After the chaos inside the cremation shop, the Third Hokage left with nothing to show for it, except a skyrocketing blood pressure reading.
As for Kadoya. Not a single customer showed up for the rest of the day.
Shrugging, he locked up early, flipped the sign to "Closed (Until Someone Dies)", and began his leisurely walk back to the Uchiha Compound, under the ever-watchful eyes of ANBU stationed on rooftops and shadows.
Kadoya didn't bother hiding.
He even offered them a lazy wave on his way out, as if daring them to follow.
On his way back home, Kadoya sat down with a familiar calm, his thoughts drifting toward the Lake of Time, a mysterious pool nestled in a forgotten corner of reality, where space, time, and probability blurred together like paint in water.
In the past years, he has been fishing here every day, getting many miscellaneous items from across time and space.
One of his few good items that he fished up was the Fourth Hokage robe, numerous ninjutsu scrolls, multiple Shinobi Battle Armours of different colors, and a Kusanagi blade.
And then there was that blue ocarina, eerily identical to the one from The Ocarina of Time. He isn't sure if this one was real or just a copy; he wasn't sure. So, like a good hoarder, he dumped it into his inventory and moved on.
Not just that, Kadoya also found out that he could fish up items from other worlds, since the world is like that, each decision made creates an alternative timeline where a different decision is made.
Each action created a chain of events that led to a new timeline.
For example, in one timeline, the Otsutsuki Clan didn't exist; that world branched off into a different timeline, and in that timeline, people's hope and belief could crystallize into a living legend.
So when Kadoya's line tugged hard and he reeled in a strange sword, he could already sense its importance.
A long, white, zigzagged blade emerged from the water, gleaming with divine presence.
The Sword of Heaven - Amenomurakumo-no-Tsurugi.
"Damn..." he muttered, gripping it effortlessly.
This is a divine sword created in the myth of Susanoo and wielded by the legendary Yamato Takeru. It was brought forth from the tail of the eight-headed, red-eyed beast known as Japan's most fearsome Dragon of Destruction, Yamata-no-Orochi.
That is to say, it is an embodiment of the various powers, both of heaven and earth, that were contained within the Dragon's body. To use this Noble Phantasm is to momentarily become a god or, in other words, to become one with the world.
This is actually pretty simple for Kadoya since Sage Mode lets him mix natural energy into his body, basically letting him become one with the world.
Closing his eyes, and bat-like markings formed on his face, opening his eyes, his eyes have become pure red.
The blade surged to life, shrouded in a spiraling vortex of divine blue water.
He could feel that the sword was much stronger, almost on par with Ea.
Although the sword is still in its 'sheath' form, being covered by a layer of Divine Water, suppressing the sword's true power.
Still, that doesn't mean the Amenomurakumo is weak. The blade's full power is an EX-Rank weapon; even with its sheath on and power suppressed, the sword itself is still in the domain of a C-Rank treasure. If he added his chakra into the blade, its strength would most likely reach B-Rank. Add Sage Mode chakra, and then it will reach A-Rank.
"Umu! I haven't let out an UmU in a while now." Speaking nonsense.
With that, he stepped away from the Lake of Time, Amenomurakumo slung casually across his back.
Opening his eyes, Kadoya frowned, seeing his index finger was just inches away from the 10x roll button.
"Damn, addiction is really a serious problem!" He said to himself before turning away and sitting down calmly, pouring himself a cup of tea. And calmly enjoy his day.
Nightfall.
Kadoya strolled leisurely toward his usual gathering spot, the cozy, half-forgotten bar tucked away near the edge of the commercial district. It was their usual meetup location, a quiet corner where the weight of shinobi life was left at the door.
As he stepped in, the warm scent of grilled meat and cheap sake greeted him. Sure enough, Nawaki was already inside, lounging in one of the private booths and nursing a cold drink, having booked a room in advance.
"Yo, Nawaki. Still alive, I see." Kadoya greeted with a grin, sliding into the seat opposite the Senju.
