"Cough... cough... cough..."
Inside Kamui's Dimension, Obito Uchiha coughed violently, blood seeping through his mask.
Fortunately, while Obito might lack in other areas, his ability to escape was as formidable as his patchwork body.
As the "Ninja World's Number One Six Paths Frankenstein," the various components he had pieced together made him unrivaled in the art of survival.
"Are you alright, Obito?"
Black Zetsu was feeling increasingly anxious, but seeing Obito in such a state, he couldn't help but ask.
White Zetsu chimed in from the side as well.
"You look like you're about to die, huh?"
"I'm not going to die."
Obito forced himself to stand up, and he wasn't lying.
Having used Izanagi, he would survive.
But he had no intention of discussing this topic further.
Instead, his gaze shifted to the bloodied and mangled Orochimaru nearby.
Orochimaru's body had completely collapsed, the pool of blood around him nauseating to behold.
Amidst the blood, a weakened white snake flicked its tongue, faintly emitting traces of Orochimaru's Chakra.
"Is that Orochimaru? He's still alive?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be..."
Zetsu nodded, but Obito suddenly turned around, his eyes fixed on Zetsu.
"Then what about you? What exactly are you?!"
Damn it...
Zetsu's body trembled slightly, an overwhelming sense of despair surging from within.
Even though Obito wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he wasn't so dense as to miss the obvious at this point.
Especially since Ōtsutsuki Minamoto had been relentlessly "throwing heavy punches."
Even the dullest person would start connecting the dots.
"You're being awfully aggressive, Obito."
White Zetsu blinked cluelessly, unable to grasp the situation—after all, he truly lacked a brain.
"Shut up! I want answers now!"
Obito didn't hold back, his gaze locked firmly on Zetsu's half-body.
"What's the truth that guy mentioned? And what is this 'Kaguya's Chakra' he spoke of? What are you?!"
"I..."
Faced with Obito's interrogation, Zetsu hesitated before biting his lip and finally speaking.
"The so-called Kaguya... perhaps she's the Goddess of the Rabbit Moon. Her name might be that!"
"Huh?"
Obito froze for a moment, surprised by the explanation.
Meanwhile, Zetsu seemed to have organized his thoughts more clearly.
"According to legend, all Chakra originates from the Goddess of the Rabbit Moon. Although the Sage of Six Paths sealed her away, it was through her Chakra that the ninja world was connected. So..."
"You're saying that the Chakra we use comes from the Goddess of the Rabbit Moon?"
Obito furrowed his brows, snorting coldly as he replied.
"But I've heard that Chakra's spread is attributed to the Sage of Six Paths. How did it become the Goddess of the Rabbit Moon?!"
Because the Sage of Six Paths is her son...
Zetsu was in agony, but he couldn't reveal this vital piece of information!
"That has always been the focus of my investigation. Don't forget, you were the one who asked me to search ancient texts for clues."
With no other option, Zetsu resorted to fabricating an explanation.
"I've found some records, though I haven't compiled them thoroughly yet. The ancient texts mention that she bestowed Chakra upon humanity, spreading its power across the ninja world.
But what happened afterward is unknown. No one knows why she became the Goddess of the Rabbit Moon and was ultimately sealed by the Sage of Six Paths.
Obito, even if you suspect me, think carefully—what benefit would I gain from this?"
"Benefit?"
Obito furrowed his brows, unable to respond immediately.
After a moment of thought, Zetsu quickly added:
"You witnessed my creation, and for all these years, I've worked tirelessly for our shared dream...
Do you still doubt me after everything I've done?"
"..."
Zetsu's words rendered Obito silent.
He couldn't deny that Zetsu had indeed been instrumental in his progress over the years.
But the key issue was...
He didn't believe Ōtsutsuki Minamoto would lie.
Someone as powerful as Minamoto had no reason to fabricate anything.
"But why did that guy say those things? Why is he targeting Zetsu? And what is the 'truth' he mentioned?"
Obito remained silent, his mind a chaotic swirl of unanswered questions.
After a long pause, he finally sighed.
"I understand. I saw your creation, so I'll trust you."
"No, it's not about trusting me. It's about trusting him."
Zetsu interrupted Obito, shaking his head calmly.
"I'll continue searching for the information you need. I'll give you a satisfactory answer. But for now, we have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Kumogakure, right?"
Obito seemed to have let go of his doubts as he nodded and spoke.
"I understand. But let's wait a bit—let's act after that guy leaves."
"Alright."
Zetsu nodded as well, but he suddenly realized something.
Ōtsutsuki Minamoto had gone to Kumogakure to seize Chakra, which meant...
How many more would die in Kumogakure?!
Could Kumogakure still cooperate effectively after this?
Beyond that, Zetsu knew he might have temporarily deflected suspicion, but Obito likely no longer fully trusted him.
Even more terrifying was the thought of Madara Uchiha's reaction upon resurrection and learning of this.
"This is bad... I need to find an opportunity to do something..."
Zetsu knew he had one potential solution: the Uchiha tablet.
Of course, both Madara and Obito had already read the tablet, so he couldn't alter it anymore.
