"Alright, now you can't escape."
While the fierce battle raged in the sky, Kitagawa Minamoto had completed his task on the ground.
The frenzied "White Kāma" had been pinned to the earth by black rods infused with Yin-Yang Release. No matter how much it roared and struggled, it was futile.
If it were a normal person, perhaps the situation wouldn't be so dire. But dealing with a mindless beast driven only by raw power and madness—Kitagawa Minamoto found it surprisingly easy to handle.
"However, the influence of the Kāma seems significant. It appears that failure has inflicted severe damage on the soul."
Ignoring the waves of shock and violent chakra cyclones around him, Minamoto stood calmly amidst the chaos. His silver hair fluttered in the wind, his clothes billowing, as he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
For now, he couldn't fully confirm his theories. He needed his true body to collect this entity for further research.
"Is it over?"
As he pondered, Mei Terumī stumbled toward him, her steps unsteady. She looked at the struggling figure on the ground, her face filled with disbelief.
"So easily... it's over?"
This lunatic, who had single-handedly slaughtered countless members of Kirigakure's ANBU, had even given the Akatsuki a hard time—had been subdued by Kitagawa Minamoto with such ease?
Not just her, the other Kirigakure shinobi were equally stunned.
They knew Minamoto was strong, some had even witnessed his prowess during the Chūnin Exams. But the difference between then and now was staggering—almost as if they were looking at a completely different person.
"Yes, it's already resolved."
Minamoto smiled, his gaze briefly shifting to the Akatsuki members nearby before he spoke again.
"I told you I'd protect you all. Rest assured."
"Protect..."
Mei Terumī was at a loss for words. Before she could say anything, she noticed Minamoto's expression suddenly change. The next moment, Minamoto grabbed her, and the power of space rippled around them.
"Such a terrifying opponent, defeated so effortlessly?"
Elsewhere, the three Kirigakure shinobi stood frozen after witnessing Minamoto's arrival. Although two of them were reanimated under Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, they understood the gravity of the situation—especially since one of them was a "traitor."
They dared not act rashly, choosing instead to observe. Watching Minamoto effortlessly subdue the frenzied opponent left them deeply shaken.
"If the three of us attacked together, we probably wouldn't even be enough to challenge Minamoto."
After a moment of silence, Kisame Hoshigaki let out a raspy laugh.
"Even with two of us being immortal?"
"Hmph, even if Minamoto doesn't make a move, don't forget there are two others over there."
Raiga Kurosuki glanced toward the other side. While they hesitated, others dared to act. Orochimaru's subordinates were unrelenting, and they had also noticed Obito Uchiha's arrival.
But what troubled them most was the reanimated Hokage from Konohagakure—none other than the First and Second Hokage.
Watching the flickering white figures and the relentless bursts of Wood Release, the three couldn't help but sigh.
How could they possibly fight against this? Even risking their lives wouldn't be enough.
"Perhaps the Impure World Reincarnation army will gain a few more members soon."
Suddenly, Kisame chuckled, prompting Jūzō Biwa to glare at him.
"I think you should join us. That way, you won't hesitate when it's time to act."
"I agree. It's a great idea."
Raiga Kurosuki grinned, his gaze shifting to Kisame.
"How else can you fight Minamoto or the reanimated Hokage? Otherwise, just die already. After all, we're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"..."
Kisame fell silent, even beginning to feel wary of his two companions. If they truly went mad and decided to act, he wouldn't fare well.
"Hmm?"
Just as the tension among the three reached its peak, a surge of overwhelming power erupted in the sky. This startled them, and they quickly looked upward.
The next moment, their expressions changed dramatically.
Elsewhere, Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama were locked in combat against Obito Uchiha and Orochimaru's subordinates.
Having regained their near-peak strength, the two Hokage were unleashing devastating attacks. Especially against Obito, whom they despised deeply—after all, much of Konohagakure's suffering over the years had been orchestrated by him!
"But this guy seems quite strong, doesn't he?"
The Senju brothers watched Obito intently, their expressions growing serious.
Especially noticing the black rods in Obito's hands, they realized he had likely gained access to Yin-Yang Release, just like Kitagawa Minamoto.
"This could be troublesome..."
Of course, despite the difficulty, they wouldn't back down. In fact, they were eager to test the strength of Yin-Yang Release firsthand.
"Troublesome immortals who know my secrets."
Obito, for his part, was equally frustrated. The combat prowess of the two Hokage was unexpectedly high. Their mastery of Wood Release and Flying Thunder God Technique, combined with their knowledge of his abilities, made it difficult for him to gain the upper hand.
"And what's worse, Minamoto managed to defeat that 'evolved one' so effortlessly?"
Obito had been closely observing Minamoto's battle, and the outcome left him bewildered.
Why could Minamoto resolve his fight so easily, while Obito struggled against two reanimated opponents?
"How is this possible?"
As Obito grappled with his doubts, Kimimaro and the others weren't faring much better. Senju Tobirama had only briefly engaged them, yet managed to eliminate four of them in an instant!
The oppressive force they felt was unlike anything they had ever encountered.
