Chapter 282 – Obito, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki Take Action
"Wait—what did you just say? You're going to declare war… at the Five Kage Summit?"
In the dimly lit Akatsuki base, the air went still.
Nagato's face twisted in disbelief, while Orochimaru's expression turned thoughtful and cautious.
Konan, however, looked downright horrified.
"Have you lost your mind, Obito?" she snapped. "Do you even understand what that means? What'll happen to us if you do that?!"
"Relax," Obito said coolly, his tone unnervingly calm. "At least hear me out first."
He wasn't rushing in blindly—
not anymore.
After all, Gen had beaten the arrogance out of him more times than he could count.
Now, he planned carefully.
"Our ultimate goal is peace in the ninja world," he began. "But to achieve that, we must first ask—what's the greatest threat to that peace right now?"
Nagato didn't hesitate.
"Ōtsutsuki Gen-shiki."
Obito nodded approvingly.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"So that's your angle… You want to use the Summit to rally the entire ninja world against him, don't you?"
"Exactly."
Obito's tone sharpened, conviction in his voice.
"To draw him out, we'll need bait. Something irresistible."
"…The Ten-Tails."
Orochimaru licked his lips, a serpentine smile creeping across his face.
"You plan to use the Ten-Tails as the lure."
"Correct," Obito confirmed without hesitation. "We've already absorbed the One-Tail. The Three-Tails is next on schedule. Once the Ten-Tails manifests, Gen-shiki will have to show up."
"True," Orochimaru murmured. "He appears every time the Tailed Beasts are involved."
He glanced at Obito, curiosity gleaming in his gaze.
"So the plan is: lure him out with the Ten-Tails, then strike him with the combined might of the gathered nations? Risky. Do Madara and Zetsu know about this?"
"They don't," Obito said, his tone dripping with disdain. "They'd rather stall. Play it safe. Typical."
He clenched his fist.
"They want to wait until the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki is ready, then slowly coordinate the entire ninja world to attack together. A safe plan… too safe."
"Safe maybe," Konan muttered coldly, "but it avoids pointless slaughter."
Nagato, however, saw through Obito's reasoning. His Rinnegan glowed faintly.
"But by then," he said quietly, "Gen-shiki will be gone."
"Exactly."
Obito's single eye burned with determination.
"He's not stupid enough to wait around while we build an army against him. If we want a real chance, it has to be now."
"So instead," Orochimaru mused, "you'll force the world's hand—create a crisis too big to ignore."
"Precisely."
Obito turned to them both.
"When I declare war, Gen-shiki will appear. The entire ninja world will be watching. They'll have no choice but to fight him. Meanwhile, we move in to seal the Ten-Tails."
Nagato's lips curved into a grim smile.
"So while they're fighting him, you complete the ritual."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
"And if your disguised operatives attack during the chaos… you'll spark infighting among the Kage as well."
Obito nodded.
"Exactly. Divide them, weaken them, and use the confusion to our advantage. So, are you in?"
There was a heavy pause.
Then Nagato said simply—
"Count me in."
The conviction in his voice left no doubt.
He had been chosen by the Sage of Six Paths to walk that path. Facing the Ōtsutsuki was, in his mind, destiny.
"Heh… intriguing," Orochimaru said at last. "I'll consider it. After all, war is a wonderful experiment."
He already knew why Obito had come to him.
This wasn't just about strategy—it was about Edo Tensei.
And doing it behind Madara's and Zetsu's backs made it even more interesting.
Besides, the thought of watching Ōtsutsuki Gen-shiki clash with the entire ninja world was simply too delicious to pass up.
"Then it's settled," Obito said, finally relaxing. "At the Summit, I'll appear myself—and declare war."
"I'll go with you," Nagato added without hesitation.
Konan's face darkened, but he only shook his head gently.
"This is something I must do."
"And bring Kimimaro," Orochimaru said absently. "He's… changed lately. It might be interesting."
He trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly sensing something.
His golden eyes flickered, and he quickly formed hand seals.
A coffin rose from the floor with a dull thud—
and in the next instant, it exploded open from the inside.
From within crawled a figure twisted with rage and hatred.
"Chiyo… you decrepit old hag!"
"Konoha! White Fang! You'll all pay!"
It was Sasori—snarling, broken, his puppet body trembling with fury even in undeath.
---
Back in Konoha
"So Sasori was dragged away by a summoning technique?"
"Yes," Sakumo reported solemnly. "Unfortunately, we couldn't complete the mission."
He stood before the Hokage's desk, hands folded respectfully.
Technically, this report should've been Kakashi's duty—
but given the… complications, the elder Hatake had volunteered to handle it.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, simply nodded.
"Don't worry about it," he said lightly. "Gen wasn't part of that mission anyway. It's fine."
"What about Chiyo?" Gen asked curiously from the side, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And Sasori? How'd they react when they saw you?"
The room went silent.
Kakashi sighed.
Even Naruto and Sasuke exchanged uneasy glances.
Yup… that's Gen for you.
Always stirring the pot.
"Chiyo attacked us on sight," Sakumo admitted, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "And Sasori… well, he spent the entire fight shouting curses."
"At who?" Gen asked with genuine curiosity.
"At everyone," Sakumo replied wearily. "Apparently, dying didn't mellow him out at all."
"Hah. Some people really hold grudges." Gen smirked. "You'd think being dead would calm him down."
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose.
Now he understood why every time he praised Gen, he had to add—
"though sometimes his personality can be… difficult."
---
"Lord Fifth," Sakumo continued, "aside from Sasori's escape, the Fifth Kazekage's tailed beast was extracted."
"Extracted?" Hiruzen sighed heavily.
Naruto clenched his fists.
"Those bastards…" he muttered under his breath.
He and Gaara weren't as close in this world as they were in another timeline—
but as fellow Jinchūriki, he still felt the pain.
"However," Sakumo added in a lower tone, "something… unexpected happened."
The room quieted.
"After Sasori was taken, Chiyo performed a forbidden technique. She… resurrected the Fifth Kazekage."
"What?"
Even Hiruzen's eyes widened.
"A resurrection technique? From Sunagakure?"
"Perhaps unique to Chiyo herself," Sakumo said. "It was… incredible."
Gen leaned forward, intrigued.
"Now that's interesting," he murmured. "We'll have to study that. Closely."
Hiruzen nodded gravely.
"This information doesn't leave this room. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakumo all replied in unison.
When they'd left, Hiruzen turned to Gen quietly.
"That technique… even if we could obtain it, we shouldn't use it lightly."
Gen nodded.
"I know. Life and death aren't toys. Once you open that door, it never closes again."
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"Good. I knew you'd understand."
---
"Now then," the old Hokage continued, "the Five Kage Summit is approaching. Have you decided who you'll bring as your escort?"
The preparations were nearly complete.
The venue was chosen, the Fire Daimyō had opened his coffers willingly—
after Tobirama "politely" paid him a visit.
As the host and the Leaf's new Hokage, Gen would represent their village personally.
"My escort, huh…"
He thought for a moment.
"Naruto and Sasuke should be enough."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Strong choices. But take my advice—bring the Ino-Shika-Chō trio as well. They might not excel in combat, but their coordination and support abilities are invaluable."
"Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji, huh? Yeah, that works." Gen grinned. "I'll also have Kakashi-sensei bring Rin along. She could use the experience."
Hiruzen's brow arched slightly but he said nothing.
He knew Gen's mind was already turning—
calculating possibilities, testing theories, and maybe…
hoping to cross paths with Obito once again.
---
Kaguya's cold voice drifted through his thoughts.
"Still playing your little ninja games? If you truly wished to revive someone, you already have the means to do so."
Gen's lips curled into a quiet smile.