But... the Senju Clan didn't seem to have left behind anything substantial, did they?
"Then I'll just fill in this gap myself."
Zetsu thought to himself, entirely unaware that an inconspicuous mark on White Zetsu's half-body was slowly fading away.
"We're almost at the Land of Fire, huh!"
High above the skies of the Land of Hot Water, Deidara looked down at the assembled troops below before glancing at the familiar scenery in the distance.
He nodded to himself but soon turned curiously toward Kitagawa Minamoto.
"By the way, what happened that night? Why was there such a sudden surge of Chakra?"
"And the explosion seemed to originate in Kumogakure."
Terumi Mei couldn't help but ask, her curiosity piqued despite the distance.
"It's strange. Could someone else have targeted Kumogakure?"
"Who knows? It's just a den of thieves and bandits. Whatever happens to them doesn't surprise me in the least."
Kitagawa Minamoto shrugged, feigning ignorance.
But in reality, he knew exactly what had transpired in Kumogakure—after all, it was his doing!
"Too bad the Hyūga Clan doesn't know what good deeds I've done for them."
As this thought crossed his mind, he couldn't help but shake his head.
The hatred between Kumogakure and the Hyūga Clan was difficult to assess, especially since Kumogakure had so decisively sold out Hyūga Hizashi.
It was hard to say whether they had done so to assert their control over the Branch Family or because Hizashi's dissatisfaction with the Main Family had drawn their attention.
"Besides, even without Ōtsutsuki Minamoto's finishing blow, my actions alone would've been enough."
Kitagawa Minamoto's seizure of the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails' Chakra had gone smoothly, especially since Kumogakure's remaining forces were utterly demoralized after the beating they'd taken from the "True Thousand Hands."
Frankly, any ninja village would struggle to maintain morale after such a devastating blow.
"Not everyone is Madara Uchiha, after all. Otherwise, why is he the only one who could stand against Hashirama Senju?"
Though, Madara had also been beaten down by Hashirama's "True Thousand Hands."
"Whatever happens to Kumogakure, the more they die, the better it is for us."
Kitagawa Minamoto leaned back on the bird he was riding, gazing at the sky with a smile.
"Let's hurry back. I think the old men in the village have been waiting impatiently."
"True enough. I want to see that old man's expression again."
Deidara grinned mischievously, deliberately mimicking Ōnoki's shocked face as he pointed at Minamoto.
"You... you... how dare you... hahahaha!"
"You're so childish. Be careful; the Tsuchikage won't let you off."
Terumi Mei couldn't help but laugh softly, though her gaze lingered on Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Speaking of which, Minamoto, it won't be long before I can call you Hokage, right?"
"Cough... cough... cough... cough..."
Kitagawa Minamoto nearly choked, turning to Terumi Mei with a wry smile.
"Please, it's time to rest. Don't bring up such topics, okay? Besides, I'm still young."
"True, the old man mentioned the matter of becoming Kage to me as well. Really annoying, huh!"
Deidara nodded in agreement, looking rather displeased.
But he quickly burst into laughter.
"Still, the old man will live for a long time, so it should be fine!"
"You two..."
Terumi Mei shook her head, amused but tactfully refraining from continuing the topic.
Still, she couldn't help but touch her chin thoughtfully, glancing at Kitagawa Minamoto once more.
"Indeed, he's a bit young. What a bother..."
What she was thinking remained unknown to others.
Meanwhile, Kitagawa Minamoto sighed as he listened to Deidara's chatter.
"Damn it, the original must have left me here on purpose because he found it annoying."
Clearly, the Kitagawa Minamoto here was a Divine Tree clone, while the real Minamoto had long since made his way to a secluded valley in the Land of Fire.
"Hmm? Is there activity from the 'Karma' mark?"
In the valley, Kitagawa Minamoto tuned out the chatter of his Divine Tree clone, raising an eyebrow thoughtfully.
He understood the theoretical workings of Karma, but its practical operation remained unclear.
Leaving the Karma mark on Zetsu had been intentional, a way to test its effects.
It was also an opportunity to study the reaction of Karma while he was still alive.
"For now, it seems the Karma mark is dormant, with little activity. Perhaps it's still 'collecting' my latest data?"
Kitagawa Minamoto stroked his chin, intrigued by this product of "alien technology."
"Let's take it slow. For now, dealing with my spoils of war is more important."
As he pondered, the Sword of Totsuka suddenly appeared.
This time, it separated from the black rods, taking on a gourd-like shape as it floated before him.
With the surge of Chakra, three distinct masses of energy emerged.
Two were Tailed Beast Chakra, while the third was pitch black.
"Let's begin!"
In that instant, the Divine Tree within him paused briefly, and the two masses of Tailed Beast Chakra roared as they merged into his body.
Almost simultaneously, he felt a strain in his eyes.
He knew this signaled another step forward in his abilities.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on the black mass of Chakra.
"Zetsu's Chakra? No..."
"More accurately, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's Chakra!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? ✍ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?✨patreon.com/GoldenLong(End of Chapter)