381-385

Chapter 381: The Otherworldly Flame Pagodas 

So, when Orochimaru and the others saw Kazama arrive, they were completely thrilled and pleasantly surprised. But Kazama truly had no time for pleasantries with Orochimaru and the rest. After all, Kazama knew his top priority was to quickly inform them and stop the impending attack from the Kara organization. 

So, Kazama immediately told Orochimaru the entire story, the ins and outs of everything. Upon hearing Kazama's words, Orochimaru simply smiled and nodded. 

“Now, now, Leader Kazama, you really don't need to worry so much!” 

“Oh? What exactly do you mean by that?” 

Kazama was instantly puzzled. He'd expected Orochimaru to be angry or at least tense after hearing his news, but instead, he was smiling and showed no signs of distress. Kazama knew that his Otogakure wasn't as strong as the Five Great Shinobi Villages. So why was Orochimaru, as the temporary leader of Otogakure, acting so relaxed? 

“Heh heh heh, it's quite simple, Leader Kazama. You've probably been away for too long, so you might not be aware, but our Otogakure's overall strength has already soared like the rising sun! We're even stronger and more formidable than all the Five Great Shinobi Villages combined!” 

“What?! Is that truly... real?” 

“Heh heh heh, of course it is! Why would I lie to you?” 

Seeing that Kazama seemed a bit disbelieving, Orochimaru immediately waved his hand, gathering everyone from Otogakure. And at that moment, all the familiar faces who had pledged loyalty to Kazama, upon hearing of his return, swarmed to their location. There was Zabuza, Haku, Kimimaro, members of the Akatsuki, and even the incredibly powerful and formidable Ōtsutsuki Kaguya herself! 

Kazama had never expected that even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya would be willing to join his Otogakure! This naturally filled Kazama with immense joy. At the same time, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya also came forward, smiling, to Kazama. 

“Now, Kazama, you are my savior, so of course, I've come to join your ranks and lend my strength to your village. Besides, I also need the power of your Otogakure and your own strength to help me fend off the Ōtsutsuki trio. After all, you are the only one on this planet with that capability. Therefore, I hope to fight alongside you!” 

“Alright, that's absolutely no problem!” Seeing that even the mighty Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was willing to help him, Kazama naturally nodded with happiness. After all, in this world, only Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and he possessed the Nine-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan. With the two of them working together, they could combine their powers like "two blades joining," unleashing immeasurable force! 

And at this time, besides these famous ninja, the strength of Otogakure's native-born younger generation also shouldn't be underestimated. After all, their Otogakure possesses ten Otherworldly Flame Pagodas! Each of them has unique abilities, allowing these ninja to achieve rapid improvements. 

Kazama was naturally overjoyed to see that the Otherworldly Flame Pagodas he had left behind were so incredibly useful and powerful. 

“Hey, little brother Kazama,” Orochimaru quickly added, “while these Otherworldly Flame Pagodas you left behind are incredibly formidable, you know that the 'otherworldly flame' resources inside are quite limited. Now, the flames are getting smaller and their power is getting weaker. What should we do about this?” 

Chapter 382: Kara is Trash! 

“Heh heh heh, don't you worry!” Kazama said with a chuckle, nodding at Orochimaru's words. 

Then, in the blink of an eye, Kazama channeled the Otherworldly Flame deep within his own body into those original ten pagodas, reigniting their fading flames. Orochimaru and the others were naturally ecstatic after seeing this. With these Otherworldly Flames, they could truly accelerate their training! 

Before Orochimaru and the rest could even react, Kazama immediately performed an Earth Release (Doton) jutsu. And just like that, in another instant, he added thirteen more pagodas! With a mere flick of his wrist, Kazama infused the thirteen other types of Otherworldly Flames he possessed into these newly constructed pagodas. 

While those initial ten pagodas were already enough to give Otogakure's shinobi a significant boost in strength, Kazama believed that there was no "best," only "better." So, since his Otherworldly Flames were so effective, he figured the more Otherworldly Flame Pagodas, the merrier! With the formation of these twenty-three pagodas, Otogakure's power naturally became even more formidable, drawing in even more shinobi seeking its newfound strength. 

Orochimaru had initially thought that Kazama's current strength alone would be enough to make Otogakure a force to be reckoned with, and that had already made him extremely happy. But he never expected Kazama to return and bring so many more gifts! This naturally filled Orochimaru's heart with joy. However, Orochimaru also knew that Otogakure was essentially Kazama's to begin with, so it was only natural for Kazama to pour his heart and soul into the village—something Orochimaru understood very well. 

Meanwhile, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had also heard that Kazama had defeated the Ōtsutsuki trio. This, of course, made Ōtsutsuki Kaguya incredibly happy. Even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who was usually not one for compliments, gave Kazama a thumbs-up. 

“Now, little brother Kazama, you truly impress me beyond words!” 

