341-345

*Chapter 341: Sasori’s Achievement*

“You’ve done well,” Aizen said, taking the ledger from Kakuzu. He gave it a cursory glance before losing interest.

“So, about those funds…” Kakuzu began tentatively, his green eyes brimming with expectation.

“They’re yours,” Aizen replied, turning his gaze to Hidan, who had the body of a pig and the head of a man. A grin spread across Aizen’s face. “By the way, I think I just heard someone badmouthing me.”

“No way! You must’ve misheard,” Hidan stammered, his earlier bravado vanishing. “You’re here to see Sasori, right? I’ll call him right away.”

In his panic, Hidan tumbled off the desk and scurried away.

Sasori soon arrived. After a brief discussion, Aizen received Sasori’s research on the Dragon Vein. Together with Hidan and Kakuzu, they made their way to the site where the Fourth Hokage had sealed the Dragon Vein.

“You’re quite the genius,” Aizen remarked, studying the research papers Sasori handed over while standing before the Dragon Vein’s seal.

Sasori’s talent was undeniable. Though his strength as a puppeteer had its limitations in the later stages of his career, his research capabilities were unparalleled.

If Orochimaru was a master of biology, then Sasori was a pioneer in technology.

“This Dragon Vein naturally possesses time-traveling power,” Sasori explained. “All I did was develop a device to control it. It’s not a big deal.”

“Though I don’t know your intentions, I advise you not to recklessly alter history. Any changes could drastically reshape the present. I doubt you’d want to face those consequences.”

“Of course, I know that,” Aizen said, nodding. “I’m only here to take care of something necessary. It won’t alter history.”

He glanced up at a system interface visible only to him. This was the hidden mission that had appeared back when Naruto called the Fourth Hokage his father.

*[Option 1: Become Naruto’s true father in every sense. Reward: Unlock the system’s random travel feature.]*

*[Option 2: Be Naruto’s father in name only. Reward: Granny Chiyo’s underwear.]*

Seeing the second option, Aizen’s eye twitched. Turning to Sasori, he asked, “Would you like me to save your parents? I can bring them back to you without altering history.”

“Do as you please,” Sasori replied indifferently, tossing a control bracelet to Aizen. “This is what you need. It allows you to control the Dragon Vein and reach the time period you desire.”

“So far, I’ve experimented by sending summoning beasts and puppets through. After several attempts, I successfully retrieved an item I had sent back. However, because those beasts and puppets couldn’t operate the bracelet, I can’t confirm if the Dragon Vein allows for return trips.”

“I imagine someone will test that for us soon,” Aizen said, putting on the bracelet. “By the way, how’s Centipede doing?”

“Just as you instructed,” Sasori replied. “After acquiring Dragon Vein data from him, I let him go. I’ve also applied brainwashing techniques to make him my pawn. He’s been wandering around, and I suspect the Sand Village will notice him soon.”

Sasori chuckled. “You were right. Someone will test the Dragon Vein for us. Since the Fourth Hokage sealed it, the Sand and Leaf Villages likely have an agreement about it. Maybe we should let the Leaf handle the testing for us.”

“Sounds good. Let me know the results as usual—use a Flying Thunder God kunai to contact me,” Aizen said. He prepared to teleport away using the Flying Thunder God technique when Hidan bit down on his cloak and vanished with him.

When they reappeared, they were back in the Hidden Rain Village.

“Why are you following me?” Aizen asked, shaking off Hidan, who landed face-first on the ground.

“What else? I need a human body! Get me one now!” Hidan demanded.

“Fine, but you’ll have to wait. I’m not a monster who’ll go out of my way to kill someone just to make you a new body. Once the Fourth Great Ninja War begins, I’ll pick one up for you on the battlefield.”

Aizen pulled a dog leash from his system inventory and tied it around Hidan’s neck.

“The Fourth Great Ninja War?” Hidan asked, his twisted smile returning. “When? Against who? I want in!”

“Against the Five Great Nations, of course,” Aizen replied. “On the surface, Akatsuki only has me, Tobi, Konan, Pakura, and Zetsu left. The others are either dead or faking their deaths, like you.”

“Tobi’s the mastermind behind Akatsuki, but there’s no point explaining it all to you. With your brain and skills, you’d just be cannon fodder. Join if you want, but don’t expect much.”

Without waiting for a reply, Aizen secured the leash to a nearby pole, ignoring Hidan’s cursing as he headed home.

