"You're calmer than I imagined. Aren't you surprised to see me appear so suddenly?"
The Sage of Six Paths, who had invited himself into this dream, was a bit curious. He'd braced himself for a lengthy back-and-forth before any proper conversation could begin, yet it seemed he'd overthought it.
"Surprised? Huh, well… I dunno why, but old folks have always kinda liked me since I was a kid."
Naruto Uzumaki's life had been remarkably smooth. Every coin has two sides. Sure, he might seem a bit dense, but he'd never lacked for teachers.
Besides his parents, he'd spent plenty of time with Jiraiya. And besides Jiraiya, there was the mysterious ramen shop owner.
The ramen master was as important as Jiraiya. The two had imparted different ultimate skills to Naruto, causing his strength to grow to a frankly outrageous degree without him even realizing it.
"Alright, you're… fine," the Sage began, momentarily at a loss for where to start. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, known as the Sage of Six Paths. Have you heard of me?"
"Hagoromo? Sage? A sage like Pervy Sage? Never heard of you… Did you train at Mount Myōboku too?"
The Sage of Six Paths: "…"
There was a generation gap. Better to just get to the point. Why bother with the roundabout talk?
"I have something to tell you. The Shinobi World is currently facing a great crisis. A power capable of destroying the world has revived. Ordinary shinobi are powerless to stop it. So—"
"So it's my turn to step up? I'm destined to be the hero who saves the world?!"
Before the Sage could even figure out how to persuade him in this dreamscape, Naruto had already jumped three feet in the air, eagerly accepting this epic quest.
Of course, it was just an impulsive agreement. But that didn't mean Naruto wouldn't follow through… After all, for some people, their words, thoughts, and actions were perfectly synced. He thought it, he said it, he'd do it.
"If you truly think so, then you can set out now."
"Set out? Where is this crisis happening?"
"The Land of Rain."
Naruto might seem clueless and careless now, but once he reached the battlefield, he'd understand the weight of the mission he was about to shoulder.
"The Land of Rain, huh…"
"Once you get there, everything will become clear."
After their brief exchange, the Sage's figure quickly vanished. Naruto jolted awake from his sleep.
"A dream? But it felt way too real…"
Things in dreams were usually hazy, but Naruto could clearly recall the Sage's appearance, the expression on his face when he spoke.
His gaze drifted down. He saw the indentation by his bed… the mark left by the Sage's staff. In the dream, the Sage had rested that black staff right there.
"So it was all real?!"
Naruto was startled. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Besides the importance of the Sage's epic mission, Naruto was also subconsciously hyping himself up… Young people always wanted to make a big splash.
So, he quietly put on his clothes, packed his gear, and slipped out the window.
The Child of Prophecy embarked on his world-saving journey. Or, to be more precise, after getting hustled by an old man in a dream, the poor kid ran away from home.
After sending Nagato and Konan away, Yūshin waited around for a full day. He watched the moon set and rise again, but the seal on it remained intact. Meaning, Obito and Black Zetsu still hadn't managed to deal with Isshiki Ōtsutsuki. Left with no choice, he could only return to the battlefield area at the Ten-Tails' feet.
"Don't panic, Masked Man. I'm here to help!" Yūshin cut into the battlefield at high speed, placing himself between the two combatants.
But since he had now reverted to his true appearance and wasn't hiding his chakra signature anymore, Black Zetsu—merged with Obito—immediately recognized him. A subconscious shudder ran through the amalgamated being.
You're here to help me? You're here to help erase me, you mean!
Black Zetsu was still "clever." He guessed the right outcome but not the process.
Yūshin would ultimately deal with Black Zetsu, yes. But that was for the very end. Right now, Black Zetsu still had his uses.
"Hmph. Finally showing yourself…"
Unlike Black Zetsu, Isshiki had been on guard against Yūshin this whole time. He could guess Yūshin had ulterior motives and had kept some means in reserve for emergencies.
But guessing could never reveal the full picture. Never reach the so-called truth.
Yūshin's eyes shifted. A pair of Rinnegan manifested. He leveled a palm toward Isshiki.
Six Paths — Super Shinra Tensei!
Faster than lightning. Isshiki was blasted away instantly. How far he'd fly? Only the heavens knew.
