtling into the air.
Sakura roared in defiance, her good arm shooting forward in a swift jab aimed at Kaguya's face. But Kaguya blurred out of sight, reappearing behind her with terrifying speed.
"Too slow," Kaguya murmured, driving her staff through Sakura's back.
Sakura gasped, blood spilling from her lips as the staff impaled her. Before Kaguya could deal a fatal blow, Naruto's kunai flashed through the air, embedding itself in the ground beside Sakura.
"I got you!" Naruto shouted, teleporting to the kunai and taking Sakura with him.
The two reappeared atop a battered rooftop, Sakura slumping to her knees. Naruto's chest heaved as he steadied her.
"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.
Sakura grimaced, clutching her dislocated shoulder. "I'll live," she panted. Her eyes hardened as she glanced at Kaguya, standing unscathed amid the ruins. "But we've got a bigger problem. She absorbed those chakra orbs of her,"
Naruto's gaze snapped back to Kaguya, his brow furrowing. "That can't be good..."
Across the battlefield, Sasuke stepped forward, his Rinnegan gleaming ominously. He extended his hand toward Kaguya, his voice low and commanding.
[Planetary Devastation]
The earth trembled as chunks of Konoha's remains were ripped from the ground, rising into the sky to cluster around Kaguya. The debris formed a massive sphere, trapping her within as it ascended.
For a moment, hope flickered in Sasuke's eyes.
But Kaguya simply raised her hand, her eyes glowing faintly. Time itself seemed to ripple around her as the debris began to reverse its motion, the massive chunks of earth breaking apart and returning to their original positions on the ground.
Sasuke's expression darkened, a curse slipping through his clenched teeth. "Shit. She reversed time on the terrain itself."
Naruto snarled, his fists tightening. "Damn it, she's not even trying!"
Sakura didn't hesitate. She brought her hands together, forming a rapid sequence of seals before placing her palms on the ground.
[Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall]
Thick, gnarled roots burst from the earth, wrapping around Kaguya and weaving into a tight wooden cage. The structure groaned as it closed in on itself, its pressure threatening to crush its captive.
Naruto grinned. "Nice one, Sakura!"
But the optimism was short-lived.
A pulse of crimson energy erupted from within the wooden prison, shattering it into countless splinters. The shards rained down like deadly hail as Kaguya stepped forward, her expression cold and disdainful.
"Did you truly think mere twigs could hold me?" she sneered, her voice laced with scorn.
Sasuke's voice cut through the tense air, calm and razor-sharp despite the devastation surrounding them. His arm was already raised, his Sharingan glowing fiercely.
"We never intended to hold you," he said, his tone unwavering. "We just needed to keep you distracted."
Kaguya's glowing Tenseigan eyes narrowed as she followed his line of sight to the heavens. Above, the storm clouds churned violently, lightning arcing across the sky in an ominous dance.
"Kirin," Sasuke uttered, his voice low yet commanding. His arm slashed downward, and with it came the wrath of the heavens.
"Begone."
From the tumultuous clouds, five enormous dragons made of pure lightning roared into existence, each one crackling with deadly energy. Their serpentine forms illuminated the battlefield with blinding light as they descended upon Kaguya with devastating speed.
The impact was deafening. The ground quaked beneath Team 7's feet as the dragons struck their target, each blast sending shockwaves rippling outward. The blinding light forced Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke to shield their eyes.
For a brief moment, there was hope.
As the dust and smoke began to clear, the battlefield fell silent, save for the faint crackling of residual electricity.
But when the veil lifted, Kaguya remained.
She stood unscathed, her elegant white robe flowing effortlessly as if untouched by the ferocious attack. The Tenseigan's eerie glow in her eyes seemed to mock them as much as her amused smirk did.
"Is that it?" Kaguya asked softly, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. She tilted her head, her expression shifting into mockery as she addressed Sasuke. "That jutsu of yours is admittedly impressive but I have to ask—was that your trump card?"
Sasuke's lips tightened into a grim line. Naruto cursed under his breath, his fists trembling with frustration.
Kaguya chuckled softly, her amusement growing as she slowly raised her arm.
"Allow me," she said, her voice dripping with condescension.
Above the village, multiple portals began to materialize in the sky, swirling ominously. The air grew heavy with a dangerous charge, and the light dimmed as the portals stretched wider, their edges glowing with an ominous purple hue.
Naruto's eyes widened in realization, his voice urgent as he called out, "Get ready! She's about to hit us with something big!"
Without hesitation, he flared his chakra, golden flames engulfing him as he activated his Kurama avatar. The giant fox-like form began to materialize around them, glowing fiercely. Its protective aura encased Team 7 as Naruto braced for impact.
"Divine Thunder," Kaguya commanded, her voice resonating with power.
From the swirling portals, countless bolts of purple lightning began to rain down in unrelenting waves. Each bolt struck with pinpoint accuracy, detonating on impact and reducing everything they touched to rubble.
The village was consumed by chaos, the relentless barrage destroying buildings, tearing apart the earth, and engulfing the battlefield in a storm of destruction.
Naruto gritted his teeth, his hands trembling as he focused on maintaining Kurama's form. "It's too much!" he growled.
Sasuke placed a firm hand on Naruto's shoulder, his gaze unyielding. "I'll lend you the power of the Susanoo."
With those words, a new surge of chakra erupted around them. The ethereal purple armor of Sasuke's Susanoo began to envelop Kurama's form, merging with it to create a massive, fearsome figure. The Majestic Attire Kurama stood tall, its glowing form braced against the unrelenting storm.
The combined power of Naruto and Sasuke shielded them as the lightning continued to rain down. The deafening roar of each strike was matched only by the determination burning in their eyes.
In the distance, Kaguya's soft chuckles grew louder. Her laughter echoed across the battlefield, an unsettling melody of superiority and amusement. She raised her arms to the sky, her hair flowing wildly in the chaos.
"Marvel at your futility!" she declared, her voice ringing with mockery. Her laughter became unrestrained, almost joyous, as the lightning storm intensified around her, each bolt leaving craters in its wake.
As the battlefield was reduced to ruin, the goddess stood amidst the destruction, unyielding, her form glowing with an almost divine light. She looked unstoppable, her power limitless.
