《Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline》Chapter 287: The Dark Forest Law? Don't Come Any Closer! (Please Subscribe) - Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

Urashiki was utterly confused.

He truly didn't want to get involved, but the current situation was far too hostile for him to ignore!

Isshiki, despite his stubborn denial, had undoubtedly unleashed the demon lurking within Kitagawa Minamoto.

"So, you've done it too!"

Kitagawa Minamoto needed no explanation; he and Isshiki were now "sitting side by side" because of this lunatic. And this damned madman's target was none other than him!

"He's done it too!"

As for Momoshiki...

This guy had been swayed by Kitagawa Minamoto's words in mere moments, likely harboring such thoughts all along. Now, Kitagawa Minamoto had replaced Isshiki, unleashing the demon inside Momoshiki. Without hesitation, Momoshiki had devoured Kinshiki right in front of everyone!

"Momoshiki has done it too. Everyone's gone mad!"

In this environment, Urashiki felt that no one around him was trustworthy. If he wanted to leave here alive, then...

"I might have to step onto the 'Divine Ascension Stairway' myself!"

This insane thought emerged, and he found himself unable to suppress it. The current situation was clear: among his kin, there was not a single soul he could trust!

Especially with these lunatics around, everyone viewed each other as food. To survive and escape this place, he could only become the strongest—devouring everyone else!

"Moreover, this 'Divine Ascension Stairway' does seem intriguing..."

The greatest desire of the Ōtsutsuki clan had always been ultimate power. Kitagawa Minamoto's proposed "Divine Ascension Stairway" seemed to perfectly align with their deepest aspirations!

"So, is this fate?"

"Only the strongest can leave alive. Only the strongest can ascend the 'Divine Ascension Stairway.'"

Urashiki's mindset began to shift subtly, and he found himself less resistant to Isshiki's presence.

Buzz—As Urashiki underwent his internal transformation, changes unfolded on the battlefield below.

Obito Uchiha, who had been "offline" and "fragmented," seemed to have awakened. Kitagawa Minamoto was in the midst of strangling Kimimaro, preparing to snap his neck to observe the reaction of the Kāma mark. Suddenly, a ripple of spatial distortion swept over them!

"Hmm?" Kitagawa Minamoto raised an eyebrow in confusion, watching as Obito swiftly lunged toward Kimimaro.

"Well, look who's back in action!" Kitagawa Minamoto smirked at the sight of Obito, but his movements didn't falter. As Obito approached, Kitagawa Minamoto's Yin-Yang Release-infused dagger shot forward.

Space warped irregularly, and his chakra spread rapidly across the area, enveloping the entire region. He could launch attacks from any position!

"Hmph!" Obito, having been beaten countless times, was extremely cautious of Kitagawa Minamoto's every move. Seeing the incoming blade, he displayed an unimaginable reaction speed, barely dodging the blade before grabbing Kimimaro.

Buzz—In the next moment, Kitagawa Minamoto appeared beside him, a Rasengan infused with Yin-Yang Release and "special energy" forming in his hand!

"This time, there's no mistake. It's planetary energy."

Isshiki, who had been observing the battle in the sky, was instantly jolted awake, while Urashiki's gaze flickered with recognition.

"No wonder Isshiki said this guy might be the continuation of the planet's will. No wonder Kitagawa Minamoto values him so much. So that's why..."

Planetary energy was the key to planting the Divine Tree—something ordinary beings couldn't access. The fact that this guy could control it effortlessly proved his uniqueness and extraordinary nature!

"He's no longer a lower lifeform."

Urashiki muttered to himself, while Kitagawa Minamoto's attack landed heavily on Obito!

Boom—Obito grunted, the immense power seemingly about to pierce through his body. However, the black markings on his body grew more prominent, and the chakra surging within him resisted Kitagawa Minamoto's attack while simultaneously repairing his injuries.

Crash—Eventually, Obito was sent flying, but he managed to drag Kimimaro down with him. With a loud thud, he and Kimimaro crashed heavily to the ground. Soon, Obito stood up again, retreating into the Kamui dimension. The chakra within him continued to surge, but he could still endure it.

"This situation is similar to what Nagato experienced earlier..." Obito glanced at Pain, knowing he couldn't offer support now and needed to recover first!

"Obito!" Rin Nohara shouted from afar, causing Obito to falter momentarily before regaining his determination. He now knew exactly what he needed to do!

"You're as slippery as ever." Kitagawa Minamoto didn't pursue further, while the surrounding ninjas stealthily encircled them.

