Chapter 141: Peace Means Giving the Shinobi World to the Uchiha

Chapter 141: Peace Means Giving the Shinobi World to the Uchiha

"The leaders have made their move."

From dozens of kilometers away, Kakuzu and Sasori observed the battlefield.

The center of the Forest of Death was now engulfed in a massive cloud of smoke and dust.

The air itself seemed saturated with terrifying chakra.

Amidst a vast ocean of chakra, Senju Tobirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen rode on the backs of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, their immense chakra claws extending outward, striking down the advancing Pain puppets.

It was clear now—Nagato really wanted Kinkaku and Ginkaku.

Ever since they unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra, Nagato had been focused on them.

So, was he after the tailed beast chakra?

Given his current strength, already surpassing the Nine-Tails, it seemed unlikely he was merely chasing a bit of tailed beast chakra…

Without critical information, Tobirama couldn't fully grasp his objective.

But one thing was clear: Nagato aimed to spark a great war. As long as they prevented that, they'd succeed.

Unlike hot-blooded idealists, Tobirama remained analytical, constantly gathering intel and devising countermeasures.

Only beings like Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama could crush all strategies with sheer power. Even Uchiha Izuna, once deemed flawless, had fallen to Tobirama's precise tactics.

Through multiple encounters and the destruction of several Pain bodies, Tobirama had already gathered significant intelligence.

First was the Rinnegan's shared vision.

Nagato, undoubtedly the true body, controlled six Rinnegan puppets, all sharing his field of vision.

This omnidirectional perception, combined with the failure of Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu, complicated matters.

Initially, Tobirama had prioritized the Human Path, which could extract souls, seizing two opportunities to kill it.

But the Naraka Path revived it each time.

The Animal Path summoned creatures, the Asura Path wielded advanced weaponry, and the Preta Path absorbed ninjutsu…

Tobirama's sharp gaze settled on the Deva Path.

From Nagato and Konan's reactions during battle, he deduced the Deva Path's special status.

It was known to possess powerful repulsion and attraction techniques.

Having once been pierced by Uchiha Kagami's black rods, Tobirama recognized them as products of Yin-Yang Release.

Nagato's black rods lacked Kagami's purity but were fundamentally the same.

Thoughts raced through Tobirama's mind as he whispered to Hiruzen.

"Monkey, I'll target the leader Pain. When Nagato and Konan move to defend, destroy the one that repairs the others."

Hiruzen, gripping his Adamantine Staff, hesitated. "Tobirama-sensei, that should be Yahiko, Jiraiya's former disciple. If we do this, things will truly spiral out of control."

He couldn't ignore the dynamics on the other side of the battlefield. Though Orochimaru and Jiraiya fought fiercely, neither had aimed to kill.

Well, not entirely true—Jiraiya had fought with lethal intent, knowing Orochimaru had ways to cheat death.

More importantly…

Without the resolve to kill, Jiraiya was no match for Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, though unfamiliar with Mount Myoboku's two Great Sages, knew Jiraiya far too well.

There had been at least two clear chances for Orochimaru to severely wound Jiraiya, yet he refrained, earning scorn from the Three Serpent Princesses.

"He's Uchiha Kagami's student."

That single line from Orochimaru silenced their mockery.

While fear of Kagami played a minor role, the truth was Orochimaru, as a scientist, was bound by no taboos.

Even now, he coveted Uchiha Kagami's body. Failing that, he had the audacity to target other exceptional Uchiha—though, unlike Hiruko, he wasn't recklessly suicidal.

But above all…

He had no desire to kill Jiraiya.

That sentiment had existed for years.

Back then, Jiraiya, injured and dragging down the team, had smiled foolishly even when Orochimaru moved to kill him.

Bonds were nothing but shackles.

Yet… unless Jiraiya obstructed his pursuit of immortality, Orochimaru relished this rivalry.

Tsunade, having lost her drive, no longer belonged among the Legendary Sannin.

Jiraiya's transformation, however, delighted Orochimaru.

"I only wish to live forever, master all jutsu, and witness countless wonders."

"Monkey, you've grown far too indecisive."

Tobirama's stern voice snapped Hiruzen out of his thoughts. "Are you really worrying about whether the enemy will get angry?"

"It's precisely because of your wavering that your face was carved off the Hokage Monument!"

…Tobirama-sensei, you're still holding a grudge about the monument?

Hiruzen lowered his head, silently enduring the scolding.

"You heard that brat earlier, didn't you?"

"His hatred for the shinobi world runs deep. I can tell he's suffered greatly."

"His disdain for us is equally obvious."

"I've had enough of the tragedies from the Warring States Era. The current one-village-per-nation system is flawed."

"I've conceived a long-lasting, near-perfect solution…"

Tobirama took a deep breath, as though making a monumental decision.

"Unify the shinobi world and hand it over to Uchiha Kagami!"

"Only an absolute powerhouse, indifferent to resources and interests, can serve as the world's balancing force."

"If such a future comes to pass, there will be no more Great Shinobi Wars—only the controlled skirmishes we see now."

Hiruzen stared at Tobirama in disbelief. He could hardly fathom those words coming from his teacher.

Tobirama met his gaze steadily. "Do you know why I've come to this conclusion?"

"When the Uchiha lose love, they are consumed by extreme hatred."

"Uchiha Madara proved it. More recently, so did Uchiha Obito."

"I dislike Uchiha Kagami, but I believe he will never fall into that darkness."

"It was only a few days ago that I finalized this plan."

"Annihilate all powerful shinobi outside the Land of Fire!"

Tobirama's words were chilling, devoid of emotion.

"With the Land of Fire as the sole superpower, we can return peacefully to the Pure Land. Even if Madara resurrects, it'll no longer concern us."

"But… Tobirama-sensei, didn't you once say you'd never acknowledge Kagami?"

Tobirama shook his head. "I still don't acknowledge him."

"I'm simply choosing the path of least sacrifice—the one that extends peace across the shinobi world."

"It may seem unfair to some, but it ensures fairness for the majority."

"Strict rule is far better than a world spiraling into chaos."

Hiruzen finally understood.

It was choosing the lesser evil.

No matter how flawed Uchiha Kagami might be, he had caused no significant turmoil in recent years.

If Madara or Nagato possessed Kagami's power…

Tobirama trusted his judgment. Those two would slaughter half the shinobi world without hesitation.

This conclusion stemmed from insufficient intelligence.

Had Tobirama known that the very source of the current chaos lay in Uchiha Kagami's extraction of the Ryūmyaku, his perspective might have changed.

Beyond the Barrier.

Senju Hashirama glanced at Uchiha Kagami's Sharingan, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "How's the situation? I can't see clearly from here."

Kagami ignored him.

With the entire arena under his barrier, nothing escaped his perception—every word, every movement was laid bare.

Neither Tobirama's strategy nor Nagato's ambition stirred his emotions.

They were no longer on the same level.

Uchiha Kagami had far greater aspirations.

Within the Spiritual Realm.

Above the crimson sky, four magnificent black tomoe swirled in the heavens.

Black threads coiled and writhed, as though on the verge of transforming into something entirely new.

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