Inside the Majestic Attire Kurama, tension was thick as Team 7 tried to regain their composure. The massive chakra avatar stood firm amidst the devastation, its glowing purple-and-gold form crackling with energy.
Sakura's voice broke the silence, her tone resolute. "We need to combine our attacks. If we hit her with everything we've got, maybe we can take her down."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp. "Kaguya will just transfigure our chakra into dust or something. She's done it before."
Sakura shook her head. "Not if I mix my chakra into it. My chakra has a unique composition—it's why my punches hurt her more than most attacks. If we use it in the right way, it might disrupt her absorption."
Naruto's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. "You think that'll work?"
"I don't know," Sakura admitted. "But it's worth a shot. Do you have a better idea?"
Naruto glanced at Sasuke, who stayed silent, and then nodded. "Alright. Let's do it."
Sakura placed a hand on each of her teammates, her chakra flaring with a green glow. "Hold still," she commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. Slowly, her chakra flowed into Naruto and Sasuke, blending with their own.
Naruto clasped his hands together.
[Shadow Clone Jutsu]
A second Kurama avatar materialized beside the first, identical in size and presence. The two towering chakra beasts moved in unison, merging together as Sakura's infused chakra coursed through them. The fusion created a singular form, now larger, with four massive arms and dark, swirling lines of chakra coiling around its body—an effect of Sakura's unique energy.
Naruto grinned despite the pressure. "Time to show her what Team 7 can really do!"
Kurama raised two arms, forming a massive Rasenshuriken in one and a Tailed Beast Bomb-infused Rasenshuriken in the other. The other two arms crafted a colossal crossbow out of pure chakra. As the bowstring was pulled back, an enormous arrow of lightning materialized, crackling with violent energy.
The sheer power radiating from the chakra avatar was awe-inspiring. The air vibrated with intensity, and the ground below trembled as the combined attack took shape.
"Team 7 Combination Jutsu!" Naruto roared.
With a mighty thrust, Kurama hurled the Rasenshuriken and Tailed Beast Bomb towards Kaguya, while simultaneously firing the colossal lightning arrow. The attacks roared through the air, their sheer force parting the wreckage of Konoha below.
The massive onslaught hurtled toward Kaguya, lighting up the battlefield with a dazzling display of raw power.
Kaguya stood at the epicenter, watching the incoming assault with an unreadable expression. Her white hair flowed like silk in the chaotic wind, her Tenseigan glowing with unearthly intensity.
She raised a single arm, her voice calm but commanding. "Unravel."
The world split.
An ear-splitting noise erupted, so deafening it seemed to tear the very fabric of reality.
In an instant, Team 7's combined attack was ripped apart by an invisible force, severed cleanly in two. The destruction didn't stop there—beneath Kaguya, the ice-covered ground shattered and exploded outward. A jagged gash carved itself deeply across the entirety of Konoha, splitting buildings, streets, and terrain with surgical precision.
Above, the clouds themselves parted violently, as if fleeing from the immense power unleashed.
The Susanoo-reinforced Kurama avatar wasn't spared. The majestic figure was sliced cleanly in half, the dark lines of Sakura's chakra dispersing like smoke as the massive construct crumbled.
It was as if a butcher's blade had cleaved the entire battlefield in two.
Sakura let out a scream of pain as the force of Kaguya's spell caught her, severing her left arm and leg. Blood sprayed into the air as her regeneration seal immediately activated, but the agony left her gasping.
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened in horror as the chakra avatar dissolved completely. The three of them plummeted toward the ground, their bodies battered and their spirits shaken.
For the first time in their long history of battles, Team 7 was truly speechless.
As they fell, the battlefield stretched out beneath them, a wasteland of destruction. Above, Kaguya stood unmoving, her gaze piercing and triumphant, her aura a beacon of absolute dominance.
"That took... a lot out of me," she muttered to herself, sounding a bit surprised. "More than usual... how strange. Am I really that rusty?"
Naruto's chakra arms stretched out, catching Sasuke and Sakura before they hit the ground. Stabilizing himself mid-air, he looked around the shattered remnants of Konoha. Smoke and debris filled the horizon, the once-vibrant village now a ruin of its former self.
His teeth clenched as he murmured, barely audible, "Damn it... this is my home..."
From the distance, Kaguya observed, her serene expression tinged with cruel amusement. Her gaze followed the glowing chakra-clad figure as he attempted to fly away with his teammates. She raised her arm elegantly, her voice calm but resolute.
"Where do you think you're going?" she intoned. Her voice grew louder, laced with authority.
"Divine Art: Inverted Reality."
The world shifted violently, as though space and time themselves twisted in defiance of natural laws.
Naruto cried out in confusion as his efforts to ascend turned into an uncontrollable descent. The three of them plummeted to the ground, slamming into the broken terrain. Dust and smoke rose around them as they landed hard.
"Damn it!" Naruto grunted, hopelessly struggling to his feet as his chakra flickered and waned.
Sasuke groaned, his hand clutching the fractured ground beneath him. He tried to rise, but his body resisted, as if weighed down by an unseen force. "What's happening...?" he muttered, scanning the battlefield with his Rinnegan.
Sakura lay nearby, panting heavily. Her regeneration seal pulsed weakly, but her severed limbs refused to grow back. "It's... not working," she whispered in disbelief.
Kaguya floated above them, her silken robe billowing as she gazed down at the struggling trio. A sneer formed on her flawless face.
"Do you see it now?" she mocked. "Your strength, your will—it's meaningless before me. Within the bounds of my Inverted Reality, every action yields only its opposite. Fight, and you weaken. Struggle, and you submit."
Her words cut deep, and Sasuke's mind raced.She's reversed the natural order of things… Everything we do will backfire.His Moon seal pulsed faintly, offering a glimmer of hope, but he wasn't sure how long it would last.
Kaguya extended her arm outward. Her fingers glided through the air as five orbs of radiant chakra materialized at her fingertips, each one glowing with a different hue, representing the five basic chakra natures.
"Heed me, creation..." she murmured, her voice echoing unnaturally as the orbs began to merge.
