"Shall we go? I'll walk you home."
With the group already dispersed, Kitagawa Minamoto glanced at Ino beside him. After a moment's thought, he spoke up.
"It's getting late."
"Thank you, Senpai."
Ino blinked her pale blue eyes and smiled. The silver moonlight fell upon her hair, creating a unique interplay of gold and silver. Her gaze remained fixed on Kitagawa Minamoto, making him feel slightly uneasy.
Fortunately, Ino was highly adept at reading people's emotions—a skill honed not only as a child of a prominent clan but also from being on a team with Shikamaru. Their squad often relied on her for communication and coordination. Otherwise, with Shikamaru and Chōji's laid-back attitudes, many tasks might have been left undone.
"Senpai, I didn't expect your dream to be so simple."
"Dreams being simple is quite normal, isn't it? Everyone has their own thoughts." Kitagawa Minamoto shrugged, walking leisurely under the moonlight and the gentle breeze.
"I don't feel the need to say things like 'saving the world' or 'becoming Hokage.' Not that they're bad dreams—I just don't see the necessity."
"Too grandiose?"
"No, every dream is worth supporting. But when people look back, many realize that 'a peaceful and simple life' is the truest dream."
"A peaceful and simple life?"
Ino tilted her head in curiosity, and Kitagawa Minamoto smiled and nodded, his mind drifting to an old song. It was a song his parents loved when he was young, and later, as an adult, he found it resonated deeply with him. Perhaps it had been playing during a breakup? Regardless, the song stuck with him, becoming part of his playlist—though he couldn't listen to it now.
"So, Senpai is like the flowers you grow—always simple?"
Ino blinked, but Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head with a smile.
"Not entirely. Who doesn't want to be the most dazzling? But for me, it doesn't seem necessary to strive for that."
After all, Hokage was his destiny. He was meant to be the one who would stand at the pinnacle. With such "reality" and "dreams" intertwined, he found no need to pursue anything else. Living a carefree life was his current source of happiness.
"I see."
Ino laughed, the breeze brushing her hair as she reached out to tuck it behind her ear.
"Senpai is like a flower perched on a cliff, stepping toward the sky—naturally, there's not much else to think about."
"Hmm?"
"So, you'd rather grow among the forest, intertwining with other plants?"
"..."
"Is that right?"
"Your interpretation..."
Kitagawa Minamoto was momentarily speechless. Ino seemed to have guessed some of his thoughts, but he chose not to comment further.
"Don't put me on a pedestal. Naruto and Sasuke are flowers just like that too."
"They're different from you, Senpai. They're stepping toward the sky, while you..."
Ino's radiant smile was cut short as Kitagawa Minamoto interrupted her.
"I'm just like all of you—attending school, getting hit hard by teachers, graduating to become a ninja. No matter what else changes, we're all the same."
This wasn't the kind of conversation he wanted to continue. If it went on, he might end up with a headache himself.
"So, don't overthink it. I've always been here."
"Got it!"
Ino playfully stuck out her tongue, seeming satisfied with the answer she received. Looking up at the sky, the silver moonlight filtered through the lush tree canopy, leaving speckled light on them. She wished this path could stretch on a little longer...
"Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation!"
In the wilderness of the Land of Rain, Orochimaru's hands formed seals rapidly. As the summoning circle expanded swiftly, a coffin rose from the ground.
"Tch, so you were prepared all along."
Though Obito didn't speak, he couldn't help but curse inwardly. Orochimaru had used the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation countless times before, so Obito naturally understood what was happening. Still, he didn't comment further. He had enough confidence in himself.
Bang!
As he pondered, the wooden door of the coffin was shattered by a single punch, and a figure stepped out. Seeing the face of the newcomer, everyone present felt their breath quicken. This man was none other than Uchiha Madara!
Madara examined his own power, stretching out his hands before him.
"It seems everything went smoothly. I've finally returned to the mortal world."
However, after a brief moment, he noticed something peculiar. Raising his head, he glanced at the group nearby. But as he looked, his brows furrowed deeply.
