Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

"I can't move anymore…"

Naruto struggled in Kaguya's grip, desperately trying to break free, but his body refused to respond.

"Hehehe, before that guy chases us here, let Mother reclaim your strength," Black Zetsu chuckled as it emerged from Kaguya's long sleeves, its sinister orange eyes gleaming.

Naruto finally noticed their surroundings had changed once again.

The infinite red desert stretched endlessly under a light green sky. The temperature was eerily mild, unlike the harsh environments of the previous spaces. Kaguya had transported them to another dimension—and this time, Kirito had not followed.

Kaguya's Regret

"If there had been no betrayal, things would never have come to this," Kaguya thought bitterly, feeling the familiar chakra of Hagoromo and Hamura coursing through Naruto and Sasuke.

As she continued absorbing their energy, her mind flashed to memories of her sons. If they hadn't deprived her of her power, she wouldn't be in such a precarious position.

While Naruto and Sasuke racked their brains for a way to escape, a tiny seed slipped unnoticed from Naruto's collar.

With Kaguya and Black Zetsu watching curiously, the seed landed on the soft sand and immediately began to sprout.

Crack!

In an instant, the seed germinated, growing into a sturdy sapling. The green leaves shimmered with vitality, defying the desolation of the Core Dimension.

An Ominous Sign

"Could it be…" Black Zetsu's face twisted in alarm, sensing something amiss.

A faint hum filled the air as Kaguya activated her Byakugan out of caution. Her eyes widened as she spotted a dark rift tearing open behind her.

"Yomotsu Hirasaka!"

"It's him! That guy left a marker on them!" Black Zetsu snarled. "Mother, we must deal with him here! If this place is compromised, no matter where we jump, he'll find us!"

"But…" Kaguya hesitated, glaring at Naruto and Sasuke in her grasp.

If she continued absorbing their chakra, Kirito would surely interfere. But giving up her prey so easily stung her pride.

Kirito's Arrival

The rift widened, and Kaguya made her decision. She flung Naruto and Sasuke toward the gap with a frustrated snarl.

Kirito, emerging from the portal, immediately halted his advance to catch the two of them. His attack was interrupted, giving Kaguya enough time to retreat and put distance between them.

"Thanks again, Kirito," Naruto said sheepishly, his voice tinged with guilt.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke added, his tone laced with disappointment. "The plan failed because of me."

Naruto waved him off with a smile. "It's fine! We'll just look for another chance!"

Kirito set them down and replied, "No, I should be thanking you. If Kaguya hadn't sent you here, I wouldn't have been able to locate this space."

The Core Dimension Awakens

"Mother, absorb as much power as possible! This is our best chance!" Black Zetsu urged.

The Core Dimension was Kaguya's central domain. All chakra collected through Infinite Tsukuyomi converged here, waiting to be absorbed.

Understanding the stakes, Kaguya wasted no time. She invoked her authority, summoning a torrent of chakra to flow into her body.

The ground began to tremble, cracks forming as dense streams of pure energy erupted and surged toward her.

Kirito Takes Charge

"You two stay back for now. I'll handle the rest of this battle."

Kirito stepped forward, leaving Naruto and Sasuke behind. The trembling ground did nothing to shake his steady stride.

"If I hadn't come to this space, I wouldn't be able to stop you from absorbing all that chakra. This ends here."

Kirito reached up, removing the small leopard perched on his head. With a casual toss, he sent it flying behind him.

Boom!

The small leopard transformed mid-air, its body expanding rapidly. In moments, it had grown to the size of the Ten Tails, landing heavily on the ground.

The massive creature's round form gave it an almost comical appearance, but the cracks radiating beneath its weight and the glowing Samsara Sharingan on its forehead told a different story.

"Roar!"

The creature let out a thunderous roar, its ten thick tails swaying ominously.

Reactions of Shock

"Wait… is that… the Ten Tails?!" Naruto stammered, pointing at the massive beast.

His jaw dropped as recognition dawned. Though the creature looked different, its form was unmistakable.

Sasuke's gaze hardened, memories of Kirito carrying the small leopard as a child flashing through his mind.

He had the Ten Tails this whole time? Right under our noses in Konoha? The thought sent a chill down Sasuke's spine.

Even Kaguya and Black Zetsu were visibly shaken.

"Mother, that's…" Black Zetsu's voice faltered as it recognized the creature. It recalled watching Kirito's fight with the Gedo Statue from afar but had failed to connect the dots.

Kaguya's frown deepened. The creature before her was not only a fully matured Ten Tails but one with the Samsara Sharingan on its forehead.

The Tide Turns

"No matter what happens, I can't lose here!" Kaguya snarled.

Fueled by desperation, she accelerated her chakra absorption. The ground quaked violently as even more energy erupted and poured into her body.

"Now!" Kirito commanded telepathically.

"Roar!"

In response, the Ten Tails dug its massive claws into the earth. Its ten tails spread out, piercing the fractured ground like roots.

From these roots, countless thinner tendrils branched out, covering the battlefield with astonishing speed.

The once-unstoppable chakra streams slowed to a trickle before halting entirely. The Ten Tails' tails locked the energy underground, cutting off Kaguya's lifeline.

Kaguya's Desperation

"This is bad, Mother!" Black Zetsu warned, panic creeping into its voice.

Kaguya's face twisted in fury as she realized she was losing control of the Core Dimension. Without the chakra flowing into her, her power weakened further, leaving her vulnerable.

Her body, already imperfect from the rushed resurrection, began to swell uncontrollably. The cracks in her composure widened, an ominous energy building within her.

"Mother?" Black Zetsu called hesitantly.

"Roar!"

With a deafening cry, Kaguya's body transformed. Her snow-white form expanded, reshaping into a monstrous figure with long ears and ten white tails whipping behind her.

(End of Chapter)