(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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[God: Nativity of a World of Trees]
Uchiha Madara's words echoed in the air.
A massive Wood Style technique unfolded, engulfing almost the entire ninja world.
Countless enormous tree trunks and vines erupted from the ground, ensnaring everyone in their path.
The Divine Tree, now fully bloomed and towering several kilometers high, swayed as though celebrating its rebirth.
These trunks and vines were extensions of its body.
The Divine Tree sought out those who held Chakra, wrapping them in layers of white bandages, and suspending them from its branches like caterpillars.
Madara slowly descended from the sky, admiring his masterpiece.
At last, his gaze landed on the dissipating Susanoo.
"Only you three are left? How troublesome," he muttered.
"You're standing in the way of everyone's happiness."
Madara's tone was calm, his emotions much more relaxed now that his plan was nearing completion.
The three before him were the last remaining obstacles.
Today, Naruto and Sasuke have undergone tremendous changes, and their aura had become remarkably different.
Especially Sasuke. Madara's eyes lingered on his left eye.
Unexpectedly, there was another person in this world who had awakened the Rinnegan, and it was completely different from Madara's own form.
Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra cloak had also transformed, the Sage eye shadow at the corners of his eyes vanished, and a few Truth-Seeking Balls floated behind him.
"Naruto, be careful, there are four shadows of Uchiha Madara surrounding him," Sasuke warned in a low voice, remembering how the technique had nearly killed him earlier.
"Yeah, I can't see them like you, but I can feel them," Naruto nodded, crossing his hands.
"You guys go. I've exhausted too much energy and need to recover my Chakra."
Colt concocted a story without blinking, sitting down and even exiting the Sage Mode.
His display of fatigue reassured Madara and Black Zetsu.
The sheer power Colt had demonstrated earlier was terrifying.
Even the Infinite Tsukuyomi hadn't neutralized him.
Madara had only survived due to his immortality as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
Seeing him now, resting and tired, gave Madara more confidence.
Black Zetsu shared Madara's thoughts.
Luckily, Colt wasn't invincible.
Otherwise, he would have hesitated to summon Ōtsutsuki Kaguya so soon.
What neither of them knew was that Colt had no interest in battling Madara any longer.
He wanted to witness Naruto and Sasuke's true power instead.
More importantly, he wanted to hide his full strength—just in case he scared the cunning Black Zetsu.
"Colt, take it easy. We'll handle things here!" Naruto tightened the bandage on his forehead protector, while Sasuke cast a suspicious glance at Colt.
Why hadn't he noticed that Colt was exhausted?
Swish!
Naruto rushed toward Madara with a black Truth-Seeking Ball staff, while Sasuke, ignoring Colt's dubious claims for now, hurried after him.
"So, you're going to be my opponents now?" Madara's eyes flashed with arrogance.
Two little brats with newfound powers dared challenge him?
Ridiculous.
"This is the final battle. Let's see who's stronger!" Madara raised his hands, then spread them apart.
"(Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch!)"
Branch-like purple lightning spread outward. Sasuke's Rinnegan shrank slightly.
Naruto hurled his black staff, blocking all the lightning attacks as their forces collided.
Taking advantage of Madara's momentary distraction, Naruto appeared by his side in an instant.
A new black staff materialized in his hand as he swung it high.
A shadow of the Limbo clone moved forward, blocking the black staff.
"(Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang!)" Madara spat out a thin purple laser, sharp as a needle.
The black staff snapped.
If Naruto hadn't reacted in time, he might've been sliced in half.
"Now's my chance!"
A black Chidori crackled in Sasuke's hand, the Tomoe in his Rinnegan spinning.
The broken black staff and Sasuke switched places, bringing him right to Madara's side as if using the Flying Thunder God technique.
"(Chidori!)"
The black Chidori buzzed through space, aiming straight for Madara's abdomen.
Swish!
At the last second, Madara summoned another Limbo clone, blocking Sasuke's attack.
"Impressive. A solid space-time ninjutsu." Uchiha Madara glanced at the Limbo clone that had been pierced, then back at Sasuke's Rinnegan, pondering for a moment.
"I've been waiting for you!"
A loud shout echoed.
"(Sage Art: Magnet Style Rasengan!)"
Uchiha Madara caught off guard, was struck directly by Naruto, the Magnet Style Rasengan pinning him in place.
"Nice job, Naruto!"
Sasuke hurled his long sword, infused with the power of the Six Paths, aiming for Madara's head.
Boom! Boom!
A powerful repulsive force erupted, sending both Naruto and Sasuke flying backward.
"Good, very good."
Madara wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Though he'd been injured, a wide grin spread across his face.
Naruto and Sasuke were strong now. They had gained enough power to threaten him.
But... their strength remained within his expectations.
Unlike Colt, whose inexplicable power exceeded Madara's own.
That was the kind of opponent worthy of his full attention!
In the next instant, with three Limbo clones still at his disposal, Uchiha Madara split them into two groups, charging toward Naruto and Sasuke.
The three of them fought two intense battles. With his experience and numerical advantage, Madara held his own, even against two powerful enemies.
In fact, it was Sasuke and Naruto who seemed to be on the defensive now.
Sasuke seized an opportunity, activating his technique again, swapping places with a Limbo clone.
He stabbed his sword into Madara's chest.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Madara pulled out the blade without hesitation and kicked Sasuke away.
"Still, there's something familiar about your power."
Madara could sense a strong connection between himself and Sasuke.
It wasn't just the Uchiha bloodline.
But those details were unimportant. He had grown tired of this battle.
"Enough. Time to send you to the Pure Land."
Madara's arrogant voice reverberated in their ears.
"You had a chance to live your ideal life in the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi, but you threw it away. So don't blame me for what happens next."
At that moment, while he was still talking, suddenly his heart was pierced by a black arm!