The rooftop of the Hokage Tower was engulfed in chaos, the masonry cracking under the weight of the battle taking place on top it. The once peaceful village below trembled as Team 7 faced the goddess in Hinata's form, the sky swirling in dark clouds above, as if nature itself recoiled from Kaguya's presence. Obito and Kurenai battled fiercely in the distance, holding off Konan and the monstrous juubi clones of Sasori and other shinobi Kaguya had sacrificed. But here, on the tower, the true battle was unfolding.
Naruto, eyes ablaze with determination, was the first to charge. He opened his hand, molding chakra into his palm.
[Rasengan]
His jutsu emitted a low hum as he rushed toward Kaguya. But her eyes narrowed. With a mere thought, the world seemed to stop. Time itself ground to a halt, freezing Naruto mid-sprint.
Kaguya watched, unamused, as he remained suspended in the air like a puppet, a glowing circle appearing underneath them both. But then, in a flicker of yellow light, Naruto vanished.
Kaguya's eyes widened slightly as Naruto reappeared behind her. His teleportation jutsu again! she thought, turning to face him. But something else caught her eye—the seal on his palm.
The design was ancient, almost forgotten, but Kaguya recognized it instantly. It was the same seal that Hagoromo and Hamura had used centuries ago when they fought her.
"This… cannot be." Her curiosity piqued, Kaguya's lips curled into a dark smile. "So, you carry their legacy after all."
As she mused over this revelation, Sakura's wood tendrils shot forward, aiming to ensnare her. But the moment they touched Kaguya's time circle, they too froze in place, rendered useless by her power.
Kaguya raised a hand, casual and dismissive, as several flaming phoenixes materialized from thin air, screeching as they hurtled toward Team 7. The fiery birds filled the sky, heat radiating in waves.
Just as one of the phoenixes was about to crash into Sasuke, Kaguya's vision blurred, and she found herself standing where he had been.
"How did..."
Before she could complete her sentence, the explosion tore through her, the force of her own attack slamming her into the rooftop. The heat seared through her clothes, scorching her skin.
Kaguya staggered to her feet, eyes blazing with fury and confusion. "What…?" But before she could finish her thought, Sakura was upon her, fist raised, a war cry on her lips.
"This is for Ino!"
Sakura's punch connected with Kaguya's jaw, sending blood flying from her mouth. The force of the blow rattled her to her core, momentarily breaking her connection with Hinata.
Kaguya snarled, stepping back as Sakura unleashed a flurry of punches. Each strike reverberated through her body, disrupting her hold on Hinata bit by bit. The power behind Sakura's fists was undeniable, and for a moment , Kaguya felt herself losing ground.
She's strong...she thought, her irritation mounting.Quite troublesome...
One of Sakura's punches came dangerously close to Kaguya's temple, and Kaguya barely dodged. But even the glancing blow caused her Tenseigan to flicker. Alarm shot through her.This girl's nature energy... it's weakening me.
Kaguya's magic reinforcement was starting to fail, her body slower, more vulnerable. With a growl of anger, she evaded a swing from Sakura and grabbed her by the wrist.
In one fluid motion, she struck several tenketsu points, disabling Sakura's arm. Then, with a swift, brutal blow, she sent the medic stumbling backward, gasping for air.
Kaguya moved to finish her, raising her hand in front of Sakura's head. A golden pulse of energy built at her hand, ready to vaporize the kunoichi.
But in a blur of orange, Sakura disappeared, leaving Kaguya's attack to vaporize the space where she had been.
Cursing, Kaguya turned, eyes narrowing as she spotted Naruto and Sakura a short distance away, the former having teleported her just in time.
Before she could react, Naruto was in suddenly front of her again, the blade of Mugenkei crackling with energy. He swung, the dark blade grazing her side as she barely evaded it.
However, Sasuke was already there. His Chidori lance crackled with lethal intent as it streaked toward her heart. Kaguya summoned a barrier at the last second, blocking the lance, but before she could catch her breath, she felt a presence behind her.
[Sage Art: Venom Cutter]
Sakura's Venom Cutter—a concentrated jet of toxic acid—came whistling toward her. Reacting quickly, Kaguya expanded her barrier, blocking the venom just in time.
But Sasuke used the momentary distraction to charge, his form a blur of lightning as he raced toward her, the Sword of Nunoboko drawn.
Kaguya's eyes widened as Sasuke's sword cleaved through her barrier like it was nothing, the blade crackling with an ancient, divine energy. She barely twisted out of the way, the blade nicking her arm, sending a shockwave of power through her.
