The next moment, Kiyohara's consciousness sank into the depths of his mind.
There, he discovered that a brand new urn had appeared within his mental space.
Kiyohara carefully observed the new urn.
He quickly noticed that this one was noticeably larger than all of the previous urns.
"Why does this one feel... bigger?"
Kiyohara rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He then began examining the patterns and engravings decorating the surface of the urn.
Generally speaking, every urn contained certain clues.
For example, an urn bearing the emblem of Konoha's shinobi forehead protector usually indicated that the future buried within belonged to a shinobi of Konohagakure.
Sure enough, this newly appeared future also carried the symbol of Konoha.
Before Kiyohara could continue examining it, the lid of the urn suddenly opened with a crisp click.
A translucent figure slowly emerged from within.
He appeared to be only in his early twenties, with a youthful sharpness still lingering between his brows.
His appearance was almost identical to Kiyohara's own.
The only noticeable difference was his silver white hair, which stood upright like sharp spikes.
It looked almost like Minato's hairstyle after being dyed white.
Kiyohara shifted his attention to the clothing worn by this future self.
He discovered that the man was dressed in the traditional robes of the Uchiha clan, complete with a high collar and the clan's famous Gunbai fan crest embroidered on the back.
Within his eyes, a pair of crimson Mangekyo Sharingan rotated slowly.
Unlike Kiyohara's own pattern, these resembled two fully blossomed flowers.
The petals layered over one another, and from the tip of each petal spread countless delicate veins that stretched toward the corners of his eyes like flowing blood vessels.
Kiyohara raised an eyebrow.
The fact that the Mangekyo pattern differed from his own was most likely the result of differences in one's heart and spirit.
After all, people raised under completely different circumstances would naturally become very different individuals.
What truly interested Kiyohara, however, was something else.
Would inheriting this future grant him even more Mangekyo abilities?
If he completely inherited everything...
Would he possess four Mangekyo techniques?
His own two...
Combined with the two belonging to this new future?
"Hello, different me."
The newly appeared future interrupted Kiyohara's thoughts.
"Oh? Looks like you've awakened the Mangekyo too."
Mangekyo Kiyohara looked at him with a faint smile.
"That's right. I have."
Kiyohara nodded.
At the same time, another thought emerged within his mind.
Mangekyo Kiyohara seemed to have read his thoughts and smiled.
"I'm guessing you're wondering whether this means you can obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."
Kiyohara did not deny it.
He nodded before replying, "Theoretically, we're the same person. We've simply been separated into different timelines that caused different futures. I just don't know whether that still counts as being blood relatives."
"It definitely does."
As he spoke, Mangekyo Kiyohara stepped out of Kiyohara's mental world.
Kiyohara's consciousness also returned to reality.
Mangekyo Kiyohara's figure floated outside Kiyohara's body with his arms folded across his chest.
His silver white hair had grown extremely long, reaching all the way past his waist.
"And you don't have to worry. Once you inherit everything from me, you'll definitely obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."
Mangekyo Kiyohara spoke with absolute confidence.
Seeing Kiyohara's puzzled expression, he explained further.
"Because I already have the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. I inherited another Uchiha's future, and through that inheritance I awakened the Eternal Mangekyo."
Kiyohara's eyes widened.
He finally understood why this future spoke with such certainty.
So this future itself represented the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Soon afterward, another question surfaced in his mind.
"So does that mean you possess four dojutsu techniques?"
"Only three."
Mangekyo Kiyohara shook his head.
"One of them overlaps."
"My left eye also possesses Amaterasu, so it duplicates the dojutsu from another future."
Kiyohara found the coincidence rather amusing.
Perhaps they had experienced similar emotions at the moment they awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
When the Sharingan responded to those emotions, it granted them the same dojutsu technique.
Take Tsukuyomi, for example.
That technique had already existed among the Uchiha during the Warring States Era.
Uchiha Hikari also possessed Tsukuyomi, proving that it was never a technique unique to Itachi.
Likewise, Sasuke's Amaterasu completely overlapped with Itachi's own Amaterasu.
"Even then, that's still one more technique than any normal Uchiha."
Kiyohara felt rather satisfied with that outcome.
Still, just to be safe, he decided to reveal his own Mangekyo abilities.
His left eye possessed Ame no Minakanushi, allowing him to manipulate attraction and repulsion, pulling all objects toward him or pushing them away.
His right eye possessed Ashihara no Kakuriyo, allowing him to compress gravity into a single point and create a miniature gravitational singularity anywhere within his line of sight.
"Both of your abilities are related to gravity?"
Mangekyo Kiyohara looked genuinely surprised.
"Your abilities aren't?"