"But this time, you've got guts—coming here to stir up trouble and bringing such a mess with you." Kitagawa Minamoto glanced at the distant chakra storm, where the immense pressure left nearly all ninjas gasping for air. He shook his head, then fixed his gaze on Obito.

"So, what's your goal? What exactly are you trying to achieve?"

"My goal is, of course, world peace!" Obito's resolve was unshakable as he gritted his teeth and spoke softly, but Kitagawa Minamoto scoffed and shook his head in disdain.

"World peace? From you?"

"Peace is something everyone yearns for, even I." Obito took a deep breath, avoiding Rin's gaze as he stared at Kitagawa Minamoto and spoke softly.

"Nine years ago, when we first clashed, I already declared my intention to create a peaceful world. That belief has never wavered!"

"By killing everyone?" Kitagawa Minamoto raised an eyebrow, finding Obito's words somewhat inconsistent with his original rhetoric.

"Hmph, I'm not as extreme as you. The peaceful world I envision is beyond your imagination!" Obito sneered, though he still avoided looking at Rin.

"Have any of you ever considered this: when the warring ninja villages were established, the seeds of disaster were already sown in the ninja world!"

"These ninja villages, machines of war, how many lives are sacrificed each year because of them?"

"Many of you have experienced the Great Ninja Wars, haven't you? When you close your eyes, don't you still recall the mountains of corpses and rivers of blood?"

Obito's words silenced everyone present. The horrors of the Great Ninja Wars were far from the simple descriptions found in books—only those who lived through them could truly grasp the pain.

Kitagawa Minamoto, however, found Obito's rhetoric increasingly peculiar. Why did his speech sound more like something Madara Uchiha would say, rather than Obito Uchiha?

"The establishment of ninja villages made warfare more intense and terrifying," Obito continued, ignoring others' reactions. He recited what he had read in Madara Uchiha's notes, along with his own reflections and modifications.

"While the Warring States Period was chaotic, battles were limited to clan-based units. Ninja villages were different!"

"They combined the strengths of multiple bloodline clans, creating more powerful combinations and increasing the scale and intensity of wars."

"How many have died because of this? How many clans that had survived for countless generations perished or declined within the mere sixty years since villages were established?"

"How many tragedies like mine and Rin's have occurred? I absolutely cannot allow this to continue!"

Obito's words resonated powerfully. The gathered ninjas exchanged glances, while Kitagawa Minamoto found the situation increasingly strange.

These words sounded more like Madara Uchiha's philosophy than Obito's. Not that he thought poorly of Obito, but Obito's thinking simply hadn't reached this level. Even Madara might no longer find this path viable.

"Did he read Madara Uchiha's old diary or something?" Kitagawa Minamoto wondered, beginning to understand why Obito's rhetoric had changed.

"He's trying to avoid mentioning the Ōtsutsuki. He has other plans."

Mobilizing troops, the Ten-Tails...

In an instant, Kitagawa Minamoto had deduced Obito's intentions!

After all, he was the "intelligence source." He knew Obito's situation intimately, and such abnormal behavior could only have one explanation...

"And more ironically, you now disregard the wishes of those who died in battle, forcibly bringing them back to suffer again," Obito continued, finally glancing at Rin before gritting his teeth and declaring:

"To stop your evil, to prevent tragedies like mine and Rin's from recurring—even if the path ahead is filled with despair, I will never abandon hope!"

"This time I've come to declare war on you all. I will build a truly peaceful world!"

Obito's declaration left everyone stunned. Was he serious?

For a moment, many ninjas felt disoriented. His words held a certain persuasive power, and the brutality of past wars remained fresh in many minds. They momentarily questioned: Was the establishment of villages truly appropriate?

But quickly, these ninjas regained their senses. Those present were the most loyal shinobi, the most trustworthy individuals! Though briefly disoriented, they swiftly recovered. They wouldn't heed Obito's words.

"What nonsense," Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head.

"Yes, ninja villages brought greater problems, and wars became more tragic. But villages also protected more people. Who are you to deny that? You speak of 'Rin's tragedy,' but wasn't she protecting her village? And look now—former enemies standing together against common threats. Isn't this the dawn of peace?"

Though Kitagawa Minamoto himself barely believed these words, he had no choice but to speak this way for now.

"As for the past, let's not discuss it. But the first to use Impure World Reincarnation was your side, and the one inciting war now is you."

"How dare you make such hypocritical statements? You're truly no different from Itachi Uchiha, Obito Uchiha."

