Chapter 722: World's Disparity (5k)

When Obito and Naruto arrived in front of Six Paths Obito, they saw his body rapidly regenerating.

"He's still alive even after that."

Looking at Six Paths Obito, whose body had already half-recovered, Obito realized his cautiousness had been correct.

"Sage Art: Rasenshuriken!"

Naruto condensed a Sage Art sphere as fast as he could.

Shhhh!

Six Paths Obito gritted his teeth, pushed his power to its limit, and fired two Truth-Seeking Balls.

"Brother Naruto, leave the attack to you."

Using Sage Chakra to operate the Limitless, Obito blocked the Truth-Seeking Balls and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport them far away.

"Leave it to me, little brother Obito."

Naruto hurled the Rasenshuriken without hesitation.

BOOM!!

A dazzling white light flashed by, and Six Paths Obito's just-restored half nearly got severed.

But compared to the injuries Naruto inflicted, Six Paths Obito discovered a far more serious problem: the tailed beasts inside him had gone berserk.

Roar!

The power of the nine tailed beasts inside Six Paths Obito all rushed out through the wound Naruto had made.

Following Kurama's instructions, Naruto used tailed beast chakra to play "tug-of-war," pulling the tailed beasts out of Six Paths Obito's body.

Since Six Paths Obito was extremely weak at that moment, Naruto proceeded very smoothly and instantly pulled out most of the seven tailed beasts that had acknowledged him.

But just when Naruto thought he would rescue all seven tailed beasts in one go, the nearly extracted beasts were yanked back a little.

"Don't make me laugh! I, who have become the second Sage of Six Paths, will never be defeated by trash like you!"

Six Paths Obito gritted his teeth, desperately controlling the tailed beasts inside him, constantly pulling back the beast power that was being dragged out.

He had worked for over ten years for the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

During that time, he had killed many people and caused the deaths of many others.

To create chaos and fish in troubled waters, he released the Nine-Tails, causing the deaths of his teacher and teacher's wife, as well as numerous Leaf shinobi and residents.

To plunge Nagato deeper into darkness, he personally killed many Akatsuki members.

To seize the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails, he personally started a Fourth Great Ninja War.

The reason he had committed so many deeds without a sense of guilt was that he believed once he used the Infinite Tsukuyomi, all his past sins would turn into illusions and vanish.

So Six Paths Obito would never let the Infinite Tsukuyomi fail.

Only that way would his Rin Nohara truly revive.

Only that way would the world truly find peace and escape despair.

"You, the second Sage of Six Paths? Then I'm the second Moon Immortal, Mu Yue!"

Obito teleported back to Naruto's side, heard Six Paths Obito curse again, and couldn't help retorting.

"Little brother Obito, give me a hand."

Naruto called Obito to help seize the tailed beasts.

Obito entered Naruto's Nine-Tails chakra, stirred up the chakra, and helped Naruto with the "tug-of-war."

Perhaps because the two were counterparts, when Obito's chakra mixed with Naruto's chakra and wrestled with Six Paths Obito's chakra, something strange happened.

In Naruto's mind, who had originally only been able to hear some of Six Paths Obito's thoughts, two slide shows appeared—one was of Obito, and the other was also of Obito.

At first, the two Obits were no different; both were orphans, dependent on their grandmothers, had average grades at the Ninja Academy, and were called "the dead last of the Uchiha clan."

The overlap between the two was so high that Naruto suspected his eyes were seeing double, mistaking one slide show for two.

However, as the images in the slide shows kept changing, a difference eventually emerged.

Muyue appeared, as a substitute teacher in the memory of one of the Obitos.

Naruto wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that as soon as Muyue appeared, the slideshow images suddenly became bright and vivid.

After that, the differences between the two Obitos grew larger.

The Obito with Muyue, under Muyue's guidance, worked hard to shed his identity as the dead last and became a renowned genius at the Ninja Academy.

The Obito without Muyue had a fourth-grade life much like his third-grade one, graduating ordinarily to become a ninja.

When the Obito with Muyue became a Jonin, the Obito without Muyue hadn't even become a Chunin yet.

Up to this point, Naruto actually felt it was still okay.

Even though their strength and status differed, both Obitos were kind-hearted, and both dreamed of becoming Hokage to save the world.

The real divergence point was in that pitch-black rainy night, when "Obito" witnessed Kakashi killing Rin Nohara. After that, the two Obitos became vastly different.

