The whirlwind instantly transformed into a blazing fireball, engulfing all the White Zetsu around in flames.
Tobi and Zetsu each performed their special moves to dodge the attack. However, those White Zetsu clones weren't as lucky—they were ignited by Amaterasu, screaming in agony as they scattered across the battlefield, spreading the flames everywhere.
Who could have imagined that these plant-like creatures would be so afraid of fire?
Naruto stopped rotating. The storm gradually calmed down as he let go of Yugito.
Yugito was still reeling from the effects of the tailed beast's chakra, feeling dizzy for a while before finally coming back to herself. She shot Naruto a glare, clearly still furious about what had just happened.
"Do you really think destroying one camp will stop me?" Tobi's figure reappeared, completely unscathed. "Although I can't create enough White Zetsu clones right now, I'm already powerful enough to accomplish my goal."
"Then come at me," Naruto said, unsealing his Sharingan. When Yugito saw his crimson-colored Sharingan eyes, she gasped sharply. Even in Sage Mode, those eyes exuded a sinister aura.
"You'll never take another Jinchuriki again, nor will you ever seal another tailed beast. I don't give a damn about your feud with Pain—you're both dying today!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto blitzed forward like lightning, rushing toward Tobi. Prepared for the attack, Tobi dodged sideways as the Rasengan just barely grazed past his ear.
At that moment, Tobi's body suddenly turned semi-transparent. Naruto passed straight through him as if he were merely an illusion.
Quickly steadying himself, Naruto activated Sage Mode, sensing the flow of chakra around him.
Suddenly, Tobi's war fan swung at Naruto from behind. He barely avoided it and quickly created distance, watching his opponent warily.
Tobi didn't pursue. His gaze was locked onto Naruto. He had already sent Zetsu away—he couldn't afford to drag him into this fight. He'd already lost too many people—he couldn't afford to lose Zetsu, his most valuable intelligence asset, especially now.
"That sword…" As Naruto passed him, he sensed a familiar presence—Six Paths' chakra. "He noticed it, didn't he? Dammit, Senju bloodline…"
The Uzumaki and Senju clans were distant relatives who both inherited Six Paths' chakra.
Konoha again… Always Konoha!
Ever since his plan began, he had constantly been obstructed by Konoha.
Who had thwarted his first attempt to capture the Nine-Tails? It was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and his wife Kushina Uzumaki.
Who had ruined his vengeance against Konoha and the Uchiha clan? Anbu Commander Itachi Uchiha, who sacrificed everything for the village.
Who had killed his trusted ally and destroyed his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan plan? Naruto Uzumaki.
Even worse, his interference had indirectly led to Itachi's death, causing him to lose his usefulness.
If Danzo hadn't interfered, he might have succeeded in recruiting Itachi. But now, it was too late to say anything.
All of this was Konoha's fault!
Tobi had always been patient and calculating. He endured through years of setbacks, carefully plotting and advancing step by step. Even when his plans failed, he never gave up, because he believed that one day, he would achieve his goal.
But Konoha had been a thorn in his side—whatever he did, they spoiled everything.
"Enough!" Tobi said coldly, suppressing his anger. "Let me make one thing clear: You won't stop me. Not even if you kill Pain. I won't give up. Remember my words, kid. You'll pay for everything you've done today. One day, I'll make sure of it. I'll make you suffer so badly you wish you were dead!"
"I'm not afraid of death," Naruto shot back fearlessly. "If you think lurking in the shadows makes you untouchable, you're dead wrong. You don't even know how powerful Root really is."
Tobi was done hiding. He'd had enough. Now, his plan was nearly complete, and he absolutely refused to fail again.
"I understand you better than you understand yourself," he said, clenching his fists, a chilling gleam flickering in his eyes. "I've already foreseen everything. I will destroy everything you cherish. I will make you watch helplessly as everyone you love dies one by one. Finally, I'll kill you with my own hands, steal your Nine-Tails, and plunge you into eternal torment!"
Naruto absorbed the swirling Amaterasu flames into his body and pointed at Tobi, shouting,
"If you're so confident, then come! Let's settle this once and for all!"
Suddenly, Tobi burst into loud laughter, as though he'd just heard an absurd joke.
"No, no, no. You're wrong, Naruto. You don't have the right to set conditions with me. You decide nothing. Everything is under my control. If you want to play hero, keep playing your little hero. Let's see if you're still smiling when it's all over."
[Fire Release: Laser Beam!]
A crimson laser beam erupted from Yugito's mouth, piercing straight through Tobi's chest.
Tobi screamed in pain, staggering backward. A charred hole now appeared in his chest.
"I've had enough of his nonsense," Yugito said coolly. "That's when I got the chance to ambush him."
Tobi clutched his chest and gasped in pain—but soon realized something was off. His chest wasn't injured at all, and his clothes weren't torn either. It was as if the attack had been just an illusion.
He wasn't hurt at all!
"Did you really think that could hurt me?" Tobi sneered, standing upright again.
Without a second's notice, a spiraling vortex opened beneath him, swallowing him whole, leaving only an eerie laugh behind.
"A space-time Ninjutsu…" Naruto frowned slightly, murmuring to himself.
Turning around, Naruto saw that Yugito had already reverted to her normal state and asked,
"Are you okay, Yugito?"
Yugito cursed under her breath. How had her attack passed straight through him? Like he was some kind of illusion. Yet she could feel his presence—this wasn't an illusion.
He hadn't used any substitution or escape technique.
She struck him with her fastest and most precise attack, but it was all in vain.
"Just who *is* this guy?" she thought, baffled.
That coward only dared to show his face when he thought he was in control, blathering arrogantly.
Yet when true battle arrived, his so-called army crumbled like dry wood drenched in spring rain—utterly defenseless against opponents who actually knew how to fight.
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