546-550

Chapter 546: The Caged Bird! 

"Bloodline Selection?!" 

At this moment, within the Primordial Sphere, Shinji abruptly stood up, staring in shock at the three swirling masses of blue, white, and black chakra in Indra’s palm. 

With a single glance, he immediately recognized the white mass as ‘Dust Release,’ a Bloodline Selection technique. 

It took the form of a white cube, seemingly embodying the most stable chakra structure in existence. 

Shinji had previously seen this same technique used by the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of Iwagakure. Despite his old age, Onoki had managed to unleash Dust Release with full force, even blocking Shinji’s then-strongest attack, ‘Lightning Release: Super Kirin Sword,’ to protect the last remnants of Iwagakure’s forces. 

However, Indra seemed unimpressed by Shinji’s astonishment and exhaled deeply before speaking. 

“These ‘techniques’ weren’t created by me; they are the ultimate crystallization of the ‘ninjutsu system,’ developed over thousands of years by countless ninja who came before us.” 

“The white one is Dust Release. Its essence lies in negating the electromagnetic repulsion between protons, allowing nucleons to cluster together. This enables the most extreme transformation of matter and energy, stabilizing atomic nuclei. Dust Release manipulates this process, ultimately unleashing the most stable yet most volatile force of annihilation on a microscopic scale. 

The blue one is Origin Release, a fundamental force that operates solely on a subatomic level. It governs weak interactions, playing a role in beta decay and altering the number of protons and neutrons within a nucleus. It also explains phenomena like the production of solar energy. Why do you look so confused? Never mind, just think of it as something even more potent than the Sage Body—capable of generating and releasing unfathomable amounts of energy instantly. 

The black one is Vector Release, a force that arises from interactions between electrical charges. It causes like charges to repel and opposite charges to attract. By manipulating the distribution of charges within matter using chakra, it alters the properties of elemental ninjutsu, genjutsu, and sound or electromagnetic-based techniques, greatly amplifying their power to terrifying levels. And then there’s this one…" 

Indra slightly activated the chakra in his palm, and in the seemingly empty air, an invisible, colorless mass of chakra materialized, subtly vibrating the surrounding atmosphere. 

Shinji swallowed hard, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched Indra casually explain the principles of these Bloodline Selection techniques. 

He couldn’t help but think: Is the pinnacle of ninjutsu actually just science? 

Dust Release, Origin Release, Vector Release—if you translate them into scientific terms, they correspond to strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and electromagnetic force. And there was still one more Indra hadn’t mentioned yet. If he wasn’t mistaken, it had to be gravitational force! 

The four fundamental forces of the universe are all here?! 

Ancestor, stop explaining! I don’t understand a word of this! 

“Hm? So, you don’t understand?” 

Indra paused for a moment, giving Shinji a look of realization, as if he had just discovered Ji was an idiot. Then, adjusting his wording slightly, he lifted his palm, revealing the colorless, invisible chakra mass once more. 

“This is Resonance Release. It utilizes microscopic vibrations and string theory to alter the gravitational and mass relationships between matter. Fine, just think of it as an advanced version of the Bloodline Limit Magnet Release—except it can do things Magnet Release never could, like teleportation, shockwaves, or imbuing objects and bodies with high-frequency vibrations, creating weapons that can cut through anything.” 

“Oh, by the way, your Ame-no-Murakumo Sword is actually a divine weapon forged using this exact power. It is, in theory, the only technique capable of harming a Sage of Six Paths. Unfortunately, the creator of this technique—an ancestor of the Land of Craftsmen—died early, and his bloodline was never passed down.” 

Upon hearing this, Shinji felt as if his brain had just been bombarded by an unscientific force known as ‘science.’ 

Wait a minute! 

Is this still the shinobi world, or am I in some high-tech physics laboratory?! 

High-frequency vibration weapons? Seriously?! 

He had always suspected that the shinobi world's technological tree was all over the place, but this was ridiculous! 

Feeling dazed, he looked up at Indra in confusion. 

You’ve mastered the four fundamental forces of the universe… so why haven’t you defeated your father yet? 

With this kind of power, shouldn’t the Sage of Six Paths be hanging from the ceiling by now? 

At that moment, as if sensing the bewilderment in Shinji’s gaze, Indra let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. 

