Konoha, Central Administrative Hall.
The majestic building, symbolizing the core of the highest authority in the Ninja World, the Continental Parliament, was now shrouded in an unprecedented gravity and oppression.
Around the giant circular conference table sat the leaders and elites from various major powers.
Most notably, floating beside the head of the conference table was the translucent soul phantom of an old man holding a sage's staff.
The air was filled with the smell of blood and the lingering scent of gunpowder.
Not long ago, a sudden, dimensionality-reducing terrorist attack had occurred on this land.
Three strange men claiming to be gods descended upon the Ninja World. They said they had received the death information of Otsutsuki Isshiki, had come from the depths of the universe, and demanded that the Ninja World hand over Otsutsuki Kaguya, otherwise they would destroy the world.
Naturally, no one paid any attention to this declaration that seemed like a rambling. Then, the three began their destruction.
Before these three strange men, as powerful as gods, the multitude of powerhouses of the Ninja World were no match.
The only one who could resist them was Madara, who was said to have obtained the Tenseigan from that missing Chairman.
But it was still not enough. He alone was no match for the three.
At the critical moment, Guy used the Eight Gates Released Formation, severely injuring one of them at the cost of his own serious injury.
After that, the soul claiming to be the Sage of Six Paths appeared, healing Guy's body, which temporarily drove the three strange men away.
The surviving Ninjas felt no ease.
Everyone knew the crisis was not resolved, only temporarily postponed.
Thus, this highest-level emergency meeting was convened in the current administrative hall.
"...That is how it happened." Guy's voice was weak. "I cannot use that level of the Eight Gates Released Formation again for a short time."
Although his life had been saved with the help of the Sage of Six Paths, his foundation was severely damaged and would require a long period of recuperation.
"Is there... no one else who can use the Eight Gates Released Formation?" The Fourth Raikage, A, asked in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
Guy smiled bitterly. "My father can also use the Eight Gates Released Formation, but his physical foundation is not as good as mine. Even if he were to open the Gate of Death at the cost of his life, he would likely not be able to injure the enemy as I did today."
He paused, a deep sense of nostalgia and regret flashing in his eyes, murmuring, "If only... Setsuna-nii were still here..."
"If Setsuna-nii used the Eight Gates Released Formation with his power, he would certainly be able to easily kill those strange men..."
When the name 'Setsuna-nii' was brought up by Guy, it was like a boulder thrown into a lake.
In the hearts of all present who had experienced that era or heard its legends, it stirred up great waves.
That man had been missing for fifteen years.
There were many theories about his whereabouts. Some said he had gone to the wider world overseas, some said he had met with misfortune and died, and others said he was living in seclusion in a hidden paradise.
But regardless of which theory, it could not cover up one fact… he was the acknowledged, unprecedented myth of the Ninja World!
It was he who, with absolute power, ended the chaotic era of the Ninja Villages and established the relatively peaceful Continental Parliament system.
According to Madara, it was also he who killed the potential threat, Otsutsuki Isshiki.
Now, the three gods claiming to be Otsutsuki had descended, and the world was on the verge of destruction. How could they not yearn for this myth of the Ninja World?
Naruto, just fifteen years old and still with youthful immaturity on his face, couldn't help but ask his father in a low voice, "Dad, is that Uncle Setsuna really that powerful?"
Minato stroked his son's blond hair, a nostalgic look in his eyes, and sighed, "The Chairman is the strongest and most incredible person I have ever seen."
"His power has already surpassed the bounds of a Ninja. Ending wars, changing the world... seemed not difficult for him."
Minato glanced at the vacant Chairman's seat and smiled bitterly, "Even though he has been missing for fifteen years, look, that seat still no one dares to sit in. The Ninja World still lives in his shadow."
Naruto's eyes widened, his heart full of curiosity.
What kind of person was that legendary figure who only existed in adults' mouths, portraits, and historical archives?
Sasuke was also very curious. His father had once said that when he was young, his older brother, whom he had never met, had gone down the wrong path, and it was that great one who saved his father and saved the Uchiha from the brink of collapse.
At that moment, the soul phantom of the Sage of Six Paths, floating nearby, slowly spoke, pulling everyone's attention back to reality:
"The crisis is not over. In the eyes of those three Otsutsuki, the Earth is like a fruit tree that has matured but has not yet had its fruit picked. Do not fantasize that they will leave after finding Otsutsuki Kaguya."
"The time left for us is already short." His gaze slowly moved to Naruto and Sasuke. "Naruto, Sasuke, I will divide my remaining power among you."
"What?" Not only Naruto and Sasuke, but everyone present was stunned.
The Sage of Six Paths was going to pass his power to these two fifteen-year-old boys?
Although they were geniuses, weren't there famous powerhouses like Namikaze Minato and A in the Ninja World? There was even a legend like Uchiha Madara?
In terms of strength and experience, how could the responsibility fall on two children?
"Why us?" Sasuke frowned tightly, asking coldly.
He did not resist power, but disliked this sudden responsibility, as if forced upon him by fate.
Naruto also quickly waved his hand, "Yeah, Grandpa Sage of Six Paths, I'm still far from it! My dad, Grandpa Madara, they're all much stronger than me. You should give the power to them."
The soul phantom of the Sage of Six Paths sighed slightly, his gaze profound. "Because you two are special. Only you two can withstand and utilize my power to the greatest extent."
Just then, a dark figure abruptly appeared on the round table. It was Black Zetsu.
It had been used as a tool by Setsuna and only regained its freedom after Setsuna's disappearance.
It had originally been like a rat in a sewer, never daring to openly appear before the Sage of Six Paths… the being who had personally sealed its 'mother' and whose strength far surpassed its own.
But now, the Otsutsuki that its mother most feared had descended. While feeling afraid, it also realized that this might be the only chance in its life.
Thus, it risked the great risk of being instantly purified by the Sage of Six Paths and suddenly appeared.
"Sage of Six Paths! My 'brother'!" Black Zetsu spoke in a seductive tone. "Why pin your hopes on these two wet-behind-the-ears brats? You actually have another choice!"
"That is to release our mother… Otsutsuki Kaguya!"
"As long as Mother great one is resurrected, those three Otsutsuki will be nothing to fear!"