After three years of keeping his head down, Kitagawa Gen was more than ready to move.
Especially because, in these three years, he had grown by leaps and bounds.
Developing one's bloodline only gets harder the further you go, but he hadn't stopped for a single step.
"Studying the books within the Moon, advancing my kekkei genkai, and attempting the fusion of Kekkei Mōra."
There was a lot of interesting material in the lunar archives—not just various records and data.
He had even found a simplified version of the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.
"Kaguya's Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack is a single, unified technique, but since these people couldn't use it, someone simplified it, huh?"
Whatever the case, all of this was extremely valuable to Kitagawa Gen—and perfectly suited for him to study.
All the more so because, as Ōtsutsuki Genshiki, he had even more tools at his disposal.
"Not just those things—the records on Yin Release and Yang Release preserved on the Moon are remarkably complete, too."
The more he explored the Moon and studied what it held, the more convinced he became that the Moon was a treasure hoard.
His body and bloodline were a vast treasure in their own right—that much was beyond doubt.
But how to maximize the value of that treasure—how to use what lay within him in a rational way—was the problem.
And what he was learning on the Moon was the key to solving it.
"My understanding and application of Yin Release and Yang Release have taken another huge leap."
He murmured this to himself, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"And the work on my bloodline has pushed my development rate higher again. With my chakra now sufficiently familiar in my grasp, I'm slowly fusing things together. Everything's moving in the right direction."
Even so, one thing puzzled him: his Truth-Seeking Orbs.
He could already use them—that in itself wasn't anything strange.
After all, his strength had reached that level, and the Truth-Seeking Orbs counted as a technique rather than Kekkei Mōra.
"But why only three?"
He couldn't figure it out. Perhaps it was a matter of how far his development had gone; perhaps he hadn't yet delved deeply enough into Yin Release and Yang Release.
Either way, he was still advancing along the proper path—and a new idea had even begun to take shape.
"Should I set my sights on true Ōtsutsuki targets?"
He would not drain a planet's chakra, so those Ōtsutsuki were "premium resources."
"They'll make their move sooner or later. It's just too quiet right now."
While Kitagawa Gen pondered his next direction, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a sigh.
"It's not just Akatsuki—Ōtsutsuki Genshiki as well. This quiet is so complete it's hard to get a read on them."
"Agreed. It looks peaceful on the surface, but once it breaks out, it'll be terrifying."
Senju Tobirama spoke up at once. He glanced at his big brother, then continued, "And compared to Akatsuki, Ōtsutsuki Genshiki is even more dangerous. I've been tracking him the whole time."
"Huh? Weren't you researching your Impure World Reincarnation?"
Senju Hashirama tilted his head, puzzled and curious.
"Don't tell me you've been slacking off?"
"Who's like you, you idiot? You're the one who's actually slacking!"
Hearing his big brother talk about him like that, Senju Tobirama couldn't hold it in.
Day and night he was buried in research, digging through records, helping Tsunade, even taking part in some of Konoha's decisions.
It was no exaggeration to say he was doing the work of who knows how many people all on his own.
And it was only thanks to his strong backing of Kitagawa Gen that many policies had been able to take root.
Though even he sometimes felt Kitagawa Gen was a bit extreme, he knew it was all for the sake of the village.
Compared to that, his big brother just lazed around every day, wandering here and there, sometimes even making trouble for him.
For a moment, he really did want to cancel his big brother's Impure World Reincarnation.
"I've already made enough progress with Impure World Reincarnation. The problem is materials—it's us two who might run into issues."
Annoyed as he was, Senju Tobirama still spoke up.
"After all, I haven't found a vessel strong enough to bear the two of us, but for others it shouldn't be a problem."
"Then just bring back whoever you can for now."
Kitagawa Gen thought about it and spoke bluntly.
These days, many of Konoha's policies were being handled by Sarutobi Hiruzen, but he was deliberately letting Kitagawa Gen take the lead.
Of course, whether they passed in the end still required discussion.
"Even though we've been defending with everything we have, the drain is too much. We can at least summon a few and see the results."
"No objections here. You pick the list."
Senju Tobirama considered, then spoke—but his gaze shifted to Sasuke, leaving a faint frown on his face.
Sasuke, too, was deep in thought. In the end he only shook his head, saying nothing.
Of course he wanted to summon his parents—summon the entire Uchiha clan.
But since he still hadn't killed Uchiha Itachi, he felt too ashamed to face them.
So he chose to wait—until everything was over.
"Honestly, must we keep misusing this jutsu…"
Senju Hashirama muttered, though softly. He knew well enough how necessary it was.
"Then that's decided. Let's move on to other matters."
Kitagawa Gen gave a small smile, steering the conversation back.
Especially since he knew Akatsuki's movements—and with Black Zetsu constantly "guiding" him, there was no way he could just sit idle.
Besides, the world's eyes were far too fixed on him.
He needed to shift some of that attention.
"Second Hokage-sama, what do you make of Ōtsutsuki Genshiki?"
"Truth be told, I think he's already given us the answer."
He hadn't expected that Senju Tobirama had studied the matter so deeply.
