Chapter 258

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The power of the All Killing Ash Bones is unparalleled, capable of overwhelming even the strongest Six Paths-level individuals with its destructive force.

However is not without its weaknesses.

Using the All-Killing Ash Bones drains chakra significantly, and its projectile speed is slow. Outside of specific constraints, dodging it is not difficult.

In addition to high consumption and difficulty in hitting targets, the All-Killing Ash Bones has a third, most fatal flaw.

The All-Killing Ash Bones is indiscriminate, even killing its user.

"Kimimaro is indeed strong," Itachi thought, observing everything. "But aside from his impending evolution to the Tenseigan, Kimimaro's All-Killing Ash Bones bloodline limit is not perfect."

Itachi had already discerned the strengths and weaknesses of the All-Killing Ash Bones. His ability to gather battle intelligence and respond in real-time was exceptional.

"Dealing with Kimimaro isn't too difficult. In my current state, it's probably a sixty-forty split, with me at sixty," Itachi analyzed. "But if Kimimaro awakens the Tenseigan, it might become seventy-thirty, with him at seventy."

Calming his thoughts, Itachi looked closely at Kimimaro's eyes, feeling a tinge of envy.

He also longed for eyes on par with Kimimaro's.

"Itachi."

Kyomu's voice interrupted Itachi's thoughts, beckoning him over.

"Ryukage-sama!" Itachi quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully and awaiting instructions.

"Do you also desire eyes like Kimimaro's?" Kyomu's gaze seemed to pierce through Itachi's inner thoughts. "Speak freely, it doesn't matter."

"Yes!" Itachi nodded firmly. "I want greater power to do more for you, for the village, for the country, and for this world."

Kyomu smiled with satisfaction. Itachi was no longer the 'weasel' he once was. With the right guidance and environment, his strengths had been magnified, and his weaknesses minimized.

This was good. Kyomu was pleased and eager for Itachi to become stronger.

Moreover, Kyomu had a plan to make Itachi stronger.

"Itachi, I know your desire for strength," Kyomu said, patting Itachi's shoulder. "I have an experimental idea that requires your cooperation. What do you think?"

"I am at your service, Ryukage-sama!"

Seeing Itachi's decisive response, Kyomu turned to Orochimaru and Tsunade. "Nee-san, are you interested?"

"What have you thought of now?" Tsunade approached with a hint of helplessness. "I just solved Kimimaro's bloodline disease and finally had some rest. You can't bear to see me idle, can you?"

"Nee-san, idleness leads to rust and faster aging."

"It's easy for you to talk. You just move your lips, while I run around," Tsunade rolled her eyes but was only venting. "Tell me, how difficult is it?"

"It's actually not hard," Kyomu said, taking out a third scroll from his robe. There wasn't a fourth.

This third sealing scroll had always been with him. The other two were recent additions after the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Compared to the other two, this scroll's importance was paramount.

It contained the body of Black Zetsu.

As Kaguya's third son, Black Zetsu, even though lacking Yang chakra, was essentially on par with Hagoromo and Homura.

Otherwise, Black Zetsu couldn't have hidden in the Shinobi World for a thousand years, eluding Hagoromo's detection.

Hagoromo must have known of Black Zetsu's existence. Monitoring the Shinobi World from the Pure Land for years, he couldn't have missed the anomaly.

Even if the details are debatable, the quality of Yin chakra within Black Zetsu's body was undoubtedly on par with Hagoromo's. Otherwise, he couldn't have extracted Madara's heart.

After eliminating Black Zetsu's soul, his body became a 'perfect supplement' without side effects, especially valuable for the Uchiha clan.

Since capturing Black Zetsu and obtaining his body, Ryukage had harbored an idea: to artificially create a pair of Rinnegan without relying on Indra's and Asura's chakra.

He had been torn between choosing Itachi or Shisui for this experiment.

Now, Kyomu had made his decision: Itachi.

It's not that Shisui was inferior to Itachi, but Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were all supportive, with no offensive capabilities.

Such extreme Mangekyō abilities would likely result in similarly supportive Rinnegan abilities upon evolution, offering little combat enhancement.

Itachi, however, had offensive abilities in both eyes. Even his left eye's Tsukuyomi, with its supportive nature, had strong offensive power, touching on time manipulation.

Tsukuyomi created a space with an independent, slower time flow, nearly reaching the threshold of time manipulation.

Thus, evolving Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan into Rinnegan might yield time-related abilities.

The power of time surpasses space, making Kyomu keen to take this gamble. If it succeeded, the benefits would be immense. Even if not, there would be no loss.

"This is Black Zetsu's body, Nee-san, you know it," Kyomu handed the scroll to Tsunade, pulling Itachi closer. "I plan to use the Yin chakra in Black Zetsu's body on Itachi, along with White Zetsu cells, to evolve his Mangekyō Sharingan into Rinnegan."

"I can help with that," Orochimaru interjected before Tsunade. "Ryukage-sama, I'm very interested. With my assistance, Tsunade-sama's efforts will be halved."

Kyomu glanced at Orochimaru but didn't respond, looking to Tsunade for her opinion.

