(What did he say? This Fourth Hokage says he wants the Ōtsutsuki Clan's secret Kama technique?)
(Is he insane?)
A technique as advanced as controlled nuclear fusion—even if handed to natives, they couldn't use it!
Kama was designed specifically for Ōtsutsuki genes, like the Ten-Tails. Without mastering the foundational technology, outsiders couldn't wield it! No matter how genius some ninja world natives were, they couldn't crack it!
More critically, if the main clan learned he'd surrendered the Ōtsutsuki's highest secret technique, clan rules would ensure his death!
No one could escape the main clan's pursuit and execution!
Instantly, Isshiki couldn't help but blanch, his heart gripped by a dilemma.
"No way!"
"Pick something else—Kama's absolutely off-limits!" Isshiki roared hysterically, devoid of elegance. Facing death, how could he stay refined?
"I only want this technique; otherwise, no deal. At worst, you slaughter all of Konoha's ninjas, and I'll wait for you to die. After all, I've already moved my kin elsewhere…"
Minato didn't yield, responding firmly with an aura of confidence, as if he'd act if Isshiki refused. At worst, his side's loss wouldn't cost his life.
But for Isshiki, refusing the trade meant only one path: death.
"You want to steal our clan's secret technique and gain immortality?"
"Why? Can't I?"
"Hahaha! Namikaze Minato, everyone's misjudged you! Your ambition's the greatest! No wonder it let me escape this far—so no one else would hear your filthy deal, right?"
Isshiki's face grew more ghastly, realizing he'd misjudged the Fourth Hokage. These human natives were mad, each more vicious and greedy than the last; compared to them, even Ōtsutsuki seemed purer.
"How much time do you have left for nonsense?"
"Even if I give you Kama, you won't master it!"
"Less talk—will you trade or not?"
Minato cut to the chase, fully dominating the negotiation, insisting only on the Kama technique and rejecting all other terms.
Such stubbornness irritated Isshiki but faintly made him trust Minato more.
If Minato had only asked him to spare Konoha and willingly handed over Obito, it would've seemed more suspicious. After all, he'd been tricked too often by cunning native ninjas.
In negotiations, offers must be somewhat equivalent to seem credible. Kama's value far exceeded Obito's, but unfortunately, Isshiki had no time left and no room to bargain!
Isshiki wasn't a fool.
Choosing between dying now or possibly dying later, he'd obviously pick the latter!
Moreover, if he secured Obito's vessel and revived perfectly, he could find ways to kill Minato and anyone who knew, preventing the main clan from learning he'd broken the rules. He might save his life!
In just seconds, countless thoughts and choices flashed through Isshiki's mind, but ultimately, for survival, he decided to surrender the Kama technique.
But at the last moment, he recalled one issue:
"Wait! I can give you Kama, but how do you guarantee that the one who sealed me won't attack again?"
Isshiki pointed at Lux toward the Moon—that Sage of the Six Paths was nearly his nightmare. Even if his reincarnation succeeded, he might be sealed again in the Golden Cymbal!
"I can't interfere with that Lord's decisions, but I can indeed hand Obito to you!"
"Trade or die—choose yourself!"
Minato didn't bother humoring Isshiki, leaving life or death for Isshiki to decide. He wouldn't speak for Lux; he could deceive Isshiki, but he wouldn't offend Lux.
Hearing this, Isshiki's face darkened further, grim enough to drip water. But it made him more convinced of Minato's deal's reliability. If Minato claimed he could represent the Sage of the Six Paths and let him go, it would've seemed fake!
Fine.
Whether he'd be locked in the "golden cymbal's dark space" later, at least he'd live and have a chance to turn things around. If he didn't trade now and died here, he'd have nothing!
The death-fearing Isshiki didn't dare gamble. From the moment he saw Minato bring Obito to negotiate and stopped moving, he'd already made his choice deep down.
As long as Minato didn't demand his life, he was willing to pay any price. His long hesitation was only to convince himself and ensure Minato's deal wasn't a trap…
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Fine! I agree!"
Isshiki answered reluctantly.
"Then let's start the trade."
Minato urged straightforwardly, genuinely eager to acquire the Kama technique. If he obtained Kama and cracked it, most future Ōtsutsuki threats to the shinobi world would be reduced several-fold!
