216-220
Added 2025-08-12 17:18:34 +0000 UTCChapter 216: Night Talk
"Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka!" the referee announced, a toothpick dangling from his mouth and dark circles under his eyes.
Naruto, hearing his name, calmly walked into the arena. He paused slightly as he looked at his opponent. "This guy... I think he was in my class," he mused. "Guess I'll have to go easy on him."
Kiba, full of confidence, looked at the seemingly lackadaisical Naruto and declared, "Hey, dead last, just give up. It'll be more embarrassing if you lose in front of everyone." He figured winning against Naruto wasn't particularly glorious anyway, so he might as well try to convince him to surrender. That way, he'd avoid any unexpected mishaps that could lead to a huge embarrassment.
"Oh? So confident? Is this guy actually strong?" Naruto wondered silently, unable to recall Kiba's name. A spark of interest ignited within him.
"Look, a UFO!" Naruto exclaimed with an exaggerated expression, pointing dramatically behind Kiba. However, Kiba didn't even bother to look. As fellow "class clowns," they had no illusions about each other. Kiba had seen through this kind of trick countless times.
"As expected, a formidable opponent," Naruto murmured, observing Kiba's unwavering composure. This guy was unfazed by such an incredible move. "Could he be deaf or mute?" Naruto thought to himself.
Kiba's face darkened as he heard Naruto's self-muttering. "What kind of situation is this for him to still be fooling around?" he thought. With that, he slightly bent his knees, preparing to show Naruto what he was capable of and quickly win this boring match.
Naruto's brow furrowed slightly as he noticed Kiba preparing to attack. He then realized Kiba's chakra was... a bit low. Naruto decided not to wait for Kiba to make the first move. He charged forward, the wind generated by his speed kicking up dust from the ground.
"So fast!" Kiba's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected Naruto to be this quick. Naruto had always hidden his true strength, acting like the dead last. But this speed? "Are you telling me that's the dead last?!"
Kiba's eyes widened, and he sniffed the air, attempting to pinpoint Naruto's location using his excellent vision and sense of smell. "Found him!" Kiba's eyes lit up for a moment, but then his face went dark. Naruto's shoe sole was rapidly expanding in front of him. Kiba barely managed to dodge by twisting his body. Before he could even utter a threat, a barrage of punches and kicks descended upon him like a violent storm. Instinctively, he covered his head with his arms, protecting his vital areas. He could see them coming, but he couldn't block them! He was still just a kid who had recently graduated. Naruto's speed was clearly off the charts!
Watching the battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth slightly agape, paused his smoking. His gaze was complex as he looked at the small, yellow-haired figure. "Unconsciously, Naruto has become this strong, huh?" Naruto's speed reminded Hiruzen of Minato Namikaze.
While Naruto's speed seemed incredibly fast to ordinary people, in Hiruzen's eyes, it was just... decent. Merely excellent, nothing more. However, to others, it was inexplicably fast. Especially for Rock Lee and Might Guy, with their bowl cuts and thick eyebrows, who inexplicably became excited, as if they had found kindred spirits. This kind of speed required corresponding physical strength. And there was no shortcut to physical training; one could only get stronger step by step, through sweat and effort. Few people still spent so much time on physical enhancement.
"Lee, this is youth! OWOOO!" Two figures, one large and one small, resembling kappas, hugged each other and cried uncontrollably, occasionally letting out a wolf howl. The young boy and girl standing beside them silently walked a few steps away, afraid of being infected and of others misunderstanding.
Seconds later, Kiba lay sprawled on the ground. This was a battle between completely different levels. It was a total wipeout. Kiba stared blankly at the ceiling of the indoor arena. "Is this really the dead last? Then what am I?"
"This must be a nightmare, right? Please, wake me up..." Two lines of tears streamed from Kiba's eyes. They weren't from the punches that rained down on him, but from the deep bitterness in his heart that made him feel so miserable.
