Urashiki was now very confused.
He really did not want to do this, but the situation he was currently in was simply far too dire!
Although Isshiki stubbornly refused to admit it, Urashiki had already decided that it was Isshiki who had released the demon in Genshiki's heart.
"So, you did it too!"
As for Genshiki, there was nothing more to say—he and Isshiki were now "sitting side by side" precisely because of this guy.
And this damned lunatic had even chosen him as the target!
"This one did it too!"
And Momoshiki…
This guy was swayed by just a few words from Genshiki—he probably had such thoughts long ago!
It was only that Genshiki, now standing in Isshiki's place, had released the demon in Momoshiki's heart.
This guy showed absolutely no restraint; right before all of them, he swallowed Kinshiki!
"Momoshiki did it too—everyone has gone insane!"
In such an environment, Urashiki felt that there was no one around him he could trust.
If he wanted to leave this place alive, then…
"I'm afraid I also have to step onto that 'Divine Ascension Stair'!"
The moment this crazy thought surfaced, he felt he could no longer control his own mind.
The current situation was that there was not a single clansman he could trust!
Especially with these lunatics here—everyone looked at one another as if they were food.
If he wanted to survive until the end and escape this place, he could only become the strongest one, eliminate everyone else, and swallow them all!
"Besides, that 'Divine Ascension Stair' does seem somewhat interesting…"
The greatest desire of the Ōtsutsuki had always been that ultimate power.
And the 'Divine Ascension Stair' proposed by Genshiki, in a certain sense, seemed to perfectly match their true needs!
"So, is this already destined?"
"Only the strongest can leave alive; only the strongest can step onto the 'Divine Ascension Stair'?"
Urashiki's state of mind, without him noticing, had already begun to subtly shift.
And now, he no longer resisted Isshiki that much.
[Hum—]
But just as Urashiki completed the transformation of his inner thoughts, the battle on the ground quietly changed as well.
The Obito who had originally still been deeply trapped in his "Shattered Self" state, endlessly "idling," seemed to wake up at this moment.
Kitagawa Gen was currently gripping Kimimaro's neck, about to twist it off in one go to see what kind of reaction the Kāma would have.
Space suddenly rippled, and in the next moment that special spatial power swept over them!
"Huh?"
Even Kitagawa Gen was puzzled for a moment, only to see Obito suddenly rush over, quickly reaching out toward Kimimaro.
"Well now, you actually managed to recover?"
Seeing Obito like this, Kitagawa Gen could not help showing a strange look, but his movements did not pause in the slightest.
At the instant Obito charged over, the short blade condensed from Yin–Yang Release in his hand suddenly thrust out.
Space warped irregularly in that moment, and his chakra rapidly spread out in all directions.
The entire area was already covered by his chakra; he could launch attacks toward any direction!
"Hmph!"
But after all, Obito had been given a harsh beating so many times that he was extremely cautious and wary of any move Kitagawa Gen made.
Seeing that blade coming straight at him, he exploded with unimaginable reaction speed, and in almost the same instant that he brushed past the edge of the blade, he grabbed hold of Kimimaro.
[Hum—]
In the next instant, Kitagawa Gen appeared at his side, and a Rasengan imbued with Yin–Yang Release and that "special energy" had already formed!
'This time, I can't be mistaken—it really is planetary energy.'
Isshiki, who had originally been focused on the battle in the sky, was instantly jolted awake, and Urashiki's gaze likewise flickered.
'No wonder Isshiki said this guy might be the continuation of the planet's will, no wonder he could catch Genshiki's eye—so this is the reason…'
Planetary energy was the key to planting the God Tree; ordinary beings could not touch it at all.
The fact that this guy could control it so easily was enough to show how special and extraordinary he was!
'This is no longer a lower lifeform.'
Urashiki muttered this in his mind, and Kitagawa Gen's attack had already slammed heavily into Obito's body!
[Boom—]
Obito let out a muffled groan, that tremendous force feeling as if it were going to punch straight through his body.
Only, at this moment, the black markings on his body became even more pronounced, and powerful chakra kept surging through him.
The chakra was helping him withstand Kitagawa Gen's attack while also continuously repairing the injuries he had sustained.
