Chiyu saw that the two brothers inside Uchiha Madara's body were still locked in a furious struggle.

In that instant, he grasped something important.

Even if he killed Madara here, it would not once‑and‑for‑all solve everything.

The feud between Asura and Indra would simply carry on.

In other words, this generation's Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke would still be destined to fight.

And behind them stood the Sage of Six Paths, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, and all the endless chains of cause and fate they dragged with them…

If that was the case, then rather than follow the obvious path—

Why not do the opposite?

From this moment on, Chiyu resolved to destroy the very source of every destiny.

The Sage of Six Paths—

And, if necessary…

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki!

To carry this plan through, not only did he not need to kill Madara now—he should even lend him a hand.

A faint, icy smile tugged at the corner of Chiyu's lips.

Interesting…

This could be quite a game.

He thought for a moment: what he needed was to raise Kaguya Ōtsutsuki from the dead—and then annihilate her completely.

Planned properly, no innocent parties would be harmed along the way.

The Tailed Beasts might be sealed, but their bodies were immortal; once Kaguya was slain they could all be revived.

As for casting Infinite Tsukuyomi, that would merely leave everyone dream‑bound in genjutsu; no ninja would actually die.

Besides…

This shinobi world did need some tempering and cultivation.

Chiyu himself was already invincible, but he could not personally handle everything forever.

The world he envisioned would not only follow his will—rewarding good and punishing evil—but would also let everyone's potential flourish to the fullest.

Then his grand design would become a true play he both directed and starred in:

On the surface, oppose Madara; In secret, ensure Kaguya's resurrection.

At the same time—

He would push other shinobi to step forward, training new forces, new powerhouses, and new heirs with wills of their own.

Bluntly put, reviving Kaguya and then cutting her down… was like farming.

By the end he would not only sever every chain of causality and kill Kaguya, but also gain power that was truly unrivaled.

…

All these thoughts flashed through his mind in a split second.

The path was clear: countless possibilities calculated in an instant.

Then—

In that very moment,

Chiyu's "Takamagahara" domain vanished.

He frowned slightly.

Madara and Obito felt a jolt of shock—a narrow escape from death, a trip to the very gates of Hell!

"So that Rinnegan ability of his really does have a time limit…"

"Now's our chance!"

Obito immediately activates Kamui, warping both himself and Madara into the swirling void. In a blink they were gone.

The battlefield fell utterly silent.

Mountains lay in ruins; valleys had been filled into barren plains, but an oppressive aura and lingering rage still hung in the air.

Only now did Matatabi, the Two‑Tails behind Chiyu, finally let out a sigh of relief.

Yet it couldn't help murmuring, "What a pity…

They still got away…"

Chiyu offered no explanation.

Indifferently he said, "Let's go."

He lifted a hand; Takamagahara reopened, a spatial gate appearing to carry him and Matatabi back to Konoha.

The Two‑Tails was startled.

"Wait…

Takamagahara is still active?

Then why just now…?"

It dared not press further, thinking quietly to itself.

…

Konoha. Virtual Five Kage Summit.

Chiyu gave a concise account of what had happened.

The four other Kage were shaken.

"The power of the Sage… strength on par with the legendary Sage of Six Paths?" Ōnoki muttered, brow knit tight.

"Madara actually obtained such fantastical might—yet still isn't a match for the Sovereign of the Shinobi World… Just how strong is he now?"

Mei Terumī sighed. "It's a shame they escaped. Once the other Tailed Beasts revive, those two will surely stir up trouble again."

Darui shook his head. "Even if they try to capture the revived beasts, One‑Tail, Six‑Tail and Nine‑Tail are all in Chiyu-sama's hands. With him as their natural nemesis, Madara can't seize them. Without the full Nine, the Ten‑Tails revival and the Eye of the Moon Plan are impossible."

Baki objected pessimistically. "Don't be so sure… Madara plotted for years—he may have other ways. Look at today: even Chiyu-sama didn't expect him to fuse Indra and Asura's power and force his way into the Six Paths state."

Darui nodded. "That's true…"

"So, Chiyu-sama, what's the plan?"

Chiyu answered calmly, "Plans adjust on the fly—

when soldiers come, block them; when water comes, dam it."

The four Kage blinked, then laughed.

"Indeed—with the Lord here, even someone as terrifying as Madara isn't to be feared."

While they conferred, within Chiyu's mental space the Nine Tailed Beasts spoke with him.

"Chiyu-sama, I can sense my true body is nearly reborn…" said Isobu, the Three‑Tails.

"The place feels like the seas near Kirigakure, but I can't pinpoint it."

"Same for me," said Kokuō, the Five‑Tails. "Near Iwagakure, but exact location unknown."

Gyūki, the Eight‑Tails, added, "Me too—somewhere around Kumogakure."

"Understood," Chiyu replied coolly.

Matatabi couldn't hold back and asked aloud, "Chiyu-sama, in today's fight you clearly had the upper hand, and your Rinnegan wasn't truly exhausted. Why did you… Was it on purpose you let Madara go?"

The other Beasts were stunned.

"Why would you do that?"

Knowing they should be told, Chiyu answered frankly, "Yes, I let him escape."

"Why?"

He laid out his ultimate plan. The Beasts' faces changed.

"Even you can't guarantee everything will go perfectly. One slip could doom the entire world!"

"You'd really risk such peril?" they cried.

"No risk, no reward," Chiyu replied. "All chains of fate trace back to Kaguya. If the root isn't cut, everything keeps repeating… Even if you're sealed and Kaguya revives, I'll defeat her and free you again."

