"How is your research going?"
In the Uzumaki Clan's Shrine of Masks outside Konohagakure in the Land of Fire.
Jiraiya watched Kitagawa Gen as he continuously flipped through documents, then lifted his head to glance at the masks hanging on the wall. The place felt eerily gloomy to him.
"It's been several days already, and you still haven't gotten any results? Really—you're not even using shadow clones to help, nor letting the Second Hokage come over. Isn't that too inefficient?"
"The Second Hokage needs to keep his focus on Konoha…"
Kitagawa Gen glanced at Jiraiya and spoke in a strange tone, then smiled as he continued.
"Actually, I already have a general idea. This matter isn't all that difficult, and since the Second Hokage just switched to a new body, let's not bother him."
The new Impure World Reincarnation had already been completed—the First and Second Hokage could be considered "reborn."
In particular, he had infused Yin Release and Yang Release into the process, bringing about tremendous changes.
However, adapting to their new powers also required some time, and Kitagawa Gen could take advantage of this opportunity to slack off a bit.
After all, "finding key information" took time—and in the meantime, he could also organize the data in his mind.
'The location of that 'White Kāma' vessel seems to be in the Land of Water. It looks like I'll have to make a trip there.'
The power of the "White Kāma" was not something he would overlook—not to mention, absorbing it was equivalent to freely obtaining a portion of Isshiki's power.
'Just studying this thing alone can already make my experiments far more entertaining.'
The ninja world had been thrown into utter chaos by him. The "Era of Eyes" had not yet fully blossomed, and the "Era of Tattoos" had already quietly arrived.
Now the new version and the old version were intertwined, and although Kitagawa Gen, the instigator of it all, felt a bit guilty, still… he wanted to stir things up even more.
'What 'Era of Eyes,' what 'Era of Tattoos'—this is now the Era of the Ōtsutsuki!'
Kitagawa Gen complained inwardly. Besides, he was going to become Hokage—he couldn't possibly handle everything himself, could he?
For example, in the Chūnin Exams of his memories, everyone else just watched as the Third Hokage fought Orochimaru alone—that had already been ridiculous enough.
'Look at the Hokage from the future memories—at least there was Sasuke helping him out. Now I want both of them up there at once!'
Shaking his head, his gaze returned to the documents in his hand.
He had to admit, the information here was actually quite fascinating.
Even if he was only pretending to study, he had still absorbed quite a lot.
After all, he wanted to learn more about the Shinigami, and also see if he could gain a deeper understanding of the Pure Land.
'That Shinigami… based on the data in the Sealing Arts Scroll and the Uzumaki clan's records—it really doesn't feel like an actual god.'
Kitagawa Gen tilted his head. The thing gave him the impression of being more like a kind of "jutsu."
Or perhaps, a "rule" that had evolved from certain special "spiritual entities."
Its effect did exist, but its range of use was limited to ordinary shinobi. Once it exceeded certain boundaries, it would inevitably fail to endure!
'So, that Shinigami might really not be a god after all… and the so-called 'Evil God' might be the same, huh?'
Kitagawa Gen murmured. The true nature of these so-called "gods" didn't seem as lofty as he had imagined.
Perhaps, in this world, "gods" were merely higher-level lifeforms.
For instance, beings like the Ōtsutsuki.
"Seriously, keeping you company is boring."
Jiraiya had no idea what Kitagawa Gen was thinking. Leaning against a wall, he yawned out of boredom.
"I might as well go investigate the Akatsuki instead."
"Hey, Pervy Sage, I didn't ask you to keep me company, did I?"
Kitagawa Gen snapped out of his thoughts and couldn't help but retort when he heard that.
"And besides, are you investigating them or going to get yourself killed? Have you even thought about what Uchiha Obito has become now?
Uchiha Madara's already been revived, and Nagato isn't your disciple anymore."
"Tch, you're underestimating me?"
Jiraiya snorted lightly, though he didn't argue back. He did seem a bit "outdated" these days.
"Sigh, you tricked me into coming back then, and I've been stuck here for so many years. So much crap has piled up that I haven't even had time to write."
"Funny, I remember Make-Out Paradise never stopped publishing."
"I only have time to write that one! Kakashi hunts me down every day asking for new chapters!"
"Maybe that's the only one that actually sells, and everything else you write flops?"
"Nonsense!"
Whether or not Kitagawa Gen had struck a nerve, Jiraiya was clearly irritated.
He glared at Kitagawa Gen, rubbed his chin, and suddenly said, "This Sage still has plenty of talent, you know. Want to bet I could start writing right now and make a new bestseller?"
