Chapter 265
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Isshiki targeting Naruto was something Kyomu hadn't anticipated. Even so, beyond a brief moment of surprise, Kyomu had no extra thoughts.
What disrupted his plans was Hagoromo's unusual move to initiate a negotiation.
"Hagoromo, I intend to unify the Summoning Realm, ensuring the summoning beasts are no longer a disorganized mess. This must be done."
"Summoning beasts and humans are two different matters. You shouldn't..."
Kyomu interrupted Hagoromo, "All lands on this world belong to the emperor, to me. Summoning beasts led by Mount Myōboku neither respect the orders of my Ryū no Kuni nor follow my decrees. So, tell me, should they be fought? Should they be killed?"
"This..." Hagoromo was speechless, looking deeply at Kyomu. "You are too much. This won't bode well for you."
"My actions are inherently domineering. I have unified the ninja world that remained fragmented for a thousand years. Naturally, I should also lead the Summoning Realm that hasn't been unified for millennia."
"I'm friends with Gamamaru from Mount Myōboku," Hagoromo offered his identity as leverage. "Kyomu, if you relent, consider it a favor owed."
"A favor owed?" Kyomu sneered, shaking his head. "What value does your favor hold? Have you forgotten you are a dead man? In the Pure Land, you might have some standing, but among the living, you are worthless."
Kyomu showed no mercy, utterly unafraid of Hagoromo, and completely disregarded his title as the Sage of Six Paths.
He knew he could contend with him and even kill him if necessary, a simple task if he chose to spend ten gold coins to retrieve his past passive skill, [Oldman Burst Gold Coins]. After killing him, Kyomu would not lack gold coins for a long time.
Cooperation?
Nothing beats bursting gold coins! So Kyomu showed no respect, even coming across as aggressive.
"Speaking of the Pure Land, I'm quite curious," Kyomu continued before Hagoromo could speak. "How many souls have you collected and preserved in the Pure Land?"
Hearing this, Hagoromo's face changed, quickly regaining composure, but Kyomu caught it.
"You know many things," Hagoromo said in a deep tone. "Kyomu, could you tell me how you came by this information?"
"Of course, I got some information from Black Zetsu's soul," Kyomu lied, but it seemed plausible to Hagoromo.
"If it's him... it makes sense." Hagoromo nodded. "Then you should also know about my mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"Of course, if not, I wouldn't know about the so-called Ōtsutsuki on the moon."
"That's my brother's descendants."
"Heh, you brothers are quite interesting, teaming up against your own mother. That's rare. What kind of grudge was that?"
Kyomu's playful expression made Hagoromo feel awkward and stifled. Being mocked for such matters was a great shame.
"Kyomu, this has nothing to do with you."
"If it's none of my business, why come to me?" Kyomu remained aggressive. "I won't keep you then. Return to the Pure Land and wait for me. After I deal with the Summoning Realm, I'll visit the Pure Land to spar with you. I want to see what secrets you're hiding there and what you plan to use the Pure Land for."
"Kyomu, do you truly wish to fight to the death with me?" Hagoromo's face turned extremely grim. Besides from Kaguya, only Kyomu had treated him like this.
"We've long been in such a state," Kyomu coldly replied. "Do you think I don't know what you did behind the scenes on the day Konoha was destroyed?"
"I was thinking of the future of the ninja world!"
"The chaos in the ninja world is rooted in the seeds you planted. With your pre-death power, unifying the ninja world would have been simple. But you didn't.
Instead, you watched your sons turn against each other, letting their chakra reincarnate repeatedly, sparking conflict each time. To me, you were either inactive or malicious or had other plans."
Staring at the silent Hagoromo, Kyomu smirked, "So tell me, what was your endgame?"
Hagoromo opened his mouth, shaking his head, sighing to suppress his anger, ready to reveal his cards.
"Kyomu, you don't understand the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki. I did all this for the future of the ninja world. This planet will eventually be targeted by the Ōtsutsuki from beyond. We need the power to oppose them. To gain this power, my two sons are key. After developing for a millennium, the ninja world will also contribute significantly."
Hagoromo's words were half-true. Kyomu didn't bother to judge their veracity, but he disagreed with the methods.
"So, you threw the responsibility of opposing the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki onto your sons? While you hid in the Pure Land, watching the ninja world's farce, just to let Indra and Asura gain some so-called omnipotent power and become Six Paths level?"
"Yes," Hagoromo nodded. "Besides, through countless reincarnations over millennia, my sons accumulated immense battle experience. When they become Six Paths level, they will..."
"Foolish!" Kyomu interrupted again. "If you had guided Indra and Asura properly, they would have long achieved the Six Paths level. Your logic is moronic."
"You...!"
"Don't be angry; it's the truth." Kyomu showed no fear, exposing Hagoromo's final veil. "Does Sasuke carry Indra's reincarnated chakra?"
Hagoromo's silence was confirmation enough.
"No need to answer; I already know. I'll train Sasuke well. He'll be my vanguard. Once I unify this planet, I'll naturally deal with the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki."
"Kyomu, you're too arrogant!" Hagoromo was anxious. "You'll bring the ninja world to ruin."
