Outer Sea Region
Far away from the Land of Water, beyond the usual maritime routes, there lay a small island nation hidden in the vast outer sea.
On this island stood a concealed village.
The population of the village numbered only three to four thousand people. Most of the residents made their living by fishing, braving the sea every day just to scrape by. Their standard of living was extremely low, and life was harsh and monotonous.
Yet, no matter how poor they were, there was one thing they never neglected.
Every month, without exception, the villagers would gather at the island's temple to burn incense, kneel in prayer, and worship devoutly.
Faith was the only thing sustaining them.
A vortex of space-time rippled open above the island.
Urashiki and Naruto stepped out of it silently, landing at the very edge of the island.
To avoid alerting the target, Urashiki immediately activated the Rinnegan, releasing a layered spatial-chakra barrier that spread outward like invisible ripples. The barrier wrapped around Naruto completely, isolating his chakra presence and existence from detection.
The two figures stood quietly at the island's outskirts.
"We're here," Urashiki said indifferently.
Naruto looked around. All he could see was endless seawater surrounding the island. He frowned slightly.
"Where is this place?"
Urashiki replied calmly,
"According to your world's classification, this region falls under the sphere of influence of the Land of Water."
Naruto let out a soft "Oh," finally understanding.
Urashiki then raised his hand and pointed toward the center of the island.
"Do you see that mountain?"
Naruto followed his finger and nodded.
"Yeah."
The island was not small, but from a distance, the only prominent feature was the mountain rising sharply in its center.
"The person you're looking for is on that mountain," Urashiki said flatly.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. He turned his head and looked at Urashiki.
"You've already found him?"
Urashiki shook his head.
"No."
Naruto was puzzled.
"Then why didn't you search further?"
This was a question Naruto had carried since his previous life.
"Back then, you, Kinshiki, and Momoshiki all came to Earth to investigate Kaguya. After learning she had betrayed the Ōtsutsuki clan, why didn't you try to locate Isshiki? He could have been a witness—or even an extra ally."
Urashiki sneered softly.
"Naruto… Naruto… what do you think is the key reason I agreed to cooperate with you?"
Naruto answered without hesitation,
"Your desire."
Urashiki nodded slowly.
"Exactly. Desire."
He continued calmly,
"I know very well that you may be using me. But I still chose to cooperate because I also desire chakra. I also want to evolve. I also want to become a god."
"Momoshiki thought the same way."
Urashiki's eyes glinted dangerously.
"He believed that once Kaguya was killed, he could harvest the chakra of this planet. Then, using Isshiki's 'death' as an excuse, he could locate Isshiki and devour him as well."
Urashiki licked his lips unconsciously.
"After all, devouring the chakra source of another Ōtsutsuki is an irresistible temptation."
Naruto chuckled.
"So this time, you let me handle it?"
Urashiki tilted his head and gave Naruto a meaningful smile.
"No. This time, I'm handing him over to you so you can personally experience what true Ōtsutsuki power feels like."
"The Kaguya you absorbed, and even Toneri, are essentially just diluted bloodlines—derivatives of the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Urashiki took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said,
"Follow me. Making you stronger isn't entirely without benefits for me."
Naruto followed him, laughing lightly.
"Aren't you afraid I'll grow stronger and kill you next?"
Urashiki laughed disdainfully.
"You won't."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that?"
"Because your target is the Ōtsutsuki clan itself," Urashiki replied coldly.
"Without me, you can't even find the clan's homeland."
He turned back and gave Naruto a smile filled with predatory confidence.
Naruto smiled in return, relaxed and unconcerned.
At least for now, there was no reason to doubt Urashiki's cooperation.
Urashiki was cooperating precisely because he believed he could eventually defeat Naruto.
On the Mountain – Outside the Temple
Naruto and Urashiki appeared atop a massive tree overlooking the temple courtyard.
Below them, countless villagers sat cross-legged on the ground. At the center of the courtyard, a monk sat upright on a cushion, preaching calmly.
"Perhaps the meaning of life," the monk said softly, "is that it has no meaning at all."
"Compassion used in the wrong place will only bring harm upon oneself."
"Each of us carries impurity within. That is why we must return here regularly—to purify our souls."
When the monk finished speaking, the young woman beside him clasped her hands together respectfully.
"Thank you for enlightening us, Venerable One."
The crowd echoed in unison.
"Thank you for enlightening us!"
The woman then began to play a gentle melody on her instrument and sang softly:
"Once, I walked forward in confusion…"
The believers swayed gently, chanting along in harmony.
Urashiki observed the scene with a blank expression.
Naruto, however, stared intently at the monk seated at the center.
His eyes hardened.
Yes.
This man was Jigen.
In Naruto's previous life, he and Sasuke had fought this man together—and were utterly defeated.
At that time, Jigen's body was already nearing its limit, with very little chakra remaining. He was practically on the verge of collapse.
And yet, even so, Naruto could never forget him.
Even if this man turned to ashes, Naruto would still recognize him.
Urashiki spoke quietly,
"The reason you and Kaguya couldn't detect him is simple. Isshiki already existed as a Karma vessel within this human."
"During Kaguya's era, he was completely dormant. No chakra fluctuations. No presence at all."
"He only began to awaken after Kaguya's death."
Naruto nodded slowly.
Urashiki continued,
"According to my investigation, the Sage of Six Paths once sensed chakra similar to Kaguya's during his prime. But Isshiki immediately suppressed himself and went dormant again."
"That's why Hagoromo never discovered him."
Naruto scanned the surroundings carefully and finally let out a quiet sigh.
"So that's how it is."
Urashiki smiled faintly.
"You noticed it too, didn't you? Barriers everywhere. They completely suppress chakra detection."
"This place is remote, surrounded by sea, and information is tightly sealed."
"That's why he's been hiding here for so many years."
Naruto looked at the villagers gazing at Jigen with reverence.
He understood.
Jigen had turned himself into a "venerable one," using religion and faith to bind the entire island. These people obeyed him without question and served him willingly.
Urashiki stepped back, his form fading.
"Naruto, from here on out, this is your stage."
With that, Urashiki vanished, removing the spatial barrier as he did so.
Naruto's presence was instantly revealed.
The villagers were too absorbed in the chanting to notice him.
But Jigen did.
Jigen's eyes snapped open, instantly locking onto Naruto.
"…So you've come."
He rose to his feet abruptly.
The singing stopped at once.
The woman beside him froze, looking up in confusion.
"V-Venerable One?"
Jigen did not answer.
She followed his gaze and saw Naruto standing atop the tree outside the temple.
The crowd turned as one.
Naruto smiled faintly, leapt down, and landed calmly among them.
He looked directly at Jigen.
"Jigen… or should I say—Ōtsutsuki Isshiki."
"It's been a long time."
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