Chapter 321: The Betrayal
"You forgot, didn't you? I was the one who told you that it couldn't be used."
A familiar voice echoed through the underground chamber, causing Hikari to narrow her eyes as she turned to see Tamamo, who had silently entered the room.
Tamako smiled at her.
"But that wasn't true. The Spear of Heaven is a weapon capable of destroying the surface of the earth—just like Kumogakure's Chakra Diffusion Cannon. Both of them function by absorbing geothermal energy and converting it into destructive force. The difference is… this one is far more powerful."
"Since it's a device, it isn't like the Dragon Vein of the Land of Fire. Moving it doesn't affect its original function. The only reason it couldn't be used before was because it lacked a key to activate it. But now…"
Tamako smiled.
"The key has arrived."
Hikari's gaze lowered slightly.
"So this… this was the reason you stayed in Akatsuki?"
"That's right."
Tamako nodded without hesitation.
"The Spear of Heaven can absorb geothermal energy and generate lightning powerful enough to annihilate the earth. But… that's not all. It has another function—it can enhance and catalyze the evolution of living beings that are exposed to its energy, making them—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Then, she smirked at Hikari.
"But… that doesn't seem to concern you, does it? Now that you know, what can you even do with that information? Instead of worrying about things beyond your control, maybe you should focus on your own survival first."
A scarlet barrier spread across the entire space, sealing off all possible escape routes for Hikari.
"..."
Hikari's face darkened as she silently analyzed the situation.
She was on high alert, but there was something she still couldn't understand.
The intelligence on the Spear of Heaven had originally been gathered by both White Zetsu and Tamako. Even if Tamako had hidden some findings from her, how had she managed to convince White Zetsu to do the same?
Back when she had first joined Akatsuki, no amount of threats or persuasion could shake White Zetsu's unwavering loyalty.
He had been completely dedicated to Obito.
At the time, none of them had understood why.
But when Uchiha Madara reappeared, everything became clear—White Zetsu and Black Zetsu had only ever been loyal to Madara.
They were his creations.
Their devotion to him was absolute and unquestionable.
The idea that Tamako had somehow made White Zetsu betray Madara?
Impossible.
Unless…
Was it possible that Tamako was working with Madara?
That Tamako's real master was Madara?
…No, that made even less sense.
Because the very day Madara returned, Tamako had helped capture him and threw him into a research facility for experimentation.
Moreover…
Madara was currently fighting Tobirama, and Hyuga Fuji was inside the illusionary space.
If Tamako had truly been working for Madara, then the first thing she should have done after escaping was help him—not activate the Spear of Heaven.
That means…
Tamako had escaped because of Fuji's actions in the virtual space—just like she had.
Which meant…
"You're trying to betray Madara and usurp his position?" Hikari asked instinctively.
"You're aiming for the top, aren't you? Aren't you afraid Hyuga Fuji will take everything from you instead?"
"???"
What the hell are you talking about?!
What kind of ridiculous nonsense is running through your head?!
Tamako's expression froze for a moment, her mind full of question marks.
How could Hikari not understand even after all this?
She had already spelled it out so clearly!
Hikari's thoughts were a mess, but when she saw Tamako's brief moment of confusion, she quickly reconsidered.
Wait.
There was one more possibility.
What if—
Tamako and Hyuga Fuji were on the same side?
What if Madara's creations—White Zetsu and Black Zetsu—had betrayed him?
That would be a disaster.
White Zetsu and Black Zetsu were Akatsuki's most crucial intelligence operatives.
If they had betrayed Madara, then the consequences would be…
Hikari felt a chill run down her spine.
But there was no time to think.
Tamako was already closing in on her.
She pushed all unnecessary thoughts aside and prepared for battle.
A moment later, the inside of the Four Red Yang Formation erupted into a storm of flames and illusionary lightning.
---
"So this is what Fuji wanted."
Orochimaru murmured, staring at the massive crimson monolith in the distance.
"What is that?"
Hashirama asked, frowning.
He could sense that its energy was far greater than that of any Tailed Beast.
"The Spear of Heaven."
Orochimaru's tone carried a hint of nostalgia.
"I once had a collaborator who was searching for it. But he died before he could find it."
"And what does it do?"
"The Spear of Heaven can fire a beam of energy that induces evolution in living beings. It acts as a catalyst, greatly enhancing the abilities of those who come into contact with it."
Hashirama scratched his head, looking confused.
"So… it makes people stronger?"
"That's one way to put it." Orochimaru nodded.
But…
According to historical records, this enhancement came at a terrible price.
The Spear of Heaven functioned by drawing power from the planet's energy reserves.
The same energy that sustained all life.
While it enhanced those it touched, it also drained the planet's vitality.
Eventually, if overused…
The world itself would become a barren wasteland—devoid of life.
However…
If there was an external energy source capable of fueling the Spear, one that surpassed the planet's own reserves…
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
A massive tree had suddenly sprouted at the Spear's core—lush and towering.
"So that's the plan."
The chakra gathered for the Ten-Tails' resurrection had mostly come from the Tailed Beasts.
The chakra from ninja across the world had only been a secondary reserve.
And now…
All of it had been funneled into that tree.
The chakra of every living thing in the ninja world—concentrated into one single purpose.
To fuel the Spear of Heaven.
Orochimaru couldn't help but feel…
Excited.
---
"So it's begun."
Tobirama, impaled by Madara's black rods, looked amused as he observed everything unfolding.
"…What do you know?"
Madara asked coldly, his voice laced with impatience.
He kicked Tobirama hard, sending him tumbling across the ground.
"Tell me your plan."
"I'll make it quick for you—after I extract your soul so you can never be revived again."
Tobirama chuckled.
"Madara, you've wanted to do this to me for a long time, haven't you? No need for pretenses."
Madara sneered.
"You think you can still turn the tables?"
"You think you can rely on your cowardly tricks? Or maybe…"
Madara's eyes narrowed.
"You're hoping Hyuga Fuji will save you?"
At that moment, Madara felt a shift behind him.
"Zetsu," he commanded.
"Bring me a sacrifice—"
Squelch.
Before he could finish, a white hand suddenly pierced through his chest.