“Oh, what's wrong?” 

Hearing such praise from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who was practically hailed as the "Progenitor of Chakra" and a "God of the Shinobi World," Kazama was honestly quite flattered. After all, Kazama knew that without Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, they wouldn't even have Ninjutsu today. So, Kazama held great respect for her. 

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya then continued with a smile, addressing Kazama: “You don't know the full story. The reason I created such a large White Zetsu army in the past was precisely because I was worried about the Ōtsutsuki clan coming to hunt me down. Those you mentioned earlier—Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, and Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki—they are truly incredibly powerful and formidable. And now, one was killed by you, one was scared away, and one was subdued by you! So, your strength is truly extraordinary, incredibly immense! I'd say even the main Ōtsutsuki family wouldn't be able to stand against you!” 

“Heh heh heh, you little brats really do love to praise yourselves, don't you?!” 

“Who's there?! Who dares to waltz into our Otogakure and act so arrogant and showy?!” 

Orochimaru was instantly shocked and enraged to find that someone had infiltrated their Otogakure without a sound. And not only that, but they dared to mock their leader, Kazama, and their most formidable external ally, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya! 

Chapter 383: Trapped in a Different Dimension 

"You bastard, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki! How dare you use such a low-down trick against me!" 

At this moment, Kazama was furious upon seeing that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was using the same attack method as Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki. 

"Heh heh heh, let me tell you, you little shrimp Kazama, don't be upset. It doesn't matter if the method I use is underhanded or not. As long as it defeats you, that's the best method!" 

It turns out that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had been hiding nearby when the Ōtsutsuki trio fought Kazama. He wanted to find Kazama's weak spot. 

However, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki didn't expect that Kazama's weaknesses were incredibly difficult to find. 

So, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki only discovered that Kazama wasn't very skilled in Space-Ninjutsu after Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki pulled Kazama into a different dimension. 

That's why Ōtsutsuki Isshiki used this method to temporarily restrain Kazama. 

After all, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki knew that Kazama's strength was incredibly formidable and powerful. 

Moreover, the strength of Kazama's subordinates, like Orochimaru and Nagato, shouldn't be underestimated either. 

If Kazama, Orochimaru, Nagato, and the others were to gather, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki would undoubtedly be utterly defeated. 

That's why Ōtsutsuki Isshiki needed to separate Kazama from Orochimaru and the others. 

And now, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's dimension was even more powerful and incredible than Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki's different dimension. 

Therefore, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki immediately sneered at Kazama. 

"Let me tell you, you little shrimp Kazama, we were never supposed to interfere with each other. But you insisted on protecting the traitor of our Ōtsutsuki clan, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. So, I can only tear you to pieces and scatter your ashes!" 

"Stop talking nonsense!" 

At this moment, Kazama knew Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's true scheme. 

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was ostensibly trying to bring Ōtsutsuki Kaguya to justice. 

But in reality, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki wanted to re-plant the Divine Tree (the body of the Ten-Tails) on Earth. 

Then, he planned to absorb the chakra of all Earthlings for the Ōtsutsuki main family to use. 

As an Earthling, and with his incredibly formidable and powerful strength, how could Kazama allow Ōtsutsuki Isshiki to use such a despicable method against his comrades? 

So, Kazama naturally had to fight him. 

And at this moment, when Ōtsutsuki Isshiki saw that Kazama exposed his scheme in an instant, he was furious. 

So, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki spoke to Kazama again: "Let me tell you, you little shrimp Kazama, you're right, you are indeed incredibly powerful and formidable. But unfortunately, no matter how powerful and formidable you are now, you can't be my opponent. My different dimension is even more powerful and incredible than Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki's different dimension. If you don't believe me, then experience it for yourself, ha ha ha!" 

As Ōtsutsuki Isshiki said this, he immediately vanished. 

And at this moment, just as Kazama was feeling puzzled by what Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had said, he suddenly discovered that his twenty-three different flames had inexplicably become uncontrollable and all left his body. 

Chapter 384: The Rebellion of the Demonic Flames 

"This immediately startled that Kazama. He hadn't even processed what was happening when he saw the intelligent Crimson Lotus Demonic Flame, the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame, the Void Swallowing Flame, and the Emperor Flame all rushing towards him! 

Kazama was taken aback again. So, while fending off the attacks from these four Demonic Flames, he yelled at their spirits, "Hey, what's wrong with you guys? You all submitted to me before, why are you rebelling now?!" 

"Heh, what are you, some kind of genin? You think you're worthy of our submission?!" 

Before Kazama could even finish, the Crimson Lotus Demonic Flame cursed at him. "Let me tell you, Kazama, we Demonic Flames were born from the heavens and earth, the very essence of the world! We're not like you, some low-level human gaki! You dare try to make us submit? This is beyond what a samurai can endure!" 

