The third day after the Spirit of the Dragon Veins left Lou Lan.
On a beach on the southern border of the Land of Hot Water, adjacent to the Land of Fire.
By selling the fish they caught from the sea to the inland, the ordinary people living in this area managed to get by comfortably.
Because of this, there were usually many fishermen coming and going near the beach, working hard for a living.
However, since the ground began to shake frequently a few days ago, and the waves in the sea became too treacherous, not many people had gone out to sea in the last two days.
Life could still go on, and those who could not go fishing for the time being seemed to have agreed to stay home and rest.
There were even some well-informed fishermen who wanted to take this rare opportunity to visit the neighboring Land of Fire. They heard that a ninja competition was being held there recently, and it was extremely lively.
As a result, the people living in this area were either leaving or idly staying home, making the place appear deserted.
It was at this moment that a circular portal, emitting a dark red glow, quietly opened in the sky above the empty beach.
...
"The source of power is actually in such a secluded place..."
Ci Xian, no, Otsutsuki Isshiki, who had activated the Karma power, stepped out of the spatial gate. His powerful senses swept over the surrounding beach, and he nodded with satisfaction.
"That's good..."
"No need to worry about those low-level humans disturbing here. It's perfect for planting the God Tree."
"By the time that Orochimaru reacts..."
"Heh heh..."
Otsutsuki Isshiki revealed a disdainful cold smile on his face.
Although he spoke with disdain about Orochimaru, the so-called strongest human, Otsutsuki Isshiki still waved his hand and set up a powerful barrier around the area.
While it could not block the powerful fluctuations emitted when the God Tree absorbed the power from the Earth's veins, he was confident that by the time the strong individuals of the ninja world sensed this power fluctuation and arrived to investigate, everything would already be over.
The power that this world originally should have belonged to him was finally about to return to his hands.
"After waiting for a thousand years, I have finally arrived at this moment."
"I don't know why the spirit of the Earth's veins in this world has revived, but..."
"It doesn't matter anymore!"
Otsutsuki Isshiki let out a hearty laugh. The golden light in his right eye flashed, and a monster with ten tails was held in his palm.
"Ten-Tails, use this planet's power as nourishment, and offer your gift to my path to godhood!"
Amidst his laughter, the Ten-Tails slowly flew from Otsutsuki Isshiki's hand. Its ten long tails transformed into the roots of a God Tree, eagerly burrowing into the beach below, which exuded a tempting aura of power.
The next moment, the earth trembled, and the waves roared.
An unimaginably vast power of the Dragon Veins surged rapidly, and the God Tree, formed by the Ten-Tails, immediately began to grow wildly.
...
"It has begun!"
"Everyone..."
At the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, Orochimaru looked up at the giant tree piercing the sky in the southern horizon and slowly asked:
"The life and death of the ninja world is at hand, prepare yourselves to die!"
Behind Orochimaru stood countless fully prepared Allied Shinobi Forces.
Except for the genin who were too weak to participate, all the available strong individuals from the Five Great Shinobi Villages and various forces in the ninja world were present behind Orochimaru.
Standing in the front row were the leaders of each faction, including the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hanzō of the Salamander, Chiyo, and Mifune.
Particularly conspicuous were the Nine-Tails and several other Tailed Beasts, led by the Nine-Tails, standing beside Orochimaru, along with their Jinchuriki.
The people of the ninja world had never imagined that the Tailed Beasts, those terrifying beasts rumored to cause natural disasters, would stand beside Orochimaru like obedient guards.
They had also never imagined that the ninja world crisis spoken of by Orochimaru would descend so suddenly.
Just by looking at the terrifying pressure emanating from the God Tree that pierced the clouds from the beach in the Land of Hot Water and was still growing, the leaders of the various ninja villages, who had initially thought Orochimaru was exaggerating, forgot their displeasure at being coerced by Madara Uchiha to mobilize troops.
"Yes!"
With surging emotions, countless ninjas with lingering passion in their hearts roared in agreement.
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction and turned his gaze to Madara Uchiha, who was beside him and eager to act.
"Elder Madara."
"How is your Split-Body Technique mastery coming along?"
Madara Uchiha heard the question, withdrew his gaze from the God Tree, glanced at Black Zetsu with anticipation, and let out a disdainful snort.
"Hmph!"
"It's just a secret technique of the Five Elements. For someone with the Rinnegan like me, mastering it is as simple as a breath."
"You just want to use my body to release Kaguya Otsutsuki from her seal, don't you?"
"When I fight that guy Otsutsuki Isshiki with my full strength, I will do as you ask."
Black Zetsu, however, was not bothered and nodded repeatedly at Madara Uchiha with excitement.
"Lord Madara, thank you for your contribution to world peace."
"On behalf of..."
"Shut up!"
Madara Uchiha yelled. Black Zetsu's address of "Lord Madara" disgusted him immensely.
"Heh heh, Lord Madara is quite vengeful!"
Black Zetsu chuckled sheepishly, then turned to Orochimaru and asked expectantly:
"Lord Orochimaru, the body and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path needed to rescue Mother are ready."
"Then, what about the Tailed Beasts needed to revive the Ten-Tails..."
As he spoke, Black Zetsu cast a pointed glance at the group of Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.
The five Tailed Beasts, Shukaku, Matatabi, Son Goku, Kokuō, and Saiken, were free, so it was convenient to obtain some chakra from them.
The difficult ones were the four Tailed Beasts, Gyūki, Isobu, Han, and Utakata, who were sealed within Jinchuriki.
Black Zetsu had no objection to extracting the Tailed Beasts from their bodies, but judging by Orochimaru's attitude towards these Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, it wouldn't be that simple.
"Black Zetsu."
Orochimaru glanced at Black Zetsu and said calmly:
"I only promised to help you release Kaguya Otsutsuki from her seal, but I never guaranteed how much power Kaguya Otsutsuki would have after being released."
"As long as enough chakra is extracted from the Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki to awaken the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and revive the Ten-Tails, and with Madara's clone helping to rescue Kaguya Otsutsuki."
"The rest is not within the scope of our transaction."
"Do you think I had you transfer a hundred thousand white Zetsu here for no reason?"
Orochimaru had indeed not promised to maintain Kaguya Otsutsuki's full power, so this approach was understandable.
Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu's expression changed drastically.
"This..."
"What if Orochimaru plans to seize Mother's power after rescuing her..."
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu dared not continue.
"Don't worry!"
Orochimaru smiled confidently.
"With my current strength, I don't covet the power Kaguya obtained from a fruit." "Let me tell you, the reason I released Kaguya is simply to find a guide who knows the path to the Otsutsuki clan."
"The ninja world, after all, must be protected by ninjas themselves."
"Elder Madara, what do you think?"
Madara Uchiha laughed heartily and stood shoulder to shoulder with Orochimaru with great spirit.
"Of course!"
"It is precisely because I appreciate your intentions that I am willing to accompany you to face that Otsutsuki clan member."
"It's just a pity that Hashirama isn't here for this scene..."