"Strike when they think they've 'won'."
This was one of Tobirama Senju's famous "words of wisdom," and Kitagawa Minamoto had always kept it in mind.
Although he often thought Tobirama was a bit of a ruthless schemer...
"Still, when it's useful, you use it!"
The roar of chakra echoed through the air, as a blade crackling with arcs of purple electricity slashed straight toward Nagato's head.
"Hmm? It's Kitagawa Minamoto!"
Nagato's reaction was swift. The moment he sensed the surge of chakra, he mobilized all the chakra in his body.
After all, he no longer believed in so-called "luck."
Over the years, every time Akatsuki took action, they would "run into ghosts."
The only time they had peace was during his three years of recovery, when the entire organization remained silent.
This time, however, he had prepared himself mentally before stepping out. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mobilized the entire organization!
Whether it was the people of Konohagakure or that Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki, he was ready for anything.
"The path of the Six Paths is fraught with obstacles. This is my trial, and I must overcome it all!"
Boom—
A torrent of chakra erupted, forming a massive repulsive force that surged in front of him.
"I knew it was you!"
Purple lightning clashed with an invisible white force in mid-air, the two powers locking in a stalemate.
Nagato stared at Kitagawa Minamoto and spoke in a low voice, causing Kitagawa to pause for a moment.
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"The last time we met, you also loved to launch sneak attacks!"
"..."
"This time, the moment I heard the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki was located and everyone's attention shifted, I knew it had to be you!"
"..."
"Only you would pull off something like this!"
"..."
Kitagawa Minamoto's expression darkened. Was Nagato seriously accusing him of being predictable?
What did he mean by "the moment an attack starts, I know it's you"?
"You seem quite confident."
Kitagawa Minamoto locked eyes with Nagato, his chakra surging wildly.
"Let's see what gives you that confidence!"
The clash of their powers reached its peak, and a sliver of white light began to bloom between them!
This sliver of light seemed to bring illumination back to the darkened Takigakure, but everyone who saw it broke out in cold sweat.
The raging tide of chakra made them acutely aware of just how dangerous the situation had become!
"Run!"
The Takigakure ninja shouted in alarm. In the next instant, the white light exploded, unleashing a massive, visible shockwave that roared outward in all directions.
Boom—
Amidst the deafening roar, the black iron sand that had shrouded Takigakure twisted violently.
Unable to withstand the force, it disintegrated into a cloud of "black mist," scattering across the skies.
The surrounding buildings were reduced to dust, their remains swept away by the fierce winds.
Even the homes deeper within the village weren't spared. Windows shattered in an instant, and already unstable structures collapsed entirely!
Countless Takigakure ninja were thrown to the ground, writhing in pain.
The unlucky ones? Their bodies were obliterated by the shockwave, leaving nothing behind.
"Damn it, these two..."
The Takigakure ninja couldn't bear it, and even the members of Akatsuki struggled to withstand the impact.
The moment they sensed or saw the streak of purple lightning cutting through the sky, they knew exactly who had arrived.
Without hesitation, they dodged or used their respective techniques to defend themselves—even those resurrected through Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation joined in the effort.
As the roaring subsided, the Akatsuki members surveyed the devastated scene before them.
Sasori's "Iron Sand Barrier" had been shattered in an instant, leaving them cursing inwardly.
After just one exchange, the destruction was already this severe, forcing them to take notice.
"Tch, what a pain."
Obito Uchiha muttered under his breath, especially as he watched Nagato being sent flying and crashing into the distance.
It gave him a headache.
To be honest, the moment the clash began, he already knew who had attacked.
What surprised him was that he didn't feel the least bit shocked.
It was as if running into these people had become the norm, a realization that left him feeling inexplicably frustrated.
"And of course, you're here too!"
He suddenly turned his head, only to see several kunai crackling with blue electricity hurtling toward him.
Though he knew they weren't imbued with Kamui's power, he quickly dodged them.
Kakashi, after all, was someone who could never be trusted.
"Three years... It's been a long time."
Kakashi landed gracefully, his gaze cold as he looked at Obito.
