"Wow, Kakashi-sensei, why is this place so…"
"Run-down?"
"Mm-hm! This is the first time I've seen a place that's nothing but desert everywhere."
"Hey, Naruto, you don't seriously think everywhere looks like Konohagakure, right?"
Within the yellow sands of the Land of Wind, Naruto had already burned through his excitement. Now he was completely in complaint mode.
After learning he would be taking on a mission, Naruto immediately pushed the fact that "Kitagawa Gen is already the Fifth Hokage" to the back of his mind.
He was far from just excited—this was, after all, the first time in three years he had "left his parents" to "carry out a mission on his own."
Besides, he had only ever seen the Land of Wind in textbooks. There was no way he wouldn't be curious.
But after seeing what the Land of Wind was actually like, he couldn't help feeling somewhat deflated. This damned place wasn't quite what he had imagined.
"The Land of Wind really hasn't changed at all. This place is still exactly like this."
Hatake Sakumo's mood, however, was quite good. Even though he had no choice but to wear a mask just like his son to cover his face and avoid causing too much trouble…
That didn't affect his mood in the slightest—this was, after all, his first time carrying out a mission together with Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei."
As they continued walking, Sasuke couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked: "You and Senior Gen… you've been here before? Can you tell me what happened?"
"That time, huh…"
Kakashi rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and then spoke.
"To be honest, things didn't go very smoothly back then. We ran into Orochimaru and his people, and in the end…"
"In the end?"
Sasuke grew even more curious. Right now, he wanted to learn everything he could about Kitagawa Gen's exploits.
With Senior Kitagawa Gen right in front of him, Sasuke truly felt like he had found the direction he should strive toward.
"In the end, Gen defeated Orochimaru—he just accidentally blew up the ancient kingdom of Rōran in the process."
Kakashi shook his head, both amused and helpless, with his hands in his pockets.
"Don't take it for granted. That was seven or eight years ago, and Gen had only just graduated. Thinking about it now, it was way too unbelievable."
"He had just graduated and he beat Orochimaru… and blew up an entire ancient kingdom?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, the two little brats also widened their eyes, and even Hatake Sakumo found it somewhat unbelievable.
Perhaps Orochimaru didn't seem like much to them now; after all, they dealt with people of the same level on a daily basis.
The Sannin had already been demystified in their eyes.
But for Kitagawa Gen to have had that kind of ability right after graduating—that was just way too unbelievable, wasn't it?
"Rōran got blown up too?"
Hatake Sakumo's expression also turned strange. Although he didn't know what was inside Rōran, he did know that Sunagakure had always been coveting it.
"Then wouldn't they… be absolutely furious?"
"Pretty much. In the end, they didn't get a single shred of benefit out of it."
Kakashi laughed, then looked over at his dear old man.
"But, well, if you ask me, what happened with you is even more interesting."
"Huh?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Sasuke and Naruto both turned their heads in surprise, looking questioningly at this uncle.
"Back in the day, my father was also quite the big name in Sunagakure."
Kakashi let out a mischievous chuckle, then swept his gaze around them.
"For example, something like what's happening right now…"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than an angry roar came from the distance.
"Damn you, you actually dare show your face in Sunagakure?"
As the roar echoed, several figures rushed toward them at high speed, and the elderly man in the lead charged straight in, about to strike first!
"Prepare yourself! This time I definitely won't mistake you for someone else, damn Konoha's White Fang!"
"…"
Hatake Sakumo awkwardly rubbed his white hair, while the mischievous smile on Kakashi's face remained.
Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help swallowing nervously as well. For someone that old to still hold such a grudge—just what had this uncle done back then?
Moreover, they realized something: Kitagawa Gen had said he had run into him as well, which meant…
"This guy sure knows how to hold a grudge too…"
…
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
In the Land of Rain, inside Akatsuki.
Obito's expression was very grim; after several days, he still hadn't gotten an answer.
Neither Uchiha Madara nor Black Zetsu had said anything about how exactly the "Moon Eye" Plan was supposed to proceed, which made him all the more anxious.
For him as he was now, the "Moon Eye" Plan was his only remaining hope. No matter what, he had to push it forward!
"Don't worry. We're not going to stop this either, but before that, we need to consider one thing."
Seeing Obito's state, Black Zetsu also felt helpless.
If this had been before, he would have been delighted. But now, he wished he could cancel the "Moon Eye" Plan altogether.
Why bring Mother out?
Just to wait and get swallowed by Ōtsutsuki Genshiki as part of his "God Ascension Staircase"?
But he couldn't dampen Obito's enthusiasm either. Besides, even if they couldn't do it now, they would have to continue eventually.