Kiyohara asked.
"They aren't."
Mangekyo Kiyohara shook his head.
Kiyohara's heart filled with delight.
In that case...
Wouldn't he obtain three completely new dojutsu techniques?
Altogether, he would possess five Mangekyo abilities.
After all, a Mangekyo Sharingan normally granted only two unique techniques.
That was practically an unbreakable rule.
Even after evolving into the Rinnegan, one usually gained only a single additional ocular ability.
Everything depended heavily upon luck.
The abilities might become overwhelmingly powerful.
Or they might be disappointingly mediocre.
Even Madara's Mangekyo abilities had remained a mystery throughout history.
There were really only two reasonable explanations.
Either his abilities were enhancement type techniques that looked unimpressive but had actually been in use the entire time.
Or they were simply too underwhelming for Madara to even bother using.
It was much like how, after mastering the Shadow Clone Technique, almost nobody ever used the ordinary Clone Technique again.
"So... how did you die?"
Kiyohara asked curiously.
Since this future possessed the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, very few people should have been capable of killing him.
Even if he had participated in the Fourth Shinobi War, he should have at least been able to contribute alongside Minato rather than ending up like Sixth Gate Rock Lee, who could only watch the decisive battle unfold while cheering from the sidelines.
"I was killed by Kaguya."
Mangekyo Kiyohara answered calmly.
"One hit from All Killing Ash Bones instantly killed me."
Well.
That explained everything.
Kiyohara immediately accepted that explanation.
There really was no counter to dying that way.
Even if he himself were struck by All Killing Ash Bones right now, his body would disintegrate so completely that even his ashes would scatter into nothingness.
The technique was so overwhelmingly powerful that even Naruto and Sasuke at the peak of their Six Paths powers never dared to block it directly.
"Why did she kill you?"
Kiyohara asked.
Mangekyo Kiyohara shrugged.
"She wanted to reclaim my chakra. We couldn't reach an agreement, so she decided to kill me."
Then he calmly revealed another astonishing piece of information.
"I possess half of the Otsutsuki bloodline."
"I underwent atavistic evolution."
Kiyohara's heart skipped a beat.
Mangekyo Kiyohara noticed his reaction and smiled slightly.
"You sensed it, didn't you?"
He slowly raised his right hand.
His palm faced upward.
A black rod gradually condensed into existence above it.
A Chakra Receiver.
Kiyohara recognized it instantly.
Nagato's Six Paths of Pain frequently used these black rods.
The Rinnegan allowed its wielder to freely manufacture these weapons using their own chakra.
Once inserted into an opponent's body, they could block chakra points, disrupt chakra flow, and even control both people and Tailed Beasts.
"How are you creating that?"
Kiyohara asked curiously.
These black rods were also known as Chakra Receivers or Black Receivers.
However, the Rinnegan was not the only means of producing them.
Isshiki could also create these black rods at will.
Kiyohara had long suspected that the ability originated either from the unique chakra possessed by the Otsutsuki clan or from Yin Yang Release.
"Otsutsuki."
Mangekyo Kiyohara answered calmly.
"Half of my blood belongs to the Otsutsuki clan."
"I'm already half an Otsutsuki."
He dispersed the black rod.
His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan quietly stared into Kiyohara's eyes.
"You should understand what that means."
Of course Kiyohara understood.
The Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan...
Combined with Otsutsuki blood...
It meant that this future self had already surpassed the limits of an ordinary Uchiha.
He had begun evolving toward an entirely higher level of existence.
If Kiyohara inherited all of this...
His breathing unconsciously became heavier.
His own Mangekyo Sharingan was already strengthened by Asura's chakra.
Because of that, its chakra consumption was significantly lower than that of an ordinary Mangekyo Sharingan.
If he then obtained the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan...
And inherited that portion of Otsutsuki blood...
Then perhaps...
The Rinnegan would truly no longer be an impossible dream.
Indra's chakra was, by its very nature, already half of an Otsutsuki's chakra.
Only after combining with Asura's other half did it produce the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths, or rather, true Otsutsuki chakra, thereby awakening the Rinnegan.
If Kiyohara were to build upon all of that and later obtain Sasuke's Indra chakra as well...
There was even a possibility that it would accelerate his evolution into a complete member of the Otsutsuki clan.
"So..."
"What is are your last wills?"
Kiyohara asked.
If he wished to inherit all of these abilities, he would first have to fulfill the deceased's lingering regret.
Mangekyo Kiyohara quietly looked at him.
He remained silent for a long moment.
"Kill Danzo."
Mangekyo Kiyohara spoke without hesitation.
