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In a deep underground chamber.
The short man in a black robe with purple gourd patterns hung up his communication device. His brow, hidden beneath his mask, was tightly furrowed, and he remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he slowly let out a rebuke:
"Fool."
"It seems the Renegade Union's expansion rate needs to be curbed after all."
"To think they'd recruit someone so ignorant into the organization."
"They simply handed a Shikon no Tama fragment to that scoundrel Sawara Kiri for nothing."
"Damn lower species."
Just as this 'God' was grumbling in annoyance, a soft knock came from the door behind him:
"God, the Lords have arrived."
Hearing this, his scolding stopped.
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, from beneath his mask, slowly exhaled, then composed himself and strode towards the door.
Two renegade Ninja, similarly dressed in black with purple gourd patterns, followed behind him as guards.
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, in his heart, was secretly pondering the arrangements of these past days.
Seven years had passed since he and his group were defeated by Sawara Kiri and fled here.
Though Momoshiki and Kinshiki hadn't fully recovered, they had at least managed to parasitize suitable hosts.
And this so-called 'Renegade Union' had, through years of operation, gradually gotten on track.
Originally, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki had only recruited these many renegade Ninja to find a relatively suitable body for Momoshiki and Kinshiki.
However, due to the prolonged delay, the organizational structure grew increasingly complex, eventually forming the large underground force it was today.
But a large organization also had its benefits.
At the very least, the plan he was currently advancing was able to raise sufficient funds thanks to this organization.
'If that succeeds—'
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki narrowed his eyes, sighing silently in his heart.
The trio walked through the underground corridor and entered the spacious underground conference room.
At the same time, the Fourth Raikage's thunderous roar happened to reach his ears.
"Our Kumogakure supports you underground insects not to cause trouble for our own Land of Lightning!"
"Such a large sum of money invested every year, and not only have we seen no returns, but now you dare send people to run wild in our Land of Lightning?"
"Do you really think I won't send troops to wipe you out?"
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, standing outside the door, frowned slightly and looked towards the tall, bear-like, dark-skinned man in the center of the conference room. A hint of coldness flashed in the Byakugan beneath his mask.
Clearly, this man's words were meant for him.
"Hmph."
Upon seeing his figure, the Fourth Raikage, who had been loudly shouting, suddenly sat back down with a 'creak.' The small chair beneath his backside creaked and groaned under his weight, like an autumn leaf adrift.
Seeing him quiet down, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki continued to walk forward, taking a seat opposite the Fourth Raikage.
Looking up, he saw that Ōnoki and another young man with red hair were already seated, both wearing expressions of watching a show, their gazes subtly tinged with amusement as they looked between the Fourth Raikage and the man who called himself 'God.'
"Such a temper, Raikage-sama."
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's voice was steady. Having dealt with these lower species for many years, he was no longer as arrogant as when he first arrived—on the contrary, the Ōtsutsuki Clan's learning ability at the negotiating table also far surpassed these lower species.
"I wonder what the Renegade Union has done to offend Kumogakure now?"
The Fourth Raikage crossed his arms irritably and said in a deep voice, "Robbery, murder, unlicensed trading, obstructing Kumogakure's missions... which of these isn't a deadly crime?"
"Don't think that just because I've invested money in you, I have to give way without limits, Shibai."
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, called 'Shibai,' calmly looked at him, or more accurately, at the six lotus-petal-like Shikon no Tama fragments embedded in the Fourth Raikage's brow.
A hint of wariness inadvertently flashed in his eyes.
However, his voice remained calm: "You should understand, Fourth Raikage-sama... the Renegade Union is essentially just a platform for accepting missions."
"As for what other people on this platform do, I don't have the leisure to manage it."
"My goal is the same as yours: simply to use this platform to complete that 'ultimate weapon.'"
"Could it be that you truly take me for some underground 'Kage'?"
There was a hint of sneer in Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's voice.
Ōnoki, to the side, suddenly snorted coldly and rebuked, "Youngster, 'Kage' is not a title that someone like you can mock."
