Ūmotaru: Time Stop!
Zzz!
Centered around Obito, a vast area was engulfed in a gray hue. The flow of air, the movement of sand particles—everything came to a complete and absolute halt!
The only one unaffected by this stillness was Obito, the caster of the technique.
At the edge of the gray zone, Naruto's figure was frozen in place. The faint outline of gray skeletal armor could be seen surrounding his body.
Obito raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Oh? In the instant before time stopped, Naruto instinctively activated his Susanoo? Such combat awareness is truly remarkable.
Step!
Obito took a step forward, and the gray zone of stopped time moved with him.
Pinned beneath the Torii Gates of Myojinmon, Madara watched the approaching gray zone and said in a deep voice, "Obito, you didn't tell me you had hidden such a technique beforehand!"
Obito replied coldly, "Madara, I've never considered you a partner. I planned to use this technique against you after defeating Naruto together. But since Naruto has already dealt with you for me, I can now use this without reservation. Rest well. The Eye of the Moon Plan will be realized by me!"
Madara sneered, "Hmph, then you'd better make good use of it, Obito."
Whoosh!
The gray zone enveloped Madara, freezing him in place along with the smirk on his lips.
Swish!
Obito charged toward Naruto.
Time is limited. If Naruto has activated his Susanoo, then I'll finish him off with this move!
The pitch-black Susanoo unleashed its Ten Directions Divine Void Sword, thrusting straight ahead!
Crack!
Naruto's Susanoo was easily pierced, and the black blade was mere inches away from him!
Obito's face twisted with ferocity. "It's over!!!"
Crack!
His advancing figure suddenly froze mid-motion.
The Susanoo vanished abruptly!
Following the searing pain, Obito looked down to find blood soaking through his right abdomen, staining his clothes.
His eyes were filled with disbelief. This… This is—
In Amegakure, beneath a towering spire.
A crystal ball projected the battle taking place miles away.
Nearby, within the ritual circle of Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood, Konan stood behind Hidan, driving an iron stake through his lower back and abdomen!
"A… A sacrifice…" Hidan, reveling in the ecstasy of blood, was lost in immense joy.
Konan glanced at the image in the crystal ball, her cold voice murmuring, "Your reinforcements have arrived."
Slash!
She twisted the iron stake in her hand, stirring Hidan's abdominal cavity as she withdrew it.
"Arghhhhhhh!"
Obito let out a piercing scream, collapsing to his knees in a pool of blood. As the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes faded, the gray stillness that had enveloped the battlefield dissipated, and time resumed its flow.
Everything returned to normal, except for the world of pain Obito was left in.
Huff… Huff… Huff…
Obito struggled to lift his head, cold sweat dripping down the creases of his right cheek. He finally realized the truth. "So this is it. Hidan… He's still alive. You created a fake Hidan, even altering the memories in my mind, just to ensure there were no loose ends."
Naruto spoke in a low tone, "I'm sorry, Obito. This is reality."
Obito couldn't help but ask, "If you hadn't had Hidan as a trump card, how would you have dealt with my technique just now?"
Without hesitation, Naruto replied, "I activated Susanoo just now, as you saw. Doesn't that prove my ability to adapt in critical moments? If I hadn't had Hidan, I would've used Izanagi without a second thought, sacrificing one of my eyes to you."
As he spoke, Naruto's gaze shifted to the now-empty Myojinmon. He muttered, "It seems Madara has already done that."
Obito smiled bitterly. "It seems I've lost completely… once again."
Naruto smirked faintly. "Didn't you say this would be the last time?"
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Zetsu emerged from the ground, opening its vine-like body to envelop Obito.
Obito, weak but resolute, said, "Ah, yes, the last time. The last time I'll taste defeat! Next time, I will win!!!"
Wrapped in Zetsu, Obito sank into the ground.
Naruto didn't stop him, only asking, "And if next time, you lose again?"
"Then it will prove that I, Uchiha Obito, am no more than this. Listening to your perspective wouldn't hurt, would it?"
Leaving behind these melancholic words, Obito exited the battlefield.
Naruto watched him go. "Alright, I sincerely look forward to it."
Thus, the battle of Naruto Uzumaki versus the duo of Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara concluded with Naruto's victory.
In a dimly lit cave.
Madara leaned against the wall. His right eye had turned pale from the delayed activation of Izanagi, a technique that traded sight for escape from Myojinmon's seal.
Black Zetsu lamented, "Lord Madara, even though your Rinnegan in this Edo Tensei body is a false reincarnation, the price you paid is still too steep!"
Madara replied in a deep voice, "At this point, there's nothing left to regret. More importantly, did you find what I asked for?"
"I did. Kabuto wasn't around, so I retrieved it easily."
A coffin rose from the ground as Black Zetsu raised its hand.
Madara scrutinized Black Zetsu with his single eye and said coldly, "How did my body end up in Kabuto's hands? Care to give me a reasonable explanation, Black Zetsu?"
Without flinching, Black Zetsu responded, "Lord Madara, when Nagato used Rinne Rebirth to revive the Leaf's shinobi, Obito showed no intention of fulfilling his promise. I had no choice but to guide Kabuto toward discovering your body, ensuring you could be revived through Edo Tensei. At least this way, your return could prevent further chaos. I have always been loyal to you!"
Madara stared deeply at Black Zetsu before eventually withdrawing his aura. "Fine, let's leave it at that."
Black Zetsu asked, "May I ask why you wanted your body back?"
Madara's next words were shocking. "I've found a way to revive myself without relying on Rinne Rebirth!"
Black Zetsu was stunned. "What? Truly!?"
Madara formed a two-finger seal and opened his left eye.
Hell Path!
Boom!
The Hell Path's King of Hell statue rose behind Madara.
He stood, throwing the coffin containing his body into the statue's mouth and forming more hand seals.
Spirit Transformation Technique!
Whoosh!
Madara's soul left the sacrificial vessel, entering the statue's mouth.
Crunch, crunch, crunch!
After a series of chewing sounds, the statue's mouth opened wide.
Madara stepped out, reborn with a young and vibrant body. The face of Hashirama still remained on his chest.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
As he walked, Madara's eyes began to crumble into fragments.
The King of Hell statue behind him faded away.
Black Zetsu knelt in reverence. "Welcome back, Lord Madara, to life!!!"
Crack!
Madara bit into his palm, tasting the warm red blood. A wild grin spread across his face.
"It's blood… My blood. That's right! I've finally escaped the Edo Tensei state. I've had enough of that lifeless existence!"
Black Zetsu asked, "What shall we do next?"
Placing a hand over the Hashirama face on his chest, Madara pondered deeply.
"I need the power of Sage Mode. With Hashirama gone, I'll have to obtain a free Sage Mode myself, which will require some effort."
"Well, there's no other choice. I'll visit the three great Sage Regions in order. Long ago, I gathered intelligence about their locations. Hashirama seemed to have gone to the Shikkotsu Forest first, so I'll start there as well."
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