Kitagawa Minamoto had no idea that those three Ōtsutsuki had completely lost their minds.
Of course, even if he did know, he would probably add fuel to the fire.
The already-condensed Kekkei Mōra was absolutely a creation capable of driving all Ōtsutsuki into madness!
But as he looked at Obito and the other two, Kitagawa Minamoto pondered his next move.
"Continuing to tangle with them is utterly pointless."
Nagato and Obito wouldn't release the Ten-Tails—at least, not yet.
"Because they're waiting for the final gathering, to summon 'Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki' with the Ten-Tails."
Besides, they were currently using Kitagawa Minamoto to "evolve."
"Or rather, it's more appropriate to say they're helping those Ōtsutsuki 'unfreeze.'"
Kitagawa Minamoto had no intention of revealing the truth to Obito and the other two about their current situation.
If he did, and they refused to continue fighting to "unfreeze," his "Divine Tree Source" would lose its nourishment.
After all, for individuals with exceptionally strong willpower, accepting that their future selves would no longer exist, and instead become someone else's "vessel," would undoubtedly drive them to take every possible measure to prevent such a fate!
Still, keeping silent wasn't entirely comfortable for Kitagawa Minamoto.
That's why he resorted to cryptic remarks, to subtly irritate all three of them.
And, of course, to annoy the three Ōtsutsuki inside them as well.
"So the current situation is a bit awkward."
Kitagawa Minamoto pursed his lips. If he fought too fiercely, it would accelerate the unfreezing of the "Karma" marks, and he'd lose his Ten-Tails.
But if he didn't fight hard enough, the unfreezing would be too slow, and his "nourishment" would be insufficient.
This awkward predicament gave him a headache, but fortunately, he had his own ideas.
For example, another Ten-Tails!
"Although Nagato's Ten-Tails should provide sufficient energy, why not make additional preparations?"
Kitagawa Minamoto's "Divine Tree Source" was close to full restoration, and his first fruit was expected to emerge soon.
But to ensure smooth progress and gather even more energy, he felt it was time to take proactive measures!
"For my second fruit, I can essentially confirm using 'Ōtsutsuki Shibai's' remains. So the first fruit can't fall short either."
What's more, Ōtsutsuki Shibai's remains were likely sealed in the same space as that Ten-Tails. He would have to retrieve them sooner or later.
"And besides, it'll take time for Kabuto to deliver the items. So..."
With that thought, Kitagawa Minamoto had already made up his mind.
Rather than having his main body tangle with these three, where fighting too fiercely or too lightly was problematic, he could just let his clone keep them occupied.
Meanwhile, he could raid Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's lair, and prepare for his future!
"Then..."
With his decision made, his punches grew heavier!
Boom—
Boom—
Boom—
The deafening explosions echoed across the sky, the four of them resembling gods, their overflowing energy ravaging everything in sight.
Under Kitagawa Minamoto's relentless pursuit, they moved from the Land of Hot Water toward the Land of Whirlpools.
Along the way, giant rocks, forests, mountains, rivers—everything in their path faced a high probability of complete destruction due to the energy they unleashed!
"Damn it, this guy..."
Obito and the others were utterly dazed by the beating, but they chose not to retreat.
Even though they fought while retreating, they kept battling continuously, because they genuinely felt their power growing stronger!
Yet the joy of growing stronger was ruthlessly shattered by Kitagawa Minamoto's relentless iron fists.
At this point, their bodies were already riddled with fractures. If not for the energy within them constantly repairing the damage, they wouldn't have lasted this long.
"You're far weaker than I imagined."
Just as they cursed inwardly, Kitagawa Minamoto seized an opportunity.
Amid the roaring sounds, Obito's vision blurred, and in the next instant, his half-shattered body slammed heavily into the ground!
"Damn it..."
Obito cursed under his breath. Nagato and Kimimaro were equally frustrated, as Obito's abysmal combat performance was dragging them down.
They immediately rushed to his aid, but this only created an even better opportunity for Kitagawa Minamoto.
"How pathetic."
Kitagawa Minamoto gathered a black-and-white Rasengan in his hand. The Rasengan tore through the air, and despite Nagato's defenses, it struck him heavily.
Then, using space-time ninjutsu once again, Kitagawa Minamoto appeared beside Kimimaro.
In the next instant, his Yin-Yang Release short blade swung fiercely, sending Kimimaro flying. His body was reaching its limit!
"Is this what you call 'evolution'?"
The haunting voice echoed continuously, but this time, Kitagawa Minamoto didn't pursue further.
Instead, he stood silently amidst the smoke and dust.
The ever-spreading smoke made his figure appear faint, and the overwhelming natural energy surrounding him made him seem mysterious and terrifying.
"Cough, cough... Damn it, are you even trying?"
Nagato slowly rose to his feet, unable to hold back a quiet curse. This battle was becoming unbearable.
"And if you can't handle it, just leave. I'm ready to release the Ten-Tails."
"Now is not the time. We must wait until everyone is gathered!"
Obito was equally miserable. He knew he was likely holding them back, but he would never admit it.
"If we release the Ten-Tails now and attract Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, then..."
"Hmph!"
Kimimaro clearly saw through Obito's attempt to change the subject, and couldn't help but snort coldly.
"We can wait for the Ten-Tails, but can you actually fight or not?"
