After a deep kiss, a flushed Inuzuka Rinko still couldn't forget her original question.
"What kind of path could turn Hideki into what he is now?"
"A reckless path—the same kind the First Hokage walked. Hideki realized it's simply unrealistic to change the minds of the remaining clansmen, because deep down, he admires that very philosophy. So he decided to replicate the First Hokage's way: if words don't work, settle it with fists. Conquer the Land of Fire, and there will be no war there. Conquer the entire shinobi world, and there will be no war anywhere. Without war, no one dies."
"Now I get it. Ryoha, you're so annoying. It's such a simple thing—why did you make it sound so complicated?"
"If I didn't dress it up a bit, how could I steal a kiss from our dear Rinko?"
"Ugh, you're the worst! I'm ignoring you!"
Blushing furiously, Inuzuka Rinko ran off.
Ryoha watched her back with a doting smile.
"Eimaru."
Woof woof woof!
Finally remembered me, Lord Eimaru!
The man and dog started roughhousing.
"So, are you ready? Once Shiken and the others return, we begin. This will be a path no one has ever walked before."
Woof woof woof!
I've been ready for ages!
From now on, I'll be the number one dog in the shinobi world!
"Good partner."
They went back to playing again.
...
Outside the Land of Fire,
Aburame Shiken and the others were each riding on giant parasitic insects, heading back toward Konoha.
Hideki: "Shiken, how about switching my bug? This one's kind of slow."
The other three all turned their heads at the same time, looking at the struggling insect barely carrying Hideki through the air, then at their own relaxed, steady mounts.
Isn't it possible… the problem is you?
Uchiha Kamito reminded him,
"Hideki, you could use Ultralight-Weight Rock Technique."
"No. That technique weakens my connection to the earth. The path I'm on requires me to strengthen that connection at all times. Using it would set my training back by days. Not worth it."
"Aburame Secret Technique: Giant Parasitic Insect."
Shiken spawned several more insects, which together lifted Hideki up, barely allowing him to keep pace.
Hyūga Hiyasu looked at Hideki's awkward state and couldn't help but complain,
"You're trying to build a connection with the earth… don't tell me you're aiming to become the first man to sign a contract with it?"
Ding.
Shiken and Kamito immediately reacted.
That idea… actually had potential.
Shiken found the idea quite appealing—an earth-based insect clan, burrowing insect swarms… it all sounded promising.
Kamito, on the other hand, got greedy.
A man who signs a contract with the wind—I'd become a man like the wind.
A man who signs with lightning—smash darkness with thunder.
At worst, sign with the ocean and become someone like Tobirama. He wouldn't mind that either.
Tobirama: That's my research, my techniques—and you're looking down on me?!
Hideki thought to himself: I might be more straightforward and reckless now, but I'm not stupid.
He quickly stopped the two who were about to start sucking up to him.
"Stop. The materials are at my house. Go read them yourselves when you have time. Don't bother me."
Uh…
Isn't getting something for nothing kind of wrong?
But after exchanging a glance, both of them immediately felt justified.
Shiken: If the Uchiha can read it, why can't I?
Kamito: If a scheming guy like him can read it, why can't a bright, cheerful guy like me?
Thinking that way, they both accepted Hideki's materials without guilt.
Hideki was satisfied—now no one would bother him.
Shiken was satisfied—if Kamito could read it, why couldn't he?
Kamito was satisfied—if Shiken could read it, why couldn't he?
Only one person was dissatisfied—
Tobirama, whose soul resided in the Pure Land: Those are my techniques, my research! That brat Hideki is handing them out like they're nothing!
...
In a dark, unknown space somewhere in the shinobi world,
pfft—
The aged Uchiha Madara spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Damn it… I'm running out of time. That brat in the Land of Rain is growing too slowly. The plan needs to change. The shinobi world must fall into chaos. Konoha is still too strong… as expected of the village I built. Hahaha!"
Madara laughed as he coughed up blood.
In the corner, two White Zetsu stared at him like he was crazy.
"Hey… do you think Madara-sama's gone senile? Isn't Konoha our enemy?"
"Exactly! And isn't the whole shinobi world our enemy? Who gets happy when their enemies are strong?"
"I think humans have a term for this condition…"
"Senile dementia?"
"Yeah, that's it."
Suddenly, cold sweat poured down both their bodies.
"M-Madara-sama…"
As soon as one of them spoke, both of their heads separated cleanly from their bodies.
The silent White Zetsu, in its final moments, had a strange thought:
I really wish I knew what it feels like to take a dump…
"Black Zetsu."
A dark figure slowly rose from the ground behind Madara.
"Madara-sama, what are your orders?"
"Take this… to the jinchūriki, except for the Nine-Tails."
"Heh heh heh… fragments of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path? Madara-sama truly plans everything."
"The other four great villages are too weak. I need the remaining jinchūriki to gain combat power quickly. And that Uzumaki in the Land of Rain is improving far too slowly. I may not live to see him master the Rinne Rebirth Technique. I need a proxy. Do we have a suitable candidate?"
"This generation of Uchiha has already been molded in Uchiha Kamito's image. If you want someone, you'll have to wait for the next batch—and even then, there's no guarantee."
"That's fine. Take your time choosing. Once a person dies, they have nothing left. Kamito won't survive the next great shinobi war."
"Understood, Madara-sama. I'll get to work."
Black Zetsu took the fragments and sank into the ground.
"Cough, cough… Hashirama, once a person dies, everything is gone. After your death, war has once again engulfed the shinobi world. I will prove that I was right. Infinite Tsukuyomi is the only path to true peace… and in that world, you'll live well too."
Izuna: Brother, what about me? Stop thinking only about Senju Hashirama!
"And you too, Izuna. In that world, you'll be revived as well."
Izuna: Good… you didn't forget me. Tobirama—I will have my revenge!
...
Night fell.
The One-Tail's jinchūriki monk's prayer beads,
the Two-Tail's jinchūriki—a middle-aged female ninja's hairpin,
the Three-Tail's jinchūriki—an elderly member of the Hōzuki clan's pendant,
the Four-Tail's jinchūriki Rōshi's gourd,
the Five-Tail's jinchūriki Han's armor,
the Six-Tail's jinchūriki—a melancholic handsome man's flute,
the Seven-Tail's jinchūriki—an unknown ninja's forehead protector,
the Eight-Tail's jinchūriki, young B—
All seemed to gain something indescribable.
Yet all eight jinchūriki felt their tailed beasts grow calmer.
That night, they all slept unusually well.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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