"Nagato, the war is about to begin."
In a hidden base of the Akatsuki, Konan looked at Nagato and spoke in a low voice.
War was no stranger to them. They had endured the baptism of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
Coupled with the inherent instability of the Land of Rain, they had a much deeper understanding and perception of war than others, and the re-eruption of war made Konan feel distressed.
"Yes, war is about to begin again."
After a long while, Nagato finally nodded silently.
"But don't worry, this war is different from before. Perhaps we can see a different future."
"Different?"
Konan felt very uneasy, but Nagato's eyes glowed.
After a week of waiting, he felt as if he had grown stronger again, his energy began to feel boundless. This feeling was indescribable, that incredible power made him feel like a completely different person.
And in his mind, there seemed to be a voice reminding him to constantly fight and constantly use his power. Only then could he become stronger and ultimately achieve the dream in his heart.
"It's truly different now. Now I finally understand why I was so far behind Takemi. He took a step towards evolution before me."
"Evolution? Nagato, this…"
"I can feel my transformation, I can feel my power growing, this is the power bestowed upon me by evolution, this is the power of the Sage of Six Paths."
"Sage of Six Paths?"
Konan remained puzzled, but Nagato, for once, smiled.
Although the voice in his heart was strange, he 'understood' that he needed to follow it. And he believed that by following his heart, he would surely complete his transformation. He would definitely be able to re-tread the path of the Sage of Six Paths and create a new world.
"That's right, Konan, I swear to you."
Nagato reined in his smile, took a deep breath, and looked at Konan with extreme seriousness.
"I will definitely create a peaceful world, a world free from the threat of the Ōtsutsuki, a world with no more war."
"A world that embodies our shared will, a world that will satisfy Yahiko."
"Just this once, Konan, I will definitely do it!"
Looking at the utterly serious Nagato before her, Konan finally nodded earnestly.
"I believe in you, Nagato, I always will…"
Konan's trust in Nagato was boundless. Having endured many trials and tribulations together, now only the two of them remained.
No matter what, Konan would always steadfastly support Nagato.
And another person with boundless trust was Kimimaro, only his expression was somewhat unsightly now.
"Orochimaru-sama, why not use my body?"
"Did I do something wrong, Orochimaru-sama?"
"No, you did very well, always very well."
Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro and shook his head with a chuckle.
"It's just that you haven't fully developed your body yet. At this time, it's not quite suitable for me to use."
"But…"
Kimimaro frowned, this war would be exceptionally brutal, and he himself wasn't sure if he would survive. He longed to offer his body to Orochimaru. This had been his long-cherished wish, what if…
"You're worried you'll die in this war and won't be able to give your body to me?"
Orochimaru knew exactly what Kimimaro was thinking, he licked his lips and smiled.
"Then fight well, and survive. This is your best chance to prove yourself."
"Prove myself…"
"That's right, constantly fighting, constantly developing your body, and at the same time surviving in this cruel battle, that is your proof."
"Is that so…"
"What I want is your perfect body, not as it is now, do you understand, Kimimaro?"
Orochimaru looked at the silent Kimimaro and nodded secretly.
Kimimaro was too special, especially after he switched to the Byakugan, he began to grow in an unimaginable way.
At first, he also thought it was the Power of All Creation erupting within Kimimaro. But later, when he learned about evolution, he almost immediately concluded that Kimimaro was also an evolutionist.
"An evolutionist, huh, what an interesting existence. I want to see what's so different about this evolutionist, and…"
And he also wanted to see what it felt like to be an evolutionist.
At the same time, atop the Akatsuki tower, Obito stood silently in the rain, looking into the distance.
"Is it finally time?"
After waiting a week, the White Zetsu army had completed its deployment, and the Edo Tensei troops had begun their operations.
Even though there was no news from Madara, and even though Kumogakure hadn't given a clear answer, Obito no longer wanted to wait.
"Rin, do you see it?"
Obito placed a hand over his left chest, then whispered.
"From now on, I will create that world that belongs to us both."
"A world without war, where our tragedy will never be repeated, and where you will never be controlled again."
"It was you who guided me, to bravely walk until today, I will not disappoint you."
Obito murmured, and in the next instant, the space around him twisted, he had to prepare for action.
However, within the consciousness of the three, the three Ōtsutsuki were looking at their performance with disdain.
"A bunch of inferior creatures…"
Momoshiki shook his head disdainfully, and stroked his chin.
"Who is that Sage of Six Paths? This inferior creature keeps muttering about him."
"An Ōtsutsuki…"
Isshiki spoke subconsciously, but he quickly became alert because Momoshiki and Urashiki were looking at him with very strange gazes.
However, he was too lazy to deny whether he had 'done it' or not, after all, he already had the idea of making a big move.
"Enough about that, how's your host's progress?"
"This idiot inside me is almost at fifty percent." Urashiki scoffed disdainfully, then shook his head.
"It's just that this idiot always wants to sacrifice himself to be a vessel for another inferior creature, it's utterly foolish."
"Fifty percent, huh, that's not bad."
Momoshiki said, "I'm only at thirty to forty percent here, and I have you two to thank, otherwise it wouldn't be so fast."
"As long as the battle is suitable, it can accelerate the progress."
Isshiki spoke indifferently from the side, though his face showed some displeasure.
Obito, that crazy guy, relies entirely on Kamui for combat, which caused his unfreezing speed to be below expectations.
"Mine isn't that fast either, close to sixty percent."
"Sixty percent, huh, that's a bit slow."
Momoshiki raised an eyebrow, and Urashiki's gaze also turned to him. However, neither of them said too much in the end.
Momoshiki sighed faintly. "It seems that as long as the intensity of this battle is suitable, we can all come out early, which is exciting."
"Yes, it's indeed exciting."
Urashiki also nodded, the two of them exchanged glances, then both looked at Isshiki.
However, their gazes, whether at each other or at Isshiki, were particularly strange.
"Then, this planet is our hunting ground."
Fortunately, Isshiki was not to be outdone, he also spoke with a strange look and a wide smile.
"Let us enjoy our hunt here!"
At this point, the three of them burst into laughter.
As for the target of the hunt, none of them mentioned a single word.
And behind their smiles, they secretly clenched their fists.
'Mine, it's all mine, no one can escape!' Momoshiki muttered to himself, his smile growing even brighter.
'Let me personally verify the beauty of this path to Godhood…'
Isshiki thought silently to himself, after struggling for so long, it was finally his turn.
'Since you two have already done it…'
Urashiki muttered to himself, his gaze also exceptionally firm.
'If I don't do it, I won't be able to leave this place.'
As the three of them thought this, their intentions subtly aligned.
'I will definitely leave this place alive, I will definitely forge my own path to Godhood.'