[Bang—]
At last, Obito was still sent flying, but he managed to pull Kimimaro down successfully.
With a thunderous crash, he slammed heavily into the ground together with Kimimaro, but he quickly stood back up.
He had already entered Kamui at this moment, and that surge of chakra inside him was constantly battering him, yet he was still able to endure it.
"This situation is the same as what Nagato encountered before…"
His gaze shifted toward Nagato on the other side; right now, he no longer had the ability to assist—he needed a moment to recover!
"Obito!"
From the distance, Nohara Rin could not help shouting, making Obito momentarily dazed—yet he quickly regained his resolve.
He already understood what he had to do!
"You really are just as good at dodging as ever."
Seeing this, Kitagawa Gen did not attack again, and at that moment, the surrounding shinobi quietly encircled them all!
"But this time you're quite bold—actually daring to come here and stir up trouble, and even bringing such a massive problem with you."
Kitagawa Gen lifted his head and glanced into the distance. That enormous chakra storm was still sweeping outward, and beneath the crushing pressure nearly all the shinobi were panting heavily.
This made him shake his head, then his gaze locked onto Obito.
"So, what is your purpose? What exactly are you trying to do?"
"My purpose is naturally for the sake of world peace!"
Obito's will was incomparably firm at this moment. He gritted his teeth and spoke in a low voice, but this only made Kitagawa Gen shake his head in disdain.
"World peace? You?"
"Peace is something everyone longs for—even I do!"
Obito took a deep breath. He did not look toward Rin in the distance; instead, he fixed his eyes on Kitagawa Gen and spoke quietly.
"When we encountered each other nine years ago, I already said I would create a peaceful world. I have never wavered in that conviction!"
"By killing everyone?"
Kitagawa Gen raised an eyebrow. He found that this didn't seem quite the same as what Obito was originally supposed to say?
"Hmph. I'm not as extreme as you are. The peaceful world I want to create is not something you can imagine!"
Obito let out a disdainful cold laugh, though he still did not dare look toward Nohara Rin.
"None of you have ever considered one problem: once these mutually hostile shinobi villages were established, the entire shinobi world had already planted the seeds of disaster!"
"These shinobi villages—these war machines—how many people end up giving their lives for them every single year?"
"Many of you have experienced the Shinobi World Wars, haven't you? When you close your eyes for even a moment, don't you still recall those mountains of corpses and seas of blood from back then?!"
Obito's words instantly made everyone present fall silent.
The brutality of the Shinobi World Wars was not as simple as what was written in books; only by living through it could one truly understand that visceral agony.
Only, Kitagawa Gen's expression grew even stranger—why had Obito's speech changed?
"The establishment of shinobi villages made war even more intense and terrifying."
Obito ignored what anyone else thought and simply spoke the things he had read in Uchiha Madara's notes, along with what he had pondered and revised himself.
"The Warring States Period was chaotic, yes, but those were battles carried out on a clan-by-clan basis. Shinobi villages are completely different!"
"They gather the strengths of many bloodline-limit clans, combine them, and achieve even greater power—and the scale and ferocity of war have multiplied because of it."
"How many people have died because of this? How many clans that had passed down their lineages for who knows how long have perished or declined in barely sixty years since the founding of shinobi villages?"
"And how many tragedies like mine and Rin's have been born because of it? Such things—I will absolutely not allow!"
Obito's words were thunderous, and the shinobi present all looked at one another, stunned. Only Kitagawa Gen felt more and more that something was wrong.
Why did this sound more like something Uchiha Madara would say—rather than this Uchiha Obito?
It wasn't that he looked down on Obito—Obito's thinking simply should not reach this level, and even Madara himself might not consider this path viable now.
'Did he read Uchiha Madara's old journals or something?'
Kitagawa Gen speculated inwardly, and he seemed to understand why this guy's words had shifted.
'He just doesn't want to involve the Ōtsutsuki. He must have some other purpose.'
Assembling forces, Ten-Tails…
In an instant, Kitagawa Gen already understood what this guy wanted!
After all, he was the "information source"—he knew Obito's situation inside out. This abnormal behavior could only have one explanation…
"And what's even more ironic is that now, even those who died in past wars—you no longer care about their will. You drag them back out by force, making them suffer again."