"So that's how it is."

Watching Rin Nohara die horribly under Kakashi's Raikiri in the scene, Obito couldn't help but clench his fists.

This time it was no longer an illusion constructed by Six Paths Obito, but genuine memories, and Obito saw them very clearly.

Rin Nohara, with the Tailed Beast sealed inside her, deliberately ran into Kakashi's Raikiri that was aimed at the Hidden Mist, and ultimately died.

Obito finally understood why Kakashi in Naruto Uzumaki's world looked like a slacker old man.

The deadly war had devastated too many people.

"No wonder Rin over there was safe and sound."

Six Paths Obito looked at the memories in his mind, his expression extremely complicated.

Under Muyue's tutelage, the twelve-year-old Kakashi and others had the strength to easily defeat Jonin.

A few Jonin from Iwagakure or Kirigakure were no danger to them at all; they were just walking merits.

"Moreover, by that time their war had already ended..."

When Six Paths Obito had to carry out the dangerous Kannabi Bridge mission with his teammates, in the other world, under Muyue's influence, the war had already ended.

"Hahaha."

A strange smile appeared on Six Paths Obito's face.

Why was it called strange? Because although he was smiling, his expression was extremely ugly, and tears were continuously welling up in his eyes.

He felt so unwilling.

He was no worse than Obito—Obito could fight desperately to protect his comrades, and he could do the same.

Obito could work hard to complete training, and he could too.

He was clearly the same as Obito, so why did Obito have Teacher Muyue while he did not.

Inside the pure white space, four figures appeared.

"Come over to our side. You can still choose to become someone like Obito, my younger brother."

Naruto extended his hand toward Six Paths Obito.

After watching Six Paths Obito's memories, much of Naruto's hatred toward Obito dissipated.

Six Paths Obito could have been as kind as his younger Obito, but he was blinded by hatred and ultimately took the wrong path.

"Naruto, you're still too naive."

Six Paths Obito covered his face with a cold laugh.

Having come this far, it was impossible to go back to how things were before.

Let alone whether others could accept it, he himself could not accept it.

Six Paths Obito stared intently at Obito and walked up to him.

"Although your experience was tragic, that's no reason for you to..."

Obito met Six Paths Obito's gaze without fear, speaking the insights he gained from watching Six Paths Obito's memories.

He sympathized with Six Paths Obito's past, but firmly opposed everything Six Paths Obito had done afterward, believing those sins were so great that only death could atone for them.

Slap!

Six Paths Obito, without any warning, slapped Obito across the face.

"You!"

Obito stared blankly at Six Paths Obito, confused—he hadn't even finished speaking, so why hit him, and on the face?

"Consider this repayment for your punch. Remember, you didn't beat me—you had Teacher Muyue helping you, and that's all."

With that, Six Paths Obito released his control over the Tailed Beasts and vanished from the mindscape.

When he saw Muyue establish the Shinobi Alliance, bringing peace to the ninja world while driving its rapid development, Six Paths Obito understood one thing clearly: he had been wrong.

Peace did not exist only in illusions; it could be achieved in reality. He had chosen the wrong direction.

The New Ninja Sect created by Muyue was the most correct and true path.

So in Muyue's world, Nohara Rin lived well, "he" became a prodigy with a great chance of becoming Hokage, Kakashi was still the brilliant genius of Konoha, and even the rogue ninja of the Akatsuki had good endings.

"A flower in a greenhouse? He's a bastard living in a fantasy world."

Six Paths Obito even felt that Obito's life was better than his own Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Because before seeing Obito's memories, he couldn't have imagined such wonderful things.

The loser he once was met a kind, mysterious, strong teacher, and through the teacher's training rose to become a genius.

After growing up, he had subordinates who adored him and went to great lengths to help him win over Nohara Rin.

What kind of protagonist treatment was this for a ninja? Could it really exist in reality?

Boom!

Six Paths Obito's thoughts suddenly stalled. Since he had released his control, Naruto easily pulled the Tailed Beasts out.

Having lost the Tailed Beasts, the white feathers covering Six Paths Obito's body scattered, and he fell to the ground.

The fusion between Obito and Kakashi ended, and they reverted to two separate people.

"Hasumi Muyue…"

Lying on the ground, Six Paths Obito looked at the blood-red moon in the sky and silently recited the name he had seen in Obito's memories.

