"What?"
The single word escaped Minato's lips as his pupils contracted with the shock of someone whose fundamental understanding of history had just been overturned. He had entrusted Naruto and Sasuke with investigating the matter of the Sage of Six Paths specifically because doubts had been gnawing at his analytical mind throughout their entire conflict.
His suspicions had been confirmed—the contents of the stone tablet housed within the Uchiha Naka Shrine had indeed been systematically tampered with by an unknown party.
As for the purpose behind that person's modifications to the tablet's sacred inscriptions, Minato still possessed no clear understanding. The implications were staggering when he considered that even Uchiha Madara, the mastermind who had planned and provoked this entire war, had been influenced by the corrupted contents of that ancient document.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was receiving additional intelligence from the Sage of Six Paths that cast their entire situation in an even more ominous light.
The immortal had revealed that the princess named Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, whose existence was recorded on the stone tablet, had actually succeeded in launching the Infinite Tsukuyomi technique in the distant past.
According to the descriptions of this ultimate genjutsu that appeared on the tablet, once successfully activated, the entire world would fall under the influence of a global illusion that trapped every living being in eternal dreams while slowly draining their life force.
But since the ninja world and its practitioners still existed in their current form, this meant that the Infinite Tsukuyomi released by Kaguya had somehow been broken and its effects reversed.
Sasuke continued his explanation with the precision that had always characterized his approach to critical intelligence briefings.
"It was the combined efforts of the Sage of Six Paths and his brother that discovered a method to counter the Tsukuyomi's effects. In order to save the world and restore freedom to humanity, they were forced to team up against their own mother and ultimately seal her away with their own hands."
"Seal her with their own hands..."
Minato's expression reflected profound shock as he processed this revelation, because according to the information he had previously possessed, the Sage of Six Paths had sealed the Ten-Tails rather than any human opponent.
Earlier, the Nine-Tails had explained that the God Tree was actually the Ten-Tails in an alternate form, but now this entity was somehow connected to the Sage's mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Just as confusion began overwhelming his analytical processes due to these seemingly contradictory pieces of information, Madara—who had been observing from his elevated position above Minato, Naruto, and Sasuke—decided to resume his assault.
The four Limbo clones controlling their respective Perfect Susanoo began their descent, each ethereal giant moving with coordinated precision as they prepared to overwhelm the defenders through sheer numerical superiority.
"Be careful!"
Naruto's warning rang out across the battlefield as incredible chakra fluctuations erupted from his enhanced form, the energy immediately condensing and solidifying into the familiar shape of the Nine-Tails avatar. The massive fox construct blazed with golden light that incorporated elements of Six Paths enhancement, its presence radiating power that belonged to the realm of legends.
"We need to eliminate these troublesome distractions first!"
Naruto's expression carried grim determination as he observed the four Perfect Susanoo approaching their position with obvious lethal intent.
"The person you should be most concerned about is Madara himself!"
Sasuke's voice carried heavy undertones as he voiced the tactical reality they were all facing. Dealing with four Perfect Susanoo constructs wouldn't prove particularly difficult given their current enhancement levels, but Madara's absorption of the God Tree's accumulated power had caused his strength to surge beyond even their improved capabilities.
Even if Sasuke and Naruto combined their efforts in perfect coordination, they might not prove to be a match for their primary opponent's enhanced abilities.
"There's no alternative. I can't worry about chakra conservation anymore!"
Naruto's declaration carried the weight of someone making a calculated sacrifice for strategic necessity. The Truth-Seeking Orbs floating behind his enhanced form began moving with obvious purpose, one of them appearing in the palm of the Nine-Tails avatar's right hand.
"Dad, Sasuke, please buy me some time!"
Minato's enhanced perception immediately detected the nature of what Naruto was attempting to accomplish. He could clearly sense that his son was integrating an absolutely terrifying amount of chakra into the Truth-Seeking Orb in the avatar's grasp.
Even with access to Six Paths Sage Mode and the combined chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts, this technique would inevitably exact a severe toll on Naruto's reserves and physical condition.
