"Obito Uchiha went to find Kabuto Yakushi?"
In the Akatsuki base's laboratory, Orochimaru frowned as he processed the information Kabuto had sent him.
His expression turned peculiar; his first thought was that Obito had gone mad.
After being beaten so badly, why would he head to Konohagakure again?
"Is this guy acting on his own?"
Orochimaru muttered to himself. Truth be told, he couldn't figure out what Obito was thinking.
Nor could he understand how Obito's strength had suddenly skyrocketed.
There was something undeniably strange about Obito Uchiha.
"Orochimaru-sama, is something the matter?"
As Orochimaru pondered, a voice came from behind him.
Turning around, he saw Kimimaro walking toward him.
Years had passed, and Kimimaro had grown older. Though his face remained pale and his body still appeared frail, his white eyes and the latent power within him spoke of his current strength.
"Ah, Kimimaro."
Orochimaru set his thoughts aside and smiled casually.
"Kabuto's information suggests something interesting is about to happen again."
"Kabuto..."
Kimimaro's expression flickered slightly upon hearing the name. Kabuto had once been his friend.
When Kimimaro was gravely ill, Kabuto had cared for him for a long time.
It was only after Kabuto left for Konohagakure that they lost contact.
In the blink of an eye, many years had passed.
"Orochimaru-sama, how is he doing now?"
Though Kimimaro had changed significantly, he remained deeply respectful toward Orochimaru.
"He hasn't been exposed and is doing quite well. After all, Konohagakure doesn't mistreat its own people."
Orochimaru chuckled, but then stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Enough about him—let's talk about you. Did you come to me for something?"
"Orochimaru-sama, I feel that I've fully recovered. I've even grown stronger!"
Seeing Orochimaru's reluctance to discuss Kabuto, Kimimaro immediately changed the subject, bowing his head and speaking sincerely.
"Over the years, it's thanks to Orochimaru-sama's protection that I've survived. But now I need to do something for you as well, so..."
"Tired of staying idle and want to stretch your legs?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, gazing at Kimimaro with a contemplative look.
Kimimaro's condition had been resolved with just a pair of Byakugan, a development that even surprised Orochimaru.
With the help of these eyes, Kimimaro not only harmonized his own power but also became even stronger!
His mastery of the Shikotsumyaku had grown more formidable, even displaying elements that astonished Orochimaru.
"Yin Release and Yang Release—it's so similar to the Uchiha and Senju. Could it be..."
Orochimaru's thoughts raced. Could this imply a connection between the Hyūga and Kaguya clans, and the Senju and Uchiha clans?
Could Kimimaro potentially create something akin to the "Power of All Creation"?
The idea thrilled Orochimaru. And to fully unleash and activate such power, perhaps combat was the key?
"In that case, head to Kirigakure."
After a moment of deliberation, Orochimaru finally spoke, causing Kimimaro's Byakugan to flash with excitement.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama!"
"Don't rush. You'll team up with Suigetsu and Jūgo, and take Sakon and his group of four along as well."
"Them?"
"Understood, Orochimaru-sama."
Kimimaro nodded. He was happy to work alongside Jūgo, his friend.
Although Suigetsu from Kirigakure wasn't particularly reliable, he was still manageable.
As for Sakon's group, Kimimaro didn't think much of them. But since it was Orochimaru's request, he would carry it out without hesitation!
"Go prepare."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, then spoke again.
"The Akatsuki hopes my subordinates will be more active, so let's meet their expectations."
"Besides, you can stretch your legs properly. Even if trouble arises, you'll have backup."
"That should be enough..."
In the Land of Water, Obito Uchiha was searching for traces of spatial fluctuations.
With Rin's guidance, he knew the general location, but opening the space proved to be troublesome.
Though his strength had increased significantly and his ocular powers had grown stronger, breaking through space wasn't an easy task.
Especially when it came to locating the trajectory of spatial ripples—he was somewhat struggling.
Fortunately, after days of preparation, he was almost ready.
"Now, it's time to give it a try."
Obito took a deep breath, his Sharingan beginning to rotate slowly.
"I'll release this guy and then leave. This way, I can reduce the chances of being targeted..."
Obito was cautious. His repeated encounters with Ōtsutsuki Minamoto had left him traumatized.