"You?"
Kitagawa Gen looked at him strangely, curiosity flickering across his face.
"A bestseller? Are you still half-asleep?"
"Hehe."
Jiraiya chuckled lewdly, his face full of mischief.
"I'll help you write an autobiography!"
"?"
"Your story—aside from Sunagakure and Kumogakure—would sell like crazy everywhere else!"
"…"
"It's settled then. Anyway, tons of people want to know your story. When it's published, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty!"
"…"
"As for the title, what do you think of How the Fifth Hokage Was Made?"
"…How about My Struggle instead."
...
"The new body has already been completed, but this is the first time I've seen someone under Impure World Reincarnation beaten to such a state—truly incredible."
Inside the Akatsuki base, after Orochimaru finished reallocating a body, his gaze turned toward Black Zetsu.
Uchiha Madara's body had been beaten until only his head remained, so naturally it had to be redone.
This matter was, of course, handed over to Orochimaru, though even he was immensely curious now.
"So this is the legendary power of Yin–Yang Release? Even Impure World Reincarnation is useless before it."
"Indeed, terrifying to the extreme."
Black Zetsu let out a faint sigh; Yin–Yang Release was effective against any enemy.
"Fortunately, it was only an Impure World Reincarnation. If it had been a living person, the situation would probably have been much worse."
"Never thought that such a talent would appear in Konohagakure."
Orochimaru licked his tongue and smiled meaningfully.
"Wouldn't this count as obtaining the 'Power of All Creation'? And at this rate, I'm afraid your situation isn't looking very good."
"The true Power of All Creation was also obtained by Madara-sama—he simply hasn't truly resurrected yet."
Black Zetsu wasn't particularly inclined to discuss these matters with Orochimaru, and he felt that Orochimaru's words had some problems.
"Don't forget, in their eyes you're one of us as well, and Impure World Reincarnation was provided by you. None of us can escape."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru licked his lips but didn't answer; after all, he was genuinely confident in himself.
"Leaving that aside, how is the collection of the Tailed Beasts progressing? Iwagakure failed, Kirigakure hasn't made any moves, and once news reaches Konohagakure, things will only get worse."
"Iwagakure's operation wasn't a complete failure—at least some chakra was gained, so you could call it a successful failure."
Black Zetsu pursed his lips, forced to sound serious while talking nonsense.
"There's no need to worry about Sunagakure. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are quite familiar with Kirigakure and can accomplish many things. As for Kumogakure, there's even less need for concern—Dodai will help us."
Dodai was now serving as Kumogakure's acting Raikage, since they hadn't selected a suitable one yet.
Killer Bee had originally been an excellent choice, but he had clearly refused to serve as the Fifth Raikage.
And Darui, known as the most outstanding person under the Fourth Raikage, although growing quickly, seemed not to have gained recognition either.
Therefore, the current Raikage could overall be called a "Fourth-and-a-Half Kage," while their hatred toward Konohagakure had reached its peak.
"Too tragic."
Black Zetsu was actually quite puzzled. Although the hatred between Konohagakure and Kumogakure was not low, it shouldn't have been messed up by Kitagawa Gen like this, right?
But this was fine for Akatsuki. The more tragic it was, the easier it was to use; the more tragic it was, the more they could cooperate with them to resist Konohagakure!
"So, we only need to wait properly for news."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru tilted his head and suddenly smiled.
"Speaking of which, the Six-Tails from Kirigakure is missing, that won't be easy to find, and the Three-Tails is inside the Fourth Mizukage's body"
"Don't worry, there will always be a way."
Black Zetsu took a deep breath and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"We're relatively familiar with Kirigakure, and as for the Six-Tails, we couldn't possibly have failed to do something in advance, so everything is under control."
Listening to everything Black Zetsu said, Orochimaru simply smiled without refuting.
For him, it didn't matter how the situation developed. He stayed here only to seek more things.
Especially the changes in Kimimaro made him unable to resist digging deeper into certain matters.
Uchiha Madara was the best reference object!
"Speaking of which, how is Kimimaro now?"
Suddenly, Black Zetsu couldn't help asking a question.
"Also, with so many subordinates of yours, at a time like this they should contribute a share of strength, right?"
"I have no objection. After all, as a shinobi, if one cannot show value, then what use is there?"
Orochimaru smiled indifferently, and only then did he speak with a slightly more serious tone.
"As for Kimimaro, I hope to obtain more data on Uchiha Madara, after all."
"They are very similar!"
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