Chapter 262: The Conspiracy
Who would have thought, besides Hyuga Fuji, there was someone else in the Hyuga clan with such potential?
Tsunade suddenly furrowed her brows, turning her gaze to the child in Minato's arms. According to Kakashi's report, future Toneri was about the same age as Naruto.
And this child was also about the same age as Naruto.
Coincidence?
Tsunade didn't believe in such coincidences!
"What is this child's name?"
"I don't know either."
Minato shook his head, "The summoning beast that handed him over to me couldn't speak."
Before Tsunade could continue asking, the child in Minato's arms stammered, "To-Toneri."
"..."
"..."
Minato and Tsunade exchanged glances and fell silent.
...
While Tsunade was receiving Minato's report, Kitsuchi arrived beside the anxiously waiting Onoki and began recounting the events on the moon.
After hearing the account, Onoki casually asked:
"Did Kū die?"
"Most likely."
Kitsuchi sighed, a bit saddened, "The power of the Lightning Country's Chakra Cannon is immense. Unless Uchiha Obito protected Kū, it's unlikely he survived."
The expressions of the two young ninjas behind Onoki changed slightly.
Kū died? He perished on his first significant mission? Isn't this just cannon fodder? Does that mean all of us clones are destined for such a fate?
The two saw Kitsuchi suddenly turn his gaze toward them and quickly concealed all their emotions, ceasing their wandering thoughts.
Seeing the two maintain their expressionless faces, Kitsuchi sighed inwardly.
Though Kū was also a clone, the others didn't grieve for their comrade's death. It seemed his father was right—these clones were best treated as mere tools.
Noting Kitsuchi's sadness over Kū's death, Onoki dismissively said, "There's no need to be sorrowful. We can always create another one. It's just a clone."
"The most pressing matters now are the Akatsuki and Hyuga Fuji. The latter is obvious—having acquired the Otsutsuki's legacy, he'll only grow more dangerous. As for the Akatsuki, just judging by two of their members, we can see how perilous they are."
"We need greater power to oppose them. I will have the Daimyō allocate more funds to the clone army."
In the past, the Daimyō of the Earth Country could still show some defiance before him. But as more countries combined their military and political powers, and with the advancement of cloning technology, the Daimyō had become nothing more than Onoki's financier.
At this moment, the Daimyō of the Earth Country was essentially the country's treasurer.
"I understand." Under the watchful eyes of the clone ninjas behind Onoki, Kitsuchi, who previously would have reasoned and debated, now nodded slightly, agreeing with Onoki's perspective.
The two clones remained expressionless, their dim eyes staring at Kitsuchi, their thoughts unknown.
...
Half a month after the Moon Incident, as various countries were digesting the event's outcomes, a conversation unfolded in the shadows of the Earth Country.
"Kū has already died. Among the team sent to the moon, only Kitsuchi returned alive."
"Not missing? Confirmed dead?"
"Hmph, missing? Do you know how far the moon is from the ninja world? Now that they haven't returned, what's the difference between that and being dead? I've said it before, we're just tools—no one cares about our lives. We don't even have names."
In a dark room, several figures gathered, one of them speaking with a sinister tone, "When will you finally understand?"
Among the clones, only Kū had a name—he was Dust Release Clone No. 1. Apart from Kū, the others only had numbers.
After all, who would bother naming a bunch of expendables?
This alone reflected Onoki's attitude toward them, but his foolish comrades still didn't get it.
One of the clones couldn't help but warn, "Number 18, stop talking. If Lord Onoki finds out, you'll be recalled."
"As long as you don't tell, what can that old man know? He can't monitor our actions all the time."
Dust Release Clone No. 18 stared at his comrades, his eyes narrowing, "You all once thought that Kū, having a name, was our way to integrate into this world. And now? The only named clone is dead! You should wake up!"
"...So what do you plan to do?" Dust Release Clone No. 2 looked at him, his eyes lowered.
No. 18's tone grew fervent, "If the Five Kage can overthrow the Daimyō, why can't we overthrow Onoki?"
No. 2 shook his head, "We can't betray Lord Onoki with the curse marks he placed on us. And how do we deal with those strong warriors?"
"The Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Kitsuchi...and those Jonin, while Dust Release is powerful, compared to Jonin, we lack battle experience, and they're equipped with expensive scientific ninja tools, widening the gap. We may not be their match."
"But you're dissatisfied enough to bring this up, aren't you?"
No. 18 smiled at him, "Don't worry, if I dared to bring it up, I naturally have a plan."
At this, he glanced around the room, pulling out a seal similar in effect to the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, "But before that, I ask you all to engrave this seal. It's not that I don't trust you, but we must avoid any risks."
The clones exchanged glances, and in the end, they silently engraved the seal.
They were all clones dissatisfied with Onoki, and they wanted to hear their comrade's plan. If it seemed feasible...
Some clones thought back to their oppression and treatment as mere tools, their eyes darkening.
Seeing that everyone had engraved the seal, No. 18 produced a document and spread it out for them to see.
"This is..."
The clones' eyes changed, "The usage rights for the cloning device. How did you obtain this?"
"There are many in this country dissatisfied with Onoki; you've just always treated him as a god to worship and overlooked them."
No. 18 sneered, "Collect resources for me during this time. When the time comes, we'll clone our own comrades. Once we have enough numbers, those Jonin won't stand a chance."
"When we overthrow Onoki, with the cloning device and enough resources, we can continuously increase our numbers and expand our power. We'll finally turn the tables and transform the Earth Country—and even the entire ninja world—into our domain!"
Some clones couldn't help but swallow nervously, imagining No. 18's vision of the world with a hint of longing.
No. 18 continued, "As for the curse marks Onoki placed on us as a precaution, don't worry. When the rebellion begins, someone will help us."
"No. 2, the Jinchūriki and strong warriors you're worried about aren't an issue either; someone will deal with them for us!"
No. 2 furrowed his brow, his expression serious as he looked at No. 18, "You've contacted external forces?"
"What external forces? Ever since we were created, we've been sent on dangerous missions. Our oppressor is Onoki and this country—they are the real enemy. Anyone willing to help us is naturally an ally!"
No. 18 stared at him, "Besides, with the cloning device, we'll eventually become the strongest force in the ninja world. Don't worry about our collaborators turning against us—they won't withstand thousands of Dust Release troops."
"And we don't have to limit ourselves to Dust Release. All clones are our comrades. In the future, we can have Mangekyō Sharingan troops, Byakugan troops, Wood Release troops. No biological entity can surpass our rate of reproduction and power growth as new humans!"
"Survival of the fittest—we are stronger, so we should be the rulers of the ninja world. The old humans should be discarded!"
No. 2 closed his eyes, recalling the already deceased Kū, who had been created just moments before him. Finally, he sighed and said:
"Fine, I'll believe you for now. I'll join this plan."
"I'll join too."
"So will I."
"…"
Seeing the determination in everyone's eyes, No. 18 smiled.
(End of Chapter)