Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 290: The Distant Ten-Tails Jinchuriki

Uchiha Obito watched the battle between the two Hagoromo Gengetsus with an increasingly grim expression.

"Hagoromo Gengetsu's strength is far greater than anticipated," he remarked without turning to Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu, his face calm, replied, "Given that he killed the Great Toad Sage, it's not surprising that Hagoromo Gengetsu's power is beyond measure."

Black Zetsu harbored deep resentment towards the Great Toad Sage, who had long sowed discord between his mother and her offspring. He had been eager to settle this score, but Hagoromo Gengetsu had done it for him, elevating his evaluation of Gengetsu's power even further.

Hearing Black Zetsu's words, Obito finally turned his head and said, "That's not what you told me before."

'That was to stabilize you, to have you act as a front while I gained deeper insight into Hagoromo Gengetsu,' Black Zetsu thought.

Though Obito was becoming less valuable, Black Zetsu, adhering to the principle of using resources to their fullest, reassured him, "Don't worry, he knows himself best. He must have a plan."

"And if all else fails, we can always leave this world. Even if Hagoromo Gengetsu returns, surviving is what matters."

Obito felt slightly relieved. He still had a backup plan, especially Kamui, his trump card for escape.

Obito exhaled lightly and refocused on the battlefield. While one knows oneself best, there were differences in life experiences and hard power between the two Hagoromo Gengetsus. Fully aware of the need to use all his strength even against a rabbit, let alone another version of himself, Gengetsu employed every technique except the Truth-Seeking balls.

After a period of intense combat, finally, there was a decisive moment.

With a "Pshh" sound, the black rod in Hagoromo Gengetsu's hand pierced the chest of the other "Hagoromo Gengetsu."

Looking at the opponent close to him, he stated calmly, "It's over."

"Indeed, it's the final stage," agreed "Hagoromo Gengetsu," unfazed by the wound.

Before Hagoromo Gengetsu could react, there was a large puff of white smoke.

The Gedo Statue, with its six eyes wide open, stood tall. In that instant, despite his critical condition, "Hagoromo Gengetsu" grabbed his true self tightly. Simultaneously, the Gedo Statue opened its mouth, three chains shooting out rapidly and breaking the three jars containing the sealed Tailed Beasts on Hagoromo Gengetsu's waist.

To prevent a repeat of Hashirama handing over a Tailed Beast, Hagoromo Gengetsu had brought three Tailed Beasts with him. The other "Hagoromo Gengetsu" knew this and had aimed for these Tailed Beasts all along. Severely injured, he didn't mind the cost as the brief time he had was enough.

With a roar, the three enormous Tailed Beasts—Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Eight-Tails—barely had time to express their rage before the chains from the Gedo Statue pulled them back into its mouth.

"Gedo Statue's chains… Uchiha Obito taught you this," Hagoromo Gengetsu observed calmly. In the real world, he also possessed the Gedo Statue but hadn't mastered the technique due to time constraints. Obito's mastery, likely thanks to Uchiha Madara, was evident.

"There's more," "Hagoromo Gengetsu" smiled weakly as his hands, turning to mud, reformed from his sleeves, forming seals.

Six Paths Ten-Tails Coffin Seal!

With a rush, the massive Gedo Statue, having forcibly swallowed three Tailed Beasts, merged into "Hagoromo Gengetsu's" back, beginning the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki transformation.

Not everyone could become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Nagato, possessing the Rinnegan and Uzumaki blood, had been drained to skin and bones by the Gedo Statue. Combining nine Tailed Beasts with the Gedo Statue under one's control could cause most to lose their sanity and die. Only a rare few, with innate compatibility and strong mental fortitude, could wield such power.

"Hagoromo Gengetsu" was one of those few.

Hagoromo Gengetsu anticipated this. As signs of the Six Paths form appeared on his opponent, he too formed seals.

Instantly, the three recently swallowed Tailed Beasts' eyes transformed into Rinnegan.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had considered how the other "Hagoromo Gengetsu" might defeat him: only the Ten-Tails. Thus, he had a plan for the three Tailed Beasts he brought. Controlled by his Rinnegan, they now rioted inside "Hagoromo Gengetsu," causing his body to sprout parts of the various Tailed Beasts. Despite the chaos, "Hagoromo Gengetsu," through sheer will, suppressed them.

At this critical juncture, Hagoromo Gengetsu approached, catching his opponent off guard, and gripped his shoulders, activating Chakra Devour. As "Hagoromo Gengetsu" fought back, nearly half of the Ten-Tails' Chakra flowed into Hagoromo Gengetsu.

They locked eyes, then:

Boom!

The pressure beyond human capability descended. In the silence, black magatama patterns appeared on white robes covering them both. Their black hair turned white, extending to their waists, with black orbs floating around.

Facing each other, Hagoromo Gengetsu and "Hagoromo Gengetsu" slowly began to levitate.