Madara realized something was off. His consciousness, Obito, and even Nagato were all present. Moreover, he vaguely sensed a connection between his Chakra and the pale-skinned individual over there. Most importantly, he didn't feel the sensation of truly being alive!
"Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, is it?"
After a moment of reflection, Madara seemed to grasp his current situation. Turning to Obito and the others, he asked,
"Could you explain what's going on?"
"We encountered some unforeseen circumstances, so this was the best option available." Black Zetsu shook his head helplessly, calmly explaining.
"With your power, alongside Obito and Nagato, who possesses the Rinnegan, I believe we can advance our plans smoothly."
"Obito, Nagato..."
Madara silently repeated the names, understanding Black Zetsu's emphasis. Obito had likely made progress, though Madara couldn't discern what exactly. As for Nagato...
Fully activated the Rinnegan's power, and his body has grown stronger. It seems much has happened since my death.
Madara mused silently, curious why he had been summoned in front of Nagato. After all, Nagato was merely a pawn for his resurrection. Black Zetsu, as his will, must have had a reason for this move.
"It seems a lot has happened since my death. Could you tell me what's transpired?"
"Indeed, much has occurred. It all started about six years ago..."
Black Zetsu sighed, deciding to begin with Uchiha Itachi's encounter with Jūzō Biwa. He explained slowly, and Madara listened intently. Having been dead for so long, he needed to absorb all the information about the current world.
However, as Black Zetsu narrated, Madara's expression grew increasingly peculiar, eventually turning grave. By the time Black Zetsu finished, Madara's face was filled with disbelief.
Not only him—everyone present looked grim. For Madara, this was merely fragmented information. For the others, it represented painful experiences.
"So..."
After an indeterminate amount of time, Madara finally spoke in a deep voice.
"Konohagakure has produced an extraordinary individual, likely a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths' brother, who has awakened unimaginable powers?"
"Correct. Dust Release, Wood Release, Sage Mode, and the Flying Thunder God Technique." Nagato sighed, though he remained wary of Madara, especially since Obito had once impersonated him.
Still, Nagato didn't dwell on it. While he couldn't defeat Kitagawa Minamoto or Ōtsutsuki Minamoto, he could handle these people.
"He's a true prodigy—an extraordinary figure!"
"Hmph, sounds like a combination of Hashirama and that scoundrel Tobirama." Madara hadn't encountered Kitagawa Minamoto, but based on the description, he instinctively felt annoyed.
"And the Senju clan has Uchiha-like relics?"
"Indeed, right here."
Black Zetsu pursed his lips, and Obito handed the "Senju relic" to Madara.
"Furthermore, Hashirama and Tobirama have also been revived—which is why we..."
"Hashirama is revived? That's excellent!"
Madara instinctively ignored Tobirama, dismissing him with disdain. Examining the bark in his hand, Madara realized he could fully perceive its information, indicating his body had been well-adjusted.
"The Sage of Six Paths' brother, and the world-shattering 'god,' Ōtsutsuki Minamoto..."
Madara was exhilarated, astonished by the world's transformation during his brief absence. First, there was Kitagawa Minamoto, possibly the Sage of Six Paths' brother's descendant. Then, there was the emergence of another world-shattering god—Ōtsutsuki Minamoto.
Not to mention the confirmation of the previous world-shattering god, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, and the revival of Hashirama through Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation.
This world had become incredibly exciting. Madara now understood why his "will" had restored Nagato and summoned him. It was entirely because they needed Nagato to keep pushing forward, to draw attention away from their plans.
"What an interesting world..."
Madara's smile grew wider. He was a battle-hungry individual, and while the world's changes seemed baffling, they also promised endless opportunities for him to wreak havoc!
"Still, Obito seems to have gained some unexpected benefits?"
"Well, it's all the same."
"It's time to move around a bit—to prepare for my complete resurrection!"
While Madara contemplated his future revival, Kitagawa Minamoto stood before the Divine Tree, lost in thought. On the towering trunk of the tree, two figures wrapped in special white cloth were visible. They were undergoing transformation by the Divine Tree, slowly evolving into new White Zetsu.
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