Upon spotting Jiraiya and Naruto, Richard approached them with a greeting.
"Are you coming to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner too?" Jiraiya asked.
"Mmm," Richard nodded, then turned his attention to Naruto.
Dust covered Naruto's clothes, and exhaustion was evident on his face. Richard presumed he'd just finished training. Since Richard had extracted the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto's body, Jiraiya—who had originally believed Naruto was already a master—had been teaching him new techniques.
Though Naruto still possessed an energy crystal containing Nine-Tails chakra, the crystal merely ensured his survival rather than providing the constant flow of chakra that the Yang Nine-Tails had. To give Naruto a chance at becoming Hokage someday, Jiraiya had been forced to start fresh with his training.
"In that case, let's go together," Jiraiya suggested.
"Sure," Richard replied without hesitation.
The three entered Ichiraku Ramen and ordered according to their preferences. While eating, Richard and Jiraiya conversed easily, but Naruto remained silent.
Naruto had never particularly liked Richard. Despite the resurrected Fourth Hokage and Jiraiya advising him not to harbor hostility toward Richard, his dislike persisted. Still, compared to before, his animosity had diminished somewhat—partly due to the Fourth's and Jiraiya's guidance, but also because he'd recognized the vast different of power separating him from Richard. Though reluctant to admit it, Naruto had to acknowledge that Richard was the strongest shinobi he'd ever encountered.
After finishing dinner, Richard bid farewell to Jiraiya and Naruto, using Flying Thunder God to depart from Ichiraku Ramen. Rather than returning home, he appeared at Tsunade's residence.
Shortly after his arrival, Tsunade returned home. Seeing him, she immediately asked, "Why are you here so early today?"
"I didn't have anything else to do, so I came earlier," Richard replied.
Though Tsunade preferred to keep their relationship private, she didn't mind when Richard took the initiative to visit her home.
"Have you eaten dinner?" she asked.
"I've already eaten. What about you?"
"I've eaten too," Tsunade replied.
She entered the living room and sat beside Richard, recounting her day's events. Richard listened attentively, his right hand wandering restlessly over Tsunade's body. She made no move to stop him.
After sharing her day, Tsunade regarded him seriously. "ANBU reported to me today that someone suspected to be Sasuke Uchiha was spotted in the village."
Hearing this, Richard asked slowly, "Suspected? Did they lose track of him?"
"Yes. The suspect was quite skilled, and ANBU lost their trail," Tsunade confirmed.
Richard didn't respond immediately, taking a moment to consider. "It's unlikely to be him. Itachi died just days ago, and I warned him against seeking revenge against Konoha at this time."
Despite his words, Richard couldn't guarantee that the person ANBU had sighted wasn't Sasuke. He hadn't placed a Flying Thunder God marker on Sasuke, and the kunai he'd given Sasuke before the confrontation with Itachi had been returned.
"I hope he can understand the arrangement between Itachi and the Third Hokage," Tsunade said quietly.
Not long after becoming intimate with Tsunade, Richard had revealed Itachi's role as an undercover agent. Initially skeptical, Tsunade soon confirmed the truth by accessing confidential files in the Hokage-exclusive database, where she discovered relevant information left by the Third Hokage and intelligence on the Akatsuki submitted by Itachi himself.
"He probably won't understand it right away," Richard replied calmly. "But you needn't worry too much. He's no longer easily consumed by hatred. When he calms down, I doubt he'll direct all his animosity toward Konoha because of Itachi."
Though Sasuke had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, he still lacked the power to destroy Konoha. Both Tsunade and Jiraiya possessed sufficient strength to defeat him, as did Might Guy.
"That's not necessarily true. The Uchiha clan tends toward extremism," Tsunade frowned. "I've been reviewing information left by the Second Hokage. According to his investigations, the more powerful an Uchiha becomes, the more likely their personality and ideals will gravitate toward extremes. Though I haven't interacted extensively with Sasuke, I doubt he'll let this go easily."