“Shinji, I think you may have misunderstood these abilities.” 

“The essence of ‘techniques’ is simply the application of power. In other words, it is a way to learn and mimic the forces of nature. Just as mastering Fire Release requires understanding heat, burning, and combustion, all techniques are merely imitations of natural forces.” 

“Your Fire Release: Chakra Mode, which you inherited from Uchiha Naka, is simply a result of him observing chakra more closely than others and discovering its chain reaction in nuclear fission.” 

“Techniques are not power itself, nor can they ever reach the scale of the forces that govern planetary and cosmic movements. They are merely crude imitations wielded by humans through chakra.” 

“And chakra has a source.” 

“In the face of the Six Paths Power, or rather, the Truth-Seeking Orbs and the Rinnegan, no matter how brilliantly chakra is refined or evolved, it cannot escape its fundamental limitations.” 

“All techniques ultimately fall within the seven basic chakra natures.” 

“And unless a technique can be bound to a physical phenomenon beyond chakra itself, it will never be able to harm the Six Paths.” 

Indra sighed deeply, gazing at the swirling masses of blue, white, black, and colorless chakra in his palm. 

“In the presence of the Six Paths, everything humanity has built over thousands of years—our history, our discoveries, and our accumulated knowledge—” 

“—is nothing but a joke.” 

“The Otsutsuki clan enslaves humanity through chakra, just as the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal enslaves its branch family members. For over a thousand years, every shinobi on this planet—whether a ninja or a commoner—has been nothing more than a caged bird, trapped by the Otsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths.” 

“If we can’t break free from this predetermined cage, then—” 

Indra took a deep breath, gripping Shinji’s shoulder tightly. His voice trembled with suppressed emotion as he whispered: 

“Then everything is meaningless!” 

“Do you understand?! Everything we’ve worked so hard to create—everything—is utterly meaningless!” 

His eyes locked onto Shinji’s, desperately hoping for agreement, yearning for the answer he sought—even if this pursuit was ultimately futile. 

Finally, with a nearly tearful expression, he forced a weak smile and, with trembling lips, pleaded: 

“We have never been free.” 

“But, Shinji, at the very least, we must leave behind hope, mustn’t we?” 

“Before the final Infinite Tsukuyomi arrives!” 

Chapter 547: The Moment to Risk It All!  

From beginning to end, Indra never had any hope in Shinji.  

Even though Shinji, who was once only 12 and is now 15, has become the most powerful existence among all ninjas—  

He has mastered the most advanced forbidden jutsu of the ninja world, fused a body as terrifying as a primeval tyrannosaurus, and can harness the most fundamental source of power in existence. His eyes have even awakened the Bloodline Web, something only direct descendants of the Otsutsuki clan can achieve.  

Though he has not reached the level of the Six Paths, he already possesses power on par with it.  

However—  

Indra still held no hope that Shinji could defeat the Sage of the Six Paths.  

Because, over the course of thousands of years, everything Indra had witnessed and learned from the flow of time—the Sage of the Six Paths had seen as well.  

Unlike Kaguya Otsutsuki and the rest of her clan, who relied solely on raw power without any real combat skill, using only their eyes and bloodline abilities to dominate the world—  

The Sage of the Six Paths, as the son of a human and a god, not only possessed the power of the Six Paths and the Bloodline Web but also mastered the sacred arts of Senjutsu. Over centuries, he orchestrated conflicts between the Ninja Sect and the shinobi world, silently absorbing the accumulated knowledge and advancements of ninjas throughout countless cycles of war.  

By this moment, his strength had far surpassed Indra’s imagination—  

Filling Indra with nothing but deep, suffocating despair.  

So much so that, in the future, Asura’s reincarnation—Naruto—was able to suppress Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of chakra, simply by inheriting the so-called Six Paths Sage Mode.  

One of Kaguya’s Bloodline Web abilities, the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, each strike equivalent to the full-force Night Guy unleashed at Eight Gates open, should have been able to destroy anything in its path—  

Yet Naruto, in Six Paths Sage Mode, casually blocked it using nothing more than the Shadow Clone Jutsu.  

At this point, the power scaling had reached an absurd level.  

Rather than saying Kaguya was fighting against Naruto and Sasuke, it would be more accurate to say that she was actually battling the Sage of the Six Paths himself—who was watching coldly from the Pure Land.  