The energy twisted and writhed, coalescing into a single, massive dark orb that radiated an overwhelming sense of finality. The sheer presence of the Truth-Seeking Orb sent waves of suffocating pressure across the battlefield, displacing the air with its raw power.
"Expansive Truth-Seeking Orb." Her tone was commanding, a goddess dictating the end of her enemies.
Kaguya thrust her hand forward, and the orb shot toward Team 7, its speed and size rendering escape seemingly impossible. The ground trembled under its approach, and even the sky seemed to darken.
Naruto struggled to move, gritting his teeth. "Get up! We can't let her—"
Sasuke's Rinnegan pulsed stronger this time, the Moon Seal on his hand glowing faintly. The distortion of reality felt weaker around him, his chakra cutting through Kaguya's inverted spell just enough to act.
"Move!" Sasuke barked, slamming his hand onto the ground. A swirling black portal opened beneath Team 7 just as the orb loomed over them.
Naruto and Sakura tumbled into the portal as Sasuke followed, the three of them vanishing into the void just as the Expansive Truth-Seeking Orb entered behind them, devouring everything in its path.
Kaguya's expression remained calm, but her eyes glinted with intrigue as she watched them disappear.
"So you resist, even in futility," she mused, her voice carrying over the desolation. "Very well. Let's see how far your resolve will carry you."
The portal opened elsewhere, and Team 7 plummeted from the sky, the roar of the ocean drowning out their initial shouts. They were surrounded by an endless expanse of water, waves crashing beneath them.
Naruto, holding onto his teammates with chakra arms, shouted over the wind, "Sasuke! That was quick thinking back there—thanks!"
Sasuke glanced at the dark orb hurtling after them, its ominous energy rippling the water below despite the distance. "Save it for later. We still have to deal withthat." He pointed to the Expansive Truth-Seeking Orb, now expanding ominously.
Naruto grimaced. "No problem. I'll get us out of here!"
"Just hurry up already!" Sakura yelled, her voice tinged with urgency.
Naruto homed in on the Flying Raijin seal he had left on Hinata's body. With a flicker of golden light, the three of them vanished just as the orb reached the point of expansion, releasing a cataclysmic wave of energy that obliterated the ocean surface.
Back in Konoha, Kaguya stood among the ruins of the village, her Tenseigan glowing as she scanned the area. The silence was deafening, save for the distant crackle of flames.
"Where have you scurried off to now, little pests?" she mused.
Suddenly, a golden flash lit up behind her, and Team 7 appeared, landing in formation around her.
Kaguya turned slowly, her serene smile laced with contempt. "Back so soon? How persistent."
Naruto wasted no time. Chakra cloaked him as he rushed her with a flurry of lunges with Mugenkei. Sasuke followed close behind, his sword gleaming with dark energy as he struck from Kaguya's opposite side. Sakura stayed back, her hands already forming seals.
Kaguya moved like water, evading Naruto's strikes with minimal effort. Each of Sasuke's sword swings was parried with her staff, her movements impossibly fluid.
"Pathetic," she muttered.
Naruto leaped back, creating two massive Rasenshuriken in his chakra arms. He hurled them at Kaguya, but she extended her arm, deflecting both with ease with an Almighty Push. The Rasenshuriken veered off course, exploding harmlessly in the distance.
Sasuke lunged again, his hand crackling with electricity.
[Chidori Lance]
His jutsu extended like a sword, it's tip aimed at her chest—but Kaguya caught the electric blade mid-attack with her bare hand.
"Shit!" Sasuke cursed as she transformed the Chidori Lance to glass in an instant before snapping it in half with a flick of her wrist. Before Sasuke could react, she drove her staff into his gut, sending him hurtling into a pile of rubble.
Naruto growled, channeling Kurama's chakra into his hand, a dense ball of chakra beginning to form.
[Tailed Beast Bomb]
Naruto launched the bomb towards Kaguya, watching in disappointment as she simply caught the ball of chakra in her hand.
"Pointless," Kaguya mocked, transfiguring the dark orb into a simple rubber ball. She bounced it off the ground twice in amusement, before getting bored and throwing it away.
Naruto cursed, his mind racing for a strategy. Kaguya was stronger, faster and with a wider array of abilities than him. In that moment, he felt like there was truly nothing he could do to beat her and save Hinata.
While she was waiting for Naruto to make a move, Kaguya's lips curved in a smile as she detected movement at her side. "Now this is just desperate, little girl," she mocked extending her arm outwards.
Sakura, who was rushing towards the goddess to engage her; suddenly found herself frozen in time. Kaguya raised her arm to finish her off, but she suddenly changed her mind, releasing Sakura from her hold, allowing her to resume her attack.
"I want you to watch this, Hinata," Kaguya said to herself, allowing Hinata to access her vision through the Tenseigan they shared.
With a wicked glint in her eyes, she gripped her staff in both hands, patiently waiting for Sakura to engage her.
Sakura stumbled forward, trying to process what just happened. But spotting Kaguya's form just a few feet away, she clenched her teeth, determination surging within her.
"Release my friend you evil witch!" She shouted, charging towards the goddess again.
Naruto, feeling encouraged by Sakura's bravery, clenched his fists. He teleported right in front of Kaguya, ready to support Sakura.
Naruto lunged forward, his weapon now in the form of a sword and slashing through the air in a blur. Kaguya sidestepped with ease, her staff snapping upward, catching him under the ribs with a sickening crack. He grunted, his body lifted off the ground before being flung backward, crashing into the dirt in a cloud of dust.
Sakura barely blinked before charging in, fists flying with precision and fury. Kaguya parried every strike with fluid movements, her staff twirling like an extension of her body. A sharp crack to the girl's knee sent her stumbling, but Kaguya wasn't done.
She spun, bringing the staff down on Sakura's shoulder, then across her midsection. Sakura gasped, her body buckling under the ruthless assault, before a final strike to the jaw sent her sprawling backward.
She crashed into the dirt next to Naruto, the fight over before it had even truly begun. Kaguya stood still, barely winded.
Kaguya, observing the duo, let out a mocking laugh. "Is this the best this world can send, or should I wait for someone worth my time?"
