The battle was over. Nagato's Six Paths lifted the Four Red Yang Formation seal, Minato began repairing the damaged Moon battlefield, Hashirama busied himself healing his wounds, while the Orochimaru duo went to collect Isshiki's blood.
Though Isshiki was reduced to ashes in the end, the blood he shed from earlier injuries remained, making it easy for them to gather and study.
Whether cloning Isshiki or attempting Edo Tensei with him, for Orochimaru, it was a thrilling project. Just thinking about it made both of them tremble with excitement…
In the end, only Madara was somewhat relaxed.
So, Madara voluntarily helped the unconscious Obito, removing all the black rods from his body; with the Rinnegan, he could easily handle Isshiki's black rods.
At this moment, Tobirama was still in the Kamui dimension. It didn't matter if Obito remained unconscious for a bit, as letting Spiral Zetsu control Obito's body to activate Kamui would suffice.
"Madara-sama! Madara-sama! How was my performance? Pretty good, right?"
After removing the black rod bindings, Spiral Zetsu immediately controlled Obito's body, jumping up and hugging Parallel World 1 Madara's leg playfully. In its knowledge, the Madara before it was the one who created it, unaware that this Madara was actually from another space-time.
Parallel World 1 Madara was too lazy to explain, kicking Spiral Zetsu away and saying coldly, "Less talk, get that useless Tobirama out."
"Roger!" Spiral Zetsu activated Kamui, promptly pulling Parallel World 2 Tobirama out of the Kamui dimension.
Tobirama, upon emerging, was slightly disoriented, quickly scanning his surroundings. "Where's the enemy Isshiki?"
"Dead?"
"We won?"
Madara glared sharply at Tobirama, this useless person who'd humiliated him was, no matter how you looked at it, an eyesore. He only snorted coldly and ignored him.
"Hmph!"
Tobirama wasn't foolish either; seeing the atmosphere, he guessed the battle was likely over. He hurriedly approached his brother, asking about the process.
With the battle concluded and no casualties on their side, Hashirama was overjoyed, explaining Six Paths Minato's "cleverness" and caution with a smile.
Hearing this, Tobirama silently grumbled—worthy of being his generation-skipping disciple!
Truly had his own style. Sly enough, and fitting!
Just as Tobirama was lost in thought, Hashirama suddenly smacked his head hard and began lecturing, "It's all your fault, nearly causing a disaster! Luckily, Madara saved your life, and Minato and Obito too. You owe them big thanks!"
Tobirama immediately protested, "Brother, didn't you force me to save that Madara earlier…"
"Still talking! You almost died—do you know how worried I was?" Hashirama put on a serious face, his brow furrowed with concern.
Though Parallel World 2 Tobirama wasn't his biological brother in the truest sense, he was just as important in Hashirama's heart. Seeing Tobirama nearly die earlier, he was more worried than anyone.
"Brother…"
Tobirama's heart warmed, unable to resist recalling his former brother, who also cared deeply and protected him. Facing such a brother, Tobirama was powerless to resist and didn't know how to argue back.
"Come on, go thank Madara!"
"Do I have to?"
"He even risked his life to save you—what more are you dissatisfied with? Don't make me repeat myself!"
"Fine…" Tobirama reluctantly agreed, looking like a loser who'd gambled away his fortune in a cockfight, trudging slowly toward Madara.
Madara stood with arms crossed, eyeing Tobirama with interest. Though it wasn't his intention, seeing this beast Tobirama obediently bow his head and thank him was immensely satisfying.
"Uchiha Madara, earlier you…" Tobirama muttered under his breath.
"Hm? What'd you say?" Madara retorted with a mocking smile, suddenly realizing saving this beast Tobirama was quite amusing.
"Thank you!"
Tobirama's face flushed slightly, his gratitude laced with deep humiliation. Asking him to thank Madara, evil incarnate since birth, was worse than making him run naked around Konoha village in public.
But Tobirama knew in his heart that without Madara, he might've truly died at Isshiki's hands. Hate was hate, but this life-saving kindness deserved thanks.
"What'd you say? Louder, I can't hear!" Madara teased deliberately, his eyes gleaming with triumph. A rare chance to mock this vile Tobirama—how could Madara pass it up? Honestly, even if Tobirama didn't speak, just moved his lips, Madara could read them.
