Within the shinobi world, only a very small handful of people knew that the true origin of the Bloodline Limits traced all the way back to Otsutsuki Kaguya.
Everyone else knew, at most, only the story of the Sage of Six Paths.
Even Madara had only learned of the existence of the Rabbit Goddess, Kaguya, after deciphering the contents of the Uchiha Stone Tablet.
As the thought crossed his mind, Black Zetsu slowly rose from the ground.
"Madara."
His voice echoed through the cave.
The expression on his face, split evenly between black and white, remained impossible to read.
"Are you still holding on?"
Black Zetsu looked at Madara.
Madara slowly turned his head.
"With Kiyohara around, I can't completely trust Obito."
His aged voice sounded tired and heavy.
"Things are still progressing smoothly on Obito's side."
Black Zetsu replied calmly.
"Although Kiyohara planted his dojutsu inside Yagura, it can still be dealt with. Yagura remains useful. Over in Kiri, Genji has already been brought under control."
Madara listened silently.
Black Zetsu continued.
"Kiyohara also made contact with the Akatsuki, but he didn't manage to influence Nagato's ideals."
"I see."
Madara neither agreed nor disagreed.
He lowered his head and looked at his own hand.
It was trembling slightly.
Not because of fear.
But because this old body was finally approaching its limit.
"Madara."
Black Zetsu suddenly spoke again.
"Have you noticed... any changes in your body?"
Madara's brows twitched almost imperceptibly.
He lifted his head and looked directly at Black Zetsu.
The ripple-patterned Rinnegan reflected Black Zetsu's figure.
"What do you mean?"
"I simply feel... you've become a little different."
He stopped there.
He did not elaborate.
But he could see it clearly.
Inside Madara's body, that innate mass of chakra was slowly separating itself from him.
That was Indra's chakra.
Since the Warring States Era, this chakra had been passed down from one reincarnation of Indra to the next.
Uchiha Madara was the current reincarnation.
It was the source of the extraordinary power that allowed him to stand so far above ordinary people.
But now...
That chakra was leaving him.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Black Zetsu slowly shook his head.
"Nothing."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"I'm only reminding you that it's time to make a decision. If you continue delaying things like this, your body..."
He did not finish the sentence.
There was no need to.
The meaning was obvious.
Madara withdrew his gaze and looked once more toward the enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
"Keep a closer eye on Obito."
His voice remained low.
"If he fails, we still have enough time to replace him."
Black Zetsu froze for a moment.
"Replace him?"
Madara did not answer.
But Black Zetsu immediately understood what he meant.
If Obito proved unsuitable...
Then Kiyohara would take his place.
The young man also carried Uchiha blood.
He possessed equally astonishing talent.
He likewise had the potential to become the executor of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
It was just...
Black Zetsu lowered his eyes.
That young man was far more difficult to manipulate than Obito.
Even so...
As a vessel, his aptitude truly surpassed Obito's by a considerable margin.
"I understand."
Black Zetsu slowly sank back into the earth.
"Take good care of yourself."
His figure disappeared into the darkness.
The cave returned to silence.
Only the occasional sound of the Demonic Statue transferring chakra echoed faintly through the cavern.
Madara remained seated alone upon the wooden throne, staring into the endless darkness.
He could clearly feel that whatever was leaving him was drifting farther and farther away.
He slowly raised his withered hand.
Looking at the dry, lifeless palm, he whispered,
"Hashirama..."
The name escaped his lips quietly.
The only man who had ever truly stood on equal footing with him.
"If only, back then..."
He did not finish the sentence.
Instead, he slowly lowered his hand and closed his eyes.
...
Inside the Root headquarters.
When Orochimaru pushed open the door and entered, Danzo was still reviewing the intelligence reports submitted by his subordinates.
Recently, he had allocated additional funds to construct yet another Root base.
"So?"
Danzo turned toward Orochimaru.
But he noticed that Orochimaru wasn't walking over to him.
Instead, Orochimaru headed toward a washbasin.
Danzo followed him with his eyes as Orochimaru reached the sink, turned on the faucet, and calmly washed his hands.
The flowing water washed over his pale fingers, carrying away the last traces of blood.
He slowly lifted his head.
Through the mirror, stained with scattered droplets of water, he looked at both his own reflection and Danzo's standing behind him.
"I lost."
Orochimaru said flatly.
"You lost?"
Danzo carefully examined him.
Only then did he notice that Orochimaru's clothing had indeed been torn, exposing part of one arm.
"Weren't you only supposed to test his strength? What happened? One of the Legendary Sannin couldn't even manage a simple test?"
Orochimaru shut off the faucet.
Taking a clean towel from the nearby rack, he slowly dried his hands.