"If he truly seeks revenge against Konoha, then use force to 'persuade' him," Richard said with a smile.
Hearing this, Tsunade rolled her eyes. Though forcibly "persuading" Sasuke represented the simplest approach, Tsunade preferred avoiding such measures unless absolutely necessary. As the First Hokage's granddaughter, her temperament more closely resembled his than the Second Hokage's harsher disposition.
After chatting in the living room for approximately half an hour, Richard and Tsunade rose and walked together toward the master bedroom's bathroom. Soon after, sounds unsuitable for children's ears emanated from within.
One week later.
In the Valley of the End, Richard stood atop the First Hokage's statue. Across from him, on Madara Uchiha's statue, stood Obito—one eye bearing the Rinnegan, the other the Sharingan.
"You specifically summoned me here," Richard called out. "I assume you're prepared to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki."
Despite the waterfall's roar, his voice carried clearly to Obito.
"You're mistaken," Obito replied, clad in a purple robe. "I'm not preparing to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. I already am the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki."
Already the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki?
Richard's expression registered surprise. Apart from his changed attire and the addition of a Rinnegan, Obito appeared no different than when they'd met in the Land of Rivers. Richard clearly recalled that in the original timeline, Obito as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki would manifest floating Truth-Seeking Orbs and wield the Six Paths Staff. More significantly, two horns—one long, one short—would protrude from his forehead, with horn-like protrusions emerging from his shoulders.
After hearing Obito's claim, Richard immediately activated his enhanced vision to see through appearances.
Could it be true?
Observing the seal on Obito's body, Richard sensed events unfolding beyond his expectations. Though he didn't recognize the specific seal, he could clearly see the Ten-Tails within Obito—or rather, an incomplete Ten-Tails lacking the chakra of the Three-Tails and Nine-Tails.
What's happening? Was this Black Zetsu's doing? Or did Obito accomplish this himself?
Questions raced through Richard's mind. Though unexpected, he wasted no time on further conjecture, retrieving the Masamune from his system space.
"Since you're already the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, let's not waste time," Richard declared, swinging his blade through the air toward Obito.
A purple-black crescent energy blade hurtled toward Obito at tremendous speed. As Richard anticipated, Obito immediately activated Kamui, entering its dimensional space to evade the energy slash. He then emerged behind Richard, attempting a surprise attack.
Obito's strategy wasn't inherently flawed, but catching Richard unawares proved challenging. Before Obito could strike, Richard employed his super-speed to abandon the First Hokage's statue, ascending into the air to observe Obito from above.
"Judgement Cut End!"
Having evaded Obito's surprise attack, Richard immediately locked onto him and executed Judgement Cut End.
Obito instantly detected the spatial distortion surrounding him and attempted to use Kamui to escape. Though his movements were swift and Kamui's activation nearly instantaneous, he failed to avoid Richard's technique. Before Obito could fully return to the Kamui dimension, the crescent-shaped spatial slash struck from multiple angles, carving across his body.
Though wounded by Judgement Cut End, Obito wasn't reduced to fragments. With his injured form, he retreated into the Kamui dimension.
Richard made no attempt to pursue, instead hovering patiently, awaiting Obito's reappearance. He didn't wait long.
Less than ten seconds later, Obito manifested before him—now in his true Ten-Tails Jinchūriki form, complete with Truth-Seeking Orbs, Six Paths Staff, and the characteristic horns protruding from his forehead and shoulders.
Rather than immediately attacking Richard, Obito raised his hands, launching six black rods wreathed in crimson flames in all directions.
Recognizing these objects, Richard deduced Obito's intentions.
Six Red Yang Formation!
Obito planned to trap him within the Six Red Yang Formation—reputed as the "strongest barrier technique."
