The fight against the Sage of Six Paths had become extremely dull, since both parties knew the other could absorb chakra.
Perhaps it couldn't even be called a fight.
The Sage of Six Paths drew sage chakra from the frogs and had no fixed form—drifting like wind or clouds, vanishing in an instant, only to reappear elsewhere just as quickly.
He also made sure to avoid contact with either Kaguya or Hiroki.
Kaguya found this strange.
Hayato should have known her weakness. Long ago he had balanced against her using sage arts—why wasn't he using them now? Had he obtained deeper intelligence?
Hiroki frowned.
Whenever he tried to ignore the fight and target other frogs, the Sage of Six Paths would interfere again.
Seriously? Does he really love these frogs like they're his own kids?
The two snakes kept watching from the sidelines. After the Sage of Six Paths appeared, the frog side hadn't suffered any losses.
Within Mount Myoboku, the stars shifted like pieces on a board, light and shadow taking turns dominating the sky. As time stretched longer, Hiroki gradually lost patience.
Looking at the frogs gathered in what seemed like a symbolic pattern, Hiroki's hands moved rapidly through seals.
[Shadow Clone] after [Shadow Clone] was created, then collapsed.
Their conscious minds detached from their bodies and headed toward 'Toneri' on the Moon, reporting Mount Myoboku's situation.
High above, where the Moon resided,
'Toneri' silently gazed downward, murmuring to himself,
"That direction... Without the Tenseigan, control isn't as precise. I hope there won't be collateral damage..."
With those words, he slowly walked toward the grand Tenseigan shrine.
"Hayato, are you trying to stall for time..." Kaguya voiced her suspicion. "What's wrong? Why aren't you using your sage techniques anymore?"
"Mother, I'm considering whether we must relive what happened back then..." The Sage of Six Paths responded calmly.
"It seems time hasn't just lengthened your temper—it's also grown your nerve," Kaguya brushed her hair aside, her words laced with veiled barbs.
She wasn't buying that crap. If he were really hesitating, he wouldn't have pulled so many underhanded tricks.
Letting his descendants run the ninja world was all about stopping you from coming back.
"And yet mother, you remain as willful as ever—perhaps even worse than before..."
As this mother and son exchanged sharp words, Hiroki couldn't help but smile.
At that very moment—
A massive yellow beam of light shot down, striking precisely atop a mountain.
"Ahh..."
"Ahh..."
"Ahh..."
Cries of agony nearly sounded simultaneously.
The mountain disintegrated into dust.
In an instant, every frog living inside or nearby was killed, leaving behind only an unshakable stench of blood.
...
Stunned, the frogs stared toward the direction of destruction.
Startled by this, they stopped supplying chakra to the Sage of Six Paths.
Hiroki curled his lips slightly, creating more [Shadow Clones] nonstop.
Then one after another, they continuously vanished.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Beam after blazing beam came crashing down, one after another without pause.
Wherever they arrived, all life was wiped out in an instant—nothing remained, not even a single cry.
Each time, their landing positions shifted slightly.
They were drawing closer and closer to the site of battle.
"If this continues, Mount Myoboku will be completely destroyed. Our people will perish one after another. Only a few frogs have mastered Sage Arts," Gamamaru said anxiously.
"This chakra..."
The Sage of Six Paths cast a piercing glance toward the heavens, then locked his sharp gaze onto Hiroki.
"It's time to eliminate you, boy."
He extended his right palm, and a long, black sword materialized in his hand, twisting like a spiral.
This was Ama no Hoko, his legendary divine blade, imbued with the fervent will of its master.
"Finally going all out?" Hiroki snorted coldly.
[Body Replacement Technique – Thousand Paper Cranes]
Just as the attack from the Sage of Six Paths reached him, Hiroki's body transformed into several glowing red paper cranes and vanished before the Sage's eyes.
The Sage of Six Paths frowned even more deeply.
If he hadn't misjudged, the chakra signature of that technique should be related to the Rinnegan.
Yet when he carefully examined Hiroki's eyes, they bore not the slightest resemblance to the Rinnegan.
Was it hidden in his forehead then?
Looking at Hiroki's perfectly clear forehead, the Sage of Six Paths showed a faint expression of suspicion across his face.
Whether due to this man's relationship with Mother or the destruction he could cause, he must die.
Unfortunately, Gamamaru and the others could do nothing to help.
If he wanted any kind of advantage, he'd have to fall back to the Pure Land.
But if he returned to the Pure Land himself, Mount Myoboku would fall into danger again.
Truly difficult!
The Sage of Six Paths felt deeply troubled.
Meanwhile, Toneri hadn't stopped firing attacks through the Giant Tenseigan.
These beams of light attracted the attention of many more people.
"What is that?"
Madara Uchiha raised his head toward the sky.
Due to the great distance, he couldn't see how thick those pillars of light were, only noticing beam after beam slicing across the heavens like an endless meteor shower.
Nearby, a massive dark swarm of countless individuals slowly followed in his footsteps.
Each step they took sent thick plumes of dust billowing into the air.
These were individuals with minds rewritten by Limited Tsukuyomi—they weren't elite warriors, but they had enough strength to serve as frontline fodder.
Following Black Zetsu's suggestion, he had avoided Frost, Snow, Hot Springs, Fire, and Lightning Nations, instead recruiting ninja from other smaller nations.
Even the Land of Wind, the Land of Water, and the Land of Earth had not been spared.
The Kage from major nations, the next generation of elite ninja, and prominent figures—including minor lords and clan heads—had all gathered in Konoha.
Meanwhile, Madara Uchiha had already succeeded in attacking the enemy's home base and reshaped the world.
As for Naruto and Sasuke, according to White Zetsu's report, they had secretly followed the tourists and infiltrated Konoha disguised among them.
"Oh, by the way, Zetsu... I've been meaning to ask something. Where are our White Zetsu troops? Why aren't they at the original secret hideout?"
Madara suddenly asked without looking away.
"Erm..." Black Zetsu hesitated, thinking about how best to explain.
"That would be in those few countries — Frost Country, Snow Country, Hot Springs Country, Fire Country, and Lightning Country..." Madara Uchiha cut in before the other could speak.
"Lord Madara..." Black Zetsu tried to say something.
"Tell me, what is your choice!" Madara's tone carried not a single inflection.
"It's definitely you, Lord Madara. I'll definitely assist you during the battle at Konoha," Black Zetsu immediately replied.
"Is that so?" Madara neither confirmed nor denied, his expression half-smiling, half-not. Unlike when he'd first been resurrected, Madara no longer fully trusted Black Zetsu. "Then bring all the White Zetsu Army here first."
"Black Zetsu..." At this moment, White Zetsu, who hadn't spoken until now, called out softly.
He felt it; Madara wasn't following the path Black Zetsu had imagined.
Or more accurately, Black Zetsu had no real power to control Madara at all.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>