That sword...Kaguya thought, her mind racing.It reeks of Hamura.
Sakura leaped at the goddess, fist raised to strike again. But Kaguya, her patience wearing thin, froze her in time with a wave of her hand.
She barely had a moment to breathe before Naruto appeared again, Mugenkei in the form of a sword, slashing at her with terrifying speed.
[Almighty Push]
Kaguya unleashed a pulse of chakra, sending Naruto flying back. But the blond ninja teleported mid-air, landing gracefully on a nearby wall, his eyes locked onto her.
The sorceress turned back to Sakura, ready to crush her with a final blow, only to find that Sasuke had swapped her out with a pebble.
[Amaterasu]
Before Kaguya could react, flames erupted around her as Sasuke's Amaterasu hit its mark. The black flames licked at her skin, but Kaguya absorbed them into her violet orb with a flick of her wrist.
Her frustration mounting, Kaguya raised her hands, summoning a massive waterfall that crashed toward Team 7. But Sakura reacted swiftly,
[Wood Style: Barrier Jutsu]
She placed a hand on the ground, creating a barrier to block the oncoming wave. Kaguya's eyes flashed as she channeled power from her silver orb, unleashing a stream of molten lava toward her opponents.
Sakura evaded the lava, while Sasuke sliced through it with his blade, the molten rock parting as though it had no weight..
Kaguya turned her gaze to the three standing before her. They were powerful—more so than she had anticipated. Their seals, their weapons, their energy—it all reeked of her ancient foes.
And then, Kaguya spoke, her voice low, deadly, and filled with contempt. "Naruto… Sasuke… Sakura…" Her eyes glinted with a sinister light. "I am surprised to see you alive again. But that will change soon. I will not make the same mistake twice."
Her voice deepened, dripping with malice. "Here, you will breathe your last breaths, and your bones will turn to dust beneath my gaze. You will die where you stand, and not even your souls will escape my grasp."
The tension crackled in the air as Kaguya raised her hands, dark energy pulsing from her. Team 7 stood ready, their eyes fixed on the goddess as the final clash loomed.
Kaguya's figure remained poised atop the battered Hokage Tower, her expression unreadable as her cold gaze fell upon Team 7. The faint glow of the moon bathed her pale face, and for a moment, she simply observed them in silence. Then, a low chuckle escaped her lips, building into a resonant, haunting laugh that echoed through the desolation.
"Even now, Hagoromo and Hamura dare to defy me from beyond the grave," she said, her voice laced with both amusement and venom. Her eyes, glinting with malice, narrowed as they swept over the trio. "I see what they've done. These new abilities you wield, these weapons—they were gifts, weren't they? Tell me…" Her gaze bore into them like a predator studying its prey. "What do you plan to achieve with such pathetic trinkets?"
Naruto took a step forward, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His eyes burned with determination as he stared up at Kaguya. "What do you think? We're going to stop you."
Sakura, standing beside him, straightened her posture, her voice steady but fierce. "And we're going to save Hinata."
Kaguya tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "How noble," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Her eyes flickered to Naruto and Sasuke's Sun and Moon seals, then to the intricate Mitotic Regeneration Seal etched on Sakura's forehead. "So that's their plan. Those marks on your bodies, those weapons… Hagoromo and Hamura placed their hopes in you, didn't they? How quaint. They truly believed that with these tools, you might stand a chance."
Her smirk widened, and her voice grew colder. "I admire their faith in such a ridiculous dream. But if your pathetic display thus far is the pinnacle of their legacy…" She raised a hand dismissively. "You'd best prepare yourselves for disappointment."
Sasuke stepped forward, his dark eyes locked on Kaguya. "You're right," he admitted, his tone calm and deliberate. "With our current power, there's no way we can defeat you."
Kaguya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Then why persist? Why keep fighting when the outcome is inevitable?"
Sakura's voice cut through the night, sharp and resolute. "Because if we don't fight back—if we don't fight to save Hinata and protect our world—then what's the point of calling ourselves shinobi?"
Naruto nodded, his voice firm. "And it's not just about the weapons or the knowledge Hagoromo and Hamura left us. They weren't fools. They knew exactly how strong you are, firsthand."
Sakura clenched her fists, her green eyes blazing with determination. "That's why they gave us more than just tools," she said, her voice trembling with conviction. The seal on her forehead pulsed, glowing brighter. "They gave us the means to push ourselves even further."
