As the saying goes, a single stone can stir up a thousand waves!
The peak battle between the moon's visitor, Ōtsutsuki Toneri, and the Akatsuki leader spread faster than the Uchiha clan massacre, the Konoha Collapse Plan, the appearance of the Wood Release ninja, or even the destruction of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Not long after the battle ended, the four major ninja villages—having already sent spies to monitor the Hidden Cloud Village's plan to bomb the Hidden Rain Village—received the full intel almost immediately.
In less than a day, detailed reports were already on the desks of the Five Kage.
The smaller surrounding nations and minor ninja villages learned of the event the following day.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri, Samsara Eye versus Samsara Eye, the Outer Path Demon Statue, the meteor shower, Wood Release… all these terms rapidly spread across every corner of the ninja world.
The Akatsuki leader, descended from both the Uzumaki and Senju clans, not only wielded the Samsara Eye but had also awakened the Wood Release bloodline limit. He used Tree World Advent—once the domain of the Ninja God—to suppress chaos. The wooden statue resisting the super meteorite quickly eclipsed the fame of Izayoi, the previous Wood Release user.
Both were Wood Release users, yet the Akatsuki leader was already hailed as the Ninja God. Izayoi, despite having just graduated the year before, was simply not in the same league.
With the Sage's eyes and the God of Ninja's Wood Release, Nagato instantly became the uncontested strongest in the ninja world.
No one could argue against it.
Nagato's feats were overwhelming. Since Akatsuki's founding, he had commanded a team of S-rank rogue ninjas. The once-feared AB combo of the Hidden Cloud was like children before him.
Had the visitor from the moon not appeared, Nagato would already be considered the new era's Ninja God.
The parting words of Ōtsutsuki Toneri made every Kage restless.
The strongest force of the new era might not be the God of Ninja's Wood Release—but the mythical Sage's Eye.
The overwhelming gravity and repulsion weren't just powerful—they were from an entirely different dimension, separate from the ninjutsu of the five great villages.
Fortunately, there were two who possessed this power.
And they were enemies.
Had only one man possessed it, the five great ninja villages might truly be doomed. By the time they awoke, their villages may already have turned into dust like the Hidden Cloud—or worse, reduced to subordinate states under the Hidden Rain.
After all… not every wielder of overwhelming strength is like Senju Hashirama.
Some, if given power, would become another Uchiha Madara.
Hidden Rock Village
"I didn't expect that mysterious man to actually exist… and be from the moon!"
In the Hidden Rock Village, Ohnoki stared at the intelligence documents and the photos his subordinates had risked their lives to take. His hands trembled slightly.
Especially that wooden Buddha statue—it reminded him of Uchiha Madara's Susanoo.
Was it possible for the fabled Susanoo of the Uchiha, once said to kill any who gazed upon it, to reach such a scale?
"What exactly is the Outer Path Demon Statue?" Ohnoki murmured.
For the first time, he began to believe Jiraiya's theory.
That these owners of the Sage's Eye were fighting over something.
A treasure… one that even in such a battle, the Akatsuki leader still hadn't used.
"The next era may spiral out of control…"
Ohnoki floated to the window, gazing at the blue sky and clouds. "The Hidden Rock Village can no longer isolate itself from the outside world."
Hidden Mist Village
"Such power actually exists?"
In the Hidden Mist Village, Mei Terumi was stunned. "With power like that, why didn't the God of Ninja and Uchiha Madara unite to rule the world?"
Until now, she had assumed Wood Release was just strong in large-scale battles and against Tailed Beasts.
She hadn't imagined it could manifest a giant that could crush meteorites and unleash five-release compound jutsu.
With power like that, who needed a Ninja World Shura? The God of Ninja alone could dominate the world.
"Konoha once had two of these super-standard fighters… and didn't take over the world? That's hard to believe."
"Otsutsuki… a strange name…"
The village's elder mused over the documents, digging through his memory but finding no recollection.
"Outer Path Demon Statue, thief, Samsara Eye… Could there be a passage to the moon? Maybe the Otsutsuki were ancient ninja who left for the moon—along with the statue?"
"The Sage's Eye of the loser… were they enemies of the Six Paths Sage?"
His head ached with the implications. "Myth has become reality. I don't know whether it's good or bad."
Sand Village
"In just a few months, I barely recognize the ninja world."
In the Sand Village, Chiyo stared at the photos and reports, filled with despair.
She almost wished their village had swapped locations with the Hidden Mist—at least then, even if they couldn't win, they could hide.
"All hope might lie with Konoha's Wood Release ninja," Ebizo said. "We can only hope the moon's visitor and the Akatsuki leader keep stalemating—so the boy from Konoha has time to grow stronger."
"At least, during the Warring States and recent decades, the Otsutsuki haven't meddled in our world. This time, they've come back to reclaim the Outer Path Demon Statue."
"That statue… must be something even more terrifying."
"Akatsuki is definitely not just a gang of rogue ninja huddling for warmth."
