"White Zetsu… do you want to die, or do you want to live?"
Kitazawa turned to White Zetsu and asked calmly.
"Live!"
White Zetsu answered without hesitation.
On the surface, it was a creature created by Uchiha Madara using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's power and Hashirama's cells.
But in truth, it was the product of humans from ancient times who had been caught in Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Simply put, it came from the God Tree.
It wasn't loyal to Black Zetsu or Uchiha Madara, and it had no intention of dying alongside them.
But now that Black Zetsu had been captured and Madara could no longer be revived, it had no second choice except to submit to Kitazawa.
"You have decent value. As long as you follow my orders, I won't kill you."
Kitazawa smiled as he made that promise.
White Zetsu's greatest use was gathering intelligence.
Its concealment ability was simply too strong—across the entire shinobi world, there probably weren't more than three people who could sense its presence.
Kitazawa planned to bring it into the Anbu.
That way, Konoha would be able to grasp intelligence across the whole shinobi world.
Of course, White Zetsu's usefulness went far beyond that.
For example, using it as a sacrifice would allow Edo Tensei summons to be much closer to their living strength.
And certain special White Zetsu could even possess a shinobi to boost their power.
In the original story, the most typical example was Yamato.
After being possessed by White Zetsu, Yamato's Wood Release surged—while it couldn't match Hashirama Senju, it was still top-tier in the shinobi world.
White Zetsu also had healing abilities.
Even Uchiha Obito—who had been left with only half his body—could be saved.
Even if White Zetsu refused to submit, Kitazawa could still control it with the Rinnegan.
After all, it really was that useful.
"This is a Flying Thunder God mark."
Kitazawa stepped forward, patted White Zetsu on the shoulder, and said, "No matter where you are, I can find you."
"I understand!"
White Zetsu said with full awareness of its situation.
"Nagato, I'll send you to Konoha first."
Kitazawa paused, then added, "I'm going to go meet that 'Uchiha Madara.'"
"Who is he?"
Nagato asked curiously.
"A chess piece chosen by Uchiha Madara."
Kitazawa replied.
"So that's how it is."
Nagato nodded.
"This is for you."
Kitazawa took out a scroll and handed it to him.
"Edo Tensei?"
Nagato glanced at it and asked, confused, "Are you telling me to summon someone?"
"Summon Uchiha Madara."
Kitazawa explained. "There are truths you might not believe if they come from me—so let Madara tell you."
"No need. I already believe what you said."
Nagato shook his head.
"What I said earlier wasn't everything."
Kitazawa reminded him. "For example—the truth behind your parents' deaths."
"What did you say?"
Nagato suddenly lifted his head.
"To Uchiha Madara, you—blinded by hatred—were the easiest to control."
Kitazawa's expression didn't change.
Nagato fell into a deep silence.
"Once you've learned Edo Tensei, you can ask Madara yourself."
Kitazawa didn't waste time. After putting away Madara's body, he grabbed Nagato's shoulder and used Flying Thunder God.
At that moment, in front of the Forest of Death—
Both the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Thousand-Armed Kannon statue were gone.
But the scars they left hadn't disappeared. The ground was pitted and mangled everywhere.
The terrain had effectively gone from flat plains to rugged hills.
For now, no one had the time to care about the changed landscape.
Tsunade and the others were all waiting for Kitazawa.
Even though the outcome showed Nagato had lost, the Akatsuki might still have other preparations.
Just then, Kitazawa and Nagato appeared before them.
"Kitazawa!"
Tsunade hurried up, grabbed his wrist, and asked, "Are you okay?"
Kurenai Yūhi was a step slower and froze.
"I'm fine."
Kitazawa shook his head.
"Good."
Tsunade snapped back to herself and quickly let go, returning to a composed expression.
"You're Nagato?"
Jiraiya stared at the drastically changed Nagato, not daring to recognize him at first.
"Jiraiya-sensei… long time no see."
After a brief silence, Nagato spoke.
"You can talk first. I still have one thing to take care of."
Kitazawa was referring, naturally, to Uchiha Obito.
After catching up to Zetsu and Obito earlier and seeing them split up, he had gone straight after Zetsu.
Obito and Konan were still at the spot where Nagato's real body had been hidden.
If he delayed, Konan might be in danger.
Before anyone could ask more, Kitazawa vanished.
"What's going on?"
Obito stood there, an ominous feeling rising in his chest.
Kitazawa—who should've shown up quickly—still hadn't appeared.
Konan didn't respond, her expression as cold as ever as she looked into the distance.
"We leave now!"