"Ōtsutsuki Genshiki—this guy is something we absolutely must think through carefully."
"Ōtsutsuki Genshiki…"
Obito frowned slightly. This really was a threat.
"That guy is indeed troublesome, but if we have the Ten-Tails, and also Kitagawa Gen, we should be fine, right?"
Obito had originally wanted to mention his own "evolution," but after a moment of thought, he decided to hide it.
After all, he also had the ambition of becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.
"True, becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki would solve a lot of problems, and Kitagawa Gen is certainly formidable."
Seeing Uchiha Madara give a cold snort without speaking, Black Zetsu thought for a moment and immediately continued: "But why not make it even more secure, and at the same time use Ōtsutsuki Genshiki to help us clear away some troublesome obstacles?"
"You mean—"
Obito suddenly felt the words sounded familiar. He had heard something like this before, hadn't he?
"Use the ninja world to respond to the threat posed by Ōtsutsuki Genshiki?"
"That's right. The plan is something we will definitely carry out—this is something we decided long ago. However, we've discovered something."
Black Zetsu nodded and spoke, while Uchiha Madara directly took over his words.
"The Senju have relics, the Uchiha have them as well, so the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother must also have some. Didn't you speculate about this before?"
"But it didn't seem like there was any progress. Or did you two discover something?"
"We did indeed discover quite a lot. Have you never considered that there is an order to viewing the relics?"
"Order? What do you mean?"
Obito frowned, not understanding what the two of them were talking about.
Uchiha Madara frowned slightly—he found this kid far too stupid.
Black Zetsu, on the other hand, remained completely calm, clearly used to it.
"Obito, the Senju relic contains a message persuading Asura to reconcile with every one of them. If true reconciliation is achieved, then naturally one can behold the 'Power of All Things'."
"Birthing the Power of All Things takes time. You should remember that I awakened the Rinnegan just before my death."
Uchiha Madara looked at Obito with disdain and spoke in a cold voice.
"This interval should be used to view the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother's relic—and only after that comes the 'Moon Eye' Plan."
"The Sage of Six Paths' younger brother's relic may contain more information regarding the Ōtsutsuki."
Black Zetsu immediately followed the topic, speaking seriously.
"So, our key task right now is to find that relic. Understood?"
"And after that…"
Uchiha Madara clenched his fist and spoke sternly.
"Only then will we slowly settle accounts with Ōtsutsuki Genshiki!"
"…"
Obito silently looked at the two of them, and now he finally understood.
They wanted to delay—or even cancel—the "Moon Eye" Plan?
That made Obito break. Cancellation might be impossible, but he absolutely could not accept even a delay!
He had given up everything for this. He had worked desperately hard to carry out this plan.
How could all his efforts be paused just because of one Ōtsutsuki Genshiki?!
'Damn it… I absolutely cannot accept that.'
Obito didn't speak, but his fist tightened, and a mad idea rose within his mind.
'If you intend to unite the entire ninja world to deal with Ōtsutsuki Genshiki… then I'll give you a push!'
'I'm done waiting. I'll use my own method to resolve all of this.'
...
"Truly unbelievable."
Inside the Akatsuki's laboratory, Orochimaru stared at Kimimaro, his face filled with astonishment.
After the operation in the Land of Water, although Kimimaro had been severely injured, strangely enough, he had recovered very quickly.
Not only that, but the power within his body was also surging without pause!
The Shikotsumyaku, which had originally been balanced and suppressed by the Byakugan, had risen in strength, and even the Byakugan's power had significantly increased.
This shift in Yin Release and Yang Release power even left Orochimaru somewhat puzzled.
"How did you accomplish this?"
"I don't know either, Lord Orochimaru."
Kimimaro shook his head, lowering it respectfully.
"Ever since I was injured that time, my body has felt strange, as if some kind of power had been released—and it's still continually increasing."
"Still continuing to rise?"
Orochimaru's eyes brightened slightly; to him, this was very good news.
"About how long will it take, and how much power is there?"
"How much, exactly—I don't know either, Lord Orochimaru. As for the time…"
"How long?"
"I'm afraid it will still take some time, but I have a feeling that if I engage in more battles, it will speed up."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru gave Kimimaro a strange look, then simply smiled and shook his head.
Kimimaro was someone who—through another path—could interpret Uchiha Madara's evolution.
"No matter what you're thinking, I will fulfill it for you, Kimimaro."
"I will not disappoint you, Lord Orochimaru."
Kimimaro was extremely respectful. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, may I ask… when will you take my body?"
"Hm?"
