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"I've never stopped keeping an eye on you."
Nagato's slightly altered expression softened, his cold gaze fixed intently on Kaito.
"Kaito, in my eyes, you are more dangerous than anyone else."
Kaito's face showed a hint of surprise before he smiled helplessly. "You overestimate me, Nagato-kun. I'm merely an unremarkable onmyōji, nothing more."
"Hmph." Nagato let out a noncommittal sneer. "You're far from simple. Though I don't know exactly what you've done, I know your shadow looms behind many events."
"You exaggerate. I'm no schemer." Kaito's gentle smile remained unchanged as he slowly walked to Madara's side.
"Hmph."
Tobirama glanced at Kaito and couldn't help but let out a soft snort.
"Lord Second Hokage?" Kaito turned his head sharply. "Do you have some insight to share?"
"You seem to have anticipated the current situation, Uchiha brat," Tobirama stated bluntly.
"As expected of Uchiha Izuna's rival, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama." Kaito offered him a hollow, insincere smile. "You truly are as cunning as Izuna-senpai."
"Nonsense!!"
While Tobirama's face darkened slightly, the other party involved—Izuna—burst out of the barrier in a rage.
He pointed at Kaito and shouted, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! How am I rivals with that trash Senju Tobirama?! And how am I as cunning as him?! He's way more underhanded than me!!"
"Hah!"
Tobirama immediately shifted his focus and retorted mockingly, "No need to be modest—you've always been more skilled in that regard!"
"Senju Tobirama, you treacherous bastard!"
"Hmph, back in the day, the Uchiha's second-in-command had a far worse reputation than this old man!"
The two began bickering fiercely, their anger escalating.
"Tobirama!" Hashirama pulled his brother back. "Now isn't the time for arguments!"
"Ahem, enough." Madara also shot Izuna a look.
"Hmph!"
Izuna stomped over to Madara's side, glaring at Kaito, who was barely suppressing his laughter.
By now, the white light descending from the moon had gradually faded—the Infinite Tsukuyomi's ultimate genjutsu had ceased.
"Right now, saving everyone is the priority." Hashirama's gaze swept over those trapped inside the barrier before settling on the countless people across the battlefield who had fallen under the genjutsu.
"Save them? You can no longer save anyone!"
Nagato suddenly formed hand seals again.
"Shinju: Shinju Jukai Kōrin (Divine Tree: Advent of the World of Trees)!!!"
The earth trembled as towering trees erupted from the ground, stretching endlessly into the horizon.
Then, countless root-like tendrils, resembling bandages, unfurled from the trees, wrapping around the genjutsu victims and suspending them like mummies from the branches.
Hashirama and Tobirama rushed out, attempting to rescue them, but their efforts were futile.
The shinobi protected within the barrier watched in stunned silence.
Some fell into despair; others tried to charge out to save their comrades, only to be blocked by the barrier.
"Damn it!!" Naruto slammed his fist against the translucent "wall" of the barrier. "Let us out!!!"
"Don't waste your energy." Sasuke stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Why are you stopping me?!" Naruto glared at him furiously. "I have to save them!!"
"It's useless. You can't save them." Sasuke remained unmoved.
Naruto shouted, "Why?! And how come that old guy earlier could leave?!"
Sasuke replied, "Izuna-ojii-san is different from you. He has a contract with Uncle."
"What contract?! I don't care—I'm going to save them!" Naruto, frantic, began gathering Tailed Beast chakra.
"Naruto, calm down." Minato suddenly grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. He then turned to Sasuke. "In that case, why can't Kushina and I leave?"
"Minato-ojii-san," Sasuke explained, "the contracts are different. Though you and Kushina-obaa-san also have contracts with Uncle, the bond isn't as strong."
"I see." Minato nodded.
"What are you talking about?" The hot-tempered A stepped forward, his fierce eyes locked onto Sasuke. "Explain yourself, brat! Are you saying all the shinobi villages are just going to die here?!"
"Hmph!" Sasuke, irritated by his tone, turned his head away, refusing to answer.
"You little—!!" A's rage flared, lightning crackling around him.
The others also began glaring at Sasuke with displeasure.
"Wait!"
Kakashi quickly positioned himself between Sasuke and A.
"What's the meaning of this?"
A's irritation only grew.
"Sasuke," Kakashi looked back at him, "everyone's worried about their comrades. If you know the details, please explain."
Sasuke frowned at him.
"Please, Sasuke." Kakashi smiled.
"Tch, fine. For Kakashi's sake." Sasuke finally spoke. "Just watch quietly. Those people will be fine."
"How can you be so sure?" Jiraiya asked.
"You'll see soon enough." Sasuke smirked. "You're about to witness it."
Outside the barrier.
"So this is how the Divine Tree harvests chakra…"
Kaito observed the apocalyptic scene before him with a tone of contemplation.
"It seems this technique's range… spans the entire world."
"Correct." Nagato watched Kaito with anticipation. "Now that it's come to this, how will you turn the tide, Kaito?"
"Unfortunately…" Kaito smiled kindly at him. "You won't live to see it."
"So you're saying…" Nagato's gaze grew colder. "As I thought, you anticipated this situation."
"Indeed." Kaito nodded. "But at this point, there's no turning back for you."
"I see… You didn't just anticipate it—you guided and orchestrated it."
Nagato suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly.
Kaito watched his frenzied expression calmly, his eyes devoid of emotion.
"Very well… very well…" Nagato muttered. "If that's the case, then let it proceed as you wish."
"Very well."
Kaito gave a slight nod.
"You…"
Nagato, seeing Kaito's indifferent demeanor, felt his despair give way to fury.
"...Are you truly so confident?"
In an instant, he appeared before Kaito, swinging the black staff in his right hand downward while thrusting a sharp black rod from his left hand toward his chest.
"Of course."
A transparent glow of spiritual energy enveloped Kaito, effortlessly blocking Nagato's assault.
"This is a wish spanning a thousand years."
"Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch!"
"Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang!"
"Asura Path!!!"
"Shinra Tensei!!!"
Nagato unleashed a frenzied barrage of attacks upon Kaito.
Amid the relentless assault, clouds of dust billowed, and the earth shattered inch by inch.