---

*Land of Iron – The Graveyard of Mountains*

Obito emerged from a cave.

“Finally heading out?” White Zetsu asked, his voice echoing from the rock walls. “Aren’t you going to wait for Aizen? He said he’d reclaim the fruits he planted earlier.”

“There’s no need,” Obito replied coldly. “I’ve already discussed this with Aizen. He won’t interfere.”

“Are you going to the Hidden Rain Village to retrieve the Rinnegan?” Kabuto appeared from the shadows, his body entwined with white snakes.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Obito said sharply. “Don’t try anything foolish while I’m gone.”

Kabuto smirked. “Relax. Lord Aizen has already promised me what I want. Still, you Uchiha types are fascinating. The more love you have, the stronger your Sharingan becomes. You must have suffered greatly to gain such power. Perhaps Aizen could help you recover what you lost.”

“Silence!” Obito roared, turning with a burst of murderous intent.

The sheer pressure of his Sharingan, the same force that once overwhelmed the Fourth Mizukage, made the air grow heavy.

“Impressive killing intent,” Kabuto muttered, his eyes narrowing. For now, it was wise not to provoke Obito further.

He raised his hands mockingly. “I surrender, I surrender.”

Obito glared at him. “Don’t think being Aizen’s ally grants you free rein. You’re nothing more than a temporary collaborator. Remember your place, Kabuto.”

With that, Obito vanished, leaving Kabuto alone.

Staring at the spot where Obito had disappeared, Kabuto chuckled to himself. “You’re oblivious, aren’t you? That so-called angel of the Hidden Rain Village shares a special bond with Lord Aizen. Let’s see if you can survive this. Otherwise, it’ll be no fun at all… Uchiha Madara—oh no, Uchiha Obito.”

End of Chapter.  

*Chapter 342: Fifteen Trillion Explosive Tags*

Rain Village.

At the clock tower's peak.

Aizen was peeling an apple for Kurenai, who was pregnant.

Also present were Mikoto, Izumi, Konan, and the other women of Aizen’s family.

The family sat together on the sofa, chatting about their future.

Suddenly, Aizen and Chihua simultaneously sensed something. They exchanged glances, and Aizen said, "He's finally here."

The women knew Aizen was referring to Obito. The room fell silent as everyone looked at Konan. She stood up and said, "He used me and Nagato, killing many of the original Akatsuki members. It's time to settle things."

Konan left the house as she spoke.

"Aizen, do you need me to go with you?" Izumi asked, standing up with a worried look.

After all, the opponent was someone who had wiped out the Uchiha Police Force single-handedly.

"Don’t worry. Konan has already analyzed his abilities thoroughly. If even this doesn’t kill Obito, I’ll step in myself," Aizen reassured her, ruffling Izumi's hair.

Aizen shouted toward the balcony, "Hey, Yugito! My Akatsuki robe is ruined. After ironing the clothes, bring me the outfit Mikoto made."

"I know, Master," replied Yugito reluctantly as she walked in with freshly ironed clothes.

"Aizen, isn’t it a bit much to make a former Jonin from the Hidden Cloud do all the housework?" Mikoto asked with a laugh.

"It’s fine. Compared to the favor I did saving her life, this is nothing," Aizen replied cheerfully.

Yugito, her chakra sealed and her body bound by Aizen’s restrictions, could only suffer in silence. She knew many secrets that could shake the ninja world, yet she couldn’t share them. Instead, she was stuck doing housework daily, a fate so frustrating that she sometimes wished she’d died back then.

Soon, Aizen changed into his new outfit.

He slicked his hair back, leaving a single strand falling over his face. His attire was a white robe with black trim, paired with long black boots. His zanpakuto was secured with a dark red belt.

This was Aizen’s custom Arrancar-inspired outfit.

From a glance, it resembled Aizen's attire during his time in Hueco Mundo, though without the complex hakama layers.

Aizen gazed out the window. Once the Rain Village issue was resolved, it would be time to retrieve his last wife.

Meanwhile, Obito was searching for Nagato’s corpse.

By chance, he came across Hidan, tied to a utility pole like a guard dog, snoring away.

Nearby were a water bowl and a food dish.

“Is that... Hidan?” Obito asked in disbelief.

Hidan, awoken by Obito’s voice, blinked groggily, then grinned when he recognized him. "Hey! It’s you, Afei! Hurry up and untie this stupid leash!"