Obito didn't hesitate. He made the call immediately. "Kitazawa knows Flying Thunder God—he might already be chasing Zetsu and Nagato."
The moment the words left his mouth, his body went rigid—he sensed a danger unlike anything before.
Obito instinctively looked down.
Two blades had pierced through his body.
One of them had even nailed his heart.
He turned his head and saw Kitazawa.
In an instant, he understood—there was a Flying Thunder God mark on him.
Without a doubt, it had been planted earlier, when Kitazawa grabbed his wrist during that surprise attack.
Obito opened his mouth, trying to speak, but blood poured out.
With a twist of his wrist, Kitazawa shattered his heart.
He casually put Lightning and Zangetsu away.
Obito's body swayed twice, then collapsed.
"This is what they call: you don't come at someone for free."
Kitazawa smiled faintly.
Obito had ambushed him once—he returned the favor. Even.
"Kitazawa!"
Only then did Konan react, instinctively stepping in front of him.
"I've already sent Nagato to Konoha."
Kitazawa reached out, pinched her cheek, and said.
"Thank you."
Konan finally let out a breath.
"Thank me for what? You're joining Konoha too."
Kitazawa smiled.
"…Mm."
Konan remembered what he had said earlier.
From now on she would enter the Anbu and protect him at close range.
Thinking of that made her body heat up.
Knowing Kitazawa, she'd definitely be "tormented" until she was half-dead.
But she wasn't afraid—if anything, she was looking forward to it.
"He's dead. Let's go."
Kitazawa glanced at Obito's body.
Konan didn't overthink it and nodded.
Kitazawa took her hand and used Flying Thunder God.
In the blink of an eye, they appeared behind a huge boulder in the distance.
Konan looked at Kitazawa instinctively, confusion on her face.
Weren't they going back to Konoha?
"Shh."
Kitazawa pressed his index finger gently to her soft lips. "Wait ten minutes."
Obito's Izanagi duration was exactly ten minutes.
In the original story, one of his Mangekyō Sharingan had been given to Kakashi Hatake.
Even after becoming "Madara," he never took it back—but he did install another three-tomoe Sharingan for himself.
The price of using Izanagi was blindness in a three-tomoe Sharingan.
In other words, Obito could use Izanagi at most once.
Ten minutes passed quickly.
Obito's corpse suddenly jerked.
The two gaping wounds in his body healed at an eerie speed, as if they had never existed.
His shattered heart began beating again.
Obito sat up sharply.
The instant he regained consciousness, he used Kamui.
The next second, two blades passed through his body—
but because he phased in time, they didn't harm him.
"You've gotten smarter."
Kitazawa chuckled lightly.
"Y-you… how did you know about Izanagi?!"
Obito asked in horror.
"Why wouldn't I know?"
Kitazawa said casually. "I'm the Sixth Hokage, aren't I?"
Obito's expression darkened.
There was anger, resentment—but more than anything, panic.
There was no doubt: Kitazawa had him locked down.
The worst part was Obito couldn't beat him, and he had no way to remove the Flying Thunder God mark.
Obito's face flickered between emotions.
Was the only option to run?
His phasing lasted five minutes—maybe that was enough to shake Kitazawa.
And because of White Zetsu and Hashirama cells, the cooldown on his phasing—Kamui—wasn't long.
As long as Kitazawa didn't attack nonstop, Obito could catch a breath and use Kamui again.
The only problem was: he didn't know how far Kitazawa could sense the Flying Thunder God mark.
If he couldn't escape that range, it was still a dead end.
So… it was a gamble.
Obito clenched his fist.
He never imagined he'd be driven into a corner like this.
Ever since awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, he'd come and gone freely, smooth as smoke.
The only setback he'd ever suffered was from Minato Namikaze.
But the pressure Kitazawa gave him now far exceeded Minato's.
"Decide how you're going to run yet?"
Kitazawa asked unhurriedly.
"I'll kill you someday!"
Obito roared, provoked by his tone.
In that instant, he made his choice:
Run.
He definitely couldn't beat Kitazawa—but Black Zetsu might be able to.
Black Zetsu was mysterious, calling itself Madara's will.
Most importantly, it went to see Nagato alone, likely to retrieve the Rinnegan.
If Obito could obtain the Rinnegan, his strength would surpass Nagato's—and then he'd have hope of defeating Kitazawa.
"Aren't you on a five-minute timer? Why do you still have time to talk trash?"
Kitazawa shot back.
"You—"
Obito, who was about to flee, suddenly froze in place.
Disbelief spread across his face. His whole body felt struck by lightning.
"You want to ask why I know your Kamui only lasts five minutes?"