"Sawara Kiri is not a Kage," Ōtsutsuki Urashiki looked him directly in the eye.
Ōnoki's wrinkled face twitched violently, and he widened his eyes: "You..."
"Enough."
Just as the topic was about to veer in another direction, the young man with red hair at the other end of the table looked up, his gaze cold as he looked at them:
"Let's talk about the 'ultimate weapon' first."
A single sentence made everyone else in the room suddenly quiet down.
Even Ōnoki, looking at this red-haired young man whose arms and face were wrapped in bandages, almost completely covering his body, couldn't help but show a hint of veiled apprehension in his eyes.
Sasori of the Red Sand.
This was, in recent years, the most astonishing young Ninja in the entire Ninja World, besides Sawara Kiri.
Rumor had it that he was the last disciple of the previous Kazekage, and like Sawara Kiri, he had developed a unique Ninjutsu of his own at a very young age.
It was said that the power of that Ninjutsu was extremely terrifying, so much so that even he himself dared not use it lightly.
The last time he acted, with just one strike, he easily destroyed a small country.
Moreover, that country remained a desolate land to this day; even plants and insects could not survive in that dead zone, and the citizens who originally lived there had all gradually died out.
This terrifying record alone was enough to make everyone take his words seriously.
"Hmph."
Hearing this, Ōnoki finally composed himself, looking at the others indifferently.
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki then continued: "The development of the ultimate weapon is progressing steadily. It should be ready for initial use in about a year."
"However, how much power it can unleash will still require the collective efforts of all you Lords to continue finding sufficient Chakra carriers..."
The others present listened quietly to his quarterly report.
The reason Ōtsutsuki Urashiki could unite the people present was, naturally, because of his 'trump card'—the biological technology of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Although the Ōtsutsuki Clan's performance in the original story only involved simple agricultural operations like planting trees and harvesting fruits, the various artifacts they casually pulled out, or their techniques for traversing time and space, all indicated that they were an energy-based species with an extremely high level of civilization.
It was just that when these individuals fought against Ninja, the aspects they displayed were extremely limited.
To defeat Sawara Kiri, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki had truly pulled out all the stops this time.
He not only integrated his, Momoshiki's, and Kinshiki's energy information but also applied a large number of atavistic technologies, striving to trace back to the species' true form—which was Ōtsutsuki Shibai—through bloodline factors.
This was his 'Ankoku Shibai' plan.
It was publicly referred to as the 'ultimate weapon.'
The only thing Ōtsutsuki Urashiki found regrettable was that the series of technologies used by the lower species in this era were still too backward, making it very difficult for him to find a suitable Chakra carrier to bear the power of 'Ankoku Shibai.' This was why he had no choice but to cooperate with these great nations.
He didn't know it until he cooperated, but these lower species, despite their limited abilities, actually had quite a few treasures.
Therefore, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki had become increasingly deeply involved in cooperation with these lower species.
In a few more years, 'Ankoku Shibai' would enter its completion phase, steadily surpassing Sawara Kiri.
At that time, the future of the Ōtsutsuki Clan would be saved...
However, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, who was in the midst of his quarterly report, did not notice that the expressions of those present were not very good.
Before he had even finished half of his report, the Fourth Raikage, propping his cheek with one hand, suddenly interrupted: "One year? After this weapon is initially completed, will its combat power be on par with Sawara Kiri's?"
...No, to reach Sawara Kiri's level, it might take a few more years.
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki was silent for a moment, then finally told the truth.
Such things could not be hidden.
"Tsk!"
The Fourth Raikage immediately clicked his tongue in annoyance: "Can you speed it up?"
"The Village's economic situation is getting worse year by year under Konoha's pressure!"
"Even if I can wait, how many people will be left in our Villages by then?"
He turned his head as he spoke: "Ōnoki, your Iwagakure's situation isn't any better than Kumogakure's, is it?"
"It's certainly better than yours!"
Ōnoki stubbornly retorted, but then his tone suddenly shifted: "But, it does indeed need to be sped up!"
