The moment Urashiki's gaze met Akira's, Madara's, and Obito's, his entire body went numb.
"H-How are they here?!"
Last time, the reason he had dared to swagger around in front of those three was because he possessed the time-freezing treasure—the Time Casket.
But he had already used it on Toneri.
Now, what capital did he have left to oppose them?
Without even thinking, Urashiki's falling body abruptly reversed direction. He shot back into Yomotsu Hirasaka and fled at full speed!
The space-time rift closed.
Madara withdrew his gaze and looked at Akira.
"So, what now?"
Akira said coldly,
"Some Dio-this-and-that trash thinks he can jump around in front of me? Crush him."
Back in the Origin Sphere Space, Akira had deliberately let Urashiki go in order to justify sparing Momoshiki and planting the Kāma for later use.
Now that his goal had been achieved, why would he let Urashiki escape again?
A useless piece of trash like Urashiki didn't even deserve to leave behind a Kāma.
Letting him breathe one more second was a waste of air.
That's right.
That was the correct way to handle things.
Madara was very satisfied with Akira's attitude and asked with interest,
"So how do we crush him? Drag him back with Umadara Flow?"
Akira glanced at the devastated terrain beneath his feet and shook his head.
"No. I'm already sick of this filthy place."
"Not here."
"We'll chase him. I marked his spatial coordinates when he escaped."
"Wherever he runs, I'll find him."
Obito said considerately,
"Leave the next fight to Madara and you. You've already fought two tough battles. Get some rest."
Akira was touched.
But he immediately switched to Konan's face and smiled.
"No need~ I'm full of energy right now~!"
Obito pouted.
"I can tell… but are you sure you're okay? You're drenched in sweat."
Whoosh!
Akira changed back to his own face and lowered his gaze.
"Konan's body does sweat easily."
At that moment, Madara asked,
"Akira, the fact that you can use Konan's body to control Susanoo means that in the Twin Blossom state, your ocular power is still connected to your original body, right?"
As expected of Uncle Madara—sharp as ever.
Akira nodded.
"Yes. In Twin Blossom mode, chakra runs through two channels."
"The body's abilities go through the current host body."
"The eyes' abilities stay linked to my real body."
He lifted a hand and adjusted the loose collar caused by switching into Konan's body.
To be honest, there was something that always bothered him when fighting in her body.
Twin Blossom could swap bodies.
But it couldn't swap clothes.
And as a man, Akira obviously didn't wear bras.
Which meant that after switching, his upper body was… completely unsupported.
Fortunately, his black divine robe was high quality and didn't reveal anything embarrassing.
Still, for Konan's privacy, he had to restrain his movements.
And during battle, he had to be especially careful not to tear his clothes.
Turning his gaze aside, Akira said,
"Kurotsuchi, take care of the Five Kage's aftermath."
"When Sasuke wakes up, go back with him using the Rinnegan."
Kurotsuchi stood properly and nodded obediently.
"Okay, Brother Akira. When can you take me to Peach Blossom Land? I haven't seen Deidara in a long time."
Without turning back, Akira replied,
"Spend more time with the elders at home first. They don't have many years left."
In the original timeline, Ōnoki had fallen into despair after his grandson's death and committed extreme acts.
He created Dust Release clones and living stone soldiers.
Those clones developed independent wills and nearly brought disaster to Iwagakure.
Ōnoki later passed away with regrets after dealing with the aftermath.
Over the years, Akira had frequently borrowed Kurotsuchi's body through Twin Blossom.
In return, he had intervened in that dangerous mission and saved Ōnoki's grandson.
At least that preserved the old man's dignity in his later years.
Meanwhile…
Although Urashiki had escaped, his heart was still pounding.
Why were those three on the ruins of Izumo?!
Had Momoshiki failed?!
Damn it!
That guy had revived two former Ten-Tails jinchūriki and even attacked Kaguya's Ten-Tails!
His behavior clearly didn't align with the Five Kage!
So why would he help them deal with Momoshiki?!
But that wasn't even the worst part!
Uchiha Akira could reverse time.
If he used that ability at the spot where Yomotsu Hirasaka opened, Urashiki would be dragged straight back!
"No… I'll die!"
"If I fall into their encirclement, I'm dead for sure!"
His heart leapt into his throat.
Spatial techniques were useless against that monster!
"Every second I stay here increases the danger!"
"So… I really have to use it."
A turtle-shaped ancient treasure appeared in his hand.
"To escape the timeline itself… that's the only way to prevent Akira from dragging me back!"
Kame.
A divine artifact of the Ōtsutsuki used for time travel.
As long as it stored enough energy, it could theoretically travel freely along the timeline.
In the original timeline, after repeatedly failing to steal Kurama's chakra, Urashiki chose to go back in time and target young Naruto.
When he activated Kame, Sasuke and Boruto were dragged along.
Together with young Naruto and Jiraiya, they killed Urashiki.
Afterward, Sasuke sealed their memories with genjutsu.
Of course, Urashiki knew nothing about that.
From the moment he encountered Akira, he knew that aside from Kame, he had no way out.
Now, he faced a crucial choice.
Which point in time to return to?
The most energy-efficient option was to return to before he went to Izumo and met Akira.
From there, he could adjust his plans.
But then another thought struck him.
"If Akira is really on the Five Kage's side, my chances of stealing the Nine-Tails are basically zero!"
"I've got it!"
"Since I'm using Kame anyway, I might as well go all in!"
"I'll strike at the easiest point—when the Nine-Tails' host was still a child!"
"And while I'm there, I'll kill Uchiha Akira when he was still a brat!"
"Two birds with one stone!"
"Hahahahaha! Yes! That's it!"
Delighted by his brilliant plan, Urashiki burst into laughter.
But the threat of time reversal loomed over him, and he dared not linger.
He activated Kame at once.
Buzz!
The turtle's eyes glowed.
Brilliant light burst from its shell.
The scenery of the present world was replaced by a dazzling, sealed corridor of light.
He had boarded the "time elevator" back to the past.
The weight on his chest finally lifted.
Relaxation flowed through every cell beneath his white robe.
He laughed again.
"Hahahaha! Now you're helpless, Uchiha Akira!"
"I've escaped your timeline entirely!"
"I no longer exist in your present!"
"Even if you reverse time, you can't drag me back!"
"But honestly, you're too soft."
"If I were you, I'd have reversed time the moment I left!"
"You're strong, but in the end, you're still human—too weak for greatness!"
"Are you afraid of my dignity, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki?! Afraid to face me?!"
"Just wait!"
"I set the destination to nineteen years ago!"
"You'd be nothing more than a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old brat!"
"With my power, I could crush you with one hand!"
Drunk on his own fantasies, Urashiki had no idea.
He couldn't see—
That inside this narrow "time elevator," there were three invisible passengers.
Madara and Obito stood slightly behind, flanking his shoulders.
Akira stood directly in front of him.
Face to face.
Three pairs of eyes—
Staring straight at him.
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