The Sage of the Six Paths never even needed to intervene personally,  

And yet Kaguya, who wielded numerous Bloodline Web abilities, was sealed away once again.  

Shinji had every reason to believe that Naruto and Sasuke were merely the Sage’s pawns, used to test whether Kaguya’s power had changed over the past millennium.  

To ensure his own survival, the Sage of the Six Paths chose to hide within the Pure Land he created—  

Just as Shinji was now hiding within the Origin Sphere Space, securing a temporary position of invincibility.  

Shinji understood Indra’s despair.  

He understood why Indra chose to leave with him.  

He understood why Indra guided him, hoping that Ji would take the Seal of Root Power he had created in his final moments and preserve the fire of hope.  

He also understood the underlying message in Indra’s words—  

“You cannot defeat the Sage of the Six Paths!”  

“So—”  

“Give up! Give up everything you have ever possessed! Give up everything you have ever cherished!”  

“Take the fire of hope, take the great mission I have entrusted to you, step into the next cycle of reincarnation, and preserve the chance of victory!”  

But—  

"I refuse!"  

Shinji spoke firmly, his tone as resolute as when the Heavenly Path tried to force him to abandon everything he had in the ninja world and return to the calamity-ridden world.  

If he couldn’t win everything at the gambling table where he was playing against gods and higher-dimensional beings,  

Then no matter what ending or retreat awaited him—  

It would never be a peaceful, happy ending.  

Since the very beginning, this was a zero-sum game.  

So he might as well fight to the death!  

"You—"  

Indra’s expression darkened instantly, a flicker of anger flashing through his eyes, frustrated by Ji’s obstinance. But in the end, he did not lash out.  

Instead, he simply raised his head, coldly scrutinizing Shinji.  

"Do you understand what this choice means?"  

"And how can you be sure that even if you master these techniques, you will be able to defeat the Sage of the Six Paths?!"  

"You’re mistaken, Indra."  

Shinji shook his head calmly.  

"I don’t need to defeat the Sage of the Six Paths—I just need to return to the ninja world."  

"Even without you, even without saving you, even if I face the worst-case scenario of being hunted by the Sage of the Six Paths, my choice remains the same—I will return to the ninja world."  

"Unlike you, I already have the qualifications to achieve the power of the Six Paths.  

In fact, I am only one step away!"  

"I still have one last chance to fight!"  

Shinji raised his palm, where nine distinct chakras, each belonging to a different Tailed Beast, floated within his grasp.  

In the next moment—  

The nine chakras converged into one!  

A terrifying chakra—something entirely different from a Tailed Beast’s, something that could alter the very heavens and earth with just a thought—appeared in Shinji’s palm.  

It was—  

The chakra of the Ten-Tails!  

"You... plan to become the Ten-Tails?"  

Indra’s eyes widened slightly in shock.  

"That’s right."  

Shinji took a deep breath and laid out his plan.  

"My body has the potential to become a second Ten-Tails—or rather, to develop a Ten-Tails Chakra Mode.  

Unfortunately, I cannot bear fruit like a true Divine Tree, so I cannot ascend in a single step."  

"There are only two known ways to reach the level of the Six Paths—  

First, by independently fusing the Truth-Seeking Orbs and attaining the power of the Six Paths."  

"Second, by obtaining the Ten-Tails while possessing the Rinnegan, then becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki through the Six Paths Coffin Seal, thus gaining the Truth-Seeking Orbs passively."  

"My eyes are already on par with the Rinnegan in terms of level.  

As long as I enter Ten-Tails Chakra Mode, I have a strong premonition that I will be able to obtain the power known as Truth-Seeking Orbs—  

And with that, I will finally qualify to fight the Sage of the Six Paths on equal ground."  

A fierce battle intent flickered in Shinji’s eyes.  

"And as long as I can fight him—I have confidence that I can defeat the Sage of the Six Paths!"  

Indra narrowed his eyes, thinking for a moment before coldly exposing Ji’s flaw.  

"But your Ten-Tails Chakra Mode won’t last long, will it?"  

"Your body may have Ten-Tails properties, but it is not a true Ten-Tails, nor can it serve as a proper vessel!"  

