"Yes. I'm a scumbag."
Seeing Kyusei admit it so bluntly, Mei froze, blinking her green eyes, completely at a loss for words.
"So when you grow up and start looking for someone, make sure you keep your eyes open."
Kyusei chuckled carelessly and ruffled her hair.
They wandered through Konoha's streets for a while. When Kyusei stopped in front of a shop, his expression twitched.
Ichiraku Rice Bowls???
He had originally wanted to try the legendary ramen shop that ran through the story—
And now it was a rice bowl restaurant?
Because of the timeline difference, Teuchi hadn't opened his ramen shop yet in Kyusei's world, so he had never tasted Ichiraku Ramen.
But this was the Infinite Tsukuyomi world.
He could only accept it.
Rice bowls it is.
He took Mei inside. A girl in a black chef's uniform greeted them enthusiastically.
"Welcome! The menu's on the wall—what would you like?"
Kyusei glanced at it.
"Two eel rice bowls."
—
The next day.
Hokage Building.
Conference Room.
People from two different Konoha sat together.
Kyusei, as the nominal leader of the delegation, sat beside the Fifth Hokage.
As Tsunade spoke endlessly about the Will of Fire for nearly two hours without pause, not only Kyusei, but even Mei and Sasuke below were getting drowsy.
Just as Kyusei was about to drift off—
He was nudged.
"Your turn."
Mitokado Homura whispered.
"And now, we invite the representative from the other world—the initiator and executor of the Dragon Vein Plan, the one who successfully transferred the Dragon Vein from the Land of Wind to the Land of Fire."
"Uzumaki Kyusei."
Sparse applause followed.
Though few were present, all were influential figures—clan heads and department leaders.
Kyusei cleared his throat.
"Our situation was complicated due to the Third Great Ninja War."
"The great nations were divided into two opposing factions."
"The Land of Water and Fire versus Wind, Earth, Lightning… and Rain."
A hand went up immediately.
"You—go ahead."
Kyusei pointed, not recognizing the man.
"Does the Land of Rain count as a major nation?"
Kyusei nodded.
"Of course."
"The so-called 'Asura of the Shinobi World' resides there."
"And it houses Uzumaki Nagato with the Rinnegan, and Uchiha Hikari with Eight Thousand Spears."
"Even without Hikari, they could overwhelm any nation except Konoha."
"…Wait, you don't have them here?"
His tone turned serious.
Hikari aside—
Nagato should exist.
Yet—
Tsunade frowned.
"I've never heard of him."
Kyusei's heart sank.
Menma was already twenty-three.
Nagato should be even older than Minato.
If he had the Rinnegan—
Then Madara's plan was still in motion.
And yet—
No sign of him.
That wasn't reassuring.
It was worse.
Something was wrong.
But for now—
He suppressed it.
The alliance came first.
Time passed slowly.
Finally—
The ceremony reached its end.
Homura reviewed the treaty carefully before handing it to Kyusei with a nod.
Kyusei signed without hesitation.
Two copies.
One for each side.
"Then… happy cooperation."
Tsunade stood and extended her hand.
Kyusei stood and shook it.
Applause filled the room.
"If you wish, feel free to stay a few days and explore Konoha," Tsunade added.
Kyusei leaned closer and spoke in a low voice only she could hear.
"There's something important. We need to talk privately."
"Bring Sasuke, Sakura, and Minato."
Tsunade's expression grew serious.
"…Alright."
—
Hokage Office.
Tsunade, Kyusei, Minato, Sasuke, and Sakura gathered.
"What is it?"
Tsunade felt uneasy.
"Have you heard of Uzumaki Nagato?"
"…No."
"He has the Rinnegan?"
"Yes."
Kyusei turned to Sasuke.
"The Rinnegan is the final evolution of the Sharingan."
"…What?!"
Sasuke was stunned.
He had fought alongside Kyusei before—but never learned this.
Kyusei continued.
"During the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara didn't die."
"He used Izanagi."
Sasuke frowned.
"That would cost him an eye."
"Correct."
"But before 'dying,' he bit off a piece of Hashirama's flesh."
Tsunade froze.
Wood Release cells.
"…Don't tell me…"
"The regenerative power of those cells likely restored his vision."
Kyusei grimaced slightly.
"That's the only explanation."
He continued.
"The Sage of Six Paths had two sons."
"Indra inherited his eyes."
"Asura inherited his body."
"These became the Uchiha and Senju clans."
"Sharingan represents Yin."
"Senju body represents Yang."
"When combined—"
"They produce the Rinnegan."
Silence filled the room.
All eyes turned to Sasuke and Tsunade.
The last Uchiha.
The last Senju.
"So Nagato's eyes… belong to Madara?"
Minato spoke quietly.
"Yes."
Kyusei nodded.
"At twenty, Nagato could fight Nao, Kaoru, Tobirama—and me—and still cast Rinne Rebirth to revive Madara."
"What about now?"
"…And Madara?"
Sakura exhaled slowly.
"He wouldn't give away those eyes without a plan."
"If Rinne Rebirth exists, he must've prepared to revive himself."
"Decades of planning…"
Tsunade clenched her fists.
"What's their goal?"
"Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"Trap the world in an eternal dream."
Sakura frowned.
"That's just escaping reality."
Kyusei's voice turned cold.
"It's actually a method to revive Kaguya."
"Everyone will die."
"Become tools."
"The planet itself will be drained into a chakra fruit."
"Billions of lives—gone."
Silence.
Shock.
They had just formed an alliance—
And now faced extinction.
"If Nagato hasn't appeared…"
Kyusei trailed off.
No one spoke.
"If you need help…"
"I can represent my Konoha."
"We'll assist you fully."
Tsunade stood.
"…Thank you."
Sakura suddenly spoke.
"If Sharingan plus Wood Release equals Rinnegan…"
"Then if Sasuke receives Hashirama cells—"
"He could awaken it too?"
"In theory, yes."
Kyusei nodded.
Sasuke had Eternal Mangekyo.
If he evolved further—
He would become a crucial force.
Right now—
He was the weakest version of Sasuke Kyusei had seen.
"…Tsunade-sama!"
Sakura looked at her eagerly.
"…Understood."
"We'll proceed with the transplant immediately."
The technique was already perfected.
No risk.
Sasuke blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
"Any objections?"
Sakura glanced at him.
"…No."
He immediately gave in.
Minato frowned.
He recalled his past encounters with Akatsuki.
Nagato hadn't appeared then.
"If possible…"
"I'd like to investigate Amegakure myself."
Everyone looked at him.
Tsunade nodded.
The Yellow Flash's reputation carried weight.
"Want me to come?"
Kyusei asked.
"No."
"I can handle it."
"And…"
Minato placed a hand on Kyusei's shoulder.
"Kaoru needs you."
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