"Obito..."
"Don't speak to me in that fake, sentimental tone, Kakashi."
Obito's eyes flashed with darkness, his voice icy.
"You've spent the past three years leaving traces of yourself in Kamui's dimension. It's no wonder Kitagawa Minamoto has become what he is today—you've clearly played a significant role."
"..."
Kakashi remained silent but didn't dwell on the accusation.
"We're ninja. Words mean little. And to stop you, there's nothing I wouldn't do."
"Hmph, always preaching about principles, but in the end, you're just as despicable as anyone else."
Obito's eyes grew colder, his chakra surging wildly.
"If that's the case, then let's dispense with the pleasantries. You, who stand in the way of revolution and peace in the ninja world, will only bring ease to others by dying!"
"Your so-called revolution... Is that what you call killing our teacher and his wife, causing countless deaths, and now targeting Takigakure's Tailed Beast?"
Kakashi's chakra flared, his eyes brimming with power.
"I've long known you were beyond redemption, but I never thought you'd sink this deep into darkness!"
"Enough talk! I'm building a peaceful world—something you'll never understand!"
"I don't need to understand..."
"Kakashi!"
"Obito!"
As the two charged at each other, their surroundings blurred and twisted.
The power of Kamui erupted, exploding between them in an instant.
"Orochimaru, so you're here too!"
Elsewhere in the ruins, Orochimaru had just evaded the energy blast from above when he heard Jiraiya's voice.
He turned, raising an eyebrow as Jiraiya leapt toward him.
"You again, Jiraiya..."
Orochimaru sighed, memories of their past resurfacing.
After three years of peace, his first action upon resurfacing had brought him face-to-face with Jiraiya once more.
He now understood the feelings of those in Akatsuki and why they had mobilized their entire force this time.
This cursed organization truly seemed doomed to "run into ghosts" at every turn!
"Why aren't you staying put in Konohagakure? And I hear your village's next Hokage is Kitagawa Minamoto? How pathetic—you didn't even make the cut."
"Hmph, I've never aspired to be Hokage, so spare me your nonsense."
Jiraiya's face darkened as he clenched his fists.
"And you lied to me back then, claiming you weren't part of Akatsuki. What do you have to say for yourself now?"
"There's nothing left to say between us."
Orochimaru tilted his head, licking his lips with a sly smile.
"But do you really think you can bring me back?"
"Why won't you stop this madness?"
"Madness? You've never understood me, Jiraiya. But that's fine—I never expected a fool like you to get it."
"You—"
"Let me ask you something. Is he your new 'Child of Prophecy'?"
"Child of Prophecy?"
Jiraiya paused, glancing toward the distance.
There, a figure wreathed in purple lightning was charging straight at Nagato.
Inwardly, Jiraiya sighed.
The Great Toad Sage hadn't mentioned the "Child of Prophecy" in years.
"I know what you're trying to say, Orochimaru."
Jiraiya raised his head, his gaze firm as he looked at Orochimaru and spoke deliberately.
"You're wondering if he'll end up like the others, aren't you?"
"But let me tell you this: Minamoto is different. He's always been different!"
"Whether or not he's the Child of Prophecy, he will change this world."
"Of that, I have no doubt!"
"Tch, so they're fighting over there too."
As Kitagawa Minamoto and Nagato clashed with earth-shattering force, and Kakashi and Obito's battle twisted space itself, Jiraiya and Orochimaru collided as well.
The remaining Akatsuki members, relieved that the most dangerous opponents weren't targeting them, couldn't help but spectate.
"Still, let's focus on retrieving the Seven-Tails first."
Kakuzu glanced at the ongoing battles and spoke after some thought.
"We don't know who'll win, but let's finish our task to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"That might not be so easy."
Kisame grinned, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Because reinforcements are on their way."
As he spoke, two kunai sliced through the air, and in an instant, two figures appeared before them!
One wore orange, the other black. Their eyes scanned the scene with a sharp intensity.
The Akatsuki members couldn't help but size them up as well.
"Flying Thunder God Technique? These brats know that jutsu?"
