Who gave you the courage?

At the same time, this only served to strengthen Nagato's resolve: Uchiha Brahman could not be killed. After defeating him, he must be captured and controlled so that he could contribute to world peace.

What a talent he was. As a powerhouse possessing the legendary Eye of God, Nagato had this confidence. Could Uchiha Brahman really be stronger than him, a powerhouse with the legendary Eye of God? Who did he think he was? A mere pair of Sharingan—how could they possibly be his match?

You wouldn't even need to think to know that was impossible! It was absolutely impossible!!!

Orochimaru cast a meaningful glance at Nagato before stepping back.

He decided it was time to bail. Since the Akatsuki could no longer provide him with any help, he would strike out on his own. Orochimaru didn't believe that once Nagato defeated Uchiha Brahman, he would let them off the hook. If he continued to stay in the Akatsuki, there was no guarantee he wouldn't end up on the receiving end of one of Nagato's needles.

From then on, there would be no more freedom.

"Teacher..."

Orochimaru recalled the news he had received earlier. His teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had gone from being the Hokage of a village—well, acting Hokage—to a rogue ninja and a fugitive. Who knew where he was hiding now.

Perhaps...

"Interesting, these guys, hehe!!!"

A smile suddenly curled onto the face of Uchiha Brahman as he hurried toward Kirigakure. However, he did not slow his pace; Kirigakure was almost within reach.

The speed of a ninja was incredibly fast.

Kirigakure.

In a secluded corner, two figures were quietly watching the village.

"Is he really that strong?"

Obito looked toward Black Zetsu at his side.

"Yes. This is the first time I have ever been discovered by someone. If I hadn't escaped quickly, I would be dead by now!"

Black Zetsu nodded, recalling that moment. He felt a deep sense of lingering fear at Uchiha Brahman's strike. He had been so close, just a hair's breadth away from death, and he would have never been able to resurrect his mother.

The Uchiha clan had produced an incredible monster!

Even now, Black Zetsu could not comprehend how Uchiha Brahman had become so powerful. It had reached a level that was completely inhuman. The most disgusting part was this:

Uchiha Brahman was different from all the ninjas of the past. Concepts like villages, peace, love, or hatred—he had none of them.

All he had was the ambition to conquer the entire ninja world, and he was doing exactly that right now. Looking at it now, he clearly possessed the strength to back it up.

Black Zetsu felt that Uchiha Brahman was like a hedgehog; he had no idea how to manipulate him, other than through those eyes.

However, Uchiha Brahman had no siblings, nor did he have any family!

He wasn't the reincarnation of anyone either. He was just an inexplicably powerful, ordinary, unremarkable Uchiha who existed outside of fate and completely exceeded all of Black Zetsu's expectations.

Manipulation? It was impossible. Black Zetsu even felt that if he dared to appear before Uchiha Brahman, he would likely be killed on the spot.

"His existence has already affected the Eye of the Moon Plan. You are no match for him!"

Black Zetsu spoke slowly, hoping that Nagato, combined with their own strength, could stand against Uchiha Brahman. They didn't even need to defeat him; if they could just fight to a draw, their Eye of the Moon Plan could continue.

"Damn it! I should have killed the entire Uchiha clan!"

Obito cursed in anger. Everything had been going perfectly before, but why, why did a Uchiha Brahman have to suddenly emerge from the damned Uchiha clan? This damn fishmonger—couldn't he have just kept selling his fish? Why did he have to jump out and obstruct their plan?

Rin...

Just wait. I will definitely create a world that has you in it!

Uchiha Brahman, I, Obito, will kill you!

"I want to see just how strong Uchiha Brahman really is!"

Obito looked toward Kirigakure. Under his control, Yagura had already gathered all the ninjas of Kirigakure.

"Children, kneel!"

Uchiha Brahman stood atop a tree, arms crossed over his chest. He tilted his head slightly, chest puffed out and stomach tucked in. The scorching sun hanging high in the nine heavens acted like a halo behind his head, casting his face into shadow.

"Uchiha Brahman, we will never submit to you!"

Yagura looked at Uchiha Brahman and said angrily, then activated his Tailed Beast transformation without hesitation.

"Roar!"

A roar erupted as black-red chakra enveloped his body. Finally, a giant beast appeared within the ranks of Kirigakure.

In the distance, Obito watched this scene quietly. He would strike when necessary.

"Is this the extent of your power? Hahahahaha!!!"

Uchiha Brahman looked at Yagura, who had fully transformed into a Tailed Beast but still retained his sanity, and laughed maniacally before calming down.

"Why, why? I simply cannot understand. Can you not see my power? Who gave you the courage to stand before me and resist? A mere Tailed Beast?"

He looked indifferently at the ninjas of Kirigakure. Then, he raised his hand slightly. In the distance, a massive, compressed Tailed Beast Ball came hurtling toward him with a boom.

Zzzzzzt~

Chakra swirled and magnetic fields surged as the massive Tailed Beast Ball landed directly in the hands of Uchiha Brahman, just as it had with the jinchuriki in other ninja villages.

"What! He caught a Tailed Beast Ball with his bare hands!"

In the distance, Obito watched this scene in astonishment, witnessing something that completely challenged his perception. The next moment, he saw Uchiha Brahman casually squeeze his hand, crushing the Tailed Beast Ball into nothingness.

"Come, try this move!"

Uchiha Brahman ignored the Kirigakure ninja rushing toward him, intent on killing him, and instead raised his hand.

Water Style: Sea Covering Technique!

BOOM!

A heaven-shaking roar erupted. The next moment, a massive volume of water surged from Uchiha Brahman's body. Simultaneously, the ocean that once enveloped the Land of Water began to churn, and countless pillars of water rose from the sea, transforming into water dragons that charged toward this location.

In just a few moments, the area turned into a vast ocean, and the Kirigakure ninja were instantly submerged by the deluge.

Countless currents transformed into tentacles; despite being soft water, they were now as hard as steel, binding the ninja with ease.

The ninja attempted to use Water Style to escape, but they discovered with horror that no matter what Water Style technique they used, it was like a mere splash in the face of this ocean, proving entirely useless.

"How truly weak. Is this where your confidence comes from? Who gave you the courage to challenge me? How pathetic! Come now, accept my blessing!"

Uchiha Brahman raised his hand, and all the Kirigakure ninja, still bound, had their heads forced above the surface of the water.