“How did you end up here?” Obito tossed a kunai, which was reflected back by the sealing barrier on the rope.

A barrier, huh?

Before Hidan could answer, countless pieces of paper floated in from behind Obito, converging to form Konan’s elegant figure.

“Looking for something?” Konan asked coldly.

“Yeah,” Obito admitted without turning around. "Where’s Nagato’s body?"

“It’s not here,” Konan replied curtly. Using her Dance of the Shikigami technique, she transformed into countless pieces of paper, leading Obito to a sea filled with 15 trillion explosive tags.

“Are you still unwilling to hand over the Rinnegan? You know it’s not something you can protect,” Obito said, his tone heavy.

Konan stared at him and said, “I knew you’d come, so I’ve been waiting. This ends here—you won’t leave alive.”

“Betraying me because of Naruto?” Obito questioned. "I don’t know what Naruto said to Nagato, but you should know Akatsuki doesn’t tolerate betrayal."

Konan sneered. “Nagato used Rinne Tensei after being persuaded by Naruto. But me? I’m not so easy to sway.”

“Then what are you fighting for?” Obito pressed.

“For the lives you took,” Konan replied coldly. “You manipulated Nagato and Yahiko, killed many original Akatsuki members, and now both Hanzō and Danzō are dead. It’s your turn to pay.”

Without another word, paper wings formed on Konan’s back as she charged at Obito.

At the moment of contact, her wings fragmented into countless explosive tag-laden papers, which passed harmlessly through Obito’s intangible body.

“So, you’ve studied my abilities thoroughly, huh?” Obito activated Kamui, absorbing the paper as he smirked. "But you’ve underestimated the Uchiha Sharingan. If you’d stayed in that tower, I might’ve hesitated, but..."

“These are explosive tags,” Obito realized, stopping his absorption in alarm.

Seizing the opportunity, Konan unleashed her ultimate technique: Paper Ocean.

The sea of 15 trillion explosive tags split, creating a massive chasm that swallowed Obito whole.

The explosion lasted for 25 minutes.

In the shadows, Aizen watched the scene with mild surprise.

“Strange. Wasn’t it 600 billion tags for 10 minutes in the original story? Why’s it been over 20 minutes... Oh wait, it was 6 billion, not 600 billion,” Aizen thought, chuckling at his mistake.

He silently mourned for Obito. Fifteen trillion tags and 25 minutes—could even he survive that?

Just then, Aizen sensed something and smirked.

No wonder Obito managed to survive Sasuke’s fight with Itachi’s trap without using his right eye’s Kamui. It turned out he’d transplanted another Sharingan after barely escaping Aizen’s earlier attack. With Kamui's five-minute intangibility, Obito had barely endured the explosion.

As the explosions ceased and the sea calmed, the clouds parted to reveal sunlight.

Konan, panting heavily, looked at the dawn sky. “Finally. I didn’t expect this technique to consume so much chakra. Even my Dance of the Shikigami is undone... But it seems that bastard is finally—"

“Dead?” Obito’s voice interrupted her from behind.

As Obito moved to impale Konan with a steel rod, Aizen appeared, catching the rod mid-thrust.

“Just in time,” Aizen remarked.

“Aizen...” Obito froze, releasing the rod and retreating to maintain distance. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t interfere with my plans to retrieve the Rinnegan?”

“I did,” Aizen replied with a grin, “but I never said I’d let you kill my wife.”

Konan, though unharmed, collapsed into Aizen’s arms, her chakra completely depleted.

Chapter 343: A New Summoning Technique

“Wife?!”

As Aizen embraced Konan, Obito’s mouth twitched noticeably under his mask.

Granted, Aizen had openly expressed his love for Konan during multiple Akatsuki meetings in the past.

However, since Aizen already had a wife and children, everyone assumed he was merely joking.

Even Pain had repeatedly warned Aizen not to harbor any intentions toward Konan.

Who would have thought that not long after Pain’s departure, Konan would end up in Aizen’s arms?

For Obito, who was deeply obsessed with unrequited love, this was nothing short of a devastating blow.

“Yes, my wife.” Aizen nodded, channeling chakra into Konan’s body. Her deathly pale complexion quickly regained its natural hue.

“And what about the agreement we made?”

Obito’s expression darkened. With Aizen around, his chances of reclaiming the Rinnegan were next to impossible.

