Everyone present was stunned speechless. They had originally thought the Mangekyō Sharingan was already exaggerated enough, but to their shock, it could actually evolve even further.
Their minds couldn't help but drift toward another dōjutsu clan of Konoha—the Hyūga, who possessed the Byakugan.
There had always been rumors in the ninja world that the Byakugan could stand on par with the Sharingan. But looking at things now, the difference wasn't just a small gap—it was enormous. After all, no one had ever heard of the Byakugan evolving.
Ao, standing behind Terumī Mei, unconsciously touched his eyepatch. All of a sudden, the Byakugan didn't feel so impressive anymore.
Ōnoki's expression grew complicated as he looked at Kaito, then suddenly spoke:
"Since that's the case, I propose that the overall commander for this war should be Hokage-sama."
The other three Kage exchanged glances, then one after another voiced their agreement.
Anyone could see it—Kaito's power was clearly in a league far above the four of them. And besides, only eyes could counter eyes. Faced with the Rinnegan, their only real hope was to place their trust in Kaito.
After all, this war was nothing like those in the past. It wasn't a skirmish between villages anymore, but all shinobi villages uniting together to fight against a single organization.
It sounded absurd, but if they didn't, and Akatsuki truly gained control of the Ten Tails, then no one's fate would end well.
Kaito accepted the position of commander-in-chief without hesitation. Folding his arms, he said casually:
"Alright then, everyone, go back and prepare yourselves. War is about to begin."
The four Kage nodded silently, then each left with their bodyguards to return to their quarters.
Before leaving, Terumī Mei even threw Kaito a flirtatious wink. Kaito didn't react, but Minato's curiosity was piqued. He leaned close to Kaito's face.
"Kaito, looks like that Terumī Mei has her eye on you!"
Kaito shot him a sidelong glance, replying with annoyance:
"Since when did you get so nosy?"
"I'm just bored, alright? I mean, I'm walking around with a mask on…"
"Then why don't you take it off? Let everyone witness the glory of the Fourth Hokage."
"Uh… better not, at least not for now. They've already had enough shocks for one day."
...
Night fell. Inside Kaito's room—
Obito knelt on one knee before Kaito, his posture respectful to the extreme.
"Kaito-sama, the Tailed Beasts have all been gathered. Next, I plan to use the First Hokage's cells and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to mass-produce White Zetsu for the war!"
"That's fine. The more chaotic the battlefield, the better."
"Kaito-sama, there's one more matter I need to report. Kabuto Yakushi approached me. Something about him has changed… and he has already mastered the Edo Tensei technique!"
"Kabuto, huh… So he's joining this war as well?"
"Yes. He's also obtained Madara's corpse!"
"Interesting. No wonder he wasn't around last time—turns out he was secretly preparing something big."
"Then… should I cooperate with him? If he really uses Edo Tensei on Madara, I fear—"
"Fear what?"
"I fear the situation may spiral out of control. They say Edo Tensei resurrected shinobi can use all their power from when they were alive. And Madara… he was the true wielder of the Rinnegan!"
"Oh? You think I wouldn't be able to handle him?"
Obito's body trembled. The name Uchiha Madara was far too heavy. He honestly didn't know what would happen if Madara were resurrected.
Kaito slowly stepped forward, placing a hand on Obito's shoulder.
"Don't worry. Do as you see fit. Everything else… leave it to me."
Obito raised his head. In the dimly lit room, he saw the faint purple glow in Kaito's Rinnegan.
Seeing those eyes again, his feelings were no longer the same as before. Instead, he felt an odd sense of reassurance. Unconsciously, he nodded.
"Then… if Madara tries to use Nagato to cast the Rinne Tensei and come back to life completely… should I stop him?"
"No need. In fact, I'd like to meet him face-to-face."
Kaito's Rinnegan gleamed even brighter. He truly wanted to see what expression Madara would make upon laying eyes on his Twelve-Tomoe Rinnegan.
Obito froze for a moment, then chose not to say more. Bowing respectfully, he activated Kamui and vanished.
Once he was gone, Kaito stepped outside, lifting his gaze to the full moon above. He whispered:
"Draw a few more Ōtsutsuki to me, will you?"
Then he shook his head with a laugh.
"Hah… I really do sound like a final boss now."
...
Meanwhile—
Obito entered a hidden chamber. The massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path loomed within.
Nagato's real body and Konan were also here. Seeing Obito appear, Nagato immediately asked:
"You've already been to the Land of Iron, right? What did they say?"
"They've begun preparing for war."
"Is that so… Good work."
The plan was nearing its final stage. Nagato's mood was good, and his tone toward Obito had softened slightly.
Konan added from the side:
"I've already met with that man named Kabuto. He said he's ready too."
Nagato, however, frowned.
"Can we really trust him?"
Obito nodded solemnly.
"His Edo Tensei is a force we can't afford to ignore in this war. With him, our plan will be completed more smoothly."
"Edo Tensei, huh…"
Nagato had already learned of the technique from Obito. He knew it was a jutsu capable of 'reviving' the dead.
He had even considered whether to use it to bring Yahiko back. But thinking of Yahiko's personality, he ultimately abandoned the idea.
Lowering his head, Nagato thought to himself:
"If Yahiko were here, he would definitely stop me… He hated war more than anyone…"
At the thought of Yahiko, a flicker of hesitation rippled in Nagato's heart. But almost immediately, his gaze firmed once more.
"For true peace, this war is necessary!"
Konan silently watched him. After all these years together, she could read Nagato's heart clearly. The moment she learned of Edo Tensei, she knew he must have thought of Yahiko.
But she also knew he would never go through with it. Things had come too far. This wasn't something he could simply abandon.
Obito, unaware of the thoughts between the two, gave a few more instructions before leaving. His head was filled only with "Kaito-sama's orders."
As for Edo Tensei, Obito scoffed at it. In his eyes, the technique was nothing more than desecration of the dead. He would never allow Rin to be revived in such a way.
After all—Kaito-sama could almost effortlessly perform the Rinne Tensei with hardly any drawbacks!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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