Seeing that figure, Ninja World Obito's expression changed drastically.
"Rin…"
"Quiet! I told you not to get too shocked, or we'll get caught!"
Zetsu immediately patted Obito's back, forcing him to calm down.
"That's Minato from the other world?"
"Yes."
"I didn't expect he's still alive. Then Rin…"
Obito paused, his eyes gleaming, his voice betraying a hint of hope.
A world where Rin didn't die?
What's Rin like in that world now?
'Is she married? Who's her husband? Could it be me?'
Thinking this, Ninja World Obito's heart raced.
'Calm down! Calm down! That's just Rin from another world, it has nothing to do with me… no… I can't calm down at all. Even if it's Rin from another world, it's still Rin! I desperately want to know!'
Obito's expression kept shifting.
Black Zetsu beside him saw this, his own expression changing drastically.
'Not good! This guy's actually thinking about Rin from the other world. I can't tell him about Rin's situation, or he might go crazy and ruin the plan…'
But taking him away now wasn't an option either.
All he could hope was that the woman named Tsunade wouldn't turn to that Kakashi again.
Black Zetsu felt deeply frustrated.
Though he'd considered this possibility, he thought Obito would distinguish his world from the other.
He hadn't expected this…
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"The next match will pit the Lightning District against the Fire District. Please have both district heads prepare their participants to take the stage!"
Minato in the arena spoke enthusiastically.
Soon after, a mature-looking man with orange hair appeared on the stage.
The entire audience erupted, shouting:
"That's Jugo! Natural Sage Body! One of Dr. Orochimaru's great creations! I heard after Dr. Orochimaru's modifications, he has many extraordinary abilities."
"Jugo's a close-combat type, so his fight with the Lightning District will be thrilling."
"Hurry! Where are the Lightning District folks? Come out!"
"Truly worthy of Orochimaru-sama from the other world, he really values this guy."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In the stands, Ninja World Kabuto pushed up his glasses.
"My other self… let me see closely what Jugo has become in your hands." Ninja World Orochimaru licked his lips, showing anticipation.
"Jugo is a special individual. His natural Sage Body makes him blend easily with nature, close to other animals. It's fascinating. Trust me, he won't disappoint you." Imperial Orochimaru smiled.
"Truly two creepy people with the same weird tastes."
Ninja World Tsunade, clutching the space-time communication device, turned away, muttering irritably.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Through the device, Ninja World Obito saw both Orochimarus and froze.
'Are these Orochimaru from two different worlds? They don't seem that different. Then Rin in this world must also be gentle and kind, right?'
The hope in Obito's eyes grew stronger.
Beside him, Zetsu nervously watched Tsunade turning the device.
'No! Don't turn it! Don't turn it again! Stop! Stop! Don't let Obito see the Hatake family! Phew… thank goodness… it finally stopped.'
Zetsu's forehead nearly sweated from anxiety.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ninja World Tsunade turned the device again, not focusing on the nearby Hatake family.
Looking at the arena, she couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Where are the Lightning District people? In the previous two district matches, they always appeared together."
"Hahaha! This old man's here!"
A loud roar sounded. From the stands, a lightning flash crossed a thousand meters, landing at the arena's top, throwing a heavy punch!
*BOOM!!!*
The barrier withstood the punch, trembling violently but remaining intact.
The figure slowly rose.
"Not bad! This barrier's decent, holding up against my fist. Then this old man can go wild inside!"
The newcomer laughed heartily.
Now everyone saw his appearance clearly.
Rough face, messy long hair, wearing a tight vest, a robust physique, at least two meters thirty centimeters tall, with the character "Lightning" on his right arm.
"The Third Raikage!"
Ninja World Tsunade saw him and exclaimed unconsciously.
The stands erupted again:
"Oooo! It's the father of the Lightning District Head! The Third Raikage!"
"The Lightning District Head's father seems stronger than him. Is he allowed to compete?"
"There's no rule against it, right?"
"I heard the Lightning District Head's family combines Lightning Breathing Style, Lightning Chakra Mode, and Martial Muscle Thunder God Body. I only heard about it before, but now I'll finally see it!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
District head seats.
Dan looked at the rugged figure in the arena with a helpless expression.
"Lightning District Head, I didn't expect you'd invite this person for this match."
"Hahaha! My father insisted on stepping up. He's like that, loves dueling the strong, nothing to do with me!"
Imperial Fourth Raikage laughed heartily.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Imperial Minato appeared beside Imperial Third Raikage, smiling wryly.
"Third Raikage, your entrance is truly unique."
