Shinobi World.
At this moment, Konohagakure had changed—not so much that it was unrecognizable, but not so little as to go unnoticed either.
After all, it had only been a few months since the World Government conquered this land.
For the villagers, the greatest difference they felt was that familiar faces had grown fewer, while strangers had become more common.
This was because most of the shinobi clans of Konoha had already moved to Starfish, and in their place a great number of shinobi and clans from other villages had flooded in.
But as the days of life continued, what was once unfamiliar gradually became familiar.
The tense atmosphere that once hung over the village was also slowly dissipating.
At this moment—
It was a little past nine in the morning. The sun was shining brightly.
The residents beginning their day's activities walked the streets with faint smiles on their faces.
Inside the office that once belonged to the Hokage, Ōtsutsuki Hamura was reading through the documents in his hands.
On the desk before him, stacks upon stacks of papers were piled high.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he snapped his head up, his pure Byakugan gazing across the desk.
Sure enough, a familiar figure began to take shape before his eyes.
"Brother?"
Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo smiled faintly and nodded. "It seems you've been doing quite well here."
"Yes. I enjoy this kind of life—busy, but watching the Shinobi World grow better with each passing day."
Ōtsutsuki Hamura admitted readily, excitement flickering faintly in his eyes.
Then, with curiosity, he asked, "By the way, has that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki been found yet?"
"No. Whether it's through his control of 'Sukunahikona,' or the use of 'Daikokuten,' hiding himself is far too easy."
Hagoromo shook his head in denial.
"More importantly," he went on, "Lord Imu has given me my first mission."
Hamura's heart jolted.
"What mission?"
"To join the World Government's Underworld Army and travel to a world called the 'Falmart Continent.' There, I am to confront the god of the Underworld, and at the same time gauge the true level of their power."
Hagoromo's expression grew solemn as he spoke the task aloud.
"Falmart… oh, you mean the continent temporarily codenamed the 'Special Region.' Yes, I did hear the World Government suffered some setbacks there."
Hamura muttered thoughtfully.
"So, in other words, the World Government still doesn't understand the true strength of those gods, so they've sent you to test the waters. That's no small risk—after all, your opponents are gods."
Although Hagoromo had said his mission was only to deal with a single god of the Underworld—
Who could say whether the other gods might intervene?
"Brother, do you want me to go with you? No problem!"
But Hagoromo shook his head again.
"No. I'll go alone. This way, even if something unexpected happens, you'll still be here to hold the line in the Shinobi World."
Seeing the worry on his younger brother's face, as though he wished to argue, Hagoromo immediately continued: "You need not worry too much. The Underworld Army of the World Government should have strong warriors of its own. That Warrior Goddess of Death, for instance, is quite capable."
"Eh? Then the reason you came here this time… was just to tell me this?" Hamura let out a long sigh.
"Not only that," Hagoromo replied. "I also want to take those ninja tools."
"You mean the Golden Canopy Rope and the others?"
"Yes. I need to bring them all!"
Hamura was visibly surprised at those words.
"Would those things really be of any use to you?"
Although the so-called "Six Paths Ninja Tools" were indeed powerful artifacts for shinobi—
To himself and his elder brother, they should, by all rights, be nothing more than toys.
"Heh… these things in other people's hands are not the same as in mine. The reason they are called the Six Paths Ninja Tools is because they require the power of the Six Paths to activate—only then can their true strength be brought forth."
Ōtsutsuki Hamura looked at Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo with deep meaning.
The latter fell into silence.
Because he remembered the origin of these tools.
In truth, they were not created by his elder brother out of nothing.
Back when Hagoromo was the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, he had taken the relics of the Tengu Sage—preserved by their mother—and remade them using the power of Shinra Banshō.
The Tengu Sage had been the very first and strongest existence of the Shinobi World.
Whether it was the "Sage Arts" in the Temple of Fire, or the "Senjutsu" of the Three Great Sage Regions, all had their roots in him.
"…Very well. I'll have the Six Paths Ninja Tools sent to you."
Then Hamura asked, "So, brother, are you heading to Starfish's Underworld next?"
"Yes. I must first meet with that Lady of the Underworld, to gain a clearer understanding of the situation in that world." After speaking, Hagoromo mentioned another name: "This time, I plan to bring Roger along with me."
"Him?" Hamura was astonished.
"Mhm. He may claim he doesn't wish to fight for the World Government, but I can see that ever since Madara's passing, he has been lonely. After all—you did kill all of his comrades."
At his elder brother's words, Hamura's mouth twitched.
"At the time we were enemies. What was wrong with that?"
Hagoromo chuckled. "I never said you were wrong. But Roger is a talent. And he's willing to remain here, in our Pure Land."
"So, I want him as a guard—to follow me in this otherworld battle."
