Boom~
The collision of two powerful Ninjutsu, a sea of fire and a tidal wave, created a massive explosion of steam. The clash of fire and water produced scalding vapor that filled the air.
The fire and water continued to clash and evaporate, and even Madara was slightly surprised. It had been a long time since he had seen a Water Release Ninjutsu of this caliber.
After a while, the flames dissipated, and the tidal wave receded into the ground.
Kisame appeared beside Pain, his expression grim.
The sheer scale of that Fire Release Ninjutsu had been difficult for even him to counter.
"Can someone explain to me what's going on here?"
He had been maintaining Samehada at his residence when the sudden explosion drew him here. Now, he found himself in the middle of this chaos.
Madara landed beside Hashirama, eyeing the shark-like man who had just appeared.
"Your Ninjutsu reminds me of someone I despise."
"Madara, if it weren't for Tobirama's Forbidden Technique, you wouldn't be here right now."
Hashirama immediately knew Madara was referring to his younger brother, Tobirama. After all, such a powerful Water Release Ninjutsu would bring Tobirama to mind.
It was a shame he hadn't been able to see his brother this time.
'Tobirama was strong, so why hadn't he been reincarnated?'
Black Zetsu, however, had no idea where Tobirama's body was.
"Hmph!"
Madara shot a disdainful glance at Hashirama. He suddenly felt that the man was far too foolish. He felt that if it hadn't been for Hashirama's sneak attack back then, he would never have lost.
As the two exchanged words, Kisame also noticed Madara. His eyes showed a flicker of confusion, but he quickly pieced things together.
"So, you're the real Madara Uchiha, aren't you?"
"Kisame, did you know that the masked man wasn't Uchiha Madara?"
Deva Path spoke up, his gaze toward Kisame now tinged with wariness.
Kisame naturally noticed the change in Deva Path's expression, but since he's still unsure of the full situation, he replied with a frown, "I've seen his face. I don't know much about Uchiha Madara, but I've heard of him. That face didn't match what I'd expect of Madara."
"Is that so? In that case, whose side are you on now?" Deva Path's eyes bore into Kisame.
Although Kisame had just helped them, it was clear that he had acted without fully understanding the situation.
Now that he knew the truth, there was a chance he might side with Madara.
"I'm just tired of the endless killing in the Ninja World. I want to find my purpose and see that new world without war."
Kisame sounded lost. He had originally accepted the masked man's invitation because the idea of a new world had intrigued him.
But he hadn't seen that masked man in over half a year.
Hearing this, Deva Path fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Madara, who had also heard Kisame's words, showed a flicker of interest. The endless wars and killings in the Ninja World had cost him everything he once held dear.
"It seems that you, a fishman, are not as detestable as that other fool."
"Then step aside. In the new world, there will be a place for you. Otherwise, your life ends here."
If Kisame wanted to see the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Madara would grant him that opportunity. In that world, everyone would receive the world they desired.
But Madara had no intention of recruiting Kisame.
Only the weak needed to band together. Having experienced betrayal firsthand, Madara no longer trusted others.
His carefully laid plans had been exposed, and now, the Infinite Tsukuyomi Project would have to be carried out by him alone.
The peace of the Ninja World would be forged by his hands alone.
Though he didn't know where Obito had gone, his priority now was to reclaim his eyes.
"This..."
Kisame suddenly felt like he had come for nothing. Now, he was caught between two sides, neither of which seemed to want him.
"Kisame, if you're looking for a place to go, why not visit the Land of Waves?"
Konan, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up, drawing the attention of both Pain and Kisame.
Deva Path's gaze toward Konan was complicated. After all, recommending a member of their organization to another faction, right in front of the leader, is somewhat bizarre.
"The Land of Waves?"
Kisame recalled the intelligence he had heard about it.
Konan spoke earnestly, "There, you might find your purpose. Your former comrade, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Momochi Zabuza, is also there."
The Akatsuki was likely nearing its end. Konan felt that sending Kisame there would be a way to repay Naruto for the information he had provided.
Kisame was surprised. Although he wasn't close to Zabuza, he had heard of his exploits… killing all his peers and forcing the higher-ups to change the Academy System.
He glanced at Deva Path, as if seeking his opinion.
Deva Path no longer looked at them, focusing entirely on Madara and Hashirama.
"This battle is beyond your level now. Konan... you should leave with Kisame."
Kisame and Konan were only slightly stronger than Elite Jonin, so they no longer had a place in this fight.
"Pain..."
Before Konan could say more, Deva Path charged toward Madara.
He was in a bad mood and needed to vent.
Animal Path quickly summoned several large creatures to provide support from the side, while Asura Path's arms began firing a barrage of rockets for long-range attacks.
Naraka Path and Human Path positioned themselves in different spots, covering blind spots and providing additional surveillance.
"Hahaha, are you finally getting serious? Let's see how far you can use my eyes!"
Madara laughed heartily as the tomoe in his eyes spun, transforming into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Blue ribs materialized around him, and he activated the first stage of Susanoo. The skeletal structure grew four arms.
The real battle had just begun.
However, Pain's target was only Madara. Hashirama was still in spectator mode, and Pain had no intention of making things harder for himself by provoking him.
"Vice-Leader, should we leave?"
Watching the battle between Pain and Madara, Kisame realized he truly wasn't qualified to participate in a fight of this level.
Konan also watched the battlefield with deep concern, feeling a sense of helplessness.
"Kisame, you won't be disappointed. In the Land of Waves, there's a world where Ninja can survive without relying on killing."
No matter the outcome of this battle, Konan knew the Akatsuki would cease to exist.
They had underestimated Black Zetsu's trump card, never expecting him to reincarnate Madara.
This operation had been too reckless, with almost no preparation.
Black Zetsu hadn't anticipated Nagato showing up just as he was about to reincarnate Madara.
It could only be said that fate had played its hand.
After a moment of silence, Kisame realized Konan wouldn't be leaving with him. He nodded and said, "I'll go take a look."
Kisame hadn't expected that, not long after defecting from Kirigakure, he would be searching for a new employer again.
Watching Kisame's retreating figure, Konan sighed deeply, then glanced back at the battle between Madara and Pain.
Madara, fighting alone against five opponents, remained calm and composed.
With his Edo Tensei body, any damage he sustained was quickly healed, and his infinite Chakra made this an inherently unfair fight.
Konan's paper wings fluttered as she flew toward Nagato's true body. She wanted to see if she could help him escape.