Thinking about this, Kaoru almost felt a little sympathy for both Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Both of them had schemed and planned for hundreds of years, yet in the end, everything was ruined by these two "cheaters".
"Kaoru..."
From within the massive purple Susanoo, Sasuke shielded Naruto on one side while slightly raising his head to look up at Kaoru high in the sky, calling out to him.
Apart from the Sharingan in his right eye, Sasuke's left eye had clearly transformed into a purple Rinnegan.
Furthermore, through the perception of his own Sharingan, Kaoru could see that the chakra flowing throughout Sasuke's entire body had undergone a qualitative change.
It felt as if a completely unfamiliar soul was currently dwelling within him.
"The soul of Indra has also awakened..." Kaoru whispered softly to himself.
Moreover, with his Mangekyō Sharingan, Kaoru could clearly see the mark of the moon on the palm of Sasuke's left hand, continuously radiating a faint purple glow.
"Although the power he has isn't as strong as it was in the original timeline... the Sage of Six Paths has still bestowed upon him the power of Yin Release..."
"Sasuke?!"
At this moment, it wasn't Kaoru or even Madara who was the most surprised, but Naruto, who was currently being protected entirely within the colossal Susanoo.
He looked at Sasuke, his expression filled not just with joy, but mostly with confusion and doubt.
"Why are you here helping me? Weren't you always a member of the Akatsuki...?"
Due to Kaoru's interference, Sasuke's journey after leaving Konoha had been quite different from the original story. He hadn't developed such deep bonds and connections with Naruto.
Even though Naruto had stubbornly chased after him like a persistent shadow, they had only met once since Sasuke left the village—and even then, it had merely been a shadow clone, without a single word exchanged between them.
Therefore, seeing Sasuke appear in this manner, protecting him and opposing Madara, was naturally incredibly shocking to Naruto.
"You should have heard what the Sage of Six Paths said in the spiritual world just now..." Sasuke replied calmly, looking down at the bewildered Naruto.
"Madara plans to use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to drag the entire world into an eternal dream..."
"The very same ninja world that Itachi sacrificed everything to protect... I cannot allow it to fall into anyone's hands..."
Sasuke spoke his thoughts clearly and calmly. Ever since learning the truth about his brother, he had never truly been able to come to terms with his death, nor forgive the cruel fate Itachi had endured.
"Protecting the ninja world that Itachi bore the weight of the world to safeguard..."
Hearing Sasuke's sincere words, Kaoru's scarlet eyes flickered with a strange light as he watched from above.
"Kaoru... The Sage also told me to be wary of you. He said that you too harbor ambitions to rule this world. He says that you are an Outsider... and Outsiders... will never truly treat this world kindly!" Sasuke shouted up towards the sky, his voice ringing clearly.
"Hah... Again with the Sage of Six Paths..."
Hearing this, Kaoru couldn't help but frown slightly. It seemed the founder of Ninshū really had it out for him. How troublesome...
"How interesting... I really want to know exactly what that old man told you two back there... to turn both of you into my enemies in the blink of an eye..."
Floating high in the sky, Kaoru slowly formed a playful, mocking smile on his face.
"And besides... Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan is still in my possession..." Kaoru thought silently as he looked down at Sasuke's determined expression and burning eyes.
"Even though the Sage granted him the power of Yin Release and awakened a standard Rinnegan within him... without the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, his power is still lacking compared to what it could be."
"Preventing the world from falling into anyone's hands?!"
Hearing Sasuke's declaration, unlike Kaoru who remained calm and composed, Madara let out a cold snort of disdain as he slowly descended from the high altitude.
His purple Rinnegan, along with the Rinne Sharingan on his forehead, stared fixedly and sharply into Sasuke's eyes. like sharp blades.
"I remember you were once a member of the Akatsuki. You vanished completely after Obito died..."
"I don't know how you managed to awaken a Rinnegan... but what you're saying is truly laughable. Open your eyes and look at the reality of this world now!!"
Madara said, his expression gradually twisting into a look of fervent fanaticism as he gazed at the strange purple rippling pattern within Sasuke's left eye.
"Look around you now! The world has finally achieved true peace! No more wars, no more suffering or worries. Everyone is living the life they truly desire deep in their hearts!"
"This world... has truly become a paradise!!"
Madara's passionate voice echoed across the entire battlefield. Suddenly, he slammed his hands together in front of his chest, forming a complex hand seal.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Deafening rumbles erupted from deep beneath the ground, as if the very foundation of the world was churning and shifting.
Under Madara's control, the colossal roots of the Divine Tree, which had already spread across the entire planet, began to writhe and move violently.
In every corner of the world, wherever living beings existed, massive roots burst forth from the earth. Thick vines, agile and powerful like giant pythons, moved with incredible speed, swiftly wrapping around everyone and everything, binding them tightly like white mummies.
One by one, people were lifted into the air and suspended from the colossal trunk and branches of the Divine Tree that connected heaven and earth.
Bit by bit, their chakra was slowly drained and absorbed, flowing upward into the massive sacred tree standing before them—the pillar that connected the entire world.
