The battle erupted within Haseo's consciousness space.
In truth, in Haseo's mind, Kaguya Otsutsuki had always ranked below Madara transformed by the Six Paths Sage or Hashirama regarding threat level... Even though Kaguya was incredibly powerful, she'd never faced an opponent strong enough to truly challenge her abilities. Her lack of real combat experience was her weakness—her entire life only included those fights with her two sons, and even then, she didn't come out on top.
That's why Haseo actually felt pretty confident going into this fight… Taking on two enemies at once? He was already halfway there to winning.
Haseo used to favor straightforward brute-force tactics, but during their last battle he switched to strategy, pulling off a double-dealing scheme without getting himself killed while constantly creating situations where he had the upper hand two-on-one. You could even say his brainpower stayed top-notch.
The details of the actual fighting didn't matter anymore; now Haseo focused solely on results—because failure was something he couldn't afford.
The battle inside the consciousness realm grew intense, its tremors exceeding Haseo's endurance limits—it was all he could do just to barely keep going.
The First Hokage's consciousness was like water without a source—drying up fast as the fight went on. Soon, it simply wouldn't be able to persist much longer.
Kaguya wasn't in good shape either. Within this consciousness domain, she suffered under "area suppression," unable to display her full strength—this fight was turning out extremely frustrating indeed.
Still, that didn't mean all hope was lost. After finally being reborn, giving up so easily would dishonor Black Zetsu's efforts throughout all these years, wouldn't it?
Yet just as Kaguya was about to break free from the seal, a sudden emptiness swept over her, leaving her instantly weak—her aura visibly fading before everyone's eyes.
"What exactly... is happening?"
"You didn't really think I'd been stuck here the whole time just entertaining you during this fight, did you? Remember—the consciousness seal is your prison, binding you tightly. As its jailer, although trapped myself too, surely you don't imagine I don't have the key for coming and going?"
Haseo said, finally flashing a brilliant smile across his face.
That's right—his actions within the consciousness realm matched movements occurring simultaneously outside it... While clashing in this mental world, he also manipulated Kaguya's physical body through precise internal adjustments.
Since his chakra previously supported Black Zetsu, naturally Haseo left behind hidden exits for recovery—the extra strength gained became an overwhelming battlefield advantage.
Firstly, Haseo tossed aside the powerless Black Zetsu—he had no time to deal with him at the moment. Immediately afterward, he began absorbing Kaguya's strength, preparing to seal the Ten-Tails.
He summoned forth the Shinigami that had finally fused back with him, preparing to use it as the vessel to contain the Ten-Tails.
Kaguya could clearly feel her own power fading rapidly—but no matter how desperately she struggled, only greater weakness followed. Ultimately, her consciousness became sealed deep within Haseo's consciousness space.
Outside, Kaguya Otsutsuki gradually faded away, and Hashirama Senju's body was restored piece by piece.
Meanwhile, Haseo's chakra grew increasingly stronger. Strictly speaking, he had not become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, but he had already obtained the Ten-Tails' power—the Ten-Tails was sealed within the 'Shinigami,' and the 'Shinigami' had temporarily sealed itself onto Haseo.
Moreover, to be precise, what Haseo stole wasn't the Ten-Tails' power, but Kaguya's power. Therefore, instead of entering Six Paths Mode, he had now transformed into a Kaguya-like being.
Inside his Consciousness Space, Hashirama sat on a pile of ruins, panting heavily.
"As for Haseo Niyu... Is it over?"
"Yes. I've stolen the Ten-Tails' power... Not through a decisive battle, true, and it may seem underhanded, but there's no denying—it's very 'ninja.' Isn't that what a ninja does? Get the job done by any means necessary?"
"Well said, though it sounds strange coming from you... But never mind. At least the outcome's good. What now?"
"I'm sorry, Lord Hashirama, but I can't let your consciousness return to your body. Even if it did, there'd be no point—you've lost the Ten-Tails and your spirit has grown incredibly weak... What's the point in catching a few more breaths?"
"..."
"As for the Ninjutsu World... I won't eradicate the ninja system as you suggested. I'll resolve the world's conflicts my own way."
"I see… Just don't push it too far, okay? And don't forget what you promised about Haseo Niyu."
"About Haseo Niyu."
"Oh right, Haseo Niyu. I remember."
"...Right, I believe you so much."
Hashirama cursed with laughter, and his consciousness gradually dissipated.
Haseo's spirit completely returned to his own body.
"It looks like I need to act fast. I can't suppress such powerful energy for long." Thinking this, his hands kept moving as he grabbed Black Zetsu.
"Black Zetsu, trying to run away? Your mother's not dead—she's just temporarily sealed by me."
Like Kaguya, Black Zetsu was nearly impossible to kill, so Haseo decided to keep him temporarily under control.
"Anyway, let's try reaching that place first. Without making it there, everything else is just talk."
After stealing Kaguya's power, Haseo wanted to learn only one technique—Kekkei Mora.
Space behind him began to distort. Soon afterward, a pitch-black spatial passage appeared:
[Otsutsuki Teleportation]
In an instant, Haseo's figure vanished and reappeared in a completely unfamiliar location. Following that, came another vast expanse of magma:
[Amenominaka]
"Just as I thought. Everything's fallen into place perfectly."
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