Truth-Seeking Orbs could undergo shape transformation, but there was one change they couldn't achieve—high-speed, chaotic rotation!
It was universally acknowledged that the Rasengan represented the pinnacle of ninjutsu shape transformation!
If the Rasengan's shape transformation could be applied to Truth-Seeking Orbs, their power would surely reach an entirely new level!
In the days since the war ended, Naruto had spent his time either accompanying pregnant Hinata or pondering improvements to the Truth-Seeking Orbs!
Now showing some results, Naruto demonstrated publicly!
—Truth-Seeking Orb Rasengan!
Whoosh! Madara stopped abruptly and raised his gunbai to block, attempting to use the Uchiha's divine technique of "Uchiha Reflection," but discovered he couldn't reflect it!
Crack! Fissures appeared on the fan's surface, spreading outward in spiraling patterns like the Truth-Seeking Orb, before exploding into fragments!
The falling pieces turned to ash mid-air!
Madara retreated and steadied himself, looking at the remaining handle in his hand, his brow deeply furrowed.
Hundreds of years ago, a meteorite fell from the heavens. People extracted metals unknown on Earth from that meteorite. Madara's ancestors were fortunate enough to obtain that meteoric iron and, using sacred tree wood passed down from Indra's era, combined it with the extraterrestrial metal to forge this clan-protecting gunbai!
"By all rights, this gunbai imbued with 'divinity' by the sacred tree and possessing meteoric iron's hardness shouldn't be destroyed by Truth-Seeking Orbs. But Naruto merely improved the Truth-Seeking Orbs and raised their destructive power to this level..."
"Heh..." Naruto smiled with satisfaction. He'd personally tested that gunbai's incredible hardness. Destroying it directly was nearly impossible—only Guy's Night Guy, which could warp space itself, had managed it!
Now Naruto had achieved it using his pride and joy, the Rasengan!
Swoosh!
The Truth-Seeking Orb in his palm stopped rotating. Naruto clapped his hands and used Daikokuten to erase the Truth-Seeking Orb!
Madara threw both the gunbai handle and Kusanagi Sword to the ground, crossing his arms. "Naruto, this is between me and Sasuke. Why're you interfering!"
Naruto helped Sasuke to his feet and turned around peacefully. "Sparring should stop at the right point. There's no need to risk lives. Although Obito's ocular jutsu can manipulate time, I think we should maintain more reverence for matters of life and death and not use such powers lightly..."
"..." Madara's gaze lowered as he recalled the Sage of Six Paths' parting words.
"Fine." He lowered his crossed arms and placed one hand on his hip. "I won. I'm taking Hana home."
As he passed by, Naruto said, "That might not be appropriate."
"Hm?" Madara stopped and frowned. "What do you—"
Realizing Madara thought he was picking a fight, Naruto quickly explained, "Uncle Madara, Aunt Ari is pregnant. Small animals are lively and active, which isn't good for auntie or the baby..."
Hearing this, Madara's furrowed brow relaxed. "Then what do you suggest?"
Itachi and Izumi approached, casting grateful glances at Naruto.
Itachi proposed, "Madara-san, how about Izumi and I care for Hana first? You can take her back after your child is born."
Izumi held Hana lovingly. "To be honest, Itachi and I... we both love cats."
"..." After brief consideration, Madara walked to Izumi and gently stroked Hana's chin.
Lowering his hand, he said, "Well... let's do that for now. I'll check on her from time to time. If you neglect her, I won't go easy on you."
Madara turned toward the training ground exit, his low warning drifting behind him. "Naruto, don't think becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki means you can rest easy. Combat is a comprehensive art. Killing someone is far easier than you imagine. Never let your guard down..."
Naruto smiled. "Of course."
After Madara left, Sasuke picked up the Kusanagi Sword and sheathed it. Looking at the broken gunbai, his expression darkened.
The fan was a gift from Kabuto. He hoped Obito would help restore it, but his pride prevented him from asking.