His golden snake-like pupils looked toward Danzo through the strands of hair hanging over his forehead.
"I admitted defeat."
Danzo's breathing immediately became heavier.
His single exposed eye widened until blood vessels appeared across the white of his eye.
"Orochimaru! Just what the hell are you playing at?"
"I told you to test his strength, not determine a winner! Do you even understand what time this is? The Hokage selection is right around the corner, and you're standing here telling me you surrendered?"
Orochimaru simply looked at him.
"If you think you can do better, then you go."
His tone carried obvious exasperation.
Kiyohara hadn't even entered Sage Mode yet.
Not only that...
Orochimaru knew perfectly well that Kiyohara could also use the Eight Gates, the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and an entire collection of other powerful techniques.
Continuing that fight would accomplish absolutely nothing besides getting himself injured.
Danzo clenched his fists tightly.
The ten Sharingan embedded within his newly transplanted right arm contracted simultaneously, as though responding to their master's emotional turmoil.
The muscles of his arm bulged slightly.
Veins crawled visibly across the back of his hand.
"You..."
Danzo pointed angrily at Orochimaru.
Then he took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.
His chest rose and fell violently.
Finally, he swallowed the rage lodged in his throat.
Turning away, he walked over to a table piled high with scrolls.
"Just how strong has that brat become?"
Orochimaru casually tossed the towel into the basin before walking over behind him.
"He has completely mastered the Eight Branches Technique."
Danzo immediately turned around.
A gleam flashed through his lone eye.
"The incomplete jutsu you gave him?"
"Yes."
Orochimaru nodded.
"He perfected the Eight Branches Technique. In his hands, its power has become far greater than I originally imagined."
Danzo frowned deeply.
"Is there any other method?"
Orochimaru looked at him.
"What method?"
He asked in return.
"A way to increase someone's strength."
"You've spent years conducting research. Surely you have something that can drastically increase a person's power in a short period of time."
Danzo pressed urgently.
"I do."
Orochimaru inclined his head slightly.
"What is it?"
Danzo immediately asked.
"I know someone."
"Who?"
"Shinno."
Danzo frowned slightly.
"Shinno?"
"Yes."
Orochimaru nodded.
"A very interesting man. He is highly skilled in medical ninjutsu and possesses unique insights into modifying the human body. By now, he should have completely mastered the Zero-Tails."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Danzo interrupted immediately.
Although he had no idea what the Zero-Tails actually was, his instincts told him it certainly wasn't something ordinary.
"Why haven't you recruited him?"
"Danzo..."
Orochimaru replied calmly.
"He and I... have a bit of a disagreement."
Danzo fell silent.
"..."
"..."
Even so, Danzo still instructed Orochimaru to gather as much intelligence on Shinno as possible and do everything he could to recruit him.
That happened to align perfectly with Orochimaru's own intentions.
He also wanted to witness the power of the Zero-Tails for himself.
If he wished to turn Kiyohara into his next vessel...
He would first need enough power to accomplish it.
...
Inside the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen sat behind his spacious desk.
The tobacco in his smoking pipe drifted upward in thin white wisps.
Homura sat across from him, his hands folded neatly over his knees.
"Hiruzen, have you made up your mind regarding the Hokage selection?"
Hiruzen slowly took another puff before exhaling.
"Minato is a good child."
Homura nodded.
"That's true. His military achievements are outstanding, his popularity is excellent, and he is the representative of the civilian shinobi. If he becomes Hokage, the civilian-born shinobi will be very pleased."
Hiruzen looked quietly at him.
Homura knew Hiruzen had not finished speaking, so he simply waited.
Sure enough, Hiruzen took another slow puff from his pipe before continuing.
"Kiyohara is excellent as well. His accomplishments in battle are no less impressive than Minato's. His strength has been witnessed by everyone. Most importantly..."
"He is an Uchiha."
Hiruzen paused briefly.
"If he becomes Hokage, the status of the Uchiha Clan within the village will undergo tremendous change."
He placed the pipe down and leaned back in his chair.
"Back then, Tobirama-sensei said that the Uchiha were born with an inherent curse of evil. But Kagami was an exception. Shisui was an exception. Kiyohara is also an exception."
"You're hesitating."
Homura immediately saw through him.
Hiruzen nodded honestly.
He really was hesitating.
Deep down, he leaned somewhat toward Minato.
Yet another thought continued to occupy his mind.
Perhaps...
This was also an opportunity to completely change the Uchiha Clan's position within the village.
Because among the current Uchiha Clan, aside from those three individuals, he had yet to see a fourth person capable of rising above the clan's narrow-minded worldview.
Rather than allowing the Uchiha's dissatisfaction with the village to continue growing...