Obito had no idea that his little scheme had already been exposed. He finally glanced at Nohara Rin out of the corner of his eye, and only then did he grit his teeth and speak.
"To stop your evil… to prevent tragedies like mine—and like Rin's—from ever happening again—"
"Even if the path ahead is filled only with despair, I will never abandon hope!"
"And this time, I came here precisely to declare war on you. I will create a truly peaceful world!"
Obito's words left everyone utterly stunned. This guy—was he actually serious?
For a moment, quite a few shinobi felt dazed.
Because his words did carry a degree of persuasive allure, and many shinobi had not forgotten the brutality of past wars.
They could not help but waver slightly—was the establishment of the villages really the right choice?
But very quickly, the shinobi snapped back to their senses.
Anyone who could stand here now was among the most loyal, the most trustworthy!
Even if they wavered for an instant, they recovered immediately. They would never listen to Obito's rhetoric.
"Utter nonsense."
At that moment, Kitagawa Gen also shook his head.
"The appearance of shinobi villages did indeed bring greater problems, and war is indeed tragic. But shinobi villages also protected far more people.
"What right do you have to deny that? You keep talking about 'Rin's tragedy,' but wasn't she protecting her own village?"
"And look at the situation now—former enemies can stand together, facing a common foe. Isn't that a chance to welcome peace?"
Although even Kitagawa Gen himself did not quite believe these words, right now he could only say them.
"Besides, regardless of the past, the first to use Impure World Reincarnation was your side—and the one stirring up war now is also you."
"How can you have the nerve to speak such backward nonsense? You're really no different from Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Obito."
Following Kitagawa Gen's words, every shinobi present fixed their gaze firmly on Obito and his group.
Their posture made it clear that with just a single order, they would all spring into action!
Even Nohara Rin, though she sighed, had already made the preparations to fight.
Just as Kitagawa Gen said—for the sake of protecting her village and everyone, she was willing to die. She could not accept Obito's denial!
"You—"
Obito knew something was wrong the moment he heard Kitagawa Gen's words, and seeing Nohara Rin's expression made him clench his fists even tighter.
He was about to say something more when a surge of powerful chakra suddenly erupted!
In the next moment, only half of a figure was left, hurtling toward them at high speed.
"What is…?"
Inside the consciousness space, Isshiki and Urashiki, who had been silent all this time, widened their eyes at the sight of this eerily familiar scene.
[Boom—]
A deafening roar shook the sky. The already-collapsing building instantly turned into a massive crater!
Thick smoke and dust surged outward, enveloping everything.
"What is…?"
The surrounding shinobi all turned pale—they thought they were doomed.
Yet to their shock, they realized that they had been transferred away at some unknown moment, avoiding severe injury!
"It's Lord Hokage!"
They immediately understood what had happened—but those within the ruins were nowhere near as fortunate.
Especially as that deity-like figure appeared quietly, the suffocating pressure made everyone scarcely dare to breathe!
"It's over, Senior Momoshiki."
Kitagawa Gen's true body looked at Momoshiki, now reduced to half a torso, and revealed a faint smile.
"When I reach the pinnacle of the heavens, I will not forget your contribution, Senior."
"You—"
Momoshiki tried to struggle, but the "Chakra Edible Creation" had already activated.
His life, along with the energy being violently extracted from him, was rapidly withering. He knew he would not last much longer!
"One day… you will meet the same fate…"
"The weak being swallowed by the strong—that is simply the law of the jungle."
Kitagawa Gen calmly shook his head. Looking at the pill that was gradually forming in his hand, he spoke softly.
"Besides, the path we walk is destined to be a path of the 'Dark Forest Law.'"
"Dark… Forest Law?"
"That's right. The Dark Forest Law has only one axiom: once discovered—or once you discover another—destruction or being destroyed becomes inevitable."
"You lunatic…"
"On the 'Divine Ascension Stair,' there is only devouring or being devoured. There is no room for luck, Senior…"
As he watched Momoshiki approach death's door, Kitagawa Gen increased the output of energy in his hand.
And in Momoshiki's final moments, he shook his head and smiled as he spoke.
"Your capacity is still far from enough. Then take the image of me reflected in your eyes as your final sight."
"Join me as we step onto that 'Divine Ascension Stair' that pierces the heavens."