"Madara, don't go too far! I…"
"What's with you? Speaking so softly, haven't eaten? Or do you want Hashirama to feed you? Say it again, louder!"
Tobirama glanced back at his brother, utterly helpless. He couldn't bear to sadden his deeply caring brother! So, he flushed even redder, gritted his teeth, and shouted, "I said thank you, thank you for saving my life!"
"Hahaha! That's more like it."
"But no need for special thanks—I only saved you so Hashirama wouldn't be sad."
"My intention was never to save you, you useless thing."
"And, useless, next time you act foolish, don't drag me down!"
Madara replied smugly. Seeing Tobirama's deeply humiliated, beet-red face, his heart felt refreshed, like drinking a soul-soothing cold drink in the scorching summer heat.
Madara felt he could eat several extra bowls at dinner tonight just thinking about this scene.
"You…"
Tobirama wanted to retort but held back.
No choice—he couldn't fight, so he had to endure for now. Besides, Madara did save his life this time, and Tobirama wasn't ungrateful; he accepted this kindness. After all, he was the killer of his opponent's brother; the fact that his opponent was willing to save him proved a lot.
Tobirama wouldn't exploit this kindness. He decided that once he successfully transplanted the Tenseigan and defeated Parallel World 2 Madara in his world, he'd let his opponent live. That would repay Madara's kindness.
As such, he was the most urgent and endangered now! The one-month deadline agreed with the Sage of the Six Paths had expired, and though the giant Tenseigan was one step from fusing into a normal one, it was still slightly lacking. Compared to the others—Eight Gates Hashirama, Dual Rinnegan Madara, Unified Orochimaru, Six Paths Minato, Six Paths Nagato…
Each had become a titan among titans, a ninja among ninjas; only he remained pathetically weak, with the slowest unification progress. It was truly speechless!
No comparison, no pain!
So, Tobirama felt an urgent need, rushing to Parallel World 3 and 4 Orochimarus without a moment's rest, preparing to ask for their help to complete the final step of his Tenseigan fusion. Then he'd return to his space-time and vent all today's humiliation on Parallel World 2 Madara there!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Before leaving, Nagato's Six Paths also asked Minato for plenty of Otsutsuki-related information. They even agreed to exchange training later.
Nagato knew well that, though his ninja world had achieved unification, the Rabbit Goddess, Jigen, and others lurking hadn't been dealt with. He'd face them sooner or later.
Gathering more experience now and learning techniques from Minato, who'd succeeded, was the right path. Such a great space-time parallel advantage had to be fully utilized.
Minato, during the conversation, roughly understood the situation in another space-time, Parallel World 5. Learning that Nagato and Akatsuki had completed unification and Konoha was destroyed shocked him inwardly. But thankfully, hearing Naruto and the others were still alive, he demanded nothing more.
After all, it was another's space-time and world, not his ninja world. Besides, Nagato and Naruto were senior and junior; Minato could sense Nagato's recognition and care for Naruto during their talk. That was enough.
(Wait, Nagato and I are also senior and junior! Hmm… this lineage is getting messier?)
However, learning that another Six Paths Nagato had completed world unification, Minato couldn't help feeling a slight urgency.
It was like returning to school to submit homework. Classmates around had submitted complete assignments, regardless of how they did it—at least they finished. Meanwhile, though he answered each question meticulously, his work remained incomplete!
Considering Lux's guidance and support after class, Minato inevitably felt pressured and slightly embarrassed. But by now, he no longer resisted world unification. With two successful cases before him, he wouldn't copy them, but they proved the path's feasibility. Since it was feasible and beneficial, Minato wouldn't refuse.
Initially, Minato planned to start pushing for world unification after defeating Isshiki. Now was a great opportunity to continue that push.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
And so.
Seizing this chance, the leaders of the five Parallel Worlds rarely held an in-depth exchange of information and experiences.
An hour later, the Moon battlefield in Parallel World 4 was mostly cleared, and the Parallel World representatives gained satisfactory information.
Minato took Obito, Spiral Zetsu, and the others back to Earth first. Meanwhile, the leader representatives from other space-times were sent back to their respective worlds by Lux, one by one.