She extended her arms, using her time manipulation to restore her body completely. The air around her crackled with energy as her scuffed hair and clothes returned to a perfect, immaculate state. Her eyes gleamed with contempt.
"Come on, try harder," she taunted. "Your people are counting on you..."
Naruto and Sakura exchanged a glance, both battered and exhausted but refusing to back down. They had too much at stake. Too many lives depending on them.
Sakura wiped the blood from her mouth, her eyes blazing with determination. "We're not done yet," she whispered to Naruto by her side.
Naruto's fists clenched. "Not by a long shot," he acknowledged.
"You know," Naruto addressed Kaguya. "It's funny you consider dying by our hand a possibility. I don't know of too many goddesses who can be killed by a bunch of ninjas with a dream," Naruto continued, watching Kaguya's expression shift slightly.
Sakura, realizing what he was doing, joined in. "Yeah, it's almost as if you're not not a real goddess, you're just a regular human, Otsutsuki Kaguya!" She shouted, raising an arm to point at Kaguya.
"A normal woman with borrowed power, the only difference being you borrowed a sizable amount of it." Sakura paused to catch her breath, as a small smirk appeared on her lips.
"A deity, you claim to be, and yet you bleed like the rest of us."
Kaguya's face twisted in anger at Sakura's words, but she controlled herself, smiling weakly in response.
"And yet, no matter how much I bleed, you'll never rise high enough to make it matter. For you'll find it's not the blood of a mortal..."
She gestured to the destruction around them, the carnage she had caused.
"It's the ink of your obituary."
Naruto and Sakura braced themselves for another round, their resolve unshaken as Kaguya hovered before them, daring them to keep fighting.
Naruto charged, roaring in frustration, only to be swatted aside by a casual backhand from Kaguya, crashing into a nearby building.
Sakura seized the moment. Slamming her hands to the ground, she roared.
[Wood Style: Twin Gate Fortress]
The ground trembled as two enormous wooden gates erupted from the earth, closing in on Kaguya with a thunderous boom. The gates groaned as they crushed together, trapping her between their massive frames.
Sakura staggered, panting heavily but hopeful. "Did we get her?"
For a brief moment, silence reigned. Then, with a deafening crack, the gates were blasted apart, splinters raining down like shrapnel. Kaguya emerged unscathed, her expression calm, though her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
"Foolish," she said coldly, extending her arm. "Jade Dragon."
A massive dragon of green fire roared to life, its scales flickering with otherworldly energy. It surged forward, striking Sakura with tremendous force. The impact sent her flying into a crumbling building, the walls collapsing around her.
Naruto and Sasuke roared in unison, charging again.
Sasuke extended his arm, his voice sharp.
[Universal Pull]
Kaguya's body lifted off the ground, drawn toward him. But as she floated forward, she tilted her head slightly, her own gravitational force countering his. She landed gently, mockery lacing her tone.
"The sheer gall to attempt to command me like a puppet."
Raising her staff, she began to channel her chakra. A dark truth-seeking orb formed at its tip, pulsating ominously.
"Let me show you how wrong you are."
The orb shifted, turning a brilliant, blinding white. Her voice echoed across the ruins.
"Divine Art: Eye of Medusa."
Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was about to happen. "Sasuke!" he shouted, sprinting toward his teammate.
The truth-seeking orb exploded with an intense light, waves of energy radiating outward. Everything the light touched began to turn to stone—trees, buildings, even the ground itself seemed to petrify.
Naruto tackled Sasuke, his chakra cloak flaring as he teleported away with Flying Raijin just in time. The spot they had just stood turned to solid stone, frozen in an eternal moment.
Kaguya lowered her staff, surveying the destruction she had wrought with satisfaction.
"Run all you like," she said softly, her voice carrying on the wind. "It won't save you."
As the blinding light of the Eye of Medusa dimmed, Kaguya floated amidst the destruction, her Tenseigan glowing faintly as she scanned the area. Her lips curled into a smirk.
"They escaped," she murmured, the amusement in her voice barely masking her growing frustration.
Her gaze shifted as Naruto reappeared above her, the golden aura of his Sage of Six Paths Mode flaring. In his hand, a massive spiraling sphere of chakra spun furiously.
[Massive Rasengan]
He roared, diving toward her with unrelenting force.
Kaguya didn't flinch. Her body blurred, evading with preternatural grace as Naruto's attack smashed into the ground, creating a massive crater that shook the ruins of Konoha.
"Foolish," Kaguya muttered under her breath, watching as Naruto landed in a crouch, frustration etched across his face.
She narrowed her eyes, her thoughts a chaotic storm.
This is taking too long. I'm expending too much spiritual energy restraining Hinata and fighting simultaneously.
Her eyes darted between her opponents, who looked like they were about to attack her again.Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but those pests have damaged my soul. That Hyuuga girl… she's more resilient than I anticipated.
Extending her arms outward, Kaguya's voice rang out like a decree from the heavens. "Do not move."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura froze in place mid-motion. Their muscles locked, their bodies unresponsive.
Naruto strained against the invisible bonds, his face contorted in anger. "Damn it!" he growled, his chakra flaring weakly as he tried to resist.
Sakura's breathing was labored, her legs trembling as she fought against the spell. "What… is this…?"
Sasuke's Rinnegan flickered, his gaze sharp but his body immobile. "Her power… it's overwhelming."
Kaguya clenched her teeth, sweat forming on her brow. Even as her expression remained serene, the strain was evident.
The seals of Hagoromo and Hamura…she thought, cursing inwardly.They're giving them resistance. I have to strengthen the spell before their seals adapt!
With a flick of her wrist, Kaguya activated Universal Pull, drawing the trio toward her like helpless marionettes. They floated in midair, mere feet from her outstretched hands.
Kaguya's voice dropped to a cold, final tone. "It's over."
Her Tenseigan pulsed, and an unbearable wave of power surged outward. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura screamed as their souls were assaulted with unimaginable pain. For a moment, they felt as if their very existence was being torn apart, drawn toward an inescapable void.
But just before Kaguya could end the fight, her body—Hinata's body—stiffened.
Kaguya's eyes widened in shock as she staggered, clutching her chest. Her grip on her spell faltered, and Team 7 dropped to the ground like ragdolls, gasping for air and trembling from the brief but horrifying exposure to the soul-crushing spell.
