Inoshiki escaped.
After barely breaking free from Naruto and Urashiki, Inoshiki hid himself on a desolate, lifeless planet. At this moment, he did not dare return to the Ōtsutsuki clan land.
The mission had failed completely.
All the members of the pursuit team were dead. Worse still, during the battle, he had personally killed fellow clan members and refined them to recover his strength. If he returned now, there would be no trial, no explanation—he would be dragged directly to the God Tree and offered as a sacrifice.
As a member of the main family, Inoshiki could not accept such an ending.
"Damn it!!!"
With a furious roar, Inoshiki punched the mountain beside him.
BOOM!
The entire mountain collapsed, reduced to rubble under his fist.
He stood there panting heavily, veins bulging on his forehead, trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart. After a long while, Inoshiki slowly calmed down.
"At this point… I can only run."
His eyes flickered with cold calculation.
"It seems I'll have to become someone like Kaguya."
When he muttered that name, his eyes lit up slightly.
"Kaguya… yes, Kaguya…"
If he could find a planet with living beings and hide himself properly, then as long as the Ōtsutsuki clan was busy hunting that low-level creature and Urashiki, no one would have the time to look for him.
At the very least, he wouldn't die.
Thinking this through, Inoshiki took a deep breath. He then placed his personal locator on this barren planet, deliberately leaving behind a false trail.
After that, his figure flashed.
He flew straight toward the depths of the universe, vanishing into the endless starry sea.
For now, hiding was his only way to survive.
Elsewhere.
After Naruto and Urashiki finished refining the chakra fruits and bloodline power, they chased Inoshiki's trail for some time. In the end, they arrived only at an empty, deserted planet.
Urashiki picked up the locator lying on the ground and frowned slightly.
"He should've escaped on his own," Urashiki said calmly. "He deliberately left this locator here to mislead the clan and lure their pursuers."
Naruto snorted coldly.
"He's quite clever."
Urashiki casually tossed the locator together with the others they had collected, leaving them all behind on this planet.
"This will be enough for the Ōtsutsuki clan to waste their time searching," he said with a faint smile.
Naruto nodded.
"Let's go."
The two figures rose into the sky and left the planet directly, disappearing into the vast universe.
Ōtsutsuki Clan Land.
Temple of the Gods.
"Waste!!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the sacred hall.
The God of the Ōtsutsuki was furious.
The pursuit team of nine had been completely wiped out, and even the captain, Ōtsutsuki Inoshiki, was now missing.
Below the divine throne, Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki, Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki, Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki, and Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki were all kneeling on one knee, heads lowered.
"Please forgive us, Great God!"
The shadowy figure of the God of the Ōtsutsuki looked down at Hitoshiki coldly.
"Hitoshiki," the God said slowly, "you are truly a competent head of the clan."
The sarcasm in his voice made the atmosphere even heavier.
Hitoshiki clenched his fist against his chest and spoke devoutly.
"This is my fault. I will immediately arrange another pursuit team."
"What arrangement?!" the God roared. "Go and kill that low-level creature again?!"
The God's anger shook the entire Ōtsutsuki planet.
The Ōtsutsuki clan had not suffered losses for thousands of years. Yet ever since Kaguya had descended upon that planet, everything had begun to spiral out of control.
Momoshiki.
Kinshiki.
Tenshiki.
Chishiki.
And now… almost an entire pursuit team.
This made even the God uneasy.
Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki remained silent, kneeling calmly.
Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki hesitated, wanting to speak, but before he could, the God's gaze shifted toward him.
"Hoshiki," the God said coldly, "why have the chakra fruits not been collected yet?"
Hoshiki bowed hurriedly.
"To answer the Great God, because of that low-level creature and the traitor Urashiki, several guardians were killed, and their chakra fruits were intercepted."
The moment those words fell, the God's fury exploded.
"DAMN IT!!!"
The divine roar reverberated across the entire clan land.
"Tsukishiki!"
Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki immediately responded.
"Great God, I am here."
The God's voice became lower, heavier.
"A long time ago, I had a dream. In that dream, someone fought me, and the battle was evenly matched."
The kneeling elders were shocked.
"A dream of the God… was almost the same as a prophecy."