Naruto saw through Sasuke's thoughts and signaled Obito, who stepped forward and used Yomotsu Hirasaka to reverse time, restoring the fan.
Naruto grasped the fan and used Daikokuten to create several backup copies, then handed the original to Sasuke.
"Hmph, always doing unnecessary things..." Sasuke took the gunbai and strapped it to his back.
Ashura stood in the distance, hesitating.
Obito said meaningfully, "How was it? Met your match?"
"Haha, not too bad..." Naruto scratched his head with an awkward but polite smile, then grew serious. "Tomorrow, let's hold a meeting for the first time in a while."
"Practical or theoretical?"
Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen approached. The sarcastic comment came from Tobirama.
Naruto smiled. "Practical, of course. I had enough theoretical meetings when I was Seventh Hokage."
Tobirama shook his head. "You make being Hokage sound like a frivolous job... What will the meeting discuss?"
"The Hidden Rain Village's post-war foreign policy, and..." Naruto's gaze grew profound. "Our next enemy—Isshiki Ōtsutsuki and his Kara organization!"
...
Walking through rain-soaked alleys, Madara headed home.
"Defeating Sasuke as he is now took more effort than I expected. And three days ago, my spar with Hashirama ended in a draw. Hashirama had only just transplanted Indra's Rinnegan, though Obito had altered the 'original owner' causality of those eyes. But eyes are the Uchiha's glory—on this matter alone, I won't yield an inch..."
"I need to find a way to become stronger."
Madara pushed open his front door. Though he still wasn't used to having someone wait for him at home, he fulfilled his duties as a man.
He came home on time every day.
Hearing the door open, Ari, who'd just finished cooking, brightened. "Madara's home!"
At the entrance, Madara removed his ninja armor and hung it on the wall, then put on a black robe and entered the main room. The table was set with a sumptuous meal, and Ari removed her apron and came to greet him.
Madara looked at the full table. "I told you not to work. Just have the servants prepare meals..."
Ari babbled, "But hiring servants costs money. Naruto taking in homeless me and the villagers is already such kindness. Having servants too would be so embarrassing..."
Madara said, "Your priority now is resting peacefully for the baby. I'll handle the servant matter tomorrow..."
"Alright, but don't get rough with anyone..."
"Hmph... Problems that can be solved with money don't require violence." Madara picked up a piece of inari sushi and ate.
Ari's beautiful eyes lingered. "Is it good..."
"Mm... acceptable." Madara took another piece.
That night, Madara lay in bed.
Under the lamplight, Ari undressed. Her tender, snow-white skin bore a scar on her left chest—a penetrating knife wound from behind when her village in the Land of Water was attacked.
Fortunately, Ari's heart was on the right side, saving her life.
"..." Watching the uninhibited Ari, Madara looked away.
Ari noticed this small gesture and felt disappointed.
Sensing Ari's disappointment, Madara said, "Scars are a man's medals. No need to mind them..."
Ari smiled bitterly. "But I'm not a man. And since you returned from war, you've been avoiding me every night..."
Madara's eyes shifted slightly. "I'm just... not used to looking directly at women..."
"You must be disgusted with me..." Ari turned away sadly.
Madara sat up. "What would make you feel secure?"
Ari faced away. "Asking me about such things..."
"How troublesome..."
Swoosh! The next moment, Madara flashed before Ari, dominantly laying her down and kissing her scar.
"Ah..." Ari became entranced.
Madara looked directly at her. "Does this prove I'm not disgusted?"
Ari wrapped her arms around Madara's neck, gazing passionately into his eyes before kissing him.
Madara said, "Having one is the same as having two. Might as well go all the way..."
Thus, Madara displayed his vigor.
Afterward, Ari nestled against Madara's shoulder and whispered, "Madara, you actually got it wrong. This has shifts—ten months per shift. You can't cut in line..."
"What?!" Madara realized in fury: That bastard Tobirama deliberately fed me false information at the hot springs, saying something about "as long as you don't touch ground, you can go three rounds"!
...
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