"This plan has been ongoing for four whole years. It's time we saw some results."
Sasori, sitting in his seat, also nodded:
"That's reasonable."
Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's expression suddenly turned a few shades uglier.
As a god, when had he ever been threatened like this by these lower races?
However, thinking of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's future, and the glory of defeating Sawara Kiri later, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki ultimately set aside his inner resentment and said coldly, "Since that's the case, then follow me."
The group exchanged glances, then all stood up and walked down the dark corridor.
The underground passages were like an ant's nest, intricate and complex.
The Fourth Raikage frowned slightly, his expression subtly serious—the development of the Renegade Union had indeed exceeded their expectations.
They walked for an unknown amount of time before finally stepping into the deepest underground chamber.
Almost the moment they entered this underground chamber, everyone present unconsciously held their breath.
Before them was a translucent, glowing blue pillar standing in the center of the entire chamber.
Inside, the liquid spiraled like DNA, encompassing the figure within.
As for the figure standing in the center of the pillar, its entire body was pale, with horns extending, its whole physique exceeding three meters in length, and its entire body was covered by a huge robe.
Even through these layers of Sealing Technique, everyone present could clearly feel the abundant and explosive amount of Chakra contained within this body—a power comparable to a Tailed Beast.
However, this power was still an unfinished product.
Compared to the small ball of flesh they first saw, this 'ultimate weapon' was now gradually revealing some of its sharpness.
Seeing this, everyone present finally showed a hint of excitement.
'Very good!'
Ōnoki's eyes flickered as he looked at this 'weapon,' his thoughts racing.
'This way, our side's strength has increased by another portion.'
'As long as we can continue to develop like this, we will have a grip on the outcome of the war.'
It wasn't just him.
Almost everyone else present held the exact same thought.
The reason was simple.
Their Villages, as the Fourth Raikage said, were truly on the verge of collapse.
Whether it was the volume of missions, the number of Ninja, Ninja Village industries, or educational distribution... Unlike the simplified Ninja Village system during the Second Hokage's era, which the entire Ninja World could quickly adopt.
The reforms currently being undertaken by Konoha had gradually led this Village into a capitalized Ninja Village era, requiring extremely powerful strength and profit incentives, both internally and externally, to complete the overall transformation of the Ninja Village.
The reason Konoha could achieve this level was because of the immense pressure from Sawara Kiri.
But other Ninja Villages didn't have such a monster.
Naturally, in this race of institutional reform, they had already begun to fall behind.
And the longer the time, the greater the extent to which they fell behind.
Therefore, almost from the moment they realized this, Ōnoki and the others had long ago agreed and decided that Konoha could not be allowed to continue developing like this.
However, none of them wanted to become a thorn in Sawara Kiri's side, thereby bringing disaster to their Village.
Naturally, in this process of mutual shirking, several Villages gradually found a suitable 'scapegoat'—which was the Renegade Union, and their so-called 'ultimate weapon.'
From the very beginning, they never thought of letting this monster defeat Sawara Kiri.
After all, if someone could truly defeat Sawara Kiri, wouldn't he just become a second Sawara Kiri?
This would not benefit them.
Now, seeing this 'ultimate weapon' about to take shape, their thoughts grew even stronger.
Only...
Ōnoki and the others looked at the back of the man who called himself Shibai, secretly pondering.
How to push this bastard to his death?
The underground chamber gradually grew quiet, everyone lost in thought staring at this weapon.
Human hearts are unfathomable, dealing with a tiger for its skin.
It was nothing more than that.
"Handover complete."
Sawara Kiri led the little ones behind him, handing the cage, about one meter long and wide, covered with Sealing Technique formulas, and containing who knows what, to the Konoha Anbu, his tone gentle: "The rest of the matters will be troublesome for your interrogation department."
"Oh, and."
He said, picking up a fragment in his hand and indicating, "The Shikon no Tama fragment on his head, I will take it first."
"Yes, Sawara Special!"
The Anbu Ninja opposite immediately brought his feet together, clenching one fist and striking his chest in a salute; even through the thin mask, one could see the excitement on his face.