“The Rinnegan? You can have it; I did promise it to you. But since you just bullied my wife, I can’t let it slide so easily, can I?” Aizen said with a sly grin.

“Bullied?” Obito glanced at Konan, who was lively again thanks to Aizen’s chakra restoration. Then he looked at his missing right arm, blown away by Konan’s explosive tags.

Are you kidding me? Who bullied who here?

If he hadn’t been cautious and implanted an additional Sharingan, he would’ve been dead by now!

“What do you want?” Obito chose to endure, knowing that as long as the Eye of the Moon Plan succeeded and he reunited with Rin in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, nothing else mattered.

“Ah, speaking with smart people is always satisfying,” Aizen chuckled, taking Obito’s Yin-Yang Release and Six Paths techniques, once taught to him by Madara.

Later, citing that Obito couldn’t handle both Rinnegan, Aizen handed him only the left eye, infuriating Obito to the point of almost cursing him.

Once Obito left, Aizen released Jugo and Suigetsu.

“Whoa, that was terrifying!” Suigetsu complained immediately. “Hey, you! Stop locking people up in that dark, creepy space of yours—it’s horrifying!”

Jugo, on the other hand, seemed calm and unperturbed. That boundless, dark space had given him an unprecedented sense of peace.

Aizen crossed his arms. “That’s because you’re too weak. My alternate dimension isn’t like Tobi’s. To be sent there, you must have physical contact with me and be unable to resist. If you could’ve fought back, even briefly, you wouldn’t have suffered like that.”

“Enough chit-chat. If you don’t want to go back there, go find something for me.”

Suigetsu and Jugo exchanged a glance, both puzzled. “Something?”

“Yes, an object only the two of you can locate. It’s hidden in a secret chamber at one of Orochimaru’s bases.”

Without elaborating, Aizen dismissed them swiftly.

As they disappeared, Konan hesitated. “Aizen, do you think they’ll bring the item back?”

“They won’t,” Aizen said, shaking his head. The item he sought was the method to undo the Reaper Death Seal.

“Then why send them? Shouldn’t you assign someone to monitor them? This is about the god of shinobi…” Konan frowned.

“Just a few resurrected corpses to make the war more interesting. Don’t worry about it.” Aizen’s gaze shifted toward the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Roran. By now, Naruto must have traveled back in time to meet the Fourth Hokage.

Not that it mattered.

He could seal the Ryūmyaku energy into his body, like the tailed beasts were sealed, but he had no desire to become a jinchūriki.

It was time to find a suitable container.

Next, Aizen turned his sights on the Box of Ultimate Bliss, located on an isolated, cliffside prison island known as Hozuki Castle.

There, a monster from the Sage of Six Paths’ era awaited—the perfect candidate for a summoning beast.

By the time Aizen arrived, the Box of Ultimate Bliss had already been opened. Naruto, Tsunade, Killer B, Kakashi, and other Konoha and Hidden Cloud shinobi were battling the monster.

The scene felt strangely familiar.

“Isn’t this the plot of Naruto Shippuden: Blood Prison?”

“Fujiwara Aizen,” the Konoha shinobi stopped attacking the monster when they saw him arrive.

The Hidden Cloud ninjas shielded Killer B, suppressing their fear. “You bastard! Are you here to capture Lord Killer B?”

The monster also noticed Aizen and halted its assault. It could sense fear and read the hearts of its enemies—but Aizen’s mind was a blank slate to it.

This man had no fear?

And what was this strange aura?

“Relax. I’m not here to capture the tailed beasts. If I did that now, the Fourth Great Ninja War would lose its meaning,” Aizen said calmly, turning his gaze to the monster.

With pitch-black wings, a vaguely humanoid shape, and a disproportionately massive head lined with sharp fangs, the monster looked grotesque.

“I’m preparing for the war and need a summoning beast. This big-headed guy will do nicely.”

Without wasting time, Aizen drew his Zanpakuto. Activating Kyoka Suigetsu’s illusionary powers and forming hand signs, he summoned enormous wooden tendrils to bind the monster.

The creature dodged nimbly, using its wings to evade the Wood Release’s attacks. But before it could catch its breath, Aizen appeared above it, slashing downward with a crescent-shaped energy wave from his blade.

The impact sent the monster crashing into the ground like a cannonball.

Wood Release finished the job.

Amidst the shocked gazes of Konoha and Hidden Cloud ninjas, a massive wooden dragon burst from the earth, effortlessly constraining the monster.