"His target is the Tailed Beasts. Even if it's only their chakra, he's too terrifying. I have to assume the worst—that he's aiming for the Ten Tails' power."
"The Ten Tails?"
"That's right. A lot of so-called legends can't be dismissed anymore—not when the Rinnegan has already appeared. And that guy really is godlike."
"…"
"Beyond that, I've always suspected Akatsuki and Ōtsutsuki Genshiki might share the same goal. Otherwise, why would they keep clashing, refusing to let go?"
"…"
Senju Tobirama's words made the corner of Kitagawa Gen's mouth twitch. Sometimes, a man being too sharp was truly a headache.
"Seems we're thinking the same thing."
Fortunately, Kitagawa Gen was able to adjust his thinking.
"Same idea as mine?"
Senju Tobirama nodded, full of admiration.
"As expected of you."
"…"
Kitagawa Gen felt like this guy was insulting him. Shaking his head, he continued, "So, following that line, I also carried out some investigation. After all, the Rinnegan was the Sage of Six Paths' eye, and according to legend both the Uchiha and Senju are his descendants, so…"
"That really is a direction worth considering."
Senju Tobirama stroked his chin. This was something he hadn't thought of.
"That's right. And I did turn up some findings."
Kitagawa Gen smiled as he went on.
"According to the records, the Uchiha possess a stone tablet inscribed with secrets. I don't know if it's real or not."
"Uchiha? A stone tablet?"
Sasuke frowned. He had never heard of such a thing. But off to the side, Senju Hashirama's eyes lit up.
"A stone tablet? I remember now—Madara once told me the Uchiha really did have a strange stone tablet, one that only the Sharingan could read!"
"Huh?"
Sasuke was baffled, and everyone else looked just as stunned.
The stone tablet really existed?
And…
It was Uchiha Madara who had told him directly?
"You bastard, why didn't you ever tell me?"
Senju Tobirama's face darkened, but Senju Hashirama didn't care in the slightest.
"Why should I tell you? You don't have the Sharingan."
"…"
"And besides, if Gen hadn't brought it up, I'd have forgotten all about it."
"…"
With such a big brother to deal with, Senju Tobirama felt his head aching. All he could do was turn to his "good disciple."
"Sasuke, do you know about this?"
"Uh… I don't."
Sasuke shook his head awkwardly, but then Senju Hashirama spoke again.
"Madara mentioned it was in some shrine, I think? He invited me to go see it, but I refused—after all, I didn't have the Sharingan."
"…"
Senju Tobirama and Sasuke fell silent at the same time. For a moment, they both started to doubt.
'Is he really a Senju or an Uchiha?!'
The others were at a loss for words too, thinking only that the First Hokage's relationship with Uchiha Madara was far too tangled.
"Didn't think it would turn out to be real. Then let's go find it."
Thankfully, Kitagawa Gen spoke up in time, breaking the silence.
"There might be secrets there we don't yet know. Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, I'll have to trouble you with this."
"No problem."
Kakashi and Sasuke nodded at the same time, while Kitagawa Gen turned to Senju Tobirama with a questioning look.
"Speaking of which, if the Uchiha have a stone tablet hiding secrets, could the Senju have something too—like bark or something?"
"I don't know. I'm not the clan head."
Senju Tobirama's face darkened as he looked at his big brother, but Senju Hashirama only shook his head blankly.
"I don't know either. No one ever told me."
"Don't tell me you just forgot?"
"I said I don't know!"
"…"
With nothing left to say to his big brother, Senju Tobirama sighed and shook his head.
"Forget it. Better I look into it myself—relying on you is useless."
"Tch."
Senju Hashirama gave a light snort. Seeing Tobirama about to lose his temper, Kitagawa Gen quickly cut in.
"Since all that's clear, I think we need to be cautious about Akatsuki and Ōtsutsuki Genshiki making a move—especially on…"
"The Seven Tails, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally had the chance to speak, though he looked pained.
"The Takigakure people keep refusing our proposals. Nothing has happened in these three years—it's really troublesome."
"I remember Obito once invaded Takigakure, apparently aiming for the Seven Tails, but you stopped him, Gen."
Kakashi recalled and glanced at Kitagawa Gen, who nodded at once.
"That's right. But things got too quiet afterward, so I can't be sure."
"We never should have sold the Tailed Beasts in the first place. And you, Gen, you shouldn't have stopped them either."
Senju Tobirama glared at his big brother, then went on, "What if we disguise ourselves as Akatsuki and attack them? You never know pain until you've been beaten!"
"I think that's perfect!"
Kitagawa Gen's eyes lit up. Senju Tobirama might be ruthless, but the idea fit him perfectly.
"Sensei, that's not right. It's too extreme…"
But Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly disagreed. After a moment's troubled thought, he spoke again.
"Better we send a delegation over. That would be best for everyone."
"A delegation?"
That idea made everyone present breathe easier—even Kitagawa Gen nodded.
He already had the Seven Tails' chakra. This time, his target was Akatsuki. Whatever form it took, it didn't matter.
Just then, he suddenly noticed his system react!
At the same time, seeing his sensei's dissatisfied expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a wry smile and continued, "And strictly speaking, if they do get attacked…"
"It's not necessarily a bad thing."
"…"
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