As she spoke, her Mitotic Regeneration Seal released a surge of chakra. Dark lines of energy spread across her body like veins of molten power, intertwining with her natural chakra pathways. Her Sage Mode activated simultaneously, the green, acidic aura blending with the darker lines in a brilliant, intricate pattern. Hagoromo's specialized chakra flowed through her, amplifying her strength, speed, and awareness to heights she'd never imagined. Her loose hair fluttered in the wind as the raw power surged through her.
Sakura exhaled sharply, her breath visible in the cool night air. She lifted her gaze to Kaguya, her voice steady. "They gave us the means to go beyond our limitations."
Naruto grinned, inspired by her resolve. His own chakra flared to life as he activated Sage of Six Paths Mode. A golden aura enveloped him, the Sun seal glowing fiercely on his palm. The intricate orbs of Truth-Seeking Balls formed behind him, floating in a halo-like formation. He fixed his sharp gaze on Kaguya, the light of his determination cutting through the oppressive darkness.
"We came here with a mission," he said, his voice carrying a gravity that belied his usual tone. "And we're going to do whatever it takes to see it through."
Sasuke stepped up beside him, his Rinnegan gleaming with power. The Moon seal on his palm pulsed faintly as he gripped the hilt of the Nunoboko sword, its dark blade seeming to drink in the surrounding light. His voice was low but resolute. "No matter the cost."
Naruto extended his hand, pointing directly at Kaguya. For a moment, his expression softened, his voice tinged with pain. "Hang in there, Hinata," he said, his words directed at the girl trapped within. "I swear, I'm going to save you."
Then his expression hardened, his voice growing cold. "Even if I have to break every bone in your body, I'll keep my promise."
Kaguya's smirk faltered for a moment, but it quickly returned. She raised her chin, sneering at the trio as they transformed. "Bold words," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But words are free." She spread her arms, her chakra orbs pulsing with ancient power.
"You think yourselves strong, but I see through the cracks in your façade. I see your hesitation." Her Tenseigan glowed faintly as she steadied her gaze on them, blue eyes seeming to pierce into their very souls. "Your doubt, your... fear. Your courage is as fragile as the village you've failed to protect."
The sky rumbled with thunder, the very heavens responding to the will of the goddess of destruction reborn. Kaguya slowly floated off the ground, a subtle tremor felt in the terrain under the weight of her presence. She extended an arm, forming an intricate staff out of solid, purple chakra. "Thousands have fallen here today, because of your collective weakness. What is three more lives to add to the ruin?"
Her lips curled in a sneer as subtly beckoned them forward.
"Come then, insects. Let me show you the price of defiance."
The night air crackled with energy as Naruto dashed forward, the ground splintering beneath his feet. His palm glowed with power as a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb formed, radiating a fiery intensity. He didn't hesitate, his voice a battle cry as he closed the gap between himself and Kaguya.
Kaguya smirked, meeting his charge head-on. The two collided with a thunderous impact, the force of their clash sending shockwaves through the already crumbling Hokage Tower. The impact threw them both off the roof, spiraling toward the streets below.
Sasuke and Sakura watched in alarm as the two figures plummeted into a building, their forms disappearing in a deafening crash. The structure groaned under the weight of the impact before erupting in a fiery explosion as Naruto's bomb detonated. The night was momentarily lit up as debris and flames soared into the sky.
"Naruto!" Sakura screamed, her heart hammering in her chest.
As if in answer, Naruto's silhouette emerged from the cloud of smoke, tumbling through the air before landing in a crouch on the fractured street. His face was a mask of determination, despite the scowl etched into his features.
The smoke parted further, revealing Kaguya hovering ominously above the wreckage. She was unharmed, her Akatsuki robe swaying in the wind as her eyes bore down on Naruto.
Naruto didn't falter. With a roar, he leapt back into the fray, his Truth-Seeking Balls morphing into a hatchet mid-air. He swung it at Kaguya with all his might, the blade crackling with chakra.
Kaguya blocked effortlessly, her chakra staff intercepting the strike. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, their wielders locked in a fierce exchange. Naruto swung again, but Kaguya parried, her movements fluid and precise. She retaliated with a sharp crack of her staff against his waist, the impact sending him reeling. Before he could recover, she delivered a swift kick to his chest, launching him back toward the ground.
Roots burst from the earth as Naruto fell, twisting upward and ensnaring Kaguya's limbs. She glanced toward the source, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Sakura in the distance, her hands clasped in a seal. Beside her, Sasuke's Susanoo shimmered into existence, its massive bowstring drawn tight. Three arrows of crackling energy shot forth, hurtling toward Kaguya.
