Chapter 198: Uchiha Madara
"I'll do as you say. But for now… I want you to release me."
Franklin didn't waste words. As he lifted the spatial restraint, he pressed a hand to Obito's chest.
The mental suggestion dissolved—
and at the same time, he engraved a Flying Thunder God seal onto him.
Sensing it, Minato shot Franklin a surprised glance.
No one was more sensitive to the Flying Thunder God's aura than he was.
But how Franklin had learned this forbidden technique was a question he didn't get the chance to ponder.
Franklin lifted his mental suggestion as well—
—and instantly, the oppressive chakra of the three women beside him flooded the space.
Startled, Minato nearly activated the Flying Thunder God to retreat.
But another large-scale spatial barrier unfolded around them before he could move.
Feeling Franklin's gaze, Minato scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Sorry. Reflex. I didn't mean anything by it."
Just as he tried to glance at the three women,
Kushina grabbed his head with both hands and forcibly turned it forward.
"No looking. Even if you see them, pretend you didn't—got it?!"
Completely baffled, Minato hurriedly nodded until she finally released him.
He stole a glance—
only to immediately look away again upon seeing their strange outfits.
So much exposed skin made the upright Minato avert his gaze on instinct.
Then he noticed the wings,
the collars,
the chains.
A frigid, piercing gaze hit his back.
Minato snapped his eyes away and turned to Kushina.
"Y-yes, those collars look… unusual. The material feels special.
And the wings don't seem decorative."
Kushina rolled her eyes.
"At least you know when to behave. Next time you stare that long—"
Her red hair flared like living fire.
A cold sweat ran down Minato's face.
Franklin let out a silent sigh as he listened to them whispering.
He cared about the revealing armor the three girls wore—
but there was nothing he could do.
Using Mirage Genesis to reshape their armor had only made them fiercely resistant.
It was as though their suits were some special system that couldn't be altered.
He had no choice but to accept it.
At least the material blocked scans and x-ray vision—
if it looked revealing, then so be it.
Returning to the moment, Franklin glanced toward Obito
and found the boy's gaze wandering, nerves written all over his face.
Looking at the girls' outfits,
remembering Obito's age—
Franklin flicked his forehead so hard he flipped backward.
"Don't like your Rin anymore? What are you staring at?"
Obito's face flushed a deep red.
"I wasn't! I just… they don't look like humans."
Franklin simply smiled.
"Correct. They aren't human. Completely mechanical creations.
All right—let's get going.
Where is Uchiha Madara?"
Cornered, Obito got to his feet.
"It's far. Very far. It'll take a long time to reach on foot.
I always use Kamui to move there.
You… can follow me, right?"
Franklin spread his hands.
"You can't shake me. Don't try.
Go ahead—
I'll be right behind you."
He then turned to the three women beside him.
"You three go with these two and walk around Konoha.
There's a famous ramen place—Ichiraku Ramen.
Let them see their son.
He was just born, after all.
Tearing apart a family this early feels a bit heartless.
Once I'm done with Madara, I'll come back.
Shouldn't take long."
Then he looked at Minato and Kushina.
"I'm soft-hearted.
I won't need you to work much in the future.
Just keep your emotions under control.
If you cause trouble and I get annoyed…
you'll regret it."
Under the crushing pressure, Minato nodded earnestly.
Kushina, seeing the gaze on her, also nodded quickly.
Franklin engraved another Flying Thunder God mark onto Minato's arm,
then turned to leave—
"Master, I want to stay with you."
Ikaros's small gesture of tugging his sleeve softened Franklin's eyes.
"I'll be back very soon. It won't take long."
Nymph stepped forward and gently took Ikaros's hand.
"Master travels faster alone. If we all follow, it'll get messy."
But the reluctance in Ikaros's eyes made Franklin smile.
He took her hand.
"Then come with me."
He took Astraea's hand as well.
"Minato. Kushina.
Go to Konoha and look in on Naruto.
Do not interfere with anything.
If the future changes, the consequences will be catastrophic."
Without further explanation,
Franklin held the girls' hands—
located a distant Flying Thunder God mark—
and the four of them vanished instantly.
Left alone on the empty field,
the two people who should have been dead exchanged stunned looks.
"They really just left?
Just like that?
They trust us this much?" Kushina whispered.
Minato could only shake his head blankly.
"I don't know.
But if he said so,
then let's act like ghosts and look in on Naruto.
He was just born—
it's worrying to leave him alone.
Maybe we can help a little… quietly."
The moment the teleportation ended,
Franklin's senses spread across the surroundings.
Confirming there was no danger,
he released the girls' hands and grabbed Obito, pushing him aside.
Not far away stood Uchiha Madara—
hair completely white,
his life clearly nearing its end.
Several tubes behind him continuously siphoned chakra from the Gedo Statue.
Franklin smiled and walked toward him.
"Who are you?"
The flat, lifeless tone made Franklin pause.
He didn't even dare to speak too loudly—
as if a raised volume might kill Madara on the spot.
"Hold on.
Let me think about the best way to approach you."
[Sub-task 1: Locate Obito and obtain Madara's location (Completed)]
[Sub-task 2: Erase all memories Madara has regarding you, then kill him.
The interval between life and death will trigger the awakening of Dimensional Soul Division Technique, stabilizing the Dragon Ball worldline.]
Reading Sub-task 2 made Franklin's scalp go numb.
Everything truly was linked together step by step.
He didn't hesitate anymore.
In an instant, he appeared before Madara,
pressed a hand onto the man's head,
cut off his consciousness,
and knocked him out.
Then he turned toward Nymph behind him.