Hidan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Not just that. One of them is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, and the other..."
Kakuzu's lips curled into a grin as he glanced at Itachi Uchiha.
"Seems to have some connection to you, Itachi."
"Hmm, Uchiha Sasuke."
Itachi stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Sasuke.
His expression was unreadable, yet a flicker of emotion seemed to pass through his eyes.
"I didn't expect to see you here, let alone using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Truly surprising."
"Surprising?"
Sasuke's gaze was icy, filled with nothing but cold hatred as he stared at Itachi.
"Is it surprising to meet me here, or surprising that your death is imminent?"
Boom—
Sasuke wasted no time with words.
In an instant, purple lightning erupted, crackling as it shot straight toward Itachi.
Itachi reacted swiftly, his body dispersing into a flock of crows that scattered in all directions.
Moments later, his form reassembled elsewhere, his expression now more serious.
"Purple Lightning? That technique from Kitagawa Minamoto..."
"That's right. It's the same move Minamoto-senpai used to nearly kill you back then. Lucky for you, he didn't finish the job—otherwise, I wouldn't have the chance now."
Sasuke took a deep breath, his body enveloped in purple lightning.
His crimson eyes locked onto Itachi with unwavering intensity.
"I was worried I wouldn't find you, but it seems I underestimated fate. Minamoto-senpai was right—we were bound to meet you eventually!"
"Minamoto-senpai..."
Itachi frowned, sensing the significant influence Kitagawa Minamoto had on Sasuke.
In just a few sentences, Minamoto's name had come up multiple times.
Itachi wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
For him, this was an opportunity to reassess whether Sasuke was still walking the path he had envisioned.
"It seems Kitagawa Minamoto has helped you a lot. But I'm curious—how far can your eyes see now?"
"What my eyes see..."
Sasuke's chakra flared even more intensely as he charged forward.
"Is the sight of your death!"
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The battle erupted without warning.
Their movements were so fast that only the clash of kunai and swords could be heard.
The two figures, enveloped in chakra, darted across the battlefield, leaving only afterimages behind.
The remaining Akatsuki members, along with Naruto, stood frozen in place.
Naruto, in particular, looked stunned.
"Crap!"
Watching Sasuke and Itachi move farther away, while the Akatsuki members turned their attention to him, Naruto felt both nervous and excited.
He knew that at Kitagawa Minamoto's age, Minamoto had already made Akatsuki's life a nightmare!
"If I want to become Hokage, I have to walk the same path as that bastard Minamoto..."
"Alright, let's do this! Believe it, Naruto!"
Boom—
On the outskirts of Takigakure, Kitagawa Minamoto stood amidst the ruins, gazing at Nagato with an amused smile.
"What a surprise. The last time I saw you, you were skin and bones. Now you actually look somewhat human. And this time, it's just you?"
"Thanks to you, I've learned how to fully utilize my power."
Nagato dusted himself off, his gaze cold as he replied.
"And I have someone else to thank for helping me realize the true extent of my strength—my true potential!"
"Is that so?"
Kitagawa Minamoto's smile widened, while Nagato took a deep breath.
"I'm not the same person I was three years ago. This time, I'll show you my transformation and make you understand my will!"
"Is that so?"
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded, then asked curiously,
"You've always believed you were right, that you've worked so hard because of Yahiko's death, correct?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm just curious. Orochimaru has already used Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, and Yahiko's body is in your possession. Why haven't you resurrected him?"
"..."
"Could it be that you're afraid to face him? Because deep down, you know your actions have strayed far from your shared ideals?"
"..."
"It seems you're just deceiving yourself, unwilling to confront the truth of reality."
"..."
Nagato froze at Kitagawa Minamoto's words, but Kitagawa didn't give him time to dwell on them.
Buzz—
In the moment of Nagato's hesitation, Kitagawa Minamoto's White Fang short blade slashed forward.
As the blade approached, Nagato heard Kitagawa's voice once more.
"Oh, and by the way, your insults are too crude."
"I'm not that evil Senju Tobirama!"
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(End of Chapter)