The plan to capture the tailed beasts progressed swiftly.
In just a few days, all nine tailed beasts were divided between the two opposing forces.
Gensou and Uchiha Obito's side, thanks to their quick actions and Gensou's deep understanding of this world—even more profound than his real self—secured six tailed beasts.
One of them was acquired when "Hagoromo Gensou" intercepted Hashirama on his way back, convincing the iron-willed shinobi to hand over the One-Tail without a second thought.
With the tailed beast capture phase complete, it was time for the final showdown.
Gensou soon received a letter of challenge.
The handwriting was unmistakably his own.
The message contained only three words:
The Valley of Gods.
This world had no such place, which clearly meant the other Gensou had learned about it from Uchiha Obito.
Gensou remained calm.
He glanced at the three small jars on his desk, each containing a sealed tailed beast. Though fewer than expected, he wasn't concerned.
All he needed was a single tailed beast to prevent the other from forming the Ten-Tails.
With his plan complete, it was time to act and bring this to an end.
Turning to Haru, who had spent most of her time playing by his side, Gensou walked over, patting her head.
"I'm going to buy you some ice pops," he said.
Thanks to his recent treatments, Haru's stomach pains had almost completely healed.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded enthusiastically.
"Really? You're the best, Gensou-nii!"
Smiling, Gensou tousled her hair one last time and gently pinched her round cheeks before turning to leave.
When he returned, a shadow clone carrying a large bag of ice pops approached the cheering Haru.
The Valley of Gods
In the real world, the Valley of Gods had been reduced to rubble and eroded into a true valley over decades.
Here, however, it was an ordinary plain.
When Gensou arrived, he saw the other "Hagoromo Gensou" already waiting in silver Warring States armor.
Seeing him felt like looking at his former self.
Neither spoke.
After a moment, "Hagoromo Gensou" smiled faintly and asked:
"Do you have a system?"
Unfazed, Gensou returned the smile and replied:
"Yes."
"How's it working?"
"Erratic."
The other paused before nodding in understanding.
The two shared a mutual comprehension, unspoken yet clear.
Gensou understood what the Infinite Tsukuyomi version of himself wanted most:
To replace him.
If their roles were reversed, he would feel the same.
Scanning their surroundings, Gensou sensed two distant "rats" observing them but paid them no mind.
Looking at his counterpart, he said evenly:
"There's no need for more words between us. Let's begin."
"Agreed," the other replied.
"Let's begin!"
A sharp blast of air shattered the silence as "Hagoromo Gensou" stepped forward, appearing instantly before the original, delivering a powerful punch that sent shockwaves rippling outward.
Gensou remained calm, raising his hand and catching the punch mid-air.
Boom!
The force surged through him, but he stood firm, unmoved.
Looking at the familiar face before him, he said calmly:
"If this is all you've got, you'll stop here."
Compared to his Warring States-era self, Gensou had grown far stronger in every aspect.
Even though his counterpart surpassed the Warring States-era Gensou, it wasn't enough.
This was why he had remained unshaken.
Honestly, if he weren't holding back, he could have let "Hagoromo Gensou" gather all nine tailed beasts just to test the full power of the Ten-Tails.
Could he defeat it?
Gensou doubted this world could truly replicate Six Paths-level power.
The chakra of the tailed beasts wouldn't fully manifest the Ten-Tails' might here, much like how Naruto and Sasuke's Six Paths powers in the original story weren't entirely realized.
For someone already standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, missing only the final step, Gensou was confident he could handle it.
But since his opponent was another version of himself, he decided against taking unnecessary risks.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The intense battle echoed like legendary giants pounding war drums, shaking the entire Valley of Gods.
Despite the real Gensou's calm demeanor, "Hagoromo Gensou" attacked relentlessly, his fists and kicks slicing through the air with the force of wind and thunder.
As the original adapted, the other's gaze sharpened. Suddenly, his pupils turned into horizontal yellow slits, and orange markings appeared at the corners of his eyes.
Sage Mode.
With his speed and power drastically amplified, "Hagoromo Gensou" appeared at his opponent's side, striking with a palm infused with natural energy.
For the first time, Gensou stepped back.
"Myoboku's Sage Mode?" he remarked, brushing dust off his clothes.
"I heard you destroyed Myoboku and even killed Naruto, the so-called protagonist. Consider this my revenge," the other retorted with a smirk.
Gensou shook his head. "Not enough."
As he spoke, blue markings appeared around his own eyes.
"Sage Mode? Ryuchi Cave? Shikkotsu Forest? No... you created this yourself!"
"That's right," the other muttered, his shock quickly turning into grim determination.
Unlike others who would marvel at the new technique, "Hagoromo Gensou" saw a grave threat.
The best techniques were always those tailored to oneself—a principle that applied to Sage Mode as well.
"Hagoromo Gensou" understood that a self-developed Sage Mode was far superior to the toad-based version he had learned.
Coupled with the original's existing advantages, the gap between them widened further.
"Accept your fate," Gensou said, summoning a sleek black staff into his hand.
"No," the other replied firmly, channeling his immense Sage Chakra.
"You know I don't accept fate."
Gensou looked at him and said coldly:
"I am fate."
(End of Chapter)
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