"Even if you temporarily reach that level, you still won’t be a match for the Sage of the Six Paths!"  

"That’s why—"  

Shinji answered without hesitation,  

"I need to obtain a power that will momentarily intimidate the Sage of the Six Paths—forcing him to avoid fighting me directly—so I can secure enough time to move freely in the ninja world!"  

"Then, I will pursue the first method—independently fusing the Truth-Seeking Orbs and truly reaching the level of the Six Paths."  

"You already have a plan?"  

Indra frowned slightly.  

"Only two people in history—Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki—have ever successfully fused the Truth-Seeking Orbs, not even me, despite mastering seven chakra natures!"  

A smile spread across Shinji’s face.  

A certain figure, walking away with unwavering resolve, flashed through his mind.  

"There’s someone... who will definitely help me!"  

Indra hesitated—  

But in the end, seeing the unwavering determination in Ji’s eyes, he let out a long sigh.  

Then—  

Indra suddenly raised his head, eyes wide open.  

His Mangekyou Sharingan, once resembling Sasuke’s six-pointed star, rapidly reversed and contracted into a spinning shuriken-like pattern.  

"If that’s the case—then let’s begin!"  

"Look directly into my eyes—"  

"Tsukuyomi!"  

Chapter 548: The Ancestor's Teaching, Temporal Disorder!  

Mangekyō Sharingan Technique: Tsukuyomi  

There's no need for much explanation—this Mangekyō Sharingan technique, introduced early in Naruto, is already well-known to many.  

It has the power to pull the enemy's mind into a genjutsu world where everything—including time, place, and matter—is under the user's complete control.  

This technique is typically used to inflict mental torment on enemies within the Tsukuyomi world, causing severe psychological damage.  

But if used differently... 

In a realm where one second equals three days (72 hours), teaching skills and passing down experiences would be akin to a divine enlightenment technique in the world of Naruto.  

At this moment:  

In the Shikyū Space, only an hour had passed, but within the world of Tsukuyomi, 3,600 instances of three days had gone by— 

A total of 29 and a half years.  

With Shinji not resisting, he seemed to have lost his sense of time and even his sense of self, moving mechanically, following Indra's teachings and learning every aspect of the 'arts' he possessed.  

From the concept of chakra attributes, to mastering chakra nature and form, and then ascending to the pinnacle of elemental ninjutsu with corresponding chakra modes—  

In addition to the Fire Release and Lightning Release chakra modes he had already mastered: 

[You have learned: Earth Release, Water Release, Wind Release, Yang Release, Yin Release - Chakra Modes!]  

Unlike the instantaneous reversal of cause and effect with the "Will of Steel,"  

Within the Shikyū Space, where the Will of Steel could not be activated, Shinji genuinely experienced this prolonged period, gradually solidifying and thoroughly mastering these abilities.  

Recognizing Everything, 

Remembering Everything, 

Forgetting Everything—to prevent the massive influx of experiences from overwhelming his consciousness, only engraving these abilities into his body and muscles as instinct.  

One hour later. 

Indra’s Mangekyō Sharingan in his left eye turned deathly pale, and blood tears that had completely dried fell from his eye socket, leaving a crimson streak on his ghastly white face.  

Like a fleeting dream, suddenly awakened! 

Shinji snapped out of the Tsukuyomi world,  

Gasping for air, his eyes shot open!  

At that moment, 

He felt as though he had mastered everything, yet also nothing at all,  

And then Indra’s exhausted yet resolute voice echoed like thunder: 

“Focus!”  

“Continue!”  

“Wait, my brain itches... Let me take a break... Let me scratch... Ah—”  

Indra pretended not to hear, his right eye widening once more—  

Mangekyō Sharingan Technique: Tsukuyomi, activated again! 

The young Uchiha immediately stood at attention!  

This time, on top of his complete mastery of the seven chakra natures, Indra dumped an enormous amount of knowledge on combining elemental chakra to create Kekkei Genkai directly into Shinji's mind!  

One hour later 

Indra’s eyes were completely pale, his chest heaving as he collapsed on the ground. It seemed even the act of sitting was too exhausting, so he simply sprawled out, staring blankly at the eternally green sky of the Shikyū Space.  

Boom! 

Beside him, 

Shinji gradually regained his senses from the daze.  

