Chapter 165: Inferior Creatures
"Huh? What's going on?"
Inside the arena, Naruto suddenly felt something stir within him. He turned his head, eyes narrowing at the nearby tower.
For some reason, the chakra inside his body began to roar wildly.
"What is this feeling?!"
Clutching his stomach, Naruto grimaced—this wasn't just unpleasant; it was overwhelming.
"Something's wrong."
Jiraiya and the others immediately sensed the disturbance. That massive wave of chakra—it was unmistakable.
"It's Shukaku... could it be the Sand Village?" Kakashi muttered, frowning as he tried to confirm the chakra's origin.
Tsunade shook her head. "It's not certain. But considering Rasa brought the One-Tail here, he might have his own plans. After all…"
The Sand Village's situation had become increasingly dire. Forming an alliance with Konoha had led to the Land of Wind's feudal lord cutting a significant portion of their funding.
For Rasa, a little chaos in Konoha might just be the excuse he needed to squeeze more resources from his own daimyo.
"No… this reeks of Akatsuki's involvement," Jiraiya concluded, looking toward the high platform in the distance. "Time to move. We've rehearsed for this enough times!"
—
On the other side of the arena, Deidara looked around, confused.
"What's going on?"
"Seems like things are about to blow up," Kitagawa Gen said calmly. He already knew what was happening—there was a traitor inside Akatsuki. Thanks to that, he had advance knowledge of most of their operations.
Even if, right now, he was only a clone.
"Stay alert. Someone's clearly trying to stir trouble in Konoha. I won't be able to babysit you," Gen added, glancing around at the panicking villagers and the ninja beginning evacuation procedures.
He then turned to Karin. "Go to the medical corps. Coordinate with them and prepare for mass casualties."
"Yes, senpai. Be careful."
Karin gave a quick nod and a worried look before running off. Gen simply smiled and turned his gaze back to the high platform.
"My main body should be moving now. Guess it's time I get involved too."
—
"Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the figure before him in disbelief. "Where's Danzo?"
"Oh, sensei… your reaction really is too slow," Orochimaru said with a smirk, peeling off his disguise. "Tell me—if I'm here, what do you think happened to Danzo?"
Hiruzen clenched his fists. He already had a dreadful idea.
"This is your plan? What exactly are you after?!"
"It's not about what I want," Orochimaru chuckled, raising his hand to signal.
Boom— Signal flares exploded across the skies of Konoha, and the One-Tail's chakra surged even more violently.
"This exam... turned out far more exciting than we expected," Ōnoki said, raising an eyebrow. His words sounded regretful, but he didn't seem particularly troubled.
"A grand event descending into chaos. What a shame," muttered Genji, one of the attending elders.
The Fourth Raikage, however, gave Orochimaru a sharp look—then glanced over at Rasa. "You've been very helpful, Kazekage."
"…"
Rasa said nothing—he had no words to offer. Orochimaru simply laughed.
"Come now. Your villages and Konoha have never truly gotten along. Aren't you even a little tempted to act, with such a golden opportunity right before you?"
"Orochimaru!" Hiruzen's expression darkened. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to goad the other Kage like this.
This was a blatant attempt to push them toward attacking Konoha.
Hiruzen immediately formed hand signs and unleashed a jutsu—
"Fire Style: Great Flame Technique!"
Flames erupted, engulfing the entire platform in a blazing inferno.
"Teacher, that's a bit aggressive, don't you think?" Orochimaru chuckled.
Expecting this, he had already jumped back and summoned an Earth-Style Wall to shield himself.
As the flames dispersed, a large coffin emerged in front of him.
"Aren't you curious where Danzo really is?" Orochimaru teased.
"Wait… no…"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
Bang— The coffin lid creaked open, and Shimura Danzo stepped out slowly.
"Danzo?"
Danzo looked at his old comrade. His voice was soft.
"…Hiruzen."
But before either could speak further, a deafening explosion rocked the village. The contestant tower collapsed in a massive crash.
"I'm finally free!!"
A high-pitched, grating voice echoed across Konoha, as a hulking figure emerged from the rubble like a small mountain.
"Oh no… Shukaku's fully released?" Hiruzen's face turned grim. This was bad—catastrophically bad.
"Now then, everyone," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with a wicked grin. Though they were now surrounded by ANBU and shinobi from every village, he remained calm.
"Time to make your choice. After all, opportunities like this don't come often."
BOOM—
In that moment, an overwhelming chakra erupted from within Konoha, sweeping across the entire village like a tidal wave.
"The One-Tail is fully rampaging. It's time for us to move," said Pain, standing just outside Root's underground base. The Akatsuki were already in position.
Nagato felt the surging chakra and muttered quietly.
Beside him, Uchiha Itachi frowned. "Shouldn't we wait? That one guy hasn't returned yet. And both Hidan and Hiruko are missing."
