"Everything's settled, Madara-sama."
After negotiating with the members of the Crimson Organization for a while, Hi-kun returned at an unhurried pace.
"Good work..."
Madara smiled and narrowed his eyes as he looked toward the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was doing everything in his power to improve the strength of everyone in Konohagakure...
After the Uchiha and Konohagakure reconciled, Madara felt that he could finally face Izuna without shame. He missed his younger brother more and more, and now intended to extract a portion of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's vitality to bring Izuna back to life!
However, Madara still needed to conduct further research. He wanted the revived Izuna to return with power surpassing even his peak in life, as a small repayment for the eyes his brother had given him all those years ago...
The shinobi world was developing far too quickly.
Even Madara had to admit that although his younger brother's Mangekyō possessed considerable power, it had already fallen somewhat out of the current meta and could no longer exert overwhelming dominance...
Therefore, Madara intended to ensure that Izuna returned with the bearing and power of a true powerhouse, at the very least.
Moreover, once Izuna was back, Madara would feel far more secure. He was an Uchiha whose wisdom was second only to Madara's own. Hi-kun was excellent, but Izuna would always be the best choice as his second-in-command...
Every plan would run much more smoothly with him handling its execution.
Hi-kun silently watched Madara begin studying the technique and complained inwardly, 'Now that I think about it, isn't the current Madara-sama exactly like the Senju Tobirama described in the records?'
'Researching all kinds of Kinjutsu and constantly obsessing over Izuna-sama...'
An unknown amount of time passed.
Hi-kun crept over quietly.
"Madara-sama, that boy from Sunagakure has arrived as agreed—the one called Sasori..."
"Mm. Let him in. You go speak to him..." Madara nodded casually.
A few days earlier, White Zetsu had detected that Sasori was planning to make a move against the Third Kazekage. Madara dispatched Mū and Hōzuki Gengetsu to stop him, and they told him that if he wanted to find the meaning of life, he should come and see them...
After hesitating for some time, Sasori ultimately went to the agreed location. Under White Zetsu's guidance, he arrived at the Mountains' Graveyard.
"Where's Senju Tobirama? I want to see him!"
Sasori, who had not yet fully transformed himself into a puppet, was still a remarkably handsome young man with striking red hair. The moment he stepped inside, he impatiently blurted out his demand.
The reason he had come was because he had seen that the long-dead Second Tsuchikage and Second Mizukage had somehow returned to the shinobi world...
If that was possible, then didn't it mean he could see his parents once again?
"Oh? A living person actually showed up..."
The chatty Gengetsu sniffed the air.
"Hah. I smell sand. At this rate, that bastard Senju Tobirama has gathered shinobi from every one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages except Konohagakure..."
"So he's really planning to become the mastermind behind the entire shinobi world, huh!"
"What do you mean he hasn't gathered Konohagakure's people? He's a Konoha shinobi himself, and he's also got over a thousand downgraded First Hokage copies."
Mū shook his head. The future of the shinobi world—especially Iwagakure's—looked increasingly hopeless to him.
The moment Sasori entered, he was completely stunned.
It was true that he was the strongest young shinobi of his generation in Sunagakure.
But the people standing before him were all legendary figures who had once made their names feared throughout the shinobi world...
Not even the entire village of Sunagakure, if it mobilized together, could possibly stand against these people united.
"You all should step outside for a bit. This is a family reunion."
Hi-kun shrugged.
Behind him, a man and a woman stepped forward, their faces lighting up with surprise as they looked at Sasori.
Sasori froze.
He hadn't even voiced his request yet, and they had already anticipated it?
But there was no time to dwell on that. He rushed forward and threw his arms tightly around his father and mother.
Compared to Sunagakure's puppet techniques, an Impure World Reincarnation body enhanced with the Rinnegan's craftsmanship was obviously a far more advanced creation.
Their bodies were cold to the touch, yet their consciousness was no different from that of the living.
"Sasori... you've grown into an outstanding shinobi." His mother gently caressed his face. Though she possessed an Impure World Reincarnation body, her eyes were still filled with boundless affection.
"Sasori, we're proud of you." His father rested a hand on his son's head and spoke with heartfelt emotion.
Sasori, who had long sealed away his heart and cast aside love, found the defenses he had built over the years shattered in an instant by his parents' awkward yet sincere praise.
Hi-kun silently watched the scene and thought to himself, 'The power of the Impure World Reincarnation to fulfill people's deepest wishes really is unmatched. Madara-sama is the one who truly knows how to use this technique.'
