Neji only half understood, but since Sasuke appeared to have reached some kind of cooperation—or balance—with Orochimaru, and since the "Edo Tensei army" would indeed be a crucial force against Naruto, he chose not to press further.
What mattered more now was the "greatest secret" Sasuke had promised to reveal.
Beneath the Heavenly Veil, curiosity across the shinobi world reached its peak, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Orochimaru… alive again? What did Sasuke mean—can't even kill him?"
"Forget that! Reanimating the past Kage and Uchiha Madara is the real horror! The First Hokage plus Madara—can Naruto even withstand that lineup?"
"No, no—what I really want to know is Sasuke's secret! What's deeper inside that mountain?"
"Exactly! Orochimaru is just 'assistance.' The real key must be whatever Sasuke is about to show Neji!"
"Orochimaru actually gets along with Sasuke now? Even helping improve Impure World Reincarnation? He's not coveting the Sharingan and Rinnegan anymore? Something huge must've happened!"
Even in some shadowy hideout, the present-day Orochimaru watching the Heavenly Veil couldn't help but lick his lips. His golden snake-like pupils gleamed with intrigue—and rare confusion.
"How fascinating… truly fascinating," he murmured. "The 'future' me maintaining such a… cooperative relationship with Sasuke-kun? No longer obsessed with claiming those eyes? Or perhaps… I've discovered something even more worth pursuing?"
His gaze shifted toward the deeper stone gate shown on the Veil.
"Or perhaps… whatever lies beyond interests me even more than the Rinnegan?"
His curiosity deepened. What transformation had he undergone in that future?
Sasuke led a still-stunned Neji through a smaller door. Beyond it lay an upward staircase lined with soft carpeting.
Real sunlight—warm and genuine—poured down from an opening above.
As they ascended, the space opened into something entirely unexpected.
Gone was the cold, metallic underground atmosphere.
Instead, before them stretched a vast, bright courtyard—almost like a hidden paradise.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and flowers.
Green plants flourished. Pavilions and flowing water adorned the grounds.
But what left Neji utterly speechless was not the scenery.
It was the people.
Servants dressed in simple attire moved quietly about, tending to the garden.
And everywhere—women.
Young women, most of them, graceful and soft-spoken. Some serene, some faintly melancholic, some radiating maternal warmth.
And most striking of all—
Many of them were visibly pregnant.
Others held infants wrapped in blankets, soft cries and babbling drifting through the courtyard.
It looked like a hidden sanctuary filled with expectant mothers and newborn children.
"Th-This is…?!" Neji was completely dumbfounded. He spun toward Sasuke, an absurd yet horrifying thought bursting from his mouth before he could stop it. "Your… children? All of them?!"
Sasuke's face darkened instantly, veins nearly popping at his temple.
"No! Don't be ridiculous!"
Neji exhaled in immense relief, patting his chest. "Thank goodness… that would've been terrifying. This many women…"
One woman—he wouldn't think much of it.
A few—he might even envy.
But dozens?
That was frightening.
Sasuke shot him an exasperated glare before his expression hardened once more.
He walked forward through the courtyard. The women who noticed him mostly bowed their heads slightly, their gazes complex.
Sasuke acknowledged them with a faint nod and continued on.
They stopped before a quiet, separate cottage at the far end.
Sasuke pushed open the half-closed door.
Inside, the lighting was soft and warm. The furnishings simple.
On a large bed lay a figure—apparently asleep.
Neji stepped closer.
At first, the face seemed vaguely familiar, stirring something buried deep in memory—an old portrait, perhaps.
Then the name struck him like thunder.
He stumbled back, eyes wide, voice trembling.
"U-Uchiha… Itachi?!"
Neji's throat tightened. "Your brother… didn't you kill him?"
"There are many ways to revive someone," Sasuke replied calmly, closing the door behind them.
"This… is your greatest secret?" Neji asked hoarsely.
Sasuke turned slowly. His six-tomoe Rinnegan held no battle intent now, no conflicted emotion about his brother.
Only cold, iron resolve.
He looked toward the infants—the symbols of "new life."
"I will restore the Uchiha Clan."
Neji froze.
Restore the clan?
At a time like this?
"So," Sasuke continued evenly, "we need sufficient 'members.'"
Neji's expression twisted. A horrifying realization formed.
"So… those children… they're all… your brother's?"
He gestured toward the sleeping Itachi.
Sasuke nodded.
Confirmation.
"He personally destroyed the Uchiha Clan," Sasuke said quietly. At last, a trace of deep-seated frost entered his voice—the crystallized vengeance of years. "So I will make him personally 'give birth' to a new Uchiha Clan."
He paused.
"I have the roster from the night of the massacre. Every newborn will inherit one of those names."
To give the dead's names to children forcibly born from the bloodline of the one who slaughtered them—
Neji felt a chill crawl across his scalp.
"There are so many…" he muttered reflexively. "Can he even manage that?"
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