Chapter 98: Ranked the first in the whole world

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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Three hours later in the Tsukuyomi space, Kisame's worldview had been shattered and partially reshaped.

His small, round eyes looked comical on his shark-like face.

"So, the Infinite Tsukuyomi is just an illusion to trap everyone in a false world created by 'Madara Uchiha', who's actually Obito Uchiha?" Kisame mused.

After all this time, the Eye of the Moon's Plan turned out to be the biggest lie of all. He felt foolish for being so thoroughly deceived by a teenager.

"Anything else you want to ask?" Colt inquired, feeling a bit numb after talking for over three hours in the Tsukuyomi space.

Kisame thought for a moment and shook his head.

"Not for now, but I will verify everything you've said." If Colt's words were true, then his life belonged to the young ninja.

"That's fine," Colt smiled, summoning Kaminari as thousands of clones surrounded Kisame.

"To avoid any doubts, we still need to go through a certain procedure, hehe"

Kisame's eyes widened in terror.

"Actually, my acting skills aren't bad, there's no need—ah!"

In reality, just a second had passed.

Kisame collapsed to his knees in pain, his shark face contorted.

"Kisame!" Itachi sensed the change in his partner and inwardly complained.

In reality, he was a Konoha spy, so why was he being attacked so fiercely by this fellow on the same side? But he couldn't say this out loud.

At this moment, he had to use his trump card.

"Susanoo!"

A huge red skeletal figure emerged, breaking through the darkness technique.

Under the protection of two layers of chakra, visual Genjutsu was no longer effective.

A skeletal arm reached out and grabbed Kisame from the ground. Itachi seized the opportunity to release a Great Fireball, blocking Colt's attack that came at him, and then he escaped.

"Damn it! What kind of jutsu was that?" Sasuke slammed his fist on the floor in anger. He had thought that Itachi was about to be caught, but his 'brother' had slipped away unexpectedly.

The inn's owner was on the verge of tears.

Who had he crossed to end up as collateral damage?

Boom!

Another wall collapsed as Jiraiya rushed in on a toad.

"Where's the enemy?"

After enjoying some "feminine arts," Jiraiya had keenly discovered that the woman he was with had been under a Genjutsu. Don't ask him how he found out.

What woman would fall for a middle-aged man at first sight?

"Why are you always a step behind?" Colt rolled his eyes and went to heal Sasuke's injured arm.

Jiraiya blushed slightly, acknowledging his mistake.

In the end, he compensated the hotel owner for the damages under Colt's threatening eyes.

Moments later, even Kakashi joined them.

Sasuke was taken back by Kakashi, who had come after him.

In a forest outside the town, Itachi fled with Kisame.

Seeing that Colt wasn't pursuing them, he dispersed the Susanoo. Though he had only used it briefly, his body was wracked with pain.

"Itachi-san, are you alright?" Kisame panted heavily, supporting himself with the Samehada while inwardly cursing Colt.

"It's nothing serious. We're abandoning the Nine-Tails mission. Let's report back to the leader," Itachi said, feeling somewhat relieved. The Akatsuki wouldn't target the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki for a while.

It could be considered a small victory, albeit an indirect one.

Surprisingly, Kisame didn't heed Itachi's advice.

"Itachi-san, we were embarrassed today because of your brother who delayed us. Let me recover for a couple of days, then I'll kill him before we go back."

"No!" Itachi's face changed, responding almost instinctively.

Realizing his overreaction, he quickly composed himself.

"Even if we go back right now, Konoha's people will likely be there already or on the way. Plus Jiraiya was already nearby…"

"I used to be a Kirigakure ANBU. It's just dealing with a kid. I can sneak my way around," Kisame insisted.

"That won't work either," Itachi panicked internally.

Why was Kisame so fixated on Sasuke?

"I left him alive on purpose to gauge my abilities. You can't touch him, Kisame."

Emphasizing his point, Itachi started walking away.

They couldn't stay in the Land of Fire any longer; who knew what troubles might arise from that?

He also had to keep Kisame away from Sasuke.

What Itachi couldn't see was Kisame's playful smile behind his back.

'So... this was the truth Colt-san spoke of?'

Meanwhile, on Konoha's side.

After the incident, they couldn't stay at the damaged hotel. The three found another place to rest for the night before continuing their journey.

Naruto hit a wall with the progress of the Big Ball Rasengan.

Though his chakra was vast, much of it was used to suppress the Nine-Tails. He had less usable chakra than expected. When Naruto formed the larger Rasengan, it lacked density and power, inferior even to the regular version.

To solve this, a talk with the Nine-Tails was needed.

That night, Colt skillfully infiltrated Naruto's room.

Standing before the seal, he called out, "Hey, Nine-Tails, come out!"

"Hmph, kid, what do you want?" Though gruff, the Nine-Tails at least responded.

He'd interacted with Colt more than with Naruto, each time getting to curse Minato Namikaze. Their relationship had somewhat improved.

"You big stupid fox, don't mess with Naruto anymore," Colt said.

If the Nine-Tails stopped acting like a demon, Naruto could naturally access more chakra.

"Impossible!" the Nine-Tails refused. "I'll definitely find a chance to break this seal." He wouldn't reconcile with his Jinchūriki.

"Then why not busy yourself with something else? You're idle anyway. Why not observe Naruto more? Maybe you two could even become friends."

Colt knew it was unrealistic to change the Nine-Tails' attitude all at once, so he had to take it slow. People's—and even demons'—boundaries were broken bit by bit.

As expected, the Nine-Tails pondered for a while before giving in to Colt's request, though he asserted that he would still control his chakra based on his feelings toward Naruto.

Colt agreed immediately, inwardly smiling. Those two were a natural pair and would eventually become friends.

After dealing with the Nine-Tails, Colt also released Minato Namikaze and updated him on the recent events. Minato was relieved to learn that Jiraiya had taken Naruto as his apprentice.

"Colt-san, I don't even know how to thank you anymore," Minato sighed, grateful that he could witness Naruto's growth thanks to Colt.

"No need for thanks."

"But if you must do so, then just teach me all your sealing techniques, except for the Reaper Death Seal of course," Colt replied, not being overly polite.

He needed to learn some sealing techniques.

Sealing was highly valued in the ninja world; even Kaguya couldn't escape the Six Paths Planetary Devastation seal. Any ninjutsu without a solution could be dealt with through sealing.

Minato didn't refuse; it was all he could do now.

A while later.

The three hurried on, training as they traveled, and arrived at Tanzaku Town within a few days. As one of the most profitable areas in the Land of Fire, the town was filled with casinos, hotels, and other entertainment venues.

Tsunade, whom they were seeking, was currently here.

Jiraiya quickly got word of her whereabouts. While few might know the name of the Legendary Sannin, everyone knew about the "big sucker" - a nickname that had actually increased tourism as people sought the chance to make a fortune.

Finally, in a pub, Colt and the others spotted a blonde woman drinking freely.

Her ample bosom creating rather big waves… drew Colt's attention.

Indeed, she was worthy of being ranked the first in the whole world…