Back at home, Itachi handed Orochimaru the container with Madara's flesh and said, "Please, extract the cells from this lump of flesh." Orochimaru, who was just looking at a chess board, instantly perked up upon hearing Itachi's words. When it came to this kind of thing, he certainly wasn't sleepy! A moment later, the mysterious laboratory hidden beneath the Hidden Leaf Village glowed faintly once more.
"Naruto... what exactly caused such a big change in you? Is it the Nine-Tails?" In his office, as dusk fell, Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself in his office, which was slowly being swallowed by darkness. He had no intention of turning on the lights. In front of him lay a stack of reports, daily submissions from the Anbu. He couldn't find a single anomaly.
He thought of Naruto's vibrant appearance and frowned deeply. He didn't want to push Naruto into the limelight too soon. He didn't want Naruto to show off his abilities.
"You seem troubled." Just as Hiruzen was deep in thought, a figure suddenly appeared in the dim room. The figure's voice struck Hiruzen like a bolt of lightning.
"Why is he looking for me at this time? When did he even enter the Hidden Leaf Village?" Hiruzen's mind raced. The surprise that had subconsciously surfaced in the darkness vanished. After all, his composure had been refined to perfection; he had this much self-control.
"What are you doing in the Hidden Leaf Village?" After a moment, a despondent Hiruzen, unable to figure it out, finally asked.
"I came to the Hidden Leaf Village to do something," Itachi said softly, looking at the aging Hiruzen. Itachi's calm words, however, made Hiruzen's heart pound. "Do something? What kind of 'something'?" There was a whole lot of unspoken meaning there.
"Cough..." A distracted Hiruzen was choked by his dry tobacco smoke. "What is it?" Hiruzen's eyes became calm, but even in the darkness, Itachi still saw a sharp glint. This was the gaze that Hiruzen had once shed, now rekindled.
"The Uchiha clan is a tragic clan. The Sharingan is powerful, but it's not the main point, not at all. It requires not only talent but also a crucial direct point to activate its power... And Sasuke already has the Three-Tomoe Sharingan... The future is full of crises, and Sasuke has no time." It was unclear what Itachi was thinking, bringing this up to Hiruzen at this moment.
Hearing Itachi's words, Hiruzen's eyes deepened in thought. Itachi's calm words concealed many shocking secrets. But Hiruzen vaguely understood. Itachi was talking about Sasuke. Could it be? Hiruzen's eyes widened, as if he had suddenly remembered something.
Chapter 217: A Coming Storm
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly thought of an old comrade...
Uchiha Kagami...
The one who had the same eyes as Itachi and Shisui...
Plus, the reason Kagami awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan was similar to Itachi's, who awakened his when Shisui died.
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly discovered a terrifying secret.
This was a massive secret, enough to make his heart pound erratically.
If the Uchiha clan hadn't been wiped out, and then this...
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't even bear to imagine the consequences.
---
"As expected of the Professor, I didn't realize your academic knowledge was also so vast."
Itachi said, noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotional fluctuations, with a hint of praise in his voice.
"What's the use of saying that now?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi paid no mind to Itachi's compliment. Instead, his eyes gleamed as he looked at Itachi.
This young man in front of him, he was no longer a match for him...
Maybe?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand found a mechanism on his desk.
He pondered if his current strength could keep Itachi here.
If he could eliminate Itachi, then perhaps Sasuke could...
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart pounded uncontrollably.
But then he remembered Itachi's uncanny way of appearing and disappearing, and he fell silent.
The imagination was beautiful, but the reality was a bit hard to accept.
"You want to kill me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmed down, his eyes deep, like the night sky.
"No, I'm just asking you to die once, for Sasuke's sake. I've witnessed all the good you've done for him."
Itachi shook his head slightly after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
He looked out the window; the morning light had completely faded, and the moonlight was obscured by dark clouds.
Now was the darkest hour...
---
One by one, the lights began to turn on, like scattered stars.
The faint lights brought a bit of brightness to the dark Hokage's office.