"Now," the God continued, "that low-level creature and the traitor Urashiki have caused my heart to stir. Perhaps… they are the figures from my dream."
The hall fell deathly silent.
"For the sake of caution," the God said slowly, "and to erase this nightmare, Hitoshiki—this time, you will personally lead the team. Make sure they are brought back."
Tsukishiki's lips curved into a faint smile.
Tatsushiki raised his head in alarm.
"Great God, no! Hitoshiki is the head of the clan. Leaving the clan land violates the ancestral system!"
"Hush," Hitoshiki said calmly. "Do not be disrespectful. We obey the will of the Great God in all matters."
The God snorted.
"With my authorization, it is within the system. This mission carries great responsibility. Those two must be captured."
Hitoshiki spoke solemnly.
"I obey the Great God's command."
"While you are gone," the God continued, "Tsukishiki will temporarily manage the clan."
Tsukishiki bowed.
"I obey."
The shadow of the God slowly dissipated.
"Enough. I am tired. Dismissed."
The divine presence vanished.
Tsukishiki stood up, tilting his head slightly, a faint smile lingering on his face.
Tatsushiki moved to help Hitoshiki up, but Tsukishiki waved him off.
"No need."
Tsukishiki glanced at Hitoshiki and smiled.
"This time, Head of the Clan, you'll truly be sharing the Great God's burden."
Hitoshiki stood up calmly.
"Tatsushiki, you will accompany me."
Tatsushiki was startled.
"Head, take me with you?"
"No," Hitoshiki replied coldly. "You stay behind and guard the clan land. Enforce the rules strictly. Anyone who disobeys will be dragged to the God Tree as nourishment."
Hoshiki panicked.
"Head, the Great God asked you to go. I still need to oversee chakra fruit production—"
Hitoshiki turned his gaze icy.
"The Great God ordered me to lead the team. You are now part of that team. Do you object?"
Hoshiki's face stiffened.
He instinctively looked at Tsukishiki, but Tsukishiki's expression remained indifferent.
"It's settled," Hitoshiki said coldly. "Gather at the Clan Hall tomorrow."
With that, Hitoshiki left.
Tatsushiki followed behind him.
Once they were gone, Hoshiki rushed toward Tsukishiki anxiously.
"Great Elder, you must help me. I can't go!"
Tsukishiki smiled gently.
"There's nothing to worry about. The head of the clan is leading personally. Just follow behind and conserve your strength."
With those words, Tsukishiki turned and left.
Hoshiki stood there, his heart pounding.
If he went out, he would definitely be used as a vanguard.
The next day.
In front of the Clan Hall.
Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki stood at the top of the steps, overlooking the gathered clan members.
This time, he personally led the team and selected one elder—Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki.
In addition, five elite Ōtsutsuki accompanied them.
These five were all ranked within the top twenty of the clan.
They were:
Third-ranked: Ōtsutsuki Zanshiki
Eighth-ranked: Ōtsutsuki Shashiki
Twelfth-ranked: Ōtsutsuki Benshiki
Eighteenth-ranked: Ōtsutsuki Leishiki
Twentieth-ranked: Ōtsutsuki Mitsushiki
Inoshiki, who had once ranked sixteenth, was no longer present.
Hitoshiki looked down and spoke loudly.
"Today, under the command of the Great God of the Ōtsutsuki, I will personally lead this team to capture the traitor Urashiki and that low-level creature, and avenge our fallen clansmen!"
A deafening roar erupted from below.
"Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"
Outside the hall, countless clan members whispered among themselves.
The head of the Ōtsutsuki clan had not left the clan land for thousands of years. Yet now, he was personally leading an expedition.
This clearly violated ancestral tradition.
But since it was under the Great God's direct order, no one dared voice dissent.
Hitoshiki turned to Tsukishiki.
"While I'm gone, discuss clan affairs with the elders."
Tsukishiki smiled faintly.
"I wish the head of the clan a triumphant return."
Hitoshiki snorted coldly.
"Let's go!"
With a flash, he soared into the sky.
Hoshiki followed with a heavy sigh, along with the five elite Ōtsutsuki.
Above the heavens, seven streaks of light tore through the sky, rushing into the vast universe.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon