Everyone stared at the strange creature, doubting whether it was even human.
After all, what human is white from head to toe like it's been bathed in lime, with half a ruined face that barely looked alive?
Only Konoha's side, who knew the truth, recognized it for what it was—White Zetsu.
And this one wasn't one of the newly made clones. It was an old White Zetsu that had survived since the era of Kaguya.
"You—what are you supposed to be, showing your face here?" Ōnoki finally found a target for his anger.
"Me? Heh. I'm here on behalf of Akatsuki to say a few things."
White Zetsu's tone dripped with mockery. "Akatsuki hopes Konoha and Kumo will hand over all remaining Jinchūriki. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to declare war—"
Before he could finish, A was already in his face, one massive hand clamped on his throat.
"You want me to hand over my little brother? Keep dreaming! Die!"
A didn't bother with talk. He snapped White Zetsu's neck on the spot.
Natsuki's eyes narrowed as he probed the corpse. "Heads up. He's already cast a jutsu—likely releasing spores to parasitize hosts."
Everyone tensed at once.
One of the Mizukage's guards, Ao, instantly activated the Byakugan (White Eye) to scan—and indeed spotted microscopic spore-motes. He warned, "It's true! The spores are spreading—moving to latch onto everyone."
The group immediately wrapped themselves in chakra and scraped the spores off; anyone who struggled got help from others.
A grew even angrier. "Damn thing—rigged to release spores on death? Trying to trap us? Unforgivable!"
He unleashed powerful Raiton (Lightning Release) and blasted the corpse until it was charred inside and out—destroying any spores completely.
"The Raikage is every bit as hot-headed as they say."
Another voice drifted in. A figure slid out of the ceiling and hung upside down. Black cloak, red clouds—Akatsuki, no doubt. He wore no mask, and Konoha's side recognized him at once.
Obito.
He'd come.
And startlingly, his left eye—ringed like a serpent's pupil—was the Rinnegan (Samsara Eye).
Kakashi couldn't help blurting, "Obito, your eye—"
Obito flicked his gaze to Kakashi, smothered the flicker of emotion in a heartbeat, then looked away—sweeping across the five Kage, throwing a wary glance at Natsuki and Tenten.
A's temper hadn't cooled in the least. "Akatsuki again? You're begging for it!"
In a flash he was on Obito, with Killer B at his back. The A–B brothers moved in perfect sync, needing no words, both entering Raiton: Chakra Mōdo (Lightning Release Chakra Mode).
"Rariatto (Double Lariat)!"
"Rariatto (Double Lariat)!"
Two thick arms slammed in from front and back to scissor Obito.
Obito only murmured, "Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push)."
Boom. A and B were hurled away, smashing a hole through the chamber wall. The sudden reversal shocked everyone.
So this was the power of the Rinnegan (Samsara Eye)—able to casually repel the brothers' finishing move?
Throats bobbed all around the room. Tsunade's earlier warning seemed to ring true: the Rinnegan really was absurd. The A–B duo had already proven their strength.
If power like this was gathering the tailed beasts—to become the Ten-Tails—then yes, the threat was immense.
The Hokage's words had not been idle.
Ōnoki still wouldn't accept it. He floated up beside Obito, thrust both palms forward, and fired a block of white light. It formed a cube that enveloped Obito completely.
"Jinton: Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu (Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique)! Rinnegan or not—get reduced to atoms!"
No one had expected Ōnoki to go all-out so suddenly—or to land a clean hit. Was this Rinnegan wielder going to die just like that?
Everyone knew how terrifying Jinton (Dust Release) was—reducing anything to atoms. With Obito fully caught inside, how could the outcome be anything but death?
Kakashi reached out reflexively, worry etched across his face.
He knew Obito could phase with Kamui (Space-Time Distortion) and might be fine—but still, he feared for his old friend.
Just as Ōnoki began to smirk, the white cube started to dim. Obito's figure came into view—not only wholly intact, but wrapped in a barrier that was drinking in the Dust Release's power.
"Fūjutsu Kyūin (Sealing Absorption Technique). Ōnoki, your Dust Release is useless before the Rinnegan."
"Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push)."
Boom. Ōnoki was flung away and crashed through a wall.
"Grandpa! Sensei!" Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi rushed to his side, checking his injuries while keeping their guard up against Obito.
That did it. Almost everyone—Natsuki aside—was utterly stunned.
For the first time, the true might of the Rinnegan (Samsara Eye) was displayed before the gathered Kage. Shock rippled through them, and no one dared to act rashly. Even Mei, who'd been on the verge of stepping in, forced herself to hold back as Chōjūrō and Ao shielded her.
Satisfied, Obito smiled. "That's better. The Rinnegan's power is the power of a god. In the face of a god, you'd best behave. Hand over the remaining beasts, or I won't hesitate to start a war."
"Oh? That confident?"
Natsuki stepped forward two paces, smiling with open mockery. "Pain had both eyes and still lost. You've got one—want to try me? Or do you have a trump card? Why not call Madara out while you're at it?"
Obito's eyes flicked, wary, toward Natsuki.
For Obito, there was only one word for Natsuki—monster.
Nagato's mastery of the Rinnegan (Samsara Eye) was formidable, and the Six Paths of Pain were terrifying—especially Deva Path, far beyond most Kage. Yet that Pain had been beaten head-on by this kid named Natsuki. It was incomprehensible.
The Rinnegan was the Sage's eye. How could it lose?
Unthinkable.
Obito forced his tone calm. "Natsuki, I know you're strong—you defeated Pain outright. We don't have to be enemies. If you understood my grand plan, you'd support me."
Aside from the ninja of Konoha, Suna, and Kumo, the others stared in astonishment.
A moment ago this Rinnegan wielder had been unbearably arrogant—yet before Natsuki, he… backed down?
So the rumors were true. Natsuki had indeed defeated the Rinnegan. Konoha truly had a master of this caliber.
(End of Chapter)
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