High above the battlefield, a colossal meteor loomed, blotting out the sun. Its shadow engulfed the armies below, filling shinobi hearts with dread.
But Chiga only chuckled quietly, as if amused by the repetition of this technique. Lifting his gaze, a violet glow flickered in his Rinnegan.
Boom!
The meteor exploded midair, shattering into countless fragments that rained down like a deadly storm of fireworks.
Madara's narrowed eyes glimmered with curiosity.
"What was that just now? Was it his Rinnegan ability?"
Realizing his meteor tactic was useless, he abandoned the idea of summoning a second one. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Chiga. His pupils dilated slightly, then his power erupted.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The repulsive force exploded outward, swallowing the terrain in a devastating wave that roared toward Chiga.
But Chiga's long hair danced in the wind as his own voice echoed, calm yet commanding.
"Shinra Tensei."
The two opposing forces collided, an invisible clash shaking the battlefield. Like two ferocious beasts tearing at each other, the repulsions struggled for dominance. But Madara's wave quickly buckled, overwhelmed and dispersed by Chiga's greater strength.
Madara scowled and shouted toward Nagato,
"Quickly! Use Shinra Tensei with me!"
Nagato hesitated only a moment before unleashing his power alongside Madara. Their combined effort barely withstood Chiga's assault, yet both men suffered backlash from the strain.
Madara's Edo Tensei body weathered it, but Nagato collapsed, blood spilling from his mouth as his hands clutched his eyes.
"Why… why is there such a vast difference? Those Rinnegan… what are they!?"
Madara remained silent, his mind replaying the image of the twelve black tomoe orbiting Chiga's Rinnegan. That was no ordinary pair of eyes.
Still, he had no time to dwell on it. The Infinite Tsukuyomi was his true goal. He cast a meaningful glance at Black Zetsu, who instantly understood and began moving toward the weakened Nagato.
Konan supported Nagato, unaware of the shadow slithering closer. In moments, Black Zetsu melded into Nagato's body like black tar. Nagato stiffened, his face twisting as control slipped from him.
"Konan… I… can't move…"
"Nagato!" Konan tried to pry Zetsu off, but his body was already fused with her comrade's. Her voice rose in fury,
"What are you doing!?"
Zetsu's grin spread as he tightened his hold.
"What else? Returning these eyes to their rightful master."
"Those eyes are Nagato's! You—!"
Her cry was cut short. Madara appeared behind her without sound, his hand closing around her neck. He lifted her effortlessly, his expression indifferent.
"Little girl," Madara said coldly, "you misunderstand. Those eyes were never his. They were mine to begin with."
Konan gasped, clawing at his grip.
"Impossible! Nagato awakened them when he was just a child!"
Madara's voice was dismissive.
"Arguing with a pawn is meaningless. That's all you've ever been."
The word pawns struck Obito deeper than any blade. His chest tightened as if the accusation had been carved into him.
Watching Konan choke in Madara's grip, Obito suddenly stepped forward. His voice rang out, sharp.
"Enough! Madara! There's no need to kill her. She and Nagato gathered the Tailed Beasts for us. Let them at least share in the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Madara arched a brow. His lips curved faintly.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to still have compassion. Interesting… you've changed, Obito."
Obito gave a bitter chuckle. With sudden resolve, he tore the mask from his face, revealing the scars of his past. His voice was low, determined.
"No. I just want to be myself again."
From the ranks of the Ninja Alliance, Kakashi's eyes widened in shock.
"Obito…? No… how can it be?"
In a flicker, Minato appeared at his student's side, hand resting on Kakashi's shoulder.
"Kakashi. It's him. He survived."
Kakashi turned toward his sensei, disbelief written all over his face.
"Sensei… what happened to him?"
Minato's voice was heavy, carrying the weight of truths best left unsaid. He explained Obito's fate in brief, each word hitting Kakashi like a hammer. By the end, Kakashi stood frozen, as though the world itself had turned alien.
Before Minato could comfort him, Kakashi moved. He shot forward at blinding speed, toward the one who had once been his closest friend.
Madara's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean by being yourself again?"
Obito suppressed his fury, his voice steady.
"Don't think too much of it. From this moment, I fight as Uchiha Obito. Nothing else changes."
Madara studied him a moment longer before releasing Konan from his Genjutsu hold. She fell to the ground, dazed.
"So be it," Madara muttered, his smirk returning. "But someone is already coming for you."
"I know," Obito replied, his tone sharp as steel. "And it's time we settled it."
With a flash, Obito appeared before Kakashi.
The two men stopped, staring at each other, a storm of memories and regrets between them.
Kakashi's voice trembled.
"Obito… is it really you?"
Obito's expression hardened, torn between anger and grief. After a long pause, he finally said,
"Kakashi. Do you dare… to fight me? Just like back then."
Kakashi's breath caught, stunned. Before he could respond, Obito seized him by the collar. Space warped around them, pulling both men into the void of Kamui.
Madara watched their disappearance, his focus returning to his true objective.
"Forget him. Black Zetsu, make Nagato perform the jutsu."
Zetsu tightened his control, forcing Nagato's hands into familiar seals. The red-haired man resisted with all he had, teeth clenched against the invasion, but his body betrayed him.
"Rinne… Rebirth!"
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