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly. Looking into Kimimaro's clear eyes, he finally licked his lips and smiled.
"There will be such a day. No need to rush."
"My greatest wish is to prove myself and become Lord Orochimaru's vessel."
Kimimaro bowed slightly, then spoke with firm resolve.
This truly was Kimimaro's greatest lifelong wish, and he had been working toward it constantly.
...
"Hmph. A lower lifeform thinks he's worthy of competing with me for a vessel?!"
Inside Kimimaro's body, Urashiki showed utter disdain. Kimimaro's increase in power was entirely due to his own energy.
"But to think he actually wants to offer himself—how convenient. A vessel is a vessel."
"How could a lower lifeform ever compare to the noble Ōtsutsuki?!"
"And he keenly noticed that battle accelerates the release of the 'Kāma', huh…"
Urashiki nodded; this was very good news for him.
Right now, whether it was Genshiki—that madman—or Isshiki, who kept claiming 'it wasn't me', both had him feeling a growing sense of urgency.
He absolutely did not want to get swallowed by either of them. All he wanted now was to hold out until Momoshiki and Kinshiki arrived.
"You two… hurry up already!"
"When you get here, I'll finally be safe."
...
"So in the end, you don't even know yourself?"
"Back then, the situation was complicated, so I couldn't be completely certain. Besides, you don't have the Ten-Tails—what exactly are you planning to do?"
Inside Konohagakure, Kitagawa Gen sat in his home, deep in thought, while Kaguya asked with some confusion.
But faced with this question, Kitagawa Gen couldn't even be bothered to respond.
This woman seemed even more curious about where he planned to plant the God Tree, and she was also puzzled over where he intended to obtain the Ten-Tails.
Though her curiosity was understandable—he still hadn't taken Kaguya to see his own God Tree.
"What a headache."
Kitagawa Gen rubbed his brow, then finally asked: "Can the God Tree actually use an Ōtsutsuki corpse—especially one that's completely drained of energy?"
"In theory, yes. The specifics depend on the God Tree's reaction."
Kaguya didn't hide anything. She merely spoke coldly about the situations she had encountered.
"What I fed the God Tree was also just half of Isshiki's body. If the God Tree's energy is sufficient, it shouldn't be a problem. But if…"
"So it all comes down to energy, doesn't it?"
Kitagawa Gen rolled his eyes, but he still asked one more question out of curiosity: "Then what about the planet's energy? The entire planet's life? Isn't all of that energy? Isn't that enough?"
"It might be enough. But to produce a fruit suitable for us, it still requires an Ōtsutsuki."
Kaguya shook her head as she replied, though even she began to feel puzzled.
"You don't have this information in your memories? That's strange. This should've been stored within our chakra."
"Who knows."
Kitagawa Gen shrugged. He genuinely lacked any knowledge on the matter.
While Kaguya hadn't been able to help him much with the God Tree itself, she had indeed filled in many gaps regarding 'Ōtsutsuki basic knowledge'.
Not only that—she could even help with the Kekkei Mōra!
Although it differed quite a bit from what he had imagined, it still allowed him to make some tangible progress.
There might be more uses for it later. All in all, it wasn't a loss.
"I suggest that instead of asking these questions, you should find a way to obtain the Ten-Tails and test it yourself."
Just as Kitagawa Gen was deep in thought, Kaguya spoke again.
"With the Ten-Tails, you can attempt to plant the tree. And the Kekkei Mōra can be obtained from the fruit—trying to fuse it yourself would be far too difficult."
"I told you—I have my own arrangements."
Kitagawa Gen shook his head. He strongly suspected this woman wanted him to plant the tree in this world.
That way, she could take revenge on her two sons?
But she was thinking way too much. This was his territory—how could he possibly turn it into a "dead world"?
The only thing he needed to figure out was the matter of energy. Once he understood that, he could plant the tree inside Ame-no-Minaka!
"Still, to plant it more effectively, I do indeed need some new energy."
Kitagawa Gen rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Suddenly, his brows lifted slightly—he seemed to have sensed something.
"Oh? Someone's coming again?"
"Someone… again?"
Upon hearing this, Kaguya instinctively tensed up.
"Who? An Ōtsutsuki?"
"Mm."
Kitagawa Gen nodded and couldn't help standing up, looking toward the sky.
"It's definitely Ōtsutsuki—and this time, there are two of them!"
"Two…"
Upon hearing this, Kaguya's expression immediately darkened.
Even one Ōtsutsuki descending made her feel things would be bad—let alone two arriving at once.
Not to mention, there were still two Ōtsutsuki Kāma in the ninja world…
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