Boom!
The earth trembled. The soil cracked apart. Countless trees burst from the ground and rapidly grew into towering giants. In an instant, the barren plain was transformed into an ocean of trees!
A closer look revealed the enormous trunks, lush branches, and vibrant green leaves. It was as if these trees had been nourished by the land for decades—or even centuries—yet they had grown in mere seconds!
Their canopies intertwined, blotting out the sun above. Below, the dense shadows overlapped, not even allowing a sliver of light through. The only space left untouched was the spot where Obito stood.
It seemed as though the trees recognized the power emanating from him. They all leaned slightly in his direction, as if paying homage to the one who gave them life.
How to describe such a sight? Only four words came to mind: Unparalleled in the world!
In the distance, those lucky enough to witness the miracle were overwhelmed.
"Oh! It's here! The legendary technique of the First Hokage—the power that calmed the Warring States era!!" The various Zetsus, embedded in the soil or watching from afar, whistled and cheered. Though they originated from Kaguya's God Tree and had lived nearly a thousand years under Hashirama's influence, even they couldn't help but feel awe.
"So this was the power of our ancestor? It's completely beyond the scope of modern shinobi…" murmured Uzuki Xiyang, stunned by the scale of the technique.
"Long live! Long live!" Tobi cheered, dancing playfully like his usual self. But deep down, he thought, Seems like Yu doesn't need me to protect him anymore…
"It's so beautiful…" Orochimaru stood in silence, tears of emotion sliding down his pale face. "With my help, the legend of Hashirama Senju—the First Hokage—has been reborn through you, Obito."
In the clearing, Obito lowered his hands from the final seal. He looked around at the forest he had created and whispered joyfully, "The first step… is complete."
Yes, the first step.
Having both Kamui abilities was just a base configuration. The body infused with Hashirama's cells and the power of Wood Release were only the beginning.
They were merely one piece of the puzzle needed to awaken the Rinnegan.
The next piece…
Was the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Obito didn't yet know that with Hashirama's body and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he would indeed be able to awaken the Rinnegan. But without that Eternal Mangekyō, the Rinnegan would remain locked away.
And beyond that lay senjutsu… and the power of the Ten Tails.
Step by step, Obito would gather the forces once wielded by the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, and recreate the power of the first true ninja.
But was the power of the Six Paths the end?
No. There was more.
The founder of the Hyuga clan—Hamura Ōtsutsuki—brother of the Sage of Six Paths, had created the Moon lineage, bearing the power of the Byakugan and the Tenseigan. As a perfectionist, how could Obito ignore such power?
He wanted that, too.
Only then could he approach the power of the 'Mother of Chakra'—Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Yes… Kaguya!
Since ancient times, no one had truly killed her—only sealed her away. Obito's ambition was to surpass even the gods. To become the one who could do what no shinobi ever had: end Kaguya's existence and rise as the true Ōtsutsuki.
And then… there was the "Wedge."
A mysterious power revealed only in the age of Boruto. A mark left behind by killing an Ōtsutsuki—a contract of sorts, passed from god to man.
The "Wedge" granted godlike evolution. Those who bore it could inherit the full power of a slain Ōtsutsuki and become a god in their own right.
Obito's goal was clear: defeat Kaguya, obtain her "Wedge," and earn the right to challenge the Ōtsutsuki clan itself.
His vision extended far beyond the ninja world. Even if he didn't yet know the location of the Ōtsutsuki homeworld, he would reach it one day—on his own terms—and face down their strongest.
He would defeat those mightier than Kaguya, and even challenge the Ōtsutsuki clan leader himself.
The path was long… and the task near impossible.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Obito returned from the joy of victory. He turned from the forest and faced Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, come with me. It's time for the next phase of the plan."
Orochimaru smiled tiredly. "Obito-kun, I'd be happy to accompany you… but may I sleep first? I haven't closed my eyes in nearly two months."
Only then did Obito notice the heavy bags under Orochimaru's eyes, the hollow expression. He looked completely drained.
Yes, Orochimaru had abandoned his own goals to join Obito's cause. He'd become a rogue from Konoha, entangled Kabuto in these schemes, and hadn't asked for a single day off.
A short rest was more than fair.
Obito nodded. "It's late winter. Snakes hibernate, don't they? Get some proper sleep. But when you wake… the world may have changed."
"I'm looking forward to it," Orochimaru murmured, closing his eyes—and immediately falling asleep standing up.
"Zetsu," Obito called softly, "carry him somewhere warm. And gently—don't wake him."
Two White Zetsus carefully lifted Orochimaru. "Looking at him, I doubt even kicking him would wake him."
"Still, try not to," Obito said.
Orochimaru, the man who held the secrets of this world's most advanced techniques, was vital to Obito's goal.
"Finally, it's done. Maybe now I can sleep well…" Uzuki Xiyang leaned into Obito's arms, bathed in the light of the setting sun.
"Thank you," Obito said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
Gurgle! A strange noise interrupted them.
Uzuki Xiyang blushed. Was that my stomach? But she'd already eaten. She turned to look—Obito was staring at her midsection.
Obito looked surprised. He hadn't felt hunger or proper digestion in so long… the sensation was unfamiliar.
"You're hungry?" she asked.
"Yeah… a little. I guess this new body is finally functioning like a living person again."
"Then let's go find something to eat. Consider this our first real date." Uzuki Xiyang tucked a strand of purple hair behind her ear, her cheeks glowing in the fading light.
"Alright," Obito smiled. "Then let's go to… Konoha."