Nawaki raised an eyebrow. "...Evil Uchiha, what's that supposed to mean? You just saw me this morning!"
"Yeah, but I thought you might've gone home and told Tsunade about signing up for cremation," Kadoya said casually, sipping his tea. "You haven't told her yet? Don't worry, I'll let her know later."
Nawaki visibly twitched. Trauma resurfacing.
Before he could jump over the table and throw hands, the room's door slid open with a gentle ring.
Two redheads walked in, Kushina and Erza, casual as ever. They greeted Kadoya warmly and sat beside him, entirely ignoring Nawaki like he were part of the furniture.
Nawaki turned his head toward them expectantly, waiting... hoping... And was met with silence.
In the end, he sighed, turning back to grill the meat with quiet dignity. He was used to this treatment. Kushina and Erza had become practically inseparable, and he was just the background character in their sisterhood arc.
Still, Kushina seemed genuinely happier these days.
Living in the Uchiha Compound had done wonders for her. She shared a home with Erza, lived near Mikoto, made new friends among the clan, and wasn't being watched 24/7 by paranoid ANBU. Even Kurama was starting to warm up to her.
Of course, the Nine-Tails' sudden change in attitude wasn't random.
Kurama's reason was simple: If Kushina died, it knew damn well it next host would be Kadoya.
Thanks to Kadoya's guidance, Kushina has treated this big fox with more sympathy and respect. Kurama was very pleased by this, now it had room to negotiate its lifestyle.
If it were sealed inside Kadoya. Negotiations were off the table. It might even end up practicing tea ceremonies in the morning and juggling knives while running on a massive ball on its two legs by night.
"Kushina brat, I want to taste the meat." Kurama grumbled.
Her eyes suddenly turned crimson, slitted pupils narrowing. Kurama took over smoothly, picking up a slice of sizzling meat with her chopsticks and tossing it into her mouth.
"Not bad." the Tailed Beast said with a satisfied hum, chewing noisily.
Nawaki and Erza stared, blinking.
They both knew about the beast within Kushina. Erza already knew they could switch places, but she was still startled every time they switched places. While Nawaki was taken aback.
Kadoya simply gestured calmly. "What are you gawking at? Keep cooking, Nawaki."
"OI!"
Then the door opened again.
"It sure feels lively in here."
The group turned to see a woman in a pristine white kimono, long raven-black hair cascading like ink down her back, her skin pale as moonlight. Her pale white eyes now have faint cyan pupils.
"Saiguu! Long time no see. Come, I saved you a seat!" Nawaki beamed, patting the cushion beside him.
She smiled sweetly, then sat beside Kadoya without hesitation.
Nawaki: "..."
She had changed since her days under Orochimaru's tutelage. Her skin had lost its damage, replaced by porcelain fairness. Her delicate features gave her the beauty of a ghost bride, haunting yet serene.
Erza leaned in, curious. "Say... did something happen to your eyes? They're not as white as before."
Saiguu touched her cheek softly. "Oh? These? A little something from Kadoya and my research."
She didn't elaborate further. Typical.
The door slid open again.
"Sorry I'm late." Minato entered with his usual sunny smile.
"Tsk, Minato. How could you be late? You're the damn Yellow Flash," Nawaki teased.
Minato laughed and sat down beside him. "Lost track of time. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thanks!" Kushina replied brightly, before Kurama rudely took over again and resumed eating without a care in the world.
Honestly, it was surprising how domesticated the Nine-Tails had become. These days, he slept, ate, gave chakra when needed, and went back to napping. At this rate, he was living a better life than most ANBU.
Kadoya looked around the table, his eyes lingering on each of them with a quiet smile. Things were different from the original timeline, better, even.
Kushina had bonded with Kurama and was advancing in Fūinjutsu and Tsunade-style taijutsu.
Nawaki had become a Special Jonin and claimed to be the "strongest Water-style user," prompting Minato to hold Kadoya back from summoning a literal Water Leviathan in rebuttal.
Saiguu, now eerily elegant, was refining her custom evolution of the Byakugan, her eyes could see over ten kilometers, and that was just the current version.
