Chapter 238 – Uchiha Madara? The Wind Tonight Feels Lively
Obito had never felt so alive.
That roaring tide of power within him surged, swelled, and exploded outward, filling his entire body with an overwhelming sense of strength. For the first time, he truly felt unstoppable. And with this power, hesitation was no longer an option—he needed to act.
"Our mission should begin now. But, Obito…"
Black Zetsu's voice carried doubt. His curiosity was plain. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I told you already," Obito said, clenching his fist as the energy pulsed inside him. "I've never been better."
And yet, in the quiet of his own mind, he was confused. Why had his strength suddenly multiplied? Why had even his ruined body been restored?
After turning it over, he found only one explanation.
"…It must be the Sharingan."
"The Sharingan?"
Nagato looked baffled. Orochimaru's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Black Zetsu's expression twisted in disbelief.
The Sharingan could grant immense power, yes—but Obito already had the Mangekyō. Without a transplant, without another outside factor, where could more power come from?
Obito lowered his voice, almost confiding. "Before this, I was drowning in uncertainty. Isshiki's power… it was suffocating. I thought of Rin's encouragement, of how lost I felt. In that pain, something inside me… ignited."
Extreme emotions triggering new strength?
Black Zetsu scowled inwardly. Don't tell me this fool just awakened Mangekyō all over again.
But Obito was unique. His body was a vessel of Hashirama's cells, even infused with vast amounts of White Zetsu tissue. Perhaps those conflicting forces had fused into something else entirely…
"…Has he awakened the (Banbutsu Sōzō no Jutsu) Power of All Creation?"
The idea was absurd. And yet Obito's wounds had healed—a phenomenon seen only in Hagoromo and Homura.
"What can you do now?" Zetsu finally asked, and even Nagato and Orochimaru leaned in to hear.
Obito didn't answer. He showed them.
A tidal wave of blue chakra burst from his body. Skeletal ribs rose around him, swiftly clothed in sinew and muscle.
A colossal warrior loomed into being.
"Susanoo…"
They recognized it instantly.
But Obito's Susanoo did not stop growing. His chakra boiled higher, towering legs forming beneath it. The giant roared, its body stretching taller and taller.
"Not enough… nowhere near enough!"
His shout shook the cavern. Chakra erupted like a storm. The titan's armor solidified, wings unfurled from its back, and a tengu mask snapped into place.
"—Stabilize!"
At his command, the towering Susanoo froze in place. Over two hundred meters tall, armored and winged, it radiated raw destruction. Its pressure was suffocating.
"…To think Susanoo could reach this stage."
For once, even Black Zetsu was silent. The only explanation was the Power of All Creation. Nothing else made sense.
Still, after a moment he sighed. "Well. Whatever the cause, this only helps us."
With this strength, their future moves would be far easier.
"Yes, it adds unknown risks," Zetsu admitted. "But compared to Kitagawa Gen or Genshiki Otsutsuki…" He trailed off, watching Obito dispel the Susanoo. "Obito's power is a smaller concern."
When Obito approached, Zetsu spoke again. "It seems your Mangekyō has truly awakened the Power of All Creation. With this, you're ready to advance the plan."
"Power of All Creation…" Obito muttered, glancing at Nagato. He didn't elaborate. He only nodded. "We've delayed long enough because of Gen and Genshiki. But things are different now."
Orochimaru licked his lips, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "So… what's next?"
"The Bijū," Obito answered coldly. "But Konoha's Nine-Tails isn't so simple."
"The Jinchūriki knows Flying Thunder God," he admitted. "An annoyance."
Black Zetsu interjected. "The Gold and Silver Brothers once devoured the Nine-Tails' flesh. Even in death, their remains contain its chakra. That is another path."
"So the Cloud and the Stone are our targets?" Nagato asked calmly.
"And the One-Tail," Zetsu added. "We still lack it. But with Sasori, raiding the Sand is possible. Worst case, we recover the corpse of the former Jinchūriki."
Nagato considered, then nodded. "Fine. Reanimate any previous hosts if you must. But we also need living Bijū—without them, the Ten-Tails may not awaken fully."
"I'll handle it." Obito's tone was sharp, resolute. After so many setbacks, he finally had the strength to step forward. No more waiting. No more paralysis.
Even if his enemies were overwhelming…
"…Even if it's Kitagawa Gen—I can face him."