But there was no alternative available to them. If they became entangled in prolonged combat with these four dimensional projections, the situation would only deteriorate further while Madara completed whatever ultimate technique he was preparing.
"Understood!"
Both Sasuke and Minato responded with the absolute confidence that came from years of coordination in impossible situations.
Sasuke immediately launched his Perfect Susanoo into the air to engage the approaching enemies, while Minato executed a light jump that carried him skyward through mastery over cosmic principles rather than conventional movement techniques.
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki of Iwagakure could achieve flight through his earth-based techniques by reducing his own molecular weight, but what Minato was accomplishing operated according to entirely different principles.
Throughout the continuous fighting, he had gradually adapted to controlling the Yin and Yang forces that the Sage of Six Paths had taught him to access. By using these opposing energies to balance each other in perfect harmony, he could escape the influence of gravity entirely and achieve true three-dimensional flight.
This same capability was also available to Naruto through his Six Paths Sage Mode enhancement, though he was currently too focused on his technique preparation to take advantage of such mobility.
"Sasuke, don't overextend yourself. These clones of Madara must return to his main body periodically to maintain their connection!"
Minato called out his tactical analysis based on intelligence he had gathered during their numerous encounters with the ancient Uchiha. Understanding the limitations of even cosmic-level techniques could provide critical advantages if exploited with proper timing.
"I understand!"
Sasuke's acknowledgment was followed immediately by action as he swung his Perfect Susanoo's twin blades toward two of the approaching giants, the ethereal weapons moving with enough force to carve through dimensional barriers.
BANG!
Three towering figures that resembled moving mountains collided in mid-air, their impact creating seismic effects that caused the earth to shake and the sky itself to tremble with the resonance of cosmic forces meeting in violent opposition.
The sound generated by their collision was so tremendous that it could be heard clearly across multiple countries, announcing to anyone within range that divine-level combat was taking place.
Meanwhile, nine massive tails erupted from Minato's back as he channeled the Nine-Tails' chakra through his enhanced physiology. The appendages moved with predatory grace as they struck at one of the remaining Perfect Susanoo with enough combined force to shatter mountains.
Minato himself focused his attention on the final ethereal giant, clenching his enhanced palms as he prepared to deliver a technique that incorporated every innovation he had developed throughout their cosmic battle.
His fist shot forward with explosive power that compressed the surrounding atmosphere.
BANG! BANG!
The tremendous natural energy he had gathered formed invisible shockwaves that rippled through multiple dimensions before striking the Perfect Susanoo with devastating effect. The collision created effects that painted the sky in colors that challenged normal perception.
The aerial melee that erupted involved forces so vast that the shockwaves generated by their battle echoed throughout the heavens, creating atmospheric disturbances that were visible even to members of the coalition forces positioned at safe distances.
The scale of the complete Perfect Susanoo constructs was so enormous that they could be clearly observed by ninja stationed dozens of miles away from the primary battlefield.
Even though they were witnessing the conflict from supposedly safe distances, the allied forces found themselves staring in stunned disbelief at displays of power that transcended their understanding of what individual shinobis could achieve.
"If we can't even survive watching this level of battle, is there really any point to our continued participation?"
"Even if we somehow make it through this conflict, with our current strength, we would only become burdens to those actually capable of making a difference..."
The thoughts that rippled through the ranks of allied ninja reflected the profound demoralization that comes from recognizing one's own insignificance in the face of cosmic forces.
Not only ordinary shinobi, but even the captains and elite leaders of the coalition forces found themselves questioning their relevance in a war being fought at divine levels.
At this moment, an order from Shikaku at Allied Forces Headquarters was transmitted simultaneously to all combat divisions throughout the region.
[All coalition units are to maintain current positions and under no circumstances approach the area where the Fourth Hokage and his allies are engaged in combat.]
At the base of the distant mountains, after the command had been relayed through all appropriate channels, Suzuka Hatake and other senior officers raised their heads to observe the battle unfolding in the sky above them with expressions of shock and recognition.
"For the current Hokage and his allies, avoiding interference is already the best form of teamwork we can provide..."
