"It seems the Byakugan did have an effect—Kimimaro's condition has stabilized."
Inside the Akatsuki organization, Orochimaru watched as the rampaging chakra within Kimimaro's body gradually calmed down, and he couldn't help but nod slightly.
Strictly speaking, he didn't even know why he cared so much about Kimimaro.
But thinking carefully, it was probably related to his own failures.
The first time Jiraiya had come knocking, it was because Kimimaro had accidentally acted as a guide.
His subsequent humiliating defeats were, in large part, due to his desire to help Kimimaro.
Whether it was in the Land of Wind or the Land of Fields, these repeated failures had instead provoked his competitive spirit.
They had given him a kind of "never stop until the goal is achieved" mindset—and now, he had finally gotten his wish.
He had at last caught a glimpse of certain secrets belonging to the Hyūga and Kaguya, which made him feel that his efforts had been well rewarded!
"It seems the Hyūga and Kaguya really are quite similar to the Uchiha and Senju."
Orochimaru looked at the now-stabilized Kimimaro and couldn't help licking his lips.
"Only, could there also be between them, as with Uchiha Madara, even more astonishing secrets?"
"That, I don't know—maybe there are, maybe there aren't."
Black Zetsu couldn't help cursing inwardly. This was something he couldn't just speak carelessly about—after all, the clan of Ōtsutsuki Hamura had gone up to the moon long ago.
And Kitagawa Gen hadn't displayed any similar abilities so far, so he could only try to deflect the topic.
"But the answer is right before your eyes. As long as you study carefully, you'll definitely find it."
"That's true."
Orochimaru laughed, his gaze fixed directly on Black Zetsu, which made the latter somewhat uncomfortable.
"Don't look at me like that—and I've already helped you with what you wanted to do. So now, what about you?"
"Don't worry. The thing you wanted—I've more or less finished preparing it."
Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and spoke calmly.
"With just a bit of simple tuning, I believe we'll soon be able to relive the specter of the Asura of the Shinobi World!"
"That's good."
Black Zetsu nodded. At last, he had settled the issue regarding Uchiha Madara!
"Though I do have a question."
However, at that moment, Orochimaru's eyes revealed a curious gleam.
"Given the current situation, even if we bring Uchiha Madara back—do you really think it'll make any difference?"
"..."
...
"Damn it—what on earth am I supposed to do now?"
While Black Zetsu was enduring a kind of soul-searching interrogation, Obito himself was utterly lost.
Unlike Nagato, who had found excitement in discovering the reason for his "failure" and was slowly regaining his fighting spirit—
Obito truly felt crushed!
"Kitagawa Gen… Ōtsutsuki Genshiki…"
Just thinking of these people, and of their overwhelming combat power—then comparing them with himself—
"Even that guy Kakashi has become so troublesome for me."
Obito couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Kakashi's eye had come from him, and yet, in the end, he wasn't even a match for Kakashi himself!
Not to mention those other battles so absurdly powerful they defied comprehension—he now had absolutely no ability to take part in any of them.
"How did it end up like this…?"
Obito's heart ached. This wasn't the result he had wanted. Even though he was scheming to become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki—with his current strength, practically everything he tried would be a thousand times harder!
"In this state, how am I supposed to bring peace to the world? How can I create a world where Rin's tragedy will never happen again?"
Obito clenched his fists tightly, the pain beyond words. He felt as though he had returned to his childhood—to that time when he had been at the bottom of the class, when at least Rin had still been there to encourage him.
"Now, I have nothing left…"
Hum—
Just as he sighed in despair, all of a sudden, a surge of power burst forth from within his body.
In an instant, that force enveloped him completely—and immediately after, a Susanoo quietly manifested around him!
"This is…"
Obito stared in disbelief at the enormous figure, feeling the incomprehensible power radiating from it. He had no idea what was happening.
But vaguely, he understood one thing—
"My own power?"
He murmured softly, completely unaware that a black, diamond-shaped mark was slowly emerging on the back of his neck.
...
"Hey, Sasuke, how was last night?"