"He won—I was right to trust him."

Tobirama Senju smiled when he saw Six Paths Obito defeated.

Even after all these years, his judgment was still as sharp as ever.

"Still not dead?"

Sasuke noticed that Six Paths Obito, having lost the Tailed Beasts, hadn't died yet. Gripping his sword, he rushed forward.

"Obito, you lost."

Adult Kakashi also flashed forward, charging at Six Paths Obito.

"Teacher Guy, I will always remember you and keep striving with you as my goal!"

Rock Lee stood in front of Might Guy, whose body was charred black, and made a tearful vow while clenching his fist.

Adult Might Guy patted Rock Lee on the shoulder, but before he could say anything, Guy's body suddenly changed.

A white light enveloped Might Guy, and in the next instant, his charred body healed.

"My youth will not fade so easily!"

Might Guy stood up and gave Rock Lee a thumbs-up.

"Eh?!"

Rock Lee and Adult Might Guy were both incredibly shocked.

With the most oppressive enemy on the battlefield, Six Paths Obito, defeated, the vast majority of ninjas felt a wave of relief.

Some began checking their own condition and that of their teammates.

"Lady Hinata, are you all right?"

Neji asked with concern.

"Yes, thanks to Naruto's chakra protecting me. How about you, brother?"

Hinata nodded and asked.

"I'm low on stamina and chakra, but otherwise fine."

Neji replied.

"That guy isn't dead yet?"

Someone shouted loudly, reminding Naruto and the others to finish him off and not give Six Paths Obito a chance to catch his breath.

Adult Kakashi urged Sasuke back, indicating his desire to personally end his former friend, but was stopped by Obito.

"Older Kakashi, let me do it. Let me personally end my own sinful life."

Obito grabbed Adult Kakashi's hand and said in a deep voice.

Adult Kakashi had already suffered enough; he didn't want him to kill his friend with his own hands again.

Minato Namikaze wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Six Paths Obito.

"What do you people take me for? You don't get to decide whether I live or die."

"Outer Path: Rinne Tensei!"

Six Paths Obito formed hand seals, preparing to use the last of his Six Paths power to revive the shinobi alliance who died in the war.

Didn't he know what he had done?

Having done so many evil deeds, he was no longer worthy of living in this world. Only the Rinne Tensei, which can revive the dead, could lessen his sins.

But it was only lessening, not completely erasing them.

Because over the past decade or so, he had done too many evil things and indirectly killed far too many people. Even the Rinne Tensei could not revive everyone who died because of him.

Moreover, the sins had already been committed; even if everyone were revived, it would be meaningless.

Minato Namikaze was revived, but that wouldn't erase Naruto's childhood suffering.

"What are you trying to do?"

Obito reached for Six Paths Obito, but was stopped by Naruto.

"That's the Rinne Tensei of the Rinnegan. Older Brother Obito, you must be planning to use your own life to revive the shinobi who died in the war."

Naruto, who had seen Nagato perform Rinne Tensei, immediately recognized that Six Paths Obito was about to use it.

Connecting this to Six Paths Obito's voluntary surrender of the Tailed Beasts, Naruto figured that Six Paths Obito wanted to atone like Nagato.

"Obito, it seems you've found yourself again."

Rin Nohara, who had walked over, sighed and said.

Her guess was indeed correct; Six Paths Obito hadn't completely forgotten his original intentions.

Regrettably, Six Paths Obito had awakened far too late.

Six Paths Obito did not reply, only closed his eyes and nodded, silently gathering chakra.

"That leaves only the Edo Tensei Madara Uchiha as an enemy."

Obito rubbed his chin and said.

While they were in the middle of battle, Madara Uchiha wasn't just sitting around watching; he was held up by Hashirama Senju and couldn't come over.

"Come on, Brother Obito, let's go seal that bastard."

Naruto called out.

After seeing Obito's memories, Naruto's hatred for Six Paths Obito transferred to Madara Uchiha.

Just as Six Paths Obito manipulated Nagato, the way Six Paths Obito turned out could not be separated from Madara Uchiha.

"No problem, but Big Brother Naruto, you need to give me some chakra first; I'm almost out."

Obito readily agreed.

This battle was the most enjoyable one Obito had ever fought. He didn't have to worry about chakra consumption at all — if he ran out, he just asked Naruto.

"That's easy."