Shikaku's bitter smile reflected the painful reality that tens of thousands of trained ninja were reduced to the role of distant observers in the conflict that would determine their world's future.
The difference in power levels involved was simply too enormous to bridge through conventional cooperation or tactical support.
High above in the cosmic battlefield, the fierce combat continued with intensity that defied normal understanding of physical limitations. With Sasuke and Minato's assistance, the task of engaging two Perfect Susanoo constructs each proved manageable despite the overwhelming scale of the opposition.
"Where is Madara's true form?"
However, during the ongoing battle, Minato noticed something that sent chills through his enhanced awareness. Despite the intensity of their current engagement, Madara's actual body hadn't moved from its elevated position.
BOOM!
Another devastating collision occurred as Minato repelled one of the ethereal giants using sage techniques that combined Yin-Yang Release with natural energy enhancement. After creating distance between himself and the immediate threats, he suddenly raised his head to observe their primary opponent's position.
What he discovered filled him with ice-cold dread.
Madara had ascended even higher into the sky and was now approaching the pale disc of the moon with obvious purpose and deliberate intent.
"It can't be..."
Minato's eyes widened as understanding dawned, and his entire body began trembling with the realization of what was about to unfold.
"Dad, Sasuke, get clear of the attack zone!"
At this crucial moment, Naruto's voice rang out from below as he completed the technique he had been preparing throughout their desperate defensive battle.
Buzz!
Four massive shuriken, each one formed from concentrated Tailed Beast Ball energy with diameters measuring dozens of meters, began rotating with enough velocity to create atmospheric storms. The sound they generated was like reality itself screaming in protest.
Swish!
Minato immediately recognized that the situation had reached a critical threshold and launched himself higher into the sky. Even with his enhanced speed, avoiding the area effect of Naruto's technique required immediate action.
Sasuke nodded his understanding and delivered a devastating strike that repelled both Perfect Susanoo opposing him, creating the gap necessary for safe withdrawal from the impact zone.
"Sage Art: Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken!"
Seeing that both Minato and Sasuke had successfully cleared the danger area, Naruto no longer hesitated. The Nine-Tails avatar swung both of its massive arms with enough force to reshape landscapes, hurling the prepared technique toward the four dimensional constructs with precision that accounted for their enhanced mobility.
At this same moment, Madara finally reached the moon that hung in the sky like a pale eye observing the cosmic drama unfolding below.
"Your responses are as quick as always..."
Madara's voice carried across the vast distances as he glanced toward Minato, who was rushing upward with desperate speed in an attempt to prevent whatever ultimate technique was about to be unleashed.
The corners of his mouth slowly lifted into an expression that combined satisfaction with the cruel anticipation of someone whose long-cherished plans were finally reaching fruition.
"But it's time for everything to reach its inevitable conclusion..."
His inner thoughts reflected the weight of knowledge that had driven him through decades of planning and sacrifice, drawing from the corrupted wisdom inscribed on the ancient stone tablet.
"According to the inscriptions on that tablet, when a person who possesses the power of the Rinnegan approaches the moon while containing the chakra of all Tailed Beasts, the eyes that can manifest infinite dreams will open and be reflected upon the lunar surface."
Madara contemplated the cosmic principles that would transform his vision of perfect peace from impossible dream into absolute reality.
He closed his eyes and allowed the soft moonlight to wash over his transformed features, feeling the pull of forces that had been dormant since the dawn of recorded history.
Suddenly, the flesh on his forehead began to shift and move with obvious purpose, as if something long-sealed was finally awakening. Two cracks appeared in the skin, growing slowly but inevitably as they formed the outline of what could only be described as a third eye socket.
The cracks continued opening with deliberate pace, revealing something within that pulsed with its own internal light and malevolent intelligence.
What emerged was a blood-red organ marked with ripple patterns that incorporated elements of both the Rinnegan and Sharingan, but transcended both legendary dōjutsu to become something that belonged to the realm of cosmic authority.
This was the Rinne Sharingan—the eye of the moon that would cast its light upon the world below and trap every living being in dreams from which they would never wake.