Chapter 375: The Famous Hagoromo Gengetsu
The battle between Hagoromo Gengetsu and Uchiha Obito appeared somewhat casual.
To be precise, it was Gengetsu who was casual, while Obito was fighting with all his might. Although Obito had obtained the power of the progenitor of chakra, Otsutsuki Kaguya, he was limited in how much of it he could use, as he had to suppress her within his body. While he could handle the Sage of Six Paths or an Otsutsuki Kaguya who wasn't at her peak, dealing with Hagoromo Gengetsu was proving too much for him.
Luckily for Obito, Gengetsu wasn't being serious. He could have easily finished Obito off, but then Kaguya, who wouldn't stay dead, would have shown up, causing endless trouble. Rather than dealing with that, Gengetsu decided to keep toying with Obito while his clones completed various system tasks.
Additionally, he had received an unexpected message from someone via a jutsu, which made him even more inclined to wait. To prevent Obito from realizing something was amiss and making a run for it, Gengetsu slammed Obito into the ground with a punch and then beckoned to him with a gesture.
"Come on, Obito, let's go again."
"My name is Uchiha Obito!!" Obito's face turned dark as he shot back up, charging at Gengetsu with all his strength.
[Main Quest: Battle at the Tenchi Bridge]
[Quest Introduction: After learning of Orochimaru's whereabouts from Sasori, the host will accompany Team 7 to the Tenchi Bridge to investigate and capture Sasori's spy planted in Orochimaru's ranks, to uncover Orochimaru's location.]
While Gengetsu's main body was entangled with Obito, the system had already issued a new quest, and his clones swiftly began to act.
"What would happen if I killed both Kabuto and Orochimaru here?"
In the final battle of the Fourth Shinobi World War, the battlefield was limited in size. Gengetsu's clones quickly located Sasori's spy, Kabuto Yakushi, and even Orochimaru himself, who appeared afterward.
Gengetsu, staring at the two who had fallen into the Infinite Tsukuyomi, their eyes transformed into Rinnegan, pondered this.
Had it been the system before Shippuden began, he wouldn't have acted so boldly. Killing them would have resulted in no response from the system, or worse, it would have generated missions involving the dead individuals. But now…
Gengetsu recalled how finding Gaara alive had altered the course of events, leading to a system upgrade as a reward. The post-Shippuden system, while still somewhat rigid, had become a bit more flexible.
"So, let's give it a try. There's room for error anyway."
With a twist of Kabuto's neck, a "crack" resounded. Next, another "crack" signaled the end of Orochimaru, one of the hardest individuals to kill in the ninja world.
Gengetsu looked toward the system.
Soon enough, a "ding" rang out.
[Main Quest: Battle at the Tenchi Bridge (Completed)]
[Congratulations to the host for defying everyone's expectations, and using an extraordinary power to kill Orochimaru, once one of the legendary Sannin, and his subordinate, Kabuto Yakushi. Team 7 is shocked! Fifth Hokage Tsunade is shocked! Jiraiya is shocked! Danzo is shocked! Henceforth, the host's name will resound across the ninja world as a powerful new star rising in Konoha!]
[Quest Rewards Upgrading]
[Quest Reward: One-Tenth Otsutsuki Bloodline.]
As expected!
Everything was going according to plan. While battling Obito, Gengetsu's main body could feel the Otsutsuki bloodline in him boiling, more potent than the sum of what he had before. This enhancement brought a noticeable boost to his Six Paths-level body.
A flash of joy crossed Gengetsu's eyes. He knew exactly what to do next.
"How is this possible?!"
Obito's expression turned to one of disbelief as he witnessed this, but he was powerless to do anything. He had known Gengetsu was strong, but he hadn't expected him to be this overwhelmingly powerful.
This mysterious figure, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, possessed strength far surpassing that of the progenitor of chakra, Otsutsuki Kaguya, and the Sage of Six Paths. It defied all logic!
Obito was feeling immense pressure.
He couldn't help but regret stopping Gengetsu earlier. In hindsight, when they first met and Gengetsu nodded to him, it was actually quite polite.
But it was too late to change anything now. As the architect of a new world, he had to grit his teeth and push forward.
"Power… you need more power…"
At this moment, a seductive voice whispered in Obito's mind.
"I can give you… more power… release the restraints…"
It was the voice of Otsutsuki Kaguya, and Obito knew it well.
Ever since he had suppressed her with his extraordinary willpower, she had constantly been trying to fight back. And now, she was at it again.
Kaguya could indeed give him more power, but Obito, fully aware that this was a poisoned chalice, ignored her and continued his fierce assault on Gengetsu.
Gengetsu, however, glanced at Obito.
Sensing that Kaguya inside Obito was acting up again, and to prevent Obito from getting desperate and reckless, Gengetsu dialed back his strength slightly, waiting for a certain someone to arrive.
Boom!
A heavy, deafening roar approached from afar, arriving in an instant.
"Naruto? No, it's the Sage of Six Paths!"
Obito's expression shifted.
Before he could react, Gengetsu suddenly got serious, overwhelming Obito. At the same time, without turning around, he addressed the Sage of Six Paths:
"We can work together, but first, prove your sincerity. Seal him!"
"No problem!"
The Sage of Six Paths didn't mention that he had already eliminated his counterpart, proving his sincerity. With Gengetsu's request, he immediately responded, moving swiftly to flank Obito alongside Gengetsu.
Obito's face fell as the thought of escaping crossed his mind.
But it was too late.
Even though the other Otsutsuki Kaguya from their world arrived at this moment to aid Obito, something unexpected occurred.
The original Kaguya's body suddenly stiffened.
"You!!"
The original Otsutsuki Kaguya exclaimed in surprise and anger.
"Sorry, I just want to return to my world."
Having been secretly persuaded by the Sage of Six Paths, the alternate Kaguya now turned against her original self. To her, it was better to join Gengetsu's side, where she wouldn't have to face such a formidable opponent, and could eventually return to her original world where her only concern would be her son, Hagoromo.
Thus, with the original Kaguya in disarray and Obito overwhelmed by fighting two opponents, it didn't take long for him to panic.
At the right moment, "Naruto's" hand, marked with the sun and moon seals, seized the opportunity and pressed onto his back.
Before Obito could break free, in the next instant…
"Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei!"