331 -332 end

**Chapter 331: Beyond the Ninja World**

When the gap in power grows too vast, even the simplest of techniques can become devastatingly effective.

What’s more, the Gentle Fist technique was never weak to begin with.

At an equal level, the Gentle Fist can be considered a lethal move.

Unfortunately, the Hyuga clan has long failed to live up to its potential, never fully developing this formidable taijutsu style.

Yet, in Kimimaro’s hands, the power of the Gentle Fist surpassed even that of the Hyuga ancestors.

“Sasuke!”

Naruto rushed forward to catch Sasuke.

“Don’t worry, he’s fine. I just sealed his chakra.”

“Thank you.”

Hearing this, Naruto let out a sigh of relief.

“Why?! Why didn’t you kill me? If you were able to kill Itachi, why didn’t you kill me as well?”

Sasuke shouted, his mismatched eyes bloodshot with rage.

He was angry at his own weakness and furious that Kimimaro had spared him.

Once, he had considered Kimimaro a friend. During his years in the Sound Village, Kimimaro had treated him with great care.

But the hatred for his brother’s killer couldn’t be ignored.

Thus, Sasuke felt torn.

Sometimes, he even thought that dying at Kimimaro’s hands might be a form of release.

Yet Kimimaro had chosen not to kill him. This made it worse.

Sasuke already knew that with his current talent, he would never surpass Kimimaro in this lifetime.

Kimimaro had not only reached the pinnacle of a ninja but had also broken through to a level beyond it.

There was no catching up.

“I was the one who nurtured you. Killing you would be a waste. Besides, Naruto wouldn’t agree to it.”

Kimimaro glanced at Naruto as he spoke. Naruto returned a grateful look immediately.

“Then why did you kill Itachi?! Why did you kill the only family I had left in this world?!”

Sasuke roared, tears streaming down his face.

“Itachi? He brought it upon himself. I helped him countless times, but he always doubted my intentions, thinking I was misleading you and ultimately tried to kill me.

Given that, I wasn’t going to hold back. I don’t kill indiscriminately, but I also don’t hesitate. You want the truth? I’ll give it to you.”

As Kimimaro spoke, his Tenseigan spun, and he cast a genjutsu on Sasuke.

In the illusion, Sasuke observed from a third-person perspective, witnessing every interaction between Itachi and Kimimaro.

“This...how could this be...Brother did it all for me...?”

Sasuke’s face was filled with disbelief.

“I’ve told you the truth. What you choose to do next is your decision. I’ll give you a chance: ten years. Train and grow stronger. If, after ten years, you still wish to seek revenge, come find me in Las Noches.”

Kimimaro’s voice was calm.

Sasuke looked deeply at Kimimaro and said no more.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Naruto suggested, “Let’s head back first. The Infinite Tsukuyomi still isn’t undone; we need to move quickly.”

Both Kimimaro and Sasuke agreed without objection.

Kimimaro waved his right hand, summoning the mini Nine-Tails and Shukaku onto his shoulders. Then, placing his hands on Naruto’s and Sasuke’s shoulders, he activated the Flying Raijin Jutsu.

*Whoosh!*

The three humans and two beasts left the primordial space.

Their vision blurred momentarily, and they found themselves back in the ninja world.

The blood-red moon still hung in the sky, and the God Tree’s tendrils wrapped around everyone, keeping them trapped in dreams.

However, two figures stood awake—Kakashi and Obito, who had emerged from the Kamui dimension.

Before the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kimimaro had provided Kakashi with information about Obito.

Thus, Kakashi had prepared in advance.

In the Kamui dimension, armed with Kimimaro’s truth and his own skillful persuasion, Kakashi had successfully convinced Obito to awaken his old self.

Though it had taken considerable time, the results were undeniable.

Now, Obito had returned to his original personality.

However, when they left the Kamui dimension, intending to change the tide of battle, they were greeted by a changed world.

“It’s the Infinite Tsukuyomi! Someone has already cast it. We’re too late,” Obito exclaimed, alarmed.