As the flame-wreathed black rods landed, they established a hexagonal translucent barrier rimmed with red flames. Like the Four Purple Flames Formation and Four Red Yang Formation, this technique not only prevented outside intrusion but also contained those within. Moreover, the Six Red Yang Formation's range and durability far exceeded its predecessors.
For Richard, however, the barrier posed no obstacle. Should he wish to leave, he could escape at any moment. The Six Red Yang Formation represented merely a physical barrier, incapable of preventing his departure via Flying Thunder God. Alternatively, he could simply use the Masamune to slice through the barrier.
After establishing the Six Red Yang Formation, Obito immediately commanded the Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him, transforming them into blade-like projections that hurtled toward Richard at incredible velocity. Simultaneously, Obito ascended into the air like Richard.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Truth-Seeking Orbs, now shaped into deadly blades, failed to strike Richard—each was effortlessly deflected by the Masamune.
The Truth-Seeking Orbs possessed both Yin-Yang Release and all five elemental natures. They could neutralize most ninjutsu and transform fluidly into various shapes—staves, swords, or other weapons. Whether offensive, defensive, or supplementary, the Truth-Seeking Orbs proved tremendously versatile. More impressive still was their destructive potential, capable of obliterating entire forests with ease. Their sole limitation was range—they couldn't stray more than seventy meters from their wielder.
Witnessing his transformed Truth-Seeking Orbs so easily repelled, Obito's expression grew intensely solemn. Though aware that Richard's Masamune was no ordinary weapon, he hadn't expected it to withstand even the Truth-Seeking Orbs unscathed.
Despite his surprise, Obito persisted in directing the Truth-Seeking Orbs against Richard. Yet regardless of how he manipulated them, Richard effortlessly parried each attack.
Realizing the futility of his approach, Obito immediately shifted tactics. Descending from the air, he pressed his palms against the ground.
"Ten-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Under Richard's watchful gaze, Obito summoned a portion of the Divine Tree. Six mouth-like openings resembling Rafflesia flowers appeared on the tree, and blue-purple chakra spheres—Tailed Beast Bombs—materialized before them.
When Richard observed Obito landing and placing his hands on the ground, he anticipated the Tailed Beast Bombs. Despite their tremendous power, he made no attempt to evade.
As the Tailed Beast Bombs formed, Obito commanded the summoned Divine Tree to launch them in rapid succession toward Richard. Watching the projectiles approach at incredible speed, Richard raised his right hand and swung the Masamune.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Tailed Beast Bombs detonated one after another, the explosions echoing throughout the valley. The resulting conflagration blazed as bright as the sun, while shockwaves convulsed the earth like a massive earthquake.
When the chaos subsided, the Valley of the End—where the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha once stood immortalized—had vanished. The rivers, waterfalls, statues, trees, and forests had been eradicated, replaced by an enormous crater resembling a meteorite impact site. Even the Divine Tree summoned by Obito had disappeared without trace.
The Six Red Yang Formation that Obito had established now served as a protective shield, containing the explosive shockwaves and dispersed energy, preventing devastation of the surrounding forests.
Nothing can harm him?
Seeing Richard still hovering unscathed, Masamune in hand, Obito's expression darkened considerably. Though other techniques remained at his disposal, if even the Ten-Tails' Tailed Beast Bombs couldn't injure Richard, what hope did lesser attacks have?
It seems I have no choice but to use that technique!
Just as Obito prepared to unleash his final trump card, Black Zetsu silently materialized behind him. Without warning, Black Zetsu pierced through Obito's body from behind.
Before Obito could command the Truth-Seeking Orbs at his back, the seal on his body completely collapsed. Massive quantities of chakra erupted from his form, enveloping both him and Black Zetsu completely.
The chakra surrounding Obito and Black Zetsu coalesced into a humanoid shape. After several seconds, the legendary progenitor of chakra—the Rabbit Goddess, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—materialized before Richard's eyes.
Finally resurrected!
Witnessing Kaguya's successful revival through Obito's sacrificed body, Richard inwardly sighed.