"Masked Man, I'm genuinely helping you! Don't waste this chance!"
Huh? You're… actually a good guy? You can't possibly still believe I'm some measure left behind by the Sage to maintain the Shinobi World, can you?
Black Zetsu was bewildered. Who'd have thought a lie could last a whole lifetime? Yūshin was practically the target demographic for scam health products.
But… that was Shinra Tensei just now, right? How could this guy use Shinra Tensei? Doesn't that mean he also has the Rinnegan?
Forget it. No time to dwell. He had to seize every second for the main task. This was absolutely not the time to worry about other things. In any case, Yūshin pretended to chase after Isshiki, leaving behind only Obito-Black Zetsu and the emotionally volatile, rampaging Ten-Tails.
Regardless of Yūshin's true purpose, Black Zetsu could not waste this chance to merge with the Ten-Tails.
The obstacles were gone. Manipulating Obito and the Rinnegan, Black Zetsu began absorbing the Ten-Tails… All the procedures were embedded within the Gedo Statue. Even with the vast difference in their scales, the absorption and fusion could still proceed.
A new Ten-Tails Jinchūriki was about to be born.
For a thousand years, Black Zetsu had strived for a single, fixed goal. But as time dragged on, his consciousness—originally Kaguya's—had inevitably grown more and more independent.
Now, this independent consciousness had simultaneously gained a body (Obito) and power enough to shatter the world. Was resurrecting dear old mom even a necessary discussion?
Whether it was the impact of the Ten-Tails' chakra or not, at the moment of becoming the Jinchūriki, Black Zetsu wavered.
But then he saw reality clearly. Recognized his own capabilities. Understood what he truly had to do… With his abilities, controlling the Ten-Tails was impossible. Acting as its vessel, he'd just explode from failing to contain the immense energy.
Becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki required aptitude.
Black Zetsu's borrowed hands trembled, slamming together. A furious roar tore from his throat!
Mother above! In the end, I, Black Zetsu, didn't ruin my filial son persona! A rebel stays a rebel. A loyal son stays a loyal son!
In that instant, countless people looked up at the sky. They shared the same illusion: the moon itself seemed to be pressing down upon the earth.
Loyalty! Gratitude! Black Zetsu's sincerity was so intense it could turn the moon into a sun.
Yūshin caught up to the blasted Isshiki but didn't press the attack. He, too, looked up at the sky.
Seemed Black Zetsu did alright. The guy had no talent for being a player, but as a chess piece? He was a natural.
Isshiki's unblinking eyes were fixed on Yūshin, the emotion within them long shifted from vigilance to pure hatred.
"So it was you… You stole my Ten-Tails!"
"Don't put it like that. I found it in some nameless, otherworldly space! Was your name written on it? Forget that it wasn't—even if it was… what gives you the right to scribble your name on my Ten-Tails?"
By common reasoning, Isshiki's black eyes were likely a high-level variant of the Rinnegan. Yet, he didn't possess the true Rinnegan.
The abilities of those black eyes might be formidable. Yet, he still lacked the true Rinnegan.
Everyone developed and utilized their powers differently. Some developed time-stop abilities to rule the world. Others developed them to successfully give their cat a bath.
But right now, the standoff between Yūshin and Isshiki had nothing to do with development.
Isshiki's origins were lofty, sure. But Yūshin was already the "Complete Self." Did a half-crippled Isshiki really want to clash head-on with him?
"You obtained the Chakra Fruit…"
"Chakra Fruits aren't that rare among you Ōtsutsuki, are they? Doesn't everyone get one? Don't tell me you didn't get yours?"
That was a bit infuriating. Why didn't Isshiki have a fruit?
He'd have to ask Kaguya Ōtsutsuki why she had one.
As he spoke, Isshiki suddenly struck, his hand shooting for Yūshin's throat. A spatial rift abruptly manifested before Yūshin. Unable to grasp him, Isshiki could only claw at empty air.
"Trying to use me for your reincarnation? Admirable courage."
Isshiki's ambition was laughable. He wanted to recover his principal with interest in one go. The gamble was far too reckless.
Yūshin wasn't even angry. He asked Isshiki calmly:
"Feel that?"