Kitazawa smiled mysteriously. "Go ask the Sage of Six Paths in the afterlife."
"Bastard!"
Obito trembled with rage.
But after the anger came fear.
If Kitazawa knew the duration limit… could he still escape?
"Chat's over. Struggle for your life!"
Kitazawa said coldly.
Then he clapped his hands together.
Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!
Centered on him, his chakra surged outward and in an instant formed a vast forest.
With a thought, the forest moved.
Endless branches and vines whipped toward Obito like blades.
But they were all ignored by Kamui's intangibility.
Kitazawa remained calm.
Obito, meanwhile, felt no joy at all from evading the killing blows—
because he only had four minutes left.
He grit his teeth and ran.
Kitazawa watched him retreat.
But dense waves of branches and vines chased him like madness.
Even after Obito escaped the range of Nativity of a World of Trees, new trees burst up wherever he passed.
Kitazawa clapped his hands again.
Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!
A gigantic wooden dragon lifted him up and surged after Obito.
Obito was starting to break.
No matter how he accelerated, he couldn't shake the trees that were everywhere.
Death felt like it was sprinting right behind him.
The pressure crashed down on him like a mountain.
Second by second, time ticked away.
"AAAH!"
Unable to bear death closing in, Obito let out a hysterical scream.
"One minute left."
Kitazawa's voice rang out.
Obito turned his head instinctively.
What he saw was a massive wooden dragon—absurdly huge—with Kitazawa standing on its head.
Compared to the dragon, Kitazawa looked like an ant—
yet at this moment, he was like the Reaper himself, radiating a suffocating presence.
"No! There's no point running like this!"
Obito clenched his teeth and vanished.
When he attacked, he'd have to drop intangibility and become solid—meaning Kitazawa could hit him.
But today he had brought the Uchiha gunbai.
If he could block Kitazawa's counterattack with it, he might land a successful ambush.
"A pointless move."
Using Byakugan, Kitazawa saw Obito appear behind him.
Obito had learned from last time—he didn't rush in close. Instead, from some distance away, he used Wood Release: Cutting Technique.
Several gigantic trees erupted around Kitazawa, spiraling upward to crush and shred him.
Sage Art: White Rage Technique!
Kitazawa stood his ground as a red light-dragon appeared out of nowhere.
It dove into a glowing orb—then the orb exploded.
Blinding light and an invisible, crushing sound wave flooded outward.
"AAAH!"
Obito screamed.
All he felt was darkness in his vision—no sound at all—while unbearable pain tore through his entire body.
Obito never imagined he'd be instantly crushed.
The plan he'd pictured became a joke in the face of absolute power.
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
Sage Art: White Rage was hard even for Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke to withstand.
Back then, Sasuke had already awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Under White Rage, he couldn't even maintain Susanoo.
If Itachi hadn't used Izanami, it was hard to say whether the brothers could've beaten Kabuto Yakushi.
And Obito was even worse off.
Aside from Kamui, he was far inferior to Itachi or Sasuke.
In short: he was just too weak.
With a Body Flicker, Kitazawa appeared in front of Obito.
He reached without hesitation for Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan.
In an instant, blood sprayed.
Using chakra, Kitazawa extracted the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"My eye!"
Obito's voice became even more agonized.
Kitazawa casually stored the eye inside a summoning storage scroll.
As for what to do with it, he hadn't decided yet.
He was about to receive Kamui as a system reward anyway, so he didn't need the eye.
Give it to Kakashi Hatake?
With dual Kamui, Kakashi's strength would skyrocket.
But the problem was chakra—one Mangekyō already drained him to the brink. Two would kill him.
Still, there were ways around it.
For example: becoming a jinchūriki.
Kitazawa glanced at the still-screaming Obito.
He drew Zangetsu and swung once.
Obito's voice stopped abruptly.
The next second, his head rolled on the ground, blood gushing from his severed neck.
Kitazawa had no taste for torturing him.
Besides, that five-minute chase had already let Obito "enjoy" what real suffering felt like.
Kitazawa casually released Nativity of a World of Trees and the Wood Dragon.
After a brief thought, he stored Obito's body away.
That was to prevent anyone from reviving him.
Using Flying Thunder God, Kitazawa returned to Konan.
When Konan saw him, she immediately felt relief.
"He's dead. You don't need to worry anymore."
Kitazawa said with a smile.
"Mm."
Konan nodded.
And then came a dazed emptiness.
In less than two days, her fate had been flipped upside down.
From an Akatsuki member… to a shinobi of Konoha.
Not just her—Nagato and the Akatsuki as well. The change had been so drastic and so fast she couldn't even process it.