He recognized the scene all too well. Under the Infinite Tsukuyomi, everyone was trapped in dreams.

“How could this happen? Did Naruto and Kimimaro fail?” Kakashi asked, his face heavy with concern.

Kakashi had immense faith in Naruto and especially in Kimimaro.

Kimimaro’s strength far exceeded his imagination.

Could even someone like him fail?

“Obito, is there any way to wake them up?”

Obito shook his head.

“In this case, only the caster of the jutsu can undo it. I don’t know of any other method.”

Regardless of the genjutsu, the means of release were always the same: either the caster willingly ends it or an immense external force disrupts the caster’s chakra.

Neither Kakashi nor Obito possessed the power to counter the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

It seemed impossible to resolve.

“Who could have cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi? Pain? Madara?” Kakashi muttered.

“Whoever it is, they’re far beyond what we can handle. We might be the only ones still conscious. We need to come up with a plan immediately,” Obito urged.

Before they could act, a powerful spatial disturbance interrupted them.

The next moment, Kimimaro, Naruto, and Sasuke appeared before them.

“Kimimaro! Naruto! Sasuke!” Kakashi exclaimed, joy evident on his face.

“Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto called back, equally thrilled.

“What’s going on here?” Kakashi asked.

“Kakashi-sensei, we’ll explain later. Right now, Sasuke and I need to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi and wake everyone up,” Naruto replied, glancing at Sasuke.

Understanding what was needed, Sasuke extended his left hand.

*Rat Seal!*

Instantly, the crimson glow of the moon dissipated, and the tendrils of the God Tree retreated into the earth, releasing everyone.

“You succeeded?” Kakashi asked, elated.

Having spent too much time in the Kamui dimension, he was unaware of the developments outside.

But seeing Naruto and Sasuke undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi confirmed that the crisis was over.

Naruto grinned widely. “Yeah! We did it! All thanks to Kimimaro. Even though Sasuke and I received the Sage of Six Paths’ power, we couldn’t have done it without him. We were pretty much useless,” he admitted with a sheepish laugh.

Hearing this, Kakashi was astonished.

The Sage of Six Paths’ power? Clearly, he had missed a lot.

Kimimaro turned to Kakashi and Obito, his voice calm. “It seems the two of you have resolved your issues.”

“Thanks to you and the truth about Rin’s death, Obito has come to his senses,” Kakashi replied.

The dark transformation of Obito largely stemmed from the death of Rin at Kakashi's hands, leading him to conclude that the world was a living hell, sparking his desire to change it.

When he later learned that Rin’s death was orchestrated by Madara, Obito’s prior conclusions crumbled.

Under these circumstances, convincing Obito became significantly easier.

Obito gazed at the handsome young man before him, a whirlwind of emotions in his heart.

“What are your plans now?” Kimimaro asked Obito.

Obito, of course, understood the implication of Kimimaro's question.

As a member of the Akatsuki, Obito had committed numerous atrocities against the ninja world. With the Great Ninja War over, the Five Great Shinobi Villages would certainly not let him off lightly.

If Obito chose to resist, very few in the ninja world could capture him, thanks to Kamui.

But now, all he wanted was to atone for his sins. The path ahead was clear—he would face the united trial of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Under normal circumstances, this would mean certain death.

However, Kakashi would never allow Obito to be executed. Leveraging Konoha’s influence, it might be possible to spare Obito’s life.

This, however, would offend the other four villages, something Obito did not want to happen.

Caught between guilt and his desire to avoid implicating Konoha, Obito found himself at a loss.

Kakashi, sensing Obito’s struggle, patiently awaited his decision.

No matter what Obito chose, Kakashi would support him, for the Obito before him had returned to the person Kakashi once knew.

Kimimaro, noticing Obito’s inner turmoil, broke the silence.

“If you haven’t decided yet, I can offer you another path,” he said.

“What path?” Obito asked.

“I can guess what you’re thinking—atonement, right?”

Obito was taken aback. That Kimimaro could read his thoughts so accurately surprised him.