"Exactly! Before, we just put up with you because of your strength, we didn't want to bother. But now, we're going to tear you to shreds and scatter your ashes!" 

"What?! How is this possible?" 

Kazama was shocked to see the Crimson Lotus Demonic Flame, the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame, the Void Swallowing Flame, and the Emperor Flame — who had previously been willing to submit, fight alongside him, and obey his every command — suddenly become so arrogant and unruly, like complete strangers. 

It wasn't that Kazama feared them; it was because he was someone who valued bonds and loyalty. To have them turn on him like this naturally pained him deeply. 

However, even with this pain in his heart, Kazama wasn't some naive kid fresh out of the academy. If these Demonic Flames dared to rebel, Kazama certainly wouldn't go easy on them. 

With a single Almighty Push (Shinra Tensei), Kazama blasted these Demonic Flames hundreds of meters away. You have to remember, Kazama now possessed the power of the Ten-Tails and had awakened the Rinne Sharingan. So, dealing with even these twenty-three Demonic Flames was more than manageable for him. 

After activating his Rinnegan, Kazama immediately discovered chaotic chakra within the Crimson Lotus Demonic Flame, the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame, the Void Swallowing Flame, and the Emperor Flame. That's when Kazama realized the reason these Demonic Flames were rebelling was because they had come to this different dimension with him. Their chakra had changed because of it – this was clearly a ploy by Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. 

It turned out Isshiki knew Kazama possessed these incredible Demonic Flames. That's why he manipulated them to turn on Kazama, hoping they'd destroy each other. 

At first, Kazama had thought these Demonic Flames had truly betrayed him, which hurt him deeply. But now, seeing that they were under Isshiki's genjutsu, forced into this betrayal, Kazama was overjoyed! 

Immediately, Kazama activated his unique Rinnegan genjutsu again, preparing to free these Demonic Flames from the control of this space. However, to Kazama's surprise, these Demonic Flames were being controlled too firmly. Even his Rinnegan couldn't properly subdue them. This left Kazama utterly stunned. 

Chapter 385: You're Truly Incredible 

At this moment, Kazama immediately questioned the Funjutsu system within him. 

"Tell me, system, what should I do now? If I truly go all out and fight against these twenty-three types of Ika, I might win, but I also risk turning all of them into nothingness. Remember, these Ika are my allies! I don't want to turn against them!" 

"Hehe, you don't need to worry about that, host!" 

Upon hearing Kazama's concern, the Funjutsu system spoke again. 

"Although these Ika have indeed betrayed you and want to kill you, there's no need to use your full power against them. Instead, you need to beat them to within an inch of their lives, then use the power of my Funjutsu system to reabsorb them and make them your own again. At that point, you'll not only free these Ika from the enemy's control, but you'll also be able to subdue them once more!" 

"Oh, really?" 

"Of course! I'm a genuine system, and you're my master. How could I lie to you?" 

"Alright, if that's the case, I'll do as you say!" 

Hearing the system speak with such conviction, Kazama was naturally overjoyed. 

In a flash, Kazama charged towards the four Katon spirits: Guren Jigokuka, Jōen Yogaka, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, and Teien. 

At this moment, these four Katon spirits were controlled by Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, causing their personalities to drastically change. 

They didn't even put Kazama or his comrades in their eyes. 

So, within moments, they used every trick in the book. 

After a few exchanges, they were locked in a fierce, inseparable battle with Kazama. 

Although Kazama no longer had the help of these Ika, he could still easily overpower them with his own strength. 

"Shinra Tensei! Banshō Ten'in! Rinnegan Pressure!" 

Within a few exchanges, Kazama used the unique dōjutsu power of his Rinne Sharingan. 

He sent all the Ika flying hundreds of meters away. 

At this time, Guren Jigokuka and the other Katon spirits were furious, seeing how incredible and powerful Kazama was. 

They gnashed their teeth and charged at Kazama again. 

Kazama, naturally, didn't back down and immediately unleashed the power of his Jūbi本体, or Ten-Tails true form. 

Unfortunately, even though the Jūbi本体 was formidable, Kazama was still beaten back repeatedly when facing the overwhelming assault of these Ika. 

Moreover, these were not just one type of Ika, but all twenty-three types. 

Naturally, their power was immense. 

At this moment, Guren Jigokuka saw Kazama losing ground and immediately sneered at him. 

"How about it, little runt? Have you seen our power now? Let's see if you dare to control us again!" 

"Hehe, I, Kazama, will control you however I want! Do you really think I, Kazama, am a child who eats dirt?" 

With a command, Kazama unleashed his Kanzen-tai Susano'o once more. 

He covered his Jūbi本体 with the Susano'o armor. 

He then easily blocked the attacks from Guren Jigokuka and the other Ika. 

"What?! How is this possible!" 

"You've clearly had your power greatly reduced, yet you can still fight against all of us Ika?" 

Teien and the other Ika were immediately shocked.