Land of Lightning
Boom—
Lightning illuminated the mountains, revealing houses built into the slopes. This was Kumogakure, the homeland of the big guy known as Lao Da.
At the very peak stood the newly finished Raikage Building, from which the entire village could be seen.
Inside the Raikage's office, the towering First Raikage was in the middle of aerobic training, his bulging muscles tightening and loosening in rhythm.
"Raikage-sama!"
Just as he was admiring his hard-earned physique, the heavy doors were pushed open by large, rough hands.
"Hah… what is it this time?"
The First Raikage frowned, tossing a towel over his shoulder and shaking sweat from his hair, his rugged face showing a hint of helplessness.
"You have a letter."
The man who entered, sporting a meticulously trimmed beard, glanced around cautiously as if checking for eavesdroppers. Only when he confirmed they were alone did he produce the envelope from his robe.
"It's just a letter, why the secrecy?"
The First Raikage rolled his eyes, but the bearded man sighed.
"I don't want the Kinkaku brothers seeing it and doing something rash."
"Oh? It's from Senju Hashirama? Then yes… better keep it quiet."
The very name Senju was taboo to those brothers. If they knew, chaos would follow.
The Raikage opened it, scanning the heartfelt invitation.
"A Five Kage Summit? To mediate the Land of Earth and Land of Water's war? This guy's too naïve."
For the Raikage, avoiding foreign wars and focusing on strengthening his own country was best. Thanks to distant blood ties between the daimyo and the Yotsuki clan, Kumogakure's funding was ample.
When the Land of Water had requested passage through their seas earlier, he hadn't gouged them, only asking Mizukage Byakuren to help search for their long-lost Turtle Island — the sacred beast carrying the nation's secret training ground.
"This stays between us, especially from the brothers. When the meeting comes, you'll go with me."
"Yes, sir."
Konoha, Nighttime
In the warmly lit village, a figure wrapped tightly in a cloak moved quickly through the streets, stopping before a luxurious mansion.
Knock knock knock—
"It's this late, who is it?"
Senju Itama's younger sister, wearing black-and-white striped pajamas, opened the door with an annoyed look. She was ready to punch out whatever shameless little fox dared to come knocking so late.
"Shh. Keep it down."
Recognizing the voice, she lowered her fist, brows furrowing.
"It's me."
Tobirama removed his hood, revealing his signature white hair and a rare gentle expression.
"What are you doing here? I'm not going back."
She stepped back defensively — she was close to securing her "curly-haired monkey" and didn't want her brother messing things up.
"I'm looking for Uchiha Gin. Is he here?"
Relieved that his target wasn't her, she pointed toward the back courtyard.
In the moonlit garden, Gin stood tall, eyes closed, curly hair stirring in the still air. Under the pale glow, ornate markings spread across his face. When he opened his eyes, the markings faded back into the Yin Seal on his forehead.
"Heh… burning those offerings to the ancestor really paid off."
Moments ago, he'd completed his final Sage Mode fragment after trouncing the future "crown prince," and found the mode boosted his physical stats — though his intelligence and charm remained the same.
Experimenting, he discovered the Yin Seal could store natural energy.
"Wait… am I the main character of this story?"
His self-reflection was interrupted by Tobirama's cold voice.
Turning, Gin smirked. "What brings you here at night? Trying to dig up dirt on my cousin?"
"I—"
Before Tobirama could speak, Gin cut in. "If you can't meet my price, no deal."
Tobirama sighed. "I came to discuss something — about the tailed beasts."
Gin frowned. "What now?"
"Does your clan have anyone who can implant a long-term or even permanent command into a tailed beast's mind?"
Gin's suspicion flared — was this a trap to target the Uchiha? But he replied, "That depends. What for?"
Tobirama explained his plan: distributing tailed beasts to the other four nations as a balance of power — but for a price, and with "flaws" built in.
Gin's eyes lit with understanding. "Ah… now that sounds like you. Thought you'd gone soft for a second."
Tobirama pressed, "So, do you have the technique?"
"Of course."
The method was simple — plant a wedge of condensed ocular power in the target's mind — but it required more than a standard Sharingan to subjugate a tailed beast.
"How long will it last?"
"If nothing goes wrong, until it dies."
Tobirama's face brightened. "When can we do it?"
"Tomorrow. Tonight, I sleep."
The Next Morning
"Oi, Hikari, big job today."
At the training grounds where the already-subdued tailed beasts lazed in the sun, Gin explained Tobirama's request: commands that could trigger a rampage on demand, lasting decades or even centuries.
Hikari's Eternal Mangekyō spun to life, her oppressive chakra making even the great beasts curl their tails. One by one, she planted the wedges into their minds.
Gin, seeing sweat bead on her brow, moved to stop her, but she smiled faintly. "As long as it's for you, Gin, I'll give it my all."
When the last beast — Gyūki — collapsed, she let herself "faint" into his arms, though Gin sensed she was perfectly fine.
"Let's go home," he murmured, carrying her in a princess hold. Their eyes met, the air thick with unspoken heat—
Until Uchiha Osamu came rushing in, purple waves of hair flying, having felt his own control over a beast vanish. The sight before her made her heart shatter, and in that moment of pain, her eyes evolved — the clover pattern of her Mangekyō spinning wildly into something new.
"I shouldn't be here… I should be—"
(End of Chapter)
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