...
"Black Zetsu, why have you been spacing out so much lately?"
Inside Konohagakure, in a hidden corner, Black Zetsu timidly lifted his head and looked into the distance.
His gaze seemed somewhat unfocused, even carrying a hint of disbelief. His appearance also drew the attention of the White Zetsu half.
"And didn't you say we had to be careful? With that Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama in Konoha—won't we die if we get caught like this?"
"Shut up."
Black Zetsu snapped back to his senses and spoke in a low voice, though he still seemed somewhat dazed.
"Over on Obito's side… he actually ran into Ōtsutsuki Genshiki—and two other Ōtsutsuki?"
"Hehe, yeah! It was amazing!"
White Zetsu nodded, that half-face filled with excitement.
They would of course monitor Obito's movements—after all, that guy had essentially 'betrayed' them.
"I don't know why those Ōtsutsuki appeared there too, but Ōtsutsuki Genshiki was so strong!"
"…"
"He alone knocked down the other two Ōtsutsuki, and even forced one Ōtsutsuki to eat his own companion."
"…"
"It's just a pity that in the end, Ōtsutsuki Genshiki still won. He was incredible!"
"…"
"But what were they saying—something about a 'Dark Forest Law,' something about once you discover or are discovered, destruction or being destroyed becomes inevitable. What does that even mean?"
Black Zetsu glared at White Zetsu. Just moments ago that guy had been scolding him—and now he was the one rambling nonsense.
Only, Black Zetsu did not want to speak at all right now. His mind was completely filled with that "Dark Forest Law."
He already understood what the "Divine Ascension Stair" was—and the "Dark Forest Law" was a theory personally constructed by Ōtsutsuki Genshiki.
'We absolutely cannot let Mother come out. We absolutely cannot release Infinite Tsukuyomi!'
Black Zetsu completely changed in that instant. Although he had been born for the sake of saving his mother…
But the way things had developed now had made him realize something terrifying.
'If she comes out, these lunatics will definitely treat her as a step on their 'Divine Ascension Stair.' She'll actually be safer staying sealed.'
Freedom is precious, but life is even more valuable.
For the sake of his mother's life, he could only make a decision that "betrayed his ancestors"!
'Luckily, I prepared the Hyūga relic. As long as it gets dug up, everything will be fine.'
Black Zetsu murmured to himself, suddenly wanting to strangle his own throat.
After all, he was the one who wrote the "Eye of the Moon" onto the Uchiha Stone Tablet…
...
"Huh? They've all left already?"
On the battlefield, Deidara looked toward the place where Obito and the others had vanished.
Then he swept his eyes across the direction the Ōtsutsuki had departed, unable to stop himself from muttering.
"They left really fast… and this place is basically ruined too."
"The strength of those Ōtsutsuki was truly terrifying, and they were unbelievably ruthless to each other as well."
Terumi Mei could not help speaking, and her words immediately resonated with everyone present.
Those beings who seemed like "Gods" made even breathing feel difficult.
Moreover, those so-called Gods were far too cruel.
That horrifying "Divine Ascension Stair," and that "Dark Forest Law" that kept echoing in their minds—
"Once discovered or discovering another, destruction or being destroyed becomes inevitable."
How cruel was that?
"So this is the so-called 'worldview of the Gods'…"
Everyone fell silent. Seeing this, Kitagawa Gen could not help scratching his head.
"All right, stop thinking about it. Let's hurry up and tally the casualties and draw up the follow-up plans."
"Yes!"
Kitagawa Gen's words instantly snapped everyone back to awareness.
To speak plainly, if not for Kitagawa Gen, all of them would probably be dead!
"What a pain."
Seeing everyone move into action, Deidara couldn't help cursing under his breath.
"That bunch of lunatic Ōtsutsuki, and the Akatsuki is also full of maniacs—especially that Uchiha Obito. He really is insane."
"We need to think carefully about the Ōtsutsuki situation, but right now the most important thing is the Akatsuki."
Kitagawa Gen had absolutely no desire to discuss anything about the "Dark Forest Law." His attention was still fixed on the Akatsuki.
"That group of maniacs declared war on us. We should properly respond and let them know that today's shinobi world is no longer what it once was."
"Indeed."