"Suit yourself. But since it's to be a guard, don't take only him. You're the Sage of Six Paths. Bring at least two more shinobi of the Pure Land with you."
Hamura waved his hand as he gave this suggestion.
"Mm. Very well."
Hagoromo thought it over and found it reasonable.
Moments later, once he had received the Six Paths Ninja Tools, he vanished from the office.
Leaving behind only Hamura, who turned toward the window, gazing at the blue sky.
"Brother… you must return safely."
...
The Zero Magic World.
Lately, the Vallière family's mood had been extremely heavy.
Even the servants in the manor did not dare to breathe too loudly as they went about their duties.
At this moment, in the head's bedchamber—
The Duke de La Vallière, Duchess Karin, and the second daughter Cattleya were facing Louise and Saito.
Both sides were locked in a deathly silence.
Around them, the Sage Mimoza, Tabitha, Kirche, Hodolew, and the others waited for the former to respond.
"Mother, Father, please say something! We must leave here immediately, and then go to rescue Tabitha's family!"
Louise anxiously clutched her mother's hand, urging in a frantic voice.
"Louise!"
The Duke de La Vallière could no longer restrain the fury in his heart. Pointing at her nose, he erupted in curses.
"You've brought such disaster upon this family—and only now you think to take us away? Why didn't you think of us before?"
"And now you expect us to abandon the noble title our family has held for more than ten generations, along with all our connections and wealth, and start from nothing in another world?!"
Tears welled in Louise's eyes. She bit her lip, unable to utter a single rebuttal.
"Um… Uncle, Louise only did this to help her friends. But what's done is done. For everyone's safety, we should head to the Falmart continent first!"
Saito spoke with a pained expression, trying to dissuade him.
Then Mr. Hodolew also stepped forward, face full of guilt, and bowed in apology.
"I'm truly sorry. Please forgive us. Louise only acted this way to help me find Tuka. I hope you won't lay all the blame on her."
"All of the anger and responsibility—I am willing to bear it alone. Once we reach my world, I will do everything in my power to make up for your family's loss, and I swear I will protect your family's safety for as long as I live!"
Duke La Vallière's rage only burned hotter at these words.
"So it was you all along—you're the true culprit, you—"
Just as he was about to unleash his fury, to hurl more insults—perhaps even draw his wand and cast a spell on Hodolew—he was cut off by the cold voice of Duchess Karin at his side.
"Though Louise has indeed gone too far this time, Saito is right. What's done is done. All we can do now is think of what comes next."
"But Louise," she said firmly, "Éléonore has already joined the World Government's Magic Association. She has even gone to Starfish. Are you prepared to abandon your elder sister?"
"What?!"
Louise froze, utterly stunned.
"Ah… forget it. Let's go. As for your elder sister, all we can do is hope the World Government won't vent its anger on her."
Duchess Karin shook her head helplessly, a bitter smile on her face.
They couldn't possibly stay here and wait for death, could they?
The Duke de La Vallière's face was ashen, but he had already regained his composure. He, too, realized there was no other choice—unless he believed the World Government would spare them and punish only Louise.
But how could that be possible?
Louise had no words left. Crying, she lifted her wand and began chanting the incantation for the "World Gate."
Seeing this, the Sage Mimoza, Tabitha, Hodolew, and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
No one knew when agents of the World Government might arrive.
Every second of delay brought fresh unease.
Now, at least, one family would be secured!
But the moment Louise spoke the last syllable of the spell—a white light flared before her, yet instead of forming the usual round mirror-surface, it twisted violently and with a deafening boom exploded.
Fortunately, the Sage Mimoza reacted in time, raising a magical barrier to block it.
Even so, everyone was startled. Louise herself stood stunned, utterly bewildered.
She couldn't understand. Hadn't she already received permission from the Goddess of the Underworld?
Yet none of those inside noticed that, at some point, eight gates of light, each a different color, had appeared around the Vallière estate.
Above the manor, the shifting light in the sky seemed strangely distorted.
"Captain, Louise's magic failed!"
On the lawn within the estate lay the corpses of several guards, sprawled in pools of blood.
Not far away—
Green, clad in a black suit, wore upon his face his Teigu, Spectator.
While carefully observing the interior of the building, he reported to Amatori Biba at his side.
"Not bad. It seems this 'Eightfold Golden Lock' really does its job."
Amatori Biba's lips curled upward in satisfaction.
Then, speaking softly into the Den-Den Mushi in his palm, he gave the order: "Begin the operation."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
At once, Merraid, Levi, Lubbock, and the others, already positioned at various points around the estate, responded in turn.
In an instant, the sharp whoosh of slicing air rang out again and again.
Each member of CP8 became a blur of black afterimages, streaking at high speed into the grand, castle-like mansion of the Vallière family!
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