The creature shrieked in pain, completely immobilized.

“Well then, see you all on the battlefield.” Standing atop the subdued monster, Aizen gave Tsunade a casual wave before teleporting away with Flying Thunder God.

When he reappeared, he stood at the Ryūmyaku’s sealed location.

“Let me go, you bastard!” the monster roared furiously.

“Quiet.” Aizen’s eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of crimson Mangekyō Sharingan with four-pointed star designs.

He knew this creature would never truly submit to him.

So, for the first time, he used Shisui’s Mangekyō ability—Kotoamatsukami.

With Hashirama’s cells enhancing him, cooldown time wasn’t an issue.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 344: Father and Mother, Return to the Night of the Nine-Tails

The scene shifted swiftly.

The monster quickly calmed down, flicking its tongue like a snake, transforming into a pet dog for Aizen.

"Let’s call it Kuro from now on."

“What is that thing? A wooden dragon? And a humanoid creature with a massive mouth and wings?”

Sasori and Kakuzu, having heard the commotion, emerged to investigate.

“Oh, nothing much,” Aizen replied nonchalantly, stroking Kuro’s head while undoing the Wood Dragon Technique. “Just a vessel I found for the Ryumyaku. It’s harmless now—my pet. I named it Kuro.”

Kakuzu frowned, recognizing the technique. “That’s the First Hokage’s Wood Dragon Technique.”

“Oh?” Aizen deactivated his Mangekyō Sharingan, his pupils reverting to pitch black. With a smirk, he teased, “The same technique you watched from 500 miles away while throwing kunai at the First Hokage?”

“I wasn’t throwing kunai from 500 miles away,” Kakuzu retorted, his old face turning red. “I fought him directly. I… just lost, that’s all.”

“Think whatever you want.” Aizen waved dismissively. “Now, I’ll seal the Ryumyaku into Kuro’s body. Sasori, you used to handle intelligence for the Akatsuki. I assume you’re aware the Fourth Great Ninja War is about to begin?”

“Yes.” Sasori’s expression turned grave. “I didn’t expect that weakling Tobi to be the mastermind behind the Akatsuki—or that he’d turn out to be the legendary Uchiha Madara.”

“So, what will you two do next?” Aizen asked casually. “If you don’t want to fight, find a place to hide. Amegakure would be ideal—it’s the only place that won’t be affected by the war, and you’re both familiar with it.”

Kakuzu and Sasori exchanged surprised glances before looking at Aizen. “We thought you’d force us to join the battle.”

Aizen chuckled. “This war is beyond the scope of ninja. Even the Five Kage are just slightly stronger fodder. If you fought, you’d only add to the casualties.”

He paused. “Don’t look at me like that. I care about my comrades. Aside from that idiot Deidara, who once tried to kill me, I’ve secretly saved all the Akatsuki members.”

Sasori was taken aback. “Pain was defeated by the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki, but… you saved him too?”

“It’s exaggerated to say the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki defeated him. Naruto’s not that strong—yet. But yes, I saved him. He’s my brother-in-law, after all.”

“Brother-in-law?” Sasori and Kakuzu rolled their eyes. “So you did make a move on Konan.”

“Whether you join the fight or hide in Amegakure, it’s up to you.” With that, Aizen leapt onto Kuro’s back, heading toward the sealing site for the Ryumyaku.

“Wait,” Sasori called out.

Aizen turned. “What is it?”

“Recently, the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki came by.”

“I know,” Aizen replied. “He’s at Hōzuki Castle now. So is the Eight-Tails. I just returned from there.”

“I… I…” Sasori hesitated, struggling to speak.

“I, what?” Aizen smirked knowingly at Sasori’s conflicted expression. “You want me to help save your parents, don’t you?”

Sasori gathered his courage and nodded. “My parents.”

Aizen agreed with a nod and then turned to Kakuzu. “Anyone you want me to bring back for you?”

“No.” Kakuzu answered without hesitation. He had no intention of saving the Takigakure ninja who had betrayed him.

---

A furious roar echoed through the air, saturated with hatred and foreboding.

Nine enormous, fiery-red tails whipped through the sky, generating shockwaves that tore through buildings as if they were paper. Wooden debris and dust scattered in all directions.

The peaceful village was plunged into chaos, villagers screaming in terror at the destruction before them.

“The Nine-Tails…”

The familiar scene unfolded.

The familiar screams filled the air.

