A frenzied battle had erupted across the ninja world.
This time, after the revelation of the "truth of the ninja world," the nature of the war had undergone a profound transformation.
After all, war was precisely what the Sage of Six Paths desired; only through war could humanity grow stronger.
And for those who had died...
"Anyway, there's Impure World Reincarnation. Rather than living in fear of being killed, it's better to die ahead of time and be resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation!"
With White Zetsu in abundance and everything seemingly part of the Sage of Six Paths' grand plan, Obito and the others weren't concerned about the consequences anymore.
"Kappa Demon, I've finally found you again!"
Hidan was the most excited of all, charging straight through the "hail of bullets" to confront Might Guy.
"This time, you won't escape! Nine years! You've owed me an answer for nine years!"
"..."
Might Guy paused, momentarily perplexed as he tried to recall what Hidan was talking about. But he knew Hidan well enough.
"Damn it, it's that poison-using guy again. Can't I just get a different opponent?!"
"Sakumo Hatake, it's time we settle things!"
Sasori and Chiyo had found Sakumo Hatake, who was trying to keep a low profile amidst the crowd. Compared to Sasori's resentment, Chiyo sighed heavily, her expression filled with regret.
"Looks like I'm going to trouble you again."
"It's definitely troublesome..."
Sakumo scratched his head, feeling like his life had been perpetually entangled with Sunagakure. These people were truly relentless.
"Huh? Why are you guys here too?"
Naruto and Sasuke had initially planned to join the "higher-level" battles, but amidst the crowd, they spotted Zabuza and Haku, causing Naruto's eyes to widen in surprise.
"Hmph, the ninja world doesn't belong to you."
Zabuza spoke disdainfully, while Haku simply smiled.
"We volunteered to come as reinforcements. Be careful out there."
"You're the ones who need to be careful. I can't be bothered to look after you."
Sasuke replied indifferently, but his gaze soon shifted to Itachi Uchiha.
"Perfect timing to warm up. You're the ideal opponent, you beast."
As the battle erupted, everyone found their respective opponents. Naturally, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju became each other's adversaries.
"Madara, don't act recklessly!"
Hashirama dodged attacks while trying to reason with Madara.
"Now that we understand the Sage of Six Paths' plan, shouldn't we unite and face the Ōtsutsuki threat together?"
"That's what I originally thought, but my perspective has changed now."
Madara wielded his war fan and scythe, launching relentless assaults. His Mangekyō Sharingan glowed a deep crimson, radiating a chilling intensity.
"I've pursued peace tirelessly, only to realize that the so-called peace was nothing but wishful thinking. You can't possibly understand how I feel!"
"But now that we know the truth..."
Hashirama continued to persuade him, truly believing that fighting like this served no purpose.
"Once we resolve the Ōtsutsuki crisis, can't we embrace peace?"
"That's true, but all of this has been orchestrated by the Sage of Six Paths. So..."
Madara's expression darkened, and his movements grew even more aggressive.
"I've come this far, and now the only thing I can do is see it through to the end!"
Madara was deeply resentful. Having fully grasped the logic behind the Sage of Six Paths' actions, he couldn't help but feel bitter. He had always prided himself on fighting for peace, only to discover he had nearly become an accomplice to the destruction of the world.
The peace he longed for was utterly insignificant in the face of greater crises!
Meanwhile, Hashirama—the naive and idealistic fool—had genuinely advanced the ninja world's ability to confront threats. Such circumstances were unbearable for someone as proud as Madara.
"Since the Sage of Six Paths' true intentions lie here, I will cooperate fully. I will wait until everything is over and then establish lasting peace!"
Madara's extreme emotions surged, and even his usual calm demeanor shattered.
"Damn it..."
Hashirama realized there was no reasoning with him anymore. He had no choice but to accelerate his actions.
"If you won't listen to reason, don't blame me!"
"Hmph, do you think you're Kitagawa Minamoto?"
Madara's Chakra erupted, and he sneered coldly.
"You're speaking as if you can defeat me anytime!"
"Take this, Madara!"
"Hashirama!"
Boom—
A massive explosion erupted from their clash, sending shockwaves that knocked countless people off their feet.
"Damn it, those two are such a headache."
Tobirama Senju grumbled irritably, feeling frustrated that he couldn't intervene in their battle. Just as he was feeling overwhelmed, Minato Namikaze had already joined up with Kakashi, and their focus was squarely on Obito Uchiha.
"Obito..."
Minato spoke softly, his gaze filled with complex emotions.
"I never expected it to be you. But why are you doing this?"
"Why?"
Obito glanced at Minato, then turned to Kitagawa Minamoto, but his reply was icy and distant.
"Are you here to lecture me? Isn't it too late for that, sensei?"
"Sensei..."
Kakashi frowned, wanting to say something, but Obito just shook his head with a cold laugh.
"You always fail to appear at the most crucial moments, whether for me or for Rin!"
