Inside the ruined remains of Kusagakure.
Yūma and Uzumaki Ashina stood before a massive black coffer.
It measured roughly three meters on each side. Its dark bluish surface appeared metallic yet strangely organic.
Each face bore a demonic relief representing joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
Engraved upon it were the words:
"All things return to Ultimate Bliss."
"The Box of Ultimate Bliss," Ashina said quietly.
Kusagakure's greatest hidden relic.
Rumored to grant any wish.
An artifact dating back to the era of Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths.
Legends claimed it contained power enough to conquer the world.
That a minor village concealed such a relic spoke volumes of its ambition.
Yūma examined the layered seals.
"Do you know its true origin?"
Ashina nodded.
"In ancient times, attempts were made to open it. Entire nations were destroyed."
The box eventually came into the possession of Hashirama Senju, who entrusted it to the Uzumaki for safekeeping due to their mastery of sealing arts.
After Uzushiogakure's fall, it found its way to Kusagakure.
The truth was this:
The box had been created by Hagoromo using Yin-Yang Release to imprison a being known as Satori — a manifestation of humanity's negative emotions.
It was immortal.
Thus, it was sealed.
Over centuries, truth faded.
In its place, myths spread:
"It grants wishes."
"It bestows absolute power."
Likely whispers from the monster itself.
For most shinobi, the box was worthless — or dangerously cursed.
For Yūma and Ashina, it was invaluable.
To Yūma, it was a Yin-Yang Release construct worth studying.
To Ashina, its sealing formulae were beyond price.
"Take it to the Land of Birds," Yūma said.
Ashina sealed it into a spatial scroll.
The Land of Birds
The Land of Birds was a nation of lakes and wetlands.
North lay the Land of Earth.
South, the desert Land of Wind.
East, the Land of Rain.
Despite regional instability, the Land of Birds had remained relatively peaceful.
Under the rule of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, the Land of Wind had adopted a defensive posture.
Thus, little attention was paid northward.
Yūma's group entered unnoticed.
"This country is weak," Yūma observed.
It possessed no significant ninja village.
"First we settle. Then we take control."
Ashina's concern lay solely with the survival of the Uzumaki bloodline.
The rescued clansmen had little vitality left.
They needed heirs.
Yūma nodded.
"I have a plan. The Uzumaki will endure here."
Ashina handed him a scroll listing countless sealing techniques.
Yūma's eyes gleamed.
Their true work was just beginning.
/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/
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