No one knew how long the Sasori family talked before Hi-kun finally separated them.
But Sasori only sank into even greater confusion.
His parents had been killed by Hatake Sakumo. Sasori had always believed they would urge him to avenge them.
Instead, he learned that the Second Shinobi World War had fundamentally been started through a joint effort between Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
Their goal had been to exploit Hanzo's ambition to establish his prestige, escalate the conflict, and seize the fertile lands of the Land of Fire. In the end, however, they never reached Konohagakure. Instead, they merely devastated the Land of Rain, which had served as a buffer state.
After witnessing the terrifying power of "Senju Tobirama" reviving all Six Kage by himself, Sasori's parents immediately urged their son to let go of his obsession and simply find a way to live safely in the shinobi world.
Because of its barren land and its strained relationship with the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, Sunagakure would inevitably return to the path of war if it wished to change its circumstances.
There was simply no other way.
The dead rarely ask much of the loved ones they leave behind.
Ironically, while they are alive, they are often the ones who place the greatest burdens upon them.
Even Hi-kun couldn't help but marvel at how complicated human nature was.
Sasori's parents predicted that the Third Kazekage would inevitably tear up the peace agreement.
And when that happened, the treacherous Sunagakure would undoubtedly face Konohagakure's fiercest retaliation...
Not to mention that Senju Tobirama was here as well.
Although Sasori's parents, along with the other Six Kage, all felt there was something profoundly strange about the man and even thought he might one day wage war against Konohagakure himself...
One thing was obvious.
"Senju Tobirama" would only tolerate testing Konohagakure according to his own plans.
If any other village dared defy him or interfere with his designs, they would certainly suffer the consequences.
Having grown up listening to stories about this first-generation Darkness of the Shinobi, Sasori's parents genuinely feared what kind of merciless punishment awaited their son if he ever chose to oppose Tobirama.
He had already extended courtesy before resorting to force.
If someone refused that goodwill and insisted on pushing their luck, they would undoubtedly meet a miserable end.
"Your father and mother are no longer in a simple Impure World Reincarnation state. They've been integrated with Tobirama-sama's puppet technology and now serve the Crimson Organization, helping compile and organize intelligence."
Hi-kun spoke at an unhurried pace.
In reality, they were simply helping Hi-kun with miscellaneous administrative work.
He finally had secretaries of his own.
As for the other White Zetsu...
Tobi remained exclusively assigned to Madara-sama.
Black Zetsu, on the other hand, had recently fallen out of Madara's favor and been sent off to handle frontline work.
The reason?
Black Zetsu had suggested launching a war against Konohagakure during its baby boom, striking while the village was at its weakest.
Madara had glared at him so fiercely that he had nearly sent Black Zetsu back to the furnace for recycling.
Was this really supposed to be his own will?
How could it possibly be this despicable?
Madara even began to doubt himself for a moment.
Had I really been that ugly of a person before?
To avoid exposing his identity, Black Zetsu could only apologize repeatedly and leave Madara's side for the time being.
This only made Black Zetsu even more anxious, because he had realized that Madara was completely making things up as he went along...
He no longer seemed quite so committed to the Eye of the Moon Plan!
But Black Zetsu had no good solution. Although he was one of the masterminds lurking behind the shinobi world, he was nowhere near the Sage of Six Paths' level.
The Sage of Six Paths did not interfere because he chose not to. Black Zetsu simply lacked the ability.
All he could do was manipulate others into doing the work for him...
"I..."
"So that really is puppet technique? No wonder it felt strangely familiar..."
"Combining puppets with Impure World Reincarnation? Senju Tobirama truly is extraordinary. He actually managed to develop such perfect art! He can even reverse life and death and overturn the natural order..."
As a fanatic of puppet techniques, Sasori was utterly captivated by the Rinnegan's Six Paths puppets.
"Well? Would you like to join the Crimson Organization?"
Hi-kun asked with a beaming smile.
Sasori barely hesitated before nodding decisively. "I'll join!"
He felt no attachment to Sunagakure—not even sympathy. At most, he still had familial affection for Chiyo.
Especially now that both his father and mother worked under these people, Sasori felt he had no right to refuse. Besides, he would also gain access to the most advanced puppet techniques...
Sunagakure?
A village buried beneath a vast desert of yellow sand, populated by a pack of starving lunatics who knew nothing about art...
What was there to miss?
