The Earth Rising Dragon.
The pure white, sacred dragon body snaked and soared into the sky.
Between heaven and earth.
A White Rainbow.
——
They started as people from Konoha.
Gradually.
The Land of Fire.
Everyone on this land.
Everyone witnessed this scene.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment; their eyes were wide open, their mouths slightly agape, as if they wanted to exclaim in amazement, but for a moment they were speechless.
This...
Such a scene was beyond their comprehension.
——
The atmosphere was torn apart.
The clouds were shattered.
The few people clinging tightly to the White Dragon Body looked up at the horizon and saw the sun that had already set.
Even Ōnoki, who had extensive flying experience, had never looked down upon the Shinobi World from this height.
He turned his head and looked at the back of Kagami Uchiha, who stood alone at the dragon's head.
The last vestige of obsession in my heart vanished completely.
Hatake Sakumo gripped his short sword tightly. He and Kakashi had both obtained crystals, and a mysterious power was drawing them together with the White Dragon.
"Kakashi... there really is nothing in this world that Kagami-kun can't do..."
Kakashi pulled his mask up slightly and said casually, "I knew about this before you did, Father."
Nagato and Orochimaru were in the middle of a battle, and they were close enough to ride the White Dragon.
Unlike most people whose attention was focused on the dragon's head, Orochimaru pressed himself against the White Dragon Scales, sensing the vast and powerful life force that resembled a mountain range.
This is the ultimate form he is pursuing!
The ultimate fantasy of all snakes.
Dragon!!
Nagato's confidence was also shaken.
Whether his envisioned strongest weapon can surpass this terrifying White Dragon remains to be seen.
Not to mention...
The man who rode the White Dragon.
The moon, created by the Sage of Six Paths according to legend, is getting closer and closer...
Nagato never imagined that humans could do such a thing.
Crossing the Limitless distance between the Earth-Moon, we ascend to that mythical land.
Above the dim sky, a full moon has been shining over the Shinobi World for a thousand years.
Suddenly.
Countless Kakkō shone brightly around the dark moon.
That is...
A burning meteorite!
Tens of thousands, covering the entire field of vision!
They are like angry Arrows of Divine Punishment, seeking to punish the unruly creatures of the earth.
"What's this!!"
No special sensory abilities are needed; anyone with eyes can see that this meteor shower is hurtling towards the White Dragon.
Nagato recalled the scene Zetsu had witnessed.
Kagami Uchiha once fought against a mysterious powerful figure who descended from the sky.
That mysterious powerful figure has the ability to control meteorites.
So...
The person who fought Kagami Uchiha came from the moon!
"Kagami-sama..."
The White Dragon spoke in a gentle female voice, clearly indicating that... the soul of the Katsuyu Immortal had taken over this body.
It shouldn't be called "occupation," but rather that this body was a newly created immortal form for him.
She is alive... perhaps she should be called the White Dragon Sage.
Should we avoid it?
Upon hearing this, Kagami Uchiha gently shook his head and gazed at the moon.
Amidst the sprawling Divine Temple and palaces, a young boy stood in terror Giant Tenseigan, desperately trying to Tenseigan power.
He slowly raised his hand.
Boom!!!
As the meteorite was about to collide with them, it burned even more intensely and exploded instantly!
If this were on the land of the Shinobi World...
You can see the moon orbiting around it.
A series of dazzling fireworks burst forth.
Absolutely stunning!
——
Passing through the fireworks, as it approached the moon, the White Dragon's body gradually shrank until it was only a few tens of meters long.
The people on it were also lifted up by an invisible force and slowly descended.
Despite being reborn, White Dragon remains as gentle as ever.
On the lunar surface, vast plains resemble a silvery ocean, tranquil yet desolate.
The cratered, uneven mountain is a mark sculpted by time.
It exudes a cool, lonely beauty.
After all, it's not real outer space. This moon is just a sealed creation of the Sage of Sage of Six Paths brothers. Apart from being desolate and lacking basic elements like oxygen, it's no different from the Shinobi World.
"It really... it really reached the moon..."
"Is this the world created by the Sage of Six Paths in legend!?"
"Little Jiraiya, I heard the master say that this was created by the Sage of Six Paths and his brothers." Sage Fukasaku was still on Jiraiya's shoulder.
Just like the Three Snake Princesses on Orochimaru's body, Jiraiya, who carries two Toad on his shoulders, is also considered to be one person.
Thus, the ten finalists for the third round of the Shinobi World Martial Performance were determined.
The following rankings do not represent relative strength.
Akatsuki, Nagato (with Six Paths of Pain)
Akatsuki, Konan.
Akatsuki/ Konoha, Jiraiya (including Fukasaku Sage Shima)
Konoha, Uchiha Shisui.
Konoha, Hatake Sakumo.
Konoha, Hatake Kakashi.
Hidden Fire Village, Orochimaru (Three Snake Princesses)
The Land of Earth, Ōnoki.
The Land of Lightning, Killer B.
The Land of Iron, Mifune.
This does not mean that these ten people are the ten strongest among the participants.
There was an element of luck involved.
For example, Mifune almost had his token stolen by a bounty hunter; if the match had gone on for a normal time, he wouldn't have been able to hold onto it.
Similarly, there is also Hatake Sakumo.
Yes, it's not Kakashi, it's Hatake Sakumo.
The Hatake Father and Son were besieged by the Lightning and Earth Alliance, who wanted to obtain more tokens.
Kakashi was still able to escape using the Flying Thunder God, but if Hatake Sakumo continued fighting, he would be in danger. Just then, the White Dragon ascended to the heavens.
The only token of the Land of Lightning was with Killer B, therefore, A withdrew from the final match.
The most unlucky ones are those from Kirigakure.
In terms of strength, they are fully capable of seizing several tokens.
Just because they fought Shisui for a whole day, Kagami Uchiha, lacking any martial ethics, ended the fight prematurely.
This resulted in their elimination.
It's a bit of a pity that Kirigakure withdrew, but as for Sunagakure, it's not a pity.
Whether the Sunagakure organization will still exist after the martial arts competition ends is still unknown.
In addition, there was Hashirama Senju, a special guest.
He was picking up a handful of lunar soil and examining it closely.
"What, your Wood Release depends on the soil type?"
"No, that's not it, I'm just curious..." Hashirama Senju Kagami, then suddenly remembered something.
He quickly walked up to Nagato and looked him up and down.
"Yes... you do look a little like Mito... Child, do you remember who your parents are?"
It would be strange for a normal person to ask such a question, but it's perfectly normal for someone like Hashirama Senju, who lived through a time of great war.
Many of them are children whose parents died before they could remember anything.
He asked this question after learning that Nagato was also born in a time of war.
Nagato snorted coldly, understanding what Hashirama Senju meant.
"Don't tell me we have nothing to do with each other."
"Even if my parents are related to you by blood."
"They died at the hands of Konoha ninja."
"What right do you have to ask their names!"
Hashirama Senju pursed his lips tightly and took a step back.
Then...
Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, he bowed deeply to Nagato.
"I'm sorry, it's my responsibility to have you caught up in such a brutal war!"
"Don't be too arrogant, and don't perform this kind of play."
Kagami Uchiha's indifferent voice rang out.
"The martial arts demonstration isn't over yet."
He pointed to the distant palace complex, whose outlines could be seen.
"There's a little devil there, capture him alive."
"This doesn't count as the official third match."
"It's just to weed out the mediocre among you."