Can a person survive without a heart?
For most ordinary people, it is absolutely impossible.
However, for Madara, who has already mastered the Six Paths power, it was merely an uncomfortable wound. In a brief instant, he caused a replacement to grow in another part of his body. Under the influence of Yang Release and a sea of Chakra, he was like an unkillable cockroach; no matter the injury, he would recover in an extremely short period.
Obito was no slouch either. He had clearly anticipated this. Almost every attack he launched was bolstered by the spatial power of Kamui, ensuring that any hit would result in an irreparable void. Consequently, in just a few exchanges, he used the unique power of his Mangekyo Sharingan to leave three or four wrist-thick holes in Madara's body.
Of course, the only reason these holes persisted was that Obito was continuously channeling Kamui. If Obito were to die, lose consciousness, or run out of Chakra, these wounds would seal shut in less than three seconds.
"When did your other eye become a Mangekyo?" Madara questioned, his expression grim.
In his memory, Obito had only ever possessed one Mangekyo Sharingan, and its ability leaned toward defense rather than offense.
"Just a short while ago! Do you know why I always wore that mask? It helped me evade the surveillance of you and Black Zetsu. Don't think I didn't know, you've always viewed me as a pawn to be dictated and manipulated at will. But even a pawn has thoughts of its own! Now, I have seen through your pathetic lies and this foolish Eye of the Moon Plan," Obito answered through gritted teeth.
As he spoke, streaks of blood-tears suddenly flowed from the corners of his eyes. Evidently, using spatial abilities so recklessly carried a heavy price. Both the Chakra consumption and the physical strain had reached a point where even Wood Release could no longer sustain him.
Carefully maneuvering to avoid the pincer attack of the three giant silver wolves, Madara asked in a tone dripping with disdain, "So... all you want now is revenge? For that girl named Rin?"
"Yeah! That's right! I have no lingering attachments left for this world. The only motivation keeping me alive is to make you feel pain, even if only for a moment," Obito wiped away the blood-tears streaming down his face, his voice carrying a sense of absolute finality.
"I admit. Those Kamui Sharingan of yours are indeed dangerous; even I must handle them with care. But that is all! As the Infinite Tsukuyomi is released, all the Chakra in the world will converge upon me. Before such power, nothing you do can change the final outcome. In honor of your contribution to the Eye of the Moon Plan, I shall mercifully grant you a beautiful dream."
Madara, sensing Obito's intense hatred, decisively abandoned any attempt at persuasion and prepared to eliminate this threat once and for all. With Allen watching like a hawk nearby, he didn't dare allow a pair of eyes controlling spatial power to persist.
However, before Madara could act, the massive God Tree towering between heaven and earth suddenly convulsed. Two figures hanging in mid-air abruptly released staggering amounts of Chakra.
Next second...
Bang! Bang!
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha tore through their bindings and leaped out from their white cocoons. Naruto's Chakra vibrated with the distinct traits of Yang Release, while Sasuke's radiated Yin Release. One of Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyo had evolved into a Rinnegan.
There was no need to ask; Hagoromo, the Sage of the Six Paths existing in spirit form, had finally made his move.
"You broke free from the Infinite Tsukuyomi? And what is with that Rinnegan!" Madara was stunned.
He could understand people like Allen and Karin resisting the Infinite Tsukuyomi due to their own Rinnegan, and it made sense for Obito, who knew the plan, to evade it for a moment. But what was the deal with Naruto Uzumaki? The boy didn't even have a Sharingan, yet he had broken out of the ultimate illusion. As for Sasuke, it was even more absurd, in less than ten minutes, one of his eyes had evolved into a unique six-tomoe Rinnegan. It had taken Madara an age to evolve from the Eternal Mangekyo to the Rinnegan after stealing Hashirama's flesh.
"It's the Sage of the Six Paths," Allen finally revealed the answer after watching the drama from the sidelines.
"The Sage of the Six Paths? Didn't he die long ago?" Madara frowned instinctively.
Allen nodded with a smile. "Yes. Biologically speaking, he is dead. But spiritually, he still lives, hiding in the shadows to observe the changes of this world. When he deems the world to be in crisis again, he naturally takes action. Moreover, Naruto and Sasuke are the reincarnations of this generation's Asura and Indra."
"Who exactly are you? Why do you know all of this?" Sasuke's tone was sharp with suspicion.
Undoubtedly, during his encounter with Hagoromo, he must have received a warning to be wary of Allen. Naruto's reaction mirrored this wariness.
"Heh, who I am doesn't matter. What matters is what I'm about to do next."
Allen ignored their sudden shift in attitude and turned his gaze directly toward Black Zetsu. "The time is right. Don't you intend to make your move yet?"
"Oh? You know what I intend to do?" Black Zetsu's expression shifted slightly.
"Of course. Otherwise, do you think I would have let Madara mess around for this long?" Allen countered meaningfully.
Black Zetsu was no fool; he instantly realized this mysterious young man knew his true objective. He tested carefully, "Why do you want me to proceed? From a human perspective, you seem to have no motive or reason to do so."
"Don't ask so many questions. Just hurry up and finish what you must do. Otherwise..."
Allen paused deliberately, one hand gripping the hilt of the Sulfuras Sword. He glanced sideways at Madara, who was completely oblivious to the situation. The implication was clear.
"What on earth are you two talking about?"
Madara finally sensed something was wrong. He turned and glared at them, especially at Black Zetsu. To the very end, he firmly believed this black mass was a creation of his own Chakra, an extension of his will. He had never harbored the slightest doubt.
One had to wonder whether to praise his boundless trust or mock his lack of brains for so implicitly trusting an entity with its own independent consciousness.
At least Allen knew that when Vaelastrasz had spoken his own name, Allen had been secretly on guard for a long time...