Terumi Mei nodded, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"Although we're only allies, this time is different. We are no longer who we used to be!"
"That's right!"
Deidara also nodded, clenching his fist.
"We absolutely can't let those self-important bastards get their way. This time, we have to take them down!"
Terumi Mei and Deidara were clearly both extremely displeased with Obito's group. That guy had basically jabbed straight at their reverse scale.
Although they had all once been enemies, things were no longer the same. With the three Kage here, they could surely change many things.
The dawn of peace had already arrived, yet that guy—who had always been a terrorist—insisted on posing as a savior while wanting to destroy everything that existed!
And afterwards?
How would he rebuild after destruction?
How would he stabilize the populace? How would he govern?
He probably hadn't thought about any of it!
That idiot was just acting on impulse, doing things without thinking at all. Did he really take himself for some kind of savior?
"Good. Let's prepare properly as well. It's time we cleaned them up."
Kitagawa Gen nodded. As expected, Momoshiki had probably fled, but once again Kitagawa Gen had made an enormous profit.
After all, that pill was formed from Momoshiki's energy after devouring Kinshiki. Next time they met, he could once again "sustainably drain the pond to catch the fish"!
Since that was the case, the Akatsuki's "historical mission" was just about complete. Cleaning them up now was perfectly reasonable.
'I wonder how my main body is doing…'
Kitagawa Gen muttered inwardly, but at that moment, Deidara suddenly spoke.
"But those Ōtsutsuki are really ruthless. No matter how many times I hear it, that name 'Divine Ascension Stair' feels terrifying."
"…"
Kitagawa Gen froze for a moment, but then Terumi Mei couldn't help speaking up as well.
"That's right—and that 'Dark Forest Law' too. They're truly terrifying!"
"Um…"
Kitagawa Gen really didn't want to talk about this, but Deidara leaned in again.
"Come to think of it, Ōtsutsuki Genshiki said you're an 'Evolver', right, hmm?"
"…"
"As an 'Evolver', do you plan to climb the 'Divine Ascension Stair' and adapt to the 'Dark Forest Law', hmm?"
"…"
"And if you're going to start devouring things, don't target me. I'm your friend, hmm!"
"…"
...
"Damn it, don't call this great me for this kind of operation next time!"
In a forest at the border of the Land of Hot Water, as space twisted, the Akatsuki members stepped out from within it.
They had not returned to the Land of Rain, worried that they might be tracked by Kitagawa Gen. Here, they could mislead Konoha into searching in the wrong direction.
But the moment Hidan appeared, he crashed straight into the ground.
His entire body was in an irregular shape, as if he couldn't move at all.
But his mouth never stopped; he kept cursing nonstop.
"I didn't die! Why the hell did you drag this great me into that damned mission? What the hell was that damn Nine-Tails brat going crazy for?!"
"Hmph, you idiot can forget everything except who's the dead last, huh?"
Kakuzu was also irritated. He himself didn't even know how many times he'd been blown apart, but seeing Hidan like this suddenly made him feel better.
"That guy might actually be the dead last. And if you want an answer, just ask Uchiha Obito."
"Tch, it's not like he'll say anything…"
Hidan shot a displeased glare at Obito, but Obito didn't look at any of them. He only spoke coldly.
"This mission is over. Although there were some accidents, our goal has already been achieved."
"That counts as accomplished?"
Hidan snorted. He didn't understand much, but Kakuzu, Sasori, and Uchiha Itachi had already realized something.
They weren't stupid—just a little hint was enough for them to understand.
"It indeed counts as completed."
Kakuzu nodded, Sasori's face was full of cruelty, and only Uchiha Itachi looked worried.
But in the end, he could only take a deep breath and speak.
"Nagato's condition is not good, and the Konoha forces are strong—especially Kitagawa Gen. And besides, it's not certain that those Ōtsutsuki truly got what they wanted."
Itachi's series of questions left Obito silent, but eventually Obito shook his head and replied.
"If we don't act, then everything will be too late. Didn't you see Ōtsutsuki Genshiki's 'Dark Forest Law'? And his 'Divine Ascension Stair'?"
"He has already devoured two of his own kind and is continuously climbing that so-called 'Divine Ascension Stair'!"