[You have learned: Scorch Release, Boil Release, Lava Release, Acid Release, Magnet Release, Ice Release, Explosion Release, Storm Release, Crystal Release, Steel Release, Dark Release, Swift Release, Platform Release, Mud Release, Blaze Release!]  

Shinji’s eyes trembled with a hint of disbelief as he slowly raised his hand. 

In the next moment, 

With this simple gesture, the power of 59 years burst from his fingertips! 

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! 

Five powerful energies exploded from his fingertips in red, white, blue, green, and purple!  

These were the chakras of five Kekkei Genkai: Scorch, Boil, Ice, Platform, and Storm Releases. At the same time, his palm turned half-abyssal and half-dazzling, while his hand’s backside gleamed with a steel-like luster,  

Simultaneously—  

Shinji had a hunch: If he unleashed this 59 years' worth of power, it would cause a terrifying explosion in the Shikyū Space! 

This explosion would be born from the fifteen types of Kekkei Genkai chakras intertwining, repelling, and mutually reinforcing each other, creating a power reminiscent of the "All-Encompassing Forces." 

Of course, even this power couldn't compare to a real Truth-Seeking Ball, nor could it rival Shinji's Ultimate Armor: Armored Susano'o’s casual strike, 

But—  

With the accumulation of knowledge from the Shinobi world over thousands of years, and the evolution of the concept of "ninjutsu," 

Countless new possibilities had emerged in Shinji’s hands! 

It was as if standing on the shoulders of giants to see further,  

And this giant of giants, Shinji, was now standing on the shoulders of slightly smaller giants. Their combined height allowed him to seemingly cross a threshold set at a level no mortal could ever reach.  

The scenery he saw—  

Was entirely different! 

Gazing at his own palm, with memories of the long and tedious learning process deliberately erased in the Tsukuyomi world, leaving only the final results,  

Shinji didn’t understand how he suddenly obtained such tremendous power, nor did he know how much effort it took to achieve this,  

But—  

“Ha! I feel like I could punch the Six Paths Sage’s teeth out!”  

Excitedly clenching his fist,  

The fifteen types of Kekkei Genkai chakras surged, creating a terrifying storm that shook the entire Shikyū Space with violent earthquakes! 

Standing at the eye of the storm, he shouted with exhilaration, 

“No time to waste, I’m off to crush your head, old man!”  

However— 

“Hold it!”  

Just as Shinji was about to use his visual powers to forcefully open the Yomotsu Hirasaka and storm into the Pure Land to beat up the Sage of Six Paths, 

A weak but angry shout came from beyond the raging cyclone:  

“You idiotic brat, stop right there!”  

Following the faint voice, Shinji turned his head, 

Only to realize that the hurricane and earthquake he caused had left the entire Shikyū Space in ruins. 

Meanwhile, Indra, who had been lying on the ground trying to catch his breath while gazing at the green sky, was now clinging to a massive boulder, struggling against the chaotic power Shinji unleashed like a flag flapping in the wind.  

Startled, Shinji quickly gathered his rampaging chakra.  

Whoosh... 

The wind gradually subsided.  

Indra crawled out from behind the hill, face darkened, his brows furrowed as he glared at Shinji,  

“It seems the time spent in the Tsukuyomi world was too long. Although most memories were erased, the flawed perception of time and behavioral logic still linger.”  

He then shouted at Shinji: 

“Kid, quickly recall—where are you standing right now!?”  

“On which scale of time are you standing!?”  

Chapter 549: The Road to Elimination, Drastic Changes in the Ninja World! 

"From which point in time am I perceiving things?" 

Shinji silently recited these words, momentarily dazed. It wasn’t until his consciousness fully submerged into his body, taking control and clearly perceiving his internal state, that he suddenly raised his head and exclaimed in shock: 

"It's the 50th year of Konoha!" 

"I’m still in the Primordial Sphere Space. Time hasn’t advanced by 59 years. My ocular powers and chakra haven’t fully recovered yet. I am not my future self from 59 years later, where my chakra and ocular abilities are completely restored." 

Shinji took a sharp breath, a deep sense of fear rising in his heart. The power of time was formless, colorless, soundless, and arrived without any warning. Even his combat instincts hadn’t been able to detect it. 