However, after receiving the cage, he quickly disappeared.
He did not linger excessively due to Sawara Kiri's identity.
Kakashi watched this scene from behind Sawara, feeling a bit emotional: If they knew how unreliable Sawara usually was, they might not still respect him like this…
"Thud."
However, just as this thought had barely half-formed in the young man's head, he suddenly received a knock on his forehead.
Kakashi looked up in astonishment.
Sawara Kiri retracted his fist and said to himself, "I just feel like you're thinking something rude."
"Alright, go submit the mission report!"
"Yes~"
Over these past few years of development, the Hokage Building, as the center of Konoha, had also been rebuilt for various reasons, now rising from its original four-story small structure to twelve stories.
Although it wasn't considered very tall in Konoha's new district, in this old district, it was already unique, enough to overlook all other buildings.
Kakashi and the others were also excited about this first solo meeting with the Fourth Hokage-sama.
Unlike before, when anyone could come to see the Hokage-sama, ever since Konoha underwent large-scale reforms and the mission system also saw many changes, for B-rank and lower missions, they basically no longer saw Tsunade; when they previously took D-rank missions, they were all completed in the first-floor mission hall.
Sawara Kiri, on the other hand, seemed to already know the ropes.
He simply walked in without even knocking.
As soon as they entered, the little ones saw a voluptuous young woman, wearing a loose haori, with a bare face and smooth blonde hair tied up, currently wearing rimless glasses and poring over various documents at her desk.
"Oh, you're back already?"
"Eh?!"
As soon as he entered, Uchiha Obito immediately lowered his voice and cautiously whispered to Kakashi, "Kakashi, why does the Fourth-sama seem to have gotten younger again?"
"Is age adjustable? She's clearly an old hag—"
"Shh—!!!"
Almost the instant these words left his mouth, Kakashi, who usually maintained a perpetually indifferent, dead-fish eye expression, seemed to be instantly gripped by a surge of survival instinct, violently clamping Obito's mouth shut, stifling the rest of his words in his throat, while cautiously looking in Tsunade's direction.
Fortunately, Tsunade merely looked up and glanced at him, and upon realizing it was an Uchiha brat, she instinctively showed a look of disdain, but said nothing more.
It wasn't worth getting angry at this little thing.
Sawara Kiri also looked at Obito helplessly.
This kid, he always manages to hit someone's sore spot.
But it was true.
If the Tsunade in the original story maintained an appearance of around thirty, then the Tsunade in this timeline mostly maintained the appearance of someone in her early twenties.
Occasionally, she would even look a bit younger.
He didn't know what she was competing for.
However, his voice remained steady: "Yes, there was a slight mishap during the mission, and a fragmented Shikon no Tama was recovered."
"It was from the Renegade Union."
Tsunade's brows furrowed accordingly: "How many incidents has this been this month? Kiri, if you have time recently—"
Just as she was about to say something more, her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of the several little ones present, and her words abruptly stopped:
"Never mind."
"I'll give your team three days of vacation first; we'll talk about the rest later."
"By the way, Kakashi and their mission assessment has passed, right?"
"Yes!"
Sawara Kiri smiled gently, his large hand ruffling Kakashi's white hair.
Tsunade also looked up from her desk, giving the little ones another glance, her tone unconsciously softening a bit: "Then, I wish you young Genin continued success. Don't get complacent because of a temporary success, okay?"
"Yes! Thank you for your guidance, Hokage-sama!"
The little ones' faces were also filled with uncontrollable excitement.
This meant they had cleared the final hurdle before enrolling in Ninja High School.
"Oh, Kiri."
After sending the little ones out, Tsunade kept Sawara Kiri for a while longer, lowering her head as if casually reminding him: "Remember to come home for dinner tonight."
"Yuki just passed her 'Medical Third Class' certification; don't forget."
Sawara Kiri paused at her words, his gaze lingering on Tsunade's lowered cheek for a moment before he nodded:
"Mm, I understand."
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