NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87: The God Versus the God?
Kaede sat in the Mizukage's chair, idly gazing out the window at the Hidden Mist Village.
It was already the day after the battle had ended.
He had nothing to do, while Mei Terumi and her people had spent the entire night calming the population—after all, a sudden change of leadership was no small matter.
Moments later, Mei Terumi walked in, her forehead glistening with sweat.
Kaede turned his head with a faint smile. "All settled?"
Mei Terumi nodded, though the exhaustion on her face was clear.
All night, she had been making it known to everyone that the village had submitted to Kaede.
Kaede chuckled softly. "Good. Now, tell me where the Six-Tails is."
"This place is yours to manage now. Don't disappoint me."
Mei Terumi blinked, puzzled.
"You don't have anything you want us to do?"
In her mind, Kaede had likely taken over the Hidden Mist to use them against the Hidden Leaf—forcing Konoha to face enemies on multiple fronts while he toyed with them.
But now it seemed… he was just going to leave them alone?
Then why bother taking the village at all?
Some strange desire to dominate?
Kaede seemed to read her thoughts and let out a mocking laugh.
"The strength of the Hidden Mist doesn't concern me. Just manage this place well and wait for my orders."
"Of course, if you resent serving me, you could always secretly build your own power."
His half-smile deepened. "Then you could easily overthrow me, right?"
Cold sweat broke out down Mei Terumi's back.
She had considered the idea, but thinking of Kaede's overwhelming power, she was filled with nothing but helplessness.
Even if she did put such a plan into motion, it would have to wait until long after Kaede was dead—maybe a hundred years from now.
Dropping the subject, she rasped,
"The Six-Tails' jinchūriki left the Hidden Mist years ago. We've been searching, but due to the chaos in recent years, we never pursued him seriously. He's currently in this area…"
She quickly handed Kaede a marked map.
Kaede glanced at it before tucking it into his cloak.
"Then manage the Hidden Mist well. It'll still take some time."
With that, his figure vanished from the chair.
He wasn't worried about losing control of the Hidden Mist. Once the God Tree returned from Mount Myōboku and began absorbing the world's energy, everyone in the village would soon become his loyal followers—Mei Terumi included.
Seeing him gone, Mei Terumi finally let out a breath of relief.
Still, she thought to herself, For now, I'll focus on stabilizing the village. The future… will be dealt with in the future.
…
Far outside the village, a massive, towering tree stood.
Konan had created it using her Paper Release to conceal her and Nagato's location.
She glanced worriedly at Nagato, who was coughing heavily.
"Nagato, are you really sure about this? That 'Madara' isn't acting himself—he's clearly trying to exhaust you!"
Nagato shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. Kaede has already captured nearly all the tailed beasts."
"And right now, he only has the Three-Tails with him. This is his weakest moment. If we keep waiting, the situation will only get worse for us."
Closing his eyes, he added,
"This is also a good chance to show that 'Madara' what I'm capable of now!"
Six figures appeared behind him.
"Go!"
At his command, the Six Paths of Pain moved out instantly. Nagato focused his full attention into controlling them.
Konan could only watch with worry. In her heart, she vowed, Nagato, don't worry—I've prepared an escape route for you no matter what happens…
…
Not far from the village, Kaede was carrying Yagura away when he spotted a shadowy figure rushing toward him—it was Black Zetsu.
"That chakra and ocular power… should be Nagato's Six Paths of Pain, right?"
A smirk curved Kaede's lips.
"So, Obito knows he's no match for me and went to trick that foolish Nagato into fighting me instead?"
"But if he thinks this will be enough to beat me…"
His figure blurred and disappeared, reappearing in a grassy clearing beyond the forest.
"Come out," he said lightly.
Caw, caw, caw…
Six figures burst from the trees.
The leading Pain spoke without expression,
"As expected of the most notorious ninja in recent times—you sensed us so easily."
Kaede smiled faintly.
"Don't you think Nagato's already lost? If you don't show up in person, these puppets alone won't be enough to beat me."
Nagato, hearing those words through the Deva Path, was shocked.
Kaede had seen through the nature of the Six Paths at a glance—and even named him directly!
But what caught his attention was the name Kaede had mentioned—Obito.
Nagato laughed coldly.
"So, you're not really Madara either!"
Konan sneered as well.
"I knew that guy was nothing more than a rat hiding in the dark."
She wore an eye seal prepared by Nagato, allowing her to share the Six Paths' vision and tap into his chakra.
The Deva Path's gaze dropped to Yagura, lying at Kaede's feet.
"So you really are collecting tailed beasts. I suppose that's caught his attention."
Kaede grinned.
"At least my goals are a bit more realistic than yours."
Then, scanning Pain up and down, he said,
"You seem strong. Want to work under me?"
"Don't worry—peace under my hand will last forever."
Pain's lips curled into a cold smile.
"You? The one who started the Fourth Shinobi World War and killed so many… claiming it's all for peace?"
Kaede shrugged.
"Interpret it however you like."
"The road to peace is always paved with sacrifice. If they block my way, they die."
Pain actually nodded slightly at that.
"True—peace requires sacrifice."
But then he raised his arm.
"However, peace can only be created by my hand. Weaklings like you don't deserve it."
His gaze turned icy.
"The whole world says you're the new God of the Shinobi. Good. Let me test this 'false god' against the real one!"
A massive wave of repulsive force burst from his palm.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Yet the unstoppable technique failed to move Kaede an inch.
To him, the force was as if it didn't exist at all.
"What?!" Pain's pupils shrank in disbelief.
Kaede shook his head with a faint laugh.
"As I thought—you're just another overdramatic fool."
Blue chakra flared around him, igniting into a blazing aura.
"An ant cannot shake a great tree," Kaede said coldly.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]