Kaguya winced, her elegant demeanor cracking. "Child… What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice rising in alarm.
Within her mind, a voice responded, quiet but firm."Fighting back."
It was Hinata.
Kaguya's eyes darted around in panic as she felt her control slipping. "Stop this at once!" she barked, her tone more desperate than commanding.
"No!"Hinata's voice grew louder, filled with defiance."You've taken everything from me. My body, my life… But I won't let you take my will. Not anymore."
Kaguya cursed under her breath, her composure unraveling.The damage to my soul… It's weakened my hold on her. This can't be happening, not now!
Sasuke, struggling to his feet, clutched his side as blood dripped onto the rubble beneath him. His Sharingan flickered weakly, but his sharp gaze remained locked on Kaguya.
"She's struggling," he murmured, his voice a mix of disbelief and cautious hope. "Hinata… she's fighting back."
Naruto, kneeling and breathing heavily, looked up with wide eyes. "Hinata… You're still in there," he whispered.
Sakura, barely able to lift her head, trembled as tears welled in her eyes. "She's… not giving up," she murmured. The sight sparked something deep within her. Clenching her fists, she forced herself to her knees, then her feet, as her Sage Mode flickered faintly back to life.
"Hinata!" Sakura shouted, her voice breaking. "Don't stop! Keep fighting! We're with you!"
Naruto staggered to his feet, reforming Mugenkei into a gleaming dagger. His golden aura blazed to life once more, his determination reigniting.
"Hinata! You've got this!" he yelled, his voice echoing across the ruins. "We believe in you! Fight back!"
Inside her own mind, Hinata stood against Kaguya, her form illuminated by a soft but unyielding light.
"I won't let you hurt them any longer," Hinata declared, her voice steady despite the weight of Kaguya's chains restricting her movements. "This is my body. My soul. And I'm taking it back!"
Kaguya snarled, lashing out with even more dark chains of energy that bound themselves around her hostage. "You annoy me, stubborn girl. Stand down!"
But Hinata's light only grew stronger, pushing back her tormentor's darkness. "No!"
Back in the physical world, Kaguya clutched her head, her body trembling as she wrestled for control.
"This… this is bad," Kaguya muttered, her voice uncharacteristically shaky. "My soul has taken too much damage..."
Her mind travelled back to memories of the battle—Naruto's weapon embedding itself in her chest. Sakura's fists battering her form repeatedly. As a result of their combined effort, Kaguya's soul sustained significant damage. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue. She had more than enough spiritual energy to ride it out until she recovered.
But this wasn't her own body.
Suppressing Hinata was a constant effort for Kaguya, one that required tapping into her own life force. This was easier when the Hyuuga girl was a mere shell of herself, meek and submissive. But ever since her allies had returned to Konoha, explicitly stating their intent to rescue her from her prison, a fire of rebellion had lit within Hinata, urging her to struggle against her captors hold.
Kaguya exerted more effort to restrain her as a result—nothing she couldn't handle under normal circumstances. But the cumulative soul damage meant that she had lesser control over the amount of spiritual energy she expended per effort.
Unfortunately for Otsutsuki Kaguya, she noticed this far too late.
I… I can't hold her down!"
Her vulnerability was clear. For the first time, the goddess of chakra appeared shaken, cracks forming in her seemingly invincible exterior.
And for Team 7, battered and bloodied as they were, hope began to bloom.
Her gaze never leaving her foes, Kaguya raised an arm to the sky, and the heavens responded.
"Celestial Pillar."
A blue beam of energy tore through the sky, descending rapidly towards Naruto and Sakura with blinding speed. The air crackled with destructive power as the attack closed in, threatening to obliterate them both.
Naruto's reflexes kicked in, and in a blur of orange, he teleported the two of them away just as the beam obliterated the spot where they had been standing.
They barely caught their breath before Kaguya, floating ominously in the air, turned her gaze behind her.
"Someone's coming..."
Sensing danger, she ducked just in time as a streak of lightning sliced through the air above her head.
Sasuke emerged from the dissipating energy, his Rinnegan glowing with intensity, his sword aimed to take her by surprise.
Kaguya, unflinching, raised her hand, and the earth beneath Sasuke's feet exploded upwards, launching him high into the air.
His eyes widened as he looked up—the heavens were split by the silhouette of an enormous meteor, hurtling down toward the village, its mass casting a shadow over the battlefield.
"Damn it!" Sasuke growled, swapping places with a distant kunai to evade the incoming meteor. But the destructive force continued its descent, tearing through the sky as if it would devour everything in its path.
Below, Sakura ran forward, dirt streaking her face and her breaths labored. She saw the meteor looming and acted instinctively, slamming her hands onto the ground.
[Sage Art: Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence]
Massive wooden tendrils erupted from the earth, spiraling upward to meet the meteor head-on. The collision shook the ground as the tendrils strained to slow the behemoth, groaning under its weight. Naruto appeared beside her, his face set with determination.
[Tailed Beast Bomb: Rasenshuriken]
He quickly formed a tailed beast bomb infused with Rasenshuriken, launching it straight into the heart of the meteor.
The resulting explosion was deafening, disintegrating the meteor into a shower of molten debris. Sakura collapsed to her knees, panting heavily, her chakra reserves drained from the intense effort.
"You okay, Sakura?" Sasuke teleported next to her, concern in his eyes.
"Yeah... just a little tired. I'm not nearly as good as Grandpa Hashirama with Wood Style," Sakura admitted with a weak grin, wiping the sweat from her brow.
Naruto laughed, his voice filled with a rare moment of levity. "Girl said 'Grandpa Hashirama'... You think he knows you like that?"
Sakura scowled, pushing herself back onto her feet. "Shut up, Naruto."
Naruto's smile faded as he shifted his focus back to Kaguya. "I can get us close, but remember: avoid her time circle at all costs. If we touch it in our current state, we're done for. And Sakura... forgive me but I'm gonna need you to restrain her one more time."
Sakura nodded, her fists clenching. "She's fighting recklessly because she knows she can just come back. It's not even fair."
Sasuke stepped forward, his expression grim.