"You wouldn't dare kill me. If you did, combined with your past misdeeds, you'd never gain Sasuke's forgiveness again."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Itachi through the dim light, speaking in a low voice.
"After the day I personally killed my parents, do you think I still care about those things?"
Itachi shook his head slightly at Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
Even though they were somewhat sorrowful words, Itachi spoke them as if discussing everyday matters.
---
And Itachi's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi pause.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. The things Itachi did back then were inextricably linked to him.
Before he knew it, things had reached that point...
Indeed, once a major trend begins, the torrent becomes unstoppable.
"Do you really think you can kill me? That kind of power must have side effects, right? And with just the sealing scrolls you stole? How many can you even learn?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi regained his composure.
He spoke calmly, but in his mind, he was constantly calculating, trying to extract information.
Itachi had come so openly to declare war, he must have made thorough preparations.
---
"You're old, it's time for you to die. Wouldn't it be a final contribution to Konoha?"
Itachi didn't bother to respond to Hiruzen Sarutobi. His visit this time was merely to play psychological games.
His mere presence would become a nagging worry for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Orochimaru eventually attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hiruzen would be wary of Itachi, who hadn't appeared, and would likely not use the Reaper Death Seal, saving it to deal with Itachi himself.
Of course, Itachi also thought that Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have changed somehow.
Maybe Hiruzen would even cooperate... just kidding.
---
"If you're going to make a move, do it. Taking my life isn't just about flapping your lips."
Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed Itachi talking to himself and not responding to him.
Realizing he couldn't get any information, he spoke directly.
"..."
Itachi just looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi like he was an idiot, making no move.
If he wanted to make a move, he wouldn't be wasting so much time talking.
"If you're not going to attack, then leave. This old man still needs to go home and have dinner with his beloved grandson."
Seeing Itachi's calm demeanor, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of speechlessness.
This young man didn't act like a young man.
Too calm...
So, he deliberately tried to provoke Itachi with words.
After all, Itachi knew that Hiruzen was one of the culprits behind the Uchiha clan's destruction, while Sasuke unknowingly viewed him as a father figure.
And they had formed a deep bond.
He found it amusing just thinking about it.
Itachi was still too naive...
What if he had immense power? He would always be a loser.
In the past, he was merely a political puppet, and now, even with incredible power, he still couldn't outsmart him.
---
Itachi gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep look.
Then, his figure began to dissipate.
That look made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel like he'd fallen into an ice cavern.
Joking around was fun, but...
It seemed he had provoked someone he shouldn't have...
However, thinking of Itachi's character, no matter what, even if he made a move, it would only be against Hiruzen himself.
He wouldn't harm the village he loved.
These hot-blooded youths were truly hopeless.
If it were him, he would definitely choose an eye for an eye. On the night of the clan's destruction, he wouldn't have been fooled...
He forgot that at that time, Itachi was just a child.
And he had the experience and insight of someone with one foot in the grave.
Comparing himself to a child was truly a bit ironic.
---
In fact, a faint sadness welled up in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
He just hid it.
And his head was already throbbing.
Clearly, Itachi was going to make a move against him, but he had no information whatsoever.
And Danzo was always slacking off; he couldn't stand alone...
On the surface, he was glamorous, but in reality, his subordinates were all insincere.
The great tree of Konoha was already riddled with蛀蟲, scarred, and who knew when this towering tree might fall.
And when it did, there would undoubtedly be heavy casualties.
"What is Shimura Danzo doing right now? If he saw this, he'd probably be laughing at me in his heart..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and smoked.
The strong calming effect of the smoke couldn't quiet his troubled mind.
A storm was approaching, and this time, he truly didn't know how to resist it.
On one hand, he was old and somewhat unable to manage things anymore.
On the other hand, this storm was too big...
It had already exceeded his capabilities...
---
"Itachi, this flesh isn't simple at all..."
A few hours later, Itachi was studying a shogi board, preparing to dominate tomorrow.
Orochimaru pushed the door open, holding a syringe full of green fluid.
His eyes held excitement, surprise, curiosity, and various other emotions.