Minato had earned the title "Yellow Flash" ahead of schedule, and his bond with Jiraiya had only strengthened his skill and reputation.
And Erza, well, she originally isn't from this world. Even without magic, her chakra levels, vitality, and hybrid nature of dragon and human made her a powerhouse.
Then, casually, Kadoya pulled out a flyer.
"By the way, Minato. Thought you'd want to see this."
Minato took the flyer, read the bold title aloud:
Uchiha Cremation Shop - Grand Opening.
A beat of silence. Then a grin.
"Yup. This is definitely your work. Actually..." Minato smiled wider, flipping the flyer. "...it's brilliant."
After reading it, he found out this is basically a licensed hitman service dressed in poetic metaphors.
"Exactly." Kadoya nodded.
"Can I join in?" Minato asked.
The entire room fell silent.
Kushina, Erza, and Nawaki all stared in shock. Even Kurama paused mid-chew before going back to eating.
"You, what?!" Nawaki choked.
Minato's eyes sparkled. "It's genius. Cremating someone's rival with style? You're offering death with dignity. How could I not help?"
Only Saiguu nodded knowingly. She'd spent enough time with both of them to understand.
Kadoya smirked. "Perfect. I'm short-staffed anyway."
"Awesome. Oh, and I'd like to book an appointment."
Kadoya blinked. "For who?"
"Nawaki Senju."
Nawaki: "...The F*CK?!"
"I already got him registered," Kadoya added casually.
"You evil Uchiha!! That wasn't a voluntary registration!!"
"As expected of Nawaki," Saiguu teased, sipping her drink. "Planning ahead for your cremation like a responsible adult."
"COULD YOU ALL NOT GANG UP ON ME FOR ONCE?!"
Laughter erupted around the table, echoing well into the night as the group ate, drank, and bantered freely, shinobi with war in their past, and maybe in their future, but peace in the present.
Later, as the night wind began to cool the streets, they said their goodbyes one by one and departed for home.
Outside Kadoya's house, the full moon shone gently across the rooftop. Saiguu lingered for a moment, walking silently toward the porch.
There, Kadoya sat cross-legged, a teacup in hand, staring quietly at the moon.
"Here." Saiguu handed over a scroll with a calm.
Kadoya opened it, twelve jars of Byakugan eyes were sealed within, arranged neatly like precious gemstones.
He raised a brow. "Only twelve?"
"They've already started investigating," Saiguu replied coolly. "Two Hyuga elders died recently... and their eyes went missing."
She said it without a hint of remorse. Her tone was flat, detached, as if talking about bad weather rather than murder.
Kadoya glanced up at her, but said nothing.
Though she was born a Hyuga, Saiguu had long since cut emotional ties with her clan. She hadn't made it official yet, but in her heart, that chapter had closed.
The Hyuga clan's rigid traditions, the Caged Bird Seal, the obsession with purity, their suffocating pride had already strangled too many lives.
She has wanted to change them. And from what she knows, there are only two ways: either by destroying the clan or using force to silence them.
Just as Kadoya had done with the Uchiha.
And like him, she knew power was the only language these old clans respected.
Power. Enough to silence the elders permanently, to shatter their old rules and rebuild them.
But she couldn't do it alone. That's why she turned to him.
"My eyes' ocular power has increased a lot," she said, her voice barely louder than a whisper, "Although not enough."
Kadoya nodded slowly, placing the scroll beside him. "That's good enough for now. This shows that there was progress."
To evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan, Toneri reveals that they need Otsutsuki blood from the moon.
Kadoya knew about this world's story.
The Sharingan and the Byakugan both came from the same source, Kaguya Otsutsuki. The bloodline split, but not completely. That means the mechanisms of growth should be... similar.
The Sharingan could evolve by merging with other Sharingan.
So he tried the same concept with the Byakugan, merging them.
And surprisingly… it worked. Her eyes had changed.
A pseudo-Tenseigan. Not as devastating as Toneri's, not yet, but it was evolving.