After Rasa sacrificed Gaara, it was not only Pakura who had been thoroughly disgusted. Sasori had been revolted as well.
Seriously, what kind of father did something like that?
If someone like him became Kazekage, even Sasori felt that Sunagakure's future would be utterly hopeless.
If he could treat his own son that way, he would only be even crueler and more inhuman toward other shinobi.
"A wise man knows when to adapt..."
Hi-kun nodded in satisfaction.
"Tobirama-sama's assignment for you is to return to Sunagakure and remain undercover. Find a way to secure as much authority within the village as possible, and work closely with your grandmother Chiyo."
"Within two months at most, an all-out war will erupt across the shinobi world. It will begin with Kirigakure attacking Konohagakure, after which the other hidden villages will unite and launch attacks against Konoha as well."
Sasori's face was filled with question marks.
Although he was politically indifferent and paid little attention to the situation in the shinobi world, even he knew that Kirigakure was the Village of the Bloody Mist and that the Land of Water's Daimyō followed a policy of isolation.
More importantly, Kirigakure had publicly established diplomatic relations with Konoha.
Sasori had also followed the last war of words across the shinobi world. Powerful figures from every side had dragged the Third Mizukage out and mocked him for lacking legitimacy, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen had been the only one to say a few fair words in his defense...
And he was still going to stab Konoha in the back?
"You mean you want me to stop Sunagakure from attacking Konoha?"
Sasori nodded thoughtfully. "That will be difficult, though. Even my grandmother Chiyo covets the Land of Fire's territory. Personally, I don't care either way."
"No. You won't be able to stop it. Sunagakure will inevitably try to sink its teeth into Konoha."
"Your position and accomplishments are not yet high enough, but with Chiyo and Ebizō backing you, neither the Third Kazekage nor Rasa can do anything to you. You can build your reputation by publicly opposing the war."
"Konoha will not lose..." Hi-kun said with absolute certainty.
"After the war, you can take the lead in peace negotiations between Sunagakure and Konoha. That will allow you to enter the village's highest ranks, perhaps even claim the Kazekage's seat. I suggest that during the war, you avoid staining your hands with the blood of Konoha shinobi..."
Hi-kun continued analyzing the situation for Sasori.
"At first, the alliance of the four villages will be extremely stable. But once Kirigakure is crushed, the alliance will collapse and descend into chaotic infighting. When that happens, you can simply go after Iwagakure and Kirigakure to rack up military achievements..."
"Come to me whenever you need intelligence. I am Tobirama-sama's assistant."
Sasori nodded solemnly.
He could see the light of wisdom shining from Hi-kun...
"Work hard, young man. Whenever you miss your parents, you can come visit them..."
Hi-kun spoke with a cheerful smile.
Sasori nodded. "Go ahead. I'm ready."
"Ready for what?" Hi-kun asked in confusion.
"A control formula, a secret technique to prevent betrayal, something like that?" Sasori was equally confused. He possessed a similar technique called the Memory-Concealing Manipulative Sand Technique, which was specifically used to control spies.
It could not only seal memories, but also control the target's mind and compel obedience, while additionally inflicting damage on the brain. It was truly three functions in one.
"We don't need anything like that here..."
Hi-kun spoke meaningfully. "Once you join us, you are a comrade. Anyone who betrays us will naturally face Tobirama-sama's severe punishment. You only need to think the decision through for yourself."
It was certainly possible to forcefully control someone through genjutsu.
However, Sasori was a prominent figure in Sunagakure, and the people he interacted with were all high-ranking officials, including many powerful shinobi.
A shinobi under genjutsu would always exhibit abnormal chakra fluctuations, and their normal combat ability would also be affected.
Hi-kun had learned something from Sarutobi Hiruzen...
In a shinobi world overrun with fanatics, sincere cooperation was far more secure than forced control.
The stronger the shinobi, the more true that became.
"I understand... How should I address you?" Sasori took a deep breath, grasping the meaning behind those words in an instant.
If the Crimson Organization mobilized its full strength, it could pose a lethal threat to any of the great hidden villages. And on top of that, his parents were working for them...
As long as Sasori possessed even the most basic sense of logic, he would never betray them.
"My name is Hi-kun. Welcome to the Crimson Organization..."
A thought occurred to Hi-kun. Imitating the way Hiruzen usually shook hands with the villagers, he extended his own hand.
"My name is Sasori. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Even the unruly Sasori became remarkably friendly at that moment, and the two firmly clasped hands.
