That bone-deep fear drove Ōtsutsuki Urashiki into a frenzy—he desperately struggled, trying to escape the overwhelming force binding him.
But no matter how hard he tried, his body didn't budge an inch. It was as if an invisible mountain had pinned him down.
His face turned red, his breathing grew rapid, but it was all in vain.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Hikaru wasn't paying much attention to Urashiki's struggle.
He could feel his power approaching a breakthrough—he was on the verge of reaching the Color-tier, and it wasn't going to be quiet.
So, he quickly turned to Orochimaru and Tobirama Senju, saying,
"I have an urgent matter to attend to. I'll leave this to you."
He pointed to the trapped Urashiki and added gravely,
"This man is extremely dangerous. Be careful. Don't let anyone near him."
Orochimaru and Tobirama exchanged a glance. Both saw the seriousness in each other's eyes.
They understood that something critical was happening—otherwise, Hikaru wouldn't leave in such haste.
They nodded solemnly.
"We understand. He won't escape. No one will get close," they assured him.
But just as Hikaru was about to turn and leave—
An indescribable sensation surged in his chest. Something was coming. Something important.
"Target is about to break through world-class level. Threatens the Sacred Timeline. Initiating erasure."
Urashiki's voice rang out—calm, emotionless.
No one knew when it happened, but he had already broken free from Hikaru's spatial seal and was now speaking as if nothing had happened.
Hikaru's pupils contracted. A flood of dread crashed over him.
It hit him instantly: the "target" Urashiki referred to was most likely him.
And judging from the tone, it seemed his breakthrough would endanger something called the Sacred Timeline, thus triggering his termination.
His mind raced. He realized this place was no longer safe.
In an instant, both Hikaru and Urashiki vanished—leaving behind a stunned Orochimaru and Tobirama.
Now among the boundless stars of outer space, the two stood face to face.
Hikaru's expression was grim as he stared at the enemy he'd just had in chains.
But now, Urashiki was completely different from before. An unfathomable aura enveloped him—as if he'd transcended humanity.
A chill settled deep within Hikaru's heart.
He had a terrible feeling.
Urashiki's gaze locked onto him.
In the next second, the space around Hikaru shattered like fragile glass. A crushing force surged toward him, nearly consuming him.
Fortunately, Hikaru's mastery of space was absolute. In that fleeting moment before collapse, he Body Flickered out of harm's way.
He'd evaded disaster… for now. But vigilance consumed him.
Something had changed. He didn't know what—but Urashiki was not the same as before.
Still, regardless of the transformation—
If he stood as an enemy, then that's what he was.
Without further hesitation, Hikaru unleashed a spatial blast toward Urashiki.
But to his shock, the space shattered briefly—only to be effortlessly smoothed over by Urashiki.
Hikaru's heart lurched.
Urashiki's spatial control… had surpassed his own.
It was a subtle gap.
But one that could decide victory or defeat.
Even so, Hikaru wasn't without hope.
He could sense it—the difference in their power wasn't insurmountable.
Urashiki was stronger, yes… but not invincible.
If space wouldn't suffice—
Then he'd fight in another way.
Drawing a deep breath, Hikaru brought his hands together before his chest and formed a dazzling sphere of light with just his bare hands.
As his thoughts stirred, the light compressed—then exploded in brilliance.
Countless beams of light shot outward like divine swords, tearing through the darkness in every direction.
The night sky was set ablaze. This battlefield of starlight became their radiant stage.
Urashiki instinctively attempted to phase into another dimension.
But just as he was about to vanish—he froze.
Four small banners had appeared around him. He didn't know when.
They glowed faintly, yet exuded an aura of mystery—binding him to the spot.
Though Urashiki quickly broke free, it was too late.
The storm of light enveloped him, leaving no escape.
When the glow finally faded, Urashiki's form reappeared.
Half his body was gone.
He looked utterly miserable, standing on the brink of death.
And yet—he hadn't fallen.
Using his remaining strength, he kept himself upright.
Hikaru cautiously observed him, knowing it wasn't over.
He was right.
The next instant, Urashiki's body began to mutate.
A wave of malice erupted from him, threatening to swallow the entire cosmos.
At the same time, his ruined body started regenerating at terrifying speed.
Hikaru's heart sank.
Then, a cold voice echoed across reality itself:
"Target power level exceeds limits. Mission failed. World Will descending."
Before Hikaru could react, the space around him locked tight—he couldn't teleport.
A tremendous suction force pulled at him from all directions.
Turning his head, Hikaru saw it.
A black vortex—like a void maw—had silently appeared behind him.
It devoured everything.
"Target exceeds power threshold. Exile deemed optimal."
The voice returned—calm, mechanical.
The suction grew fiercer. Even Hikaru's soul felt like it was being ripped from his body.
His form drifted toward the vortex, no longer under his own control.
He was being exiled—to who knew where.
But just as the void reached its peak—
A surge of power erupted from within his Idle Training System—
An ascension had begun.