"Are you insane?"
In Kamui's dimension, Black Zetsu stared incredulously at Obito Uchiha before him.
"You dared to meddle in that chaos? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"I just wanted to figure out who Ōtsutsuki Minamoto was fighting—who could possibly stand against him at that level."
Obito adjusted his mask and rubbed his body. The roaring energy had shattered him into "pieces of trash," and the phantom pains still lingered, making the sensation truly unbearable.
"Anyway, I have Izanagi, which gives me the power to take risks. Even if it's like grasping at straws amidst flames, I won't hesitate!"
"And what was the result?"
Black Zetsu sighed. This guy was way too reckless. Did he not understand how terrifying the battle over there was? Still, Black Zetsu couldn't help but admire Izanagi's resilience—even in such circumstances, Obito had managed to survive.
Nevertheless, Black Zetsu was curious. He, too, wanted to know what had happened on that battlefield.
"Did you see... anything?"
"I didn't have time to see clearly. Ōtsutsuki Minamoto struck immediately."
When it came to the outcome, even Obito couldn't help but feel frustrated. The reaction was not just fast—the moment he emerged and used Kamui to absorb half a body, the roaring attack had already landed, and that half-body vanished into thin air.
"I only saw him defeat someone. That person was still alive with just half a body... and had horns."
At this point, Obito paused before asking seriously and curiously:
"Was that... one of his kin?"
"I don't know..."
Black Zetsu gulped. Though he said this, he felt it probably was. Otherwise, how could such terrifying power exist?
Still, Black Zetsu was deeply unsettled. Ōtsutsuki Minamoto seemed even more terrifying than expected. Had he actually defeated another Ōtsutsuki? Or perhaps... killed them?
"What's going on here?"
Black Zetsu's mind felt like it was short-circuiting. Suddenly, a dreadful thought struck him.
"Could it be... that people from the moon have come down?"
The moment this thought crossed his mind, his head cleared. If outsiders from the Ōtsutsuki clan had arrived, they likely wouldn't start fighting. Unless it was the group from the moon—only they might provoke Ōtsutsuki Minamoto into taking lethal action!
Still, this required further investigation. Black Zetsu fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. Instead of focusing on this, we should think about our own plans."
"I am thinking about our plans."
Obito seemed unsure how to respond. Still, he couldn't abandon his goals, so he sighed in the end.
"Forget it. We've already obtained the Senju relics; let's examine them first."
"Hmm, there might be more secrets within."
Black Zetsu absentmindedly replied, his mind equally clouded. But like Obito, he had reasons he couldn't let go of.
"As expected, the Senju relics contain unique records."
While Black Zetsu pondered whether the moon's people were involved, Obito furrowed his brows.
"You were right—the Rabbit Goddess is indeed Ōtsutsuki, and she truly is the progenitor of Chakra."
"Hmm."
Black Zetsu nodded instinctively, but Obito sighed again.
"The Rabbit Goddess's seal wasn't achieved solely by the Sage of Six Paths; his brother also played a role."
"This corresponds with the Uchiha tablet."
"Hmm? Why did the Sage of Six Paths advise Ashura to stop fighting Indra, to approach everything with a peaceful mindset?"
"Hmm?!"
"Is there a hidden truth behind the conflicts between the Uchiha and Senju clans?"
"!!!"
Black Zetsu snapped out of his daze. What was this nonsense?!
He didn't recall leaving such information on the tablet! Suddenly, he looked up at the bark of the tree. Upon seeing the inscriptions, he froze in terror.
Because at the very bottom of the "Senju relics" he had created, there was an additional line of text:
"The ninja world may hide unknown dangers and conspiracies—be cautious."
Though brief, the sentence sent chills through Black Zetsu's veins. What was this? When had he ever written such a thing?
A horrifying realization dawned upon him. Had someone noticed his existence? No, if they knew, they would've made it explicit!
But what was going on here?
Black Zetsu kept questioning himself, and suddenly, a dreadful thought struck him. Could it be... the moon's people?
"Hamura's Yin-Yang Release consciousness, and Kaguya's descendants?"
While Black Zetsu and Obito were engrossed in studying the "Senju relics," in a corner of Kamui's dimension, a figure resembling dust completely concealed their presence, watching the two intently.
This person was none other than Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
Isshiki was a proud being. He typically wouldn't hide himself in such a manner. But even he was overwhelmed by the "complexity of the ninja world," forcing him to tread carefully.
Especially now, when he truly had only "a few days left to live."
"Hmph, descendants who inherited the power of the fruit, and who clashed with Ōtsutsuki Minamoto—yet claim ignorance of the ninja world's truths?"
Isshiki was seething with rage. Recalling Ōtsutsuki Minamoto's schemes against him, he realized that bastard was targeting him deliberately. He wanted to consume Isshiki as his "fruit"!
"You lunatic, I will kill you!"