Naruto patted Obito and Kakashi on the back, causing the Tailed Beast Chakra cloaks to reappear on them.

Led by Naruto, many powerful fighters began moving toward the battlefield where Uchiha Madara was.

Although Six Paths Obito, having lost the nine Tailed Beasts, was severely wounded and couldn't even move, given his previous power, Minato Namikaze and other ninja were left to guard him.

But just as Six Paths Obito was about to complete Rinne Rebirth, Black Zetsu invaded his body from underground, changing the target of resurrection to Uchiha Madara alone.

"Black Zetsu!"

Six Paths Obito's face turned extremely grim, but having just suffered severe injuries, he couldn't resist Black Zetsu's control.

"I can't let that bastard laugh at me!"

Six Paths Obito roared in his heart, using his will to expand the range of Rinne Rebirth, changing it from resurrecting only Uchiha Madara to resurrecting Madara and randomly reviving other ninja who had died on the battlefield.

He had intended to revive the Four Hokage from Impure World Reincarnation to oppose Madara, but he couldn't make such a modification — because if he could, he wouldn't have been forced to revive Madara in the first place.

Boom!

"Finally back on track."

The resurrected Uchiha Madara curled his lips.

Seeing this, Hashirama Senju tried to use Wood Release again to suppress Madara, but Madara pinned him with a jutsu, immobilizing him.

Just before, he had traded injuries with Madara, enduring being pierced by black rods to seal Madara with Wood Dragon and Myōjinmon.

As a result, Madara used his post-resurrection power to break free, while Hashirama's black rods were not removed in time.

Taking advantage of Hashirama's immobility, Madara absorbed his Sage Chakra, increasing his own power.

"What the hell? Why is Madara revived too?"

Watching Madara "rise from the dead" along with some other ninja on the battlefield, Obito frowned, unable to fully grasp the situation.

Logically, at this point, there was no way Six Paths Obito would side with Madara.

According to Six Paths Obito's memories, their relationship was mediocre at best.

Madara only treated Six Paths Obito as a tool, and Six Paths Obito had been scheming against Madara all along.

It was already good they weren't fighting each other — Six Paths Obito shouldn't have revived Madara.

"No doubt about it — something went wrong on 'your' side."

Kakashi said, gripping Enma tightly, seriously analyzing his own mistake.

Because Six Paths Obito had voluntarily given up, he too had let his guard down — he should have been more cautious.

"Fire Release: Dust Cloud Hiding Technique!"

Knowing there were many powerful enemies present, Uchiha Madara judged it unwise to fight head-on before retrieving his Rinnegan, so he spat out a large cloud of dust and vanished from the battlefield.

"Madara-sama, I've brought your eyes."

Just as Madara was thinking about how to collect the Tailed Beasts most quickly, a White Zetsu emerged beside him.

Madara quickly grabbed the Rinnegan from White Zetsu's hand and pressed it into his eye socket for implantation.

"Only one? But it's enough to deal with these beasts."

Feeling the power of the Rinnegan, a rich smile spread across Madara's face.

He had already been quite old when he awakened the Rinnegan, so he had never truly used it to its full extent.

Now he finally had the chance.

"Should we have Big Sasuke and Shisui fuse?"

Obito thought for a moment and said.

Fusion consumed a lot of energy — he and Kakashi had just separated, so neither of them could use the earrings to fuse again in a short time.

Shisui and Nagato have quite average compatibility, and Might Guy is not suitable for using the fusion earrings. Obito thought it over and found that Sasuke and Shisui might be a good choice.

Sasuke has a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and Shisui also has one Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The ninja resulting from their fusion would definitely have incredibly powerful dojutsu.

"Why bother so much dealing with a relic of a bygone era? Living people are easier to kill than Edo Tensei ninja. Also, my name is just Sasuke!"

Sasuke rejected Obito's proposal, and swung his sword as he charged toward Uchiha Madara.

"A brat still wet behind the ears dares to talk arrogantly."

Uchiha Madara looked at Sasuke, crossed his arms, and glared at Sasuke with his Rinnegan.

"Limbo: Border Jail!"

Just as Sasuke approached Uchiha Madara and was about to swing his sword, suddenly an unknown force from nowhere struck Sasuke's body.

Bang!

Pfft!

Sasuke spat a mouthful of blood, flew backward, and crashed heavily onto the ground.

Obito scratched his head, at a loss for words to retort.

Is Sasuke always this brave?