Aizen observed the scene, extending his sensory abilities. He quickly located his younger self as a child—along with his parents.

He stealthily rescued his father, who was rushing to intercept the Nine-Tails, using a Wood Clone to impersonate him and feign death. Under his father’s shocked gaze, Aizen used genjutsu to put him to sleep and stored him in the system’s space.

He then moved to his mother and younger self.

As before, his mother sacrificed herself to protect him.

But this time, Aizen didn’t feel any sadness.

Placing a hand on her, he effortlessly revived her, repeating the same strategy—using a Wood Clone to feign her death.

As he prepared to store her in the system space, she suddenly awoke.

In a trembling, weak voice, she asked, “Are you…?”

Aizen had no emotional attachment to these parents, having transmigrated into this world at age six. He hadn’t even spoken to them before.

He intended to leave without acknowledging her, but her next words startled him.

“Are you… my Little Aizen?”

The name felt so unfamiliar—Little Aizen.

It was the name both his parents in this world and his past life had called him.

Aizen froze for a moment. Without further interaction, he placed her under genjutsu, putting her to sleep, and stored her away.

---

Following the Nine-Tails’ chakra trail, Aizen headed for the outskirts of Konoha.

On the way, he sensed a large group of hidden chakra signatures at the Sarutobi Clan’s grounds—ones he had never sensed before.

Realizing why the Sarutobi Clan had an entire battalion by the Fourth Shinobi War, yet were weak and sparse during their massacre, Aizen sent shadow clones to eliminate the clan’s strong members while concealing his identity.

He also delayed the Third Hokage and his team from reaching the Nine-Tails, ensuring they wouldn’t interfere with his plans.

By the time Aizen arrived, the Fourth Hokage had already used the Reaper Death Seal, extracting half of the Nine-Tails’ chakra.

For the first time, Aizen saw the newborn Naruto—and his mother, Kushina.

Her signature Uzumaki red hair was dull, her skin pale from the extraction of the tailed beast. Her disheveled hair fell over her face, and five chakra chains extended from her back, binding the Nine-Tails.

Due to the loss of half its chakra, the Nine-Tails had shrunken in size. Its bindings were loose, and Kushina was too weak to tighten them.

Sensing the Fourth Hokage’s intent to seal it into Naruto, the Nine-Tails lunged forward, claws aiming for the infant.

Both Kushina and Minato moved to shield Naruto with their bodies.

But Aizen intercepted the attack, stopping the Nine-Tails’ claw with one hand.

“How pathetic, Fourth Hokage,” he remarked with a smirk.

(To be continued…)

*Chapter 345: Another Fugaku*

"This is…"

Facing away from the Nine-Tails, the Fourth Hokage and Kushina stood protectively in front of Naruto. Their expressions suddenly changed, filled with shock, as they turned to look at the mysterious young man who had appeared out of nowhere.

He had single-handedly stopped the claw of the Nine-Tails.

The sheer strength was simply unimaginable!

But that wasn’t even the most important part.

The timing of his arrival—neither early nor late—coincided precisely with the moment the Nine-Tails was about to be sealed.

Realizing this, the couple’s gazes toward Aizen (the mysterious young man) grew wary.

The Fourth Hokage asked solemnly, “Who are you?”

If the man before him had come merely to help, he would be eternally grateful.

However, if he intended to seize the Nine-Tails and pose a threat to Konoha, then even at the cost of his already-doomed life, he would use the Reaper Death Seal to stop him.

"What a terrifying look," Aizen chuckled. "Worried I might take advantage of the situation to seize the Nine-Tails?"

Behind him came the enraged roar of the Nine-Tails. “Damn you, brat!”

“Be quiet, you stupid fox.” Aizen shot the Nine-Tails a glance. His Sharingan flickered—merely the three-tomoe version—but it was enough. Without a Jinchuriki, the Nine-Tails immediately fell under its influence.

With a thud, the Nine-Tails collapsed, its head tilting to the side, eyes blank.

Its mouth hung open, tongue lolling out—a sight resembling a sedated cat about to be neutered.

Dust billowed into the air.

Both the Fourth Hokage and Kushina were utterly stunned by Aizen’s display.

Even though they hadn’t seen the Sharingan, the fact that he subdued the Nine-Tails—something they had barely managed to suppress at the cost of their lives—with just a glance was beyond belief.

This power reminded them of the masked man who had controlled the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha.

