Might Guy unleashed a storm of punches.
The shockwaves from his fists transformed into countless blazing birds that screamed across the battlefield toward Kai.
Yet Kai merely raised a single finger.
The fiery birds vanished before they could even reach him.
Guy's attack accomplished absolutely nothing.
"Your taijutsu is impressive."
Kai nodded slightly.
"But still far too weak."
With a casual backhand strike—
Guy was sent flying.
Boom!
He crashed into a distant cliff face, disappearing into a cloud of debris.
His condition was unknown.
"Guy-sensei!"
Rock Lee tried to rush forward, but Neji grabbed him.
"Don't go!"
His Byakugan trembled.
"That man... is too strong."
Through the Byakugan, Neji could see the ocean-like chakra within Kai.
The quantity was so vast that it had already surpassed the limits of humanity.
"You should all step back."
Kai seemed to have lost interest in such minor opponents.
"My target isn't any of you."
His gaze shifted toward Naruto.
A strange light flickered in his eyes.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki... Naruto."
"I find you rather interesting."
Naruto immediately felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon him.
Inside him, Kurama began to stir violently.
"Kid! This guy is dangerous!"
The Nine-Tails' voice echoed in Naruto's mind.
"The feeling he gives me... is similar to the Sage of Six Paths himself!"
"The Sage of Six Paths?"
Naruto was shocked.
"That's right!"
For perhaps the first time in years, Kurama's voice carried genuine fear.
"The power this man possesses resembles the power of the old man who created us Tailed Beasts!"
Naruto finally understood why every Jinchūriki had been captured so easily.
Against someone like this—
The power of a Tailed Beast was insignificant.
"But I won't give up!"
Naruto gritted his teeth.
"Even if my opponent is a god, I'll still protect everyone!"
"Sage Mode!"
Natural energy surged into his body.
His strength instantly rose to an entirely new level.
"Oh?"
Kai's eyes showed a hint of approval.
"The power of the sages."
"It seems the toads of Mount Myōboku haven't completely forgotten the ancient teachings."
Naruto didn't waste time replying.
He charged.
"Sage Art: Rasenshuriken!"
The gigantic spinning shuriken screamed through the air.
Its power was sufficient to split mountains.
Kai casually extended a hand.
And caught it.
The Rasenshuriken rapidly unraveled in his palm before dissolving completely.
Like a bubble bursting.
"Is this your full strength?"
Kai shook his head.
"What a disappointment."
Just as he was about to retaliate—
He suddenly stopped.
"A rather interesting guest has arrived."
Space distorted.
A masked figure emerged from a spiraling vortex.
An orange mask.
A black cloak.
The man who called himself Madara Uchiha.
"Yo, Uchiha Kai."
The masked man greeted casually.
"Looks like you're having fun."
Kai slowly turned toward him.
A mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"Uchiha Obito."
"Or should I say... Madara Uchiha?"
"Which name do you think suits you better?"
The masked man visibly froze.
"You know who I really am?"
"Of course."
Kai's tone remained calm.
"A pitiful fool driven insane by Rin's death."
"A man attempting to create a false peace through the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
The words struck like knives.
Directly into Obito's deepest wound.
"Shut up!"
Obito roared.
"You know nothing!"
His chakra erupted violently.
"Rin...!"
"Everything I've done was to create a world where Rin exists!"
His voice trembled with pain and madness.
"In that world, there will be no wars."
"No death."
"Everyone will be happy!"
After hearing him, Kai suddenly laughed.
The sound was filled with ridicule and pity.
"A world with Rin?"
Kai shook his head.
"What comfort can a dead person's illusion possibly bring you?"
"She isn't an illusion!"
Obito screamed.
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi will create a real world!"
"A world where Rin is alive!"
"A world where we're together again!"
"A real world?"
Kai's eyes filled with contempt.
"Obito."
"Do you truly believe Black Zetsu never deceived you?"
The moment Black Zetsu's name was spoken—
Obito's face changed completely.
"What did you say?"
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"The Eye of the Moon Plan."
Kai spoke calmly.
"None of it exists to create some ideal world."
"The true purpose is the resurrection of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"That's impossible!"
Obito staggered backward.
"You're lying!"
"Lying?"
Kai scoffed.
"Do you think I need to lie to a dying man?"
He pointed directly at Obito.
"Allow me to tell you the truth."
"Black Zetsu was never Madara's will."
"It is Kaguya's third son."
"For a thousand years, it has manipulated the Uchiha Clan for this very moment."
Obito's entire body trembled.
The revelation was too much.
"And you?"
Kai continued.
"You were merely a chess piece."
"The moment the Infinite Tsukuyomi activates, everyone will be consumed by the God Tree."
"Even the illusion of Rin you treasure so dearly."
"No..."
Obito collapsed to his knees.
"No..."
"All the things I've done..."
"Were meaningless."
Kai walked toward him.
"You thought you were pursuing an ideal."
"But in reality, you were simply building someone else's dream."
The surrounding shinobi stood frozen.
The truth behind Akatsuki's plan had completely shocked them.
"Wait!"
Naruto suddenly shouted.
"If you knew all this, why didn't you stop them?"
Kai turned toward him.
For the first time, there was a trace of approval in his gaze.
"Stop them?"
"Why would I?"
Kai smiled.
"Wouldn't it be better to let Kaguya revive?"
"And then let me deal with her?"
"What?!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
This man actually intended to let Kaguya return?
"Have you gone insane?"
Kakashi blurted out.
"Kaguya is a legendary god!"
"A legendary god?"
Kai shook his head.
"She's merely a parasitic invader."
"Her power is nothing special."
He said it so casually it sounded absurd.
"And besides..."
Kai continued.
"I have use for her power."
"The Chakra Fruit."
"The Byakugan."
"The Rinnegan."
"All useful things."
Upon hearing this—
Obito suddenly lifted his head.
Madness burned in his eyes once more.
"In that case..."
"Let me show you the power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi!"
He sprang to his feet.
His hands flashed through seals.
"Kamui!"
Space twisted violently.
A massive vortex formed beneath Kai's feet.
Attempting to drag him into Kamui's dimension.
Yet Kai simply stood there.
Allowing the vortex to pull at him.
"A space-time ninjutsu?"
Kai nodded.
"A useful ability."
Then—
He vanished.
"What?!"
Obito froze.
The next moment, Kai appeared directly behind him.
"However..."
"In the face of absolute power, even the most sophisticated techniques are meaningless."
A hand landed on the back of Obito's head.
"You!"
Obito tried to resist.
But his body would not move.
Not even a finger.
"Let me see your memories."
Kai activated the Human Path.
Obito's memories flowed into his mind.
Several seconds later, Kai released him.
"I see."
"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was with Nagato."
He paused thoughtfully.
"Although by now... it should already be inside my base."
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