belamy20

Chapter 336: A New Consensus

Added 2024-11-21 03:29:09 +0000 UTC

“We are indeed followers of Itsuki!”

Sasuke spoke firmly, “But we also have our own thoughts, our own perspectives on this world. That was Itsuki’s demand back in the day!”

“That’s what he taught us. That’s what he required of us.”

“He wanted us to be ourselves. He wanted our souls to stay vibrant.”

Uchiha Itsuki, you really went too far.

The Sage of Six Paths could barely contain his rage. In his mind, he was practically cursing Itsuki to death.

Why couldn’t you just act like a proper person?

Seriously, can you?!

Look at what you’ve taught these people!

What is this?!

For someone in power, a ninja is nothing more than a tool.

And you… you taught tools to think?

You encouraged them to develop independent thought?

Good grief!

If you’d been my father back then, maybe I wouldn’t have had to seal my mother!

Vibrant souls?

Why don’t you just ascend to the heavens?!

The Sage’s face darkened as he struggled to hold back the urge to explode into a tirade.

Kaguya, on the other hand, laughed softly.

Good.

Very good!

Seeing that you all can’t cooperate—it pleases me.

The two youngsters sneaked a glance at Itsuki after finishing their piece.

Saying such things in front of him, they weren’t entirely confident about how he’d react.

Would the big brother lose his temper?

In response…

Itsuki turned his head away.

Not listening, not listening—like a turtle reciting scriptures!

Do as you please. It has nothing to do with me.

I’ve got my own plans anyway.

Even if you stand against me, it won’t affect my designs.

His gaze shifted to Hashirama for a moment.

That idiot… what’s on his mind?

Would he also switch sides?

Although Itsuki could handle it, the idea was irritating.

One after another, everyone’s treating me like some final boss villain.

The whole of the ninja world’s peak power is rallying to deal with me…

Come on, am I not allowed even a shred of dignity here?!

“Children!”

Kaguya suddenly called out to the two young ninjas, beckoning them over. “Come here. No matter the issue, Grandma can help you resolve it.”

*Grandma?*

*Grandma, Grandma…*

Itsuki silently rolled his eyes. Why not just add another “of yours”?

He glanced at his attribute panel.

*[Uchiha Itsuki!]*

- *Age:* 18

- *Ninjutsu:* Level 7 (9%)

- *Taijutsu:* Level 6 (87%)

- *Genjutsu:* Level 7 (45%)

- *Kekkei Genkai:* Rinnegan {Prowess: Level 8 (22%)}

- *Chakra:* 32 Units (17%)

*[Skills]*

- *Fire Release:*

- *Grand Fireball Jutsu:* Level 7 (78%)

- *Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu:* Level 7 (36%)

- *Dragon Fire Jutsu:* Level 7 (67%)

- *Water Release:*

- *Water Bullet Jutsu:* Level 7 (34%)

- *Water Dragon Jutsu:* Level 7 (23%)

- *Sage Techniques:* Level 7 (99%)

- *Flying Thunder God Jutsu:* Level 7 (39%)

- *Chakra:* 321,761 Points

Sage techniques improved a little.

Just one more step! Just one tiny step, and he’d achieve Level 8 in sage techniques.

Itsuki narrowed his eyes.

Once sage techniques reach Level 8, everything will come to an end.

He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began meditating.

At some point, he’d lost all reverence for the Sage of Six Paths and his ilk.

Perhaps it was because his strength kept growing, steadily closing the gap, and eventually surpassing them.

When he awakened the Rinnegan, he already had the power to face the Sage directly.

Of course, he couldn’t win back then, but escaping unscathed was within his capabilities.

From there, he only grew stronger.

Now, his comprehensive power had moved from chasing to outright dominance.

“Soon.”

Just a few small tasks away.

In the ninja world, the strongest rules.

And his fist was about to become the biggest of them all.

---

“We want peace in the ninja world!”

Naruto’s voice rang out. “A time when people understand each other should come. War has no place in such a world.”

That one statement made both Kaguya and the Sage’s faces darken.

Itsuki couldn’t help but snicker internally. These two naive kids… don’t you fear they’ll gift you a “complete childhood” in response?

