Jigen glanced at Obito and muttered:
"Even with that special space-time pupil technique, he still failed?"
"I almost died."
"It seems your enemy is indeed not simple."
The method of controlling Jigen had been lurking and accumulating for thousands of years.
Back then, the Otsutsuki brothers Hagoromo and Hamura fought against Kaguya and sealed their mother together, which led Kaguya to leave behind Black Zetsu.
Isshiki saw everything clearly.
Since he couldn't predict Black Zetsu's goals, he wasn't confident he could defeat Kaguya, who had eaten the God Tree's fruit. Additionally, Jigen's vessel quality wasn't good enough.
This cautious attitude was what allowed him to survive until now.
However, not long after realizing Black Zetsu had died, Isshiki dared to appear and coincidentally met Obito.
After some "communication," Isshiki indeed took a liking to Obito as a high-quality "vessel."
Thus, both sides hit it off and quickly reached a cooperation.
Isshiki also carved a Kama on Obito's body, which had the effect of "possessing someone else's body and reviving."
Of course, Obito himself didn't know this. He only knew that the thing resembling a cursed seal could grant him immense power and absorb all ninjutsu.
This was the power he needed!
Of course, Obito wasn't foolish.
He knew the other party was using him, and this "black cursed seal" might be something suspicious.
But wasn't he using them as well?
It was simply a matter of mutual need.
Just like the power given to him, it was all external power from nature and had its flaws.
So, in Obito's eyes, none of this mattered.
As long as he could eventually gather all the Tailed Beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and become its Jinchūriki, he could reach the Six Paths level!
Then he could realize all his long-cherished desires and kill those who sought to use him!
Without the help of this seal, it would have been difficult for Obito to defeat the Konoha Sannin.
If not for the regeneration and healing from the seal earlier, Obito would have surely died, or he would have had to sacrifice another Mangekyo to activate Izanagi.
But Obito didn't expect that at this moment, this "strange monk" would actually come to save him?
The dense black mark could even create a spatial portal—it was truly unbelievable!
"Are you here to save me?"
"As a partner, I will do my best to assist you."
Although Isshiki's words sounded lofty, he naturally wouldn't reveal the truth that he was using Obito as a vessel for his reincarnation.
Moreover, he had finally found a suitable vessel that could withstand the Kama, so how could he give up so easily?
The moment he realized Obito was in grave danger, he used the power of the Kama to synthesize a large amount of cell tissue, repairing Obito's wounds and saving his life.
However, this method slightly melted the newly carved Kama, which would need to be re-engraved.
Fortunately, he was still alive and could fix the issue.
Otherwise, if Obito had died and he recklessly called upon the Kama's power to heal the vessel, it would have been tantamount to suicide!
Now, Isshiki's goal was to take Obito away and find another place to carve the Kama.
"What are you planning?"
"Of course, I'm taking you away from here."
"Away? Then you'll have to ask Minato-sensei if he agrees!"
A string of failures had made Obito no longer paranoid and insane, and he was more inclined to enjoy the show.
He also wanted to see if this mysterious monk could stand up to the powerful Minato!
Forget it, he had already given up.
No matter who won between the two, Obito would be very happy.
❂❂❂❂❂
Isshiki finally turned and looked at Minato in the distance.
When the spatial portal appeared, Minato cautiously teleported far away to avoid an attack from this unknown power.
"The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato? This is our first meeting, right?"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jigen. I'm just a wandering monk. Of course, I'm not as famous as the Hokage."
"Oh! My presumptuous visit must have disrupted your plans, right? I apologize for that!"
Isshiki was extremely polite, or perhaps those who consider themselves superior pay more attention to their demeanor and image.
This was what it meant to be hypocritically condescending.
Of course, in Isshiki's eyes.
Minato, who possessed the Kyuubi, was only slightly above the level of a wild beast and deserved a bit of courtesy.
After all, the Kyuubi was essentially a derivative of the God Tree and also a manifestation of part of this planet's power.
As for the other ninjas?
He couldn't be bothered to look at those ants, no different from insects.
"A wandering monk?"
"Such evil and immense chakra. What are you planning?"
Minato appeared more imposing than before, his entire body tense, ready to fight at any moment.
His intuition told him that this newly appeared enemy was extremely dangerous!
Moreover, the Kyuubi within him was also constantly issuing warnings, telling him that this person was terrifying.
He vaguely felt pressure at the level of the Six Paths Sage from his opponent!
"Nothing much. I just want to take my partner away. I hope the Hokage can give me some face."
"In return, I won't attack any of you. How about that?"
Isshiki asked calmly and politely. His attitude was so good that even Minato felt slightly uncomfortable with him.
However, in reality, he didn't want to take action; he just wanted to take Obito away.
The Kyuubi Jinchūriki did have power. Once he started, he would have to exert considerable effort to win.
But Jigen's body wasn't in good condition, making it difficult for him to withstand Isshiki's full power.
The more he used it, the faster this vessel would collapse.
If unnecessary, he truly didn't want to resort to violence!
Hearing this, Minato also frowned, but the other's request seemed reasonable.
However, he absolutely couldn't accept the request to take Obito away.
Forget what would happen if Obito fell into this person's hands; allowing someone this powerful, with unknown background and goals, to do as he pleased was extremely dangerous for the entire ninja world!
"No, I refuse! You can't take Obito with you!"
"Would you like to reconsider? My offer is very friendly."
"If you refuse, the consequences could be very serious!"
Isshiki reiterated calmly, his eyes and tone becoming slightly sharper.
"Everything else is negotiable. Except for Obito, I won't let you take him away!"
Minato was resolute and mentally prepared for another major battle.
"What a pity! Then, all of you can go to hell!"
Isshiki was decisive and took action immediately after the negotiation failed.
After tearing off his hypocritical mask, all that remained was cold-bloodedness, cruelty, and terrifying power!
*WHOOSH!*
Jigen's eye technique, the Kokugan, was activated!
The previously shrunk black rods scattered around suddenly returned to their original state, rapidly expanding.
It was as if the floating dust around his body suddenly turned into sharp swords and pierced through flesh. Without the Mangekyo Sharingan, it was impossible to see the shrunk black rods.
A large number of black rods pierced Orochimaru and the others without any warning.
The rods pierced through Orochimaru and Jiraiya's heads and bodies on the spot, instantly killing them both!
The other Jinchūriki were also pierced by black rods and pinned to the ground, though they weren't killed. After all, one Jinchūriki had to be saved.
What about Minato?
He had the fastest reaction. It was no joke that he had the best reflexes in the entire ninja world.
As the black rods expanded, he activated the Flying Thunder God and teleported away; the sharp black rods only grazed the Kyuubi's chakra fur and didn't harm Minato.
But Jigen's impossible-to-defend attack was truly terrifying!
He could instantly kill anyone below the Six Paths level, and Minato had to rely on his reflexes and the Flying Thunder God to evade it.