Meanwhile, as Madara—the mastermind lurking behind the shinobi world—was expanding the reach of his influence...
The true great mastermind behind the shinobi world, the Sage of Six Paths' clone, had already adopted the name Ichiraku. Posing as a merchant from the Land of Fire, he formally reached an agreement with Teuchi and invested capital into Ichiraku Ramen.
The Sage of Six Paths had taken the appearance of a kindly middle-aged man. He and Teuchi got along splendidly and already seemed as close as brothers.
Together, they developed one new variety of ramen after another, all of which became extremely popular among Konoha's shinobi and villagers.
"Ichiraku, have you read Jiraiya-sama's new book?"
Teuchi wiped the sweat from his brow with a cheerful smile and handed the Sage of Six Paths a bottle of water as he prepared to read.
"It is about time we took a break. The lunch rush is over, and the two of us need to balance work with rest. The Hokage-sama said that himself..."
"I have. I bought it when I passed through the Land of Rain. It's extremely popular over there."
The Sage of Six Paths smiled. "So, what do you think? Do you find the book exaggerated? To tell you the truth, it was only after reading it that I realized Konoha was different. That's why I sold my property and came here to invest..."
"It is mostly accurate, but far too conservative."
Teuchi shook his head.
"The author was probably afraid shinobi outside the village wouldn't believe him if he wrote everything, right? Ichiraku, trust me. Work here with me for three to five years, and you'll have saved up a good amount of money. That should also be long enough to complete the assessment period."
"When the time comes, I'll vouch for you. Even though you aren't one of Konoha's long-established merchants or a shinobi, you'll still be able to obtain the village's protection and move into the inner district..."
Teuchi gave him a mysterious smile.
"I may look like nothing more than a ramen shop owner, but I actually have plenty of connections. When the time comes, I'll speak to a few people for you. You might even get the chance to buy property in one of the newly developed districts before everyone else..."
"Even the Hokage-sama regularly comes here to eat ramen."
Teuchi looked rather proud of himself.
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Teuchi..."
The Sage of Six Paths paused in surprise. So Teuchi was offering to use his connections for him?
In truth, there was generally no one above him anywhere in the shinobi world.
Even so, the simple affection between companions was something the Sage of Six Paths found deeply comforting.
This ordinary warmth of mortal life could occasionally soothe even the heart of a sage.
The Sage of Six Paths gazed at the village with a gentle smile.
He no longer used senjutsu to investigate the thoughts or intelligence held by Konoha's shinobi. Or rather, the memories he had absorbed previously were more like scattered information that had leaked outward, rather than something obtained by delving deeply into another person's mind.
Every person's mind was closed off because it did not wish to be exposed to the outside world. The Sage of Six Paths had no desire to forcibly obtain other people's private thoughts. Doing so would violate the principles he had upheld throughout his life.
'The self-restraint of the strong.'
Power that was too great, if left unchecked, would distort relationships between people and gradually drive its wielder toward loneliness and extremism. The Sage of Six Paths did not want to become like Kaguya or Indra.
This was also part of his unwavering commitment to the original ideals with which he had founded Ninshū.
Of course, matters involving the destruction of the shinobi world, Kaguya, or similar threats were different...
Those counted as emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
At that moment...
Kushina and Mikoto were walking down the street with Naruto and Sasuke in their arms when they happened to meet outside Ichiraku Ramen. The two women exchanged smiles.
They had always been close, especially now that Konoha itself had become so harmonious.
"Wow, Sasuke is adorable. He's so delicate and pretty that he looks just like a little girl..."
Unable to resist, Kushina gently touched Sasuke's tiny cheek.
"Naruto too—he's definitely going to grow up into a handsome guy just like Minato."
Mikoto smiled warmly. "Oh, right. I heard from Tomie that Shio has taken Naruto as her disciple?"
"That's right! Minato and I talked it over. We wanted to help Naruto build a solid foundation from an early age, but children have a hard time learning Fūinjutsu, so the two of us would have to guide him ourselves. It'd be much better if he had a proper sensei to lead him along…"
Kushina laughed. "And it won't trouble Shio for too long. Minato's already planned everything out. Later on, Obito or Kakashi can take over Naruto's training…"
Mikoto's eyes lit up.
"Really? That's exactly what my husband was thinking too. He said he's no good at raising children, so he asked Tomie to help look after Sasuke... Later, he also spoke with Sakumo-sama and arranged for Kakashi to mentor Sasuke."