On the streets of Konohagakure, Kitagawa Gen was strolling along with the rest of the Konoha rookies.
Although the village had gone through a great deal of chaos, the aftermath had been handled with remarkable speed.
And since the following matters no longer required their involvement, they were effectively on a break.
The group had arranged to hang out for a bit, but Naruto, that kid, wasn't behaving himself at all.
With a cheeky grin, he glanced at Sasuke, unable to hold back his whisper.
"Did they say anything to you? Did they tell you to do like that guy Gen said—to work harder or something?"
"You really are an idiot."
Sasuke gave Naruto a disdainful glance, feeling that this guy was unbelievably annoying.
Though Sasuke's face was full of contempt, a faint smile still crept across his lips.
Ever since he was young, he had always longed for recognition from his family.
When he was a child, just one sentence from his father—"You truly are my son"—had made him happy for days.
Though things had changed and so much had happened since then, he didn't want to dwell on it anymore. As long as he could savor these past few days, it was enough.
"Eh? What's that about? What do you mean 'work harder'?"
Sakura looked puzzled upon hearing Naruto's words, her curious eyes turning toward them.
The others were also confused—even the usually quiet Shino couldn't help but lean forward.
"Hehe—"
Just as Naruto was about to speak, Sasuke hooked his arm around his neck in one swift motion.
"You idiot, shut up!"
"What's this? Don't tell me it's some kind of secret?"
Kiba's face was full of curiosity, while Chōji spoke up between bites of chips.
"Must be, huh? Something that happened last night? Neji, do you know anything?"
Chōji's question made everyone look toward Neji in curiosity—even Hinata, who was standing beside him holding Hanabi's hand.
The previous night, the Hyūga Clan had been embroiled in a fierce battle. They had wanted to go and help, but unexpectedly, another battle had erupted outside Konohagakure.
That had kept them occupied elsewhere, especially since the fighting outside the village had been far too intense. They'd had no choice but to focus on the other front.
So, as for what exactly had happened within the Hyūga Clan, they honestly didn't know much.
"Actually, it wasn't much."
Neji glanced at Kitagawa Gen, then smiled faintly, brushing off the topic—but that very smile made Tenten's eyes widen.
"Eh? Neji, since when did you start smiling so much?"
"Yeah!"
Lee was equally surprised. Neji did smile at times, but it was rare.
Most of the time he was serious and solemn, so seeing him like this today was unusual indeed.
"Just… something that made me happy, I guess."
Neji thought for a moment before offering that explanation.
"Sasuke might be the same as me—maybe he's just encountered something that made him happy."
"Something like that."
Sasuke gave Neji a glance, then simply nodded without denying it. Meanwhile, Shikamaru rubbed his pineapple-shaped hair.
"All right, enough questions. Whatever it is, it's their own business. As long as they're happy, that's what matters."
"You're such a buzzkill."
Ino glanced at Shikamaru and couldn't help but remark, then turned her eyes toward Kitagawa Gen.
"Gen-senpai, do you know what's going on?"
"I know a little, but it's still up to him whether he wants to say it."
After giving Sasuke a look, Kitagawa Gen shook his head slightly before speaking with a faint smile.
"After all, it's his private matter. Though, to be honest, I'm quite curious about how it turned out in the end."
As he spoke, Kitagawa Gen winked at Sasuke, which immediately made Sasuke lower his head.
Everything last night had been pleasant—if only it could have been without unnecessary talk.
Sasuke still remembered his mother patting his shoulder and saying to him:
"Sasuke, you've grown up. I wonder if I'll ever get to see you marry and have children in the future…"
And his father had been even more direct, speaking in a grave and earnest tone:
"We're both already dead, Sasuke. As the last of the Uchiha, I'm sorry you must bear some needless burdens."
"The Fifth Hokage was right—the revival of the Uchiha Clan cannot rely on just one person. You've grown up now…"
"Only through having more descendants can the Uchiha Clan truly be revived, Sasuke!"
How could Sasuke not understand what that meant? But the thought alone gave him a headache—he hadn't thought that far ahead at all!
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