Ren's speculation wasn't unreasonable.
Ever since he obtained Yin–Yang Release, he fully understood how outrageous that power truly was.
It was a force even the Ōtsutsuki clan relied on.
Yet when that same power appeared in Black Zetsu's hands, it manifested as little more than a possession technique.
That made no sense.
There had to be another explanation.
The most logical one was simple:
Black Zetsu's Yin–Yang Release had been suppressed.
"And the only thing capable of suppressing Yin–Yang Release…"
"…would be Bloodline Expansion."
In Ren's memories, nobody had independently created Bloodline Expansion.
Every known example relied on becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.
The Ten-Tails itself was essentially a massive chakra convergence point.
Possessing it naturally allowed one to cross the threshold into Six Paths power.
Yin–Yang Release was merely part of Bloodline Expansion.
Only something on that level could suppress it.
Ren's eyes gleamed.
"Black Zetsu's value just increased again."
Even though Ren had already balanced his chakra attributes and strengthened his body to an unprecedented level—
The difficulty of achieving Bloodline Expansion was still unimaginable.
At the moment, he could only accumulate prerequisites.
Truth-Seeking Orbs were one step.
Massive chakra reserves were another.
But these were merely preparations.
The final leap remained distant.
"Unless…"
"…I obtain the formula."
If he could acquire a "formula" describing Bloodline Expansion—
Everything would become drastically easier.
Even if he couldn't—
Extracting the fragment of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's chakra from Black Zetsu would still be invaluable.
Just experiencing Bloodline Expansion chakra directly could reveal its structure.
That alone would accelerate Ren's progress immensely.
"Hey."
Tsunade's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"What exactly are these Ōtsutsuki?"
Even after returning to the Hokage office, both she and Hikari remained preoccupied with the stone tablet's revelations.
The shock was simply too great.
Ren scratched his head.
"…Good question."
He certainly couldn't say they were aliens.
"Maybe they're a clan."
"Maybe an entire race."
"No one knows."
"But one thing is certain."
"They're extremely dangerous."
"If the Sage of Six Paths mentioned them in the stone tablet…"
"…it was clearly a warning."
Ren understood their danger very well.
The Ōtsutsuki possessed absurd power.
Though ironically—
Their combat intelligence sometimes seemed questionable.
He remembered Urashiki Ōtsutsuki from his memories.
A being capable of manipulating time—
Yet defeated by Jiraiya's poison.
Ren still found that hilarious.
Then a thought struck him.
"Actually…"
"There might still be a living Ōtsutsuki in the ninja world."
Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Or more accurately—
Jigen.
Ren quickly shook his head.
Other Ōtsutsuki might be manageable.
But Isshiki?
Not yet.
That man was on an entirely different level.
After surviving Kaguya's betrayal, Isshiki had spent a thousand years adapting.
Learning.
Fighting.
Absorbing knowledge from the ninja world.
Combining those experiences with his original power made him terrifying.
Just imagining it was unsettling.
Ren wasn't arrogant enough to challenge him yet.
"Anyway."
Ren waved the thought away.
"No point worrying about the Ōtsutsuki now."
"We should focus on current problems."
He leaned forward.
"This time we won decisively."
"But Iwagakure and Kumogakure won't accept it."
"I'm certain they'll strengthen their alliance against Konoha."
Tsunade snorted.
"Those idiots never learn."
Hikari looked confused.
"Why would they target us?"
"Konoha hasn't attacked them."
Ren rested his chin on his hand.
"Imagine this."
"You live near a forest."
"And inside that forest…"
"…there's a tiger."
"A massive, terrifying tiger."
"It has never attacked you."
"But it's so powerful that even a simple growl terrifies you."
"What would you do?"
Hikari thought for a moment.
"…I'd probably try to kill the tiger."
Ren nodded.
"Exactly."
"In their eyes—"
"Konoha is that tiger."
Tsunade sighed.
"And with you two here…"
"…the tiger just grew fangs."
Hikari considered this quietly.
Then she said something terrifyingly calm.
"…Why not just eliminate them?"
"Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
Tsunade rubbed her temples.
"That's exactly the kind of thinking that started the Warring States Era."
Ren quickly intervened.
"Destroying them would only create chaos."
"Controlling their territories would be harder than defeating them."
"Peace isn't maintained through force alone."
"It also requires diplomacy."
"And if we attack them now…"
"…smaller nations will panic."
He shrugged.
"We don't need to rush."
"When the time comes, dealing with them won't be difficult."
Hikari nodded slowly.
She didn't fully understand.
But if Ren and Tsunade agreed—
She didn't object.
"Speaking of problems…"
Ren changed the subject.
"Akatsuki."
"They'll probably start digging up graves."
Tsunade frowned.
"…Edo Tensei."
"Exactly."
"The ninja world has thousands of powerful corpses."
"Former Kage."
"Legendary warriors."
"Orochimaru won't ignore that."
Tsunade sighed.
"That's technically your department."
"You handle external threats."
