Naruto: About the Fact That my Brother is Madara-Chapter 286: The Six Paths: You Go to Die, I Take the Blame

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"Who... who's speaking?!" Gamamaru looked utterly baffled, confused beyond words.

"It is I, your conscience. Now that I think about it, it has been many years since we last spoke."

"My conscience?" Gamamaru was even more bewildered. How could it possess such a thing?

Oh, right. It remembered now—humans liked to use that word to boast about certain ideals.

But when did it ever grow something like that?

The dull response made the presence inside the toad's body, Kyōsuke, feel a sense of boredom.

At a time like this, shouldn't someone be calling out "Friday"?

(Note: The mention of "Friday" is a reference to Robinson Crusoe, a classic novel by Daniel Defoe. In the story, the main character, stranded on a deserted island, meets a native man whom he names "Friday" after the day they met. Over time, "Friday" has come to symbolize an unexpected companion found in isolation.)

Swaying lazily, he drifted toward the heart. Kyōsuke, who had already seen through the true nature of the Dōjutsu, found it ridiculously easy to deal with such a colossal foe.

He gently touched the pulsating heart. His eyes narrowed coldly, and in the next instant, black sealing patterns wrapped tightly around the organ.

Fūinjutsu: Contract Seal!

As he poured more power into it, the black patterns began spreading through the toad's entire body. Wherever they passed, all the senjutsu chakra that had once obeyed Gamamaru was expelled, as if repelled by an unseen force.

With its senjutsu chakra cut off, Gamamaru would completely lose the power it once used to contend with the Ten Tails.

Kyōsuke could have chosen to kill it directly, and that wouldn't have been wrong either. However, he feared that if he acted too rashly, the energy within Gamamaru might dissipate before the Ten Tails could absorb it.

After all, the toad was already a lump of meat on the chopping block. A more cautious approach would be the wiser choice.

BOOOOM!!!!

Deprived of the protection of senjutsu chakra, Gamamaru could no longer endure the power of the Ten Tails' Tailed Beast Ball.

Once the devastating shockwave faded, the massive creature collapsed onto the ground, completely stripped of any strength to resist.

With great effort, Gamamaru lifted its head. Its form had returned to its original size. Trembling, it looked toward the figure that emerged from its body.

"Uchiha Kyōsuke..."

"Why... why is it that in all the futures I foresaw, I never once saw your presence?"

It knew that death was inevitable. Still, before it died, it wanted to satisfy this one final curiosity.

"About this matter..." Kyōsuke paused briefly, then a strange smile curved on his lips. "The explanation is far too complex. So, I won't bother telling you."

"Ten Tails, enjoy your feast."

The moment the Ten-Tails reached out and lifted Gamamaru toward its gaping maw, the toad's eyes widened in horror. At last, it understood why Mount Myōboku had met with disaster today.

"Uchiha Kyōsuke... you cruel and heartless monster..."

"The Child of Prophecy is about to be born. He will surely put an end to your tyranny..."

CRUNCH!

The massive fangs sank down. Gamamaru's curse-laden voice came to a sudden halt. At that moment, the system's voice rang clearly in Kyōsuke's mind.

[System Notification: Successfully killed Gamamaru. You have gained 87,000 points.]

"Only a little over eighty thousand points?"

Frowning slightly, Kyōsuke stared at the Ten Tails, which had begun a second stage of development.

"It seems I misunderstood something. Gamamaru's strength came from his complete control over senjutsu chakra. Clearly, power that comes from a temporary state enhancement does not contribute to a higher point value."

The rewards he received did not satisfy him.

Fortunately, the Ten Tails had grown stronger. After absorbing its energy, Kyōsuke's own physical strength had risen to the mid-tier of the Six Paths level.