"Naruto, we need to hit her with the Sage's weapons. If we can damage her soul, we might give Hinata a better chance to fight back."
Kaguya hovered above them, her arm raised, ready to unleash another devastating attack. She had been reading their thoughts, eavesdropping on their strategy.
"Your plans will fail," she declared coldly, her voice echoing with the confidence of a goddess.
"Divine thunder."
Sasuke dodged as lightning bolts rained down, calling out to Sakura. "Now!"
[Wood Style: Binding Roots]
Sakura slammed her hands together, and thick wooden roots shot from the ground, coiling tightly around Kaguya's body.
Naruto vanished in a blur, reappearing in front of Kaguya as he scattered kunai around the battlefield.
He rolled to the side, narrowly dodging a massive water dragon Kaguya summoned, then leaped backward, avoiding the reach of her time circle as she attempted to reverse the battlefield around her.
Sasuke, seeing his chance, swapped places with Naruto and charged, dragging the sword of Nunoboko on the ground behind him.
"Not agai—" Kaguya's eyes widened in disbelief as Sasuke's blade cut through her time circle like a knife through paper. The shimmering temporal barrier fizzled out, leaving her vulnerable for the first time.
Sasuke roared, slashing deep into Kaguya's side. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the Otsutsuki gasped in shock.
Naruto didn't hesitate—reshaping Mugenkei into a sword, he struck, landing another blow. Together, they attacked relentlessly, Naruto teleporting between his scattered kunai, landing hit after hit with his transformed weapon, while Sasuke slashed with the fury of a vengeful storm.
Kaguya stumbled, blood pouring from her wounds. Her once-untouchable form now seemed fragile, her movements sluggish as the damage to her soul took its toll. She dropped to her knees, breathing heavily as her strength waned.
"Finish her off, Naruto!" Sasuke shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to seal her now!"
Naruto hesitated for a brief moment, staring at Hinata's body, knowing Kaguya still possessed her.
His heart clenched with doubt, but he steeled himself, remembering that this was for her, for everyone. With a deep breath, he created multiple shadow clones, each armed with a weapon formed from Mugenkei.
They charged together, moving in unison with impossible speed, striking Kaguya from every angle.
She screamed in agony, her body unable to keep up with the flurry of attacks. Desperately, she summoned a water serpent to retaliate, but Naruto vanished before it could touch him.
Sasuke darted past her, slashing her throat with a precise strike before she could say a chant. Kaguya gritted her teeth, her body trembling as she struggled to heal herself with time manipulation.
"Heed me..."
Sasuke's expression darkened. "Sakura!"
From above, Sakura leaped over the remains of the shattered wooden gate, her chakra surging at her fist as she descended with it cocked back.
A left cross caught Kaguya's jaw. Her teeth clattered as an uppercut drove into her chin. Blood spurted from Kaguya's mouth as Sakura drove her fist into her stomach, sending her staggering back. Kaguya could barely fight back—her limbs felt heavy, unresponsive.
"Evil bitch," Sakura snarled, her fists battering the goddess that had taken her friends, her determination driven by the pain of her loss. "For Ino," tears streamed from her eyes as Sakura began calling the names of everyone Kaguya had taken from her, her fists landing on her opponent with each painful mention of the name of a lost loved one.
"TenTen... Kakashi-sensei... Choji... Guy-sensei... Iruka-sensei... Hinata...
Sakura channeled a large amount of Hamura's chakra from her seal into her fist—she was going to go all out with this final strike.
"SHANAROO!" she roared, slamming her fist into Kaguya's temple with all her might. Just as her fist made contact, she overloaded it with the special chakra, creating a surge of energy at her fist that exploded outwards, adding a devastating aftershock to her blow.
The impact was catastrophic. Kaguya's body was sent flying through the remains of the wooden gate, skidding across the rubble for several hundred metres. The shockwave from the blow echoed for miles, shaking the very foundations of the ruined village.
Kaguya's form—no, Hinata's—lay broken, bleeding profusely. Her once-pristine white robes were stained with crimson. Her eyes remained shut—unconscious, the effect of Sakura's punch combined with Naruto's attacks.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura appeared beside her in an instant with Flying Raijin, Naruto's expression filled with a mixture of hope and fear.
"It's time," Sasuke said firmly, placing his hand with the moon seal on Hinata's left shoulder.
Naruto, his voice shaking, nodded and placed his hand with the sun seal on her right shoulder. "Let's finish this."
Sakura, drawing a kunai, cut her palm, blood trickling down her arm as she clapped her hands together.
"With my blood, I bind you. By my flesh, I cage you."
Suddenly, Sakura gasped, blood pouring from her mouth as the effort drained her. She fell to her knees, her body trembling with the exertion on her soul from reciting the binding chant. "I-I can't..."
"Sakura, don't stop!" Naruto urged, his voice thick with emotion. "We're almost there!"
Sakura clenched her teeth, summoning every last bit of her strength. "In timeless shadows, rest—eternal—"
Hinata's eyes shot open.
Naruto and Sasuke froze, their hearts racing. But the voice that spoke wasn't Kaguya's. It was Hinata's.
"...Naruto?"
Naruto stumbled back, disbelief clouding his mind. "Hinata...?"
At this point, Sakura collapsed fully, gasping for breath. Sasuke rushed to her side, helping her sit up, his own face filled with confusion.
Naruto's hands trembled as he reached out for Hinata, his voice barely a whisper. "Hinata... is it really you?"
Her eyes, filled with exhaustion but unmistakably her own, softened. "Naruto..."
Naruto's breath caught in his throat. He pulled her into a tight embrace, tears spilling freely. "You're back... you're really back."
Hinata, weak but alive, clung to him, her own tears mixing with his. In that moment, amidst the ruins of battle, they were finally reunited.
A few moments earlier...
Hinata struggled in her mind plane, pulling against the chains that bound her. Her arms ached, her legs shook, and her breath came in ragged gasps. Sweat dripped down her forehead, stinging her eyes as she gritted her teeth and strained once more. But the chains held firm, unyielding in their restraint.
