Chapter 450: The God Tree Descends
Madara sneered. "That information is recorded on the Uchiha Stone Tablet. Even if it were placed right in front of Tobirama, he would never be able to read it."
"The tablet explains the fate of the one who plucked the forbidden fruit to quell war. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"
"Yes, she achieved nothing.
"Instead, war became even more brutal.
"When I learned of this, I despaired. Do you understand, Hashirama?!"
"This world has no true dreams!"
"From the moment humanity laid hands on the fruit, a curse was unleashed. It was inevitable!"
"The hatred among humans only grows deeper and deeper.
"This is why Obito is so determined to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi. It's also why I've been planning this all along."
"Although I hate to admit it, Hashirama...
"Like Obito, I'm not doing this just for myself. I'm doing it for everyone living in this world."
Madara didn't say, "I'm also doing this for you," as his pride wouldn't allow him to utter such words, similar to Obito's sentiment.
But his words implied it—his plans included Hashirama. Hashirama was among "everyone."
Piecing together the previous clues and Madara's words, Hashirama finally understood Madara's intentions.
"You're saying you want to use the God Tree to cast a genjutsu? That's your distant ideal, Madara?
"But they... they'll die!"
Madara laughed. "The God Tree will preserve their lives. You underestimate me, Hashirama."
In mid-air, Madara and Hashirama locked eyes for several seconds. Eventually, Madara shifted his gaze toward Obito.
Now, his true dream was within reach.
He could share his dream with others—that had been his original intent.
But his pride dictated that he alone should take the final step.
In other words, Madara and Obito had now shifted from allies to enemies.
Meanwhile, near Obito, the God Tree continued to expand. Its branches targeted Naruto, who possessed the largest reserve of chakra.
The God Tree craved the Nine-Tails inside Naruto.
Countless branches reached toward him.
Naruto tried to repel them with his Tailed Beast Cloak, but the God Tree absorbed chakra far faster than he could release it.
Before the God Tree, the Nine-Tails' chakra was utterly powerless!
Naruto's instincts screamed of danger—the God Tree was moments away from completely enveloping him!
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
Tobirama used a Water Release jutsu to sever the branches encircling Naruto. But the God Tree quickly reconnected its severed parts.
Cutting it was futile!
Minato attempted to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport Naruto away, but for some reason, his connection to Naruto had been severed.
The Flying Thunder God seal had disappeared!
In this critical moment, the aging Third Hokage arrived.
He swiftly cut away at the God Tree, temporarily slowing its regenerative speed.
But his old body betrayed him—his back gave out. The God Tree seized the opportunity, entangled him, and ended his life…
Kakashi, locked in a standoff with Obito, noticed Naruto's plight.
He took one last look at Obito and activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, arriving instantly at Naruto's side.
Raikiri crackled in Kakashi's hand. No matter how quickly the God Tree regenerated, it couldn't withstand Kakashi's speed and precision.
He was just about to grab Naruto and escape the God Tree's grasp when Obito intervened.
Obito kicked Kakashi away and grabbed Naruto himself.
Naruto blinked innocently, trying to play dumb.
But Obito ignored him entirely and activated Kamui.
"The last time I blasted you, it was to threaten Minato-sensei. This time, I'm saving you so Haneda won't be upset."
Naruto barely caught Obito's words before he was thrown into Kamui's dimension.
There, he found himself face-to-face with Sasuke. After a moment of awkward silence, they exchanged strained smiles.
"Haha, long time no see, Sasuke."
"Naruto, why are you here?"
"Listen, it wasn't on purpose…"
"Naruto, are you telling me you deliberately took a risk to save me? Don't you have a Flying Thunder God seal on you?"
"???"
Naruto looked at Sasuke, confused. Seeing Sasuke's serious expression, he checked his body for any lingering seals.
But he found nothing.
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Nope, nothing there."
Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief, as if to say, "Are you kidding me?"
"Naruto, what the hell did you do? Without the Flying Thunder God seal, how are we supposed to get out and fight Madara and Obito?"
"Uh…" Naruto muttered pitifully. "I don't know."
Seeing Naruto's pitiful look, Sasuke couldn't bring himself to scold him further.
He sat down on the floor next to Naruto.
"Let's rest for now. When the opportunity comes, I'll get us out and settle the score!"
"Mm." Naruto obediently sat down beside him.
As long as no one mentioned his capture, everything would be fine.
...
Back on the battlefield, Haneda sensed the threat through his connection to Fukurokuju and preemptively ended Obito's Limited Tsukuyomi.
He watched as the God Tree formed and Naruto fell into danger, preparing a Truth-Seeking Ball in his hand to unleash the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
But when Obito sent Naruto into Kamui's dimension, Haneda let his guard down.
Now, the battlefield had changed completely.
The God Tree no longer targeted Obito, but everyone else with chakra became its prey.
If Naruto stayed here, he would constantly face the God Tree's attacks until it calmed down and prepared to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
At the top of the God Tree, a giant flower bud began to bloom, resonating with the moon above. The moonlight turned blood red.
Madara and Hashirama were still conversing.
"It's slightly different from my original vision," Madara admitted.
"Different?" Hashirama looked at him, puzzled.
Madara pointed to the flower bud atop the God Tree.
"When the God Tree's flower fully blooms, the eye within will reflect the moon above," Madara explained.
"That's when the Infinite Tsukuyomi will be complete. And…"
"The one to complete it must be me!"
Madara's gaze sharpened as he finished speaking.
Nearby, the surviving members of the Allied Shinobi Forces had lost their will to fight after successive defeats.
They realized with despair that the outcome of war was never decided by the weak, but by the powerful gathered around the God Tree.
Despair consumed them. Some sat down; others collapsed.
If they couldn't decide the outcome, then so be it. Winning would be great, but if they lost, they'd simply fall into an eternal dream without pain.
Such an end seemed acceptable to them.
Hovering above the God Tree, Obito looked down at the defeated shinobi. Their hopelessness only strengthened his resolve.
He was right.
This painful world needed to be changed!
Whether for himself, his friends, or countless others.
Obito declared, "Give up. I can grant you the peace and tranquility you seek.
"My promise is more effective than Haneda's.
"Because the moment this war ends, so too will the Infinite Tsukuyomi be unleashed.
"In the new world, there will be no pain, only happiness and joy."
From a distance, Minato understood the gravity of the situation.
If the Allied Shinobi Forces completely lost their will to resist, Obito's resolve might truly prevail.
...…