The Questioning of Fengtian

With a strange phenomenon where space gently distorted like the surface of water, Fengtian and Uchiha Madara's figures seemed to step out of the void and slowly appeared before everyone's eyes.

The spatial fluctuations gradually subsided, and everything returned to calm.

"So, who won your contest?"

Obito flashed forward and almost instinctively took a few steps, asking anxiously.

His gaze swept back and forth between the two men, trying to detect any trace of a battle beneath their calm and composed exteriors.

However, both Fengtian and Uchiha Madara were dressed as neatly as ever, and their auras had been restored to their peak state through the mysterious "Reversal of Cause and Effect," making it impossible to judge the outcome based on their appearance.

Fengtian was about to speak, a slight smile playing on his lips, when he was interrupted by Uchiha Madara's deep, magnetic voice:

"The outcome of that battle was nothing but an illusion..."

"The important thing is, how should we plan and act next..."

Ban's words revealed a detached indifference, as if the battle just now was just an insignificant game.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, their expressions varied. Fengtian turned to look at Uchiha Madara, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in his eyes—admiration, wariness, and a hint of inexplicable camaraderie.

"Hmm? Where's Shisui?"

After briefly looking around, Fengtian was surprised to find that Zhishui had disappeared, so he couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Obito was slightly taken aback. After looking around and confirming that Shisui was indeed gone, he spoke:

"Wait a minute, Shisui was just right next to me, how did he suddenly disappear?"

Obito scratched his head, expressing his question.

Then, Obito turned his gaze to Sasori and Kakuzu, trying to get answers from them.

However, Sasori's icy gaze and Kakuzu's silent demeanor made him feel a sense of helplessness.

Just then, a slight ripple in the air came, and Shisui reappeared before everyone's eyes with several blinks at an unpredictable speed, like a ghost.

His eyes met Fengtian's, and a sinister atmosphere seemed to permeate the air.

After a moment, Fengtian finally spoke, his face grim, his words carrying a hint of oppressive power:

"Where did they go? Didn't I tell you that no one is allowed to go out without my permission?!"

Zhi Shui's body trembled slightly, but he quickly calmed down. Facing Feng Tian's imposing gaze, a hint of apology appeared in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Fengtian..."

"I have some things that I have to deal with on my own."

The sound of still water was calm and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

Fengtian frowned. He could sense the unusual aura emanating from Zhishui, an emotion that was a mixture of determination and secrecy.

He understood that Shisui's actions must have a deeper meaning.

"Shisui, you know how important our plan is. At this critical moment, the actions of anyone could affect the whole situation."

Fengtian's tone was serious and left no room for argument:

"I want you to explain clearly what exactly you did."

Shisui took a deep breath, seemingly trying to organize his thoughts.

After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth and explained the reasons for his departure:

"I sensed a familiar yet unfamiliar chakra fluctuation..."

"That's Itachi's chakra aura. I'm worried it might affect our plans, so I've decided to investigate it myself."

Upon hearing this, Fengtian's expression softened.

His gaze toward Shisui was no longer hostile, but he was deep in thought.

After a long pause, Fengtian spoke and asked:

"Is he a person?"

Shisui nodded slightly, without denying it.

However, upon seeing this, Fengtian frowned slightly, rested his chin on his hand, and slowly spoke:

"At this sensitive time, Itachi actually showed up alone..."

"Could this be a trap set for us by Konoha Village?"

Fengtian then turned his gaze to Zhishui, and that powerful sense of oppression returned. This time, his tone was once again filled with a gloomy tone:

"Or are you a spy sent by Konoha?!"

Faced with Fengtian's sudden questioning, Zhishui's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He knew that at such a moment, any panic could deepen the misunderstanding.

Shisui took a deep breath and met Fengtian's eyes with a firm gaze.

"Fengtian, I understand your concerns, but I can assure you that I, Shisui, am not a spy sent by Konoha."

"If I were a spy, I wouldn't need to go through all that trouble; I could just forcefully use [Kotoamatsukami] on you..."

Zhi Shui's words were full of sincerity and determination, and there was not the slightest flicker in his eyes.

Fengtian stared at Zhishui, seemingly weighing the truthfulness of his words.

After a moment, Fengtian slowly nodded, his tone still carrying a hint of wariness, but it was no longer as sharp as before:

"Since things have come to this point, I have no choice but to believe you..."

"But the appearance of the weasel certainly makes us more vigilant. At this critical moment, any slight disturbance could foreshadow a crisis."

"Perhaps this is a trap deliberately set by Konoha Village to capture you and obtain more information about [Twilight]!"

Upon hearing this, Shisui nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

"I understand, which is why I decided to go and investigate myself."

"Itachi's chakra fluctuations do make me uneasy. I must make sure he doesn't become an obstacle to our plans."

"So, what were the results of your investigation?"

Fengtian pressed for an answer, his eyes revealing a sense of urgency.

Shisui remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before slowly speaking:

"Itachi is indeed alone; I didn't sense any other presence around him..."

"Moreover, I did not appear to meet him during this operation, precisely to avoid falling into a trap..."

After hearing Zhishui's explanation, Fengtian was finally relieved.

His scrutinizing gaze turned into appreciation. He slowly walked up to Zhishui, patted him on the shoulder, and said softly:

"I understand, I misunderstood you..."

Upon seeing this, Zhi Shui merely nodded slightly and did not take this opportunity to make things difficult for Feng Tian.

Finally, Madara Uchiha, who had been standing with his arms crossed for a long time, grew impatient.

His simple words brought an inexplicable sense of oppression to everyone except Fengtian:

"Alright, whatever the conspiracy, my power is enough to wipe out everything in this world!"

"Right now, all I want to know is what our next step should be..."

After speaking, Madara Uchiha turned his gaze to Fengtian, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

After all, whether he can maintain this peak condition depends mainly on Fengtian's "mood".

Upon hearing this, Fengtian slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and then, amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, he slowly spoke:

"Next, we must eliminate the only variable that will determine the outcome of the final battle..."

"That is..."

"The Legendary Sannin of Konoha... Orochimaru..."