Haido crossed his hands in front of his body, maintaining that same courteous smile that seemed unshaken by anything.
"My country... was once a prosperous place," he began, his voice laden with nostalgia, but without genuine emotion. "Cities gleamed under the light of the Gelel stones, and the people believed they had reached the pinnacle of civilization. However, like every place that grows too much, disputes arose. Kings, generals, advisors—all desired to control the absolute power of the stone."
He walked slowly through the metallic hall, each step echoing between the columns and the living walls of the vessel. The black-armored knights watched in silence, like statues ready to kill at any sign.
"When the war erupted," Haido continued, "my people were decimated. I saw with my own eyes the ruins of our glory. That power, which should have illuminated the future, reduced us to ashes."
Li Shang watched him attentively, but his expression did not change. 'He speaks with the conviction of a martyr, but his gaze betrays the opposite—a fanatic.'
"Then," Haido proceeded, turning to face them, "I understood that the error was not in the stone... but in the people. The human world is flawed. Emotions, fear, greed—all of this creates chaos. That's why I founded this group. Through the power of Gelel, we will build a new order. A utopia where pain and death will no longer exist."
Naruto clenched his fists, irritated. "You talk a good game, but we've heard that kind of speech before. Peace built with power is never true peace!"
Haido's eyes narrowed, but his smile remained. "Perhaps... but it's the only peace that works. Those who oppose it only prove the necessity of my ideal."
Li Shang took a slight step forward. "Interesting story." His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind each word. "Sunagakure was recently attacked by unknown forces. Our mission is to investigate and support our allies."
The Tenseigan's gaze glowed light blue. "By any chance, Haido, was your group responsible for this attack?"
The change in atmosphere was immediate. Haido's smile remained, but the hall seemed to freeze. The two women behind him subtly moved, their presences emanating hostility. The black-armored knights, motionless until then, tightened their spears and swords, ready to act at the slightest command.
"An attack?" Haido raised his eyebrows with feigned surprise. "Ah, that must be a misunderstanding. We were merely... forced to defend ourselves. I'm sure you understand. In times of instability, it's natural for unnecessary confrontations to arise."
"Hehehe..." Li Shang chuckled softly, his voice resonating with irony. "Many misunderstandings lately, don't you think?"
Haido maintained his smile, but the tension was almost palpable. Naruto, Sasuke, and Lee had already discreetly positioned themselves, while Sakura and Tenten watched the two women cautiously.
Li Shang raised his hand, and silence once again dominated the environment. "Tell me, Haido," he asked, his tone now serious, penetrating. "How exactly do you intend to achieve your objective? Peace... is not something conquered solely by your strength."
Haido stared at him fixedly, and for a brief moment, his disguise fell. The dark green glow emanating from his body intensified, distorting the shadows of the hall.
"Yes... I am not strong enough. That's why we are searching for the legendary Gelel Stone."
Haido broke the brief silence with a calm and serene voice, but there was a strange tone behind it. The green glow subtly pulsating in his body made his words even more suspicious.
"Would you be willing to help us?" He asked, looking directly at Li Shang, as if the young Hyuga's answer would define the course of the encounter.
Li Shang crossed his arms and attentively observed every gesture. The active Tenseigan detected the minuscule energy fluctuations around Haido—it was not common chakra, nor even a natural flow of refined Yuan Qi. It was something unstable, raw, and pulsating, like a beast trying to escape its host's body.
'He already has a hidden stone... and seems to be in the process of fusion. He's trying to hide the corruption that consumes him.'
A slight smile appeared on Li Shang's lips. "You want to find a source, right?"
Haido froze. For an instant, his mask of tranquility wavered.
"What... do you mean by source?" He tried to maintain his composure, but the discomfort in his voice was evident.
Li Shang tilted his head, observing him with cold eyes. "Don't play dumb. You speak of the Gelel stone as if you're searching for one, but the energy I feel in you is exactly the same. Tell me, Haido... what are you hiding?"
Silence spread through the hall. Naruto, Sasuke, and the others looked at each other, feeling the growing weight of the tension.
"You see," Li Shang continued, his tone firm and direct, "you have one of those stones right there, don't you?"
Li Shang's finger pointed directly at Haido's right hand, hidden by his cloak.
Temujin's eyes widened. "Haido-sama... is what he said true?"
The two women behind the leader instinctively moved, positioning themselves beside him. Hostility emanated from them like heat from a furnace.
Haido took a step back, his smile returning forcefully. "I don't know what you're talking about. Our goal has always been to find the whereabouts of the legendary mineral to achieve peace. The stone you mention is merely a fragment—a minor artifact. Nothing compared to the power of the true Gelel."
But Li Shang interrupted him, his voice low, almost cutting. "Interesting... because the flow in your body is collapsing. You are absorbing raw energy without refining it. That kills an ordinary man in minutes."
Haido narrowed his eyes. For a brief second, the green glow emerged between the slits of his cloak.
Naruto stepped forward, his fists clenched. "So that's it! You've been lying from the beginning!"
Haido slowly raised his hand, the calm gesture contrasting with the growing power emanating from his body. "No. I am trying to save this world."
The energy exploded. The Gelel stone in his palm shone like a star, revealing itself completely. His cloak tore, and part of his arm was covered in black, crystallized veins.
"You don't understand," he said, his voice distorted by a strange resonance. "The power of Gelel is pure life! With it, I can rewrite the laws of this world!"
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, his body tense. "Neji, this guy has lost control!"
Li Shang remained calm, but his eyes shone intensely. "No... he never had control. He's just being slowly devoured."
The ground vibrated. The entire ship reacted to the power of the stone. Haido forcefully raised his hand, and dozens of black-armored knights emerged from the sides, their eyes glowing green.
"You had your chance to join me," he said, his voice echoing through the hall. "Now you will see what happens to those who defy the new order."
Li Shang took a deep breath and smiled slightly. "So this is how your utopia begins."
The Tenseigan shone with a cold and intense power. "I'll show you how it ends."
The clash of energies made the air explode in a wave of light, as the first blow between the two was struck.