At the same time, countless powerful shinobi clashed across the battlefield.
Because of the nature of the Impure World Reincarnation, and because the Illusory Kingdom's top combat strength was clearly inferior to Uchiha Obito's side, the situation quickly began to tilt against them.
White Zetsu dying was nothing worth mourning over. But the shinobi brought back through the Impure World Reincarnation could not die at all.
For the Illusory Kingdom, however, every loss was unbearable.
Living shinobi were falling every minute.
That sight made Namikaze Minato increasingly anxious, but he was currently being surrounded by four jinchūriki and had no room to support anyone else.
As if that were not bad enough, two legendary shinobi also stepped onto the battlefield.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
"Hashirama," Madara said, his voice carrying a faint trace of nostalgia. "It has been a long time. Though I suppose this counts as a different kind of joint battle between us."
Hashirama's expression did not soften.
"Madara… we're already dead. Why are you still clinging to your obsession? Why are you hurting the very people we once wanted to protect?"
"Hmph. No matter how many years pass, I still hate that naive way of thinking." Madara's eyes turned cold. "If you had simply accepted my plan, the shinobi world would have already found true peace. Why do you still refuse to understand?"
There was resentment in Madara's voice.
He had told Hashirama many things.
His own faked death. The Uchiha Stone Tablet. And finally, the entirety of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
He revealed it not only because Hashirama, bound by the Impure World Reincarnation, could no longer truly threaten him, but also because after so many years of loneliness, Madara wanted someone to hear it.
Even after the plan was exposed, no one in the Akatsuki dared to object.
Uchiha Obito did not care.
The others simply lacked the strength to challenge him.
Even Nagato, who had wielded a Rinnegan that did not truly belong to him, had been enough to force them into submission. Now that Madara had returned in his prime, who would dare oppose him with their lives?
On the ground, Uchiha Obito finally recovered himself. He slowly stood up and looked toward Namikaze Kirito, who was watching him with a mocking smile from a short distance away.
"Namikaze Kirito… so what if you're strong?"
Obito pointed across the battlefield.
"Look around you."
All around them, the shinobi of the Illusory Kingdom were being killed and wounded. Their cries of pain filled the battlefield.
"You can stop me alone," Obito said coldly. "But the people you care about will be wiped out by us before long."
"Obito, Obito…" Kirito sighed lightly. "You've learned a little psychological warfare. But it seems you've forgotten something."
As he spoke, Namikaze Kirito pointed toward the golden Rinnegan in his eye socket.
"If they die, I can bring them back. Even the Shinigami cannot take anyone away without my permission."
Those words made Obito pause.
He was already used to Namikaze Kirito resurrecting people.
The Fourth Hokage and his wife.
The shinobi and civilians of Kumogakure.
And of course…
The girl he loved most.
Nohara Rin.
Speaking of psychological warfare, Namikaze Kirito suddenly smiled.
In the distance, Uchiha Madara was still speaking with Senju Hashirama. It probably would not be long before that man began the final phase of his plan.
Which meant this was the last chance to torment Obito.
With that thought, Namikaze Kirito slowly landed near Uchiha Obito.
Obito immediately raised his Six Paths staff, staring at him warily.
"Yomotsu Hirasaka."
A dark portal opened beside them.
From within it, a girl with a gentle, youthful smile stepped out.
The moment Obito saw her, his pupils shrank.
Rin.
The Rin he had longed for all these years.
"Namikaze Kirito…" Obito's voice trembled with anger. "What are you trying to do by bringing Rin here?"
Kirito answered gently, "Didn't you always want me to return Rin to you? She's here now."
Nohara Rin looked around.
Her kind nature made her unused to such a brutal battlefield. But when her eyes landed on Namikaze Kirito, they instantly lit up.
Without hesitation, she ran straight into his arms.
"My lord! You're here!"
Rin's face was filled with joy. Anyone could see the affection shining in her eyes.
Obito froze.
Then his expression twisted.
This was the girl he had loved.
The girl he had built everything around.
The reason he had become what he was now.
And yet, in the end, he had never once truly been reflected in her eyes.
Even then, Obito did not attack.
He only stared at Nohara Rin in silence.
Just like the boy he used to be.
"Rin," Kirito said softly, "I called you here to see him. After all, he may die soon."
Hearing that, Rin turned her gaze toward Uchiha Obito.
At first, there was confusion.
Then the warmth on her face disappeared, replaced by coldness.
"Obito…"
Her voice was calm, but there was no affection in it.
"Didn't I already tell you before? I will never forgive anyone who turns against my king."
"Rin…"
Even though Uchiha Obito had become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, in front of Nohara Rin, he still looked like a helpless child.
His heart clenched violently.
That pain spread through his bones, leaving him weak for a moment.
Namikaze Kirito looked at Obito's miserable expression with satisfaction.
This was the pain he had once endured.
Now, at last, Obito was feeling it too.
"…Rin, don't speak to him so harshly," Kirito said with a faint smile. "Even if he opposed me, he has loved you all this time. In fact, he became what he is now because of you."
Obito's eyes narrowed in confusion.
What is he trying to say?
But soon, he understood Kirito's intention.
When Nohara Rin heard those words, there was not the slightest trace of guilt or happiness on her face.
Only coldness.
"Obito, I'm sorry."
Rin's voice was steady.
"But we were never meant to be. I never loved you."
Her expression softened only when she turned toward Kirito.
"My lord is my life. I belong to him now."
As she said that, Rin's cheeks flushed faintly with shyness.
Obito had seen far too much darkness in the shinobi world to misunderstand the meaning behind those words.
His eyes went blank.
His body trembled.
"Belong… to him?"
His voice cracked.
"Namikaze… Kirito…"
One could imagine how deeply those words stabbed into him.
"Namikaze Kirito!"
Obito finally snapped.
"You bastard!"
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
The Sword of Nunoboko in his hand thrust forward, stabbing straight toward Namikaze Kirito.
But Kirito did not move.
He did not dodge.
He did not defend.
He simply stood there, allowing Obito's attack to come.
Puchi.
Blood splashed into the air.
But Obito's face did not show joy.
Instead, disbelief filled his eyes.
Because the one pierced by his attack…
Was Rin.
Nohara Rin had seen that Namikaze Kirito was about to be hurt.
How could she possibly stand by and watch?
Her body had moved before she could think.
And now, once again, Rin stood between Obito and the person he wanted to strike.
PS: I have some bad news...
Kidding!
I've started a brand-new novel:
Naruto: Minato Died, So I Took His Wife
Ahem...
The title alone should tell my fellow men of culture exactly what to expect. Yes, you guessed it—there will be R-18 content from the earlier chapters.
But don't worry, it won't be mindless smut. The plot is refreshing, the story has actual direction, and there's plenty more to enjoy beyond the mature content.
So, check it out if you're looking for a breath of fresh air from the usual Naruto fanfics!
Tagged below 👇