Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

"I already gave you a chance."

Clang!

The massive blade wielded by Sasuke's Susanoo halted mid-swing, colliding with an invisible force. It was as if it struck an unyielding barrier, then bounced back inexplicably.

Madara, standing unfazed, gazed at Sasuke with his newly restored right eye.

"Let's dance," he said with a smirk.

"What?!"

Sasuke shuddered as an unsettling chill ran down his spine.

Boom!

Without warning, Susanoo's massive body arched backward as if struck by an unseen force.

Before Sasuke could process what had happened, an even stronger blow smashed into the back of Susanoo's head, slamming it into the ground with devastating force.

Crack!

The once-mighty full-body Susanoo began to fracture, cracks spreading rapidly across its surface.

"Humans always yearn for peace while simultaneously seeking war. They are inherently contradictory creatures," Madara said calmly as he approached the fallen Susanoo. "Hashirama created a world steeped in these contradictions."

The Destruction of Susanoo

"What's going on?" Sasuke muttered, his voice tense. As Madara approached, Sasuke activated the ability in his right eye.

"Amaterasu!"

Black flames erupted on Madara's figure, but they were blocked by the outstretched arm of his Susanoo, leaving him unharmed.

Boom!

Another invisible blow struck, completely shattering Susanoo's protective armor. Sasuke, realizing the battle was slipping beyond his control, attempted to retreat.

But his body refused to move. It was as if an unseen force had locked him in place.

"Outside of a perfect world, people must sacrifice what they hold most dear to protect what they desire," Madara continued, his voice calm yet piercing. "A friend, a brother, even their own children..."

In a flash, Madara was upon him. He casually drew Sasuke's Kusanagi sword from its sheath and pointed it at Sasuke's chest. Without hesitation, he drove the blade through him.

"Ugh!"

Sasuke coughed up blood, his chest burning with pain as crimson spread across his clothing.

"Only the Infinite Tsukuyomi can save this world. I gave you a chance to understand, but you chose to stand in my way."

Madara yanked the sword out, letting it fall to the ground. Without sparing Sasuke another glance, he walked away.

Boom!

Sasuke collapsed, his body drained of strength. Blood pooled around him as his consciousness faded.

"I can't die here," Sasuke thought desperately. "I still have... so much to do..."

Memories of his brother Itachi and the burdens he had entrusted to Sasuke flickered in his mind. Despite his determination, his eyes slowly closed.

Madara's Next Move

"Black Zetsu, bring me Obito's left eye," Madara ordered as he turned toward the fallen figure of Obito.

But instead of complying, Black Zetsu hesitated, his gaze fixed on Kirito, who remained focused on suppressing the Ten Tails.

"Madara, something isn't right," Black Zetsu said cautiously. "Kirito hasn't intervened at all, despite having the strength to stop this. He's watching everything unfold."

"Oh?" Madara raised an eyebrow. "It doesn't matter. Against the power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, his actions—or lack thereof—are irrelevant."

Madara approached Obito, his tone indifferent. "No matter. You've fulfilled your purpose."

Placing Obito's Rinnegan into his left eye socket, Madara's vision sharpened. A triumphant smile spread across his face as he felt his power swell.

"Hahaha! Everything is proceeding perfectly. I will be the ultimate victor."

Raising his hands, Madara performed a seal. "Summoning Jutsu!"

The Rise of the Ten Tails Jinchuriki

With a thunderous boom, the Ten Tails vanished from beneath Kirito's Tori Gate and reappeared behind Madara.

In a fluid motion, Madara formed the "Si" seal, drawing the Ten Tails into his body.

"Six Paths: Ten Tails Coffin Seal!"

The massive beast dissolved into chakra, merging with Madara. As his transformation began, Kirito turned around, his expression calm.

"Everything is proceeding as it should," Kirito muttered to himself. "I won't need Sasuke after all."

Madara's hair turned stark white, his body adorned with a white robe emblazoned with the Rinnegan's tomoe pattern. His limbs darkened, as if clad in black gloves, and long horns resembling a crown grew from his forehead. Behind him, nine Truth-Seeking Orbs floated ominously, and in his hand, he held a staff akin to that of the Sage of the Six Paths.

"Is this... the power of the Sage of the Six Paths?" Madara mused, his voice filled with awe.

He turned his gaze to Kirito, his excitement palpable. "Let's see how powerful I've become. You'll be the first to test this strength."

Limbo: Border Jail

In an instant, Madara appeared before Kirito, swinging his staff toward his head.

Kirito reacted swiftly, grabbing Madara's elbow with one hand and forcing him back.

"As expected of you," Madara said with a grin. "You can still keep up with my speed."

Kirito didn't respond. Instead, he leapt into the air, delivering a powerful kick to Madara's chest before flipping away to create distance.

"Do you think you can escape?"

Madara smirked, but he didn't attack directly. Instead, an unseen force lashed out at Kirito, striking him with invisible blows.

Boom!

Kirito's arm blocked an apparent strike, though there was nothing visible in the air. In the next instant, Kirito parried yet another invisible assault.

Madara's Limbo: Border Jail, a Rinnegan technique, had conjured clones in an alternate dimension. These clones could attack and defend, invisible to nearly everyone.

"He's countering them?"

Madara's amusement turned to suspicion as he watched Kirito deflect the unseen attacks with precision.

"He can see them?" Madara muttered, his confidence shaken for the first time.

End of Chapter