Chiyo sighed. "No matter which side wins, the Sand Village is powerless. All we can do is wait—and hope it doesn't end in tragedy."
Ebizo said nothing. That silence was the sorrow of the weak.
Konoha
"The Rinnegan and Wood Release… could it be the true bloodline limit of the Uzumaki clan?"
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade wasn't focused on Nagato's Wood Release. She stared at Karin and Izayoi's wood clone and pondered.
"You may be right," Izayoi muttered internally as he flipped through the Book of Seals.
Karin smiled awkwardly. She was still just a girl from Kusagakure—how would she know ancient secrets?
Tsunade continued reading, frowning. "The Rinnegan and Samsara Eye… are they from different sages? In the myths, there's only the Six Paths Sage and the Rinnegan."
"If the Rinnegan is the Eye of a loser… then why did Toneri say the Sage was the loser?"
"Could the Sage really have lost? Maybe the Outer Path Demon Statue was taken away… and he was left behind?"
"Ugh! Why are ancient people and powers showing up one after another?!"
She scratched her head in frustration.
"Isn't this a good thing?" Izayoi smiled. "If these powers are tied to our bloodline, maybe we can also grow to become like them."
Tsunade, Karin, and Shizune were all stunned.
Karin looked at him with admiration.
Shizune smiled gently. Tsunade, for a moment dazed, smiled softly too.
"…Take the Book of Seals and study it. Your strength is the top priority. If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility!"
"Then I won't hold back, Lady Hokage."
Hyuga Clan
"Otsutsuki… Samsara Eye…"
In the Hyuga patriarch's residence, Hiashi stared at Toneri's photo. "So that lineage really exists. Are we descendants of immortals…?"
"Could the Caged Bird Seal be tied to that lineage? Why was our connection cut?"
Underground Base
Izayoi's real body ignored the chaos.
Returning to his underground base via Flying Thunder God, he reactivated the barrier and resumed life as usual.
Aside from Hinata, no one knew that the "Izayoi" out in public was actually a wood clone charged with chakra.
Just like last March, Hinata took care of his temporarily blind self.
But unlike last year, Hinata—now his girlfriend—only sent a shadow clone to explain things to her father. She stayed with Izayoi.
This time, she was more playful, often taking selfies or snapping embarrassing pictures of Izayoi while caring for him.
She even teased him, collecting his "dark history," unafraid of future revenge.
Curious, she asked, "Izayoi-kun, can your Samsara Eye evolve like the Sharingan?"
"Yes," Izayoi nodded. "The pupil power is growing. It should be evolving… or unlocking new abilities."
Hinata frowned. "Can this 'Eye of the Immortal' really come from the Uzumaki bloodline?"
Izayoi only smiled.
When visitors came—like Tsunade, Shizune, or Karin—Hinata sent a clone to deal with them. Same when Hanabi dropped by.
When they were alone, Hinata would help him upstairs for air, baths, or massages.
This time, their interactions were warm and natural.
Now a couple, the change in relationship gave Hinata strength—and she took her role seriously.
Unlike the first fetal movement, this time Izayoi was absorbing chakra to evolve the eye further.
Within a week, the second fetal movement was complete.
As the chakra secretion stopped and the eyes stabilized, Izayoi unwrapped the bandage.
The eye looked the same—but was surrounded by a faint corona-like glow, deep as a black hole, radiating immense power.
Even the weak would tremble just meeting his gaze.
Hinata, watching nearby, held a camera in her hand.
Izayoi's gaze pierced the base, expanded into an invisible net, and covered several nations.
With God's perspective, he could monitor half the ninja world.
Switching views, he looked to the moon.
The ruins, artificial sun, the palace, the enormous reincarnation eye, and young Ōtsutsuki Toneri—all were visible to him.
"…This farsight is absurd," Izayoi muttered.
With just the second fetal movement, he had nearly the surveillance capability of the entire giant reincarnation eye.
At the third fetal movement, his eye may surpass it entirely.
Then he began to feel out his new abilities.
Three new ones—Yin-Yang Release, Spirit Ball, and Chakra Light Ball.
Yin-Yang Release was fundamental for creating Truth-Seeking Balls or even forming matter like the Six Paths Sage.
Spirit Ball mimicked the Human Path, able to read thoughts or even control will if planted in a target.
Chakra Light Ball mirrored the Hungry Ghost Path. It absorbed chakra on contact and could explode with power greater than a Tailed Beast Ball.
Altogether, with repulsion, attraction, wireless puppet control, and these three new powers—Izayoi was a complete combatant.
He smiled widely.
Hinata approached. "Izayoi, are you feeling your new power?"
Her face flushed, remembering his first awakening.
"Yeah. Wanna see it?"
"…Okay."
He turned off the lights and pulled her close in bed.
A green glow illuminated them—a light ball in his palm.
Inside it, scenes began to play—their childhood memories, training, snowball fights…
Hinata watched silently, entranced.
Izayoi had originally meant to tease her with something risqué—but in the end, he simply held her and smiled in quiet happiness.