"That guy, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, has arrived?"
On the road to the Land of Water, Kitagawa Minamoto couldn't help but ponder silently.
While the result wasn't entirely unexpected, it still stirred a mix of emotions within him. After all, the entire ninja world had been thrown into chaos by his actions. Calling it "chickens flying and dogs jumping" would hardly be an exaggeration!
Moreover, with Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's "White Kāma" appearing, and the burst of chakra belonging to the Ōtsutsuki clan, Minamoto could feel it vividly—a sensation that only confirmed his suspicions.
"In my memory, the Ōtsutsuki clan members arrived later than this, but it's clear that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the others attracted them."
The Ōtsutsuki clan was extraordinarily sensitive to each other's power. Whenever chakra erupted, it was likely to draw other clan members.
As for the Kāma seal, it was typically harder to detect, but the "White Kāma" was different.
"This is pure power, without any extraneous elements. So this time, the premature arrival of the Ōtsutsuki is entirely Isshiki's fault!"
Minamoto conveniently ignored the fact that his own chakra bursts, before he had "Amenominaka," might have been the initial trigger.
Still, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing—on the contrary, it excited him!
Having grown to his current level, he had faced many strong opponents, but he had yet to encounter a true Ōtsutsuki.
"Though my development isn't complete yet, I can still test myself against an Ōtsutsuki to see the final results."
Especially since Minamoto knew Urashiki's weaknesses, his interest was even greater!
"Minamoto, are you saying that Obito Uchiha's plan..."
During their journey, Hashirama Senju couldn't resist asking.
"Is either to kill everyone or to create a world where everyone is trapped in Genjutsu?"
"Hmph, typical of those evil Uchiha brats."
Tobirama Senju muttered under his breath.
"Such extreme methods—just like Madara Uchiha!"
Minamoto snapped back to reality, glancing at Tobirama's resentful expression.
"I'm not sure. He didn't give much information, but I suspect his intel came from the stone tablet."
"The stone tablet, huh? Madara did mention it back in the day."
Hashirama rubbed his chin, trying to recall the past.
"He seemed to talk about uniting the ninja world, but also hinted at another method. Though I..."
"You weren't interested, were you?!"
Tobirama couldn't hold back, angrily confronting his elder brother.
"You idiot! What other foolish things have you done? Why are you so clueless?"
"Hey, I said I don't have the Sharingan, nor am I interested. After all, I already have Konohagakure."
"That doesn't mean you can ignore everything!"
"I didn't ignore it. I said my focus was on Konohagakure at the time."
"You—"
Seeing the brothers about to argue again, Minamoto could only sigh and intervene.
"Alright, alright. It's not a big deal. Once Sasuke's eye problem is resolved, we'll all know the truth."
"Hmph!"
Tobirama begrudgingly backed down, while Hashirama pursed his lips, deciding not to continue the quarrel.
Meanwhile, Minamoto rubbed his chin thoughtfully, speaking up once more.
"Actually, when considering this, why not think about whether the Sage of Six Paths didn't favor Asura?"
"..."
The two brothers, who had been fuming moments ago, suddenly froze. Hashirama even pressed his hand to his forehead.
"Here we go again. Did the Sage of Six Paths ever say he didn't like Asura?"
"Otherwise, why would others get a stone tablet while you got tree bark?"
Minamoto blinked, then continued after a moment's thought.
"And according to Madara Uchiha, the stone tablet records a way to save the world, while your tree bark advises you to reconcile with Indra..."
"A child who's easy to like doesn't need much explanation!"
Tobirama couldn't take it anymore, interrupting Minamoto mid-sentence.
"Besides, if we're being honest, the Sage of Six Paths has issues too. Why did he let Indra and Asura fight for so many years?"
"Uh..."
Hashirama's face turned awkward. Was this really a topic they should be discussing?
"Not really our area of discussion, is it?"
Minamoto blinked, but Tobirama seemed oblivious, coldly continuing his argument.
"Hmph, I suspect the Sage of Six Paths might have done it deliberately."
"Gasp—are you insane?"
"I'm not insane. If we say the Sage of Six Paths is omniscient and omnipotent, couldn't he have foreseen the current situation?"
"..."
"For example, Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki—his power is beyond what ordinary people can match!"
"..."
"But through millennia of conflict, the ninja world has honed its resilience and courage to face powerful enemies!"