Isshiki took a deep breath, but his gaze shifted to Obito.
"At least there's a suitable vessel here—far better than Jigen!"
With such a vessel, Isshiki believed that when he returned, he would possess all his power, without worrying about his lifespan.
In some sense, this was a blessing in disguise!
"But..."
Suddenly, Isshiki frowned, his mind dwelling on something.
"Could Ōtsutsuki Minamoto's thoughts also be a viable path?"
While Black Zetsu, Obito, and Isshiki were all unnerved by Kitagawa Minamoto's actions, in the Pure Land, the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura sat silently, as if they were confronting something incomprehensible.
"Brother..."
After a long while, Hamura couldn't help but speak.
"Do you think that child's words might..."
"Don't ask me. I don't know."
The Sage of Six Paths wasn't oblivious to what his younger brother wanted to ask, but he, too, was bewildered.
Kitagawa Minamoto's words seemed excessive—was it right to falsely accuse others so blatantly? But upon reflection, perhaps...
"In the absence of truth, his words might actually be correct?"
This thought crossed his mind, even though it felt absurd. In some respects, it made too much sense!
The brothers fell silent once more, unable to decide what to say.
"What is that child really thinking?"
After an indeterminate amount of time, Hamura finally asked his elder brother.
"Why does his mind work so quickly, and what other schemes might he be planning?"
"Not all of them are necessarily bad."
Rarely, the Sage of Six Paths spoke up, then smiled and shook his head.
"Regardless of his thoughts, I feel the future will be better. We 'dead men' should stop worrying so much."
"Stop worrying?"
Hamura glanced at his brother, his face showing a playful smile.
"I seem to recall you still hold onto Indra and Ashura's powers. Have you truly let everything go?"
"It's merely necessary preparations for the future."
The Sage of Six Paths wasn't embarrassed about being exposed. He smiled nonchalantly as he spoke.
"Ultimately, I trust the choices of the younger generation. I have a feeling their feud will end in this cycle."
"Is that so?"
Hamura tilted his head, then suddenly laughed.
"Even if it means being the villain yourself?"
"..."
"For example, you allowed their battles to persist, letting them temper the ninja world?"
"..."
"Your cold-heartedness forged the ninja world's iron will?"
"..."
"Even if your sons endlessly reincarnate, even if the ninja world faces millennia of bloodshed, it's all worth it?"
The Sage of Six Paths looked at his younger brother's playful smile. Though this wasn't the first time he'd heard such remarks, his fists still clenched involuntarily.
He reconsidered his earlier statement—what did he mean by "not necessarily bad"? This was downright terrible!
"Finally, all these chaotic matters are dealt with."
Meanwhile, back in Konohagakure, Kitagawa Minamoto finally returned home. Today had been eventful, but fortunately, everything was resolved.
"Sasuke and his parents have gone back. Let them spend some time together."
Fugaku Uchiha's combat abilities were quite impressive. Though the powers of his Mangekyō Sharingan remained unknown, the Impure World Reincarnation allowed him to use Susanoo without restraint.
However, no matter how strong his fighting capabilities were, having him stay wouldn't necessarily be beneficial. After all, everyone was well aware of certain truths.
Perhaps dying once had cleared his mind considerably. He showed no intention of staying, only wanting to spend a few days with Mikoto Uchiha and Sasuke before departing.
"Maybe he knows the current state of the Uchiha clan is his doing, and feels too guilty to stay. Or perhaps he doesn't want to be a constant reminder of past mistakes?"
Whatever his reasoning, no one except Sasuke objected to his proposal. Of course, he could still be summoned for battle whenever needed.
"He's probably 'advising' Sasuke alongside Mikoto right now."
Kitagawa Minamoto's suggestion had made Sasuke's face darken, but for the couple, this was a crucial matter they would likely take seriously.
"Anyway, my home visit is complete."
Shaking his head, Kitagawa Minamoto created a shadow clone before instantly entering the "Divine Realm." Looking at the magnificent giant tree, he nodded with satisfaction before appearing at its summit.
It was time to focus on himself!
"I never expected this battle to accelerate the fusion of my Yin-Yang Release—truly an unexpected gain."
Due to his previous reward, his Yin-Yang Release fusion was already progressing rapidly. Now, he felt the timeline had been significantly compressed.
Moreover, he had just acquired Sasuke's Yin Release, which was definitely beneficial!
"Most importantly, Isshiki's chakra..."
The chakra he had extracted from Isshiki came from the "Karma," and might contain special information!
Of course, he was taking a gamble, as no one had attempted this before.
"If all else fails, I'll use it to 'feed the tree.'"
With this thought, the Yin-Yang Release within him began to surge. The newly acquired Yin Release merged into his body, and his consciousness invaded Isshiki's chakra.
In that instant, his bloodline began to boil.
Almost simultaneously, he felt he could perceive vast amounts of information...
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