"Obito..."
Minato furrowed his brow, but when he tried to speak, he found himself at a loss for words.
"Moreover..."
But Obito clearly had no intention of letting Minato off the hook. He clenched his teeth and continued coldly:
"As my teacher, you couldn't even recognize me back then. You're nothing special, Minato Namikaze!"
"Do you really deserve to be Hokage?!"
"..."
Faced with Obito's accusations, Minato found himself speechless.
Even though he knew Obito was being unreasonable, as both a teacher and a Hokage, he couldn't help but reflect on certain matters.
"If I had immediately recognized him as Obito then, perhaps I could have stopped him..."
"Then Kushina wouldn't have died, and perhaps Naruto wouldn't have had to become a Jinchūriki..."
"If I had recognized Obito in time, maybe the entire ninja world wouldn't be facing such a catastrophe..."
Lost in these thoughts, Minato sighed, but before he could say anything, Kitagawa Minamoto let out a derisive laugh.
"This routine again? Obito Uchiha, have you really run out of things to say?"
"Minamoto—"
Minato wanted to interject, but Kakashi held him back. Kitagawa Minamoto stepped forward.
"You were too weak and got ambushed by Iwagakure, yet you have the nerve to blame others? Are you really a ninja?"
"..."
Obito's face darkened. He felt that whenever Kitagawa Minamoto opened his mouth, nothing good came out. But Kitagawa Minamoto wasn't about to let him off.
"As for being late, I believe I've asked you this before: when you discovered what was happening, why didn't you act faster?"
"..."
"Always relying on others—are you even a ninja? No wonder you're a failure. When something goes wrong, you only think about blaming others."
"Shut up."
"You never reflect on whether it might be your own fault. You only think about blaming others, about solving problems through fantasy."
"I said shut up!"
"You have no idea who's genuinely good to you and who's deceiving you. You truly are, and always will be, a failure and a clown."
"I told you to shut up!"
Obito finally snapped. He roared and charged at Kitagawa Minamoto, but Kitagawa Minamoto didn't take him seriously at all.
As he effortlessly blocked Obito's attack, his voice resonated once more:
"A clown needs to know his place. Is this so-called peace really the peace you want? Is this 'evolution' truly the evolution you desire?"
Boom—
Another deafening explosion erupted. Obito was slammed heavily to the ground. He gasped for breath, but the killing intent in his eyes had become almost tangible.
Kimimaro and Nagato immediately rushed over, but Kitagawa Minamoto seemed completely unconcerned. He spoke calmly:
"You'd better attack together. But a friendly reminder: if you don't have any other tricks up your sleeves, then..."
"It's time I send you on your way!"
The chaotic battle unfolded beneath the moonlight. Meanwhile, within the consciousness of Obito, Nagato, and Madara, the three Ōtsutsuki wore peculiar expressions.
"Impressive. These inferior beings may be weak, but their mastery of chakra and combat techniques is remarkably refined."
Urashiki couldn't help but express admiration as he watched the frenzied battle. Momoshiki nodded slightly.
"This world is truly extraordinary. The legacy of a thousand years of bloodshed... it's incredible."
At this point, Momoshiki and Urashiki exchanged glances.
A terrifying thought crossed both their minds:
"If that 'Sage of Six Paths' is really Isshiki, then was the monster Minamoto also created by Isshiki?!"
After all, Minamoto's fighting style was distinctly different, and Isshiki had mentioned that Minamoto had acquired this world's combat abilities.
Realizing this, they were so furious they could have shattered their teeth.
All these consequences were truly caused by Isshiki, and they were just unfortunate victims caught in the crossfire!
"Not only did Isshiki release the demon within Minamoto's heart, showing him the 'Ascension Stairway,' but he also gave Minamoto the power to defeat us?"
Though they lacked concrete evidence, they could no longer contain their anger.
They desperately wanted to complete their 'thawing' and find an opportunity to strangle this accursed Isshiki!
This bastard was the root of all evil...
"Time to act!"
As everyone separated to fight, Black Zetsu's gaze locked onto Nagato.
"Madara probably suspects me, but he still needs me. I must do something to lower his guard."
Black Zetsu knew all too well about Madara's suspicious nature. His earlier outburst had definitely caught Madara's attention.
Now, he needed to divert Madara's attention quickly, temporarily reducing Madara's concerns.
"Or rather, make him trust me temporarily. I absolutely cannot act rashly!"
With this in mind, Black Zetsu fixed his gaze on Nagato and slowly sank into the ground.
"I must help Madara revive, immediately summon the Ten-Tails, and make him its Jinchūriki..."
Only then might Madara temporarily dismiss his suspicions, while also preventing Obito from releasing his mother!
Hum—
In that moment, Black Zetsu accelerated, almost instantly appearing beside Nagato despite the tidal waves of chakra.
The black chakra, like ink, splashed toward Nagato.
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