Second Time!
Orochimaru's stabbing motion froze once again.
He forced down his anger and asked, "What secret?"
Staring at the sword blade engraved with mysterious runes, White Zetsu swallowed hard, his expression stiff as he said, "It's about 'Adam.' If you let me go, I swear I won't harm you afterward and will tell you this secret!"
A secret about Adam?!
The members of the Twilight Hermit Order were shocked again by White Zetsu's words.
Honestly, the bait White Zetsu threw this time really tempted the members of the Twilight Hermit Order.
Onoki's eyes flickered as he lowered his voice, "How about... we listen to what it has to say?"
"No."
Uchiha Mikoto's eyes glinted with killing intent, refusing without hesitation, "We must kill it!"
As she spoke, she summoned her blazing white spear again, wrapped in the pitch-black flames of Amaterasu, aiming at White Zetsu's weak spot and threw it.
The dark, flowing flame spear was about to pierce White Zetsu, but was intercepted by a dust escape technique.
A pure, dazzling light burst out, dissolving the blazing flame spear.
"What do you mean by that?"
Uchiha Mikoto glared coldly at Onoki, her entire body seeming to radiate terrifying hostility.
"Don't be so agitated. I just think it's necessary to learn about 'Lord Adam.'"
Onoki said calmly, "Besides, Lord Adam has been missing for so long. What if the secret it speaks of can awaken 'Lord Adam'?"
His reasoning was straightforward and powerful, shutting Uchiha Mikoto's mouth.
"And you? Orochimaru."
Onoki looked at Orochimaru, a trace of fear showing deep in his eyes.
Within the Twilight Hermit Order, Orochimaru was the only one he truly feared.
"What if I don't agree?"
Orochimaru stared at him expressionlessly, tightening his grip on the sharp sword.
Onoki was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Of course, we can decide by vote. How about that?"
He then shifted his gaze toward Konan. "What's your opinion?"
"Reject."
Konan shook her head clearly and firmly.
For a brief moment, a flash of anger crossed Onoki's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. Without any change in expression, he nodded as usual.
"Alright, since no one agrees, then let's follow the original plan—kill it."
Orochimaru didn't hesitate any longer. He handed over the sword inscribed with runes.
Just as White Zetsu was about to die by the sword, space suddenly twisted violently, like a swirling vortex.
From within the whirlpool, someone suddenly appeared and grabbed the Kusanagi sword with bare hands.
That person gripped the Kusanagi sword and suddenly snapped it with great force.
Crack!
The sacred weapon left behind by the Sage of Six Paths was easily broken.
The mysterious runes carved on it immediately lost their power and dimmed.
Holding the broken tip, the person threw it back with a flick of their wrist.
Boom!
Orochimaru was caught off guard and pierced through his body by the sword tip.
He was instantly thrown backward, blood gushing from his chest, crashing hard onto the ground.
The entire event happened in less than a second, as if it occurred in an instant, leaving the others stunned and unable to react in time.
Only when Orochimaru fell nearby did they finally wake up and look toward the person who had suddenly appeared.
Wearing a mask that looked like a swirling vortex and dressed in a strange blood-red robe, he exuded a twisted and terrifying aura.
"Uchiha Obito!"
The members of the Twilight Hermits showed shock on their faces.
"Long time no see, everyone."
Obito tilted his head, his single visible eye coldly staring through the mask at them.
"The Twilight Hermits took me quite a while to find."
"How did you arrive so quickly?!" Uchiha Mikoto was startled.
According to the original plan, the Sage of Six Paths was to be the main force holding back Obito.
White Fang was the backup, since the Twilight Giant's Pathway possessed both purification and light attributes, and strong defense, making it the perfect counter to the "Chained Pathway".
It was originally estimated the two together should be able to hold for at least half an hour, maybe even an hour.
But now, it seemed they hadn't even lasted half an hour!
"You all did well."
Obito carried a mad aura that sent chills down their spines.
"Those two were indeed tough, but unfortunately, anything below a Saint level, no matter how strong, makes no difference to me."
Saints were called "demigods," completely beyond human level.
Even the Sage of Six Paths had paid a great price and barely held on for over ten minutes.
"Retreat!"
Orochimaru shouted loudly, clutching his injured abdomen.
The moment Obito appeared meant this plan had failed.
Even if the Twilight Hermits were at their peak, they wouldn't be able to defeat a Saint, let alone in their current state.
If they kept fighting, they all might die here.
"Trying to run?"
Uchiha Obito sneered fiercely, as if tearing through space itself. His arms twisted with countless vengeful spirits, their shrill screams shaking the spiritual realm.
"Everyone, stay right here for me!"
But Orochimaru had already anticipated this and tore the scroll apart.
Buzz!
Brilliant, radiant light spread out like a glowing ring.
The cursed spirits dissolved the moment they touched the scorching light ring. The fierce solar flames pushed Obito back with overwhelming force.
"Sun Pathway?!" Obito's pupils shrank, his face twisted with murderous intent.
"Not bad... didn't expect you to have a hidden trump card."
Orochimaru bit his finger and pressed it heavily to the ground.
"Reverse Summoning Technique!"
Complex summoning seals unfurled, capturing every member of the Twilight Hermit Order within their bounds.
At that moment, White Zetsu suddenly stared at them and snarled, "As your reward for defeating me, I'll tell you the truth. Listen carefully—'Adam' was never a god!!!"
Bang!
Obito ripped apart the blazing white ring, but the Twilight Hermit Order had already vanished completely.
"Heh, don't expect to be this lucky next time."
Obito sneered coldly, then turned his gaze to White Zetsu. A fierce light flickered in his eyes.
"How's your ritual coming along?"
"Almost... almost done," White Zetsu swallowed hard and replied stiffly.
"With this chance, I'll advance to Sequence Four."
"Good, very good," Obito grinned.
"When you reach Sequence Four, we'll go find 'Adam.' You haven't forgotten, right?"
"Of course, I haven't forgotten."
At these words, White Zetsu's expression turned dark and ruthless. "I will take you to find 'Adam,' and then kill him. We will take his place!"
Inside the pitch-black cave, the members of the Twilight Hermit Order were summoned back through reversed summoning.
Yet, White Zetsu's words before leaving unsettled everyone's minds, stirring various thoughts.
Adam was never a god.
This statement was like a massive stone thrown into a still lake, sending ripples spreading far and wide.
But no one noticed the flicker of ambition shining deep within Onoki's eyes.
*******
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/c/Unique_Writer