Kaguya's expression was calm as she raised her hand, a glowing ring appearing beneath her feet that froze the arrows in mid air as soon as they made contact. "Return," she commanded.
The arrows began reversing their trajectory at her decree, hurtling back toward Sasuke. Simultaneously, the roots binding Kaguya retracted, shrinking back into the earth.
"Sasuke!" Sakura cried as the arrows raced toward them.
Sasuke leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles. He shouted to Naruto, "Get me into position!"
Naruto nodded, tossing a flurry of marked kunai at Kaguya. Her green chakra orb pulsed again, and the ground around her twisted unnaturally, barriers of stone rising to block the incoming kunai.
Thinking quickly, Naruto teleported to a kunai mid-air, only to find his path obstructed by a massive spike of earth. Without hesitation, he threw another kunai directly at Kaguya, his voice ringing out. "Sasuke, now!"
Sasuke's hands flew through seals as he responded to his friend's call.
[Inferno Style: Fireball Jutsu]
He leapt upwards, exhaling a massive sphere of fire laced with the black flames of Amaterasu.
Naruto tossed another marked kunai at the fireball, and in an instant, it vanished—reappearing in the air beside Kaguya.
Kaguya sneered, her voice mocking. "A feeble effort." She raised her hand to freeze the fireball in time, her confidence unwavering.
But in a flash, Sasuke swapped places with the fireball using his Heavenly Hand technique. He landed just beside her, suspended in mid-air. Before Kaguya could react, he tossed his dark blade downward.
The blade arced through the air, landing in Sakura's waiting hands. She charged forward, dragging the blade along the ground toward Kaguya's glowing time circle.
"Take this!" Sakura roared, slashing through the circle. The ring of light shattered, fragments of energy dissipating into the air.
Kaguya's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!" she hissed, her control over time disrupted.
Naruto seized the moment, hurling a Lava Style Rasenshuriken at her. Without the barrier of her time circle, the spinning mass of molten chakra sped toward Kaguya.
Desperately, she extended her hand, beginning to absorb the jutsu. As she focused, Sasuke moved.
[Chidori]
He blurred toward her, lightning coursing through his arm as he slashed downward, severing Kaguya's arm in one clean motion.
A scream tore from Kaguya's throat as she clutched the bleeding stump. In retaliation, she summoned a massive water dragon, its jaws snapping toward Sasuke.
With his Rinnegan, Sasuke swapped the lightning in his hand for his sword. The legendary dojutsu surged with chakra as he steadied his gaze on the approaching dragon.
[Almighty Push]
Sasuke extended his arm, scattering the water dragon into a mist with a pulse of chakra.
He charged at Kaguya, his speed untraceable—if only his opponent didn't wield the Tenseigan. Kaguya's dojutsu tracked his every move in spite of his inhuman speed. At the last moment, she sidestepped his blade and grabbed him by the back of his shirt, flipping him overhead and slamming him into the ground.
Sasuke groaned, struggling to rise, but Kaguya's staff caught him under the jaw, sending him hurtling across the village.
"I got this!" Naruto roared, throwing two Tailed Beast Bomb-infused Rasenshuriken at her.
Kaguya raised her arm, her voice resonating with authority. "Heed me, creation…" A portal opened in their path, swallowing the jutsu.
Naruto's eyes darted around, searching for his Rasenshuriken. "Where the hell did she—" His instincts flared, and his gaze flicked upward as another portal opened, releasing the two Rasenshuriken directly above him.
"Damn it!" he cursed, flickering away just as the bombs detonated behind him.
"She's mine!" Sakura declared.
The ground trembled under her feet as she surged forward, each step echoing the fury in her heart. She darted at Kaguya, her muscles coiled for impact, her eyes locked onto the enemy who had taken her friend.
Kaguya sidestepped Sakura's first punch with inhuman grace, her eyes gleaming coldly. Without hesitation, she retaliated with a palm strike aimed at Sakura's chest. But Sakura was faster—leaning out of the way just in time. A quick jab flew toward Kaguya's temple, followed by a right cross aimed for her jaw. Kaguya deflected both with her own arms, her movements flawless but calculated. She assessed the searing green glow of Sakura's chakra armor and frowned internally.This... acidic chakra is troublesome. I can't risk touching her for too long.
In a fluid motion, Kaguya leaped backward, her silver orb flaring behind her as she extended her arm. I need distance.
"Silver Art: Rebirth Explosion."
A spiraling cyclone erupted from her palm, crashing into Sakura and sending her flying backward like a ragdoll, spinning uncontrollably through the air. But before she could crash to the ground, she placed her hands together.
