Chapter 307 – "Do You Want to Know the Truth of the Shinobi World?"
"Seems like your luck has run out."
On the battlefield, Kitagawa Gen's God Tree avatar continued its relentless assault.
This latest surge in power was enormous—especially for the God Tree, and for the avatar that was now saturated with its energy.
"My strength rose again… I can even sense fragments of Ōtsutsuki power… and I've acquired my own Truth-Seeking Orbs?"
Even Gen himself felt a strange disconnect as he examined this new power.
A dangerous thought surfaced in his mind:
"Don't tell me… I've already reached the level of a 'God Tree Human.'"
In his memories, God Tree Humans were like Code's mutated Ten-Tails monsters—
evolving again and again until they broke free from his control and awakened self-consciousness,
exhibiting combat power rivaling the Ōtsutsuki.
And now?
Gen's situation… was beginning to resemble that.
The God Tree's energy was simply too overwhelming.
Even his clone was evolving.
"But the difference is—this God Tree originates from the 'God Tree Source.'
And I maintain absolute control."
Even the clone was essentially Gen's will stamped onto a split-off body.
He smirked.
"That just makes things easier."
His attacks grew fiercer.
The Truth-Seeking Orbs compressed into short blades in his hands—
and Obito's trio could no longer contain their shock.
"Damn it… is this the end point of 'evolution'?"
The sheer force radiating from Gen—already approaching the level of an Ōtsutsuki—
shook them to their core.
And yet…
Somewhere deep in their hearts, excitement stirred.
"Is this… the realm we're meant to reach someday?"
While they were being pummeled physically, the real shock occurred in their shared mental space—
where the three Ōtsutsuki stared at Gen in stunned silence.
"This guy…"
Momoshiki watched Gen casually form a Ten-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb,
then fling it at the trio like it was nothing.
The land shattered.
Explosions raged like tidal waves swallowing the horizon.
And in that moment, Momoshiki became certain.
"He already wields the power of the Ten-Tails…
This really is the 'Will of the Planet,' isn't it?"
"I'm not sure," Isshiki murmured, frowning.
"But don't forget—this world once nourished a God Tree that absorbed massive amounts of planetary energy."
His voice carried uncertainty… and a hint of awe.
"Maybe… when the God Tree absorbed the planet's chakra,
the planet absorbed part of the God Tree's power in return."
Urashiki nodded.
"And that power condensed… and eventually became him."
A wild theory—
but it explained Gen's absurd existence.
"What an interesting creature…
No wonder Ōtsutsuki Genshiki wants him.
He's practically a fruit—alive."
"No doubt.
In a sense, Genshiki is just following in your footsteps."
Isshiki sighed.
Momoshiki blinked.
"Wait—didn't you start this pattern?
He's only following your example."
Isshiki froze.
"…How far along are you two?"
A perfect deflection.
"I've reached the second stage of thawing.
I can begin seizing control of my vessel."
"Same here."
Urashiki smirked.
"Gen's insane strength forced me to expend a lot of energy repairing my vessel…
But fighting him accelerated my thawing."
"Likewise."
Momoshiki didn't bother hiding his progress.
"Gen's a fine opponent.
He's been holding back—stalling for the Ten-Tails.
But at this point, the wait is nearly over."
"Looks like the three of us will have to act together in the end."
Their gazes met.
All three wore unreadable expressions—
a mix of calculation, rivalry, and something far darker.
Because now,
their "allies" were no longer allies.
Despite being "dead" for so long, the three Ōtsutsuki were already at their limit.
And they all shared one common enemy:
The most deranged of their clan—the creator of the "Path to Godhood": Ōtsutsuki Genshiki.
Only after eliminating that lunatic could the three of them safely continue their own "plans."
---
But just as the three awaited resurrection with growing excitement—and as Obito's trio continued suffering a one-sided beating—
A strange radiance suddenly flickered through the sky,
and the ground beneath them began to tremble.
"What's that…?"
Gen halted, turning his gaze toward the distant horizon.
The sky had dimmed slightly.
They were no longer in the Land of Hot Water—
they had fought all the way to the shores of the Land of Whirlpools,
the final battleground.