Parental love can be overwhelming, after all.

The Sage and Kaguya—one a father, one a grandmother.

One wanted to turn the ninja world into a nursery for White Zetsu.

The other sought endless wars to birth powerful warriors, only to let them die and enter the Pure Land as spirit soldiers.

Peace?

You’ve got to be kidding!

Two kids, you’re basically stabbing their core beliefs with a knife, and twisting it while you’re at it!

Kaguya suddenly smiled. “Children, if everyone becomes White Zetsu, war will be eliminated. They can all live in happiness within the Infinite Tsukuyomi.”

“Ridiculous!”

The Sage sneered, openly contradicting his mother. “Mother, your words are laughable. The Infinite Tsukuyomi? That world? Those people? They’re no longer human. Such peace is fake.”

“Better than you!”

Kaguya glared coldly at her son, voice icy. “You perpetuate endless wars, not sparing even their souls. I only let them sleep!”

“Nonsense!”

The Sage countered, equally cold. “You strip them of both body and soul. At least I leave them with a semblance of autonomy while they live!”

Kaguya: “…”

Sage: “…”

Naruto and Sasuke: “…”

Well, damn.

These two were ruthless.

No matter which side won, nobody would have a good end.

The two of you are terrifying!

Alive, you exploit people. Dead, you don’t let them rest.

Compared to you two, Big Brother Itsuki is practically an angel—double-winged, even!

That said, the two youngsters weren’t foolish. They knew Itsuki likely had his own agenda.

They just didn’t know what it was.

“Hey,” Naruto whispered.

“What is it?” Sasuke frowned.

“What do we do now?” Naruto muttered, frustrated. “Why does it feel like these two are about to come for us?”

"What?"

Sasuke was startled and quickly looked up.

As expected!

At this moment, the gazes of Hagoromo and Kaguya were filled with a faint killing intent.

What's going on?

Sasuke was dumbfounded.

Aren't you supposed to be recruiting us?

Aren't you supposed to be our grandpa and grandma?

Aren't you supposed to treat us like treasures?

Then suddenly—

He understood!

Damn!

These two guys clearly realized that it’s unlikely they can win them over. So, if they can’t be allies, then they’ll be enemies.

Eliminate them!

Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine.

They’re actually going to fight Hagoromo and Kaguya!

In this situation, going one-on-one might end up like being tossed around like a ball for their amusement!

"Naruto, stay alert!"

Sasuke took a deep breath and said seriously, "Hagoromo, we’ve decided to cooperate with you to continue the agreement between Big Brother Itsuki and you."

"Oh?"

Hagoromo raised an eyebrow, his face expressionless.

These two little punks were clearly dissatisfied with his approach as well.

So!

Hagoromo was already considering whether to team up with his mother and take them out now.

Otherwise, if they teamed up with Itsuki later, they’d end up opposing him again.

Better to finish them off here, then he’d settle things with his mother and seal her away!

After that, he’d face Itsuki alone—oh, and his brother too.

The old Hyuga ancestor was still out there. Itsuki probably wouldn’t kill him, right?

Then it would be two against one.

The more he thought about it—

Hagoromo felt confident it could work!

No, it *should* work!

Hagoromo glanced at Kaguya.

As mother and son, Kaguya instantly understood what Hagoromo was thinking.

After a brief moment of thought, she nodded slightly, agreeing with his plan.

If they were destined not to be allies, then it was better to eliminate them early. Otherwise, were they supposed to wait for these two to cause trouble for them later?

That would be ridiculous!

Immediately—

The way the two of them looked at Sasuke and Naruto turned... off.

"Watch out!"

Naruto said softly, "These two are full of bad intentions toward us."

"No need to say it!"

Did that even need sensing?

A single glance at their eyes was enough to tell.

The killing intent in their gazes was almost impossible to hide.

"Sigh!"

Sasuke let out a deep sigh. "Not like Big Brother Itsuki."

"How could there ever be a fight with Uchiha Itsuki around?"

Sasuke muttered to himself.

Naruto tilted his head. "Really? I feel like anywhere Big Brother Itsuki is, peace is the last thing you’d find."