He had seen Gen crush Nagato. But with Susanoo's absolute defense, he believed he could withstand it.
Zetsu only said, "Then we'll assign squads and begin."
But after a pause, he added, "Still… we'll need stronger allies."
Obito's eyes narrowed. "You mean… Madara?"
Zetsu's tone was calm. "Edo Tensei. Nothing more. At this stage, we need him. Another Uchiha, aligned with you. Together, you'll accomplish more."
Obito fell silent, then exhaled. "…Fine. Do it. Summon him. It doesn't matter."
Inside, resistance churned. But his newfound confidence burned hotter. He was too strong to fear Madara. Edo Tensei wasn't true resurrection. At worst, Madara's knowledge would be useful. And Obito was certain—his own power had only just begun to grow.
Madara Uchiha? So what?
—
Far away, unseen, Isshiki Otsutsuki's breath came weakly as his body faltered. His gaze lingered on the cavern.
"So… they aim to awaken the Ten-Tails. Convenient. Saves me the trouble."
He didn't lack Ten-Tails, but another would only help. What held his attention was Obito.
"…Already transforming, just from the Kāma's activation? Impressive. Better than expected."
This vessel was promising. Altered, yes—but in ways that saved Isshiki effort. Relief loosened the tightness in his chest. His failing body wouldn't last much longer, but he was certain now: Obito would not betray him like Code had.
In time, he would claim Obito's body and return to his peak.
"…Pity. This power isn't yours. It's mine."
"You never had the right to wield it. But for now… enjoy it. Soon enough, you won't have the chance."
Future plans? Isshiki had no doubt. One day, he would seize Obito's body and return to his peak.
"What a shame, though. This power isn't yours—it's mine."
"You were never worthy of awakening it. But…"
"Go ahead. Enjoy the thrill while you can. You won't get another chance."
---
While Obito and the others plotted their next move, life in Konoha felt almost ordinary. Kitagawa Gen and his companions had just wrapped up their gathering.
Naruto and Sasuke walked in silence, clearly unsettled—Gen's words had struck a nerve. Even Chōji looked troubled, brow furrowed as though the sheer weight of Gen's logic had broken his brain.
"Um, senpai…"
Just as the group was about to part ways, Chōji rubbed his face awkwardly and muttered, "My clan's secret techniques… they're not something we share."
"…Huh?"
Gen tilted his head, then broke into a mischievous grin.
"What exactly are you imagining?"
Shikamaru, catching the tone, froze for a second before blurting out, "Wait—you mean his medicine? But… I don't think it works that way."
Gen stared at him, baffled. "Good grief. What is Konoha teaching you kids these days?" He sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly, what nonsense have you all been learning?"
Shikamaru went quiet. For the first time, he understood why his father had warned him that taking over as clan head someday wouldn't be easy.
And yet, wasn't it Gen who'd led them down this line of thought in the first place? How did he manage to flip the blame back so effortlessly?
"Besides," Gen added slyly, "doesn't your clan have deer antler remedies? Wouldn't that be better?"
"…"
"You could share some with them. Test the results."
"…"
"…Or, you know, save a little for me?"
At that, Shikamaru shut down entirely. His future boss wasn't just unpredictable—he was downright absurd. How could anyone even think of something like that?
Gen clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, that's enough for tonight. Everyone should head home. Things are only going to get busier, so rest while you can."
He had his own plans brewing. He'd already decided: it was time to experiment with White Zetsu. He wanted to know what would happen if he cultivated one himself—and what kind of monster might emerge if he mixed Uchiha and Senju power into the process.
Would it surpass the current Zetsu entirely?
Not for mass production, of course. He just wanted to see the best-case result. And the shinobi world had no shortage of rogues and criminals—plenty of test subjects for his trials.
---
"Gen…"
Just as everyone was dispersing, Ino's soft voice reached him.
"…Would you walk me home?"
"…Huh?"
Gen blinked, caught off guard, his expression shifting to something strangely complicated.
So this flower… was really daring to reach toward the sky.
He glanced around. Neji was already leading Hinata away, little Hanabi pouting but stealing glances back at him. Shikamaru dragged Chōji off without looking back, while Kiba and Shino steered Karin and Sakura down another street.
Only Naruto remained, waggling his brows with a wicked grin, and Sasuke, who kept sneaking curious looks his way.
Gen scratched his head, then let out a wry laugh.
"…Sure. After all, the wind tonight feels a little too lively."