[Sage Art: Venom Cutter]
She exhaled sharply, sending a jet of searing acid chakra streaking toward Kaguya, slicing through the air with a deadly hiss as Sakura landed on her feet. Kaguya twisted her body, narrowly dodging the attack, but her reprieve was short-lived.
"Gotcha!" Naruto roared, appearing beside her with Mugenkei—a gleaming dagger now—poised to strike.
Kaguya's reflexes saved her, dodging his first slash, but her eyes widened as another Naruto emerged—this time from beneath her, a clone utilizing the Hiding Like a Mole Technique. The clone slammed a Magnetized Rasengan into her side, locking her in place.
"You're mine!" the real Naruto bellowed, lunging forward and driving Mugenkei deep into her chest.
Blood spilled from Kaguya's mouth as her body convulsed. She felt the weapon's power tearing at her very soul, her connection to Hinata's body flickering. With a pained growl, she unleashed a pulse of chakra, blasting Naruto away.
Sasuke caught him mid-flight, his Susanoo's armored hand cradling Naruto's fall.
"Keep going, Sakura!" Sasuke barked as he released his friend.
Sakura didn't need to be told twice. She rocketed toward Kaguya, who barely had time to steady herself. The goddess, still reeling from the Rasengan, turned to face her only to meet a fist square to the jaw. The force of the punch sent shockwaves through Kaguya's body, rattling her, even reaching deep into her soul. Her vision flickered, her hold on Hinata's body slipping.
What... what is this?Kaguya's thoughts faltered as she felt control of Hinata's body slip, if only for an instant, as Sakura's blows continued to land.These attacks… they're not just hurting her.A sharp, searing pain radiated through her very essence as realization dawned.
They're hurting me!
Panic flared in her mind.Naruto's wretched weapon was bad enough, but this… this is far more dangerous. How is she doing this?Kaguya's horror deepened as she realized she could barely hold herself together. The blows weren't just disrupting her connection—they were unraveling her entirely.
"Feel that, Kaguya?!" Sakura growled, landing an uppercut that sent Kaguya staggering. "Can't even hold yourself together anymore. Feels like a bad hangover, doesn't it?" Sakura taunted as she sidestepped and delivered a fierce hook to Kaguya's ribs, causing her to clutch her side in pain.
Kaguya, growled, her gaze burning with hatred. "What have you done to me?"
Sakura grinned. "It's that good ol' senjutsu wholesomeness you like so much, and a little magic spike from Hamura. I call it anti-Kaguya chakra." She stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "Perfect for parasitic hags like you that like latching onto teenaged girls."
Kaguya aimed a palm strike at Sakura's chest, but she side- stepped it, her movements quick. Sakura seized the chance and stepped into Kaguya's guard, knocking the air out of her with a fierce hook to her stomach. "You can't absorb my chakra anymore, can you? It's poison to you." She stated, her voice low and brimming with determination.
Kaguya hissed, her expression twisting into disbelief. "Hamura… that meddlesome fool."
Sakura smirked. "He left me with a little something to deal with you. Every punch you take, every bit of contact with me—" Sakura cracked her knuckles, her acid chakra flaring. "—it breaks your hold on Hinata. So go ahead, keep underestimating me. I'll beat you down until you let her go!"
Kaguya's gaze flickered to Sakura's forehead, where the seal gleamed. She laughed darkly. "Hamura was always the brainy one. Too bad he never taught you that not everything can be solved with your fists."
With a sneer, Kaguya extended her arm, her eyes flaring with deadly intent.
"Golden Art: Rebirth Explosion!"
A brilliant golden beam erupted from her palm, screaming toward Sakura.
Sakura ducked low, the beam scorching over her head and carving through the village. Buildings disintegrated instantly, and the beam stretched far beyond the horizon, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
"Not good enough!" Sakura roared, surging forward and driving a thunderous uppercut into Kaguya's chin. The force lifted her off the ground, blood spraying in an arc.
Kaguya landed gracefully, her bare feet skimming the fractured ground as if weightless. Her cold, glowing gaze fixed on Sakura, charging from the front, while Naruto sped in from her right. She exhaled impatiently.
"Enough of this," she murmured, her voice calm and unyielding.
Throwing her arms wide, a shimmering barrier of red energy formed around her. The translucent dome expanded outward with explosive force, flinging both Naruto and Sakura back like ragdolls. Naruto tumbled through the air but managed to land on his feet, while Sakura skidded backward, her sandals scraping against the cracked earth.
