As the golden light dissipated, Urashiki stepped out from the dazzling space-time channel, returning to the real world.
Because the distance traveled through space-time was short this time—reversing time by only about half a year—the dizziness wasn't intense. He simply steadied himself for a moment and adapted to the side effects the time travel had on his body.
Immediately after, Urashiki threw his head back and laughed at the sky. "Hahaha!"
He had reason to be smug. Although his descent into the Shinobi World had been met with considerable trouble, and even life-threatening danger, the troublesome competitors Momoshiki and Kinshiki had been dealt with regardless. Now, he was only one step away from the 'Chakra Fruit'—it was completely within his grasp!
"Isshiki, you probably never expected that I would use 'The Plow' (Karasuki) to jump out of your trap!"
Thinking of the shocked expression Isshiki would have when they met later made him feel inexplicably gratified. He felt this move was the correct one; not only had he escaped the inescapable net Isshiki had set for him, but he had also used Isshiki's power to kick his competitors, Momoshiki and Kinshiki, out of the game.
After secretly gloating for a while, Urashiki composed himself and began to sense the aura of the God Tree.
The time node he had returned to using 'The Plow' was the exact day the God Tree gave birth to the 'Chakra Fruit'.
The reason he chose this day was that he worried if he went back too early, he would leave traces and be detected by Isshiki in advance. But if he was too late, and the God Tree had already produced the 'Chakra Fruit', it would be difficult to search for Isshiki if he went into hiding.
Therefore, descending directly on the day the 'Chakra Fruit' was nurtured was Urashiki's best choice. He only needed to sense the God Tree's aura to easily locate Isshiki, as well as the soon-to-appear 'Chakra Fruit'.
In his mind, the current Isshiki was still parasitic within a native of the Shinobi World in the form of 'Karma'. Even if Isshiki could briefly liberate the 'Karma', his combat power would definitely be inferior to Urashiki's. Besides, he didn't need to fight Isshiki to the death; he could just grab the 'Chakra Fruit' and run. No one could catch up to him anyway!
As for whether the 'Chakra Fruit' would be easy to snatch, he wasn't worried.
As a fellow Otsutsuki, he knew very well that Isshiki wouldn't let anyone else touch the 'Chakra Fruit', not even his closest subordinates. Therefore, he was absolutely certain that only Isshiki would be present at the site where the 'Chakra Fruit' was being nurtured. Tricky opponents like Toneri, Karin, and Hikari, whom he had encountered in the original timeline, would definitely not appear.
"Eh!"
Soon, Urashiki sensed the aura of the God Tree, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
However, he didn't rush over immediately. Instead, he secretly activated 'Yomotsu Hirasaka' (Yellow Underworld Hirasaka) and silently pinpointed the God Tree's location.
The 'Chakra Fruit' hadn't fully formed yet, and he didn't want to alert the enemy.
"Isshiki, didn't you want to plot against me? Hehe, just wait until the 'Chakra Fruit' is borne; I'm going to make all your efforts come to naught!"
Urashiki grinned wickedly, looking forward to the scene where he would snatch the 'Chakra Fruit' right in front of Isshiki's face.
Time passed bit by bit.
The others in the Shinobi World didn't sense anything unusual, as if today was no different from any ordinary day.
But as a wielder of a 'Kekkei Mora', Urashiki clearly perceived the chakra particles the God Tree was dispersing into the air. No one was more familiar with this state of the God Tree than he was; this was the best evidence that the 'Chakra Fruit' was about to appear!
"Ah, this long-lost fragrance!"
Urashiki was intoxicated by it, seemingly unable to extricate himself.
Unlike Momoshiki and Kinshiki, who had only consumed Chakra Pills, Urashiki had consumed actual 'Chakra Fruits'. He knew the entire process of a 'Chakra Fruit' being nurtured, so the fragrance of the impending fruit was particularly mesmerizing to him.
However, he quickly snapped out of it, knowing this wasn't the time to be immersed in such things. He restrained his usual slacker attitude considerably, becoming completely serious as he poured his focus into the positioning of 'Yomotsu Hirasaka'.
As one of the strongest Space-Time Dojutsu, the positioning ability of 'Yomotsu Hirasaka' far exceeded that of ordinary space portals. Given enough time, Urashiki could even open the portal directly next to the flower bud where the God Tree was nurturing the 'Chakra Fruit'.
Snatching the 'Chakra Fruit' would be as easy as flipping his hand!
Urashiki cocked his ear, as if listening for something, but in reality, he was sensing the progress of the God Tree.
At this moment, time seemed to slow down; every minute and every second was torture for him.
"Now!"
Suddenly, Urashiki's eyes lit up. He formally activated the long-prepared 'Yomotsu Hirasaka'. Before the space portal could fully open, he thrust his right hand fiercely inside.
However, just as his right hand reached through the portal, groping for the 'Chakra Fruit', his expression suddenly froze. He felt as if his right hand had been grabbed by someone; no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't break free.
"Isshiki, that bastard!"
Urashiki cursed loudly. He hadn't expected Isshiki's reaction to be so fast, grabbing his hand in an instant.
But at this point, dwelling on it was meaningless. He exerted more force with his right hand, trying to break free from Isshiki's restraint. But before he could break free, a tremendous force came from his right hand instead, dragging his entire body into the space portal.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery around him changed. While Urashiki was still in mid-air, his gaze instantly locked onto the tantalizing 'Chakra Fruit' within the flower bud at the top of the God Tree.
Perhaps because it had just been nurtured, the 'Chakra Fruit' was currently glowing with a shimmering halo. At first glance, it looked like a soft ball of light emitting a fresh fragrance.
"The Chakra Fruit!"
Seeing the treasure he had longed for, Urashiki saw nothing else in his eyes. He didn't even care who had dragged him through the space portal anymore. He reached out with his free left hand directly toward the 'Chakra Fruit'.
"Huh!?"
Just then, a sound of surprise reached Urashiki's ears.
"Is that from that guy Isshiki? Who cares! I'll grab the 'Chakra Fruit' and run. what can he do to me? He used the 'Chakra Fruit' as bait to send a signal to the stars, luring me, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki here. He clearly has ulterior motives. I'll settle the score with him after I eat this fruit!"
Harboring these thoughts, Urashiki didn't even spare a glance at the person holding his right hand. His eyes and heart were filled only with the 'Chakra Fruit'.
However, this was his last conscious thought. In the next instant, he was frozen in place by the Goshingū, and even his thoughts came to a standstill.