◇◆────────────────◆◇

Name: Uchiha Kyōsuke

Age: 45 (24th Year of Konoha)

Physical Strength: Six Paths (Mid-tier)

Mental Strength: Six Paths (Low-tier)

Chakra Volume: Six Paths (Mid-tier)

Abilities Mastered: Cursed Seal, Chidori, Flying Thunder God, Eight Gates, Karma Seal, Susanoo, Senjutsu, Space-Time Ninjutsu, Sukunahikona

Kekkei Genkai: Rinnegan, Sage Body, Swift Release, Steel Release, Lava Release, Boil Release, Wood Release, Ice Release, Crystal Release, Dust Release, Storm Release, Explosion Release

Chakra Nature Transformations: Fire (MAX), Water (MAX), Lightning (MAX), Wind (MAX), Earth (MAX), Yin (MAX), Yang (MAX)

Summoning Beasts: Hiti, Manda

Ninja Tool: Yata Mirror

Points: 561,200

◇◆────────────────◆◇

At this point, the Ten Tails before him still hadn't reached the level it had during the Fourth Great Ninja War. If it could evolve into its complete form, Kyōsuke estimated that both his physical strength and chakra reserves would rise to the upper echelons of the Six Paths level.

By then, relying solely on his two ocular powers, he would be able to contend with Isshiki on equal footing without having to gamble his life.

Sensing the restlessness emanating from the Ten Tails, Kyōsuke chuckled and shook his head. With a wave of his hand, a black portal slowly unfolded before him.

Mount Myōboku had left him bitterly disappointed. He could only hope that the final destination would offer something more satisfying.

Like Mount Myōboku, the Shikkotsu Forest also existed in an alternate dimension. Before setting out, Kyōsuke had quietly visited the archives of the Senju Clan.

While spitting a few mouthfuls of phlegm into Tobirama's teacup, he had uncovered the precise coordinates of the Shikkotsu Forest.

With his current mastery over space-time techniques, infiltrating it would not pose much of a challenge.

As he gazed at the ravaged ruins of Mount Myōboku, the corners of Kyōsuke's mouth curled into a cruel smile.

"Calling me cruel and heartless? That does not seem too far from the truth."

"In this world where the strong devour the weak, kindness demands far too high a price."

"Compared to your miserable fates, I would rather be branded as evil."

After a brief search, he soon pinpointed the exact location of the Shikkotsu Forest.

Taking a single step forward, Kyōsuke vanished from the desolate remains of Mount Myōboku.

No one could say whether this place would ever nurture a Child of Destiny who would shape the future.

---

The Shinobi Sect had already withdrawn.

The shocking truth left all the toads frozen in place.

Were they not supposed to face the final battle together? How could it be that, just when the moment of reckoning arrived, the Shinobi Sect had fled ahead of everyone else?

"Damn you, Shinobi Sect!" Gamabunta roared furiously, his voice laced with open contempt.

Regardless of what had been sealed within the scroll, none of it could ever repay the debt the Great Toad Sage had paid on their behalf.

He had given his life to shield their retreat, buying precious time for the Shinobi Sect with his final breath.

And yet, rather than using that time to prepare for the coming battle, they had chosen not to return at all. Even before the enemy had arrived, they had already fled in fear.

The Shinobi Sect, much like the Three Great Holy Lands, was located in an isolated alternate dimension.

By severing the connection unilaterally, they ensured that none of the toads present would be able to locate them again.

And naturally, the formidable enemy who was soon to arrive would not be able to find them easily either.

It was painfully clear that the Shinobi Sect had determined they were no match for the incoming threat. Not only had they sacrificed Mount Myōboku, but they also intended for Shikkotsu Forest to act as a scapegoat.

Gamabunta wanted to ask: even if you managed to buy time, then what? Can you guarantee you'll be able to defeat that man?

"The Great Toad Sage's plans may be linked to the resurrection of the Sage of Six Paths," Fukasaku said quietly, managing to calm the restless toads.

Even so, it offered little in the way of real comfort.

The current problem was simple. No one knew when the enemy would arrive, and staying here would most likely mean waiting for death.

No matter what secret cards the Shinobi Sect still held, the toads were unwilling to risk their lives to protect those cowards.

"Let's run too."

