After another day of focused effort, Kagami finally succeeded in evolving Obito's Sharingan to the level of the Eternal Mangekyo. After testing it, he found that the abilities of Kamui had been significantly enhanced. The duration of his intangibility was extended to half an hour, and the speed of teleportation into the Kamui dimension was now almost instantaneous. The power of his spatial distortion had also been amplified, with its range and area of effect increased tenfold, and it could now be activated instantly, making it much harder for enemies to evade.
Kagami then looked at the Rinnegan in his hand. Only one-fifth of its pupil power had been consumed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that absorbing too much would prevent Orochimaru from being able to clone it. Fortunately, that was not the case.
Just as he resealed the Rinnegan, he received a message from his clone. The Fire Daimyo, under the pretext of discussing compensation, was meeting with the daimyos of the other four nations. They were about to arrive at the Daimyo's Palace. Kagami smiled. His plan could now begin.
After saying goodbye to Suzune and the others, Kagami used his Flying Thunder God technique to instantly arrive at the Fire Daimyo's mansion. He wasted no time, immediately using his advanced illusion to take control of all five daimyos. To ensure they remained under his control, he created five clones, each transformed to secretly follow and monitor one of the daimyos. With that, the leaders of the five great nations were now his puppets.
Kagami ordered them to return to their lands and indulge in lives of extravagance and debauchery, becoming oppressive and disgusting tyrants. Only then would the people of their nations feel a deep-seated revulsion for them. When he eventually moved to unify the ninja world and implement a benevolent government, the people would willingly accept his rule. It was a despicable method, but it was the least bloody one he could devise. What he wanted to build was not a primitive dynasty, but a superpower with advanced technology and a strong population.
He didn't simply have them declare him their new leader because the people of the ninja world still believed in the supremacy of bloodlines. An outsider trying to take power would be seen as a heretic and resisted. Even if he controlled the daimyos, many would rebel to restore "orthodoxy." Only by making the people despair under their current rulers would they spontaneously desire to overthrow them. When that time came, he would stand up, offer them food and security, and they would follow him willingly. With the people on his side, the nations would naturally fall apart. In this way, he could unify the world without bloodshed.
With the daimyos under his control, a period of peace settled over Konoha. Kagami, however, was not idle. His clones continued to develop new ninjutsu. Although the Sage's clone was dead, his true body was still lurking in the Pure Land. Apart from suicide, Kagami currently had no way to reach him. He couldn't kill himself just to kill the Sage. He would have to develop a jutsu to enter the Pure Land or wait for a character template that would allow his soul to travel there. Both were difficult, but he wasn't worried. Time was on his side.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. The day of Uchiha Suzune's delivery finally arrived. Kurenai, Anko, and Samui were due in a few more days, while Tsunade, Shizune, and Konan still had two months to go.
Kagami, Kurenai, and the others stood outside the delivery room, their hands clenched, their eyes revealing a barely perceptible nervousness. It wasn't his first time, but his heart pounded as if it were.
The women sat on chairs, watching him pace back and forth, a helpless smile on their faces. Tsunade crossed her arms, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I never thought I'd see the day. He was so calm facing tens of thousands of shinobi and the Sage of Six Paths, but now he's a nervous wreck over Suzune giving birth."
The gentle Konan took his hand. "Darling, don't worry. Sister Suzune will be fine, and so will the baby."
Kagami nodded awkwardly, trying to calm himself, but the worry in his eyes was hard to hide. "Why isn't there any news yet?" he fretted, the long wait getting to him.
Just as Tsunade was about to comfort him again, the loud cry of a baby finally echoed from the delivery room. A flash of surprise crossed Kagami's face, followed by another cry. Two babies! Twins!
He looked up, his eyes shining with indescribable excitement and joy. He danced on the spot, finally letting out a breath of relief.
At that moment, the system's voice chimed in his mind. [Ding! Congratulations to the host on having twins! Would you like to begin the template draw?]
Without a moment's hesitation, Kagami confirmed. "Draw immediately!"