"Alright, I can finally move properly now!"
Naruto stood up with a smile on his face, clearly having waited for this moment for a long time.
"Is it the Nine-Tails?"
Sasuke asked curiously, and Naruto didn't hesitate to answer.
"Yeah, it is. But his name is Kurama."
Naruto was pulled into his consciousness space by the Nine-Tails, primarily because the beast was utterly shocked by everything happening around them. The Ten-Tails' roar and fury instinctively filled him with fear. He knew that if he ever merged with the Ten-Tails, he would cease to exist.
Additionally, there were the Ōtsutsuki. The Ōtsutsuki gave him the same feeling as the "Old Man" in his memories—only far more terrifying. But the Nine-Tails couldn't argue with Naruto, especially after witnessing Naruto's unwavering determination to protect this world. This left the beast feeling somewhat helpless.
Moreover, Naruto seemed to have noticed the Nine-Tails' concerns, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you too!"
"Kid, what are you saying? You'll protect me?"
The Nine-Tails almost laughed in disbelief, but Naruto's expression remained serious.
"Yes, I've long since stopped blaming you. What happened back then wasn't your fault; you were being controlled by Obito Uchiha."
"..."
"And honestly, I feel bad about what you've been through. Even though my own situation hasn't been great, I've met someone like Minamoto. But you..."
"..."
"So, after this battle is over, I've already talked to Minamoto about it. He doesn't care about the Tailed Beasts at all, and I think you'd be better off free."
"..."
For a moment, the Nine-Tails fell silent, wondering if this kid had lost his mind. But looking at Naruto's radiant and sincere smile, he suddenly realized that the boy genuinely meant it! And the Nine-Tails couldn't deny one thing: Kitagawa Minamoto's origins were beyond comprehension.
"That guy truly doesn't care about the Tailed Beasts. He's completely different now..."
As he pondered this, the Nine-Tails' gaze toward Naruto subtly changed. After a while, he shook his head and laughed.
"I don't need your protection, kid. But this time, I'll give you more Chakra."
Saying this, the Nine-Tails extended his fist.
"Link your Chakra with mine."
"Huh?"
Naruto was both surprised and curious.
"Are we going to do a tug-of-war again?"
"Idiot, not this time."
Recalling their past interactions, Naruto couldn't help but smile, which only made Sasuke feel more exasperated.
"For crying out loud, we have things to do. Are you ready yet?"
"Don't worry, I'm ready."
Naruto replied with a grin, but as he looked into the distance, his smile froze.
"Huh? Who are we supposed to find?"
"...Idiot!"
Sasuke felt a headache coming on, thinking that meeting Naruto was the worst luck of his life. Without turning back, he walked forward.
"Didn't you get the message? All ninjas have been mobilized to quickly eliminate the remaining White Zetsu army and find a way to seal the Ten-Tails. As for us..."
As he spoke, his crimson eyes fixed on the towering Buddha in the distance.
"We're going to assist the First Hokage. They're doing their best to stall Ōtsutsuki Minamoto, giving Minamoto-senpai time to gather information."
"That's our mission."
"So, we're supposed to seal the Ten-Tails..."
Across the battlefield, all the ninjas had received the message from headquarters. After Jiraiya communicated with the two Sages of Mount Myōboku, he reported the situation to headquarters. Similarly, after Senju Tobirama made his decision, he explained the plan.
But the news left the ninjas with mixed emotions. Some were excited, but most were worried—after all, they were dealing with the Ten-Tails! And reaching the Ten-Tails meant facing countless White Zetsu soldiers, as well as some Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation obstacles.
But they were ninjas, and orders had to be carried out. Especially since these enemies seemed intent on destroying the world!
"Hey, aren't you guys going to help us? Your leader has turned into an Ōtsutsuki, huh!"
While the others were regrouping their forces, Deidara was preparing as well. Yet he couldn't resist speaking up to the Second Tsuchikage.
"You're all dead anyway, so why not go die again? You don't want to see the Iwagakure forces being wiped out, do you, huh?"
"..."
The Second Tsuchikage fell silent, wanting nothing more than to strangle Deidara. But Deidara's words made the Second Mizukage nod in agreement.
"Hmm, hmm. That shady Tobirama developed this technique precisely for situations like this. I agree with you, Tsuchikage."
"That's great!"
Deidara's eyes lit up, though the nearby Mei Terumi looked visibly annoyed. She had already experienced the "scheming" of this Second Mizukage firsthand.
"But..."
As expected, the Second Mizukage shrugged nonchalantly.
"I can't control myself. Deal with the ones controlling us first. Besides, you said it yourself—we're already dead. Why should the dead participate in this war?"
"Hey, what kind of attitude is that, you mustached guy?"
Deidara couldn't hold back his frustration, but the Second Mizukage ignored him entirely.
