"Hmm! As expected of a village famous for its therapeutic hot springs."
Inside an inn in Yugakure, 'Shadow' lay in a hot spring, only his head floating on the water.
The nerves, taut from killing, gradually relaxed. Still clad in black robes, 'Shadow' gazed up at the sky.
Although 'Shadow's body was merely a clone, if it were to dissipate or be dispelled, the memories, including fatigue, would return to the main body.
So, it was best to use some method to mask those memories of slaughter before this clone was dispelled.
This was why the "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu," despite being an A-rank jutsu, was listed as a forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals.
If, for instance, Naruto Uzumaki were to create a thousand shadow clones at once and then have them all killed in an instant, a thousand death memories would be transmitted back to his main body.
Even Hyuga Kawa somewhat admired Naruto Uzumaki's immense fortitude; such an experience was definitely not something anyone could easily withstand.
"Speaking of Naruto Uzumaki," he mused, "With my 'Karma' ability, I should be able to do something to him now, leave some contingencies."
If nothing unexpected happened, once the events in the underground palace and the content of that stone tablet spread, "Ōtsutsuki Unchiki" would quickly become a target of public criticism.
It was hard to guarantee that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki wouldn't send someone, or even come himself, to investigate.
However, it didn't really matter.
He was already mentally prepared for this when he set up this scheme.
Hyuga Kawa's goal was to gradually reach the end of the world, becoming an existence at the level of Ōtsutsuki Shibai or even higher.
The ultimate goal he truly wished to reach was: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light," not just the simple lie of today.
If he wanted to achieve this goal, he would inevitably face Ōtsutsuki Isshiki; the only difference was whether it would be sooner or later.
If he truly encountered Ōtsutsuki Isshiki this early, Hyuga Kawa would definitely ignite his current life to its most spectacular extreme.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki would become an existence feared by everyone, and he would use his "life" to drag everyone into a lie.
This was something he thought of after realizing the existence of Gamamaru.
A savior, a Child of Prophecy, why couldn't it be him?
"Thinking about these things now is still too far off."
After quietly soaking for a few minutes, 'Shadow's thoughts drifted back, looking at the faintly visible figure in the mist on the other side of the hot spring.
"You haven't felt this temperature in a long time, have you?" he asked with a smile.
Nagato, completely enveloped in White Zetsu, was also soaking in the hot spring with narrowed eyes.
While it was true that one didn't need to strip naked to enjoy a hot spring, if someone were to enter this hot spring room and see them dressed like this, they would certainly think they were strange individuals.
"Yes."
Nagato looked up at the open-air blue sky above the hot spring and responded softly.
It was truly good.
Completely unlike the Land of Rain, which was always shrouded in gloomy rain.
To have a ninja village like this, known as "the village that forgets war," was enough to prove how peaceful and stable this country truly was.
It had even become the place with the highest average lifespan due to its therapeutic hot springs.
If he had been born in this country.
Would he still have reached this point?
Upon this thought, Nagato touched his eyes, and the answer was already in his heart.
He still would have.
Because he was chosen from birth, chosen to be the vessel for these eyes.
All the pain he suffered now was caused by that person.
"Uchiha Madara..." he murmured.
Just then, the door slid open, and a broad figure walked in.
"Hmph, you two are truly leisurely."
Seeing the two soaking in the hot spring, Kakuzu, shirtless, snorted coldly: "I'm starting to doubt if joining you was the right choice."
"Being tsundere and cute by being stubborn only works until adulthood, you know."
'Shadow's tone was as usual, with a smile: "An old man in his seventies or eighties saying such things really isn't cute."
This guy...
Upon hearing this, Kakuzu's face darkened, but he still said: "What are we doing next? Don't tell me, joining the Akatsuki only requires soaking in hot springs."
Nagato fell into a long silence.
According to the normal plan, they should continue to recruit members.
But now, there didn't seem to be suitable candidates...
"Hozuki Castle."
'Shadow' suddenly spoke, chuckling: "How about we go check out Hozuki Castle?"
Hozuki Castle, a prison established by the Grass Hidden Village at the request of various countries, specifically for confining rogue ninja and criminals. It was a hell for countless villains and traitors.