“Yes,” he admitted, despite his shock.

“In that case, come to the Void Palace. While its foundation stems from the Akatsuki, its essence has changed under my leadership. The Void Palace will work from the shadows to protect the entire ninja world, and for this, we need powerful individuals.

In simple terms, the Void Palace will oversee the Five Great Shinobi Villages and the entire ninja world. Any ninja who commits evil deeds will be punished. Would you be willing to join us, executing justice in the shadows?”

Kimimaro’s proposal left Obito stunned.

He had never imagined such a purpose for the Void Palace.

“You’re hesitant?” Kimimaro asked.

“No, it’s just that this vision seems too idealistic. Judging the entire ninja world requires more than strength.

How will you ensure the Void Palace doesn’t become corrupted? A power that stands above the world can easily turn into another disaster.”

“With me at the helm, it will not falter,” Kimimaro said simply, exuding confidence.

His longevity granted him the power to survive even the destruction of the ninja world. As long as he remained true to his ideals, the Void Palace would stay untainted.

“Whether or not you join, the Void Palace will persist. If you’re unsure, join us and observe. When in doubt, you should investigate, not distance yourself.”

Obito made his choice.

“Very well. I’ll join the Void Palace.”

Kimimaro smiled faintly. “Welcome.”

Kakashi voiced his concerns. “Kimimaro, this idea is dangerous. The Five Great Shinobi Villages won’t agree to this.”

“Their opinions are irrelevant. Under their rule, when have the battles among ninjas ever stopped? After so many years, it’s time for a change.”

“You...” Kakashi was momentarily speechless.

Kimimaro continued, “The villages have lost their Tailed Beasts, whose power is now mine. I will act without bias, prioritizing peace above all else. With that as my ideal, I have the capability to reshape the ninja world.”

Despite his seemingly arrogant words, Kimimaro’s strength backed his claims.

The Five Great Villages, weakened by the war and the loss of their Tailed Beasts, were no match for the Void Palace. Moreover, the palace had gained a positive reputation during the war, smoothing the path for its future actions.

As the dust of the war settled and those under Infinite Tsukuyomi awoke, life in the ninja world began to recover.

Kimimaro declared, “I am Kaguya Kimimaro, leader of the Void Palace. The crisis in the ninja world has been resolved. A month from now, I will host a gathering at the Void Palace. I invite the Five Kage and representatives from all villages to attend. Void Palace members, let us depart.”

He opened a massive portal, transporting all Void Palace members, including Obito, into it.

This unprecedented act left the ninja world in shock. The Void Palace’s power was undeniable, heralding a new era for the ninja world.

**Chapter 332: The Finale**

"Congratulations, Host. You successfully took a photo with the event *‘The Fourth Ninja World War’*. Reward unlocked: *Interdimensional Travel Card*."

Looking at the latest reward from the system, Kimimaro's mind wandered.

In this world of ninjas, he had already achieved invincibility and obtained the immortal body he had always desired. His journey felt complete.

Even with the looming threat of the Ōtsutsuki clan reappearing in the distant future, he was confident in his chances against them.

Moreover, their reappearance was still more than a decade away. By then, Kimimaro would undoubtedly be even stronger, as the power of the Ten-Tails within him continued to grow.

"It seems it's time to leave this world."

Seated on a grand throne in the massive hall, Kimimaro lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers.

It had been nearly ten years since he arrived in this world.

Ten years—neither too long nor too short. During this time, he had trained relentlessly, cured his illness, and strategically planned his every move. It hadn’t been an easy journey.

Now, having achieved absolute freedom in this realm, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

But this world no longer presented any challenges for Kimimaro.

Living in a corner of the world, far removed from the action, was not in his nature. He yearned to explore more of the beauty this universe had to offer.

"Once I wrap up everything here, I’ll depart."

Kimimaro muttered to himself, making his decision.

The most pressing matter now was the upcoming grand banquet.

He had set the date for the banquet immediately after the Fourth Ninja World War ended.

