Outside the ruins, countless pillar-shaped stone mountains rose into the sky. On one of the rocky hills sat a man in black robes with black hair, cross-legged in meditation.
A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward the dark clouds spreading overhead, as if sensing something approaching.
A gust of wind swept across the cliffs, lifting the bangs that covered his forehead.
"Who?"
Ryoma, who had just finished digesting the memories he obtained earlier, felt a chill run through him. From the black clouds above, he sensed a familiar spatial fluctuation.
The next moment, the surging dark clouds twisted downward, forming a massive vortex that descended against the cliff face.
Two figures slowly stepped out of the swirling black cloud.
Both were men—one tall, one short—wearing white robes that resembled priestly garments. Their hair, eyes, and skin were all pale white and nearly colorless.
The shorter one appeared youthful and arrogant. Two rigid horns curved backward from his head like rabbit ears. The taller man stood nearly two meters in height, his arms as thick as tree trunks. A single horn protruded from his head, bending upward toward the left, giving the impression of a subordinate standing beside his master.
Earlier, when Ryoma activated the stone gate mechanism inside the ruins, the seal—originally set by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—had leaked a trace of her chakra aura.
It was precisely that aura that drew these visitors here.
After all, the Ōtsutsuki Clan still had unfinished business with Kaguya regarding the Chakra Fruit she had taken a thousand years ago.
"Is Kaguya's chakra coming from here?"
Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki raised his eyebrows and scanned the surroundings before his gaze landed on Ryoma not far away.
Although he didn't know the identity of the man before him, anyone appearing in a place like this must know something.
"Kinshiki, capture that ant first. We'll interrogate him."
Momoshiki's tone was casual.
Within the Ōtsutsuki Clan, hierarchy was strict. Superiors possessed absolute authority over their subordinates.
"Yes, Momoshiki-sama."
Kinshiki looked toward Ryoma. His expression remained calm, as if he were simply observing an insect he could crush at any moment.
Momoshiki clasped his hands behind his back, his expression arrogant.
Meanwhile, Kinshiki had already charged forward.
The chakra within his body erupted violently, forming a crimson chain that lashed toward Ryoma. At the end of the chain hung a massive hammer that tore through the air like a falling comet, its friction igniting flames around it.
Just as the chain was about to strike him, Ryoma calmly raised his hand and grabbed it.
"Hm?"
Both Ōtsutsuki were momentarily surprised.
They had assumed the man before them was merely an ordinary human. They never expected him to catch Kinshiki's attack so easily.
It felt like stepping on an ant—only to realize the ant could actually lift your foot.
But the surprise lasted only a moment.
Kinshiki quickly tried to retract the chain, only to find that it wouldn't move at all.
Ryoma stood completely still, holding it effortlessly.
"What incredible strength…"
Kinshiki's expression changed. The crimson chain instantly dissolved back into chakra, retracting into his hand and transforming into a blood-colored axe.
"Momoshiki-sama, this man is not ordinary."
Though Kinshiki's face remained calm, the slight tremor in his eyes betrayed his unease.
Momoshiki narrowed his eyes.
"His chakra fluctuations are extremely subtle. I didn't even notice them earlier. It seems he used some method to conceal his energy."
He licked his lips lightly.
"But if he can block your attack, his strength must be decent. Go—turn him into a chakra pill before we deal with Kaguya."
"Yes."
Kinshiki responded immediately and rushed forward again.
Swoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of Ryoma.
The giant blood-red axe swung down toward Ryoma's head with terrifying force.
This was no casual strike like before. Kinshiki had unleashed his full strength. Even the space swept by the axe seemed to crack and distort.
Facing the descending weapon, Ryoma had already entered Sage Mode.
Instead of dodging, he raised his palm and met the attack head-on.
Boom!
His slender hand collided with the massive axe, releasing a terrifying shockwave.
Crack.
Kinshiki's expression instantly changed.
The blood-red axe in his hand began to fracture under the pressure of Ryoma's palm. The crack spread rapidly until—
The entire weapon shattered.
Kinshiki immediately reacted.
Lightning burst from his body.
Purple Lightning Instant Transmission!
Rumble!
His body transformed into a bolt of lightning that flashed dozens of meters away before reassembling.
However, when he reappeared in human form, Kinshiki's face had turned extremely grim.
A hole had opened in his abdomen.
Blood poured out relentlessly.
"How…?"
"I clearly dodged that attack…"
Kinshiki had no time to figure it out.
Because when he looked up, he saw Ryoma staring directly at him.
Those eyes were calm and indifferent—like the gaze of a god of death.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, the mighty Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki felt a chill crawl down his spine.
Just as Kinshiki realized the situation was turning unfavorable and tried to retreat, Ryoma suddenly disappeared.
The next moment—
He appeared directly in front of Kinshiki.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
During their earlier clash, Ryoma had already placed a Flying Thunder God mark on him.
At such an extremely close distance, the explosive power of Sage Mode erupted instantly. The violent chakra disturbed the surrounding air, forming a raging hurricane.
Ryoma threw a punch.
A single strike powerful enough to shake mountains and rivers.
Kinshiki had no way to defend against it.
His body was blasted away like a rag doll, smashing through layers of stone pillars. The ground collapsed into countless craters before he was finally buried deep within the rubble.
He lost consciousness.
"Oh?"
"I didn't expect someone like you to exist in the lower world."
Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki looked at Ryoma with surprise—but even more excitement. He didn't spare a single glance for Kinshiki, as if the companion who had just been blasted away meant nothing to him.
"Come."
"Inferior creature… show me your strength."
Momoshiki stepped forward lightly.
The towering rock formation behind him shattered from top to bottom as he launched himself forward like a streak of light, charging straight toward Ryoma without hesitation.
Ryoma also responded with a punch.
In Sage Mode, the impact of his chakra alone was enough to destroy an entire city.
But Momoshiki merely raised his left hand.
On the palm of his hand, a strange Rinnegan emitted an eerie glow.
Buzz!
With a low hum, the power of Ryoma's punch was completely absorbed.
Then—
It was reflected back.
And the returning force was even more terrifying than the original attack.
This was the ability of Momoshiki's left-hand Rinnegan: it could absorb ninjutsu and release it again with greatly amplified power.
Ryoma leaped aside, narrowly avoiding the reflected attack.
His gaze settled calmly on Momoshiki.
"Give it up."
Momoshiki looked down at him arrogantly.
"Your power… is nothing more than food to me."
However, just as he finished speaking, a warm sensation appeared on the side of his forehead.
A thin line of blood slowly slid down.
Momoshiki's eyes widened slightly.
"This…?"
"I was actually… injured by an inferior creature…?"
(End of Chapter)
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