Following Kitagawa Minamoto's words, all the gathered ninjas fixed their gazes on Obito and his companions. They appeared ready to attack at a moment's notice.

Even Rin Nohara, though sighing, prepared for battle. As Kitagawa Minamoto had said, she had died to protect her village and comrades. She couldn't accept Obito's denial!

"You—" Obito knew something was wrong when he heard Kitagawa Minamoto's response, especially seeing Rin's stance. He clenched his fists tightly.

But before he could say more, a powerful chakra suddenly erupted! The next moment, a half-bodied figure sped toward them.

"This is..." In the mental space, the previously silent Isshiki and Urashiki widened their eyes at this familiar sight.

Boom—A tremendous explosion echoed across the sky. The already collapsed building instantly became a deep crater! Thick dust billowed, enveloping everything.

"What's happening?" The surrounding ninjas turned pale, believing their end had come. To their astonishment, they found themselves teleported away, largely unharmed!

"It's the Hokage!" They immediately realized what had happened, but those within the ruins weren't so fortunate.

Especially as a godlike figure descended, the suffocating pressure making everyone struggle to breathe!

"It's over, Lord Momoshiki," Kitagawa Minamoto's original body looked at Momoshiki's half-remaining form and smiled lightly.

"When I reach the pinnacle of the heavens, I won't forget your contribution."

"You—" Momoshiki tried to struggle, but the Jizō Rendan had already activated. His life force drained rapidly as his energy was extracted. He knew he couldn't hold on much longer!

"You'll meet the same fate... someday..."

"The weak are devoured by the strong—that's the law of the jungle," Kitagawa Minamoto calmly shook his head, watching the pill gradually forming in his hand.

"Moreover, those who walk our path are destined to follow the 'Dark Forest Law.'"

"Dark... Forest Law?"

"Yes, the Dark Forest Law has only one principle: once discovered or being discovered, one must either destroy or be destroyed!"

"You madman—"

"'The Divine Ascension Stairway' offers only consumption or being consumed, with no room for luck, my lord."

Seeing Momoshiki's life ebbing away, Kitagawa Minamoto increased his energy output. As Momoshiki drew his final breath, Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head and smiled.

"Your capacity was far from sufficient. Let the image of me reflected in your eyes be your final sight."

"Ascend with me on the 'Divine Ascension Stairway' that pierces the heavens!"

"Black Zetsu, why do you keep spacing out lately?" In a hidden corner of Konohagakure, Black Zetsu nervously raised his head to look into the distance.

His gaze seemed dazed, even disbelieving. His behavior had caught the attention of his White Zetsu counterpart.

"And didn't you say we needed to be careful? Both Hashirama and Tobirama Senju are in Konoha. Won't we die if we're discovered?"

"Shut up." Black Zetsu snapped back to reality, speaking softly, though still appearing somewhat dazed.

"Did Obito really encounter... Kitagawa Minamoto and two other Ōtsutsuki?"

"Hehe, yes, it was spectacular!" White Zetsu nodded, his half-face filled with excitement.

They naturally monitored Obito's actions, considering him a "traitor."

"Though I don't know why they appeared there, Kitagawa Minamoto was incredibly strong!"

"..."

"He single-handedly defeated the other two Ōtsutsuki, forcing one to devour his companion."

"..."

"But in the end, Kitagawa Minamoto still won. So impressive!"

"..."

"But what did they mean by the 'Dark Forest Law'? Something about 'once discovered or being discovered, one must either destroy or be destroyed'? What does that mean?"

Black Zetsu glared at White Zetsu. Just moments ago, White Zetsu had criticized him, yet now he was the one acting strangely.

But Black Zetsu had no desire to speak. His mind was consumed by the "Dark Forest Law." He already understood what the "Divine Ascension Stairway" meant, and the "Dark Forest Law" was Kitagawa Minamoto's personal theory...

"Mother absolutely cannot be released. The Infinite Tsukuyomi must never be activated!"

Black Zetsu had completely changed. Though born to rescue his mother, the situation had evolved to where he recognized a terrifying truth.

"If she emerges, these lunatics will certainly use her as a stepping stone on their 'Divine Ascension Stairway.' She's safer sealed away!"

Freedom was precious, but life was more valuable. For his mother's survival, he made a decision that "betrayed his ancestors"!

"Fortunately, I prepared the Hyūga artifacts. They just need to be excavated..."

Black Zetsu muttered, suddenly wishing he could strangle himself. After all, he was the one who inscribed the "Moon's Eye" on the Uchiha stone tablet!

