"Already here?"
Kitagawa Minamoto raised an eyebrow as he noticed the figures rapidly approaching.
He had originally planned to examine his rewards, particularly Sasuke's Yin Release—a rather valuable addition. Even though it didn't significantly enhance his current level of power, it was still a welcome resource.
At his level, true breakthroughs required either rare fruits or other extraordinary phenomena to achieve "overnight success." Otherwise, his growth relied heavily on gradual accumulation. This energy was perfectly compatible with him, so naturally, he was pleased to have obtained it.
"It's just a bit annoying to be interrupted by a bunch of idiots."
Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head, then decisively dispelled the "True Several Thousand Hands." While he could use Wood Release effectively, it wasn't exactly his forte.
Moreover, the individuals approaching now were significantly stronger than the previous Kumogakure group. This warranted a bit more seriousness.
"Still, why are those Kumogakure guys so dark-skinned? And..."
Suddenly, a series of random thoughts popped into Kitagawa Minamoto's mind.
"Ōtsutsuki are so pale, treating planets like 'plantations,' while Kumogakure has those dark-skinned giants... Tch!"
Kitagawa Minamoto quickly stopped himself, realizing his thoughts were veering into dangerous territory. He reminded himself: "I'm a good person!"
"More arrivals?"
Meanwhile, at the Allied Shinobi Forces' camp, the soldiers were still dazed from the earlier spectacle. Despite their confusion, many couldn't help but feel thrilled—after all, battles of this magnitude were rare.
Among them, the more perceptive sensory ninjas immediately noticed something amiss. Jiraiya and Tsunade also sensed the shift, their gazes turning serious as they looked into the distance.
Jiraiya's expression darkened.
"It's them—Obito Uchiha and... Nagato!"
"And another one—Kimimaro."
Tsunade recognized the third figure, recalling the boy Orochimaru had once brought to her. Her mood soured instantly.
"What a nuisance. These guys really don't know when to quit."
"What should we do now?"
"Stick to the plan—quickly track the retreating White Zetsu forces and prepare the main troops to reinforce other areas."
"Got it. Should we stay to support Minamoto?"
"...Just don't cause trouble for that brat."
Tsunade was reluctant to discuss the matter further. For the first time, she felt excluded from a battle, and the sensation wasn't pleasant. Still, given the rapid evolution of the times, she had no choice but to accept reality, even if it was hard to swallow.
"Kitagawa Minamoto..."
At the battlefield's center, the "True Several Thousand Hands" had just dissipated, and Nagato, Kimimaro, and Obito had arrived. The three of them stared intensely at Kitagawa Minamoto, their gazes filled with complex emotions.
There was no doubt—they utterly despised this man. After nine years, they had lost count of how many times they'd been beaten by him. The pain he inflicted wasn't something ordinary people could comprehend. Their ability to endure it was a testament to their unyielding will.
At the same time, to both Nagato and Obito, Kitagawa Minamoto represented their "pioneer"—the first to embark on the path of "evolution." Furthermore, facing Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in the future would require Kitagawa Minamoto's power. Even now, they needed his strength to achieve their goals.
"This time, we need to settle some scores."
Suddenly, Kimimaro spoke in a low voice, his Byakugan radiating undisguised killing intent.
"You're the one who has constantly troubled Lord Orochimaru. And I haven't forgotten what happened when we first met!"
"Hmm?"
Nagato and Obito exchanged puzzled glances. They weren't aware of what had transpired during Kimimaro's first encounter with Kitagawa Minamoto. Even Kitagawa Minamoto himself was momentarily taken aback.
"Our first meeting? Are you talking about when I used Earth Style Wall to carve a statue of Orochimaru?"
"..."
Nagato remained baffled, but Obito clenched his fists tightly. He could never forget what Kitagawa Minamoto had done in Takigakure.
"So you've been causing trouble all along? As expected of Kakashi's useless student—even as an 'evolver,' you're still a shameless person!"
"..."
Kitagawa Minamoto tilted his head, wondering what had triggered Obito this time. He had done so many things to these people—how could he possibly remember them all?
"You senseless lunatics. You start wars, then ramble on about unrelated nonsense. So, what exactly do you want to do?"
"Kitagawa Minamoto, I've said before—my goal has always been peace for this world."
Nagato, clearly annoyed by his companions, spoke calmly.
"This world is already beyond saving. No matter how strong you are, wars will never cease. Why can't you understand this?"
"Understand?"
Kitagawa Minamoto looked at Nagato strangely, then shook his head after a moment.
"Why should I understand you? I've already said—people are the key to this world. Where there are people, there will be conflict. What can you possibly change?"
"Better than doing nothing and letting this world rot away!"
Nagato clenched his fists, speaking with a heavy tone.
"I've witnessed too many wars, too many tragedies. Jiraiya taught me this world shouldn't be like this, and I once believed him. But the result?"
"This world is hell!"
"I admit, Hanzō of the Salamander did work tirelessly for the Land of Rain. But what did he do in the end?"