"He can devour his own kin now—so can you guarantee that his next target won't be us?"
"The Sage of Six Paths defeated an Ōtsutsuki and saved the world, although it was never clearly stated what that Ōtsutsuki actually did…"
"But with someone like that in the shinobi world, can you really feel at ease?!"
Obito's barrage of questions plunged Uchiha Itachi into silence, and even Kimimaro—panting nearby—and the gravely injured Nagato raised their heads.
Such bare, merciless words coming from the mouth of a "God"—how horrifying was that?
They had once imagined "Gods" to be beings who saved the world, yet now they realized that so-called "Gods" were cruel to the extreme.
If someone like that truly acted against the shinobi world…
The consequences were too terrifying for them to even imagine!
"Any other questions?"
Obito swept his gaze across everyone present. Seeing that no one spoke, he said coldly: "Then let's go back. We also need to contact the Hidden Cloud and make proper preparations for the coming war."
"This is the battle that will decide the life or death of the shinobi world, and also whether the shinobi world will have peace in the future!"
"We absolutely cannot afford the slightest carelessness. Only by winning can there be a true future…"
After saying this, Obito activated Kamui once more, though he couldn't help pondering something in his mind.
'Ōtsutsuki can use the 'Dark Forest Law' to ascend the 'Divine Ascension Stair'.'
'So as 'Evolvers', does that mean we can do it too?'
This question lingered in his mind, and his gaze drifted toward Kimimaro and Nagato.
In Kimimaro, he had previously sensed a similar chakra beginning to stir.
And Nagato…
After this severe injury, he too now had that same kind of chakra constantly flickering!
As Obito thought about this, inside the shared consciousness space between him and Kimimaro, Isshiki and Urashiki were also doing something.
Ever since their chakra pathway had connected, this was the first time the two stood so close together, looking almost like inseparable comrades.
And the corners of their eyes kept sizing each other up. Whenever their gazes met, both of them felt awkward and uneasy.
But neither of them said anything—because right now, they had something they needed to do together.
"Found it!"
After a while, Isshiki suddenly spoke.
"I need your power to help me. His Kāma was just implanted, and to thaw out the consciousness inside, my energy alone isn't enough."
Not "not enough," right?
You're just worried about consuming too much, aren't you?
Urashiki let out a cold snort in his mind, but he still nodded and spoke.
"Not a problem. Let's wake up Momoshiki first."
As he spoke, his chakra also poured toward the location Isshiki had found, and before long, a concealed power began to slowly respond.
The two of them initiating together was indeed faster than when Isshiki had awakened Urashiki back then.
In just a few breaths, a new chakra channel was linked, and under the influence of the chakra from the two of them, Momoshiki's consciousness also began to awaken.
"Mm—"
Momoshiki let out a low groan of pain, and his consciousness shadow began to slowly condense.
His memories still seemed to linger on the moment when all his energy had been drained; that extreme pain was something he could hardly bear!
"Momoshiki, long time no see."
However, just as his consciousness was steadily recovering, he suddenly heard two voices sounding by his ears.
Lifting his head, he saw Isshiki and Urashiki staring at him with burning gazes!
Those white eyes radiated an eerie glow, and the two of them were walking straight toward him.
"It's you…"
Momoshiki was still unable to react for a moment, but the instant everything from his memory resurfaced, his expression changed drastically.
"You two—don't come any closer!"
"..."
"..."
...
In another forest within the Land of Fire, Kitagawa Gen quietly descended there.
Sensing the newly-formed pellet within the "Ame-no-Minaka," and the body of Momoshiki stored inside…
His face was full of a smile. These Ōtsutsuki were truly providing him with an unending supply of "nourishment," helping him grow continuously.
"It seems I'll be gaining new growth again this time."
Kitagawa Gen revealed a faint smile, then his consciousness began communicating with the chakra of Kaguya within him.
"I think the time to let you out won't be too far away now."
"..."
But Kaguya did not respond; Kitagawa Gen even sensed that she seemed to want to leave his body.
"What's wrong?"
Kitagawa Gen asked curiously, his consciousness moving closer to Kaguya.
"Did something happen?"
"You—"
However, just as his consciousness approached to take a look, Kaguya finally spoke.
"Don't come any closer!"
"..."
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