Chapter 212 – All-Out Chaos: I'm Not That Evil Old Ghost Tobirama
"Strike when they think victory is already theirs."
That was Senju Tobirama's famous maxim—words that Kitagawa Gen had always kept in mind.
He never liked Tobirama as a person.
But—
"When it's useful, it's useful!"
A roar of chakra thundered across the sky as a lightning-coated blade came crashing down toward Nagato's head.
"Kitagawa Gen?!"
Nagato's reaction was instant. The moment he felt the chakra surge, he mobilized every ounce of power within him. He had long since stopped believing in things like "luck."
Every time Akatsuki acted, disaster struck. Only during the three years he spent healing, when the organization stayed silent, did nothing happen.
This time, he had expected it. That's why the full force of Akatsuki was mobilized. Whether they faced Konoha or that alien Ōtsutsuki… he was prepared.
"The path of the Six Realms is paved with trials. This is my test—and I'll overcome it!"
BOOM!
His chakra erupted outward, a tidal wave of repulsion blocking the violet strike.
"I knew it would be you!"
Lightning and invisible force clashed in the sky, holding each other in stalemate. Nagato's voice cut low through the storm, making Kitagawa Gen freeze.
"What?"
"The last time we met, you struck from the shadows. Every time, you attack when people are distracted."
"…"
"And when I heard the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki had been found, when everyone's attention shifted—of course it was you!"
"…"
"Only you would pull something like this!"
Kitagawa Gen's face darkened. What did Nagato mean by "of course it's you"? That was slander!
"…You're awfully confident," Gen muttered, chakra raging inside him. "Let's see what gives you that confidence!"
The clash between them reached a fever pitch. A lance of white light burst forth, piercing through the gloom of Takigakure. The sheer force of their chakra made even seasoned shinobi break into cold sweat.
"Run!"
Takigakure's shinobi shouted as the light exploded, a shockwave ripping outward.
BOOOOM!
The black iron sand barrier above the village twisted violently before shattering into a storm of dark mist. Buildings crumbled to dust, windows shattered, and homes collapsed like brittle shells.
Many shinobi were hurled to the ground, writhing in pain—lucky compared to the unlucky ones, whose very bodies were obliterated in the blast.
"Damn it… those two…"
Even Akatsuki's members staggered from the force. They recognized the violet lightning instantly and cursed inwardly. One exchange, and already this much destruction.
"Tch. Troublesome."
Obito's face darkened as Nagato was sent hurtling backward into the distance. He wasn't even surprised—it felt normal that these people would appear. That unsettled him most of all.
And then—
"You showed up too!"
Obito spun, just in time to see kunai crackling with blue lightning. Though they lacked Kamui's power, he dodged instantly. Kakashi was not someone he could ever afford to take lightly.
"It's been three years," Kakashi said coldly, dropping into view. His gaze was sharp as a blade. "Obito."
"Don't say my name with that fake sympathy." Obito's tone was venomous, shadows flickering in his eyes. "Three years of your meddling in Kamui's space… no wonder Kitagawa Gen became what he is. You are the reason he is like that."
Kakashi stayed silent for a beat, then answered steadily. "We're shinobi. Whatever it takes to stop you—it's worth it."
"Spare me your moral speeches. You're no better than the rest. Hypocrite."
Obito's chakra raged. "You stand in the way of revolution, of true peace. For that, you'll die."
"Peace?" Kakashi's voice hardened, chakra surging to match. "You killed our teacher, slaughtered innocents, and now you target Takigakure's beast. If that's your 'peace,' then you're beyond saving."
Obito snarled. "You'll never understand my world!"
"I don't need to."
"Kakashi!"
"Obito!"
They clashed, their figures blurring as Kamui warped the battlefield around them.
---
Meanwhile, in the ruins—
"Orochimaru. So you're here too."
Jiraiya landed heavily, eyes locking onto his old comrade.
"…You again," Orochimaru drawled, memories of their past surfacing with irritation. Three years of uneasy quiet, and now, the moment he moved, fate threw Jiraiya at him.
So this was what Akatsuki had felt all along. Truly cursed.
"Why aren't you rotting in Konoha? I hear your village's next Hokage is Kitagawa Gen. How pitiful—still no seat for you."
"Hmph. I never wanted to be Hokage. Don't spout nonsense." Jiraiya's fists clenched. "You once told me you weren't with Akatsuki. What lies will you spin now?"
"I don't need lies," Orochimaru smirked. "But do you really think you can drag me back?"
"Why won't you let go of this path?"
"You never understood me, Jiraiya. And I stopped expecting you to long ago." His smile widened, tongue flicking across his lips. "Tell me—your so-called 'Child of Destiny.' Is it him?"
Jiraiya froze. His eyes drifted toward the distance, where Kitagawa Gen's lightning silhouette tore after Nagato. He sighed. The Great Toad Sage no longer spoke of prophecy these days.