"Where would we even run to?"

"Anywhere. We'll figure it out as we go."

"If worst comes to worst, we'll head to the Shinobi World."

"What if I end up starving?"

"Then... before we leave, let's take some of the slugs' clones with us."

Hearing that, the tiny slug leading the way was so frightened by the swarm of toads staring at it with gleaming green eyes that it immediately burrowed underground and refused to come out.

"Enough fooling around," Fukasaku sighed and stepped in to stop the gang of delinquent toads. He did not wish to ruin the reputation of Mount Myōboku.

Even if it might already be beyond salvation.

"Forget it. Let's just head to the Shinobi World and lay low for a while."

"Let's hope that man doesn't chase us to the bitter end."

The toads, who had lost their home, now walked toward a future entirely unknown.

---

BOOOM!!

A fist slammed into the ground, knocking his dazed older brother over. Ōtsutsuki Hamura roared in fury, "What have you done?!"

"I merely made the wisest choice," the Sage of Six Paths said as he staggered to his feet, still not quite used to inhabiting his former body again.

An ordinary person soaking in water for an hour would feel lightheaded upon emerging.

But this body of his had been steeped beneath his friend's buttocks for over a thousand years.

A little disorientation was only to be expected.

BOOM!! Just as Hagoromo regained his footing, Hamura struck him again with another powerful slap.

"That was our friend! Damn it, it gave its life for you!"

BOOOOM!!

"If it hadn't been for Gamamaru, I would have died long, LONG AGO!"

BOOOM!!

"Idiot! Wake up already!"

Hamura didn't hold back in the slightest as he struck his elder brother again and again. Before long, blood was already trailing from the corners of Hagoromo's lips.

Despite this, the Sage of Six Paths clung to his belief. "You already know the kind of being Ōtsutsuki Isshiki is."

"To fight and perish alongside an enemy of that level... If we make even one wrong move, we'll lose everything."

"Impossible!" Hamura instantly refuted. "If you and I join forces, we were able to seal our mother. There's no reason we can't overcome a mere descendant." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"Seal her?" A mocking smile tugged at Hagoromo's lips. "Had Mother learned even the basics of combat, forget sealing her... The two of us together wouldn't have lasted ten minutes."

"But still—"

"Hamura." For the first time since his resurrection—or rather, for the first time in his life—Hagoromo's expression darkened as he cut his brother off. "Put away your naïveté. The enemies we will soon face go far beyond him."

"The clan of the Ōtsutsuki is far more terrifying than you imagine. It would be best not to harbor any illusions."

"If we lose, it won't just be us. Every living thing on this planet will suffer."

"And one more thing." Hagoromo interrupted Hamura again before he could speak. His voice was calm, almost indifferent. "Do not forget my power. Death has never been the end for me."

That's right. How could he have forgotten his brother's power?

Hamura's anger finally began to subside, and he slowly came to terms with his brother's decision to retreat without a fight.

Hagoromo, after awakening the Rinnegan, had developed an ability akin to "spiritual dominion."

That was why even the Pure Land of the Afterworld could do nothing to him.

If he so wished, he could summon Gamamaru's soul in the future and fashion it a new body.

With that thought, Hamura finally calmed down. He even began to accept his brother's decision to escape without fighting.

Mount Myoboku had fallen, and Shikkotsu Forest would undoubtedly be unable to escape the enemy's grasp either.

This resurrection had left the brothers with more and more burdens to bear.

---

Elsewhere, in the sacred land of Shikkotsu Forest, astonishing changes were underway.

With the Sage of Six Paths gone, he naturally took the budding Senjutsu Chakra Fruit with him.

His departure also meant that the true body of the Great Slug Sage was now freed.

Unfortunately, the being that had once been colossal enough to rival a small moon now stood at a mere three thousand meters tall.

Turning his head to look at the still "tiny" Ten Tails, Kyōsuke clicked his tongue in slight annoyance.

When, he wondered, would this dim-witted beast finally grow up?

..

..

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