"Oh? Looks like... I really should destroy every last hope you have."
Madara Uchiha raised an eyebrow slightly, watching the boy, who was visibly tense and swaying on his feet yet still refused to retreat a single step, charging at him with his sword raised instead.
"Taking up a weapon out of obsession-from beginning to end, you never once truly overcame your own weakness."
The instant Madara Uchiha spoke coldly, his figure flashed, and he lashed out with a brutal kick!
It struck Obito squarely in the abdomen!
Pfft-!
Obito Uchiha flew backward like a kite with its string cut. Agonizing pain surged through his chest, a metallic sweetness rose in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Before Madara Uchiha, his Six Paths-level body might as well have been made of paper.
As Obito Uchiha slammed into the ground, the ring of Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him scattered completely, several black orbs flying wildly out of control.
The next moment, Obito Uchiha quickly climbed up and steadied himself, one hand braced against his abdomen. The pain in his belly made his breathing rapid, but there was not the slightest hint of retreat in his eyes.
Afraid of death.
He really was afraid of death.
But...
There were no buts!
"I'll defeat you! I will..."
Obito Uchiha raised his head, staring fixedly at Madara Uchiha's face, at that crimson figure whose name was practically synonymous with invincibility.
At last!
His trembling voice gradually grew firm, hoarse yet resolute.
"I'm weak, the dead last Kakashi calls me... I'm afraid, the coward Gen calls me... I admit all of that."
"But I made myself a promise!"
"I'll protect Rin! I'll protect everything I want to protect!"
"So... I absolutely won't lose to you here!!"
The instant his words fell.
The