In the stands—people looked at the Ōtsutsuki duo who suddenly appeared on the field. Without any sense of tension.
"A repeat performance?"
"Another drill?"
"Haha! Even though it looks pretty realistic—we definitely won't fall for it this time!"
Obito looked toward Naruto. "Naruto—those should be real, right?"
Naruto propped his chin on one arm. Gaze heavy. "Yeah. The genuine article. How strange. Which step went wrong?"
Through the barrier of the Sixteen Crimson Yang Formation—Kinshiki surveyed the surroundings. "Looking at this venue—it should be some kind of dueling ground. Powerful chakra is gathered here. They must be holding some combat competition. Our timing is quite fortunate."
Momoshiki jumped down from Kinshiki's shoulder. His high-heeled boots touched ground. Standing ramrod straight. His calm words carrying bone-deep arrogance and contempt. "Perfect. Saves us from running all over the place."
Tōjin's thoughts raced: Is this a drill? No. Their conversation is meant for each other. If it were a drill—there'd be no need for this charade!
The big guy Kinshiki and dog-eared Momoshiki look exactly like the illustrations in the book. This isn't a drill. They've really come! The hypothetical scenario from the first exam has actually appeared—right before my eyes!
Even though I answered that exam fluently—when the hypothetical became reality—my mind went blank.
What should I do?!
"Hmm?" Momoshiki's gaze turned toward Tōjin. "Those horns. Are you a half-breed with my clan's bloodline, boy?"
Under that sharp gaze—Tōjin unconsciously stepped back. A sharp pebble pierced through his shoe sole. Embedding in his flesh. That pain brought Tōjin back to his senses.
Without hesitation—his small hand reached into his ninja pouch. Grabbed a flash bomb. And smashed it on the ground.
FLASH!
The blinding light made both Momoshiki and Kinshiki's eyes contract.
In the stands—Naruto stood up. "Whatever. Let's just capture them and interrogate them slowly."
"KYAAAA!"
But a sudden scream rang out from another section of the stands. Particularly piercing.
Obito frowned and looked over. "That voice sounds like Ali. What's going on?"
Naruto clenched his fist. "Madara's chakra suddenly disappeared!"
Ignoring Momoshiki and Kinshiki—as well as the confused audience—Naruto and Obito rushed to Ali's side.
On the ground was a freshly peeled apple. Xiǎowǔ looked completely stunned.
Ali said frantically, "Madara just stood up—and suddenly—he vanished!"
Naruto said urgently, "Obito!"
Obito stepped forward. Both eyes focusing on Madara's seat.
—Yomotsu Hirasaka.
Whoosh. Time reversed. The apple on the ground flew up. And the peeled skin recovered over the flesh.
But bizarrely—Madara didn't reappear with the time reversal.
Obito's expression became completely grave. "I've never encountered this situation. But one thing's certain. Some power that transcends Yomotsu Hirasaka is interfering."
Naruto's gaze grew unprecedentedly serious.
Years ago—before the Sage of Six Paths departed—he'd seemingly casually mentioned that Madara was 'in danger himself.'
But people at the time didn't take it seriously.
Until over these years—Jiraiya conveyed through coded messages what he knew about the secrets of Meido. The realm of the dead. Only then did Naruto finally realize things weren't so simple.
In the afterlife world Meido—there exists a King of the Underworld who controls life and death. All matters of life and death cannot escape the Underworld King's interference.
The reason Jiraiya lost his speech was because Naruto used unconventional means to resurrect him. Performing equivalent exchange. So no method could heal him.
Years ago—during Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation—Madara also used the Human Path's power to forcibly integrate his soul and body. Resurrecting without any price.
After that—nothing bad happened.
But looking at it now—different individuals receive different standards of punishment. All of this depends on that Underworld King's judgment.
Naruto clenched his fist tightly. "A punishment delayed ten years. And it happens at a time like this. Truly impossible to guard against."
Obito glanced back at the field.
Momoshiki and Kinshiki had also noticed the abnormality here.
Obito withdrew his gaze. "Naruto—how do we handle this?"
"Right now—nothing is more important than Madara. As for Momoshiki and Kinshiki—let them serve as a trial stone for the shinobi."
As Naruto spoke—his Rinnegan eyes flowed with radiance.
To prepare for this day—Naruto had done much research.
Including how to reach Meido.
—Human Path.
WHOOOM. Ghostly purple flames rose from the ground. As he summoned the King of Hell statue of the Human Path.
Creak.
The King of Hell's great mouth opened. Within was bottomless darkness.
"The King of Hell statue's mouth of the Human Path is the gate to the afterlife world. The underworld."
Naruto was about to step through that gate.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Hashirama and Sasuke both rushed over.
Naruto said, "The worst situation has occurred. I must go."
Sasuke said, "That's a completely unknown world to us. No matter what—we can't let you go alone. If we go—we go together!"
Hashirama: "I must see Madara safe with my own eyes!"
Naruto smiled. He knew there was no stopping them now.
"Alright then. Let's make this journey together!"
The three prepared to advance toward the King of Hell's great mouth.
"Naruto-kun!"
Hinata's call rang out.
Naruto stopped. Husband and wife's eyes met.
Hinata: "Please be very careful!"
Naruto nodded with a smile. "Yeah. Remember to leave Momoshiki and Kinshiki alive. And be careful of Urashiki!"
On the field.
Kinshiki: "Are they planning to escape?!"
Momoshiki: "Stop them."
The two were about to give chase.
Tōjin reappeared. Shouting to stop them. "Hold it!"
The two paid no attention.
Whoosh.
But a kunai wrapped in lightning flew past. Tearing Momoshiki's precious veil. Before embedding in the ground ahead.
Tap.
Momoshiki stopped. Turned around. His gaze cold. "Do you want to die?"
Tōjin's immature three-tomoe Sharingan held fearless resolve. "I don't know what's happening—but I won't let you interfere with my father!"
Crackle.
Purple lightning coiled around Tōjin's small hand.
Before stepping through the underworld gate—Naruto glanced at Tōjin standing alone against them. His heart full of hope. If we don't return from this journey—the shinobi world's future, your mom and sister, and your aunt—all will be entrusted to you. Tōjin.
Withdrawing his gaze—Naruto resolutely stepped through.
Whoosh.
The King of Hell statue of the Human Path extinguished.
Watching the advancing Tōjin—Momoshiki coldly removed his left glove. Revealing the red Rinnegan in his palm.
Tōjin's eyes narrowed slightly. That's the eye in his left hand. It has Takamimusuhi—which can absorb ninjutsu.
But my target was never you from the start!
Whoosh.
Tōjin suddenly vanished from before Momoshiki. Emerging from the kunai he'd thrown earlier. With an elegant spin—his small hand wrapped in purple lightning thrust toward the back of Kinshiki's head.
—Flying Thunder God: Chasing Wind Purple Lightning.
November 15th.
Congratulations to Kumāra Flame Who Loves Grilled Fish for using a character summon to successfully summon Juan in [Water Form]. Splash splash splash... flowing and flowing, flowing to the other side.
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