In an unknown dimensional space, the decor carried a distinctly modern feel, but the walls and pillars bore reliefs of tomoe symbols, revealing the extraordinary identity of this place's master.
A man sat in his chair, dressed in strange white garments, a long braid trailing from the back of his head, and a diamond-shaped black mark adorning his chin.
"Jigen, did you need something...?"
A weathered old man wearing glasses approached, leaning against the wall. He addressed the seated man as 'Jigen.'
Yes, Jigen—Isshiki's vessel. The man before them was actually the unreincarnated Otsutsuki Isshiki!
Jigen's expression remained calm as he turned to face the elder. "Amado, any new developments outside?"
Click!
Amado lit a cigarette and spoke evenly: "Kaguya and the Namikaze couple have relocated to the moon. Amegakure is discussing post-war recovery, and the Five Kage Summit is imminent. Clearly, those shinobi are planning something big. But there's no indication they know of our existence."
Jigen withdrew his gaze, eyes narrowing slightly: "Uzumaki Naruto claims he's returned from the future, yet says he doesn't know we exist. That doesn't add up..."
Amado took a deep drag: "Traversing space is already the pinnacle of scientific achievement. Traveling through time is simply unimaginable. I think Uzumaki Naruto probably gained some superficial knowledge about the Otsutsuki and is just putting on airs. Otherwise, it's impossible to believe..."
Jigen murmured quietly: "I also think it's just theatrics, unless... he had that thing."
Being an Otsutsuki with status even higher than Kaguya's, Isshiki naturally knew of the Plow's existence. So he didn't dismiss the possibility that Naruto had truly traveled through time.
With this premise, Jigen speculated: "If it's true... was I the one who killed him in the future?"
"But... the Plow isn't in my hands. Even if other clan members brought it here, I wouldn't let him escape right under my nose."
This led Jigen to a conclusion he found unbearable.
"So in the future, I was... eliminated? By these insects who only possess scraps of my clan's power!"
His fist clenched unconsciously.
"If such an absurd thing actually happened, there's only one possibility—I never found a suitable vessel!"
Isshiki, ignorant of the future, made a reasonable deduction!
He decided immediately: "Contact the Inner members. I have something important to announce."
Amado asked: "Is that necessary?"
But seeing Jigen's impatient expression, Amado said: "I understand. I'll contact the Inner circle right away..."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Soon, blue light particles formed into human silhouettes—the Shell Organization's holographic communication jutsu, similar to the Akatsuki's Slide Projection Technique.
This jutsu allowed communication across vast distances as if face-to-face!
A sexy, fiery blonde woman, Delta, spoke harshly: "Jigen... I was sleeping peacefully when you interrupted my sweet dreams. How exactly are you gonna compensate me, huh?!"
Jigen ignored Delta and greeted the others: "Deepa, Victor, Boro, what have you been busy with lately?"
A sinister-looking young man known as the warlike clown, Deepa, laughed: "Amado implanted me with his latest scientific achievements. My power's even stronger now! I was just thinking about heading out to test this delicious strength~!"
His idea of 'testing' meant indiscriminate slaughter.
The diminutive elder Victor said: "With the Fourth Great Ninja War just ended, the Five Great Nations are still reeling from panic. It's the perfect opportunity to make money! I'm planning to pose as a pharmaceutical company to collect 'Senju Hashirama's cells' for trading and research!"
The towering, savage giant Boro said: "Taking advantage of the Infinite Tsukuyomi's lingering effects, I'm preparing missionary work for the Otsutsuki Divine Cult. I've already figured out how to recruit believers, thanks to Amado's science giving me part of the First Mizukage Byakuren's 'Plague Release' power!"
After hearing their reports, Jigen nodded approvingly: "Ah, good work. For the next period, temporarily suspend your current operations."
"This..." Everyone froze: "Why?"
Jigen replied: "No particular reason. The current situation remains unclear, so caution is best."
Deepa shrugged helplessly: "Yare yare, can't enjoy the pleasure of killing anymore..."
Victor and Boro each had their own thoughts.
Delta roared angrily: "Hey, Jigen! Don't tell me you're scared of that smug Uzumaki Naruto! If you don't dare face him, I don't mind doing it myself!!"
Jigen's brow furrowed slightly.
Amado quickly intervened: "Delta, watch your tone, or I'll put you in hibernation immediately!"
"Tch!" Delta turned her head away dismissively, muttering: "Annoying old geezer. I'll get you back sooner or later!"
Jigen said: "I called you all here just to announce this."
Victor then asked: "What about the vessel? We've invested so much effort and resources, yet at the most crucial step, we still have no leads!"
Jigen replied: "For now, let the Outer members scattered around search for candidates. But remember, no matter what happens, none of you can show yourselves!"
Victor: "Fine, I understand..."
Jigen: "You're dismissed..."
Whoosh!
The images of Delta, Deepa, Victor, and Boro all dispersed into blue light particles.
Jigen closed his eyes: "Amado, you may also withdraw. I need to rest."
After Amado left and returned to his laboratory, he smoked while gazing at two cultivation tanks containing unrevealed artificial humans!
There was one point that differed from Naruto's group's expectations.
Ada and Daemon had indeed already been created, but they hadn't been officially inspected yet. Therefore, Jigen hadn't yet ordered their disposal.
Amado approached his computer, typing on the keyboard to connect the terminal to Ada's cultivation tank. Using Ada's 'Senrigan' ability, he immediately retrieved an image.
The image showed Naruto handing the Divine Tree flowers to Kakuzu!
Amado took a deep drag, his brow furrowing tightly as understanding dawned: "Divine Tree flowers, released into the black market, with specific instructions to sever all connections. I see—they're planning to use this as bait. So they really have targeted this organization!"
Amado's heart wavered with indecision.
His daughter had died in an accident years ago.
Deeply loving his daughter, he had always wanted to use scientific technology to truly revive her, but his final hope pointed toward Otsutsuki power!
Because of Amado's exceptional abilities, Isshiki had chosen him.
But Amado knew he was dancing with tigers. Once Isshiki truly revived, he would no longer need them. The cautious Amado wanted to turn the tables, so he had always sought an opportunity to break free from Isshiki.
Now was an excellent chance.
But Amado harbored other concerns—he didn't completely trust Naruto's side.
"Uzumaki Naruto... just how much does he know about the Otsutsuki?"
"If he truly returned from the future, he must have had contact with the future me."
"He knows me, but I know nothing about him. What happened between future me and him? Are we enemies or allies? It's unclear. If he holds preconceived hostility toward me, I'd be walking into my own destruction."
"Before understanding everything clearly, I shouldn't bet rashly."
So Amado deleted the image.
He didn't tell Jigen about this, but neither did he try to deliberately leak the Shell Organization's spatial coordinates through a crashed ship like in his previous life.
He chose to wait and see.
Amado took a deep drag, turning back to look at the two cultivation tanks, his gaze profound: "But if things progress smoothly... Jigen should realize the crisis. Then perhaps Ada and Daemon—these two creations even stronger than Jigen—can be 'legally' preserved. When that time comes, I'll have support whether advancing or retreating."
In this treacherous game, the contest between Naruto's faction and the Shell Organization had already begun!
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