Chapter 340: How About We Join Forces
Actually, it wasn't surprising that Uchiha Dali was so shocked at this moment—it was simply too unexpected.
Previously, Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki had already said that the most powerful clansman of the Ōtsutsuki, the legendary Ōtsutsuki Shibai, was his elder brother—his real brother.
And now he was saying that Ōtsutsuki Àoshiki was also his brother.
So basically, any powerful Ōtsutsuki turned out to be related to him?
Facing Uchiha Dali's astonishment, Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki only gave a cold snort and replied, "Don't be so surprised. He may be my brother, but the relationship between us is far from what you imagine."
"Mm, I can see that."
Uchiha Dali nodded.
What kind of close brothers treated each other like mortal enemies, constantly on guard?
Kyōshiki had even once tried to seal his brother inside a barrier. Clearly, there were issues.
As for what exactly the problem was, Uchiha Dali couldn't guess—and he didn't need to. Kyōshiki soon continued speaking to himself:
"Actually, Àoshiki has always wanted to seize my power for himself.
"Right now, he should be about the same as me, only a step away from entering a new realm—closer to the level of our elder brother, Ōtsutsuki Shibai.
"We've both been stuck at this level of strength for many years. As long as we can step into the next realm, we can continue evolving.
"But how could I let him succeed so easily? What I cannot do, he will never be able to do either. So all this time, we've only been guarding against each other. Neither of us could do anything to the other, and we never fully tore our faces off."
"However…"
At this point, Kyōshiki's eyes narrowed slightly. "Now things seem to be changing. I just sensed something unusual. That fellow Àoshiki is probably already on his way here.
"If nothing goes wrong, he'll arrive very soon."
That was the reason Kyōshiki's expression had suddenly changed earlier.
Hearing this, Uchiha Dali grew serious as well.
If Àoshiki really came to make trouble, then with his current state, he had no way to cope.
As for Kyōshiki, though he said he still had a stronger form reserved, whether he could truly display his original battle strength was uncertain.
It might even end up being Àoshiki who reaped the benefits.
"Looks like we really should get out of here," Uchiha Dali said, preparing to slip away.
But at that moment, Kyōshiki proposed cooperation: "How about we join forces?
"This is a rare opportunity. Usually it's not easy to run into Àoshiki."
The two brothers had fought openly and secretly for many years. No one understood Àoshiki's strength better than Kyōshiki, and no one knew more about how adept Àoshiki was at concealing his location.
So now, with Àoshiki approaching, Kyōshiki made a decision: he wanted to join forces with Uchiha Dali and seize the chance to eliminate this threat once and for all.
If they succeeded, Kyōshiki would no longer covet Dali's power.
He did not conceal this either, stating it plainly as if it were the natural condition of cooperation:
"If you help me deal with Àoshiki, and help me absorb his energy to evolve into a higher form, then from now on I'll be able to completely rid myself of dependence on chakra fruits.
"I won't need that kind of power to grow anymore. All the chakra fruits can be left to you. What I need is higher-level energy for my evolution."
As he spoke, he spread his arms, extending an earnest and passionate invitation toward Uchiha Dali.
Hearing this, Dali's heart was stirred.
As things stood, he couldn't handle either of the brothers alone, much less face them both at once.
But if he could join forces with Kyōshiki against Àoshiki… there really might be a chance.
"What do you mean by no longer needing chakra fruits to evolve? What exactly is this higher-level energy you're talking about?"
Though tempted, Uchiha Dali didn't agree immediately, instead voicing his doubts.
In order to gain his cooperation, Kyōshiki didn't hold back.
Turning his gaze toward a distant star that blazed with light and radiated heat into the vast universe, he said, half to himself, "Unless a star is truly dead, every planet in the universe—no matter how big or small—possesses its own life energy. You should know that, right?"
It was the first time Uchiha Dali had heard such a claim. He hesitated, shook his head, then quickly nodded again: "If you count all forms of energy, saying they contain life elements isn't impossible."
"Life elements?"
Kyōshiki gave him a look as if he were a fool. "I'm talking about pure energy—the energy of life. Obviously your understanding of life is still too narrow. True life is a much broader concept. The vast majority of planets in the universe are alive."
The idea was insane.
It completely overturned everything Dali had learned in both this life and his past one.
Though he didn't agree, Kyōshiki was of an interstellar race, far more experienced. Dali didn't feel like debating the issue, so he just nodded in acknowledgement.
Seeing his nod, Kyōshiki was satisfied and continued:
"Chakra fruits only collect the energy of lesser life on a planet. For ordinary people, yes, that energy is vast enough to change destiny, to grant them so-called 'godlike' power. But that is merely a product of their narrow cognition.
"The energy of lower life is of very limited use to beings who have already evolved to a certain level.
"Otherwise, I could have simply absorbed the life energy of lower-grade planets, without needing to trouble myself with you."
What Kyōshiki said did seem to make sense.
The strong and the weak all needed energy to grow, but the kind of energy they required differed. That was normal.
Still… what did this have to do with stars?