"I felt it." Isshiki retracted his arm as if nothing happened.
"Mm. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki has broken the seal."
Both Yūshin and Kaguya were Isshiki's enemies. Now both enemies were on the field. So, who should Isshiki hate more?
No question. Yūshin was just a thief who stole something. But Kaguya? Kaguya was the traitor Isshiki hated to the bone.
So, while it seemed like a multiple-choice question, Isshiki had ever only one answer.
Isshiki Ōtsutsuki charged toward Kaguya's location.
Yūshin stood where he was, watching Isshiki's retreating back. Finally, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"Just look at you. Dressed like a punk. You think you can be the final boss? Looks more like you're only fit to be the boss's lackey."
Whatever the case, Kaguya had that boss vibe, like she was properly designed. Look at Isshiki's tacky appearance. He didn't seem designed by the main creator—more like a last-minute addition by an assistant.
Isshiki's look wasn't even as good as Kinshiki's or Momoshiki's. Highest status, yet he looked the most like a bum.
"I'm back. I've finally returned."
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki slowly opened her eyes. She looked up at the moon hanging in the sky—her prison, now left behind… She was truly free again.
Two lines of tears traced paths down Kaguya's cheeks.
"How many years have passed… Hagoromo… Hamura…"
"Mother, why mention those two sinners?" The voice came from within Kaguya's sleeve, where Black Zetsu hid. "They are the ones who caused your suffering. They've been dead for ages."
Is this some kind of NTR right in front of me? The filial son works his ass off to save you, and you start pining for the rebellious sons in his face?!
"A thousand years… is such a long time…"
Kaguya, at least, had the decency not to dwell on her beloved sons. But she couldn't help but be sentimental.
"Mother, now that you have regained your freedom, it is time to complete the task left unfinished a millennium ago… Remake this world, Mother. The Shinobi World has long festered. You should pass judgment, let them sink into endless nightmares," Black Zetsu urged.
He wanted to say those two rebellious sons could no longer stop her, but he ultimately didn't mention those two extras… They disgusted him.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had finally revived. She had to do something, right? Otherwise, what was the point of buying back?
But the question was: What could an Ōtsutsuki do? What activity were they best at?
No need to ask. They excelled at world-ending.
Now was Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's talent showcase. She couldn't let the Ōtsutsuki clan lose face… The Infinite Tsukuyomi had to be used. It wasn't like it took much effort anyway.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Five Kage and their elite guards, having set out from the Land of Iron, finally reached the vicinity of Amegakure.
At first, they could even use the massive form of the Ten-Tails as a guiding landmark. But by the time they arrived, the Ten-Tails had suddenly vanished.
In its place was a woman with long white hair, floating mid-air. Her expression seemed sorrowful, even pitiable.
But Yoru Kikyō, who had heard the "History of the World's Birth" from Hamura's descendants, now had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Hokage. Do you know who this is?" the Raikage asked.
"I do. She is the mother of the Sage of Six Paths. The true culprit who ended the world a thousand years ago. The true form of the Ten-Tails. The Rabbit Goddess. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki… Everyone. We are one step too late."
Sasuke stood a little further away. He heard Yoru Kikyō's explanation and couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain. Seriously? If you guys hadn't insisted on tangling with me, would we have arrived exactly one step too late?
This feeling of watching events unfold yet being powerless to stop them… It was awful.
Right now, Yoru Kikyō only wanted to ask: Lord Yūshin? Just what the hell are you playing at?
"Ka… gu… ya… Ō… tsu… tsu… ki!!!"
A voice, seething with hatred, reached everyone's ears.
With a single step, Isshiki appeared beside Kaguya.
"You are… Oh. It's you. Isshiki. You're not dead yet?"
Kaguya stared at Isshiki's face for a moment before finally recalling his identity. Honestly, Isshiki had thought he'd already reached the peak of rage. But guess what? The moment he met Kaguya again, he broke through his own limit.
"Kaguya. You are the one who should die."
Kaguya was about to say something else, but her expression suddenly changed. Her form swelled violently. The faces of various great beasts surfaced across her skin.
Big bro… big bro… the taste of these Tailed Beasts seems… off?
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