"That old bastard spent my entire era coveting the Sharingan. I kept him alive because I needed him to balance the various factions within the village, but now..."
He paused for a moment, and a cold glint flashed across his crimson eyes.
"If I were given another chance, I would cut off his hand the very first time he reached out for the Sharingan."
Kiyohara answered immediately.
"Alright."
There was simply no reason for him to refuse such a request.
Danzo had committed countless shady deeds. As long as Kiyohara investigated them thoroughly, he could legally and justifiably deal with Danzo.
Of course, Kiyohara also had plenty of less legitimate methods at his disposal.
The only reason he had not acted directly was because Danzo possessed ten minutes of practical invincibility through Izanagi, and Kiyohara did not want to create an unnecessarily massive disturbance.
Mangekyo Kiyohara nodded before continuing with his second last will.
Compared to the first, the second request was much simpler.
He wanted Kiyohara to master several secret Yin Release and Yang Release techniques.
For someone destined to become Hokage, this was hardly difficult.
Kiyohara had more than enough methods to persuade, or force, the various shinobi clans to hand over their hidden techniques.
...
The border of the Land of Rain.
Dusk.
A breeze drifted in from the west, carrying with it the damp scent left behind by the rain.
Kisame leaned lazily against a wall with his arms folded across his chest.
His shark-like eyes were half closed, making him appear as though he were dozing.
Across from him sat Kakuzu.
He was quietly counting stacks of money.
For Kakuzu, there was no hobby more enjoyable.
"What are you looking at?"
A voice suddenly came from the side.
Kakuzu looked up.
Obito was walking down the corridor, his tiger striped mask concealing most of his face.
Only a single crimson Sharingan remained visible.
Kakuzu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Every time he saw this man, one question inevitably surfaced in his mind.
Was this man really Uchiha Madara?
That Sharingan certainly wasn't fake.
But could Madara truly have lived for this long?
"Nothing."
Kakuzu withdrew his gaze and stood up, rolling his shoulders.
"Training again today?"
he asked casually.
"Madara" frequently sparred with members of the organization under the excuse of helping them train.
Most of those matches ended before either side became seriously injured.
What Kakuzu found especially troublesome was Madara's ability to pass through space itself.
Furthermore, he had never once used Susanoo.
Even so, his overwhelming strength remained enough to make Kakuzu deeply wary.
What Kakuzu did not know was that Obito, possessing only one Mangekyo Sharingan, simply could not use Susanoo.
"Training."
Obito nodded.
He looked calmly at Kakuzu but made no move himself.
Instead, he formed a hand seal.
A Shadow Clone appeared beside him.
Every time they sparred, Obito never fought personally.
Instead, he always sent a Shadow Clone.
That way, no one could discover the full extent of his abilities.
Even if the clone made mistakes, he could simply claim that Shadow Clones were naturally weaker than the original.
Kakuzu formed hand seals.
His right arm immediately began changing.
Something squirmed beneath his skin.
Moments later, his arm transformed into a writhing mass of black tendrils.
Earth Grudge Fear.
The instant it activated, Kakuzu's chakra surged dramatically.
Wind Release chakra rapidly gathered around his body.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
He raised his transformed right arm.
The writhing tendrils suddenly contracted before violently exploding outward.
A massive sphere of compressed wind erupted from his palm with an ear piercing roar, hurtling straight toward Obito's Shadow Clone.
Wherever the attack passed, it carved an enormous trench into the earth.
Countless rocks were lifted into the air before instantly being shredded into dust.
Obito remained standing exactly where he was.
The wind sphere passed straight through his body as though it had struck nothing more than a phantom.
It continued onward before detonating against the ground behind him.
The earth exploded.
A crater several meters wide appeared amid the smoke and debris.
Kakuzu's pupils narrowed.
Again...
That same technique.
"Too slow."
Obito's voice suddenly sounded from directly ahead.
His figure appeared before Kakuzu in an instant.
His right fist had already reached Kakuzu's chest.
Kakuzu immediately stepped backward while crossing both arms to block.
Bang!
A heavy impact echoed through the air.
Only then did Kakuzu notice that Obito's arm was wrapped in layers of Wood Release.
'So Madara learned Wood Release after fighting Hashirama for so many years?'
Although Kakuzu had never witnessed Madara using such techniques in the past, it was not entirely unreasonable.
After all, Madara had been the only person capable of standing against Hashirama Senju.
If anyone could learn Hashirama's techniques, it would be him.
With that thought, Kakuzu threw a punch.
His wrist instantly detached from his forearm.
The two sections remained connected only by countless dense black threads.
This technique possessed enough penetrating power to pierce straight through a shinobi's heart.
Even protective armor offered no protection.
Obito's figure blurred.