He didn't know where Itachi had gotten such a potent piece of flesh.
It looked very fresh, as if it had just been obtained.
At the same time, his heart was incredibly astonished.
There was such a powerful creature in this world, and he hadn't known about it.
---
"Yes, it's very complicated. The storm is coming soon. You should try your best to strengthen your own power."
Itachi nodded, responding to Orochimaru's words.
He earnestly added, "If you can't quickly increase your strength, then get more ways to save yourself. This is the Flying Thunder God, take it and study it carefully."
Itachi took out a scroll with his annotations on it.
This was all he could do.
As for other matters, Orochimaru could do them, but whether he was willing to was unknown to Itachi.
Ultimately, it was Orochimaru's choice.
Chapter 218: Melancholy
Orochimaru was silent, watching Itachi teach him his signature Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Normally, someone with this technique wouldn't want to pass it on.
Unless it was to someone incredibly close.
Otherwise, if an enemy appeared who could use the Flying Thunder God, it basically meant they were unkillable.
Wouldn't that just cause more trouble for yourself?
He hadn't expected Itachi to teach him this jutsu.
He opened it and saw that it even had annotations.
Orochimaru felt the weight of the scroll in his hands.
---
"Thank you..."
Orochimaru spoke, stunned.
"Train hard. Master it quickly."
Itachi didn't answer Orochimaru directly, instead offering complex words of encouragement.
Then, remembering that Orochimaru's will wasn't something he could easily change, he shook his head slightly and picked up the syringe from the table.
"Okay..."
Orochimaru took the scroll and left the room. After closing Itachi's door, his footsteps gradually faded.
At this point, Itachi, who had been examining the syringe, slowly came back to himself.
Then he brought it close to his wrist.
---
"I forgot to ask, how do you get to the moon? Do I just... fly there?"
After Madara finished his preparations, he looked at the large full moon in the sky, feeling a bit melancholic.
He thought about his flying speed, which made him feel a little speechless.
After all, from this distance, it looked quite far...
And he had tried it before when flying at high altitudes.
The higher he flew, the stronger the pulling force became.
He planned to capture the person first, then bring them back so Black Zetsu could see for himself and they could negotiate.
Otherwise, if they just played dumb or acted clueless, there would be no way to have a serious conversation.
Madara had dealt with Black Zetsu enough to know what he was like.
---
"It seems my body is already very strong..."
Sitting on the bed, a used syringe lay beside him.
Itachi sensed the state of his body and muttered to himself.
He had thought he might pass out for a while, like before.
He hadn't expected any physiological reactions or side effects.
This left him feeling a bit lost and confused.
He even felt that if he didn't pass out, his cells wouldn't fully absorb it.
He was just being ridiculous.
He didn't even consider his current strength, plus the almost perfect Asura Chakra. How could assimilating Indra Chakra now be like it was before?
---
Land of Rain.
A gaunt man, propelled by wheels, was slowly moving towards the city.
This gaunt, emaciated man was Nagato.
His chakra had now recovered about thirty to forty percent.
The bloodstains on his eyes had also been washed away by the heavy rain.
But his overall condition wasn't good.
At this moment, his eyes were lifeless. His arms and cheeks were covered in wrinkles, like an old man's.
His originally red hair had all turned white.
He now looked like an elderly man in his seventies.
Without the Rinnegan's suppression, the consequences of overdrawing his life force had finally shown themselves.
Even though he was from the Uzumaki clan, he couldn't change the fundamental depletion of his body's essence.
It was irreversible.
He could no longer use any of the Rinnegan's techniques, including the Deva Path.
He had personally buried Yahiko's body.
At this moment, he no longer possessed the vibrant spirit he had when he first emerged, that ethereal aura of commanding the world.
His entire being was filled with an aged weariness, like a frail old man on the verge of death.
---
"Tomorrow's the final, huh? Am I really going to get that Chunin promotion spot?"
Naruto lay on his bed, hands behind his head, using the moonlight from outside to stare at the ceiling, thinking to himself.