This was what Minato truly needed!
"How do you want to trade?"
"You transfer the technique to my clone, then I'll hand Obito to you!"
"How can I be sure you won't just run after getting Kama?"
Isshiki still harbored doubts, fearing another trick from Minato.
"If I trick you, you can keep slaughtering Konoha's villagers; besides, do you have a choice now?"
"Not giving the technique means death; giving it means a sliver of hope to live."
Minato countered coldly.
"You—!"
Isshiki fell silent. He was the one desperate to live, not Minato. The disadvantaged party in negotiations, once pressured into concessions, faces endless more.
Aren't most unfair treaties in history forged this way?
"Come on, hurry up!"
Minato nodded, creating a Shadow Clone and letting it approach Isshiki.
As long as Isshiki transferred the technique's data to the clone, once it vanished, all acquired knowledge would return to the original body—safest and most reliable, with no worry of Isshiki tampering…
Soon, Minato's clone neared Isshiki. The desperate Isshiki didn't hesitate, activating his Byakugan dōjutsu, using its power and mental strength to transfer all Kama information to Minato's clone. For his survival, what clan interest couldn't he betray?
Besides, even if these natives got Kama, they couldn't use it; without Ōtsutsuki genes, they were naturally lowly creatures, utterly incapable of mastering Kama!
Moments later, after receiving all the technique's data, Minato's clone burst, transferring all information back to the original body.
Minato instantly acquired the Ōtsutsuki Clan's highest secret technique for free from this "traitor Isshiki"!
"It's done! Hurry and give me Obito!"
Isshiki shouted and demanded urgently, hungry like a lustful demon. If Minato truly tricked him, Isshiki felt he could die of rage!
But Minato kept his promise. He raised his hand and tossed the unconscious Obito toward the distant Isshiki.
Isshiki hurriedly caught him, gently, as if handling his most cherished treasure! After all, this was his only hope for survival!
After catching Obito, Isshiki acted immediately, without hesitation, beginning to carve the Kama seal on Obito…
As long as Kama was successfully carved, he'd have an extra life and no longer fear death! He could even use his remaining ten-plus minutes to slaughter and take revenge on these insolent lowly natives!
A few minutes later, Isshiki successfully carved the full Kama seal on Obito and began activating it.
"Phew—!"
"Finally done; now I can rest easy."
"You lowly creatures did well to push me this far…"
Isshiki sighed in satisfaction, even starting his final victory speech.
However.
His plan was beautiful, but reality was cruel. Isshiki had just successfully carved the full Kama seal on Obito, but it lasted only seconds before the black Kama pattern began fading rapidly… Soon, it vanished entirely, like paper burning to ash!
"What's this?"
"Wait…"
"My Kama?"
"Why's it disappearing?"
"Damn it! What's going on?!?"
"This can't be—my Kama… it can't just vanish! Where's the mistake?!"
Seeing the Kama seal on Obito's body disappear, Isshiki was utterly devastated.
Madness, despair, fear, confusion, rage… all emotions erupted in his heart! He couldn't fathom the reason.
But the next second.
From the distant other side, a voice provided the answer.
"Isshiki, you've lost!"
"It's you, Namikaze Minato—what trick did you pull this time?!" Isshiki roared in fury, nearly grinding his teeth to dust.
"No trick. I did hand Obito to you; it's just that Obito was a shadow clone…" Minato calmly delivered the despairing answer.
At the same moment, a spatial distortion appeared beside Minato, and the real Obito emerged from the Kamui dimension.
Obito glanced at Minato beside him, then at Isshiki across, clutching his clone. Since the Flying Thunder God mark on his backside didn't feel hot, Obito knew his teacher's "cunning plan" had succeeded again!
(Poor Isshiki! Tricked again by the oh-so-innocent Minato-sensei. Thank goodness I'm now a loyal Konoha follower too.)
The next second.
*POFT!*
Amid Isshiki's confusion and rage, the Obito clone he held burst into a puff of white smoke.
This officially declared that Isshiki's final hope for reincarnation and revival had crumbled.
Isshiki's fury erupted like a volcano, consuming all his sanity.
"Bastard! Namikaze Minato! You tricked me again!!!"
"No, Isshiki, you just underestimated the wisdom and ninjutsu of ninjas…"