"..."
"Add in talents like Minamoto, and after Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki's emergence, we've entered the 'evolution' he mentioned."
"..."
"So, could this be why the Sage of Six Paths allowed Indra and Asura to fight to the death?"
Tobirama's eyes shone brighter the more he spoke, his entire demeanor becoming increasingly animated.
Originally, he had only wanted to counter Minamoto's remarks about the Sage of Six Paths not leaving anything for Asura. But now, he felt as though he had uncovered the truth!
His reasoning was so clear and logical that even Hashirama was momentarily stunned. After thinking it through, it seemed to make some sense?
"Why does that sound familiar?"
Minamoto took a deep breath, feeling as though he might have said something similar before. No, he definitely hadn't! This was entirely Tobirama's own twisted logic! How dare he slander the Sage of Six Paths like that?!
"Don't say such things. It could get us killed."
Minamoto immediately interrupted Tobirama, speaking cautiously.
"The older one gets, the smaller their tolerance. Look at the Third Hokage—the Sage of Six Paths has lived for over a thousand years; his tolerance must be even smaller."
"Hmph, rumors say he's long dead."
Tobirama snorted, but still glanced around cautiously.
Meanwhile, Hashirama felt exasperated—the older one gets, the smaller their tolerance? Weren't the two of them older than the Third Hokage, that "little monkey"?
"Besides, I never thought he was wrong."
Perhaps sincerely, Tobirama sighed and continued.
"Without those millennia of bloodshed, how could ninjas have mastered chakra usage? How could they have developed today's combat techniques? How could they have forged such strong will and courage, to face beings like Ōtsutsuki Minamoto-shiki, these so-called 'gods'?"
"..."
Minamoto and Hashirama remained silent, but Tobirama clenched his fists and continued.
"So, while the Sage of Six Paths may seem cold and ruthless, even cruel, his love for the ninja world is genuine! Sometimes, only through such harsh methods can the future become brighter. I guess I still have much to learn."
"..."
Hashirama was utterly speechless, unable to refute Tobirama's logic—it was too coherent! Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that Tobirama was projecting himself onto the Sage of Six Paths.
"Or maybe Tobirama's personality shares some similarities with the Sage of Six Paths?"
As Hashirama fell silent, Minamoto glanced around uneasily, half-expecting divine retribution to strike. Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened, but he couldn't help but admire Tobirama's audacity. To defend his clan, he dared to say and think anything.
"Oh no!"
Suddenly, Minamoto's expression turned peculiar, as he remembered Urashiki's arrival.
"And now I have to switch accounts, which only further validates Tobirama's words..."
As they continued their journey, the Land of Water was anything but peaceful.
The Six-Tails Jinchūriki was a target of the Akatsuki. While the Three-Tails was currently the Mizukage—albeit with diminished authority—and had layers of protection, the Six-Tails was different. He wasn't a Kage!
Especially since he wasn't in Kirigakure Village, this gave the Akatsuki an excellent opportunity, even though he hadn't left the Land of Water.
"If I'm not mistaken, he should be just ahead."
Within the thick mist of the Land of Water, Kisame Hoshigaki gazed at a village in the distance, his voice devoid of emotion.
"The kid wanted to leave the Land of Water, but he had no good place to go. Either the Konoha alliance or enemy nations—even small countries wouldn't be easy to reach."
"What a pitiful guy. If he wanted to run, he should have done it earlier."
Zabuza Momochi shook his head. As a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, he considered himself quite experienced.
"Exactly."
Raiga Kurosuki nodded in agreement, a cold smile crossing his face.
"Wanting to leave but lacking the courage and resolve, he's now caught between a rock and a hard place. Jinchūriki aren't as clever as they seem."
"Speaking of which, how are we going to handle the Fourth Mizukage?"
Suddenly, Zabuza couldn't help but ask.
"He still has the Three-Tails inside him. If we don't handle this properly, the situation could get complicated."
"Someone else will take care of him. Our mission is only to deal with Utakata."
Kisame shook his head, adhering to the principle that if it wasn't his job, he wouldn't bother with it.
"Besides, our stipend isn't much, and you two are already dead. Why risk your lives?"
"You're the one who can't afford to risk your life, aren't you?"
Zabuza coldly stared at Kisame, while Raiga's eyes flashed with hostility.
