For thousands of years, Jigen had struggled on the brink of death, but he never gave up on his belief—to become the strongest being in the Ōtsutsuki clan, an existence that could claim the name of a god.
"Victor," Jigen suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an unquestionable command.
"I approve your plan. Forming an organization, cultivating 'vessels', planting the Divine Tree—you will be responsible for all of it. But remember, if you disappoint me, you should be well aware of the consequences."
Victor's body trembled violently, and he quickly lowered his head, his voice shaking: "Yes, my lord! I will surely live up to your expectations!"
Just as Jigen was about to leave, the door suddenly burst open.
Amado's slightly tired yet confident face appeared.
He pushed up his glasses, walked slowly to Jigen, and bowed slightly.
"The transplantation experiment for the 'Kāma' is almost ready."
Amado's voice was calm and confident, as if stating something completely ordinary.
"The cloning technology has been perfected, and the compatibility of the test subjects is gradually improving. Just give me a little more time, and I can ensure everything is foolproof."
Jigen's gaze fell on Amado, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, but more than that, there was cold scrutiny.
"Very good, Amado. You certainly haven't disappointed me."
Amado smiled slightly, pushed up his glasses, and continued:
"However, I've recently discovered something interesting. A shell that seems to be a god, though it has lost all signs of life, still has an abnormally powerful energy fluctuation remaining inside."
"I suspect it hasn't truly died, but rather surpassed some kind of limit, reaching a realm we cannot even imagine."
Jigen's brow furrowed slightly, a glimmer of interest flashing in his eyes. "Are you sure?"
Amado nodded, took a data report from his pocket, and handed it to Jigen.
"These are the preliminary analysis results. Though not completely certain, the value of this shell far exceeds our imagination."
Jigen took the report, his eyes quickly scanning the data, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Interesting. Very interesting. Perhaps we can take our plan even further."
His voice carried an undeniable greed, as if he could already see the moment he would stand at the peak.
But suddenly, an uncontrollable rage surged within him.
"It's all that bitch Kaguya's fault—a lower-ranking wretch daring to ambush a superior."
Jigen's fists clenched tightly.
Scenes from thousands of years ago kept flashing through his mind—Kaguya betraying him at the critical moment, stealing the Chakra Fruit, and driving him into a corner.
"If it weren't for her, how could I have fallen so low?"
A fierce glint flashed in Jigen's eyes, his heart filled with the desire for revenge.
Yet when he looked down at his own palms, that rage was suppressed by the helplessness of reality.
His power had not yet fully recovered. Though this body barely carried his consciousness, it could not withstand the chakra from his prime.
If he forcibly exerted his full strength, this body would likely crumble instantly, and he would be forced to use the 'Kāma' to reincarnate and revive.
But the cost of that was unacceptable—the lifespan after reincarnation would be minimal, leaving him nowhere near enough time to complete his plan.
"Kaguya... that bitch, after eating the Chakra Fruit, her strength probably far surpasses mine."
Jigen's brow was tightly furrowed, his heart full of apprehension.
Although he harbored deep hatred for Kaguya's betrayal, he had to admit that Kaguya's power now far exceeded his own.
However, based on his understanding of this world over the years, it seemed Kaguya had already been sealed.
This news brought him both relief and caution. Relief that Kaguya could no longer pose a direct threat to him;
Caution that whoever managed to seal Kaguya must not be underestimated.
"This world is truly miraculous." Jigen's gaze passed through the window, looking out at the flourishing land.
A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "It already produced one Chakra Fruit, yet it hasn't withered. Instead, it has nurtured so much life."
"This is practically a gift from the heavens."
To plant the Divine Tree again, harvest the Chakra Fruit, restore his power, and even surpass his former peak.
But just as he was lost in his fantasies, his expression suddenly sharpened, his gaze snapping toward the window.
"Someone's coming." Jigen's voice was low and cold, tinged with caution. His perception was extremely keen; even while deep in thought, he could detect disturbances from outside.
The next moment, a dazzling light track descended from the sky.
As the light track dissipated, Roy's figure slowly emerged.
Roy stood in the fading afterglow of the light track, a helpless smile on his face.
He scratched his head, his tone carrying a hint of distress: "Ah, crap, this is the worst possible situation."
His gaze swept across the people in the hall, finally settling on Jigen, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.
Even though he already knew of Jigen's existence from intelligence, seeing this incarnation of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki in person still made Roy's scalp tingle.
"This is terrible. Is this world soon going to change from the era of eye legends to the age of tattoos?"
Roy muttered a complaint under his breath, scenes of the ridiculous plot developments from Naruto Shippuden to Boruto flashing through his mind.
He shook his head, trying to shake those chaotic thoughts out of his mind.
However, Jigen across from him clearly had no patience for his rambling.
His brow furrowed slightly, impatience flashing in his eyes. "An insect like you dares to act recklessly before me?"
"Are you a ninja, or an assassin?"
Meanwhile, Victor was already sneering.
"My lord, allow me to dispose of this insect for you."
Hearing this, Roy's smile gradually faded. He pulled out a uniquely shaped kunai from his pocket.
The kunai was engraved with complex runes, faintly emanating a mysterious energy fluctuation, and then he abruptly thrust the kunai into the ground.
The next moment, the runes on the kunai suddenly lit up, and four figures slowly emerged.
Jigen's gaze swept over Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Orochimaru, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly replaced by an intrigued expression.
"This is...?" Jigen's pupils slightly contracted, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"I didn't expect to see people daring to challenge me in this era."
The light faded, and the four figures clearly appeared in the hall.
Hashirama Senju laughed heartily and patted Tobirama Senju's shoulder: "Tobirama, your technique is really convenient. The Flying Thunder God Technique is so useful."
Tobirama Senju glanced at his elder brother but didn't respond, instead fixing his gaze on Jigen, a flicker of solemnity in his eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured softly with nostalgia: "Experiencing the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique again... how nostalgic."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his gaze filled with barely concealed excitement.
"Ssss, so this is the extraordinary fellow Roy-kun mentioned? The Ōtsutsuki clan?"
His eyes roamed over Jigen, as if appraising a precious experimental specimen.