If he had recklessly exhausted his remaining ocular power to force open the gate to the Pure Land and willingly entered the world created by the Sage of the Six Paths using Amenominaka— 

Then, awaiting him— 

Would be only death! 

"It seems you’ve realized it now." 

Beside him, Indra wiped away the dried bloodstains under his pale eyes and let out a deep sigh of relief. 

"By focusing your mind on your own body, engaging in mindful meditation, and feeling each breath and thought, you can effectively alleviate this erroneous perception of time." 

"However... we can do that later. This training is not yet complete." 

Indra lifted his head, his pale eyes staring straight at Shinji. 

"You’re still missing the final step—the most crucial one!" 

"You must fuse and create your own Kekkei Tōta!" 

But at this moment, Shinji's gaze fell upon Indra’s pale eyes, and his heart tightened. 

"Your... eyes?" 

"It’s fine." Indra smiled, a look of relief crossing his face. 

"There will be no more reincarnations of Indra in the future. After all, this endless cycle of reincarnation, manipulated into an unending war, has no meaning." 

"The ‘technique’ I envisioned was never meant solely for taking lives." 

"And the original opposition between the Ninja Sect and the ninja world was never for such a laughable reason." 

"Both Asura and I initially only wanted people to live better lives... yet things always went against our wishes." 

He lifted his head, gazing at the emerald sky. Though his vision had plunged into endless darkness, it was as if he could see the drifting clouds, soaring freely according to his will. 

"Well, if my journey ends here, that’s not too bad." 

Indra revealed a serene smile. His body—no, his body had perished thousands of years ago. What stood before Shinji was merely a manifestation of his entire will and soul stored within chakra, having been imprisoned by the Sage of the Six Paths for a millennium. 

Once this chakra was exhausted— 

Indra would cease to exist in this world. 

At this moment, Indra’s form was gradually dissolving before Shinji’s eyes. 

Seeing this, Shinji trembled, his voice rising in shock and anger: 

"How... How could this happen?! Why didn’t you tell me?!" 

"Not just you—Uchiha Naaga as well... You Uchiha..." 

"Let’s get back to the main point!" Indra withdrew his smile, slightly lowering his head. His pale eyes met Shinji’s as he spoke coldly: 

"Self-indulgent sentimentality serves no purpose. I am not like Uchiha Naaga, foolishly seeking some form of eternal life through remembrance by future generations." 

"Since you’ve chosen this path, the only thing I can do is go all in—betting everything, including myself." 

"Betting that you can kill the Sage of the Six Paths!" 

"After all, whether it’s me, Uchiha Naaga, or all the Uchiha you’ve encountered... even you yourself—" 

"We’re all nothing but hopeless gamblers!" 

He spoke with solemn conviction: 

"Listen carefully—" 

"I can’t help you on the path ahead. How many Kekkei Tōta you can fuse depends entirely on yourself." 

"What I do know is—" 

"Kekkei Tōta may be a crude imitation of the great forces in this world, but they still hold terrifying, transformative power." 

"Even against the Sage of the Six Paths, they have a certain effect." 

"As long as they are not absorbed by the Preta Path of the Rinnegan—" 

"Dust Release can counteract Truth-Seeking Orbs!" 

"Origin Release can halt the regeneration of a Six Paths body!" 

"Arrow Release can evade the divine techniques of the Sage!" 

"Quake Release can bypass Six Paths’ defenses, ignoring chakra absorption to directly cut through Truth-Seeking Orbs and injure the main body!" 

"Your task is to suppress your bloodlust, hold back your trump cards until the critical moment, and then—" 

Indra grinned maliciously. 

"Give Him... a massive surprise!" 

As his words fell, Indra’s chakra dissipated into countless tiny specks of purple light, spreading across the emerald sky. 

Finally— 

In the Primordial Sphere Space, only Shinji remained. 

He took one last glance at the spot where Indra had stood, inhaled deeply, and fixed his gaze forward. 

Then, he sat cross-legged! 

Fifteen distinct colors of chakra surged from various parts of his body, converging in his palm. 

And within his grasp, the final Kekkei Tōta collision began! 

Meanwhile, in the ninja world of Konoha Year 50— 

Three years had passed since Shinji had killed all the Tailed Beasts except for the Nine-Tails. 