The Sage of Six Paths stirred inwardly.
Of course, he knew that Naruto and Sasuke were reincarnations.
Now, not only had the two of them been born in the same village, but their mothers were also close friends.
It left the Sage of Six Paths feeling deeply moved...
Before this pair of reincarnations, Asura and Indra had always been reborn into opposing camps. From the day they were born, their destinies had been set on a collision course.
But in Konoha, that cycle had been broken for the very first time!
'Come to think of it...'
'Once Naruto and Sasuke grow up, if I can make Ichiraku Ramen thrive... they'll come eat at my shop together, won't they?'
The very thought made the Sage of Six Paths' eyes widen slightly.
Now that would truly be a family reunion.
How many years had it been since the whole family had sat down together over a hot meal? And this time, their own father would be the one cooking it...
'I've decided.'
'This doesn't count as interfering in the shinobi world. I'm simply a ramen shop owner protecting my own property.'
The Sage of Six Paths narrowed his eyes.
His reason for coming to Konoha had never been simple. He wanted to experience firsthand the difference between the Will of Fire and Ninshū, and he also wanted to observe the fascinating shinobi known as Sarutobi Hiruzen.
From the "Shinobi World Emotional Heat Map" and the scattered intelligence he had gathered, the Sage of Six Paths had already concluded that another great war would likely break out before long.
He wanted to see how Hiruzen would deal with it when that day came.
The Sage of Six Paths would not intervene.
But after deciding he wanted to cook ramen for Naruto and Sasuke, he also found himself wanting to indulge in a small bit of selfishness for the first time in ages. Even if someone invaded Konoha itself, they absolutely could not destroy his little ramen shop...
Anyone who laid a finger on it would have only themselves to blame!
There wasn't a force in existence that could stop an immortal father from wanting to cook ramen for his sons!
"Huh? Sasuke's going to have two sensei too?"
Kushina asked curiously, "Did Tomie agree to that?"
In the shinobi world, a jōnin instructor and a sensei were not the same thing. Clearly, Minato intended for Shio to become Naruto's sensei, while Kakashi or Obito would later take over the next stage of Naruto's education.
Minato could make arrangements like that because Shio and Kushina were fellow Uzumaki who had always relied on one another, while Kakashi and Obito were disciples he had personally raised. Their relationships were naturally different.
"Normally, that really wouldn't be in keeping with tradition..."
Mikoto smiled helplessly.
"But you know how it is. Ever since Itachi was born, Clan Head Isshin has been going around saying Fugaku isn't allowed to raise children. At this point, it's not just the Uchiha—even practically everyone in Konoha knows it..."
"But it wouldn't be right to keep troubling Seisui. And after Tomie learned that Shio had accepted a disciple, she ended up having the same idea. By sheer coincidence, Fugaku came to ask her for help, so the matter was settled."
"As for later on... Tomie is a Root member. We can't keep imposing on her forever, can we?"
Kushina nodded in understanding.
You could say that Sasuke ending up with two sensei was, in its own way, thanks to Fugaku's reputation.
Under Isshin's relentless campaigning, the image of Fugaku being terrible at raising children had become firmly ingrained in everyone's minds.
In a sense, it had ended up benefiting Sasuke!
"The relationship between Shio and Tomie... well, it's pretty complicated. But in the end, it's a good one..."
"I just hope the two of them can become close companions as well." Mikoto smiled gently as she looked at Naruto, then at Sasuke, unknowingly voicing exactly what the Sage of Six Paths had been thinking.
While Konoha basked in peace and harmony...
Kirigakure had fallen into the most tense atmosphere it had ever known.
Under the repression of the Bloody Mist era, even speaking the Third Mizukage's name had gradually become taboo. That suffocating atmosphere had only strengthened his authority with each passing day.
But over the past few days, shinobi from every faction in Kirigakure had begun voicing doubts about him. It didn't matter whether they were his supporters or his opponents.
In truth, under Black Zetsu and Hi-kun's direction, the White Zetsu had merely lit the fuse. Once they shattered the Kirigakure shinobi's prisoner's dilemma, the resentment that had been bottled up for years erupted like a flood.
The Kirigakure shinobi realized that as long as they remained united and refused to be isolated, the Third Mizukage actually had no way of wiping them all out in one stroke...
Inside the Mizukage's office.
The Third Mizukage's eyes were bloodshot as he summoned the two people he trusted most—Genji and Nakamaro.
He was out of options...
He was going to start a war!
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