"I think you'd be better off dying and becoming Impure World Reincarnations like us. Then you wouldn't have to worry about death."
"Let's focus on the mission."
Kisame simply shook his head, not wanting to discuss the matter further.
"And we'd better move quickly. Don't forget that chakra burst earlier. I have a bad feeling about this."
Kisame and the others had been in Kirigakure, so they naturally felt that powerful and strange chakra eruption. Though they couldn't detect the Ōtsutsuki characteristics within it, the chakra was enough to make them all uneasy.
"We should definitely hurry."
Zabuza nodded, and Raiga couldn't help but sigh.
"Seriously, ever since that Kitagawa Minamoto appeared, the ninja world has been crawling with more and more monsters..."
As they moved into action, elsewhere, Orochimaru's team had also arrived.
Seven figures moved through the mist, appearing and disappearing like ghosts. At the front, Kimimaro's face tensed, veins bulging around his eyes.
"Byakugan, activate!"
In an instant, everything within the quiet village ahead came into view.
"That Byakugan is really convenient."
Suigetsu couldn't help but mutter beside him. For reconnaissance, the Byakugan was truly the best option.
"See anything?"
Kidōmaru glanced at Kimimaro, inwardly scoffing, but still asked politely.
"Your Byakugan should provide more detailed intelligence, right?"
Sakon chuckled softly, while Jirōbō and Tayuya also turned their gaze toward Kimimaro.
The four of them were Orochimaru's personal guards, carefully cultivated by the Sannin. However, the intensity of their training paled in comparison to Kimimaro's!
Though they all deeply respected Kimimaro's strength, they also envied the special treatment he received from Orochimaru. This mission was their "proving ground," and they didn't want to be overshadowed by Kimimaro.
"He's in the village, and others have arrived as well."
Kimimaro deactivated his Byakugan, speaking coldly. This immediately caused the four to furrow their brows.
"Enemies? Or allies?"
Suigetsu asked cautiously, but Kidōmaru dismissed the concern.
"Whether they're enemies or friends, it makes no difference to us."
"That's right."
Tayuya nodded, determined not to lose to Kimimaro.
"We'll handle this. You just worry about whether they're enemies or allies!"
"I have no objections."
Sakon smirked, and Jirōbō casually nodded.
"Just wait here. We'll take care of the Six-Tails."
With those words, the four vanished, charging toward the village!
After three years, they had all grown stronger, confident they could handle most challenges.
"Tch, arrogant fools."
Suigetsu watched them leave with annoyance, then curiously asked Jūgo beside him.
"Aren't we going to stop them? Rushing in like that could get them killed."
"That's their choice."
Before Jūgo could respond, Kimimaro calmly replied.
"Besides, Lord Orochimaru doesn't need weaklings. Let's focus on our own task."
With that, Kimimaro followed at a measured pace. Jūgo patted Suigetsu's shoulder and walked after him.
Only Suigetsu remained, his face filled with resignation. He couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would end badly!
And he wasn't wrong. From another direction, Mei Terumī and her group were also approaching.
"The one who released that chakra seems to be heading this way."
Standing on a hilltop, Ao scanned the area with his Byakugan, his expression grim.
"Not only that, but several people with powerful chakra are gathering here, and Utakata is also present. It seems we're in for trouble."
"Utakata?"
Mei hadn't expected things to become so complicated.
After some consideration, she bit her lip and took out a scroll. Unsealing it, she retrieved a kunai.
"This is..."
Chōjūrō asked curiously, quickly noticing the unique formula on the kunai.
"The Flying Thunder God kunai? From the Fifth Hokage?"
"Though he hasn't officially become Hokage yet, that's essentially correct."
Mei nodded, gripping the kunai tightly as she spoke softly.
"He said if we ever faced real trouble, we could alert him through this kunai. I think tonight's problems are big enough."
Her trust in Kitagawa Minamoto was absolute. The events of the past were still fresh in her memory.
She believed that no matter what trouble arose, as long as Minamoto was there...
"Everything will be fine."
She whispered to herself before addressing her team.
"Let's go!"
As they moved out, high in the sky, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki observed the land below.
His face showed a peculiar expression, which quickly transformed into a broad smile.
"Well, well... the Byakugan, scattered power of the Ten-Tails, and Isshiki's failed Kāma. This world is truly fascinating..."
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