Kaguya placed her palm on the trembling ground, her green chakra orb pulsing ominously. "Emerald Art: Gaia's Fury," she intoned.
The earth heaved and roared in response. Cracks spiderwebbed through the terrain, swallowing whole sections of the village as buildings toppled and debris rained down. Naruto launched himself into the air, his bright orange cloak glowing against the chaos. On the ground, Sakura crouched low, slamming her hands into the quaking earth.
[Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence]
Massive wooden tendrils erupted around her, twisting and climbing into the air to form a protective barrier. They hoisted her upward, but the strain was evident—her Wood Style couldn't rival the power of the First Hokage. The trembling nearly threw her off balance until a massive purple hand swept her up. Sasuke, encased in his Perfect Susanoo, carried her into the sky.
"Stay focused," Sasuke barked, absorbing her into his massive chakra warrior.
Sakura barely had time to thank him when Kaguya's hands shot upward. Jets of molten magma burst from the earth, fiery columns snaking toward them with terrifying speed. Sasuke banked hard to avoid one, while Naruto darted around another, weaving through the fiery barrage.
"Put the pressure on her!" Sasuke shouted to Naruto.
"Got it!" Naruto flashed a grin and formed a hand seal.
[Shadow Clone Jutsu]
Dozens of clones exploded into existence around him. Each one extended a hand, forming a Rasenshuriken. The air hummed with power as the clones infused the spinning chakra orbs with elemental energy, creating a kaleidoscope of devastating attacks.
[Tailed Beast Bomb: Rasenshuriken Barrage]
The clones hurled their attacks, a storm of deadly projectiles streaking toward Kaguya. But instead of retreating, she smiled—a slow, menacing curve of her lips. She raised her hands, and a glowing ring of light materialized around her.
The Rasenshuriken froze mid-flight as if caught in an invisible snare. Kaguya's Tenseigan pulsed, and the orbs disintegrated into harmless specks of dust, floating away on the wind.
"Seriously?!" Sakura exclaimed, her fists clenching in frustration. "It seems getting up close is the only way!" she urged.
"Easier said than done," Sasuke muttered darkly.
Sakura's eyes widened suddenly. "Sasuke, look out!"
Kaguya flew upward, a blur of motion. Sasuke swung the blade of his Susanoo with all his might, the massive weapon cleaving toward her. But Kaguya stopped it cold, her delicate hand gripping the blade as though it weighed nothing. As soon as it made contact with her skin, the sword dissolved into water, splashing harmlessly to the ground.
"Dammit!" Sasuke cursed under his breath.
"You rely too much on toys," Kaguya mocked, her voice dripping with disdain. She extended her hand toward him. "Golden Art: Rebirth Explosion."
A golden beam erupted from her palm, striking the Susanoo square in the chest. The chakra construct shattered, fragments falling away like broken glass. Sasuke and Sakura plummeted toward the ground, the wind tearing at them.
Sasuke acted quickly. Biting his thumb, he splayed his bloodied hand onto the air.
[Summoning Jutsu]
A massive hawk materialized beneath them, catching them mid-fall. The bird let out a piercing cry as it veered away from another magma jet, though the edge of the attack scorched Sasuke's leg. He gritted his teeth in pain.
Sakura immediately knelt beside him, her hands glowing green. "Hold still," she ordered. "I'll heal it."
Naruto, watching from above, saw the injury and clenched his fists. His gaze locked onto Kaguya. "I'll take it from here!" he yelled, shooting forward with a determined roar.
Kaguya looked up, her cold eyes narrowing as Naruto descended towards her. "Come, then," she whispered, her hand twirling her staff into a fighting stance.
The sharp clang of steel meeting chakra staff echoed through the air as Mugenkei clashed with Kaguya's weapon. Sparks flew in every direction, illuminating their fierce expressions as they pushed against each other, neither giving an inch.
"You're not getting away with this!" Naruto roared, his feet skidding across the ground as he forced more power into his strike.
Kaguya's icy gaze didn't waver. "Bold words from a fool," she replied, her voice cold.
With a burst of speed, Naruto flipped over her, spinning mid-air to strike again. Kaguya pivoted effortlessly, her robe flowing like water as she tracked his movement. Her Tenseigan flared, and she unleashed a jet of blue flames directly at him.
"Silver Art: Sapphire Inferno"
Naruto vanished in the blink of an eye, teleporting through the air using Flying Raijin. He reappeared right in front of her, kunai poised for another attack. But Kaguya was faster. She caught his wrist, her grip unyielding as she stared him down.
"Such a simple trick," she sneered, tightening her hold. "Did you really think this would work?"