"Brother, I told you from the start. Kyomu won't listen. Discussing this is a waste of our time."
Hamura suddenly appeared behind Hagoromo, his voice cold and filled with hostility towards Kyomu.
"Oh? Hamura is here too," Kyomu folded his hands behind his back, accumulating power. "Are you two brothers looking for a fight?"
"If necessary!" Hamura was more decisive than his brother, with no hesitation.
"Then come."
"Wait." Hagoromo intervened. "Kyomu, if we fight now, the aftermath will destroy much of the ninja world. The escaping energy might attract the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki."
"You're that afraid of them?"
"Kyomu, you've never faced them. You don't know their terror," Hagoromo spoke earnestly. "Their strongest can easily alter the sun and moon, destroy planets. Even if we join forces with my mother, Kaguya, we would only meet defeat against them!"
Kyomu had an idea of how powerful the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki were, and their strongest matched Hagoromo's description. But he was confident.
Not now, but in ten years.
"I know more than you. No need to elaborate," Kyomu prepared to attack. "Fight if you must, but if you want peace, agree to my three conditions."
"Then..."
"I agree to your three conditions," Hagoromo interrupted his brother, glaring at him. "Kyomu, state your conditions."
"First, you won't interfere with my unification of the Summoning Realm.
Second, the Pure Land will be under my control. Neither you nor Hamura will intervene.
Third, I'll handle Sasuke and Naruto. You two stay out."
As soon as Kyomu finished, Hamura exploded in anger.
"Kyomu, who do you think you are!"
With Hamura's shout, his soul form entered combat mode, his Byakugan turning into golden Tenseigan.
Boom! A wave of energy surged, sweeping dirt and stones like a hurricane towards Kyomu.
Kyomu raised his hand, clenched his fist, and swung it forward.
He reacted instantly, his punch creating a barrier of force that met the storm, stopping it three meters away and pushing it back towards Hamura.
In the next second, as the two energy waves collided, Hagoromo intervened, gathering energy in his chest before pushing both sides apart.
Boom! The energy waves exploded and dispersed, quickly neutralized by Kyomu and Hamura.
"Hamura!" Hagoromo stopped him. "Do you want to destroy this world or attract the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki?"
"Brother, he..."
"I agreed to his conditions," Hagoromo cut off his brother, turning to Kyomu. "I accept your conditions, but I also have three of my own."
"You have no right to negotiate," Kyomu's eyes were cold. "Do you think you make all the decisions?"
"Kyomu, I am sincere, with you taking the lead," Hagoromo pleaded. "You're right; I am already dead. This world should be governed by the living. But there are secrets you might not know, especially about Isshiki. He possesses an invincible unique technique, not even my mother fully mastered. If you..."
"The Kama Seal?"
Kyomu's interruption left Hagoromo stunned, his speech faltering. "You... how do you know?"
"You don't need to know. Just understand that I know everything you do, and more," Kyomu clasped his hands behind his back, exuding confidence. "The ninja world is mine now. Its development and future are my concern. As long as you don't cause trouble, I'll leave you some space to live."
"And I'm not bloodthirsty. If Gamamaru from Mount Myōboku surrenders, I'll spare his life. The same goes for you two. If you know your place, I'll spare you."
Hamura glared at Kyomu, restrained only by Hagoromo, seething with anger.
"So what's your plan?"
"I'll wait in the open until they show themselves. What more is needed?" Kyomu understood perfectly. "Whether it's Isshiki or the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki, they'll eventually confront me. With their power, they disdain sneaky tactics.
They'll face me head-on. That's what they want, and it's my preference too. Tell me, what else do I need to do? My strength is my greatest asset. Adapting without movement is the best solution."
"But Naruto..."
Hagoromo was still worried about Asura's reincarnated chakra. "If Isshiki revives through Naruto, Asura..."
"You claim to care for the ninja world, but now you hesitate when it's your turn to sacrifice?" Kyomu scoffed, cutting off Hagoromo. "Don't say it's impossible without him. I alone can elevate the ninja world. Even without you two, I can lead the ninja world to greater heights."
"But..."
"If you're still worried, help Sasuke. After all, he carries Indra's reincarnated chakra," Kyomu smiled. "Ultimately, helping Sasuke is helping your elder son, Indra."
Kyomu's calculations were clear. Sasuke, influenced by Ryū no Kuni's dual buffs, would never betray Kyomu. If Hagoromo helped, he might gain something, but Kyomu would never lose.
Hagoromo fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Kyomu waited patiently, knowing Hagoromo wouldn't refuse. Sasuke's potential was immense, worth Hagoromo's investment, giving Sasuke what was meant for Naruto.
"When the time comes, I'll do it," Hagoromo agreed. "Kyomu, I hope you're not arrogant but truly possess the power to control fate."
Kyomu remained silent, confident in himself.
His passive skills were his greatest asset.
And while talking with Hagoromo, Kyomu's new passive skill for the month had refreshed, powerful as ever.
With this skill, he was about to gain a new powerful subordinate.
Madara, are you ready?
(End of Chapter)