"What are you thinking about?"
Kitazawa reached out and stroked her cheek.
"I'm not used to it."
Konan admitted honestly.
"Not being used to it is normal."
Kitazawa guessed what she meant and smiled. "Give it some time, and you will be."
Konan held onto his hand, feeling steadier.
At least Kitazawa was someone she could rely on.
"We're going back to Konoha."
After he said that, Kitazawa used Flying Thunder God again.
The two of them appeared in front of Tsunade and the others.
"Nagato just told us about the Akatsuki's situation and the Eye of the Moon Plan."
Tsunade looked at Kitazawa and asked, "Did you catch that so-called Uchiha Madara?"
"I killed him."
Kitazawa paused. "I'll explain the details later."
Because Hatake Kakashi was here.
Kitazawa didn't intend to tell him the truth.
It would only add sorrow and mean nothing else.
Better to let Kakashi live with his beautiful image of Uchiha Obito.
For Kakashi, that was a good thing.
"Alright."
Tsunade nodded.
In the shinobi world, corpses can speak.
Whether that "Uchiha Madara" was dead or alive didn't really matter.
"Kitazawa."
Jiraiya stepped forward, worried. "What do you plan to do with Nagato and Konan?"
"What do you suggest?"
Kitazawa asked back.
"I think you should let them join Konoha and redeem themselves."
Jiraiya answered immediately.
He had three reasons.
First: Nagato and Konan were his students.
Even though he hadn't seen them in years, the shinobi world valued teacher-student bonds, and he still had feelings for them.
Second: even though the Akatsuki had become the shinobi world's public enemy, they hadn't actually caused Konoha any losses.
Unlike in the original story, where the Akatsuki killed Jiraiya and later destroyed Konoha.
Third: based on what Nagato had just described—Akatsuki's situation and the Eye of the Moon Plan—Jiraiya, as Konoha leadership, immediately sensed something off.
Nagato's parents' deaths, and Yahiko's death, both seemed like they had been orchestrated by that so-called Uchiha Madara.
His ultimate goal was to have Nagato gather the nine tailed beasts, initiate the Eye of the Moon Plan, and trap everyone in Infinite Tsukuyomi.
From that perspective, Nagato had been misled into becoming what he was.
"Let them join the Anbu first. The Anbu will monitor them."
Kitazawa paused, then asked, "Tsunade-sensei—what do you think?"
"You're the Hokage now. Decide for yourself."
Tsunade said indifferently.
As far as she was concerned, as long as Konoha was fine, that was all that mattered.
"Nagato."
Kitazawa looked at him. "The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path belongs to Konoha from today onward."
"It can… but—"
Nagato stopped halfway, eyes widening.
Because he felt his connection to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path vanish.
That meant a Rinnegan wielder even stronger than him had forcibly seized control.
Nagato instinctively looked at Kitazawa.
Right after Kitazawa said it, the connection was gone.
Did that mean… he had a Rinnegan?
Nagato felt a storm erupt in his heart.
That meant Kitazawa hadn't gone all-out in their battle.
"What is it, Nagato?"
Jiraiya asked, confused.
"N-no… nothing."
Nagato suppressed his shock, looked at Kitazawa, and said, "You beat me. The Demonic Statue belongs to you."
"Haru."
Kitazawa ordered, "Take them to Konoha Hospital first."
Nagato had endured two major battles in a row—his body was already beyond its limit.
But luckily, Kitazawa had seized the Demonic Statue in time.
Without that burden, Nagato's body could gradually recover—though it would take a long time.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Haru and three Anbu appeared and escorted Nagato and Konan toward the hospital.
"Today was hard on everyone. Now that the Akatsuki have been dealt with, you can all go back and rest."
Kitazawa said to Uchiha Fugaku and the other clan heads.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Fugaku and the others answered immediately.
"You all go back too."
Kitazawa patted Hinata Hyūga's head and said to Sasuke Uchiha and the others.
After they left, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Shizune, and Kurenai remained.
"This is that so-called Uchiha Madara."
Kitazawa brought out Obito and said, "He's also the mysterious masked man who caused the Nine-Tails incident back then."
"He looks… kind of familiar."
Tsunade froze slightly.
"Uchiha Obito?!"
Jiraiya recognized him instantly.
After all, he was his student's student—and Jiraiya had seen Obito more than once before.
"He's Uchiha Obito? How is that possible?"
Shizune blurted out in shock. "If he's Obito… doesn't that mean he personally killed his own teacher?"
"What utter ingratitude!"
Hiruzen couldn't help frowning.
~~~
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