Nagato, Jiraiya, and the others began preparing their jutsu. Tō had barely rested since the start—under constant siege from top-level foes—and yet she still held her ground. That was the clearest proof of her strength.
"You seem to forget about me," the Nine‑Tails' voice echoed in Tō's mind, surprising her for a moment, then putting her at ease.
The Nine‑Tails' chakra accounted for half of the Ten‑Tails' power, and could be transferred to others. That was Tō's salvation: her problem now was chakra depletion.
Even with Sage‑mode's power, a user's chakra runs out, true even for the First and Second Hokage. One died pushing his Eight Gates to the limit; the other died after exhausting himself fighting Madara. Even a being like Hagoromo had his end.
Now, the Nine‑Tails joined Naruto to engage Obito, and Sasuke followed suit. As Obito dodged attacks from the Fourth and Second Hokage and aimed for Naruto, a chain suddenly stabbed toward him, but Obito sidestepped it effortlessly. Smirking, he leapt toward Tō to land a punch. Tō, anticipating the move, instant‑teleported behind Naruto, grabbed him, and ordered, "Fall back!"
All—including the Fourth and Second Hokage—retreated instantly. They didn't understand why, but one thing was certain: Tō understood Obito in Ten‑Tails form better than anyone.
"What's happening, Tō?" Kakashi demanded, eyebrows furrowed. He had been ready to use Kamui.
At that moment, Tō's body flooded with the Nine‑Tails' chakra, restoring about half her reserves.
She smiled. "I'll go on the offensive. Naruto, go Sage Mode now. Jiraiya, you too. Fourth and Second Hokage, use Flying Thunder God to bring Jiraiya and Naruto to Obito's flank. Sasuke, Itachi, and Nagato, watch out for Madara—Sage Mode alone might not contain him."
They nodded immediately.
Then Tō turned to Kakashi and Guy. "Kakashi, can you use Kamui to teleport Guy into a pocket dimension?"
Kakashi nodded in surprise.
"When Obito uses Kamui, have Guy strike him—and you teleport Guy's attack into Kamui space."
She pondered briefly, then turned to the Akatsuki members approaching. "Hidan, launch your next offense—use Yin chakra. Deidara only deploys miniature bombs. Sasori and Kisame cover their attacks. Heh… my allies are coming. Obito—get ready to be defeated."
With that, Tō teleport‑blinked in front of Obito. Her left foot thrust a strike at his head while her hands formed seals.
Obito deflected her strike easily, grasped her ankle, smirked—and was about to use a Truth‑Seeker Sphere—but Jiraiya and the Fourth Hokage appeared via Flying Thunder God.
"Sage Art: Super Great Rasengan!"
Obito anticipated the jutsu instantly, threw Tō aside, then dodged as Jiraiya and others appeared below.
Jiraiya roared, "Sage Art: Goemon!" Two Sage avatars appeared on his shoulders, and vast flames erupted on the surface.
At the same moment, Kakashi's arranged attack struck Obito's shoulder, busting him into the water.
Obito reappeared elsewhere, coldly assessing Tō. He seemed intrigued that she found his weakness… though Kakashi's strike was useless—he stood unscathed.
"Try me now, show me your true strength!" Obito sneered, and then Hidan's Bloody March Scythe shot from the sea—but was cleaved by the Six‑Paths staff, stunning even Hidan.
Deidara wasn't fazed. A clay bird hurtled toward Obito—boom. Obito teleported behind him, intending a lethal strike. But noticed embedded bombs in his veins.
"Heh…see if you can escape to Kamui now!" Deidara sneered—and launched, but Obito kicked him away. Deidara's heart nearly stopped.
Kisame rescued him, dragging him thirty meters from the strike, just managing to stop. Sakura rushed in as well. Guy and Maito Gai exchanged glances and charged—but were both knocked flying by Obito.
Even Gai's excessive chakra couldn't harm Obito. Tō had enhanced his ninjutsu, but belief alone wasn't enough. Sage techniques are difficult—just ask the mountain frogs.
Tō realized: seeing Deidara's bombs meant Obito had fully activated Sage Mode. In short, he had mastered the Ten‑Tails.
Naruto was hurled at Obito again via Flying Thunder God. Tō had no choice but to attack head-on. Facing Obito was perilous—she was the main attacker, but also had to constantly defend against Truth‑Seeker orbs.
Obito's Six‑Paths Sage form was devastating—merely grazing him could injure her. Still, she pressed forward—using Meat Ball fruit to deflect Truth‑Seeker bolts, Iron Blocks, and Haōki.
He taunted her, "Such power—and you still resist… why not join me? With you, the Eye of the Moon Plan would be certain!"
Obito sidestepped and temporarily forced her back.
Tō glanced at Obito, then at Madara. Smirking, she asked: "Did you ever have a dream?"
Obito paused, unsure what she meant.
"If you had a dream, you must pursue it. If the Eye of the Moon Plan is just an illusion, then what dreams exist in this world? Just show your true self! I like the real world, and I like being in control of myself, not living under someone else's control."
Tō finished her words, formed seals, and called: "Sage Art: Thousand‑Hand Divinity!"
Another giant statue of Buddha arose on the surface...