Panting heavily, she slumped forward, exhausted. "What do I do?" she asked herself, her mind racing in search of a solution. She had tried everything—every ounce of strength, every ounce of chakra—and nothing worked. The oppressive weight of Kaguya's presence loomed over her like a suffocating cloud, pressing down on her soul.
"There has to be something..." She clenched her fists, her vision blurring. A fierce determination flickered within her. "I have to try again."
With a grunt of effort, Hinata tried once more, raising her arm against the chain. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she pushed harder, pulling with everything she had.
SNAP!
The chain broke.
Hinata blinked in surprise, her hand falling limply to her side. For a moment, she just stared at the severed chain, stunned into silence. The weight of her restraints had vanished, as if they were never there in the first place. She flexed her fingers, disbelief flooding her senses. "How... how did that happen?"
Before she could process what had just occurred, a presence filled the mind plane—a dark, familiar energy. Slowly, Hinata turned her head.
There, lying on the ground in front of her, was Kaguya. The once-unstoppable goddess was barely recognizable, her pale form marred by blood and countless wounds. Her long, flowing hair was disheveled, matted with dirt and blood. Kaguya's breaths came in shallow, painful gasps as she lay on the ground, clearly struggling to hold herself together.
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise.Kaguya?
Kaguya lifted her head weakly, her eyes locking onto Hinata's. Despite her battered state, there was still an air of defiance about her. But her voice was hoarse, drained of its usual power. "Do not... think this is over."
Hinata regained her composure quickly, standing tall. "Oh, is that right?" she asked mockingly. "Are you winning, Kaguya-sama?"
Kaguya growled, her eyes narrowing with hatred. "Watch your tongue, girl."
Feeling a surge of newfound confidence, Hinata smirked. "What are you going to do? Kill me?" She studied Kaguya's form, noting the deep cuts and bruises that adorned her body. What was more alarming was the fact that none of them were healing. Kaguya, the all-powerful goddess, was injured—and staying that way.
"Strange," Hinata mused aloud, "for someone who claimed to be invincible, you're not looking so good."
Kaguya's fingers dug into the ground as she clenched her fists, her pale knuckles trembling. "Naruto... and his... weapon," she hissed through gritted teeth. "They managed to damage me... directly."
Hinata's mind raced.Naruto... She could only imagine the battle raging outside, in the real world. Team 7 must have found a way to hurt Kaguya, to land a blow that even she couldn't ignore. "So that's it, huh?" Hinata said, her voice gaining strength. "They've found a way to hurt you. To stop you."
Kaguya's eyes burned with fury as she glared at Hinata, but her body remained unmoving, weak and drained. The goddess tried to smile, but it came out more as a grimace. "You think... they can stop me?" she rasped. "They are nothing... compared to me."
Hinata shook her head, undeterred. "If they're nothing, then why are you lying on the ground, covered in blood? Why are you so afraid?"
Kaguya growled again, but the sound was hollow. "I will get what I want... soon enough."
"You won't," Hinata replied, her voice firm. "I'll never let you."
But before Kaguya could respond, her eyes widened in sudden panic. She whispered something to herself, her voice barely audible. "They're... preparing the seal."
Hinata furrowed her brow. "What's happening?" she asked, her tone mocking. "Are you too scared to go back and face them? Afraid you might lose?"
Kaguya's gaze flickered toward Hinata, but she said nothing in return. Instead, she lifted a trembling hand toward her. Hinata tensed, expecting another attack, but instead, something strange happened.
The chains that had bound Hinata moments ago—chains that had held her for what felt like an eternity—suddenly loosened, clattering to the ground.
Hinata gasped in shock. "What... what are you doing?"
But Kaguya didn't answer. Her face was drawn tight with focus as if she were elsewhere, her mind struggling to process the events unfolding around her. And just as Hinata felt the exhilarating freedom of being unchained, her body grew heavy, her eyelids drooping. She stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her.
"No..." she whispered, fighting the darkness that crept into her vision. But it was no use. A wave of exhaustion swept over her, and despite her efforts to stay awake, the world around her faded into black.
As her consciousness slipped away, the last thing she saw was Kaguya, still bleeding, still broken—but with a terrifying glint of triumph in her eyes.
And then, there was nothing.
Back in the present...
Hinata had finally regained control of her body. Her eyes shimmered as she embraced Naruto, who clung to her as if afraid she'd vanish again. His face, streaked with dirt and blood, pressed against her shoulder, shaking with relief. Behind them, Sasuke and Sakura looked on in disbelief, unable to fully grasp the moment of peace amidst the chaos.
Kurenai and Obito teleported nearby. Kurenai's eyes darted to her student, taking in the sight of Hinata, free at last. Without hesitation, she hurried over, calling Hinata's name.
Breaking their embrace, Hinata looked at Sasuke and Sakura. She studied their battle-worn faces, a surge of emotion overwhelming her. With a quiet sob, she pulled Sasuke into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, her voice trembling. Sasuke, usually composed, hesitated before wrapping his arms around her. He could feel her gratitude, her relief, and for a moment, the weight of the battle felt a little lighter.
Hinata then knelt beside Sakura, who was struggling to remain conscious. Her pale hand brushed against Sakura's cheek, and her voice was soft, almost pleading, "Sakura, are you okay?"
A tear slid down Sakura's face, her body trembling as she let out a choked sob. She reached for Hinata, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I thought we lost you," Sakura whispered, her voice breaking with emotion.
"I'm so glad you're back..."
Hinata could feel her friend's heartache, the weight of the battle, the fear of losing yet another comrade. They held each other tightly, as if anchoring themselves against the tidal wave of grief and chaos.
Kurenai finally reached them, her eyes frantic. "Hinata!" she cried, dropping to her knees beside her. Her hands roamed over Hinata's arms, shoulders, and face, checking for injuries. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Hinata gently pushed her sensei's hands away, offering a small smile. "I'm fine, Kurenai-sensei. I'm okay now."
Kurenai's shoulders sagged with relief, but then, without warning, she pulled Hinata into her arms, sobbing quietly into her shoulder. "I was so scared. I thought… I thought I'd lost you."
Naruto, still dazed from the emotional reunion, turned toward Hinata. His voice was raw, his throat tight. "How... How did you do it? How did you break free?"