He always wanted to make a big splash, but it seemed like there hadn't been any opportunities.
"Naruto-sama is gonna leave a big mark on Konoha! Then I'll leave in style, this trash village, Naruto-sama isn't serving you anymore!"
Naruto thought, trying to sound nonchalant.
But Sasuke's image kept appearing in his mind.
If it weren't for these critical times, he would have confided in Sasuke.
But he was afraid of putting too much pressure on Sasuke, so he kept quiet.
---
"Damn it, I'm really going to miss it..."
Naruto's low murmur came from the room.
Now that it had really come to this, he was actually a little undecided.
Outside the village held no appeal for him.
He only wanted to leave because he couldn't bear to look at the village his father had given his life to protect.
Revenge wouldn't feel right, and just looking at it made him irritable.
It was better to leave early.
Otherwise, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself.
---
"Tomorrow's the final."
Just as Itachi started to zone out again, his eyes distant.
Kakashi opened the door and said softly.
"Already?"
Itachi was slightly stunned by Kakashi's words.
Shouldn't the finals have been postponed for a month?
Or was it that he had already met the old man Hiruzen, and that old man wasn't postponing it to come up with countermeasures?!
Itachi felt a sense of being underestimated.
---
And why not? Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain Itachi wouldn't attack the village.
He wasn't worried at all.
And even if he did make some arrangements, they probably wouldn't do any good.
"Sasuke, eat more meat. Grow strong so you can become an excellent ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't pick up his chopsticks, just looked at Sasuke with a benevolent expression.
"Grandpa, am I really your grandson?"
Konohamaru sat next to him, chewing his food loudly, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some dissatisfaction.
Was he really that invisible?
Completely ignored.
"Silly child, you should learn more from Sasuke in the future. If there's anything you don't understand, ask your big brother."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Konohamaru with doting affection and spoke seriously.
---
"Grandpa, you eat too, or the food will get cold. Tomorrow, Big Brother is in the finals, and then he'll be promoted to Jonin!"
Konohamaru grumbled, seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't picked up his chopsticks.
In his eyes, it was just a small Chunin exam; Big Brother Naruto would easily win.
"Alright, alright... Grandpa will eat too, let's eat together."
The family enjoyed their meal together in harmony.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze kept lingering on the two children.
"I thought I had so much more time to watch you two grow, didn't I? How ironic. Life truly is about seeing someone one less time each encounter, and I never expected time to pass so quickly. Grandpa truly can't bear to leave you... You two must be well in the future... Be happy and joyful..."
Watching his two grandsons devour their meal with gusto.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn't utter a word.
In the end, he could only bid farewell to his two grandsons in his heart...
He already had a premonition.
Tomorrow would be his final chapter...
Before, he hadn't had so many emotions. He always thought life was just like this, and that he should just cherish each day.
But now, he truly couldn't bear to leave...
He hadn't seen Konohamaru and Sasuke get married yet.
He hadn't held his great-grandchildren yet...
He hadn't seen this year's snow yet...
In short... there was just too much he couldn't bear to let go of...
Chapter 219: Slight Plan Adjustment
"How's your Flying Thunder God Jutsu training coming along? Any questions?" After Itachi told Kakashi the time, he had Kakashi summon Orochimaru to his room.
"It's truly a wondrous jutsu! With your notes, training has been surprisingly smooth. Though, my talent is limited, so I doubt my execution will be as perfect as yours," Orochimaru said, his eyes gleaming, as he lightly licked his lips with fervent excitement, looking at Itachi.
"Just finish the training first. Once you modify your body, these won't be issues anymore," Itachi nodded, quite pleased with Orochimaru's progress. Such a talent as Orochimaru was simply too precious. Itachi couldn't deny caring about it deeply.
"You didn't just call me here for that, did you?" Noticing the slight conflict in Itachi's eyes, Orochimaru proactively asked.
