"Isshiki Otsutsuki's revenge?" Hagoromo paused in thought. That theory actually makes sense.
After all, knowledge of the Infinite Tsukuyomi should be limited to those of their caliber. Others simply had no motive.
Expanding on Seiki's line of thought, he pondered further.
Why didn't Isshiki ask the clan for help after being outsmarted? Could it have been to turn the tables and consume his mother?
And back then, why hadn't his mother explained the truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi? Had she been afraid of alerting Isshiki?
Even the Sage of Six Paths, progenitor of all ninja, felt the plot had thickened beyond comprehension.
Pushing aside his confusion, Hagoromo looked at Seiki. "You surely understand now—the world we inhabit is no longer safe. Besides Isshiki Otsutsuki, the other side of the stars also hides a great danger. We are running out of time!"
Seiki grew serious. "I share that concern, which is why I've united the entire ninja world. If everyone works together with a single mind and purpose, I believe we can elevate the shinobi world's overall strength to new heights!"
Hagoromo gave a nod of agreement. He'd always believed in human potential.
Leaving other matters aside, if another genius like Seiki appeared, his burden would surely lighten.
Unfortunately, the other genius was too ambitious for his own good!
Thinking of this, his expression shifted slightly. "Be careful around that man from yesterday—Aizen."
Seiki replied without changing expression, "Aizen is indeed a formidable opponent. I certainly won't underestimate him."
Hagoromo shook his head slightly. "Out of concern that he might sense me, I couldn't approach too closely. But after the battle, I conducted a search and discovered that in this world, he seems to have no origin—as if he came out of nowhere!"
"No origin at all!" Seiki feigned surprise, then furrowing his brow, he mused, "Could it be... he comes from another world?"
"Another world?" Hagoromo stroked his beard. "Indeed, that's not impossible."
"The other world I'm referring to might differ from what you understand, Hagoromo-dono. I mean a parallel world." Seiki preemptively prepared him, hoping to minimize the shock.
"A parallel world?" Hagoromo was so stunned he nearly yanked out his beard. Even to him, this was unheard-of, shocking news.
Seiki nodded and recounted the entire Dragon Veins incident he had personally experienced.
As for the Dragon Veins incident, since others had participated in it, fabricating the story wouldn't hold up. Hagoromo naturally harbored no doubts.
"Such wondrous phenomena indeed exist! The power of nature truly defies imagination—far beyond what human hands can achieve!" Hagoromo marveled.
He even thought about visiting and exploring this parallel world, but gave up when he learned about the different time flow rates between the two worlds.
His duty was to protect this world. If he delayed his return because of differing temporal flows, giving the Otsutsuki an opening, he would become a traitor to the world itself!
Though they still couldn't confirm whether Aizen came from another world or another dimension, Hagoromo felt somewhat relieved. "I shall handle the pressure from the Otsutsuki. As for threats from other dimensions, you'll have to rely on your own efforts, my young friend!"
Seiki chuckled. "The help I've received from Hagoromo has already been more than enough. In the end, our own world must be protected by ourselves!"
Hagoromo nodded in approval, then his projection of will immediately dissipated.
After he left, Seiki rubbed his chin and quietly chuckled in his mind, "Blue-dye from a parallel world, huh? Perhaps I can give this identity even more significance!"
...
On the Moon.
Inside a castle room, Aizen sat at a table, looking conflicted and hesitant, while three children about nine years old stood before him.
These three were Haku, Kimimaro, and later Jugo, whom he had adopted.
"I must emphasize," Aizen began, "this mission is extremely dangerous..." But suddenly he stopped and shook his head. "Forget I said that."
"Aizen, please let me go!" Kimimaro shouted passionately. "I will definitely accomplish this mission!"
"Aizen," Haku's voice was soft but unwavering, "please allow me to become your tool!"
"I—I want to go too!" Jugo glanced at Kimimaro, then followed his example.
Aizen silently stared at the three without speaking.
Among them, he placed the most hope in Jugo.
Born with Sage Mode, such a talent could be described as unparalleled!
Still, meeting Isshiki Otsutsuki's requirements would be extremely difficult.
After all, the other had searched the ninja world for a thousand years without finding a suitable physical match!
It would be impossible for him to just stumble upon one like that.
"However, according to Hagoromo, it seems that Isshiki Otsutsuki probably temporarily found a vessel. A thousand years have passed, and the vessel he previously found must have been nearly at its limit. Plus, I destroyed half his body last time. His current situation should be terrible; otherwise, he wouldn't have completely ignored involvement in the Fourth Great Ninja War!"
"In such circumstances, the possibility that he temporarily looked for a backup would be high. Therefore, I don't need these three to be perfectly suited either—as long as they're more suitable than others, that's enough!"
Comparing under similar circumstances, Aizen still had confidence.
After all, Kimimaro and the others were undoubtedly the top geniuses of this era!
Thinking thus, Aizen spoke in a heavy tone, "Are you really sure about this? The enemy we're facing is an evil god even I cannot handle. Once you leave, you might never return!"
"Death means nothing—failing to fulfill one's purpose is the greatest pain!" Kimimaro's eyes shone with determination. "I've been waiting for this day for four years—the day I finally prove my worth to you!"
Haku nodded firmly, "Being chosen by you is the greatest recognition we could receive. This is something even Xianglin and Toneri can only envy!"
Jugo grinned naively, "I—I feel the same way too!"
Aizen exhaled deeply. "Since that's the case, then starting today, remember your new identities well. You are geniuses raised by the Akatsuki organization. After Akatsuki was destroyed, you became homeless and wandered everywhere!"
Their current strength is already considerable, but without a credible background, Gaka simply wouldn't buy it.
"Go on, go say goodbye to your friends. Who knows when you'll be back after this?"
Hearing that, the three of them immediately felt gloomy. As much as they were excited and full of dreams, they were still just nine- and ten-year-old kids. Being apart from everyone for so long just made them feel sad and hollow inside.
After the three little ones left, Aizen lightly tapped his fingers on the table. After learning about the power of the Kāma, he actually considered whether he should continue with the plan to take over the sparrow's nest.
What if he not only failed to pull off the plan, but actually ended up helping his enemy come back stronger than ever?
Still, in the end, he didn't change his decision.
If he wanted to face down the Otsutsuki threat, he couldn't afford to miss any chance to boost his power!
"It looks like I'll have to figure out a way to neutralize the Kāma in the Parallel World!"
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