Though he couldn't understand why he kept running into these inexplicable individuals, he hoped that increasing the number of "evolved beings" might help divert trouble.
"Maybe this will draw Ōtsutsuki Minamoto here, allowing me to face Kitagawa Minamoto without worry!"
Despite his usual recklessness, Obito displayed surprising cunning at this moment.
"If I fail to lure him, I can always bring Kitagawa Minamoto and the ever-looming Ōtsutsuki Minamoto here. Then..."
Facing two "evolved beings" simultaneously, he could observe more closely and ensure his own safety.
"Damn it..."
While Obito thought this, he nearly drove Isshiki to madness.
Admittedly, Obito's plan showed some ingenuity, but it was limited to just that.
"Watching from the sidelines—what good will that do? You need to fight him! You must engage in constant battles to fully unlock the Kāma!"
Isshiki's goal was for Obito and Kitagawa Minamoto to clash repeatedly, allowing him to decompress the Kāma while observing Minamoto.
Yet here was Obito, entertaining such "blasphemous" thoughts—was he simply handing over his bait for free?
"At least he's still considering combat. He's not entirely hopeless."
Isshiki rubbed his temples in frustration. While these issues were manageable, what truly exasperated him was Obito's insistence on seeing him as "Rin."
"Do I even remotely resemble you lower lifeforms?"
Isshiki grumbled inwardly. No matter how much power these inferior beings acquired from the Divine Tree's fruit, they remained pitifully weak.
"Inferior lifeforms are inferior lifeforms. Even with the faint power gained from the fruit's mutation, they are still pathetic..."
Despite his irritation, Isshiki could only watch Obito blunder around. To further control him, the Kāma needed to decompress further.
"Now!"
As Isshiki brooded, Obito suddenly shouted. His Sharingan spun furiously.
In an instant, space distorted, and a bizarre black hole quietly emerged.
Countless black, ribbon-like objects extended from the void, each imbued with spatial energy.
"What is this?"
Obito murmured in confusion. Recalling how he'd often been struck down by "divine justice," he instinctively activated Kamui, unwilling to touch these chaotic forces.
Buzz—
At that moment, a vast power erupted from the void.
The energy poured out like a flood, shaking the surroundings violently. The mist dissipated, the earth cracked, and nearby mountains and trees crumbled in an instant.
The force surged skyward, spreading across the heavens.
"Is this an 'evolved being'?"
Obito muttered, the sheer terror of it sending chills down his spine.
"Finally out?"
Isshiki nodded silently, pleased with the result.
"This should attract Minamoto, and even more individuals."
His gaze shifted skyward, his eerie eyes seemingly piercing through the distance.
In the deep expanse of the cosmos, two beams of light streaked across the void.
Initially resembling meteors, closer inspection revealed figures enveloped in Chakra.
These two humanoid figures bore distinct differences from humans: horns adorned their foreheads, and their Chakra formed regal garments around them.
They appeared both mysterious and majestic.
Suddenly, the two figures halted, their eyes fixed on a distant point.
"Did you sense it, Kinshiki?"
The shorter of the two spoke coldly, while the taller, burly man beside him bowed respectfully.
"Momoshiki-sama, it seems to be Isshiki-sama's presence, but there's something different about it."
"It appears we've found it. This direction is correct."
Momoshiki smirked. Years ago, he had detected a peculiar aura, prompting him to travel with Kinshiki toward this area.
However, the aura had vanished for a long time, leaving him uncertain about his path.
Now, he was certain—and even knew who might be involved!
"Let's go. It'll be interesting to see what's happening."
With that, the two transformed into streaks of light, disappearing instantly.
Meanwhile, in a starfield closer to the ninja world, another similar figure paused.
"It's the right direction. Seems I've found it. Though the aura is quite different from before."
The figure pondered briefly, then smiled.
"But this time, it's definitely Isshiki's presence. How intriguing!"
Muttering to himself, the figure vanished in an instant.
Not only were the Ōtsutsuki from beyond the starfield moving, but Kitagawa Minamoto, who had been pondering for days about meeting Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, also sensed the presence of his "kin."
"Such audacity?"
Minamoto tilted his head, gazing into the distance. Soon, a smile appeared on his face.
"Bold indeed. But this works out well."
"I've memorized your Chakra signature, my 'White Kāma.'"
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