Nagato's voice grew increasingly agitated. The memory of that moment remained his nightmare—a haunting recollection he couldn't escape.
"We approached him with sincerity and peace, but he joined forces with Danzō to kill us. It was him—this world—that destroyed my dreams!"
"Do you want to wait until your own dreams are shattered before waking up?"
"..."
Kitagawa Minamoto silently observed Nagato, feeling as though the man was trying to persuade him to understand. Could it be because of "Ōtsutsuki Isshiki"?
Though the idea seemed absurd, it wasn't entirely impossible. And that left Kitagawa Minamoto in an awkward position—because he was "Ōtsutsuki Isshiki."
"Hmph, he'll never understand such pain. Even if he does, he'll destroy it in his own way."
Obito scoffed at Kitagawa Minamoto's indifference, not bothering with further words. To him, as long as the Ten-Tails was released and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki descended, Kitagawa Minamoto's intervention would suffice. Right now, Kitagawa Minamoto was key to unleashing their power. Other concerns were irrelevant.
"This world is hell, already hollowed out. It must change, whether you agree or not!"
With that declaration, Obito activated his blue Susanoo, its violent energy causing the surrounding flames to waver uncontrollably.
"This battle is inevitable, and this world must change!"
Nagato murmured softly, summoning a series of massive creatures amidst plumes of white smoke.
Roar—
Accompanied by thunderous roars, colossal beasts emerged: a three-headed dog, a rhinoceros, an eight-span crow, a centipede, a chameleon, and more. Each beast was pierced with black receivers, their bodies as large as small mountains.
The battlefield instantly became crowded, the beasts' violent energy fracturing the already crumbling earth. Even from a distance, their overwhelming presence was palpable. Kitagawa Minamoto stood at the center, surrounded by the chaos.
"Enough talk—it's time to act!"
Kimimaro drew a segment of his spine, the sharp bone glinting ominously in the firelight.
"Interesting, but I'm curious about something..."
Despite facing their imposing stance, Kitagawa Minamoto merely chuckled, raising his Yin-Yang Release-infused short blade to point at the three.
"Haven't you ever realized that there's something wrong with your bodies?"
"Hmph, that's merely 'evolution.'"
Obito snorted dismissively, but his expression suddenly changed in the next instant.
"Watch out!"
In a flash, a blast of chakra-infused wind engulfed the three. Kitagawa Minamoto appeared before them like a specter, his Yin-Yang Release blade carrying immense energy as he slashed toward their position!
Boom—
The explosion was deafening. Through the massive cloud of dust, the three were sent flying backward.
"Damn it, still as underhanded as ever..."
Obito cursed under his breath, while Kimimaro scanned the area with his Byakugan.
"Careful, he's coming!"
"Hmph!"
Without hesitation, Nagato produced a black rod infused with Yin-Yang Release, simultaneously directing his summoned beasts toward Kitagawa Minamoto.
Roar—
The beasts let out earth-shaking roars as they charged forward. However, Kitagawa Minamoto's "small" figure had already leaped onto their heads.
"Sometimes, bigger isn't better."
Boom—
With a swing of his blade, the Hell Crab was instantly sliced in two!
Using the crab's severed body as a springboard, Kitagawa Minamoto leaped upward, simultaneously firing black chakra projectiles.
Hum—
His chakra surged, transforming the black energy into numerous rods that instantly pierced the centipede, rhinoceros, and boar below!
The three massive beasts had no time to react, effectively pinned in place. Meanwhile, Kitagawa Minamoto's blade slashed through the approaching eight-span crow, which didn't even have a chance to cry out before being split apart.
"Besides..."
Kitagawa Minamoto lightly stepped on the crow's carcass, spinning in mid-air before heading straight for the three shinobi!
"Did you really think you're like me, so-called 'evolvers'?"
"Die!"
Obito roared, immediately rushing to meet him. Nagato and Kimimaro followed suit.
Boom— Boom— Boom—
In the blink of an eye, the battlefield erupted once more.
Deafening explosions intermingled with the roars of the summoned beasts. Tangible shockwaves carried clouds of dust, violently dispersing in all directions.
The ground shook continuously, as if experiencing relentless earthquakes. Under the unextinguished flames, the entire battlefield appeared horrifying!
The Allied Shinobi Forces behind them were left disoriented by the massive dust clouds and tremors. Many soldiers who had already been incapacitated by the "True Several Thousand Hands" now lost even their sense of direction!
Even Jiraiya and Tsunade could only dodge the surging air currents and flying debris while retreating further.
This level of combat was beyond their ability to intervene, and now Jiraiya truly understood Tsunade's earlier statement: "We'd just be causing trouble for Minamoto here."
Jiraiya couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself, while Kitagawa Minamoto's voice rang out across the battlefield once more.
"You know nothing about your own condition. You're truly pitiful creatures."
"And even if 'evolution' were real..."
"Do you think you're worthy?"
As his voice echoed, the ear-splitting explosions grew even more intense.
While Kitagawa Minamoto was thrashing them, the battle in Konohagakure was also escalating...
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