"You—"
Obito hadn't expected even Orochimaru's plaything to speak to him this way, which made his expression particularly ugly.
Before he could say anything more, Kitagawa Minamoto had already dispersed the smoke and was walking toward them again.
Seeing Kitagawa Minamoto's indifferent gaze, the three dared not say anything more and could only prepare for battle once again.
But in Obito's mind, the concept of the "stairway to godhood" involuntarily surfaced.
"Kitagawa Minamoto accessed evolution earlier, so his strength is understandable. But I can't continue like this!"
Obito clenched his fists, his gaze involuntarily shifting toward Nagato and Kimimaro.
He was genuinely considering how to extract energy from these two to complete his own "evolution"...
"What's going on?"
While Obito and the others were "suffering," Madara Uchiha's expression wasn't much better.
Facing five "Hokage" didn't particularly concern him, but Black Zetsu's sudden appearance immediately made him realize something was wrong!
"Weren't you supposed to retrieve the Sage of Six Paths' brother's relic? Did something go wrong?"
"Indeed, there was a problem. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki discovered me."
Black Zetsu was equally frustrated. He truly hadn't expected such an unfortunate turn of events.
"But I've found the item. I've temporarily entrusted it to Orochimaru's agent in Konoha. I don't think there should be any major issues."
"Orochimaru's agent in Konoha?"
Madara's face darkened. He had been hoping to use his battle to draw everyone's attention, creating space for Black Zetsu to operate.
But in the end, Black Zetsu was still discovered, which irritated him.
"What happened over there, Naruto?"
As Madara's mood soured, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but ask.
"You just said you uncovered Madara Uchiha's plot?"
"That's right!"
Naruto nodded seriously. His words drew everyone's attention.
"I found that black figure searching for something within the Hyūga clan, so I launched an attack.
He can split himself—I've trapped his white half in the village with my mother watching over it, while this part fled here..."
"The Hyūga? Searching?"
Naruto's words made everyone raise their eyebrows, suddenly realizing something.
"Could it be that the Hyūga also possess a relic?"
At this thought, their faces showed disbelief.
Undeniably, the Hyūga were important to Konoha. The Byakugan's reconnaissance abilities allowed everyone to better grasp battlefield situations.
But in terms of combat assistance, while the Byakugan might be extraordinary for lower-ranked ninjas, once at higher levels—like the current battle—it hardly mattered.
Could such a Hyūga clan also be descendants of the Sage of Six Paths?
"Madara, what exactly is your goal?"
Hashirama Senju took a deep breath, remembering the Senju clan relic that had been stolen.
"And why did you steal our relics? What's your purpose?"
"Naturally, to create a world of peace!"
Madara clenched his fists. Even surrounded by five opponents, he showed no fear.
"Hashirama, haven't you realized that the system you created, the world you built, is far worse than imagined!"
"War, lies, various power struggles—all of this emerged from the world you created."
"I told you back then: either pacify the entire ninja world, or the future would never know peace."
"But your narrow-mindedness prevented you from seeing the future. And everything happened as I predicted—after your death, the ninja world erupted in unimaginable wars!"
"Now, I'm simply setting things right. I want to restore peace to this ugly world!"
Madara's words were passionate. While he never denied committing countless dark deeds, even allowing the "Fourth Ninja World War" to unfold, his heart always yearned for peace.
He had always been fighting for the peace he longed for!
Madara's speech left everyone silent, especially Sasuke and Naruto, who looked at him with strange expressions.
"No wonder..."
After a while, Sasuke couldn't help but speak.
"Minamoto said the Sage of Six Paths favored Indra. It seems Asura..."
"Shut your mouth!"
Before he could finish, Tobirama Senju interrupted him.
"That's just speculation. Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Oh? Kitagawa Minamoto said that?"
Madara raised an eyebrow and laughed coldly.
"That's not surprising, considering the Uchiha inherited something remarkable!"
"..."
Black Zetsu blinked. Where did this rumor come from?
"And Madara Uchiha, do you truly believe what you're doing is right?"
As Black Zetsu pondered, Tobirama spoke with a cold face.
"You're nothing but a clueless fool. You don't understand the current situation at all!"
"Oh?"
Madara's cold smile deepened as he crossed his arms, looking at Tobirama with indifference.
"Does a shameless and despicable person like you have the right to speak here?"
"Hmph, that's why I say you're beyond saving."
Tobirama also displayed a slight cold smile, looking at Madara with detachment.
"Do you really think everything my brother did was wrong? Have you never considered one thing?
Why has war continued for thousands of years? Why didn't the Sage of Six Paths stop the war between Indra and Asura?
Why, even with the Ōtsutsuki's arrival, are you still so naive, still so foolishly beyond salvation?"
Faced with Tobirama's three consecutive questions, Madara raised an eyebrow.
For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Black Zetsu pursed his lips—all of this was because of him!
But in the next moment, both he and Madara widened their eyes as Tobirama's voice quietly fell.
"Because all of this is part of the Sage of Six Paths' plan!"
"..."
For an instant, both Madara and Black Zetsu were dazed.
They thought they had misheard, or that Tobirama had gone mad.
But seeing that Hashirama didn't contradict him, Madara fell silent.
And Black Zetsu became even more confused. Could there be some misunderstanding here?
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