Following the downfall of the great sun that slew Six Paths Madara, the scattered Tailed Beast chakra had already completed its dormancy cycle. 

Under the close watch of various factions, the eight Tailed Beasts were finally reborn! 

How these eight beasts would be distributed would shape the ninja world's power structure for the next several decades. 

A change of unprecedented magnitude in fifty years! 

With Shinji seemingly dead and no longer able to suppress the warring factions of the ninja world— 

A covert and treacherous war for the Tailed Beasts had already begun beneath the sunlight. 

Thanks to Shinji’s achievements in the Third Ninja War, Fire and Wind countries had the most intact military forces, while the Lightning and Water countries, after battles like the Battle of Cloud Roar City and the Green Reef Coup, were slightly weaker. The Earth Country suffered the heaviest losses. 

Following the secret war, the distribution of the Tailed Beasts had been largely determined. 

Konoha, the strongest village, retained the Nine-Tails and gained the Three-Tails Isobu. Despite being in a position to claim more, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, reportedly chose to compromise to end the war swiftly. This decision led to his resignation amid public outrage, with the supposedly deceased Shinji succeeding as the Fourth Hokage. However, rumors suggested that he was unable to govern, leaving Minato Namikaze as acting Hokage. 

Sand Village, thanks to the adaptability of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, managed to secure the Four-Tails Son Goku and Seven-Tails Chomei in addition to their native One-Tail Shukaku. 

Cloud Village reclaimed the Two-Tails Matatabi and Eight-Tails Gyūki. 

Mist Village recovered the Six-Tails Saiken and took the Five-Tails Kokuō from Stone Village. 

As for Stone Village—they got nothing, becoming the biggest loser of the war and facing the risk of being annexed by the Wind Country. 

However— 

On the very day the Tailed Beasts revived, this supposedly settled arrangement— 

Was thrown into chaos! 

Chapter 550: Curtain Rises, The Five Kage Summit!  

"Achoo! Sniff... Ugh... Achoo!"  

Amidst the swirling snow and along a forest path blanketed in white,  

A spiky-haired boy wearing goggles and draped in a snow-white cloak hugged himself tightly, shivering uncontrollably. He sneezed multiple times in a row, clearly freezing, and grumbled in annoyance,  

"It's so freaking cold... Seriously, why did they choose a place like this for the Five Kage Summit?"  

Beside him, a boy with short brown hair wearing a Leaf Village headband shook his head and responded seriously: 

"Obito-senpai, the Land of Iron has always maintained neutrality. After the First Five Kage Summit, the Five Great Nations have fought in three Ninja Wars. They can't trust each other anymore. In such circumstances, holding the Five Kage Summit in a neutral territory is the best option for all five nations."  

Uchiha Obito sniffled and tightened his cloak, scoffing disdainfully:  

"I get the logic, but Yamato... the Land of Iron isn't that neutral, is it?"  

"During the Battle of Unmei Castle, their general even attempted to assassinate Shinji... Well, not that it mattered since Ji ended up killing him anyway."  

"That's a different matter," Yamato replied with a helpless shake of his head, explaining, 

"Back then, Ji-senpai—the Fourth Hokage—wasn't acting as a Leaf Village ninja when he targeted the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. The conflict with the samurai leader of the Land of Iron, Mifune, was a response to the Daimyo's summons. Technically, it didn't mean the Land of Iron chose to participate in the Third Ninja War."  

"Tch, sounds like a bunch of excuses." Uchiha Obito snorted dismissively.  

After thinking for a moment, he decided to drop the topic and suddenly turned his head, looking at the girl trailing behind them. She had her head down, a dazed expression on her face.  

"What's with her? Why'd we have to bring her along for this mission?"  

"She's not even a Chunin, right? And by the way, what exactly is our mission this time? And why... WHY are you the team leader, Yamato?! Damn it!"  

"When I was on a team with Kakashi and Rin, I had to listen to that smug face boss me around all the time. But... in this team, I'm clearly the strongest! Why did those two get to go on an S-rank mission with Minato-sensei while I have to follow you, a little brat?! Why, why, WHYYYY?!"  

Obito hugged his cloak tightly, grumbling in frustration with incoherent complaints.  

Following Obito's gaze, Yamato also looked back and saw the girl trailing behind.  