Sasuke: "…"

It did seem true?

When Uchiha Itsuki was present, peace seemed impossible. Even when neither side wanted to fight, they’d still end up fighting because of him.

Hashirama glanced sideways at the man next to him.

At this moment, Uchiha Itsuki’s face was darker than storm clouds.

Have I not treated you well?

And you’re saying this about me behind my back?

Wait!

You’re not even doing it behind my back! You’re saying it *to my face*!

"Kill!"

Suddenly—

Naruto yelled, transformed into Kurama, and charged straight at Hagoromo.

Sasuke followed closely, blood flowing from his eyes as he activated Amaterasu.

It was as if Hagoromo and Kaguya had agreed beforehand—they both moved to meet the attack.

In an instant, the four of them were locked in a fierce battle.

Hashirama frowned deeply and asked in a low voice, "Should we step in?"

"No!"

Itsuki refused without hesitation. At the same time, he glanced at his golden finger system panel.

*[Mission: Naruto and Sasuke vs. Kaguya and Hagoromo]*

*[Mission completed!]*

*[Reward: Sage Arts Enhancement!]*

*[Sage Arts: 99% → 99%]*

No breakthrough!

Itsuki let out a soft sigh.

He knew it!

Naruto and Sasuke’s desires were completely at odds with Hagoromo’s. Fighting was inevitable.

Besides, the whole Asura and Indra thing had already left Hagoromo with a grudge against these two kids.

So—

The fact that the four of them were fighting wasn’t surprising at all.

His own visual prowess had indeed improved, but only slightly.

That final leap… looks like it’s going to take more missions to accumulate!

What mission should I tackle next?

Itsuki stared at the four fighting figures, lost in thought.

He could assign two missions at a time.

In the past, he would always assign one hard mission and one easy mission.

Now, both mission slots were filled with the simplest tasks.

After finishing off Hagoromo, there wouldn’t be a need for battles in the short term. What he needed now was to keep farming missions.

Even if his strength increased a hundredfold after fighting Hagoromo, what good would it do?

All the enemies would already be dead, leaving him invincible but idle.

As for the Otsutsuki clan...

Itsuki estimated that even if they were stronger than Kaguya and Hagoromo, the difference wouldn’t be significant.

If he had the strength to crush Hagoromo and Kaguya, dealing with the Otsutsuki clan probably wouldn’t be too hard either.

"Itsuki, Itsuki…"

Hashirama’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"What do you mean, 'what is it'?"

Hashirama was speechless. "What should we do? Stay hidden like this? Those two kids can’t possibly beat Hagoromo and Kaguya."

Of course, I know that!

Itsuki pouted.

Forget one-on-one—even in the original story, Naruto and Sasuke barely managed to beat Kaguya with Hagoromo’s and the author’s help. Without that, they wouldn’t have won.

Yeah, the *author*!

Otherwise, how do you explain Kakashi’s Six Paths powers?

Seriously?!

Obito died, but he still managed to pass on his powers to Kakashi?!

Sure, it was exciting to watch at the time, but who wouldn’t admit that was just the author giving them a cheat code?!

Even Sakura, at her level, was able to help—what a joke!

All for the sake of showcasing teamwork and the strength of Team 7, they threw logic completely out the window.

"Don’t rush!"

While assigning himself two more small tasks, Itsuki said, "If we step in now, it’ll be meaningless. We might even end up being targeted. What’s the difference between us four fighting them two here and outside? If they escape again, that’ll be even worse."

"The biggest issue!"

Itsuki’s voice grew serious. "I’m worried about Kaguya using her space-time ninjutsu to separate us. That would be the real problem."

"So, what do we do?"

Hashirama asked.

He was also troubled by Kaguya’s ability to retreat into other dimensions.

If they really got separated, it would be an even bigger headache.

Other than Itsuki, probably no one could face them alone.

Now, the top-tier powerhouses were Kaguya, Hagoromo, and Itsuki.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hashirama were in the second tier.

"That’s why we need to think carefully!"

Itsuki squinted as he watched the four fighting figures. "They won’t reach a conclusion anytime soon, so let’s not rush."

"Fine."