"Oh, I know," he murmured softly. "But where's the fun in that?"
While Gen was busy preparing for the upcoming Five Kage Summit, the ancient goddess within him grew increasingly restless.
"You said more Ōtsutsuki had arrived," Kaguya's voice echoed coldly in his mind. "So why haven't they shown themselves yet? And why," her tone sharpened, "aren't you preparing for them?"
Gen smiled faintly as he left the Hokage's office, walking leisurely down the sunlit streets of Konoha.
"If they haven't revealed themselves yet, it's probably because of my previous battles—with Isshiki and Urashiki."
"And besides," he added with a smirk, "who says I haven't prepared?"
Kaguya frowned in irritation.
"Then what exactly are you planning?"
"This isn't just one Ōtsutsuki," she warned. "Two are coming—and both Isshiki and Urashiki's Karma marks still exist in this world."
Gen waved her concern away with a calmness that bordered on arrogance.
"Relax. I've got it covered."
He already knew who was coming.
Momoshiki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki—two predators from beyond the stars.
And unlike Kaguya, he understood them well.
Momoshiki—arrogant, refined, and ruthless.
Kinshiki—silent, loyal, and powerful, a living weapon devoted to his master.
They were dangerous, yes, but not unpredictable.
"If it were the Momoshiki from the 'Boruto era,' maybe he'd be tricky," Gen mused aloud, smiling faintly. "That one learned from his mistakes—adapted to this world's combat."
"But these two?" He chuckled softly. "They're walking straight into my palm."
Kaguya's tone tightened.
"You speak as if you can already see them."
"I can," Gen replied with quiet amusement. "Every move they make—I'm watching."
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with an almost divine confidence.
"In fact, I hope they show up at the Summit."
"Why?"
"Because then…" He smiled, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face.
"I'll finally get to test my Path to Godhood."
Kaguya fell silent.
She didn't know whether to be impressed… or afraid.
---
Far across the stars—
A crimson ripple tore through the void.
A body fell through, landing amid the charred ruins of a small village.
Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki frowned in disgust, shaking the blood from his immaculate white hand.
"Filthy creatures," he hissed, tossing aside the lifeless shinobi at his feet. "Their touch is an insult."
Beside him, Kinshiki stood silently, eyes scanning their surroundings. His chakra sensors flared as he absorbed the world's information.
"Lord Momoshiki," he said in his deep, resonant voice, "there is no trace of Lord Isshiki or Kaguya. Nor of the unknown Ōtsutsuki mentioned in the archives. Only… stories. About a so-called Sage of Six Paths."
Momoshiki scoffed, his expression dripping with disdain.
"Another delusional mortal pretending to be divine. How tiresome."
He'd seen countless worlds—countless self-proclaimed gods, sages, immortals.
All of them were the same—creatures who toyed with nature's power without ever understanding it.
"At least," Kinshiki continued, "we've confirmed one thing: this planet once housed a Ten-Tails. But it has been divided into fragments. They call them… tailed beasts."
"Ah," Momoshiki murmured, his lips curving faintly. "So the lower beings have learned to wield chakra as well. Amusing."
Kinshiki nodded.
"The Tailed Beasts are held by the nations' military villages. The largest are called shinobi villages. To locate the beasts, we'll need to infiltrate them."
"No need," Momoshiki replied with an amused hum. "Their leaders—what do they call them… 'Kage,' was it?—will all be gathering soon for some grand meeting."
Kinshiki's eyes flickered.
"You mean the Kage Summit."
"Precisely."
Momoshiki's smile widened, sharp and cruel.
"Why bother searching every village one by one," he said, his tone smooth as silk, "when their rulers are about to gather in a single place?"
He turned his gaze toward the horizon—toward the world that awaited him.
"We'll take them all at once."
"Capture their leaders, seize their beasts, and devour their chakra."
His pale eyes gleamed like twin suns.
"And when that's done… this world will bloom with a new Divine Tree."