The nine Beasts exchanged looks. They had no real choice; without Chiyu's shelter, Madara would capture them in no time.

Kurama rumbled, "Your power is monstrous and your will towers over the world. Since you've set this course, we'll support you. But never underestimate Ten‑Tails or Kaguya. To finish them, you'll need even greater power!"

"Rest assured," Chiyu said.

The Beasts nodded. They didn't understand the source of his power—only that it grew stronger every moment.

"In that case, we put our faith in you," Kurama said solemnly. "The Sage of Six Paths sealed his own mother but left the feud of his sons unbroken. These two destinies… we leave to you to sever!"

"So be it," Chiyu answered.

His mind returned to reality. The Five Kage Summit continued.

"Besides the Two‑Tails already secured," he announced, "the Three‑, Five‑, and Eight‑Tails are about to revive near Mist, Stone, and Cloud. When they do, I'll know the precise spots."

Ōnoki beamed. "When that time comes, with you acting it'll be child's play!"

Chiyu shook his head. "No, I won't have the chance. A more urgent matter requires me elsewhere. Guarding the Beasts will be up to you."

Faces stiffened.

"Of course we'll defend them," Mei said, "but if Madara shows up—"

"If Madara moves, I'll intervene," Chiyu said. "But aside from him, you can't lean on me for everything. This world isn't mine alone."

The Kage colored with shame; they'd grown used to relying on him.

Ōnoki sighed. "You're right—we must fight for ourselves!"

Mei nodded. "The Mist has flourished since you ended the Blood Mist era. Guarding the Three‑Tails is our duty."

"Agreed," said Ōnoki. "The Five‑Tails is ours."

Darui added, "Then the Eight‑Tails is Cloud's responsibility."

"Good," Chiyu said. "I'll leak the word that Madara is too injured to act. That leaves only Akatsuki. Your enemies are them."

The leaders stiffened. Akatsuki's S‑rank rogues were deadly foes.

"To be safe, I'll send reinforcements," Chiyu continued.

"Sunagakure—"

"Here," Baki answered.

"Support Iwa and the Five‑Tails."

"Yes!"

"Kakashi,"

"Sir."

"Lead Anbu to aid the Mist and the Three‑Tails."

"Yes."

(Chiyu guessed Obito would target Isobu because of Rin—a chance for Kakashi to settle that fate.)

"As for Cloud and the Eight‑Tails… Patriarch Fugaku."

"Present!"

"You'll command troops to reinforce them."

"Yes, Chiyu-sama!"

"The Eight‑Tails is pivotal; Akatsuki will send their best. This will also test your newly awakened Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

Fugaku smiled. "Perfect—I'll carve up those Akatsuki scum!"

Tasks assigned, ninja from the four villages, Kakashi's Anbu, and Fugaku's Police Forces all hurried to prepare.

Chiyu himself entered a rare period of secluded training—

He had gathered too many powers, some chaotic. With Madara wounded and duties delegated, he could afford to withdraw and fuse everything into a strength uniquely his own.

He got to work at once.

…

Meanwhile,

At Akatsuki headquarters before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—

Buzz—

With Kamui's whirl, Madara and Obito reappeared.

Madara had never looked so battered. His body was still half‑healed, gouged with wounds—horrifying to behold.

Yet living through Chiyu's assault was luck enough.

Obito was drenched in sweat, face pale, gasping. "A close call… If Chiyu's Rinnegan hadn't finally timed out, we'd both be dead."

Madara said nothing, burning with humiliation. Not even against Hashirama had he been beaten so badly.

Obito pressed on. "This isn't the time for pride! If we die, the Eye of the Moon Plan dies. You're in no shape to fight—and those Asura and Indra wills inside you are still trying to seize your body. Until all that's settled, you mustn't battle again!"

Madara knew he was right, though rage boiled inside him. "Damn that Chiyu—no Six Paths power, yet he crushed me! Unbelievable!"

Obito sighed. "He has the superior triple‑tomoe Rinnegan and the unique Takamagahara. He also wields the Sage Arts of all three great sanctuaries. Even without Six Paths power, sage mode can wound a Six Paths body. You truly can't match him now…"

Madara snapped, "Enough!" He sensed other Tailed Beasts would soon revive; if he couldn't go himself, the task fell to Obito, Nagato, and Akatsuki.

"If Chiyu doesn't act, fine. But if he does—humph!"

Obito had no answer.

"Regardless, we prepare." He summoned the entire Akatsuki.

Madara remained hidden; he wouldn't show them his battered state.

Obito spoke: "The Two‑Tails operation failed. But the Three‑, Five‑, and Eight‑Tails will soon reappear. Madara can't move, so it's up to us."

Akatsuki members exchanged uneasy looks. "Even Madara lost to Chiyu?! Then won't we be wiped out?"

Obito's voice chilled. "Chiyu can't be everywhere, and intel says he's tied up elsewhere unless Madara shows himself. This will be Akatsuki versus the Five Great Nations—our decisive battle!"

Orders followed:

Orochimaru and Hiruko to stay in the base and continue their experiments.

Kisame Hoshigaki and Jūzō Biwa to join Obito for the Three‑Tails in the Mist—they knew the village best.

Kakuzu and Sasori to take the Five‑Tails near Iwa.

Pain and Konan to seize the critical Eight‑Tails at Cloud—with Pain, their strongest asset, failure was not an option.

Pain hesitated, then nodded.

"Prepare to move," Obito commanded. "Without Madara or Chiyu, this is the final war between Akatsuki and the Five Great Nations!"

~~~

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