Wouldn't it be better to let the Uchiha who was the least like an Uchiha become Hokage?
"Minato is excellent."
"Kiyohara is equally excellent."
"One represents the civilian shinobi."
"The other represents the Uchiha Clan."
"No matter which one is chosen..."
"There will always be people who are dissatisfied."
"And there will always be people who support the decision."
Homura fell silent.
He knew that Hiruzen was speaking the truth.
The position of Hokage had never been a simple one.
Behind it lay an intricate web of interests, political factions, and influential clans.
Nothing about it was straightforward.
At that moment, a knock sounded on the office door.
"Come in."
The door swung open.
An ANBU shinobi wearing an animal mask knelt on one knee at the entrance.
"Hokage-sama, we have urgent intelligence."
Hiruzen's brows lifted slightly.
"Report."
The ANBU shinobi raised his head.
"A request for assistance has arrived from the Priestess of the Land of Demons."
Hiruzen and Homura exchanged glances.
"The Land of Demons?"
The ANBU shinobi nodded.
"According to the report, Moryo has begun moving again. It has broken free from its seal, and its current whereabouts are unknown. The Priestess has requested that Konoha dispatch reinforcements immediately."
"Moryo..."
Hiruzen frowned.
The Land of Demons was an ancient nation.
Even the Shinobi World Wars had never truly reached such a distant and isolated place.
Hiruzen knew of the monster.
Legend said it had lived for over a thousand years.
Every few decades, or sometimes once every century, it would break free from its seal once again.
Whenever that happened, the Priestess of the Land of Demons would step forward to seal Moryo away.
Because of this, every generation of Priestesses enjoyed an almost sacred status.
Over time, the Land of Demons had essentially become a nation centered around religion.
"This matter needs to be dealt with."
Homura looked somewhat concerned.
According to the legends, Moryo possessed unimaginably vast reserves of chakra.
It also commanded an army of terracotta soldiers created from earth and mud.
Long ago, it had attempted to establish an eternal empire of darkness that would last for a thousand years.
As long as Moryo's chakra remained intact, those clay soldiers would never truly die.
Whether they were crushed beneath falling boulders...
Or pierced apart by lightning...
Their bodies would simply reform again and again.
"Hiruzen, who do you plan to send?"
Homura asked.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This may actually be an opportunity."
He immediately instructed the ANBU shinobi to summon both Kiyohara and Minato.
Before long, the two men stood side by side in front of Hiruzen.
"You've both already heard about the situation in the Land of Demons?"
The two nodded simultaneously.
The ANBU had already briefed them on the mission.
Hiruzen looked between them.
"Moryo has escaped its seal and vanished. The Priestess has requested military assistance from Konoha."
"I've decided to send both of you."
Kiyohara's heart stirred.
He immediately realized what this meant.
This was a crucial period.
Every accomplishment from this point onward could influence the final decision regarding the next Hokage.
It seemed that, because of the butterfly effect caused by his existence, Hiruzen was no longer considering only Minato as his successor.
After all...
Kiyohara's own achievements were simply too dazzling to ignore.
Minato also looked toward Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage continued,
"You will each lead your own team to the Land of Demons. Whoever resolves this crisis the fastest and with the greatest success will receive a reward from me."
He never explained what the reward would be.
But everyone present understood.
That reward would most likely be...
Minato remained silent for a brief moment before bowing slightly.
"I understand. I'll bring Kakashi and Rin with me."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Very well."
Then he looked toward Kiyohara.
Kiyohara considered it briefly.
"I'll bring my Tsunade-sensei, Kurenai, and Shizune."
"Then it's settled."
"You'll depart tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
The two answered simultaneously.
...
After returning to Tsunade's home, Kiyohara explained the mission to her.
Tsunade was currently lying lazily across the sofa, leisurely eating fruit that Shizune had bought earlier.
When she heard his explanation, she blinked in surprise.
"Me?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"The war's already over. Why are we still running around so much?"
Kiyohara walked over to her and lowered his voice.
"Sensei, this mission could determine whether or not I become Hokage."
He looked directly into her eyes.
His dark pupils carried an unusual seriousness.
"You don't want me to lose the Hokage position, do you? If I don't become Hokage, the amount of money I can give you every month might decrease."
The moment Tsunade heard that, she snorted.
What a brat.
He had actually learned how to threaten her now.
"Fine, fine."
"I'll go."
She lazily lifted one beautiful foot and pointed toward the kitchen.
The polish on her toenails had begun to fade, but it still highlighted how fair and delicate her toes looked.
"Go bring me some more fruit."
She held the fruit plate in her left hand while casually spearing pieces with a toothpick in her right.