Her free hand glowed with energy as several spears of chakra materialized around her. With a flick of her fingers, the spears shot forward, impaling Naruto in his shoulders and sides. Blood spattered the ground below as he grimaced in pain.
Kaguya's foot connected with his chest in a devastating kick, sending him hurtling backward like a ragdoll. He smashed through the side of a building, the rubble collapsing in a cloud of dust and debris.
"Don't forget about me!" Sakura shouted as she leapt from above, fists surging with chakra, but Kaguya caught her punch mid-air with an open palm coated in solidified chakra.
"You think you're worth remembering?" Kaguya mocked, her expression unreadable as she sent a current of electricity coursing through Sakura's body. Sakura screamed as the energy tore through her, every nerve alight with searing pain. Kaguya fixed the medic with a cruel glare. "You are but a fleeting whisper in the storm of eternity—unworthy of memory, and destined to be forgotten the moment you fall..."
Kaguya slammed her into the ground with ruthless efficiency, her violet chakra orb reforming around Sakura's neck like a noose.
"... like the insignificant worm you are," she sneered.
With a flick of her wrist, Kaguya hoisted Sakura off the ground, her feet dangling helplessly.
"You've failed your friends, your village," Kaguya said, her voice dripping with venom. "You're weak. You've always been weak. And this time…" She leaned in close, her smirk cutting like a blade. "This time, I'll make sure you're gone for good. Forgotten in the waste heap of history like others before you foolish enough to challenge the divine will."
Kaguya's Tenseigan pulsed with otherworldly power as she forced Sakura's soul to access the afterlife. Sakura's body stiffened as waves of unimaginable agony coursed through her. The pain and sorrow of countless souls who had perished filled her mind, drowning her in a storm of despair. Her face grew pale, her body trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gasped for breath.
"Sakura!" Sasuke's voice cut through the chaos, filled with urgency. He blurred forward, his dark katana drawn, his eyes blazing with determination.
Kaguya's eyes darted toward him, her lips curling in irritation. She cursed under her breath. That sword could not be ignored. Yet if she turned her attention to him, she would lose her chance to finish off Sakura.
With a sigh of resignation, she flung Sakura aside like a discarded doll. She spun just in time to dodge Sasuke's blade, the weapon slicing through the air mere inches from her throat.
Kaguya countered with a swing of her staff, the blow connecting with Sasuke's ribs with a sickening crack. He was launched backward, tumbling across the ground.
Extending her arm, Kaguya's five chakra orbs shimmered and turned silver, their glow intensifying. "You have no place here," she declared, her voice resonating like thunder.
She raised her hand high. "Silver Wheel: Ice Age."
The silver orbs dropped to the ground, and the moment they touched, an unstoppable wave of ice surged outward. The frost spread like a living thing, consuming everything in its path. Buildings, streets, and trees were swallowed in the blink of an eye, the entire village encased in a crystalline prison of ice.
The scene was hauntingly beautiful yet apocalyptic, the frozen landscape glinting under the faint moonlight. Kaguya surveyed her handiwork, her expression calm, yet her senses sharp—Team 7 had disappeared from view.
Her Tenseigan flared again as she detected a distortion behind her. A dark portal rippled open, and Sasuke emerged, his sword aimed directly for her throat. She twisted her body to evade the blade, her face darkening with frustration.
"Not this time," she hissed, thrusting her hand toward the portal. "Heed me, time, and return."
The portal began to collapse in on itself, rewinding into nothingness under her power. But Sasuke acted fast, his mind working in overdrive. He summoned two shuriken from his wrist scroll, his Rinnegan glowing with fierce intensity.
In an instant, the shuriken swapped places with Naruto and a visibly shaken Sakura, pulling them through the portal just before it closed entirely. The trio landed together, bruised but standing strong.
Naruto stepped forward, his fists clenched, determination blazing in his eyes. "This ends now, Kaguya."
Sasuke raised his sword, his glare cold and unyielding. "No more running."
Sakura cracked her knuckles, her fierce resolve shining through despite the pain she had endured. "We're taking you down. Together."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she steadied her staff. "Foolish children," she muttered. "Come, then. Let me show you the futility of your hope."
Simultaneously, Naruto and Sakura charged, engaging Kaguya together. While the goddess was occupied Sasuke appeared behind her in a blur. His blade glinted as it cut through the five chakra orbs floating at her back. Kaguya gasped as she felt the severing of her chakra network.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "This ends now."
With a precise leap, he slammed a back kick into her jaw, sending her staggering toward Sakura.
