Chapter 455: Loyalty!!!
Blinding light radiated from the blood-red full moon, transforming the dark night into a bright day in an instant. Everywhere, the world was bathed in light.
Under its glow, all fell silent. Be it ninjas gripping their weapons, quarrelsome individuals, those peacefully asleep in their beds, or overworked laborers at their desks—everyone succumbed to serene slumber.
Every human, every animal in the world, was drawn into the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Obito surveyed the battlefield, where weapons had been cast aside. The silence blanketed all, from the undead Edo Tensei warriors to the golden Susano'o shielding Haneda and Kakashi.
Laughing triumphantly, Obito declared, "Look! I've succeeded!"
"Everyone equally enjoys the illusory dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi!"
"In that world, there's everything we ever wanted. It surpasses even what you, Haneda, have experienced!"
"See for yourself—those peacefully dreaming people. Their dreams are filled with sweetness and joy!"
"You can feel it, can't you, Haneda? You too, Kakashi?"
"I've done it!!!"
Obito reveled in his accomplishment, but seeing no reaction from Haneda, Kakashi, or even Minato, he chuckled to himself, confident that time would vindicate him.
"There's just one final step," he said. "Without sustenance, the human body will perish."
Clapping his hands, Obito summoned the power of the Divine Tree.
Enormous, towering trees erupted from the ground. From their branches, white tendrils unfurled, gently enveloping the slumbering ninjas.
Wrapped within the cocoons, the entranced individuals appeared as if cradled by a mother's embrace, swaying gently with the breeze.
"It's over—everything."
"I will guard this place until the end of time," Obito murmured, gazing at the suspended figures.
Turning back to Haneda and Kakashi, he extended his hand.
"Join me. Let's protect this new world together."
Obito's eyes reflected his two friends, filled with hope and sincerity. His heartfelt invitation carried his desire to share the fruits of his victory.
Deep down, this was the personal longing behind his release of the Infinite Tsukuyomi—a wish to create eternal dreams for his closest friends and bonds.
But suddenly, a black hand silently emerged from behind Obito, piercing through his chest.
The hand belonged to Black Zetsu. As he achieved his goal, he shouted to Madara, "Lord Madara, this is the opportunity I've created for you, even at the cost of my life!"
Loyalty!!!
Madara's heart surged with excitement.
At last, the long-awaited moment had arrived. Wasting no time, he dashed forward.
Golden light burst forth once more, this time descending from Haneda's hand. A massive golden sword slashed down, targeting Obito, who was momentarily controlled by Black Zetsu.
The sword extended across the battlefield, stretching from the borders of the Land of Rain, through the Land of Wind, and even reaching the sea.
Moments later, Madara appeared beside Obito. With Black Zetsu's help, he inserted his Rinnegan into his eye socket.
At the same time, he extracted the Six Paths' power from Obito's body.
The Six Paths Madara had returned!
Madara smirked at Haneda. "Still couldn't bring yourself to kill him, could you?"
As he spoke, his gaze flicked to Hashirama on the battlefield, then back to Haneda. His expression grew complex.
For once, Madara refrained from mocking Haneda's foolishness. In fact, he felt a faint trace of envy toward Obito.
That night, Hashirama had shown no mercy…
"You can relax," Madara said. "I won't take his life. He's a valuable pawn, even if he has developed his own will. After all, he's completed his task."
To demonstrate his sincerity, Madara sent Obito back to Haneda and Kakashi.
"I share the same dream as him," Madara said. "The dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi is something I instilled in him!"
As he spoke, he noticed Haneda healing Obito, choosing not to act. Instead, he turned his attention to Hashirama.
"This time, I've won, Hashirama…"
"No, you're wrong, Madara."
Just as Madara began to revel in his triumph, Black Zetsu struck from behind, ripping out his heart.
Madara turned his head, his gaze filled with disbelief as he looked at Black Zetsu. He couldn't comprehend how someone as loyal as Black Zetsu could betray him.
"I helped you control Obito because you were easier to manipulate than him. You're nothing more than a pawn yourself," Black Zetsu sneered.
Black, viscous material began to engulf Madara's body. As it reached his eyes, his will faltered.
He felt like a clown in someone else's story, just like Obito—living a life written by another.
Even the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the dream he had painstakingly pursued, was nothing but a lie.
At that moment, the once-invincible Madara succumbed to despair.
His final gaze swept across Obito, Black Zetsu, and finally rested on Hashirama.
Black Zetsu's mocking laughter echoed again.
"You couldn't even control Obito. What made you think your so-called incarnation of will could succeed?"
"Everything you've done has paved the way for me!"
"Now, rise! My mother!!!"
Madara's body began to swell, transforming into a silver-haired woman with two horns on her head and flawless white eyes.
She was Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Black Zetsu's mother!
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Inside the Kamui Dimension
In the endless void, Naruto and Sasuke sat on a relatively clean patch of ground, resting.
Suddenly, Sasuke opened his eyes, his senses alert. Noticing Sasuke's reaction, Naruto quickly became vigilant as well.
Before them, a girl with short brown hair and two purple markings on her face appeared out of thin air.
A faint breeze carried her down gently, setting her on the ground.
"Another one?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Huh? She's not injured, and she's breathing steadily. Is she just asleep?" Naruto ran to the girl, placing a finger under her nose to check her breathing. Only after feeling her steady breaths did he relax.
Sasuke approached calmly. "Naruto, this person is unusual. We might be able to get information about what's happening outside."
"Oh… uh, wait, Sasuke. How do you know she's special?" Naruto asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Sasuke shot him a disdainful glare. "Do you even know where we are?"
"Huh?"
"Idiot! Think about it! This space only contains us. Look at her—her clothes are only slightly dirty, no signs of battle. Doesn't that make you wonder if she's connected to Haneda or that man?"
"Oh! Yeah, but we still don't know her, Sasuke."
"You absolute moron! That's why I said we'll get intel from her. Use your brain!"
"…"
Embarrassed, Naruto awkwardly poked the girl's arm, but she didn't react. He poked again—still nothing.
Finally, Sasuke stepped in, lifting her eyelids. The moment he saw the outline of the Rinnegan, he recoiled, dragging Naruto with him.
"A Rinnegan?!"
As Sasuke moved closer to investigate, a misty white fog began emanating from the girl.
The mist coalesced into a form—a white-robed, elderly man seated atop black Truth-Seeking Orbs.
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. Naruto pointed at the figure and exclaimed, "You're the prophecy old man Haneda-uncle mentioned?!"
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