Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

The terrifying meteorite loomed in the sky, blocking out the sun. Even as it hung silently in the air, it was enough to make people subconsciously hold their breath.

Although this was not the first time they had faced such a desperate situation, when the shinobi of the Ninja Alliance saw the meteorite slowly descending toward their position, they couldn't help but feel numb.

It wasn't the kind of numbness that overcame fear but the kind that made one resign to fate, choosing to stand quietly and await the inevitable rather than attempt to avoid disaster.

Still, even in such dire circumstances, many continued to fight tirelessly for victory.

"Are there any medical-nin still capable of fighting? I need someone to come with me to the front and bring back the Five Kage," Darui said urgently as he approached Sakura, who was kneeling on the ground, panting heavily. She was the only medical-nin nearby.

Kakashi, standing next to Sakura, covered his Sharingan with his forehead protector and replied wearily, "Don't worry. Someone has already gone to treat the Five Kage. We just need to wait here for news of their recovery."

"Who? Are they also a medical-nin?" Darui asked incredulously.

Given the ferocity of the battle ahead, it was hard to believe anyone would volunteer to head into such chaos, let alone go alone.

"Most of the medical-nin exhausted themselves treating the severely injured earlier," Sakura said, exhaling heavily. "Right now, all we can do is trust him."

Sakura looked ahead. At the furthest point of her gaze, a blond boy approached the fallen Five Kage, who lay beneath a thick tangle of vines.

Everyone looked battered, their torn clothing stained with blood. On each of their shoulders rested a small white slug, slowly healing their injuries as they lay unconscious.

The blond boy knelt beside Tsunade, his right hand gently resting on her forehead. A glowing white circular mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead in the next instant.

Chakra, rich with vitality, began flowing from the mark, restoring Tsunade's frail, chakra-depleted body.

Feeling the familiar energy coursing through her, Tsunade opened her eyes weakly. Through her blurred vision, she saw the figure before her and murmured, "You..."

"Leave it to me, Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto said confidently.

"Yes..." Tsunade closed her eyes, relief washing over her as she focused on her gradually healing body.

After ensuring the Five Kage were stable, Naruto turned his attention to a black-haired boy lying quietly nearby. He knelt and pressed a hand against the wound on the boy's back. Moments later, the boy's fingers twitched faintly.

"Get up!" Naruto commanded bluntly.

"Hmm..." Sasuke groaned, disoriented, but managed to push himself off the cold ground. He staggered to his feet and muttered, "I owe you one, Naruto."

"Hmph! If the Sage of Six Paths hadn't said we needed your help, I wouldn't have saved you!" Naruto huffed, crossing his arms.

"So, it's true after all..." Sasuke lowered his hand from his face, revealing a purple Rinnegan with six tomoe in his eye socket.

In his enhanced vision, Sasuke saw Naruto's eyes change—his pupils merging into a "cross" pattern, a combination of the toad's horizontal pupils and the Nine Tails' vertical pupils.

The whistling sound of the descending meteorites drew their attention skyward.

"The priority now is stopping these meteorites. If we don't, the Ninja Alliance will be in grave danger," Naruto said, his eyes fixed on the falling debris.

Naruto kept a wary eye on Sasuke. If Sasuke made any sudden moves to attack their comrades, Naruto was prepared to stop him, even if it meant failing to thwart Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi—or facing Otsutsuki Kaguya, as warned by the Sage of Six Paths.

Sensing Naruto's apprehension, Sasuke reassured him, "Relax. I want to stop Madara's plan too. I have no intention of attacking the village or the Ninja Alliance."

Naruto's expression remained stoic, but he felt a surge of relief. He truly didn't want to fight Sasuke if it could be avoided.

With a swift motion, Sasuke summoned his Susano'o. The armored warrior, wielding dual swords, enveloped them in a protective shell. The construct spread its wings and soared into the sky to intercept the meteorites.

Swish! With every swing of its swords, a meteorite was split cleanly in two.

Thanks to their combined efforts, Naruto and Sasuke cleared the sky of all the meteorites threatening the Ninja Alliance. The long-silent shinobi forces erupted into cheers.

As the Susano'o dispelled the meteorites, it turned and soared toward Madara, who hovered in mid-air.

"This is... how do they both possess the power of the Six Paths?" Madara mused aloud, his curiosity piqued.

His surprise deepened when he noticed Sasuke, whom he had personally killed, not only alive but wielding the Rinnegan. Both young men now bore powers he knew intimately.

But Madara's astonishment quickly gave way to a smile. "It doesn't matter. You're too late! Hahahaha!"

He turned toward the blood-red moon and raised his hand, forming a seal. The scar on his forehead slowly opened, revealing the blood-red Rinne Sharingan hidden within.

Sasuke's expression turned grim. Without hesitation, he maneuvered the Susano'o to fly back toward the Ninja Alliance.

"Sasuke! What are you doing? Throw me over there!" Naruto shouted in frustration.

"It's too late, Naruto. And there's something extremely powerful protecting him—you can sense it too," Sasuke replied.

Naruto stayed silent. Though he couldn't see them, he could feel multiple powerful auras surrounding Madara.

"We need to prepare for the next battle," Sasuke said firmly.

Under the ominous glow of the blood-red moon, Madara completed his seal and began to chant. "According to the tablet's prophecy, when the Rinnegan wielder approaches the moon, the Eye of the Moon will open, fulfilling the dream of infinite peace."

"Shine upon the world—Infinite Tsukuyomi!"

(End of Chapter)