Using the extraordinary dynamic vision granted by the Mangekyo Sharingan, he effortlessly dodged the attack.
"With your current strength, you're still not qualified to challenge Kiyohara."
Obito shook his head.
No one understood Kiyohara's strength better than he did.
"Is that so?"
Kakuzu calmly tore open his robe.
Several grotesque masks were embedded across his back.
Earth Grudge Fear: Nature Masks.
These elemental masks had been created by stealing the hearts of other shinobi and storing them within Kakuzu's own body.
By collecting those hearts, he had gathered all five basic chakra natures.
As long as the masks remained intact, Kakuzu could freely use every ninjutsu that had belonged to the original owners of those hearts.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
The lightning mask opened its mouth.
A gigantic spear of lightning burst forth, instantly shooting toward Obito.
Obito slammed both palms onto the ground while completing another hand seal.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
An enormous earthen wall surged upward from the ground.
The lightning spear crashed against it.
The battle continued.
The two exchanged attack after attack without pause.
As the fight progressed, Kakuzu gradually realized something.
Obito possessed an astonishing amount of chakra.
Moreover, his Wood Release techniques could absorb chakra, making them exceptionally difficult to deal with.
Because Kakuzu still carried psychological scars from facing Hashirama in the past, fighting against Wood Release was anything but enjoyable.
"Not good enough, Kakuzu."
Obito watched expressionlessly as his Shadow Clone vanished in a puff of smoke.
The clone had disappeared simply because it had exhausted all of its chakra.
"I have a way to increase your strength in a short period of time."
Obito suddenly said.
"What is it, Madara?"
Kakuzu became visibly interested.
Anything related to becoming stronger naturally caught his attention.
"You'll find out later."
Beneath the tiger striped mask, Obito quietly smiled.
The method he referred to was naturally the transplantation of Hashirama Cells.
At this point, almost Obito's entire body consisted of Hashirama Cells.
The concentration of Senju blood within him had become even greater than that possessed by many natural members of the Senju clan.
It was precisely this that granted Obito such overwhelming physical strength.
Naturally, there was also a price.
His skin had become deathly pale.
Like Madara himself, Hashirama's face had even begun growing upon his body.
Obito had repeatedly removed those grotesque faces.
Yet every single time the wounds healed, Hashirama's face would emerge once more.
Eventually, Obito concluded that the cells instinctively sought to reconstruct Hashirama himself.
Fortunately, although Hashirama's face continually regenerated, it never interfered with Obito's own body.
"Fine."
Kakuzu nodded.
He respected "Uchiha Madara."
At least, on the surface.
...
By the time Obito walked out of the Akatsuki hideout, night had completely fallen.
The skies over the Land of Rain rarely revealed any stars.
Heavy clouds hung low overhead.
"Kakuzu's strength is decent."
"But he still has plenty of room to grow."
Obito rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Ever since Kiyohara had become his greatest obstacle, Obito had constantly searched for ways to strengthen every member of the Akatsuki.
Only by increasing the organization's overall combat strength could they hope to oppose Kiyohara in the future.
Yet today, Obito found himself unable to continue thinking about such matters.
For some unknown reason, an inexplicable uneasiness filled his heart.
The sensation was incredibly strange.
It felt as though...
He was about to lose something extremely important.
"Obito?"
White Zetsu emerged from the nearby soil.
"What is it?"
Obito did not answer immediately.
Instead, after remaining silent for several moments, he finally spoke.
"I'm going to Konoha."
White Zetsu blinked.
"Alright."
He nodded.
Recently, Obito had been visiting Konoha far more frequently than before.
According to Obito, he was gathering intelligence and waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Although, so far...
White Zetsu had yet to discover exactly what opportunity Obito was waiting for.
...
Meanwhile.
Konoha.
The moment the curtain at Yakiniku Q was pulled aside, a wave of heat mixed with the rich aroma of charcoal grilled meat and savory sauce rushed outward.
The restaurant was already crowded.
Most of the customers were genin and chunin.
Occasionally, one could spot a few jonin dressed in their signature green flak jackets.
During the village's postwar reconstruction period, inexpensive gatherings like this had become one of the most common forms of entertainment.
Kiyohara casually swept his gaze across the restaurant.
He suddenly remembered that after Asuma became a jonin instructor, he frequently brought his three students here to eat.
Shikamaru.
Ino.
Choji.
Unfortunately for Asuma, Choji's enormous appetite almost always left his wallet badly wounded.
Kiyohara smiled faintly at the memory before continuing deeper into the restaurant.
Soon, he found Rin.
She had already arrived and was quietly seated by the window, waiting for him.
(End of Chapter)