Chapter 1264 Sacrificing Oneself

"Sacrifice is inevitable for eternal peace." Shangguan Mo's figure suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Naruto the next second, his dark purple Spirit Refining Blade stabbing towards Naruto's back. Sasuke activated Amenotejikara in time, switching Naruto's position with his own. The Spirit Refining Blade grazed Sasuke's shoulder, leaving a scorch mark on his trench coat from the black energy.

"Looks like I'll have to use my fists to bring you to your senses." Naruto activated Six Paths: Super Giant Rasengan, a golden energy ball carrying an aura of destruction, hurtling towards Shangguan Mo. Shangguan Mo raised his hand, condensing the Spirit Refining: Dark Guardian Array. The barrier formed by black runes blocked the Rasengan. The moment the energy collided, the entire Feather Robe Secret Realm trembled, and even space itself cracked and distorted.

The battle in the Feather Robe Secret Realm shocked the entire ninja world. When Gaara arrived with the Sandstorm troops from Sunagakure, he saw Naruto bound by Shangguan Mo's Spirit Refining Chains, his golden Six Paths Chakra being continuously eroded by black energy. Shukaku's Tailed Beast Chakra erupted around Gaara, a sandstorm forming a giant hand that tore the Spirit Refining Chains apart: "Shangguan Mo, have you forgotten that back in the Land of Wind, you said the essence of Spirit Refining Techniques was protection?"

Shangguan Mo turned to look at Gaara, his dark purple spiritual energy forming a blade of light that cleaved the Sandstorm's hand in two: "Protection requires power. Do you think you can stop the war between Iwagakure and Sunagakure with the power of Shukaku? Only my Six Paths of Spiritual Refinement can bring the ninja world to a complete end to conflict."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sasuke activated his Susanoo. The complete Susanoo, wielding a giant sword, slashed towards the Spirit Refining Pillar. The sword light had just touched the runes on the Spirit Refining Pillar when it was repelled by an invisible energy. Sasuke's Rinnegan suddenly throbbed with pain, and a long-forgotten memory flooded his mind—it was the battle between the Sage of Six Paths and Kaguya Otsutsuki. In the scene, the Spirit Refining Staff in the Sage of Six Paths' hand had the same pattern as Shangguan Mo's Spirit Refining Hammer.

"Stop!" Sasuke shouted suddenly, and Susanoo instantly dissipated. "Shangguan Mo's Spirit Refining Technique is not an ordinary ninjutsu; it's the 'Power of Balance' left behind by the Sage of Six Paths." He clutched his eyes, which were throbbing with pain, and the tomoe of his Rinnegan spun rapidly. "After the Sage of Six Paths sealed Kaguya, he divided his power into two parts. One part is the power of the Six Paths that we control, and the other part is the Spirit Refining Technique, used to balance the tailed beasts and natural energy."

Everyone was stunned. Naruto seized the opportunity to break free of the Spirit Refining Chains, and Six Paths Chakra formed a shield around him: "Sasuke, explain yourself! What exactly is going on?"

“The Rinnegan can see the source of power.” Sasuke pointed to the runes on the Spirit Refining Pillar. “These runes are from the same source as the Sage of Six Paths’ sealing techniques. Shangguan Mo is not out of control; he is activating the true power of the Spirit Refining Technique. However, he was misled by the remnant soul of the Otsutsuki and mistook ‘balance’ for ‘control’.”

Shangguan Mo's body jolted violently, his dark purple energy momentarily disrupted: "What nonsense are you spouting? The essence of the Spirit Refining Technique is controlling the energy of the Tailed Beasts, as clearly stated in the Tailed Beast Spirit Refining Chart!" He tossed the chart into the air, and the instant it unfolded, black runes suddenly covered the original golden characters. "This is impossible..."

“It was the remnant soul of the Otsutsuki who altered the diagram.” Sasuke activated the ultimate ability of the Rinnegan—“Six Paths: Truth Vision”, his golden eye power dispelling the black runes on the diagram and revealing the original text. “The true record of the diagram is: Spirit Refining Technique, Balancing Tailed Beasts, Protecting Nature, not Controlling It.”

A struggle flashed in Shangguan Mo's eyes, and the Meteorite Scorpion let out a painful roar as its green tailed beast chakra began to resist the erosion of the black energy. Just then, a cold laugh from the depths of the secret realm echoed from the remnant soul of the Otsutsuki: "Foolish human, so what if you know the truth? The Spirit Refining Technique is already bound to his soul; he is destined to become the vessel for my resurrection of Lady Kaguya!"

Black energy erupted from the Spirit Refining Pillar, completely engulfing Shangguan Mo's consciousness. His body began to mutate, with dark purple Spirit Refining energy fusing with Otsutsuki chakra. Six pairs of black wings grew from his back, and the Spirit Refining Hammer in his hand transformed into a giant scythe. The runes on the blade were identical to Kaguya's ancestral mark: "Since balance cannot be achieved, then the old order will be completely destroyed!"