Even Uchiha Sasuke would later end up there, swinging a pickaxe doing hard labor, getting his face smashed by the prison guards.
Of course, Hozuki Castle was also the location of the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Meanwhile, in the Land of the Moon, at the Konoha forces' encampment.
"Do ground forces need to cooperate?"
Inside the tent, several Konoha jonin were present, naturally for a combat meeting.
After hearing Hyuga Kawa's plan, everyone fell into thought, and Jiraiya's eyes were also gleaming.
He was considering the feasibility of this operation.
If it could truly be implemented, then it would certainly deliver a devastating blow to Kumogakure.
And as the core of the entire operation, Hyuga Kawa would undoubtedly become the greatest contributor.
After much deliberation, he looked up at Hyuga Kawa before him and asked: "How confident are you about the ninjutsu you mentioned?"
"Eighty percent," Hyuga Kawa stated frankly, "as long as the ground forces cooperate."
"Eighty percent..." Jiraiya pursed his lips, his heart pounding.
An eighty percent chance was enough for them to take the risk.
However, Jiraiya didn't rush to give an answer. Instead, he looked at Hyuga Kawa and Kakashi Hatake before him and said: "Regarding the information about that underground palace and the events that transpired, I have already sent word back to the old man."
"Your mission this time was exceptionally well executed. The text on that stone tablet is currently being deciphered, and we will continue to send people to explore the underground palace later."
"As for that ninja tool named 'Mastema,' since you, Kawa, obtained it, you may use it as you see fit."
"As for that useless sword, its purpose is still unclear, and this item Kakashi brought back..."
At this point, he paused, looking at the black box placed before him.
The black box was intricately carved with dense characters, appearing dark gold under the lamplight, leaving no doubt about its preciousness.
"The script used on the box is the same ancient script as on the stone tablet," Jiraiya said in a deep voice. "A few words on it have been deciphered already."
Anything with such ancient writing, be it old books or artifacts, always carried a heavy history, bearing traces of destiny and demise.
"All kings' blood, shall end with the sword."
Jiraiya looked at the ancient script on the black box and slowly uttered these words, which sounded like both a prophecy and a curse.
Thump! Thump-thump!
After he spoke those words, a heartbeat sound actually emanated from the box, causing everyone's pupils to contract.
If one listened carefully enough, they could even distinguish seven heartbeats.
"This..."
Kakashi Hatake's throat bobbed, his eyes fixed on the black box before him.
What exactly had he brought back from the underground palace?
Why were there heartbeats?
Jiraiya raised his hand and pressed the central mechanism of the black box, which emitted a complex, mechanical whirring sound.
Click-clack...
The black box actually unfolded to the sides, reflecting a dark golden light from within.
Seven uniquely designed, intricately patterned swords appeared before everyone's eyes.
These seven weapons were housed in the same box, and despite being hidden underground for thousands of years, they still radiated a chilling brilliance at the moment of their emergence.
Exaggerated yet subtly ferocious, their sharp edges hinted that while maintaining the appearance of works of art, they were also peerless instruments of life and death.
Most importantly...
"Are they... alive?"
One of the Konoha jonin present murmured in a daze.
Yes.
The feeling these seven swords gave them.
Was that they were "alive."
The seven swords, each of a different form, lay quietly in the box, yet everyone present could clearly feel that they were being "watched" by something at this moment.
Or rather, they were being scrutinized—their physical bodies, and the souls within.
"You're not wrong."
Jiraiya's gaze swept over everyone, and he said softly, "Although I know it's incredible, these seven swords are indeed 'alive.'"
"Their name is 'Seven Deadly Sins.'"
"They are Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust."
Jiraiya's finger pointed at each of the seven swords one by one.
Greed - Ring-Pommel Saber, Pride - Katana, Wrath - Zanbatō, Envy - Wakizashi, Sloth - Greatsword, Gluttony - Octagonal Sword, Lust - Dagger.
It was the first time for those present to see the forms of some of these swords.
However, ninja tools in the ninja world were often oddly shaped, so it didn't surprise them.
What truly surprised them was Jiraiya's next sentence.
"Come and try," Jiraiya said in a deep voice, "Draw them."
"Whoever can gain their recognition is worthy of owning and using them."