"Indeed, there's something else," Itachi rubbed his troubled brow, a hint of distress in his voice. "Tomorrow is the final round. That will be a good time to make our move. I intend for you to injure Hiruzen Sarutobi, and then Danzo will deliver the final blow." Itachi said softly, looking into Orochimaru's eyes.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura could be brought to an end tomorrow. Plus, Itachi had ordered Danzo to collect a good deal of materials. These contained numerous dark secrets about Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even more about Danzo Shimura himself. Over the decades, Hiruzen hadn't truly done much wrong; his greatest mistake was endless indulgence and... his self-righteous schemes. How could he possibly wash his hands clean of those? For him to die at Danzo Shimura's hands would be the best outcome for him, for Sasuke, for Orochimaru, and for Hiruzen himself, wouldn't it?
However, Itachi reconsidered. He decided not to tarnish Hiruzen's reputation. Let him die as a hero. After all, Sasuke had benefited so much from him, and Hiruzen had been kind to Sasuke. Dying now could still help Sasuke in the future. As for Danzo Shimura, he would self-detonate after killing Hiruzen, and then commit suicide.
"Why? Didn't we agree on something else?" Orochimaru said, looking at the contemplative Itachi, utterly stunned after hearing Itachi's words. Clearly, he was quite displeased with Itachi's last-minute change.
Itachi looked at Orochimaru's indignant expression, feeling a headache coming on. But after thinking for a moment, he decided it was best to explain clearly to Orochimaru to avoid any resentment.
"Danzo Shimura was your teacher's teammate, from the same generation."
"I know you want to kill Hiruzen because you want him to die at his peak, you don't want to see him old and a hero past his prime. If he were to die by your hand, wouldn't it stain his lifelong reputation? And you yourself would surely feel uneasy later. So, I think this is the best outcome for Hiruzen Sarutobi, don't you agree?"
Itachi patiently persuaded Orochimaru, watching as the difficult expression on Orochimaru's face softened slightly. He sighed in relief, though not entirely. Seizing the opportunity, he pressed on, "Besides, your sensei Hiruzen isn't someone to be underestimated. He also knows an incredibly powerful jutsu, and I don't want anything to happen to you..." Itachi stared intently at Orochimaru, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"You're talking about the Reaper Death Seal, aren't you?" Orochimaru said, taking over Itachi's words, his heart warming slightly at the concern on Itachi's face.
"You know?" Orochimaru's words slightly surprised Itachi. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to know about that. So why, in the original story, did Orochimaru almost get taken out by it? Itachi found himself unable to understand Orochimaru.
"I didn't know how it worked, but I knew of the jutsu, and I knew that an aging Hiruzen would certainly use it. That's just the kind of person he is," Orochimaru calmly explained. "However, Itachi, you know so much. Not only my own vague thoughts, but also Sensei Hiruzen's trump card. You know everything." Orochimaru's slit pupils focused on Itachi, a flicker of brilliance in his eyes. He was incredibly curious. Itachi had always seemed omniscient and omnipotent. Not yet eighteen, and his strength was already something Orochimaru could only gaze up at.
"I can only tell you that we are friends, aren't we?" Itachi said, his expression gentle and serious in response to Orochimaru's words.
"Alright, I understand. I'll leave the final blow to Danzo," Orochimaru said, a sudden smile playing on his lips, speaking seriously, as if convinced by Itachi.
"Let's hope so," Itachi muttered to himself, watching Orochimaru's retreating back. He had said what needed to be said, done what needed to be done. The plan was constantly being revised, perfected to its absolute best. If something still went wrong, there was nothing more he could do.
If Orochimaru were sealed by the Reaper Death Seal, it would be fine if only his hands were sealed. But if there were no First or Second Hokage to assist with Edo Tensei, and Orochimaru was simply finished, Itachi wouldn't be able to save him. After all, Orochimaru had only managed to release the souls consumed by the Reaper by acquiring the Reaper Mask and a White Zetsu, through some operations Itachi didn't understand. For Itachi to figure out the principles behind it would require a vast amount of time. And time was what he lacked most right now.