"He'll come on his own," Nagato replied. "As for Hiruko and Hidan, they're on a separate mission. They'll regroup with us later."
Hiruko had been sent to keep an eye on Orochimaru and monitor the village's movements. As for Hidan—
Well, no one could stand his constant talking, so they just sent him with Hiruko to shut him up.
"Itachi-san, what's bothering you?" Kisame asked with a grin.
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "Nothing in particular. It's just... Ōtsutsuki Genshiki is no ordinary man. I'm curious whether he'll actually appear."
"I hope he does," Nagato said. "I want to see if he's truly as powerful as the rumors suggest."
Kakuzu's body stirred slightly—his Wind-Style heart reacting to the chakra surges around him.
"I'm curious too. Just how powerful is this person you all keep talking about? How does he compare to Kitagawa Gen?"
"You're wondering that?" Kisame chuckled and looked up at the sky.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Hm?"
The others followed his gaze.
And then—they all looked up.
At that moment, they all suddenly realized—
The skies above Konoha, which had been clear and cloudless just a moment ago, were now shrouded in thick, ominous clouds.
And high above, a lone figure stood in the sky.
The silhouette cast a sweeping gaze over them all. The next instant, he took a single step forward—
—and instantly appeared right in front of the Akatsuki members.
He wore a flowing white robe, his silver hair drifting weightlessly in the wind.
A mask concealed his face, adding to the mystery and terrifying aura that radiated from him.
"…Who is this…?"
The expressions of the Akatsuki members shifted subtly, even Nagato found this sudden arrival deeply unsettling.
He had never imagined someone could move in such a way. And more than that, he could feel the overwhelming power hidden within this being.
"…You must be…"
After a long pause, Nagato finally spoke in a low voice.
"…Ōtsutsuki Genshiki?"
"I suppose your friends told you about me," Kitagawa Gen replied, his voice calm and clear.
His azure eyes shimmered like stars in the night sky, brilliant and arresting.
He had prepared for this the moment he received intel from Kisame. And now… he could finally stretch his limbs.
"I always found it odd," he said slowly. "Why I kept feeling some strange force calling to me. Now I understand."
"…A force calling to you?"
The other Akatsuki members were confused by his words. But Nagato suddenly realized something, and his face darkened.
"You mean… the Rinnegan?"
"That's right."
Gen nodded, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"These eyes… are the mutated product of a God Tree fruit. Even to me, they hold a certain allure. I never expected to find them here.
So, tell me—will you hand them over?"
"…Hand them over?"
Nagato's eyes sharpened. This man was far more than arrogant—he was delusional.
Kakuzu and Sasori exchanged glances. They'd seen many arrogant fools, but this… this was a whole new level.
Meanwhile, both Itachi and Kisame had already tensed up, ready for combat.
"How absurd," Nagato said coldly. "You sound just like Orochimaru. If you really want them…"
His tone turned icy, brimming with killing intent.
"…Then come take them yourself!"
Boom—
In an instant, an immense wave of repulsive force exploded from Nagato's outstretched palm—
Shinra Tensei!
A massive gravitational push surged toward Gen like a tidal wave, shaking the very air.
"…Oh?"
Gen raised an eyebrow. Whether it was due to Nagato's enhancements or the White Zetsu armor, this Shinra Tensei was stronger than expected.
The force distorted the air, shimmering with heat and warping light. Halo-like glows danced in the wake of the pressure under the shadow of the clouds.
"…It seems none of you have learned your lesson."
Despite the surprise, Gen remained composed.
He slowly lifted his right hand, calmly facing the oncoming wave of destruction.
"I've always wondered," he said softly, "why you lesser beings are so confident.
Is it because you learned to wield chakra?"
Before he even finished his sentence, a terrifying power surged from his body—
Silver light shimmered across him like moonlight, casting a divine glow.
His blue eyes burned with intensity, and in the next moment, he unleashed his own energy.
"But unfortunately… mastering chakra doesn't mean you can stand against me."
"Just like the sky…"
Boom—
A massive counter-force erupted from Gen, crashing against Nagato's Shinra Tensei.
In that instant, the collision of two overwhelming powers caused the very fabric of space to twist and warp.
Explosions thundered across the battlefield. The ground trembled under the pressure of the two colliding forces.
CRACK—
Before their eyes, the earth split apart. Like a spiderweb, fractures spread rapidly in every direction.
Then came the collapse. The land gave way, forming a massive crater as trees, rocks, and debris fell into the abyss.
At that moment, Gen's power surged even more fiercely, pouring down upon Nagato like a torrent.
"…What—?!"
Nagato had no time to react. The sheer force flung him into the air, while the rest of the Akatsuki members were also blown backward by the shockwave.
And then… Gen's voice echoed once more:
"The sky is colorless. It never lied to you."
"It was your own eyes… that deceived you."
"Even with chakra, you are unworthy to stand before me."
"Lesser beings…"
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