"Huh, they've all left?" On the battlefield, Deidara looked at the spot where Obito and the others had disappeared, then scanned the area where the Ōtsutsuki had departed.

"They left quickly, and this place is completely destroyed."

"The power of those Ōtsutsuki was truly terrifying, and they were incredibly cruel to each other," Mei Terumī couldn't help remarking, her words resonating with everyone present.

These godlike beings made them struggle to breathe. And these so-called gods were excessively cruel.

The horrifying "Divine Ascension Stairway" and the echoing "Dark Forest Law" in their minds—"once discovered or being discovered, one must either destroy or be destroyed"—how brutal was that?

"Is this the so-called 'divine worldview'?" Everyone fell silent, and Kitagawa Minamoto couldn't help but scratch his head.

"Alright, let's not dwell on this. Let's quickly assess casualties and formulate our next steps."

"Yes, sir!"

Kitagawa Minamoto's words immediately awakened everyone. Frankly speaking, if not for him, they might all be dead!

"What a pain," Deidara grumbled as everyone began to move.

"Those Ōtsutsuki lunatics, the Akatsuki psychopaths, especially that Obito Uchiha—truly insane."

"We should carefully consider the Ōtsutsuki situation, but right now, the Akatsuki is our primary concern," Kitagawa Minamoto didn't want to discuss the "Dark Forest Law," focusing instead on the Akatsuki.

"Those maniacs have declared war on us. We should respond appropriately, showing them that today's ninja world is different from the past."

"Indeed," Mei Terumī nodded, speaking with utmost seriousness.

"Though we're only allies, this situation is different. We're no longer what we once were!"

"Exactly!" Deidara agreed, clenching his fist.

"We can't let those self-righteous bastards get away with this. We must eliminate them this time!"

Mei Terumī and Deidara were clearly upset with Obito and his group. That guy had struck a nerve.

Though they were once enemies, circumstances had changed. The three Kage could certainly transform many things.

The dawn of peace had arrived, yet this guy remained a terrorist, posing as a savior intent on destroying everything!

And what about afterward?

How would he rebuild after destruction? How would he stabilize the populace? How would he govern?

He likely hadn't considered any of this!

This idiot had made an impulsive decision without thinking, truly believing himself a savior!

"Good, let's prepare properly and deal with them," Kitagawa Minamoto nodded. Unexpectedly, Momoshiki had probably escaped, but Kitagawa Minamoto had still profited.

After all, that pill contained Momoshiki's energy, concentrated after absorbing Kinshiki. Next time they met, he could "sustainably overfish" again!

Given this, the Akatsuki had largely fulfilled its "historical mission," and cleaning them up was only natural.

"I wonder how my original body is doing," Kitagawa Minamoto thought silently, but at that moment, Deidara spoke up.

"But those Ōtsutsuki are truly ruthless. The name 'Divine Ascension Stairway' sounds terrifying no matter how many times I hear it."

"..." Kitagawa Minamoto paused, but then Mei Terumī chimed in.

"Exactly, and that 'Dark Forest Law' too—they're truly frightening!"

"Well..." Kitagawa Minamoto really didn't want to discuss this, but Deidara moved closer.

"Speaking of which, Kitagawa Minamoto called you an 'Evolved One,' right, hmm?"

"..."

"As an 'Evolved One,' are you going to walk the 'Divine Ascension Stairway' and adapt to the 'Dark Forest Law'?"

"..."

"If you're going to consume someone, don't target me. I'm your friend, hmm!"

"..."

"Damn it, don't include me in such operations next time!"

At the border of the Land of Hot Water, within a forest, space distorted as the Akatsuki members emerged. They didn't return to Amegakure, fearing Kitagawa Minamoto might track them there. This location could mislead Konoha in the wrong direction.

As soon as Hidan appeared, he collapsed to the ground. His body was in an irregular shape, seemingly immobilized. But his mouth never stopped, continuing to curse.

"I'm not dead, damn it! Why involve me in such a mission? What was wrong with that Nine-Tails brat?"

"Hmph, you idiot can forget everything except who's the dead-last?" Kakuzu, though also displeased after being shattered countless times, felt somewhat better seeing Hidan in this state.

"That guy might actually be the dead-last. You should ask Obito Uchiha."

"Tch, he won't tell me..." Hidan glanced at Obito in annoyance, but Obito ignored them, speaking coldly:

"This mission is complete. Despite some unexpected developments, we've largely achieved our objectives."

"You call this achievement?" Hidan snorted, not understanding the bigger picture, but Kakuzu, Sasori, and Itachi Uchiha all sensed something.

