Chapter 373: Time to Cooperate
While Hagoromo Gengetsu, Naruto, and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya were intensely grappling with the reality of this new world, two Six Paths Sages—both appearing as forms of chakra—had just concluded a deadly internal struggle, their presence so subtle it was almost undetectable.
"After killing him, there's still no change in the Dragon Vein?"
No one knows oneself better than oneself.
The Six Paths Sage from the alternate world, using his superior strength, had managed to grind down and kill the Six Paths Sage familiar to Hagoromo Gengetsu.
However, the expected outcome—that with the death of the original world's Six Paths Sage, everyone would return to their respective worlds—did not occur.
It seemed that after the Dragon Vein facilitated the passage between the two worlds, its operational rules had undergone unexpected changes.
"It looks like the only option now is to join forces with Hagoromo Gengetsu as previously planned."
The Six Paths Sage from the alternate world gazed into the distance.
To be precise, there was no direct conflict between him and Hagoromo Gengetsu, as they belonged to different worlds. Whatever chaos Hagoromo Gengetsu stirred in his own world was of no concern to him. And once they returned, they would go back to their respective worlds.
There was every reason for him and Hagoromo Gengetsu to ally, perhaps even bringing in his world's mother as well. With the three of them holding absolute power, they could stop fighting and instead focus on researching the Dragon Vein together to find a way back. This would undoubtedly be the best course of action.
To facilitate this cooperation, the version of himself with irreconcilable differences had to die. Not only would this act verify whether they could return via the Dragon Vein, but it would also serve as a pledge of good faith.
Since that test had seemingly failed, it was time to begin cooperation.
The Six Paths Sage activated his Rinnegan, taking in everything in this world before swiftly moving in a particular direction.
Having gathered sufficient understanding of this world, Hagoromo Gengetsu stepped out of the small town.
His gaze briefly fell on the nearby roots of the Divine Tree. Unlike Naruto, who was eager to assist this world, Hagoromo Gengetsu remained indifferent, retracted his gaze, and continued walking. As he did, clones began to separate from his body, dispersing across the planet.
These clones would carry out his will, scouring the entire planet for the Dragon Vein and any significant individuals related to the ongoing events.
Hagoromo Gengetsu hadn't forgotten that his system mission was currently stalled at Gaara.
If Uchiha Obito hadn't killed too many prominent figures, Hagoromo Gengetsu wouldn't mind lingering in this world a bit longer to complete his system's tasks all at once.
However, while Hagoromo Gengetsu was indifferent, the ruler of this world was not.
Hagoromo Gengetsu stopped in his tracks, sweeping his gaze around.
In the next instant, tens of thousands of White Zetsu soldiers emerged from all directions, encircling Hagoromo Gengetsu.
"How tedious," Hagoromo Gengetsu remarked indifferently as he observed the scene unfolding before him.
…
"Uchiha Obito! Your perspective is wrong! The real world is right here; people shouldn't immerse themselves in a false reality! You're only harming everyone by doing this…"
Uchiha Obito looked at the earnest Naruto standing before him.
Like the other Naruto, no matter how he explained things or even displayed the peaceful shinobi world he had painstakingly built, this Naruto stubbornly refused to accept it, insisting that Obito's approach was flawed.
Obito had hoped that this Naruto from another world might offer a different perspective, but in the end, he could only shake his head in disappointment.
"No matter how you people criticize it, the fact of peace is undeniable. I've achieved what the shinobi world has long yearned for over millennia. And you, Naruto, continue to stand in the way of this peace."
Obito was, of course, not about to be swayed by Naruto's persuasion. He waved his hand dismissively, losing interest in further conversation.
Naruto attempted to say something more, but Obito's Rinnegan and Sharingan flared with the light of the Tsukuyomi.
When the Infinite Tsukuyomi is cast, it covers the entire planet. These days, as people either entered or exited the illusion, Obito found it more convenient to use the Limited Tsukuyomi.
With practiced ease, Naruto couldn't even react before his eyes turned into the Rinnegan pattern. Strands from the Divine Tree's branches swiftly descended, fully wrapping him up. Soon, Naruto, like many others in this world, was cocooned and hung high above the ground.
"Once you've experienced the bliss of the illusion, then you can answer my question," Obito remarked with a trace of anticipation as he looked at the now-illusioned Naruto.
Naruto wasn't the only one.
Other stubborn individuals had also been placed into the illusion. Periodically, Obito would wake them up to see if they had changed their minds.
Many former allied shinobi had, after witnessing the world Obito had created, realized their errors and repented.
But there were still those who remained steadfast, such as Kakashi, Sasuke, and the Five Kage, among others.
Obito didn't mind wearing them down.
Every person who changed their mind brought him immense satisfaction, especially Naruto.
However, while Obito had gained yet another Naruto, there were still a few significant problems that had come along with him.
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, the Six Paths Sage, and another stranger."
"Is that stranger really more powerful than both Kaguya and the Six Paths Sage?"
Obito was genuinely surprised.
Utilizing the Divine Tree to monitor the entire planet, Obito could sense Hagoromo Gengetsu's immense power.
"Who is he?"
Obito was curious.
Why had he never heard of such a figure in his world?
Regardless, Obito had no intention of letting the world he had painstakingly crafted be destroyed by these outsiders.
He was well aware of Kaguya and the Six Paths Sage, but first, he would deal with the most significant unknown threat.
Obito immediately set out.
[Ding!]
[Main Quest: Return of the Kazekage—Finale (Completed)]
[The host successfully rescued the still-living Gaara from the Akatsuki, upgrading the reward!]
[Quest Reward: A trace of Ōtsutsuki bloodline.]
While Hagoromo Gengetsu was effortlessly clearing away the White Zetsu army, his clones quickly found Gaara, trapped in an illusion, hanging from one of the Divine Tree's branches.
This led to the system's recognition that Gaara had been successfully rescued, with the reward slightly upgraded.
"The bloodline has increased from faint to trace, huh?"
Hagoromo Gengetsu could sense the subtle changes within his body.
The main quest for the Return of the Kazekage had three steps. After defeating Sasori, rescuing Gaara was only a matter of time.
If he had followed the original storyline, finding Gaara's corpse would only yield a basic reward.
However, successfully saving him and altering history led to an enhanced reward.
This had never happened before.
It seemed that the system had updated since Shippuden began.
"However, system, have you still not realized that we've already crossed into a third world?"
Hagoromo Gengetsu thought with a sense of irony.