Uchiha Shin stood silently, gazing at the artifact in his hand—the so-called Paradise Box.
"I still have to refine it myself if I want it to be useful."
Right now, the box was practically worthless to him. But if he could enhance it—reconfigure its mechanisms and adapt it to his needs—he might be able to turn it into a tool for mass-producing war weapons.
By breaking down its structure and reworking the underlying logic, he could modify it into something controllable, something that could manifest Yintun-based creatures at will. He needed to consult Miroku about the creation process of Wuliang first. Combining that knowledge with this, he could inject Yin Release chakra and directly mass-produce beings from the void.
Black Zetsu's voice interrupted his thoughts, detailing the pathetic attempt of the Kage to encircle him.
"That's it? That's their plan?" Shin sneered, his crimson Sharingan spinning lazily. "After all that effort, that bunch of clowns came up with such a pathetic excuse for a strategy?"
If he were merely a peak-level Kage, such a plan might have posed a threat. But he was two dimensions beyond them. Mere human power couldn't kill him.
Black Zetsu, ever the sycophant, immediately groaned in agreement.
"How could those insignificant insects comprehend your greatness, Father? They are but ants beneath your feet! So tell me, Father, what's your next move?"
Shin crossed his arms, exuding an aura of complete dominance. "Let them go ahead with their little scheme. Why not?"
On some level, the actions of Ōnoki, A, and Rasa actually played into his plans. If they grouped together, he could crush them all at once, sparing himself the annoyance of hunting them down individually.
Satisfied with his decision, Shin turned his attention back to Zetsu, who had more updates to report.
"We have located Kara's main base. Amado's movements remain erratic, but if given time, I can pinpoint his exact location."
Zetsu continued, "Regarding the tailed beasts, I have confirmed that the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, is currently hiding in Takigakure. The Six-Tails, Saiken, is still wandering in the Land of Water after the previous failed sealing attempt by Kirigakure. I've also found its exact location and have already dispatched Guren to capture it."
Shin let out a low chuckle at the mention of Guren. That girl was always trying too hard to prove herself. She should have been back at base, learning proper servitude under Kanako, but instead, she was out hunting a tailed beast.
"Is she alone?"
Guren had progressed to the level of a Kage, but she was still inexperienced. If she ended up facing a fully enraged Saiken, she could be in trouble.
"No, Konan is with her."
At this, Shin exhaled through his nose, slightly more assured. "Konan… she makes things more reliable."
With that matter settled, he turned his focus to Takigakure and its Seven-Tails. The village had long been a non-factor in the grander schemes of the shinobi world, hidden behind an enormous waterfall. Unlike lesser minds, however, Shin had no trouble detecting it.
Using his Kagura Shingan, he easily pinpointed the concealed village's location. He didn't bother sneaking in.
"Truth-Seeking Orb."
A small black sphere condensed in his hand before he flicked it forward. Instantly, it transformed into a streak of destructive force, annihilating the waterfall in an instant. The colossal rock face behind it shattered, revealing Takigakure in its entirety.
The explosion's roar echoed across the land. Shin floated forward like a god descending upon the earth.
Panic erupted in the village. Shin smirked as the Takigakure shinobi scrambled to react, their leader, Shigaryu, appearing at the forefront with the rest of his forces.
Amid the chaos, Shin's eyes locked onto one individual—their Seven-Tails Jinchūriki. A blue-skinned shinobi, standing tensely, already aware of what this encounter meant.
Shigaryu's gaze darted to the Jinchūriki before shifting to Shin. He knew exactly why the Uchiha was here.
Shin descended, his gaze impassive. "You already know my purpose. Surrender the Jinchūriki, and I will allow your village to become a vassal of the Fire Nation. You will be given resources, protection, and the right to exist."
His voice was calm, absolute, yet unmistakably cruel. "Or, you can resist."
His mere presence suffocated the assembled shinobi. They all turned toward their leader, silently pleading for the rational choice.
Shigaryu's lips parted, about to respond—but the Jinchūriki spoke first.
"You bastard! I knew it!" Jun snarled. "I knew you'd abandon me the moment he showed up!"
The bitterness in his voice was unmistakable. He had always known that, when the moment came, Takigakure would not stand beside him.
Shin chuckled darkly. "Oh? A betrayal? How delightfully predictable."
"Shut up!" Jun roared at both of them, rage and desperation bubbling over. "If you think I'm going to let myself be taken like some weakling, you're dead wrong!"
Chakra erupted from him in an instant, the raw, untamed energy of the Seven-Tails coating his body. Wings burst from his back as he entered a partial transformation, his eyes burning with fury.
Shin merely smiled. "Yes… fight. Make this interesting."
Jun didn't hesitate. He shot forward, claws outstretched, a battle cry ripping from his throat.
Shin moved.
It was over in a second.
A flicker. A shift in space. And Jun was sent hurtling into the ground, an unseen force hammering him into the dirt so violently that cracks splintered outward in a web.
Silence.
Shigaryu and the Takigakure shinobi stood frozen, horror painting their faces.
Jun coughed, blood splattering from his mouth as he struggled to push himself up.
Shin slowly descended, placing his foot on the Jinchūriki's back and pressing him back down with ease.
"Did you really think you stood a chance?" he asked, almost lazily. "You're an insect. You were born an insect, and you will die an insect."
Jun snarled, his chakra flaring again—
Shin snapped his fingers.
In an instant, chains of black flame erupted from the ground, latching onto Chun's limbs and dragging him down, his struggles utterly meaningless.
Shin finally turned his attention back to Shigaryu, who was trembling where he stood.
"Your decision?" Shin asked casually. "Do you surrender, or shall I erase your village from history?"
The answer was obvious. Shigaryu slowly knelt, lowering his head in submission.
The rest of Takigakure followed, one by one, dropping to their knees.
Shin smirked.
"Good choice."
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