Internally, Kyomu planned for Orochimaru's involvement.

It's not about trust but control. Kyomu could now completely control Orochimaru. Even if Orochimaru learned some core secrets and tried to defect, Kyomu wasn't worried.

It would only take one move to deal with him; Orochimaru couldn't escape.

Moreover, Kyomu trusted Tsunade to oversee Orochimaru effectively.

"Letting Orochimaru assist will save me a lot of trouble and speed up the research," Tsunade agreed, glancing at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, don't cause any trouble."

"Why would I do anything to jeopardize my position?" Orochimaru shrugged innocently. "Ryukage-sama's power is overwhelming. I have no desire to die by his hand."

Kyomu didn't refute, finalizing the plan. "Itachi, from today, fully cooperate with Minister Tsunade and Orochimaru. Set aside other tasks for now."

"Yes, Ryukage-sama."

Itachi's voice was filled with excitement, his heart racing.

The Rinnegan, the pinnacle of Uchiha evolution, would place him at the top of the Shinobi World.

In future battles, he wouldn't need to watch from the sidelines but could fight alongside Kyomu, providing significant support.

Fighting alongside Kyomu was Itachi's ultimate goal.

He was naturally thrilled.

"Do your best, Itachi. I look forward to seeing you by my side one day," Kyomu said, patting Itachi's shoulder before leaving.

Post-war arrangements were nearly complete, except for deciding how to handle the remaining Jinchūriki.

For now, they could be kept in reserve.

Kyomu planned to save the remaining Jinchūriki for Itachi, in case he needed additional Yang chakra or more chakra overall to evolve his Mangekyō Sharingan into Rinnegan.

"For my subordinates, I worry endlessly," Kyomu sighed, leaving the Anbu base and heading to the Ryukage building.

Upon entering his office, Yugito and Mei immediately embraced him from either side, very clingy.

Kyomu naturally enjoyed it. What man wouldn't love such fortune?

…

Sun and Moon Island, home to a small nation called the Land of the Sun and Moon.

Though the Ryunin had swept across the mainland, laying the foundation for unification, the Shinobi World was vast. Beyond the mainland, many islands in the oceans remained beyond their reach.

It might take a year or two for their influence to reach these scattered islands.

Given this, these distant islands became the first choice for the Four Nations' remaining ninjas to seek refuge.

"Mabui-nee, why did this happen to sensei and our comrades?" Naruto wept. "Why did this have to happen?"

"It's all because of Ryukage," Mabui's eyes burned with hatred.

Though she hadn't participated in the Fourth Shinobi World War, her family, friends, and comrades had all perished.

"Ryukage!" Naruto's eyes sparkled with anger rather than hatred. "Why did he do this? The Land of Dragons was flourishing. Why did he need to..."

"Because of his greed, tyranny, and cruelty," Mabui spat. "He's a dictator, a demon who only cares about his own power and control! In this war, he and his Ryunin slaughtered nearly a hundred thousand of the allied forces. A hundred thousand!

The battlefield turned red with blood, and the buried corpses stretched far and wide."

"How could he be so cruel!" Naruto clenched his fists. "He can't be allowed to continue. He has no right to indiscriminately take lives."

Mabui nodded, wiping Naruto's tears. "That's why you must grow stronger quickly. Otherwise...

Soon, Ryunin will come to this beautiful island and slaughter anyone who opposes the Land of Dragons."

"Mabui-nee, don't worry. I'll protect this place!" Naruto's blue eyes were full of determination. "I won't allow war to touch this beautiful island. I'll stop anyone who tries!"

"Naruto, I believe in you," Mabui said, looking into the distance. "This will be our home for the next year."

"Why only a year?"

"Because in a year, you'll be five, and the Ryunin will inevitably reach here," Mabui's eyes flashed with pain. "As survivors, we can only keep moving. Otherwise...

Not only will we be in danger, but this place will suffer because of us."

Naruto lowered his head, for the first time wishing to grow up quickly, for the first time desiring strength.

"Mabui-nee, please train me. I want to be strong, stronger than the Ryukage."

"I believe in you," Mabui said, tightening the straps on her shoulder, shifting a large sealing scroll on her back.

This scroll contained the last remnants and backup plans of the Four Great Nations: the secret scrolls, summoning contracts, and jutsu compendiums from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.

Though just copies, Mabui wasn't the only one carrying them.

Besides these, over a billion ryō of universal currency were inside, serving as startup funds for Mabui and Naruto.

Of course, Mabui and Naruto alone weren't enough. Other promising young ninjas from the Four Great Nations had been secretly relocated as contingencies when Kyomu declared war.

"But Naruto, our priority now is finding allies."

"Do we have any allies left?" Naruto's eyes brightened. "Who are they?"

"You'll know when we find them. I don't have specifics."

Mabui, taking Naruto, headed to their rendezvous point without delay.

"Perhaps we can recruit them into Kara. That blonde boy is no ordinary child."

From a nearby shadow emerged a tall, lanky man dressed as a monk, with black, mysterious markings on his face.

It was Jigen, the agent of Isshiki!

(End of Chapter)