"We should trust the wisdom of the living. Now hurry up. If you die, come down and join me. I'll give you a proper tour of the Pure Land."
"Damn it..."
It was the first time Deidara had been so thoroughly shut down. Fortunately, Gaara stepped in to calm him down.
"Let's focus on preparing and handling our own tasks. Also, I've heard the Third Tsuchikage is on his way."
"Tch, that old geezer..."
Deidara pursed his lips, finally resigning himself to the situation. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Tsunade and Jiraiya had found Orochimaru. Both wore serious expressions as they confronted their old friend and classmate.
"Orochimaru, at this stage, there's no point in continuing down the wrong path!"
Jiraiya spoke solemnly, while Tsunade added coldly.
"You've caused enough trouble already. Are you really going to keep this up, Orochimaru?"
"Don't bother lecturing me. It's boring."
Orochimaru licked his lips, glanced at the surrounding Akatsuki members, and then looked into the distance. After a while, he finally spoke.
"I know what to do. But before that... I want to wait and see. After all, who wouldn't be curious..."
"About what the power of the Ōtsutsuki truly looks like!"
"Isshiki, you bastard, how much havoc have you caused..."
Inside the mental space, Urashiki and Isshiki silently observed the events outside. Watching Kitagawa Minamoto single-handedly defeat three opponents—Obito, Kimimaro, and Momoshiki-controlled Nagato—left their expressions grim. The battle had pushed their Karma seals to the second stage, and Momoshiki was on the verge of complete resurrection. Both looked visibly shaken.
Especially Urashiki, who was internally cursing. Resurrection was beneficial to them, but being killed and forced to resurrect would cost them significant energy. And outside, there was an even more terrifying presence: Ōtsutsuki Minamoto, whose gaze was fixed on them!
"This Kitagawa Minamoto isn't simple. He's the 'embodiment of planetary will,' combined with the legacy and resolve of the millennia-long blood feud..."
Urashiki felt overwhelmed. Isshiki's actions had truly caused a mess! To Urashiki, the so-called Sage of Six Paths was none other than Isshiki. The millennia-long blood feud was his creation, meant to fend off other Ōtsutsuki who pursued him. Kitagawa Minamoto was the dagger aimed at their hearts!
Now, it had backfired.
"Not only did he awaken Minamoto's inner demon, but he also enhanced Minamoto's power, creating a dagger aimed directly at us?"
Urashiki now wished he could devour Isshiki immediately, hoping to prevent further trouble!
"Let's prepare to take over the bodies."
While Urashiki contemplated how to deal with Isshiki, Isshiki spoke gravely.
"Kitagawa Minamoto, the 'embodiment of planetary will,' intends to kill Obito and the others to release us. Those three clearly can't hold out, so..."
As he spoke, Isshiki's energy began to surge.
"Rather than being killed and losing more energy, we should actively take over the bodies and accelerate the Karma seals!"
"Only then can we face Minamoto in a better state, and confront this utterly insane fellow of ours. We..."
"Cannot let him continue. We must stop him!"
"..."
Urashiki wanted to retort, but he knew it wasn't the time. Their greatest and most terrifying enemy was Ōtsutsuki Minamoto!
"Hmm?"
As they prepared, they suddenly noticed something unusual with Momoshiki.
"Ah!"
Nagato suddenly let out a cry of pain, as Black Zetsu aggressively enveloped half of his body.
"Damn it..."
Nagato cursed in Momoshiki's voice, but the next moment, his voice reverted to his own.
"What are you trying to do?!"
"The only solution now is to transfer your Rinnegan and have Madara take the Ten-Tails."
Black Zetsu's raspy yet determined voice echoed.
"Kitagawa Minamoto was right. Only Ōtsutsuki can deal with Ōtsutsuki. To prevent unnecessary complications, I must make sacrifices."
As he spoke, Nagato's hands involuntarily moved, and the power of the Rinnegan began to erupt.
"You..."
Nagato seemed to realize something, but Black Zetsu interrupted him again.
"Your resistance is fitting. This is your destiny. The Ten-Tails must also be properly handled."
As he spoke, he ignored Nagato's struggles. As he said, this was Nagato's destiny. And thanks to Nagato's fierce resistance—and Kitagawa Minamoto's heavy blows—Black Zetsu was granted this opportunity.
Buzz—
Majestic energy erupted from Nagato's body, rushing toward the giant Buddha.
"He's holding on?"
Kitagawa Minamoto raised an eyebrow, noticing horns appearing on the foreheads of Obito and Kimimaro. Their faces showed greater pain and struggle, and their aura subtly changed!
"Especially Nagato..."
Nagato's unique aura grew more intense, resonating with the energy of Obito and Kimimaro. All of this pointed to one undeniable fact.
"It seems..."
On the main battlefield, Minamoto glanced at the two figures atop the giant Buddha, shaking his head lightly.
"The Ōtsutsuki era has truly arrived."
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