"Through my own power alone, I have eliminated war... I am the greatest being in this world..."
A satisfied smile appeared on Madara's face as he slowly descended to the ground. He looked around at the desolate yet transformed world.
Apart from those reanimated through the Impure World Reincarnation, there were only three people left unaffected by the Infinite Tsukuyomi: Kaoru, Sasuke, and Naruto.
"Now... I have finally accomplished it..."
"I have freed everyone from sorrow... from pain... and from emptiness..."
Although Madara's methods were distorted, false, and extreme, there was no denying that his original intention was indeed what he believed to be true peace and justice.
In essence, Madara was someone who pursued justice. He simply chose the most extreme path to achieve it. Having lost all faith and hope in the reality of the world, he had decided to forcefully create an ideal world of dreams through the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Everything he did stemmed from his own understanding of justice and his lifelong pursuit of true peace. Ever since the death of his younger brother, Izuna, Madara had cared for nothing and no one else in this world—not even Hashirama Senju, his only true friend and rival, mattered anymore.
It was this extreme, self-centered personality that eventually led him down such a dark path. At the root of it all was his deep-seated pride, his refusal to admit defeat, and his overwhelming ambition.
Combined with the subtle manipulation and guidance of Black Zetsu all those years, these factors ultimately brought him to this point—standing at the end of the world, believing he was its savior.
"And by dragging everyone into this false dream of yours... you call this peace?!"
Madara's words seemed to trigger the burning sense of justice and passion within Naruto's heart. He immediately launched into his signature persuasive speech.
"Everything here is nothing but an illusion! You of all people should know that!!"
"So what if it is false? Regardless... peace has been achieved. I have truly made it happen!" Madara replied with a dismissive, cold chuckle.
He was one of the very few people, apart from Sasuke, who remained completely unmoved and unaffected by Naruto's famous "Talk No Jutsu". His resolve was absolute, and Naruto's words simply bounced off him without effect.
"In any case... everything is finally over..."
Completely ignoring the heated exchange between Naruto and Madara, Kaoru's eyes were constantly tracking the movements of Black Zetsu.
For quite some time now, the creature had quietly slipped away from the fissures in the ground and was slowly, almost imperceptibly floating closer and closer toward Madara.
"It's about to begin..."
Seeing this, Kaoru let out a soft sigh before turning his gaze back to Madara. There was a strange, meaningful glint in his eyes as he looked at the man who thought he held everything under control.
"I don't care about the Infinite Tsukuyomi... and I don't care whether this so-called peace is real or fake... All I know is..."
"Just like what you did to Obito back then... history is about to repeat itself... and you are going to fall right into the same trap..."
"Kaoru Uchiha... what exactly do you mean by that...?"
Hearing the mocking tone in Kaoru's voice, Madara frowned in confusion. But suddenly, his expression changed drastically, turning into one of shock and alarm as he sensed something wrong behind him.
"Black Zetsu... what are you doi—"
Suddenly—
Madara's words were cut short instantly. His eyes widened in shock and rage. He slowly lowered his gaze to his own chest. A pitch-black arm had pierced completely through his body, protruding right from his heart!
"Zetsu... you... you actually betrayed me!!"
Clutching his chest tightly, Madara turned his head slowly to glare fiercely at the figure standing right behind him. His expression was terrifyingly dark and filled with murderous intent.
"You... why...?"
Apart from Madara himself, Sasuke and Naruto were also completely stunned, their mouths hanging open in utter disbelief as they watched Black Zetsu launching such a sudden and deadly sneak attack.
Among everyone present, only Kaoru remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged as if he had known exactly this was going to happen long ago, merely watching a scripted play unfold before his eyes.
"Hahaha... You already guessed this, didn't you?" Black Zetsu replied casually, spreading his hands open fearlessly, completely unfazed by Madara's killing intent. He appeared calm, relaxed, and strangely confident.
"Hmph. I suppose you're right... I did have my suspicions." Madara sneered coldly, narrowing his eyes dangerously.
"You were originally just an incomplete, defective creation brought forth by my own hands... and yet you dare to stand against me? I'm truly curious... just what exactly is your true nature?!"
As Madara had stated, while he was surprised by Zetsu's betrayal, he wasn't truly panicked or afraid. Ever since he was reborn through the Impure World Reincarnation, Zetsu's actions and suggestions had often deviated from his expectations.
Combined with Kaoru's cryptic words earlier, Madara had long since become wary and suspicious of the creature.
However, his suspicions had only gone so far as to wonder if there had been some flaws or errors during the creation process. He had never imagined, never suspected, that Black Zetsu might actually have his own secret agenda, let alone know his true identity and origin!
The Yin-Yang Release was an extremely profound and advanced secret technique, far superior to any normal ninjutsu, Kekkei Genkai, or even Kekkei Tōta known in the ninja world. It was a power that transcended the ordinary laws of nature.
Madara was only able to utilize Yin-Yang Release because he had successfully integrated Hashirama Senju's cells into his body and subsequently awakened the Rinnegan.
Similarly, Obito was only able to perform basic applications of Yin-Yang Release after having half of his body reconstructed using Hashirama's cells.
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