Chapter 346: The Chase and Escape, Fortune's Turn
After Uchiha Dali expanded his advanced Observation Haki domain, he quickly caught onto a trace of aura.
Though faint, within the scope of his perception, aside from himself and Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki, only this aura existed.
And what did that mean? Ordinary lifeforms could not possibly be perceived.
It wasn't because Uchiha Dali's sensing ability was lacking, but because their presences were so minuscule and fragile that his perception automatically filtered them out.
It was like a natural screening process, excluding unnecessary signals so he could concentrate on the information he wanted.
Thus, for him to sense this faint presence meant only one thing—this aura could only belong to that man, Ōtsutsuki Àoshiki, whose existence could be captured even in the boundless and endless void of the universe.
"He's close now…"
Uchiha Dali couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Kyōshiki looked at him in surprise. Though he didn't say it aloud, his expression betrayed his shock.
He had always thought Uchiha Dali was unable to sense things at such great distances. But clearly, that wasn't the case.
Still, Kyōshiki had grown used to this boy's surprises. He was never fully sure of what Dali was capable of, and who knew what other hidden skills he might still be holding back?
At the very same moment they locked onto their target, Ōtsutsuki Àoshiki also sensed their presence.
But what was heading their way wasn't his true body—it was a clone.
Although it possessed the exact same power and abilities as the original, it still didn't have the certainty of winning against two opponents at once.
So instead of attacking recklessly, Àoshiki's clone relayed the information to his other clones and his true body.
Soon enough, his true form and the other clones received the message and began rushing toward the location.
What Àoshiki didn't know was that Kyōshiki had already perceived this as well.
Kyōshiki's face darkened slightly. "That old bastard! He's planning to gather his clones and surround us! Hmph, no way I'll let him succeed!"
"Come on! We'll take down this one first and split his energy evenly!"
With that, Kyōshiki shot off first, streaking across the black void like a falling star.
This was exactly what Uchiha Dali had intended anyway, though Kyōshiki beat him to the words. Watching the other rush ahead impatiently, Dali followed without hesitation.
Sensing their intent, Àoshiki's clone immediately grew alert.
He could use most of the original's abilities—but there was one technique he didn't possess. Or rather, he possessed the knowledge, but could not use it.
The Multiple Shadow Copy Technique.
After all, he was only a clone himself, lacking the complete DNA traits of the true body.
If a clone could produce clones identical in strength to the original, wouldn't that mean he could split infinitely, endlessly creating bodies as strong as himself?
That would be like lifting yourself up by your own bootstraps—straight to invincibility.
"So you want to gang up on me? Not a bad idea, heh…"
Knowing full well he couldn't win against both Kyōshiki and Dali, Àoshiki's clone didn't hesitate to turn tail and flee.
"That guy's figured out what we're up to! He's running! Forget it."
Dali's perception grew sharper by the second, and he immediately noticed the opponent trying to escape.
But Kyōshiki, overcome by desire, ignored him. With a feral grin he said, "And isn't that perfect? He runs, we chase. Once we catch him, we'll gain power like never before!"
"Don't you want to grow stronger?"
It wasn't surprising he'd get carried away—he had waited too long for this.
Kyōshiki had devoured countless chakra fruits over the years. But by now, their energy barely did anything for him. None could push him past that final barrier to the next realm.
Just one last step—so close. If he could break through, he would be able to directly absorb and refine stellar-level energy, evolving to a far higher plane.
Yet no matter what he tried, that final wall refused to give way. The frustration and longing gnawed at him endlessly.
And now the perfect opportunity was right before him.
If he and Dali captured Àoshiki's clone and divided its energy, that would surely be enough to propel his strength forward.
There was no way Kyōshiki would let such a chance slip by.
"It's not that I don't want to grow stronger… I just don't need to do it this way."
Dali grumbled inwardly, though he didn't refuse.
The two pursued at full speed, but always remained a step behind the fleeing clone.
Gradually, Dali felt something was wrong. "Wait. He's leading us on! He's trying to lure us straight into the others—don't forget, his clones and true body are closing in."
Kyōshiki only sneered. "So what? You think only he can make clones? Watch this."
With that, Kyōshiki instantly split into hundreds of bodies identical to himself in every way—their appearances, their auras, everything was indistinguishable.
In a blink, his side's power surged to an overwhelming peak.
Even Dali felt the crushing pressure bearing down on him.
"Impressive… That's really something."
He couldn't help but admire it secretly, while at the same time feeling a fierce longing stir within him.
If only his own Multiple Shadow Copy Technique could reach this level.
If a hundred of his clones all fought with Ultra Instinct at once—what a sight that would be.
Even a God of Destruction might not be able to handle it.
If such beings even existed in this universe.
As these thoughts raced through Dali's mind, a sudden blaze of dazzling light erupted ahead.
In that instant, Kyōshiki's true body passed through the radiance and vanished.