At this moment, key figures from all the major ninja villages were making their way to Las Noches, his palace.

Before the war, the ninja villages might have dismissed Las Noches as a group similar to the Akatsuki—dangerous but not a direct threat to their power.

Now, however, Kimimaro, having defeated both the Akatsuki and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, had cemented himself as an unstoppable force.

He was more terrifying than the First Hokage, Hashirama.

Even a slight disagreement with Kimimaro could spell total destruction for the Five Great Nations.

While Hashirama had distributed the tailed beasts to maintain balance among the villages, Kimimaro clearly had no such intention.

Already unmatched in combat and in possession of all the tailed beasts, the ninja villages had no idea how to counter him.

Thus, regardless of the banquet's true purpose, they had no choice but to attend.

All understood that this banquet would reshape the entire ninja world.

The first to arrive at Las Noches were representatives from Konoha.

Tsunade, accompanied by Jiraiya and Kakashi, arrived at the palace.

Upon seeing Las Noches, the three were astonished.

"In such a short time, Las Noches has undergone such drastic changes. The place is surrounded by barriers—barriers even I can’t unravel," Jiraiya observed, his expression grim.

The sheer power of Las Noches was overwhelming.

"This must all be Kimimaro’s doing. That kid… where did he learn all of this?"

Tsunade marveled, though her tone carried a mix of admiration and pride.

After all, she had always regarded Kimimaro as both a student and a younger brother.

Seeing his tremendous accomplishments filled her with joy.

"Tsunade, what do you think Kimimaro’s goal is with this banquet? Could he really intend to control the ninja world?"

Jiraiya asked cautiously.

After Kakashi returned to Konoha, he had shared Kimimaro’s ambitions with them, giving them an idea of his plans.

This knowledge had shaken them to their core.

Kimimaro’s boldness was simply unparalleled.

Tsunade’s smile faded as she responded, "From what I know of him, if he’s said he’ll do something, then he’ll make it happen. That’s just how he is."

"Then we’re in trouble. The other villages won’t cooperate so easily," Jiraiya said, scratching his head in frustration.

He could already foresee a chaotic brawl erupting once the banquet began.

Soon, Tsunade and her delegation were greeted by Kimimaro himself.

"Welcome to Las Noches, Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya."

Kimimaro smiled warmly as he escorted them to the conference hall.

An hour later, the discussions concluded, and Tsunade’s group emerged, their expressions heavier than before.

Jiraiya sighed deeply, "We’re getting old… I never imagined Kimimaro had thought so far ahead. It seems we might as well retire. Don’t you agree, Tsunade?"

Tsunade chuckled, "Retirement sounds good to me. I never really wanted to be Hokage in the first place. Kakashi, you’ll take over as Hokage. As for dealing with Las Noches, that’ll be your job too."

Kakashi smiled wryly but didn’t refuse. "Understood, Lady Tsunade."

That day’s banquet would forever be remembered in the annals of the ninja world.

During the feast, Kimimaro made a groundbreaking announcement:

"From this day forth, the mission system in ninja villages is officially abolished.

"I envision a new role for ninjas—one that benefits ordinary people rather than spreading death and destruction.

"By uniting the power of the Five Great Nations, I propose the establishment of a unified ninja academy. From now on, any six-year-old can enroll at a local town center and be sent to this academy to train.

"The training will last ten years, producing ninjas skilled in various professions. For instance, Earth-style users can work in construction, while Fire-style users might become chefs."

"All ninjas will receive a standardized salary and enjoy benefits superior to those of ordinary people, but they must not mistreat civilians.

Our mission is to expand the world's resources, not to plunder from one another. If I discover any ninja village engaging in underhanded activities, my Void Night Palace will not stand idly by! For such people, I will personally deliver judgment!

I've spoken. Who agrees, and who opposes?"

Kimimaro's gaze swept over the stunned crowd. Although his eyes lacked killing intent, his overwhelming aura was unbearable even for the Kages.

Everyone understood that opposing Kimimaro now might mean they wouldn't leave alive.

