223 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

With the complete resurrection of the Ten-Tails, the weather in Amegakure underwent a drastic transformation.

Above, dark clouds churned, lightning roared, and thunder cracked continuously. These ominous clouds spread outward at an alarming rate, engulfing the entirety of Amegakure in mere moments.

But they didn't stop there. The storm surged outward with frightening speed, covering the lands far beyond the borders of Amegakure.

Rumble...

Thunder echoed through the heavens as flashes of lightning danced across the sky. This was no ordinary storm—it was a world-shaking phenomenon triggered by the Ten-Tails, fueled by its immense natural energy.

...

Konohagakure.

Tsunade, ever vigilant of changes in the shinobi world, was the first to sense something amiss.

Standing by the window, she gazed at the rolling black clouds in the distance, her expression as grave as it had ever been.

"This...," she murmured, her voice heavy with foreboding. Her eyes locked onto the direction of Amegakure. "Those thunderclouds... Could it be the Ten-Tails' revival? Or has the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki already emerged?"

Before she could ponder further, two figures appeared beside her in a blur. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui.

Clearly, they too had noticed the cataclysmic changes and drawn the same conclusions.

Tsunade turned to them, her voice firm despite the storm in her heart.

"Fugaku, Shisui, prepare yourselves. The Great War is upon us."

The two Uchihas nodded solemnly. Orders had already been issued, Konoha's villagers were moving into the pre-prepared underground shelters.

Looking at the sky as the ominous clouds continued to spread, Fugaku's brows furrowed.

"This power is terrifying. Amegakure is more than a thousand kilometers away from Konoha, and yet..."

"This is the strength of the Ten-Tails," Shisui said, exhaling deeply. "Even without a complete chakra form, its sheer energy is enough to rival the gods themselves."

Tsunade clenched her fists. "No matter what, we have a fighting chance. That's all that matters."

...

Amegakure – Inside a Vast, Empty Cavern

The timing was perfect. Nagato turned to Uchiha Hikari.

"Hikari, it's time. Leave the rest to me."

Hikari shrugged, severing the tube linking her to the Ten-Tails. With a casual leap, she landed a safe distance away.

The Ten-Tails, resembling a massive monk seated in meditation, appeared eerily calm under Nagato's control.

As Hikari moved away, Nagato took a deep breath and stared down at the Ten-Tails, his expression brimming with fervor.

"Ten-Tails, become one with me. Let me ascend as the next Sage of Six Paths!"

With determination, he performed the intricate seals of the Six Paths Ten-Tails Coffin Seal—the critical jutsu for becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.

Suddenly, two figures materialized beside him atop the Ten-Tails' massive head—Uchiha Hikari and Senju Tobirama.

Hikari's sly smile was enough to unsettle anyone.

In the spot where she had stood earlier, a faint marking of the Flying Thunder God technique gleamed ominously.

Nagato's gaze snapped to her, his voice sharp. "Hikari, what's the meaning of this?"

Her laughter rang clear and confident. "The Ten-Tails Jinchūriki doesn't have to be you, Nagato. Don't you agree?"

Nagato's eyes flashed with a cold light. "Without the Rinnegan, what makes you think you can compete with me?"

"Who said the Rinnegan was essential?" Hikari retorted, her hands forming seals as she matched Nagato move for move. "Watch closely."

The Ten-Tails' massive body began to tremble. Its flesh liquefied into a torrent of blood and chakra, surging toward both Nagato and Hikari like a raging river.

Under the influence of the Six Paths Ten-Tails Coffin Seal, the energy split in two, flooding into both of them simultaneously.

The cavern quaked violently, the overwhelming energy of the Ten-Tails tearing through the air. Its once enormous form dissolved into two distinct torrents.

One stream was larger, flowing toward Nagato, while the smaller one surged into Hikari.

Though the Rinnegan wasn't a strict requirement to become the Ten-Tails' host, its compatibility with the beast's energy far exceeded the potential of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Despite this, Hikari's preparation and resolve left no room for hesitation.

In moments, the colossal Ten-Tails was no more. Suspended midair, two white cocoons emanated an aura of terrifying intensity.

"Mother... now there are two mothers..."

Below, Black Zetsu stared dumbfounded at the twin cocoons.

From within each cocoon emanated a dense, pure form of Six Paths chakra, unmistakably that of the Ten-Tails.

The cocoon surrounding Hikari was noticeably weaker than Nagato's, but it was still undeniably brimming with divine power.

"What in the world... They used the seal to split the Ten-Tails in two!" Black Zetsu cursed under his breath, his regret palpable. "Damn it, if only I hadn't passed Madara's knowledge to Hikari... She wouldn't have known about the seal."

"Now, which mother should I choose?" Black Zetsu muttered, staring at the sky in disbelief.

Even the others maintaining the Four Red Yang Formation—Konan and the others—were left speechless by the scene before them.

Nearby, Orochimaru chuckled, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"What a delightful spectacle. Splitting the Ten-Tails—how fascinating!"

Crack!

A sharp sound interrupted the tension.

The twin cocoons, floating high above, began to fracture.

Shatter!

With simultaneous bursts, the white shells fell apart, revealing the transformed figures of Nagato and Hikari.

Nagato's transformation was striking. His once red hair had turned a brilliant silver, and twin horns jutted out from his head. His upper body, now bare, gleamed white and muscular.

Six spikes protruded from his chest, and a flowing white cloak trailed behind him, reaching his ankles.

Hovering at his back were six black orbs, their sinister presence matching the black staff in his hand.

In contrast, Hikari's transformation was subtler. Her black hair had also turned silver, and a white chakra robe enveloped her form.

Her chest bore the symbols of Six Paths—the Rinnegan's tomoe pattern.

Behind her, three black orbs floated silently.

The battle for supremacy had only just begun.