"Alright."
Kiyohara nodded.
The following morning.
The gates of Konoha.
The gate guards yawned sleepily.
By this hour, shinobi had already begun entering and leaving the village one after another.
Kiyohara soon arrived.
Behind him, Tsunade followed with her usual lazy pace.
"It's been a long time since I've gotten up this early."
She covered another yawn.
Kurenai walked quietly beside her.
She wore a shinobi outfit designed for mobility.
The light crimson fabric fit closely against her body.
White bandages wrapped around her thighs, while more white wrappings wound around different parts of her figure, giving her clothing the appearance of a uniquely styled dress.
Beside her, Shizune carried Tonton in her arms.
The little pig seemed to have only just awakened.
Its round eyes were only half open as it let out soft snorting noises.
"Kiyohara."
A familiar voice called from the side.
Kiyohara turned around.
Minato was approaching from another street.
Kakashi and Rin followed closely behind him.
"What a coincidence."
Minato smiled as he walked over.
"You're leaving too?"
"That's right."
Kiyohara nodded.
Then he reached into his shinobi pouch and took out a lump of white clay.
After quickly molding it into shape, he poured chakra into it.
In the blink of an eye...
The clay transformed into an enormous white dragon.
Its entire body was made of pure white clay.
Mounted securely upon its broad back was a small clay house.
Kiyohara jumped onto the dragon first before walking into the little house.
Tsunade followed behind him.
As she landed atop the dragon's back, she looked back toward Minato.
"Minato, we're heading out first."
She waved casually.
Kurenai and Shizune climbed aboard after her.
The giant dragon trembled slightly.
It slowly raised its head.
Its four limbs pushed powerfully against the ground.
The massive body lifted into the air.
Its enormous wings unfolded.
With a few gentle flaps...
The dragon soared into the sky.
Moments later, it had already become a distant white figure flying toward the western horizon.
Minato remained where he stood, looking up at the shrinking silhouette.
"That's incredibly convenient."
There was unmistakable envy in his voice.
Unfortunately, the little house atop the dragon was only large enough for Kiyohara's group.
There simply wasn't enough room to carry him, Kakashi, and Rin as well.
Kakashi walked over beside him.
"Minato-sensei, it's time for us to leave."
Minato nodded.
Turning around, he looked at Kakashi and Rin.
"Sorry to trouble you two."
He smiled helplessly.
"You're both used to teaming up with Kiyohara. But today you'll have to travel the old-fashioned way with me."
Rin smiled and shook her head.
"It's alright, Minato-sensei."
Deep down, she felt a tiny bit disappointed that she wouldn't be traveling together with Kiyohara.
But then she remembered that they would inevitably meet again after arriving in the Land of Demons.
Thinking of that made her feel much better.
"Let's go."
Minato took the lead as they departed the village.
Kakashi and Rin followed closely behind.
...
By evening.
The border of the Land of Demons.
The white dragon slowly descended into a forest nestled among the mountains.
Kiyohara jumped off its back and stretched his shoulders.
The chakra consumption hadn't been particularly heavy.
However, maintaining flight for such a long time was still somewhat tiring.
The one who felt little fatigue was Kiyohara himself.
It was Kurenai, Shizune, and the others who had become exhausted.
Out of consideration for them, he decided to rest there for the night.
Tsunade landed beside him as well.
Stretching lazily, her ample chest swayed gently with the motion.
"We're finally here."
She let out a slow breath through her slightly parted red lips.
Kurenai and Shizune also climbed down from the dragon.
"I'll go gather firewood."
Kurenai volunteered immediately.
"I'll help."
Shizune gently set Tonton down on the ground before following after her.
Kiyohara closed his eyes and expanded his sensory perception.
He carefully scanned the surrounding area.
Within several kilometers...
He sensed not the slightest trace of chakra.
Safe.
Satisfied, Kiyohara withdrew his perception.
He walked toward a relatively flat clearing and began setting up camp.
Tsunade leaned casually against a nearby tree with her arms crossed, quietly watching him work.
"Brat."
She suddenly spoke.
"Moryo won't be easy to deal with. If things get dangerous, don't try to force yourself."
"I know, Sensei."
Kiyohara nodded.
Moryo was indeed a troublesome opponent.
But Kiyohara also knew its weakness.
In the anime, Naruto had borrowed the Priestess's chakra.
With that borrowed power...
A single Giant Rasengan had been enough to destroy Moryo.
As long as Kiyohara could receive the Priestess's assistance and borrow a portion of her chakra...
Defeating Moryo would not be difficult.
"Good."
Tsunade walked over to him.
She crouched beside the tent and began helping him organize the camping equipment.
(End of Chapter)