Kai's purpose was solely the Ten-Tails. As for the Eye of the Moon Plan, Kai had absolutely no interest—he even found it repulsive.
Just think about it: if everyone were placed in illusory dreams, how would he accumulate reputation points?
Kai's reputation points were now approaching fifty million. At this rate, in another twenty or thirty years, he could save up the one hundred million points needed for the ultimate lottery.
Kai had been anticipating the ultimate reputation lottery for quite some time. Moreover, letting the Ten-Tails revive and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki resurrect, then saving the entire ninja world himself—wouldn't that be another massive haul of reputation points? Perhaps by the end of the final battle, his reputation points would be nearly sufficient.
Hearing Kai's words, a glimmer of light appeared in Itachi Uchiha's previously confused eyes.
"I understand, Sensei Kai."
Itachi nodded and released Tsukuyomi. Both their consciousnesses returned to their respective bodies. Blood flowed from Itachi's left eye again, staining his entire left cheek crimson.
Seeing this situation, Kai shook his head helplessly. The silver tomoe in his blue-yellow heterochromatic eyes began spinning as his Mangekyō Tenseigan manifested, transferring ocular power into Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Itachi suddenly felt his vision clear dramatically, everything becoming much sharper. Recognizing Kai's assistance when he saw his teacher's eyes, he cast a grateful look toward Kai.
Kai merely smiled faintly without speaking.
Itachi nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then his entire form transformed into scattered crows and vanished.
Kai turned to Tsunade beside him, smiling: "All done, Tsunade-nee."
"Mm." Tsunade nodded, then continued: "By the way, Kai, I'm planning to return to Konoha and take over from the old man as Fifth Hokage. If you dare run off again, you know the consequences."
Tsunade's gaze locked onto Kai, the threat in her eyes unmistakable.
"I know, Tsunade-nee." As he spoke, Kai glared fiercely at Jiraiya nearby. If Tsunade was becoming Hokage, Kai refused to believe this old pervert hadn't been encouraging her from the sidelines.
Jiraiya's eyes darted away as he whistled, not daring to meet Kai's gaze.
"Alright, let's go—back to the village." Tsunade waved her hand decisively, her commanding presence in full display.
Suddenly, Kai's smile froze, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He'd just realized a problem: Kurenai Yuhi was also in the village. What would he do if these two women met?
Land of Rain, a hidden cave
"Leader, the Nine-Tails capture mission failed. Hidan is dead." Kakuzu's raspy voice echoed through the cave.
Nearby, blonde Deidara with his single ponytail looked astonished: "How's that possible? Doesn't that guy have an immortal body?"
"Dead is better—much quieter now," said Sasori in his Hiruko puppet state.
"Did something go wrong with the mission?" Pain Yahiko turned his gaze to Kakuzu and asked.
Kakuzu's expression darkened: "Kai Mitarashi appeared and killed Hidan with a single move. If Itachi hadn't covered our retreat, Kisame and I couldn't have escaped either."
"Itachi? How did you manage to hold off Kai Mitarashi?" Pain Yahiko fixed his Rinnegan on Itachi. Having personally experienced Kai's overwhelming power, Nagato couldn't believe Itachi possessed the strength to contend with Kai, and suspicion arose.
Itachi replied with a calm expression: "I merely delayed him briefly. Kai Mitarashi was once my instructor and couldn't bear to strike me down, so he let me go in the end." His gaze showed no evasion as he met Pain Yahiko's Rinnegan directly.
"Hmm." After a long moment, Pain Yahiko nodded and shifted his attention away from Itachi.
Looking at the remaining members, Pain Yahiko continued: "The Nine-Tails capture mission is temporarily abandoned. The organization enters dormancy. Monitor the remaining eight tailed beasts' movements and prepare for capture operations at any time."
"Understood." "Got it." "Yes."...
With various acknowledgments, the projected images in the cave gradually disappeared.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the Land of Rain:
"What now? Without successfully capturing the Nine-Tails, the plan can't proceed." Nagato, his entire emaciated frame supported by a mechanical apparatus, asked the spiral-masked Obito Uchiha before him.
Though masked, one could imagine Obito's expression wasn't pleasant as he spoke with hatred: "Before the plan's completion, we absolutely cannot provoke Kai Mitarashi. Once the plan succeeds, no matter how strong he is, it won't matter. As for the Nine-Tails, I'll think of another way."
Internally, Obito was roaring: Kai Mitarashi! Just wait—once I become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, the first thing I'll do is kill you, then destroy this twisted world!
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office
"I'm exhausted! Who knew becoming Hokage would be such a hassle? I should never have agreed to the old man's request." Tsunade slumped ungracefully in her chair, complaining to Kai beside her.
"Are there any urgent village missions? If needed, I can execute them immediately." Kai spoke with uncharacteristic righteousness.
If not for the flickering uncertainty in Kai's eyes, Tsunade might have believed he'd truly reformed.
How could Kai not feel anxious? Before assuming the Hokage position, Tsunade had to familiarize herself with detailed information on every jōnin in Konoha—including personal preferences, relationships, and such—to better control the village.
In the village, Kai and Kurenai Yuhi's relationship wasn't exactly hidden. While not common knowledge, it wasn't a secret within Konoha's jōnin circles either. Tsunade, taking over as Hokage, absolutely knew about this.
"Is that so?" Tsunade looked at Kai meaningfully: "Should I arrange for Jōnin Kurenai Yuhi to accompany you on missions?"
As expected...
Kai closed his eyes in 'despair,' awaiting Tsunade's judgment.
Just as Tsunade was about to speak, the Hokage office door suddenly burst open. Kakashi rushed in with a panicked expression: "Hokage-sama, this is bad—Sasuke Uchiha has defected!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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