They weren't fools—they could piece things together with minimal hints.

"This indeed counts as completion," Kakuzu nodded, Sasori's face filled with cruelty, while Itachi Uchiha looked worried.

Eventually, Itachi took a deep breath and said, "Nagato's condition is concerning, and Konoha's forces are formidable, especially Kitagawa Minamoto. And those Ōtsutsuki might not have achieved their goals either?"

Itachi's series of questions left Obito silent, but he eventually shook his head and replied:

"If we don't act, everything will be too late. Didn't you see Kitagawa Minamoto's 'Dark Forest Law' and his 'Divine Ascension Stairway'?"

"He's already devoured two of his kin, continuously climbing that so-called 'Divine Ascension Stairway'!"

"Now he can consume his own kind. Can you guarantee we won't be his next targets?"

"The Sage of Six Paths defeated an Ōtsutsuki to save the world, though the specifics of what that Ōtsutsuki did weren't detailed..."

"But with such a being in the ninja world, can you truly feel at ease?!"

Obito's barrage of questions silenced Itachi. Even the injured Kimimaro and the severely wounded Nagato raised their heads.

Such naked, ruthless words from a "god's" mouth—how terrifying! They had once imagined gods as saviors, but now they discovered these so-called "gods" were cruel beyond measure.

If such beings truly acted against the ninja world...

The consequences were unimaginable!

"Any more questions?" Obito surveyed everyone, and finding no further objections, he continued coldly:

"Then let's return. We need to contact Kumogakure and prepare for the upcoming war."

"This battle will determine the ninja world's survival and its future peace!"

"We cannot afford any relaxation or carelessness. We must win for a true future..."

After these words, Obito reopened Kamui, but his mind pondered one question:

"If the Ōtsutsuki can apply the 'Dark Forest Law' to ascend the 'Divine Ascension Stairway'..."

"Then, as 'Evolved Ones,' can we do the same?"

This question lingered in his mind, and his peripheral vision swept over Kimimaro and Nagato. On Kimimaro, he had previously detected a familiar chakra circulating.

And Nagato...

After this severe injury, similar chakra had begun to surge within him too!

As Obito contemplated, within his and Kimimaro's mental space, Isshiki and Urashiki were engaged in their own activities.

Since connecting their chakra channels, this was the first time they stood so close, appearing like intimate comrades. Their peripheral vision deliberately assessed each other, and their occasional eye contact caused mutual discomfort and unease.

Yet neither spoke much, as they needed to collaborate on a task.

"Found it!" After a while, Isshiki suddenly spoke.

"I need your power to help me. His Kāma was just applied, and I lack sufficient energy alone to thaw his consciousness."

It's not that you lack energy, but that you're afraid of depleting too much, aren't you?

Urashiki inwardly snorted, but still nodded and said, "No problem. Let's awaken Momoshiki first."

As he spoke, his chakra flowed toward where Isshiki had located, and soon a subtle force began to respond. With both of them initiating, the process was much faster than when Isshiki had awakened Urashiki.

Within a few breaths, a new chakra channel was connected, and Momoshiki's consciousness began to awaken under their combined effort.

"Mmm..." Momoshiki let out a painful moan, his consciousness gradually materializing. His memories seemed frozen at the moment when all his energy was drained—that extreme pain was unbearable!

"Momoshiki, long time no see." However, as his consciousness recovered, he suddenly heard two voices.

Looking up, he saw Isshiki and Urashiki staring at him intensely! Their white eyes emitted an eerie glow as they approached him.

"It's you two..." Momoshiki hadn't fully regained his senses, but when all his memories flooded back, his expression changed dramatically.

"You two, don't come any closer!"

"..."

In another forest within the Land of Fire, Kitagawa Minamoto quietly landed. Feeling the newly formed pill in his "Divine Realm" and Momoshiki's stored body, his face filled with satisfaction.

These Ōtsutsuki continuously provided him with "nourishment," helping him grow stronger.

"It seems I'll experience new growth again."

Kitagawa Minamoto smiled, then began communicating with Kaguya's chakra within him.

"I think the time to release you isn't far off."

"..."

But Kaguya didn't respond. Kitagawa Minamoto even sensed her trying to leave his body.

"What's wrong?" he asked curiously, his consciousness drawing closer to Kaguya.

"Did something happen?"

"You—" However, as his consciousness approached to investigate, Kaguya finally spoke.

"Don't come any closer!"

"..."

"Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline"Chapter 287: The Dark Forest Law? Don't Come Any Closer! (Please Subscribe)