As Arima led the shinobi in shattering the meteorite that had fallen from outer space, Otsutsuki Isso was in the temple, closely observing their every move through the eyes of his puppets.
These lifeless constructs had been granted vitality by the Tenseigan, their every motion nimble and lifelike, almost indistinguishable from real humans.
Isso had sent them into the shinobi world long beforehand, for the sole purpose of gathering intelligence about the world below.
Outside of Kyoto, countless puppets were already lying in wait across the shinobi world.
Now, taking advantage of the attack on Konoha's Kyoto, these puppets were gathering every piece of information Isso required.
Isso had originally planned to use this sneak attack to heavily wound Arima, allowing his puppets to infiltrate Konoha's Kyoto in the chaos.
But to his surprise, Arima had managed to destroy the "grand gift" he had prepared so long for.
Frustrated, Isso intended to use the temple's Tenseigan once more to draw down another swarm of meteorites, hoping that through relentless attacks, he could gradually wear down Arima and the others.
At that moment, however, the clan elders stopped him.
The Great Elder, Otsutsuki Ten'an, warned him.
"You have been overusing the Tenseigan here in the temple. You've already torn open the space around its outer perimeter!
Though we managed to repair the cracks this time, if another large-scale rift appears, we will not be able to hold it together! If that happens, this world will be exposed to the Kami above!"
The mention of the Kami brought Isso back to the warnings of their ancestor, Hamura. Reluctantly, he forced down his desire.
Looking toward the distant Earth, Isso muttered to himself, "Arima… I will reclaim Father's eyes with my own hands!"
Meanwhile, Arima hovered silently in the sky, wary of another meteorite swarm. He waited for a long time, but nothing came. Only then did he allow himself to relax.
Yet just as he was about to release his Tenseigan Chakra Mode, his sharp senses picked up something discordant among the crowd below.
On several individuals, he detected traces of Tenseigan chakra.
Doubt stirred in his heart. He used his gravitational powers, pulling those people up toward him.
But just as he was about to reach them, their bodies collapsed into scattered parts, mere lifeless mechanisms.
Arima immediately realized: these were puppets, controlled through the Tenseigan. And the one behind them could only be Otsutsuki Isso, the same opponent he had clashed with from afar. A heavy unease surged in his chest.
Without delay, he returned to the Hokage's office and summoned Koharu Utatane.
"Investigate at once," Arima ordered. "Check whether any of the city's classified departments were infiltrated during this morning."
Recognizing the urgency, Koharu personally led the investigation.
Half an hour later, she returned to the office, her face troubled.
"The archives were breached," she reported honestly. "Everything else remains untouched."
"The archives?" Arima murmured, confused. "Why not the vaults storing our ninjutsu scrolls?"
At that moment, he suddenly remembered something that Isshiki had once told him.
Isshiki had mentioned, almost casually, the Otsutsuki clan's secret technique, the Spiritual Orb. Far superior to the Mind Body Switch Technique, it could not only read thoughts within the human brain but also manipulate one's will and actions.
Linking this with the puppets' infiltration of the archives, Arima understood instantly: Isso intended to dismantle the Alliance from within.
Arima turned sharply to Koharu.
"Summon every Alliance leader for an immediate meeting. We need to prepare for a real battle."
It was only then that Koharu truly realized the severity of the situation. War had come again, unbidden.
By around one o'clock that afternoon, the high-ranking leaders of the Shinobi Alliance had gathered, a rare occurrence.
Arima faced them with solemn expression and declared.
"Our Alliance is now facing a grave crisis. The enemy possesses a secret technique capable of seizing control of one's will and actions.
If even a single leader falls under their influence, the entire Alliance will be at risk.
Therefore, I insist that all leaders remain available to come to Konoha's Kyoto for inspections at any time. In addition, every member of critical departments must undergo regular supervision."
Onoki spoke up. "Who exactly is the enemy?"
Arima didn't answer directly, but instead began to explain.
"You all know of the legend of the Sage of Six Paths. The truth is, he did exist."
The words sent waves of shock through the chamber.
The Third Raikage, A, added. "That's no lie. The tools passed down from the Sage are still preserved in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning."
Arima continued.
"The Sage of Six Paths had a younger brother, Otsutsuki Hamura.
He and his descendants migrated to the moon. I've confirmed this from multiple sources, it's a fact. And today's attackers hail from that very clan."
Orochimaru, head of the Science Division, leaned forward with interest.
"Then can we counterattack… to the moon?"
Arima shook his head.
"I sense the attacks did not originate from the moon, but from somewhere beyond the sky, and it is constantly moving.
You should all remember the attacks by the Sky Ninja. This enemy is even more cunning and vastly more powerful than them."
Rising to his feet, Arima concluded with firm resolve.
"The Science Division will work with me to develop a defense system, ready to repel assaults from beyond the heavens at any moment.
The Investigation Division will scour the entire shinobi continent, reporting immediately on any unusual barrier they find.
Somewhere, there must exist a direct passage between the moon and us!"
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