Sensing the shifting atmosphere, Gen murmured:
"So they've finally arrived.
Faster than I expected."
And with that—
Countless figures surged toward them like incoming tides!
---
"GEN!"
From the southwest, a massive force rushed forward.
Jiraiya and Tsunade led the charge.
Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji followed behind.
A battalion of shinobi thundered across the battlefield.
"They really did gather here…"
From another direction, Neji, Hinata, and the units stationed nearby also advanced at full speed.
"Looks like you've attracted everyone, Gen."
From yet another direction, Kakashi's regiment appeared.
Guy and Zabuza ran behind him like sprinting beasts.
"Yo-shi! So this is the place!"
In the sky, Deidara laughed wildly—
as if he hadn't been fighting Mū seconds ago.
Mei Terumi's expression sharpened,
and Gaara rubbed his temples helplessly—
their battles interrupted by the overwhelming chakra wave earlier.
Even the Edo Tensei forces were being pulled toward this location.
"First Division—confirmed arrival!"
"Second Division—arrived!"
"Third Division—arrived!"
"Fourth Division—arrived!"
"Medical Corps—arrived!"
"Sensory Corps—arrived!"
Report after report thundered across the battlefield.
Almost every unit had assembled.
And then—
thunder rolled through the clouds above.
From the dark sky, two colossal Susanoo collided violently!
BOOM!
Both armored giants recoiled—
and on the open ground below, a golden figure appeared,
stabbing a kunai into the soil.
A burst of chakra—
and several shinobi were teleported in at once!
"Support Division—!"
A violet Susanoo landed heavily.
Naruto's excited voice followed:
"—Has arrived!"
Madara descended as well, hovering above the assembled forces.
His brow furrowed when he glanced at Obito, Nagato, and Kimimaro—
all covered in dark markings, chakra surging to a dangerous threshold.
Even so, compared to Kitagawa Gen on the opposite side…
their power felt insignificant.
"That chakra…
Is he the source?"
Madara asked quietly.
Obito nodded.
"Yes. And thanks to this fight, he's completed his transformation.
He's reached the final stage of 'evolution.'"
Nagato added, voice low:
"His power now…
is no weaker than the Ōtsutsuki I once encountered."
To them, the massive Shinobi Alliance was nothing more than a loud, buzzing crowd.
The real threats could be counted on one hand.
"So… we've reached the last step."
Gen surveyed the battlefield, amused.
"You all broke faster than I expected."
"Hmph. They're nothing but a rabble."
Obito replied, though his eyes wavered when he saw Minato.
No one had time for hesitation now.
He turned toward Madara:
"Did you find it?
That most important item?"
"…Yes.
It's with one of my subordinates."
As if summoned, the ground rippled—
and Orochimaru rose from beneath it,
followed by countless White Zetsu.
In the distance, the Edo Tensei army streamed toward them,
gathering as one massive contingent.
Their numbers now nearly matched the entire Shinobi Alliance.
Gasps rippled through the ranks—
but not a single shinobi retreated.
There was no turning back.
This battle was for everything.
Naruto, Sasuke, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato rushed to Gen's side.
"Hey… what is this?"
Naruto blinked in awe.
Sasuke cut straight to the point:
"Senior.
Have you fully completed the 'evolution' that Ōtsutsuki Genshiki spoke of?"
Hashirama nodded vigorously.
Minato's eyes were filled with open curiosity.
Gen sighed in exasperation.
"Is this really what you should be worried about?
The battle isn't even over.
And what is Madara doing over there?"
Everyone's face twisted awkwardly.
Because—
Madara had indeed chosen a strange moment.
He had taken something from Orochimaru…
And now, stepping forward, he held a peculiar wooden "book" in his hand.
His voice boomed across the battlefield:
"Since everyone is finally gathered…"
Seal patterns swirled in his hands—
and a shard of ancient tree bark materialized.
Hashirama, Tobirama, and Tsunade instantly scowled.
That was the stolen heirloom of the Senju clan!
Madara raised his voice:
"There are matters I never intended to explain…
But it seems necessary that you all understand."
He paused—
Then thundered:
"Do you wish to know the true truth of this shinobi world?!"
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