Hinata shook her head, still bewildered by her own survival. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice low. "One moment, I was trapped, fighting Kaguya's control in my mind. And the next… I was here."
Kurenai wiped her eyes and moved to check Hinata once more, but Hinata waved her off. "Really, I'm okay. Kurenai-sensei, please."
Obito stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Does that mean… Kaguya is gone?"
Sasuke's eyes flickered, narrowing in suspicion. He remained silent, staring intently at Hinata's Tenseigan, which was still glowing faintly. "I don't think we can say for sure," he murmured, his voice heavy with caution.
Hinata hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "How many…?" she whispered, unable to finish the question, her voice trembling.
Kurenai looked away, her expression pained. The silence that followed was louder than any words could have been. The answer was written in the grief etched across her face. Too many. Far too many had died.
Hinata's knees buckled as the weight of the loss crashed down on her. Her tears fell freely, and Naruto was there in an instant, holding her as she wept. She tried to speak, tried to apologize to Sasuke, to Kurenai, but the words stuck in her throat, choked by her sobs. Her body trembled with grief, with guilt, and with the overwhelming pain of knowing she had been the cause of so much destruction.
Suddenly, Obito's voice cut through the sorrow like a blade. "We need to destroy the Tenseigan."
The words hung in the air, sharp and cold. Hinata's sobbing stopped, her breath catching in her throat. She looked up at Obito, her eyes wide with shock. The color drained from her face.
Naruto shot to his feet, his anger flaring like a wildfire. "What the hell are you saying, Obito?!" he snapped, stepping protectively in front of Hinata. "You can't just—!"
"This is not a choice," Obito interrupted, his voice harsh and unrelenting. "Kaguya is still inside her. We can't risk her taking control again."
Naruto's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. His mind raced for an argument, but deep down, he knew Obito was right. His heart, however, refused to accept it. He glanced around, searching for any sign of support, any reassurance that there was another way.
Sasuke, his face grim, stepped forward. "Naruto… he's right. We talked about this. We have to end it now."
Naruto shook his head violently, his voice cracking. "There has to be another way!"
Sakura, still weak, pushed herself up with trembling arms. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Naruto… Kaguya's soul retreated back into Hinata. Mugenkei... won't affect her now." She took a shaky breath. "I can't think of another way."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Hinata gently took Naruto's hand in hers. He turned to her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Hinata…"
Her lips curved into a small, sad smile.
But when she spoke, it wasn't her voice.
"You should've finished the sealing when you had the chance." Kaguya's voice dripped with disdain as it emerged from Hinata's lips, her Tenseigan glowing brighter, pulsing with sinister energy.
Naruto's breath caught in his throat. Before he could react, Kaguya's hand shot forward, pressing against the seal on his stomach.
Inside him, Naruto felt Kurama scream in agony as the fox was ripped from his body. The pain was blinding, a searing heat that tore through him like wildfire. He collapsed to his knees, gasping for air as the orange chakra of the Nine-Tails was pulled from his very soul.
Sasuke lunged forward, but Kaguya was faster. Her arm extended, and in an instant, a beam of energy sliced through the air, severing Sasuke's hand—the one that bore the moon seal.
Sasuke cried out, clutching the bleeding stump, but before he could react further, Kaguya sent out a pulse of chakra that sent the rest of the group flying. They hit the ground hard, stunned and helpless.
Kaguya lifted Naruto's head with a single finger, forcing him to meet her gaze. Her smirk was victorious, cruel. "Such bravery," she mocked, her voice a twisted mixture of admiration and disdain. "In hindsight, you really should have listened to Obito and killed her."
Naruto's voice was weak, trembling with shock and disbelief. "How…?"
Kaguya's smile widened. "Your attacks weakened me. For a moment, I lost control, allowing Hinata to take over. But even with your newfound power you never stood a chance against me, even at my weakest."
Naruto's body trembled, tears spilling down his cheeks. He had failed. Again.
"And now, with the Nine-Tails restored to me," Kaguya continued, "I will begin the Infinite Tsukuyomi." She feigned a look of pity. "I even offered Hinata the chance to live happily with you in that dream world after I ascended... but she was foolish enough to refuse."
Naruto's voice was barely a whisper. "I'll... kill you…"
"Even you don't believe that." Kaguya chuckled darkly. "All that talk of 'saving' her, of somehow rescuing her from her destiny... how pathetic that your final words to Hinata were lies."
She gestured, and Naruto's body floated up until his face was level with hers. "I want you to look into Hinata's eyes, Naruto Uzumaki, so she can watch you die..." Kaguya whispered, her voice thick with malice. "And let her face be the last thing you see before you perish. I want your failure to be the final memory etched into your being before you leave this wretched world."
Kaguya paused, leaning in closer to him. "Let Hinata Hyuuga witness the cost of her disobedience, watching you draw your final breath... all because you were too weak to keep your promise to her."
Naruto's tears fell freely as he gazed into Hinata's Tenseigan. For a moment, he looked into her eyes, desperately seeking the warmth he was so familiar with.
But all that stared back at him was the cold, detached gaze of the goddess of destruction that had torn his world apart. In that moment, He felt weak, defeated. The mission had failed—Kaguya had obtained the final tailed beast she sought after.
And Hinata was still held hostage by her, her body twisted against her will to carry out the deeds of the being that had snatched her life away so cruelly.
Naruto's voice was faint, broken, but filled with love. "I'm sorry... I failed you, Hinata." His voice cracked as he struggled to find the energy to speak, his body growing limp as he felt his life force gradually fade away. "Hinata, don't give up. No matter what happens… keep fighting. I believe in you."
Kaguya sneered. "Your belief will only carry her so far."
Naruto smiled weakly, his vision blurring. "We'll see…"
With his last breath he looked into Hinata's eyes, possessed by another being. Naruto gently whispered, "I love you, Hinata."
Kaguya's hand rested on his forehead, and with a single touch, she drained the last remnants of his soul. After a moment, his body fell limp in her grasp.
Kaguya released him, and Naruto's lifeless body dropped to the ground.
Kaguya casually stepped over him, her gaze drifting to the distance where Sasuke and Sakura lay. "One less loose end to tie up," she murmured to herself.