Chapter 320: The Protagonist Finally Gets to Shine
The Peace Star turned into starlight and shot into the cosmos. By following its path, one could locate the source of infinite energy.
"Apologies, Lord Black Emperor, we've failed."
In the midst of the black mist, Evilmoku knelt on one knee before the Shadow Emperor seated on the throne and spoke respectfully. Behind him, Evil Gold, Evil Earth, and Evil Flame also knelt in deference.
"No matter. You were never a match for the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. to begin with. Our most pressing threat remains the Light and Shadow Armor."
"But... what about the infinite energy...?"
Evilmoku asked hesitantly.
"Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. were to acquire the infinite energy, they still wouldn't have any means to deal with us. But the Light and Shadow Armor is another matter. Also, for the time being, you'd best go into hiding."
Evilmoku looked confused as he turned to the Shadow Emperor before him.
"Once the Peace Star fulfills its wish, it will automatically return to the location of the infinite energy to recharge. However, this process will cause space-time wormholes to appear, allowing people from other universes to come here."
...
System Update.
Major Events Module Activated.
Complete major event missions to earn a massive number of Major Event Points. Failure yields no rewards.
Parallel Shinobi World.
Having obtained extraordinary power from the system, Uchiha Shunhi stood above, gazing calmly at the assembled Shinobi World below.
"Naruto, are you okay?"
Sasuke, breathing heavily, looked toward Naruto beside him. Their battle with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had just ended, and his chakra was nearly depleted.
"I don't have much left either. Kurama needs more time to refine chakra."
Naruto looked up at Uchiha Shunhi floating in the air.
"Have you two finished discussing your strategy? Not that it matters—even if you haven't, I'm not going to give you any more time."
Silently, Uchiha Shunhi activated Super Saiyan Mode. His hair spiked upward, turning golden, and waves of golden chakra energy erupted from his body.
"Naruto, watch out!"
Just as Sasuke called out, Naruto was kicked flying by Uchiha Shunhi. Sasuke turned and saw Shunhi now standing where Naruto had been.
"Naruto, the chakra has finished condensing."
Kurama, hands together inside Naruto, announced.
"Thanks, Kurama!" Naruto said with a confident grin, his body now cloaked in a Nine-Tails shroud. "Let's do this, Kurama!"
"Before I take on Naruto, I'll eliminate you first."
Uchiha Shunhi had no intention of ending up like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Naturally, he remained wary of the combined technique Six Paths: Planetary Devastation from Naruto and Sasuke.
Compared to Naruto, Sasuke—standing right next to Shunhi—was clearly the easier target.
Shunhi casually struck Sasuke with a Rasengan, sending him flying and knocking him out of the fight for now.
"Sasuke?!"
Seeing Sasuke sent flying, Naruto erupted in fury.
"Naruto, calm down! An enemy like this can't be defeated by rage alone!"
Kurama's voice rang out from within.
"Yeah."
Naruto nodded, suppressing his anger as he entered the full-tailed beast transformation of a perfect Jinchūriki.
"Even if you've regained Kurama's chakra, you're still no match for me." Uchiha Shunhi placed his hands at his waist and began to form a glowing orb. "Ka—me—ha—me—ha!"
"Six Paths: Ultra Big Ball Rasenshuriken!"
The two attacks collided violently, triggering a massive shockwave. In the end, Uchiha Shunhi's attack overpowered Naruto's and surged toward him.
Instinctively, Naruto raised his arms to guard his chest.
"This is bad—Naruto can't block that kind of attack!"
Watching Naruto under assault, Sasuke clenched his teeth from where he lay and used the last of his ocular power to perform a Rinnegan Heavenly Hand Power, switching places with Naruto.
Naruto fell to the ground, while Sasuke took the full brunt of the Kamehameha in his place. With his ocular power exhausted, he could no longer summon Susanoo.
"Sasuke!"
"Naruto, I can't sense Sasuke's chakra anymore… That means Sasuke is…"
Kurama's voice inside Naruto grew softer and softer.
"He sacrificed himself to save Naruto, huh? Just like the brothers they were in a past life—always thinking of each other. Still, Sasuke wasn't the only one with the Rinnegan."
Uchiha Shunhi's Rinnegan, granted by the system, possessed the ability of reality manifestation.
A Susanoo emerged from Uchiha Shunhi's body.
"What is that?!"
Naruto's face filled with shock, momentarily overriding his sorrow and rage.
"This is the Totsuka Blade, a secret treasure of the Uchiha Clan," Uchiha Shunhi said while gazing at Naruto. "Anyone struck by this sword will be permanently sealed within a world of illusions. It ends here, Naruto!"
The Susanoo swung the Totsuka Blade, stabbing toward the tailed-beast-mode Naruto.
...
Konohagakure.
"Sarada, be sure to come home early. The forecast says there's going to be a storm."
"Mm, I got it, Mom."
Sarada waved to Sakura, who stood at the doorway.
Dark clouds blanketed the skies above Konoha, and a light drizzle was beginning to fall.
By the time Sarada arrived at the Uzumaki household, the drizzle had turned into a downpour, accompanied by flashes of lightning and rolling thunder.
"Sarada? You came out in this weather?"
Opening the door and seeing Sarada, Hinata looked surprised and quickly ushered her inside.
"It's fine, Aunt Hinata. Besides, I'm really worried about Boruto."
Ever since their return from the Land of Water, modern-day Boruto had shut himself off from the world. He locked himself in his room, skipped ninja training, and avoided missions entirely.
"I'll leave Boruto to you, then."
"By the way, where's the adult Boruto? I didn't see him around."
"Because this heavy rain could cause flooding, he went with Naruto to reinforce the river embankments," Hinata said with a smile as she led Sarada toward modern Boruto's room.
"Boruto, Sarada's here to see you."
She gently knocked on Boruto's door.
...
"It's sleeting, Naruto."
After directing the Konoha shinobi to use ninjutsu to reinforce the embankments and evacuating nearby villagers, Shikamaru looked to Naruto.
"Yeah." Naruto nodded and glanced at the sky. "The weather's really strange today."
Amid sleet and rumbling thunder, Uchiha Shunhi from the Parallel Shinobi World appeared at the gates of Konohagakure.