This time, he had used some hidden secrets to hold back Madara. But it also drastically accelerated the world's progression. Otherwise, if Madara wasn't kept occupied, Itachi feared Madara would get some strange ideas. And then Itachi would be caught off guard.
"Madara? Are you talking about Madara Uchiha?" In a cave, Black Zetsu was processing the intelligence brought by Obito. Black Zetsu thought of the wise and powerful Madara and was speechless for a moment. But then, he remembered seeing Obito and Itachi during the Warring States period. He speculated, "Could it be that the last time there was an accident, and they traveled to that era?" Black Zetsu thought to himself, his expression remaining outwardly calm. At the same time, some things that he couldn't understand before suddenly became clear. Unlike Obito, he was now prepared to have a good talk with Madara. No wonder Madara had been like a slippery eel all these years. Always so elusive, Obito guessed Madara must know a lot... And who could have told Madara all these things... A figure appeared in Black Zetsu's mind... It was Itachi Uchiha. This feeling was very strange; even he couldn't quite explain it. Perhaps meeting Itachi should be added to his itinerary.
"This truly is a golden age..." Black Zetsu kept calculating in his mind.
"Black Zetsu, are you listening?" Obito, remembering Black Zetsu in the Warring States period, also had his mind racing. Unfortunately, Black Zetsu wasn't taking the bait; he was truly a master of emotional and facial control. Obito couldn't discern anything from him, let alone trick him into talking. A sense of annoyance accumulated within him. His feelings weren't good; he kept feeling like everything was strange. Would Madara still proceed with the plan he spoke of, creating a new world? This question gradually became a big question mark in Obito's mind.
Chapter 220: The Finals Begin
"Oh, I didn't expect this," Black Zetsu sighed dramatically, seemingly surprised by Obito's urgent tone. In his mind, he already had a new plan. Since Madara wasn't dead, he'd just work with Madara. What was there to talk about with a kid like Obito?
---
Seeing Black Zetsu's expression, Obito fell silent. Then, he quietly turned and left. If that was the case, then he would just have to rely on himself. Thankfully, the Akatsuki, that huge "cake," hadn't been discovered yet. He would go take it over. Both the intelligence and the members still had some use, especially the information regarding the Tailed Beasts. Obito thought to himself.
Then, as if remembering something, he opened his Kamui dimension and checked on the Three-Tails. He found that the Three-Tails, which had seemed so ethereal it was almost dissipating, was now in much better condition. Although still very weak, it was far from its previous state of being on the verge of collapse. It would be quite comical if the Three-Tails died. If it could be revived, it would take at least several years. If it couldn't be revived, or if it revived in the historical timeline, that would be even more ridiculous.
---
This also made him feel helpless. Just two Three-Tails seeing each other—not even a true encounter, just being within a hundred meters—and the future Three-Tails from the Warring States period nearly went defunct. If he hadn't returned quickly, the Three-Tails would have been done for. And this was the Three-Tails, a Tailed Beast with incredibly strong life force. If it were anyone else, they would have likely evaporated in seconds, perhaps leaving no ashes behind. Obito shivered at the thought of such consequences. Even with the augmentation of his White Zetsu body, that is, Hashirama's cells, he, far exceeding ordinary people, felt he couldn't withstand it for even three seconds. This just showed how powerful this "correction force," like an antivirus, truly was.
---
"So big now, and still not covering up properly. What would you do if I...?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Konohamaru, dressed in yellow pajamas, tightly hugging Sasuke, who was in blue pajamas. He murmured softly. The blanket was almost on the floor. Hiruzen gently bent down, carefully pulling the blanket up and covering them both. For fear of waking them, Hiruzen felt like he was on a stealth mission. He looked at them deeply for a moment, then turned and gently closed the door.