"We should find an opportunity to retreat."
Suigetsu gulped nervously. Those four might not have been the strongest, but their swift defeat at Tobirama's hands was unsettling.
"We've provided reinforcements; if we can't win, we should leave. There's no point in lingering."
"Hmph."
Kimimaro snorted coldly, ignoring Suigetsu's suggestion. Instead, his Byakugan shifted toward Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Defeated so quickly? Minamoto, just how fast are you progressing..."
Kimimaro felt somewhat dazed. He still remembered how this man had once blocked his attack using Orochimaru's statue—something he had never forgotten.
It was this same man who had brought great humiliation to Orochimaru, and who had kept Kimimaro in a perpetual state of dejection.
He had always yearned to surpass Minamoto, to at least accomplish something for Orochimaru, but now the gap between them seemed to widen with each passing day.
"I can't give up so easily. I must do something for Lord Orochimaru. I must prove myself worthy of Lord Orochimaru's faith!"
Kimimaro roared inwardly, drawing out his bone spikes and assuming a battle stance once more.
"What?!"
But at that moment, a tremendous surge of power exploded in the sky.
The violent chakra fluctuation stunned everyone. When they looked toward the horizon, their expressions changed drastically.
"That's..."
In the sky, Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki extended a single finger toward the other Ōtsutsuki.
That opponent, clearly defeated, was attempting to escape. But in the blink of an eye, a colossal force erupted around him!
Buzz—
Magnificent radiance burst from his body, then plummeted toward the earth.
BOOM—
BOOM BOOM—
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
The ground beneath their feet began to boil, as if the entire Land of Water had started to sway.
A winding canyon of unfathomable depth suddenly appeared before them, emerging from the clouds of dust rising from the earth.
The canyon continued to extend, seemingly stretching to the edge of the world, all the way to the sea!
Because of its immense depth, groundwater began to seep in, pouring into the chasm.
In the sky, the Ōtsutsuki who had been struck was suddenly split in two.
Blood rained down from the heavens like a crimson shower, staining the entire landscape!
"What was that?"
In Obito's consciousness, Isshiki stared in shock at the scene, completely unable to comprehend how Minamoto had executed such an attack.
He couldn't even understand how Urashiki had been defeated, though strangely, he felt a certain satisfaction.
After all, he had been defeated in the same manner.
"What is this?"
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's face was contorted with anguish. He himself didn't understand what had just happened, but he sensed that death was drawing near.
His upper body plummeted toward the ground, his peripheral vision catching the figure in the sky.
Minamoto suddenly opened a Yomotsu Hirasaka portal, swiftly collecting Urashiki's severed lower half.
"He absolutely won't let me go!"
Urashiki understood that Minamoto-shiki was determined to kill him, and his life was rapidly fading away.
This forced him to make one final choice. His Byakugan frantically scanned the area below.
Then, gritting his teeth, he crashed violently into the ground!
BOOM—
Another tremendous explosion echoed across the sky. The earth shattered even more severely, countless rock fragments shooting in all directions.
Dense clouds of dust continued to spread, threatening to engulf everything.
But in the next instant, as a figure descended, the dust was instantly dispersed.
"Cough... cough... cough..."
Urashiki coughed incessantly, blood pouring from his body. In this moment, his life seemed to be approaching its end.
"How unsightly."
Minamoto walked slowly toward him, regarding him coldly before shaking his head.
"Why must you struggle against your fate? Wouldn't you rather become a part of me, and share in that glory?"
"You madman..."
Urashiki could barely speak, but his eyes remained fixed on Minamoto.
"Minamoto-shiki, you're the first to dare harm a fellow clansman—no, Isshiki was the first. You both deserve to die, to be hunted down and killed by our clan in isolation!"
"Isolation, you say?"
Minamoto sighed and shook his head, his face bearing what seemed to be 'sorrow,' along with a measure of 'determination.'
"I told you, Isshiki-senpai has already shown me that rules are the cages that bind us. And isolation..."
As he spoke, he extended his hand, and a surge of powerful chakra erupted as he activated Compassionate Sage Pill.
Urashiki immediately felt his life force and power being violently extracted, leaving him on the brink of death.
"Those who stand at the pinnacle are destined for isolation. And that isolation is 'true freedom'!"
"Madman..."
Urashiki's life force grew increasingly faint. He felt himself slipping away.
"From the moment you did this... your fate was sealed, you traitor!"
"Again, you misunderstand."
But Minamoto remained unmoved, smiling as he shook his head.
"The victor charts a new destiny. Only the defeated are labeled traitors."
"I have not lost. I forge my own destiny, for those who cannot shape fate are merely 'fate's fodder.'"
At this point, Minamoto paused. The energy in his hand had nearly condensed into a 'pill.'
His smile faded, and his expression grew 'solemn.'
"Thank you for your contribution, senpai. Thank you for supporting the dream that Isshiki-senpai and I share. We will meet again on the path to godhood."
"And I shall transcend the heavens themselves!"
[Completed new side quest: No Equal Stands Before Me]
[Calculating quest rewards...]
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