"Hahaha… wasn't this just testing the barrier's quality? Minato, get me inside."
Imperial Third Raikage laughed.
Minato smiled wryly, then sent him into the barrier.
Both sides' participants were finally ready.
After exchanging glances, Jugo said helplessly: "I didn't expect the Lightning District Head to send an expert as strong as you."
"Stinking brat, less talk. Show your full power, let's fight till we bleed! I can't wait! Hahaha! Thunder God Body!"
The Third Raikage spread his arms, roaring loudly.
His body radiated lightning, countless lightning snakes coiling around him, forming visible lightning armor.
The ground beneath his feet heated and smoked under the lightning.
On the other side, Jugo's expression shifted. He took a deep breath, his human appearance changing.
His body turned metallic gray, a long trident grew from his head, his hands thickened, his eyes enlarged several times, countless web-like patterns spread, and his legs grew thick and long.
He fully transformed into a monster, his height shifting from nearly two meters to three.
"Hahaha! Good! That's more like it! Come on!"
The Third Raikage roared.
Without retreating to maintain distance, he stomped, cratering the ground ten meters deep, and charged at Jugo.
Jugo's expression was serious. He stomped, creating a large crater, and charged at the Third Raikage.
Like two beams of blue and gray light, they collided, fist meeting fist.
The terrifying impact shook the ground beneath, spiderweb-like cracks spreading to the barrier's edge!
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
They separated, then collided again repeatedly.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ninja world spectators could only see the air and ground exploding continuously.
But for Ninja World Konoha, this was nothing new; they were getting used to it.
Ninja World Obito, however, was confused:
"This… are they… really fighting?"
Without activating his Mangekyou Sharingan, or even his Sharingan, he couldn't see a fight of this level at all!
"I think… yeah…"
Zetsu said quietly.
"These people's strength is decent, but… one of them is the Third Raikage, after all."
Obito restrained himself from using his Mangekyou or Sharingan.
He feared someone might turn and notice. This very restraint kept him from realizing the gravity of the situation.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ninja World Orochimaru watched the match briefly, then looked away.
"Jugo's appearance seems insect-like? Did you implant insect genes in him?"
"Correct. His body has rhinoceros beetle genes. Though not the strongest insect, it's the most suitable for Jugo. Plus, flea genes, water bear genes, and dragonfly genes ensure Jugo's jumping ability, vitality, and visual acuity. All these animal genes combined create the current Jugo!"
"The strongest insect-human in nature. How's my work?"
Imperial Orochimaru explained excitedly.
"A genius idea, and more importantly, the technology supports it. Truly remarkable… the Empire…"
Ninja World Orochimaru praised. Had he not seen the White Snake Sage's body and other major bloodline fusions before, he might've considered taking Jugo's body.
"What a monstrous thing."
Ninja World Tsunade frowned at Jugo's appearance.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ninja World Konoha ninja showed slight disgust and fear:
"My God… how can a human turn into that… it's terrifying."
"This guy was tortured by Orochimaru until he's no longer human…"
"As expected, Orochimaru, in any world, isn't a good person."
Hearing these remarks, Imperial Tsunade beside them frowned:
"Enough, you don't need to be so shocked. This level of modification was Jugo's own choice, not forced by the Empire. Why the fuss?"
"His own choice?"
The Konoha group fell silent, somewhat skeptical.
"Of course. Martial arts are huge in the Empire; everyone wants to contribute. Jugo's an insect-human, but also a renowned zoologist. He wants to live with insects and animals to understand them better." Imperial Tsunade explained.
Hearing this, Ninja World Tsunade sighed and turned back to the arena.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The fight in the arena continued.
The entire arena was unrecognizable, like a giant meteor crater.
Currently, the Third Raikage seemed stronger, continuously pushing Jugo back, even knocking him down several times, causing his body to explode.
But thankfully, Jugo's incredible recovery allowed him to heal in one or two breaths and resume fighting.
"This fight between them might not end quickly." Ninja World Tsunade said after watching for a bit.
"That's because the Third Raikage's enjoying the fight, not using his full power. Otherwise, the winner would've been decided by now." Imperial Tsunade said.
"Oh? Not using full power? This intense fight isn't his full strength?"
"Correct. The Third Raikage is the Empire's strongest lightning user. The Thunder God Body has a higher form. If unleashed, Jugo wouldn't last this long. That dominating lightning could temporarily disrupt Jugo's genes, causing imbalance…"
As Imperial Tsunade spoke, a dissenting roar came from beside her:
"Tsunade-sama, what are you talking about! The strongest lightning user is clearly my grandfather! He wouldn't lose to that big idiot!"