From her hairstyle, she seemed to have once worn a spiky ponytail, but her long hair was now disheveled and messy. Her oversized cloak covered a yellow vest, and underneath that was a mesh undershirt.  

She had heavy dark circles under her eyes, her hair in disarray, and her expression weary—like someone who had just been released from prison.  

And in fact,  

As a member of the Anbu, Yamato knew the truth: she really had just been released from captivity.  

The reason for her imprisonment?  

She was a disciple of Orochimaru—  

Mitarashi Anko.  

As for why this team was assembled...  

"Obito-senpai... haven't you noticed yet?" Yamato lowered his head, his voice subdued and somewhat dejected,  

"The common trait among the three of us."  

"Common trait?" Obito paused, stopping in his tracks. He turned around, looking at his two teammates.  

Uchiha Obito, Yamato, and Mitarashi Anko—  

Under orders from Acting Hokage Namikaze Minato, the three were grouped together to form this team. 

No team number, no clear mission, no confirmed leader. Other than the destination being the Land of Iron, they knew nothing else! 

Obito didn't even know their mission objective, nor did he know if Yamato was actually the team leader. But since it wasn't him, and it obviously couldn't be Anko, who had just graduated and was still a Genin, he naturally assumed Yamato was in charge.  

But now... 

What's our common trait? 

Wait, neither of them are as handsome as me!  

Seeing Obito's clueless expression, Yamato twitched his lips in exasperation and sighed, 

"Cursed Seals."  

"All three of us have cursed seals!"  

Yamato took a deep breath, stopped walking, and then raised his hand, revealing a black "一" (one) symbol on his palm.  

In truth, even as an Anbu member, Yamato didn't know much more about the mission than Obito did. He had merely pieced together clues to form a hypothesis.  

At that moment, Anko, who had been trailing behind in a daze, looked up, confused as to why they had stopped.  

The three of them stood still amidst the snowstorm, 

Their gazes fixed on their destination ahead— 

A massive fortress hidden within the endless snow,  

The venue for the Five Kage Summit—  

The Snow Fortress of the Land of Iron.  

Displaying the black cursed seal on his palm, Yamato took another deep breath and explained,  

"Obito-senpai, you should have the Heavenly Curse Mark on you, right?"  

"And Mitarashi Anko, you also bear the Heavenly Curse Mark left by Orochimaru, correct?"  

Yamato looked at the two of them with a serious expression,  

"My cursed seal was also left by Orochimaru, named Hokage-style Earthen Barrier: Karakuri Enclosure Seal."  

"We all have something in common—connections to Orochimaru."  

"Therefore, I suspect—"  

Obito's eyes widened with excitement, 

"You're saying—"  

Anko, still recovering from intense scrutiny and investigations, looked up in shock. Upon hearing Orochimaru's name, a complex mix of hatred and pain flashed in her eyes, 

"Orochimaru!?"  

"We... we're here to capture Orochimaru?!" Obito exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement, 

"Holy crap! Minato-sensei—no, the Acting Hokage really trusts me this much?!"  

"Idiot!"  

Yamato immediately lowered his head, covering his face in exasperation, 

"You think we're here to fight Orochimaru? Are you serious?!"  

"That guy... is now an S-rank rogue ninja! The monster who single-handedly took down the Five Great Nations' seven tailed beasts!"  

Shaking his head, Yamato analyzed in a grave tone:  

"Our mission is likely to provide external security for the Five Kage Summit. Using the cursed seals on us to sense Orochimaru's presence... to prevent him from ambushing the summit!"  

As if to validate his theory, he pointed to the colossal fortress in the snowstorm, 

"After all, everyone knows Orochimaru is now targeting the Nine Tailed Beasts."  

"And right now,"  

"At the Five Kage Summit, there's one Jinchuriki present!"  

"Obito-senpai, you should be more aware of this than anyone else!"  

At that moment, Obito's pupils constricted in shock, 

"You're saying... Orochimaru might be targeting—"  

But before he could finish,  

The massive Snow Fortress suddenly collapsed as an enormous figure burst out of it!  

"——BOOM!!!"  

Obito looked up in stunned disbelief, his Sharingan reflecting the raging snowstorm and the blazing ruins,  

He whispered the name in shock,  

"Three-Tails Jinchuriki, Nohara Rin!"  

(End of Chapter)