"She's yours, Sakura!"
Sakura didn't hesitate. She pounded Kaguya with a brutal combination of punches, each strike chipping away at her hold on Hinata's body. Desperation surged through Kaguya as she raised her arms to block, but Sakura slipped beneath her guard with ease, a blur of precision and power.
A wet gasp escaped Kaguya's lips, a spray of spit following as Sakura's fists slammed into her stomach. Each strike weakened her grip, loosening the delicate threads that bound her to her vessel.
Kaguya's vision blurred as Sakura followed up with a series of brutal hooks, each one snapping her head to the side. Pain blossomed with every hit, the sensations foreign and overwhelming. How? she thought, her mind struggling to keep up with the onslaught. What did my sons do to these children?
Before Kaguya could regain her footing, a fierce left cross smashed into her jaw, sending her reeling backward. Her feet stumbled against the broken ground of Konoha, the once-proud goddess now reduced to a staggering figure in the ruins of the frozen battlefield. Every fibre of her being screamed in protest, but her body—Hinata's body—would not respond.
Naruto reappeared, his weapon now shaped into a spear. He drove it into Kaguya's chest again, pinning her in place. As she screamed in defiance, Naruto's hand glowed with a swirling mass of icy chakra. Snowflakes coalesced around him as he muttered, "You're done."
[Ice Style: Massive Rasengan]
The attack slammed into Kaguya, sending her flying through the air and crashing into a distant building. The ground iced over in her wake, and even more icicles formed on the wreckage as the Rasengan detonated in an explosion of cold energy.
Naruto panted, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Sasuke… now!"
Sasuke nodded, raising his arm toward the heavens. Dark clouds swirled above, and the air vibrated with static. His voice was low and commanding as his eyes gleamed.
"With the thunderclap… begone."
He brought his arm down, and the storm answered.
A deafening roar shattered the night as five massive dragons of lightning spiraled down from the heavens. Their forms writhed with raw, destructive energy, crackling as they coiled in on their target: the icy ruin where Kaguya had crashed. The air itself seemed to ripple under the sheer power of Kirin's descent, the dragons' brilliant arcs casting long, jagged shadows across the village.
Naruto shielded his eyes against the blinding light, his hair whipping wildly in the storm's furious winds. "Damn, Sasuke!" he muttered, a mix of awe and worry etched across his face.
"Can't be too sure," Sasuke replied coolly.
Naruto shielded his eyes from the light, a small grin forming. "Think that's enough?"
"She could use a few more lightning dragons in my opinion," Sakura said with a slight shrug.
Sasuke stood silently, his gaze locked on the smoldering crater where the lightning struck. The air crackled with residual energy, but Kaguya's fate remained unseen.
"Maybe we should head over," Naruto began. "I think she's—"
A pulse of energy suddenly exploded from the crater, sending debris flying in every direction. Sakura raised her hands, conjuring a shield of wood to protect them from the incoming barrage.
Amid the swirling dust and falling rubble, Kaguya emerged, her expression twisted with fury. Her once-pristine form was bloodied and scorched, her Akatsuki robe torn to shreds. Her breathing was labored, her shoulders heaving as she clutched at her wounded chest. Yet her severed arm had fully regenerated due to her manipulation of time, and a wicked frown stretched across her face.
"Oh, she's pissed," Naruto muttered.
With a smug grin, Sakura taunted, "What's the matter? No longer running your 'cool and collected' gimmick?"
Kaguya's growl rumbled across the battlefield. "You dare mock me, child?!"
She formed a hand seal, and the air began to grow heavy with chakra. Far behind them, the Ten Tails, which had lain dormant throughout the battle, suddenly opened its eyes.
As Kaguya murmured in an ancient language, the monstrous beast began to dissolve, its chakra flowing into her.
Sasuke's face paled. "She's absorbing the Ten Tails…"
Naruto gasped, watching as Hinata's body transformed. Her once-dark hair turned a pure, luminous white. Her Akatsuki cloak faded, becoming pristine white robes. A chakra staff materialized in her hand, and her eyes burned with power.
Kaguya smiled at them, her voice eerily calm. "You have pushed me further than I've been pushed since my own sons turned against me. You should be honored."
Her Tenseigan blazed with newfound intensity as she surveyed them in the distance. "Descendants of Hagoromo's offspring… You carry the same defiance, the same resolve." She twirled her staff lazily, beckoning them forward.
"Come then. Live up to his name, young ones."
Naruto clenched his fists, glaring up at his girlfriend's possessed body in the sky. This battle was far from over.