No—this person seemed even more terrifying than the masked man.

“You must be from the Uchiha clan,” Kushina spoke weakly, her voice faint as her life force waned. She was at her limit.

The Fourth Hokage, also teetering on the brink, staggered and quickly supported her. He, too, was near his end.

Once his chakra was exhausted, the Death God lurking behind him would claim his soul.

Aizen said calmly, “Looking at your state, you’re both about to die. Don’t bother guessing my identity. Even if you rack your brains, you won’t figure it out.”

“I’m not part of the Uchiha clan. In our era, the Uchiha clan was wiped out under the orders of the Third Hokage and Danzo. Of course, they paid a heavy price as well.”

“While orchestrating the downfall of the Uchiha clan, their own clans were annihilated too. Call it karma.”

“One more thing, Fourth Hokage—Reaper Death Seal doesn’t work on everyone.”

The Fourth Hokage froze. He wasn’t foolish—in fact, he was very perceptive.

But sometimes, he trusted certain people too much—such as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“So you’re not from this time,” he said after a moment of thought. “Does that mean you’re from the future? Did you come here through the power of the Dragon Vein?”

After pondering, the Fourth Hokage asked in a low voice.

“Looks like you’ve already met your son from the future,” Aizen replied. “Let me be direct—because of a naive kid who admired me and once called me ‘father,’ I decided to secretly save his parents without altering history, as I’ve mastered the power of the Dragon Vein.”

“So, I’ll mercifully save you both—though you’re a lost cause after using the Reaper Death Seal. But I can save your wife.”

“I see.” At these words, the Fourth Hokage smiled, both relieved and pleased. “It seems you’re the one Naruto often mentions.”

“Though we stand on different sides, you must truly be an exceptional ninja.”

What no one knew was that during the mission to seal the Dragon Vein, Minato had recognized his son from the future.

While he sealed Naruto’s memory to preserve history, he kept his own intact.

This was why he was so confident that his newborn son would one day control the Nine-Tails.

“Aren’t you curious about what your son endured in the future?” Aizen frowned. “Or, more accurately, what Hiruzen Sarutobi did to him?”

“No need. I’ll silently watch over Naruto from within him,” the Fourth Hokage said, smiling as he turned to the barely-breathing Kushina in his arms, her eyes fluttering closed. “Next, I’ll seal Kushina’s chakra, mine, and the Nine-Tails into Naruto.”

“It seems you have a way to save a Jinchuriki after losing their tailed beast. I’ll leave Kushina to you. Naruto as well.”

Aizen asked the question weighing most heavily on his mind. “Did you know that if a Jinchuriki survives the extraction and the beast is promptly resealed, they can continue living?”

Minato paused, then shook his head with a bitter smile. “Is that so?”

But it was too late.

There’s no undoing the past.

“Kushina, I entrust her to you,” the Fourth Hokage said before setting her down, performing the Eight Trigrams Seal, and passing with a smile.

Aizen approached the dying Kushina, casually picking her up and leaving a wooden clone behind. The clone used transformation jutsu.

Not long after they departed, Hiruzen Sarutobi and others arrived.

Seeing the baby Naruto on a small altar, his stomach marked with a seal, they instantly understood what had occurred.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Aizen revived Kushina.

“I thought I was already dead,” Kushina murmured, her first words after waking.

Watching the backs of Hiruzen and the others disappearing, Aizen turned to Kushina. “Yo, you’re awake already?”

“Who are you?” Kushina’s gaze followed Aizen’s line of sight. She saw her child, her husband, and her own “corpse.”

Her voice caught in her throat.

A shadow of sorrow crossed her face.

She wasn’t foolish; from the conversation between her husband and Aizen, she had gleaned that he had traveled through time to save his parents—and her.

In the original timeline, she had died.

Through a substitution trick, he had saved her without altering history.

“I thought you’d freak out,” Aizen said, slightly surprised. “Let me introduce myself: I’m Aizen, Fujiwara Aizen, son of Fujiwara Ichiro and Fujiwara Shizuka.”

“I’m also a rogue ninja from Konoha. Never mind, it’s too much to explain. Just see for yourself.”

As he spoke, Aizen activated his Sharingan, showing Kushina the events that followed the Nine-Tails’ attack.

Of course, he subtly distorted the details.

For instance, he claimed his Sharingan wasn’t stolen but gifted by a dying Fugaku.

(Chapter ends.)