"I know what you're trying to say, Orochimaru. That he'll fall like all the others. But you're wrong."
His voice hardened with conviction.
"Gen is different. He has always been different. Whether or not he's a 'Child of Destiny,' he will change this world. That—I believe without a doubt."
---
The battlefield fractured.
Kitagawa Gen against Nagato.
Kakashi against Obito.
Jiraiya against Orochimaru.
The rest of Akatsuki glanced around, relieved the worst threats weren't aimed at them.
"Let's just secure the Seven-Tails," Kakuzu muttered. "No matter who wins, if we finish our mission, it'll spare us trouble."
"Not so easy," Kisame chuckled, sharp teeth gleaming. "Because more guests have arrived."
Two kunai whistled down, and in a flash of Flying Thunder God, two figures appeared—one in orange, one in black.
Akatsuki's eyes widened.
"…Flying Thunder God? These brats can use it?"
"And not just that," Kakuzu sneered, glancing at Sasuke's crimson Sharingan. "One is the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. The other…"
His gaze slid toward Itachi.
"…seems related to you, Itachi."
Itachi's eyes narrowed.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Uchiha Itachi took a step forward.
His gaze locked onto Sasuke—his expression unreadable, yet with faint ripples beneath the surface.
"I didn't expect you to be here… and to think you've mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Truly unexpected."
"Unexpected?" Sasuke's eyes were cold, filled only with hatred.
"Is it unexpected that we'd meet here… or unexpected that you'll die here today?"
Boom!
Sasuke didn't waste a single breath on words. In an instant, violet lightning exploded around him, lashing out at Itachi.
Itachi's reaction was equally swift—his body split into a flock of crows, scattering through the air. His true form reappeared a short distance away, his expression darkening.
"Purple Lightning? That's Kitagawa Gen's technique…"
"That's right." Sasuke's voice was sharp as the crackling thunder now cloaking him. "Back then, you were lucky—lucky that Gen-senpai's blade didn't kill you outright. Otherwise, I wouldn't have this chance today."
His body shimmered with purple arcs of lightning, Sharingan glowing crimson with murderous intent.
"I once worried I might never cross paths with you… but I see I was wrong. Gen-senpai was right—we were destined to meet again!"
"…Gen-senpai."
Itachi frowned. The influence Kitagawa Gen had on Sasuke was greater than he'd expected. Mentioned again and again… but whether it was good or ill, he couldn't yet say. Still, this was his chance—to confirm whether Sasuke was truly following the path he had intended for him.
"It seems Kitagawa Gen has guided you well. But tell me, Sasuke—how far can your eyes see now?"
"My eyes…" Sasuke's chakra flared violently. He launched forward like a thunderbolt.
"They see only your death!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their clash erupted with no warning—kunai against blade, sparks flying. Two blurs of chakra streaked across the battlefield, vanishing into the distance.
The remaining members of Akatsuki stood in silence, their attention shifting toward one lone figure left behind—Naruto, his face stiffening.
"Damn it!" Naruto's scalp tingled as he realized Sasuke and Itachi were drawing farther away… and now every Akatsuki's eyes were on him.
Still, a fire stirred inside him.
Back when he was my age, Gen had already driven Akatsuki to despair… If I'm going to be Hokage, I have to follow that same reckless path!
"Alright then… Let's do this, Naruto!"
Boom!
—Elsewhere, on the ruined outskirts of Takigakure—
Gen stood upon the rubble, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he faced Nagato.
"What a surprise. Last time I saw you, you were nothing but skin and bones. Now you almost look human. And this time… it's just you alone?"
"Thanks to you, I learned how to draw out the full extent of my power." Nagato brushed dust from his cloak, his voice hard.
"And thanks to another… I've come to understand my true strength—my true limits!"
"Is that so?" Gen's grin widened, while Nagato inhaled deeply.
"I'm not the same man I was three years ago. This time, you'll witness my change—you'll witness my will!"
"Your will, huh?" Gen tilted his head. "Tell me something, Nagato. All this effort… all this pain you've taken on… it's because of Yahiko's death, isn't it?"
"…What are you trying to say?"
"I'm just curious." Gen's voice grew sharper. "Orochimaru has already mastered Edo Tensei. Yahiko's body is right there in your hands. So why haven't you brought him back?"
Nagato froze.
"Because you're afraid, aren't you? Afraid to face him. Afraid he'd see how far you've strayed from your ideals."
Gen's words struck deep, his tone cutting like a blade.
"In the end, you're just lying to yourself. You can't even face reality!"
Nagato's breath caught—he faltered. But Gen didn't give him the luxury of reflection.
Hum—
In that instant of hesitation, the White Fang short blade swung, its arc gleaming. Nagato barely registered the voice beside his ear:
"And another thing—your insults are filthy. Don't mistake me for that sinister old ghost, Senju Tobirama."