He felt his empty pocket, speechless. His ever-present pipe seemed to have been left in the office. "Ah, it's been a long time since I've looked closely at the moon. It seems as round as it was decades ago," Hiruzen muttered to himself, standing in the small courtyard, contemplating whether to retrieve his pipe, when his gaze was drawn upward. Enjoying the cool breeze in the courtyard and listening to the cicadas in the trees, he quietly watched the moonlight. He seemed like a lonely old man. In the depths of his eyes, there was a hint of relief.
---
A gentle breeze billowed, rustling his Hokage robes, revealing a corner of his black battle suit. For over a decade, it had been the same. Fearing sudden incidents and wasting time getting dressed, he always slept in his battle suit, using it as pajamas. During the day, he would simply put on his Hokage robe over it. From afar, the small courtyard formed a beautiful scene. The shadows of a few watchtowers on the ground, combined with the cicada's chirping and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves, created a living painting, like a close-up shot.
---
"Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga!" Hayate, still looking sickly, called out the names of the combatants. Naruto, usually composed, now had a somewhat grim expression. Especially since Hinata was thoroughly beaten by Neji yesterday. That cute, shy, and often blushing classmate with the white eyes. In short, Naruto was just really annoyed by this Neji, who also had white eyes. He didn't even know why.
---
Compared to the furious Naruto, Neji Hyuga was quite calm at this moment. However, his gaze was far from friendly, looking at Naruto as if he were an ant. "He's always been the dead last. Why can't he just accept the fate of a dead last and stop struggling?" Neji's Byakugan gleamed with a cold light.
"Neji Hyuga, are you ready?" Naruto walked into the arena and, surprisingly, calmed down. His eyes were clear now, completely different from how he looked when he first stepped onto the field.
---
Seeing Naruto's emotional shift, Neji's eyes showed a hint of solemnity. After all, they were both young. Those who could control their emotions were not simple people. In battle, many with weak wills could easily be swayed by other emotions, affecting their judgment and leading to defeat. This showed how important emotional control was for a ninja.
"Naruto, you're not bad." The word "dead last" almost escaped Neji's lips but was swallowed back. The Naruto before him was someone worth remembering.
---
"Go, Neji!" Lee, in the stands, cheered loudly for Neji. Although he had been defeated, he hadn't been crippled by Gaara. After all, Orochimaru hadn't taken out the Kazekage, so they weren't there to cause trouble. For a village as powerful as Konoha, they naturally didn't dare to be too arrogant. And the unpredictable Gaara, facing his own father, could only helplessly suppress the raging cries within him.
"Go, Naruto!" Unlike Lee, Guy openly defected and started cheering for Naruto. Even though Neji was his disciple and a renowned genius, he still admired Naruto more. Naruto's yellow battle attire and his own green jumpsuit had a strange synergy. And Naruto's excellent physical strength filled him with curiosity about the boy.
---
"Lord Mizukage, they've started fighting! Stop looking around. Anyone would think you're a spy from another village!" Mei Terumī whispered to Jūzō Biwa, who was standing behind her, looking around left and right. After all, they were sitting right next to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Kazekage. Being so conspicuous in the crowd would greatly affect their image. They should learn to be as calm and composed as others, Mei thought to herself.
Jūzō paid no mind to Mei's words. He hadn't seen that kid in a long time. Today was his little brother's big day, and he guessed Itachi would surely be there. So he was searching for Itachi. Even if Itachi would undoubtedly use some hidden technique or disguise himself. Therefore, he had no interest in the fight itself. Trying to guess where Itachi was was far more interesting.
---
Itachi, disguised as a wealthy merchant, naturally spotted Jūzō. Itachi shook his head slightly and chuckled softly. "So much time has passed, and this Jūzō is still so unreliable," he thought. He stood out immensely sitting alongside the other Kage. Itachi seemed to understand why people said Jūzō only had the qualifications to be an interim Mizukage. To be the official Mizukage was perhaps a bit too... imprecise. As for Orochimaru, who was sitting to Itachi's left, he was watching Neji with great interest. Kakashi, on the other hand, was staring intently at Naruto, unable to even blink. Of course, he was watching... more than just Naruto... he was capturing every precious frame.