"But I'll strengthen village surveillance."
She hesitated slightly.
"…Orochimaru really has gone too far."
Ren studied her expression.
"Should we eliminate him?"
"I have a spy inside Akatsuki."
"I could lure him out."
Tsunade fell silent.
Killing Orochimaru…
The thought hurt.
But his recent actions—
Especially summoning the First and Second Hokage—
Were unforgivable.
"…Fine."
"But protect our spy."
"I don't want them exposed."
Ren nodded.
"I'll handle it carefully."
Then Tsunade brought up another topic.
"Sasuke."
"Keep an eye on him."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Itachi wants his eyes."
"That means Sasuke has potential."
"But he lacks proper guidance."
She glanced at Hikari.
"You have a Uchiha right here."
"Train him."
"It might strengthen the village."
Ren smiled slightly.
"…Understood."
Then he asked another question.
"What about Naruto?"
"He's Sasuke's teammate."
"And the Fourth Hokage's son."
Tsunade answered immediately.
"Jiraiya will train him."
"Karin will train under me and Yūgao."
"Team Seven will still exist."
"But individual training will increase."
Ren nodded.
That arrangement was quite reasonable.
But inside—
He had another thought.
"So…"
"I'll get a chance to observe Indra's chakra."
Indra and Asura's chakra had reincarnated for centuries.
Understanding that mechanism fascinated him.
For someone researching chakra evolution—
They were perfect samples.
Later that night.
Under silver moonlight—
Sasuke trained relentlessly.
Ever since Ren mentioned "Konoha at four in the morning", Sasuke had never stopped pushing himself.
Especially after witnessing Ren's true power.
He believed in that phrase completely.
"When will I reach that level…"
"…or even the level of that Uchiha woman?"
His breathing was heavy.
But his determination burned fiercely.
The image of Ren's colossal sword strike—
And the devastated landscape outside Konoha—
Still haunted him.
"That power…"
"…is unbelievable."
Meanwhile rumors about Ren spread throughout the village.
Stories of his past achievements surfaced.
Defeating the Fourth Raikage.
Stopping Akatsuki.
Destroying enemy conspiracies.
To Sasuke—
Ren seemed like a living legend.
Suddenly—
A voice appeared behind him.
"You're quite hardworking."
Sasuke turned instantly.
A silver-haired man wearing glasses stood nearby.
He wore Root ANBU attire.
"You're… from Root?"
The man smiled.
"You may call me Kabuto."
"Or Deputy Director."
Sasuke froze.
Root's deputy director?
That was practically one of Ren's closest subordinates.
Kabuto nodded.
"Our director wants to see you."
"Director…?"
"Ren."
Kabuto continued calmly.
"The Hokage believes Itachi Uchiha is a threat to you."
"So Ren intends to train you."
"But the decision is yours."
"Root training is… harsh."
Sasuke trembled with excitement.
"Of course I'll accept!"
"Let's go now!"
Kabuto chuckled.
"Very well."
"But prepare yourself."
"You might experience a… surprise."
Soon they arrived at the Root headquarters beneath the Hokage Monument.
As Sasuke walked deeper underground—
He felt eyes watching him.
When he reached a bridge inside the base—
He froze.
On the other side stood dozens of people.
All wearing traditional Uchiha clan clothing.
Every single one possessed crimson Sharingan.
Sasuke's pupils shrank.
"…Impossible."
"They're… dead…"
Then a familiar voice spoke.
"Sasuke…"
A figure stepped forward.
Under the torchlight—
Sasuke finally saw his face.
His body trembled violently.
"…Shisui…?"
"Yes."
Shisui Uchiha smiled gently.
Kabuto sighed.
"You scared the kid."
Then he explained.
"These people survived."
"Ren saved them during the massacre."
Sasuke's mind exploded.
"…What?"
Standing beside Shisui—
Izumi Uchiha spoke coldly.
"We stayed hidden because of Itachi."
"He wants your eyes."
"If he knew we were alive…"
"…he would target us."
"And we didn't trust you."
"You are Itachi's brother."
Sasuke lowered his head.
Their suspicion was understandable.
But Shisui stepped forward.
"That's no longer the case."
"We've watched you."
"You're not like Itachi."
"Your determination proves it."
"And Ren has acknowledged you."
He extended his hand.
"Welcome home, Sasuke."
The word home shattered Sasuke's emotional barrier.
For years—
He believed he was alone.
Now—
His clan stood before him.
Alive.
Sasuke collapsed into Shisui's arms.
And began sobbing uncontrollably.
All the pain—
All the loneliness—
Poured out in that moment.
Nearby Uchiha members sighed softly.
They understood.
This thirteen-year-old boy had carried unbearable burdens.
But now—
Things would change.
And all of it—
Was thanks to Ren.
Outside the base—
Kabuto quietly left.
He glanced back once.
"…How touching."
Then he smiled faintly.
"Still…"
"Once training begins tomorrow…"
"…those tears won't be nearly enough."
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