"I agree," Tsunade broke the silence, casting the first vote in favor.

What followed was straightforward.

One month later, the Ninja Vocational Academy was officially established and began enrolling students.

Tens of thousands of civilians were sent to the school to study, while all ninja schools in the villages were shut down, prohibiting private instruction.

From then on, ninjas no longer learned assassination techniques but instead studied how to use ninjutsu to enhance production.

For those with a desire to fight, they could join the Ninja Defense Force, where they received a different kind of training.

Ninjas were henceforth divided into two categories:

1. Combat Ninjas, who maintained the order of the ninja world.
2. Professional Ninjas, who contributed to the well-being of civilians.

Initially, some within the Five Great Ninja Villages resisted the new system with superficial compliance. However, under Kimimaro's overwhelming might, they were utterly defeated.

After suffering heavy casualties, they realized they couldn't contend with Kimimaro and ultimately chose to submit.

Submission, Kimimaro believed, was the nature of most people.

Time flew by, and ten years passed in a flash.

Over the decade, Kimimaro's rules were refined, and the ninja world underwent a transformation.

Civilians no longer feared ninjas but respected them because they had poured their hearts into rebuilding the ninja world.

Becoming a ninja was now the most desirable profession for civilians.

Sitting in the Void Night Palace, Kimimaro activated his Byakugan, his vision encompassing the entire ninja world.

Seeing the towering buildings and well-equipped infrastructure, a faint smile graced his face.

"It seems it's about time for me to leave."

In the grand hall of the Void Night Palace, Kimimaro summoned Naruto and Sasuke.

After a lengthy conversation, the two left.

"Sasuke, I remember you once promised Kimimaro a duel. Why haven't you mentioned it?" Naruto asked curiously on their way out.

After a moment of silence, Sasuke replied, "I gave up. With my current strength, I may never have the chance to take revenge. Besides, I no longer hate Kimimaro."

"You don’t hate him anymore? Why not?"

Naruto was even more intrigued.

He knew Sasuke wasn’t someone who easily let go of hatred. No matter how strong the enemy, Sasuke would strive to grow stronger and exact vengeance.

"Because I saw Itachi," Sasuke said quietly, recalling a recent encounter.

After ten years of honing his abilities, Sasuke had elevated his Rinnegan to new heights, yet the gap between him and Kimimaro only grew.

In their latest battle, Sasuke was decisively defeated again.

Afterward, Kimimaro used the Summoning of the Pure Land technique to bring Itachi back from the afterlife.

Following a heartfelt conversation with his brother, Sasuke let go of his hatred.

Itachi also expressed his regret to Kimimaro, admitting that his obsession with perfection had led to poor decisions in the end.

Kimimaro, however, dismissed it with indifference.

Sasuke’s response completely eased Naruto's mind.

Kimimaro had summoned them to prepare for his departure.

The now-flourishing Void Night Palace needed a leader in Kimimaro’s absence, and Sasuke was chosen for the role.

To ensure Sasuke was fit to lead, Kimimaro resolved the hatred in his heart.

Naruto, on the other hand, was selected to work alongside Sasuke.

As long as they were united, the ninja world would remain stable.

Of course, Kimimaro prepared a contingency plan.

On the moon, Kimimaro met with Toneri.

"When I’m gone, you will be the secret master of the Void Night Palace. If Sasuke and Naruto betray the rules I’ve set, that will be your time to act," Kimimaro said.

"Understood, Master," Toneri replied.

Under Kimimaro’s tutelage, Toneri had grown stronger than even Naruto and Sasuke, armed with Sage Curse Power and the Rinnegan left behind from defeating Kaguya.

Having completed all his arrangements, Kimimaro finally felt at ease.

"It’s time to go," he sighed, vanishing in an instant and reappearing in the cave where the demon Mōryō was sealed in the Land of Demons.

Deep within the abyss lay a gateway to another world.

With his interdimensional travel card in hand, Kimimaro passed safely through the dark flames and entered the other realm.

"A new journey begins," he said with a faint smile.

(End of Chapter)