With his chakra replenished by Kurama, Yamato quickly moved to a new location with the help of Minato Namikaze. Hashirama Senju followed suit, teaming up with his brother Tobirama Senju to shift positions and continue using Wood Release to grow more trees.
Shūichi Hoshita, with his vast reserves of chakra, effortlessly filled the entire inner space with a dense forest without breaking a sweat.
Meanwhile, Yamato collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.
Next, Shūichi raised a single hand, and the earth trembled as mountain peaks rose one after another at an astonishing speed.
Even when Ōnoki and the others worked together, they couldn't match his pace.
In just over an hour, the once-barren interior had transformed into a lush paradise, complete with mountains and forests—a secluded utopia.
"This is beyond imagination..."
Hovering in the air, Ōnoki marveled at the endless expanse of dense forest and towering peaks.
It seemed the ninja world was truly on the brink of transformation!
For the first time, Ōnoki felt that a new era had arrived. The ambitious changes Shūichi had spoken of, about altering the way ninjas lived, now seemed entirely plausible.
But Shūichi wasn't dwelling on such grand thoughts.
With the initial interior renovations complete, he handed over the finer details to Minato Namikaze and the others. Then, taking Hashirama and Tobirama, he ascended to the surface of the meteorite to begin greening its exterior.
This would help retain as much natural rainfall as possible.
Of course, that alone wasn't enough.
Activating his golden Susano'o, Shūichi swung his sword, slicing off the top of the meteorite to create a massive flat platform.
Retracting Susano'o, he stood on the smooth platform alongside Hashirama and Tobirama, smiling. "Wouldn't this be an incredible place to build an arena for duels and spectators?"
Tobirama immediately nodded. "That's an excellent idea. But with so much space, surely you have more planned than just that?"
Shūichi nodded affirmatively.
Then, to their astonishment, the ground beneath their feet began to sink, forming a massive circular depression in the center of the flat expanse.
"This will be a reservoir and, at the same time, a saltwater lake."
Shūichi grinned. "First Hokage, could I trouble you to plant more trees on the outside?"
Hashirama leaped away with enthusiasm. "Not a problem!"
While Hashirama continued planting trees outside, Shūichi utilized his earlier preparations to divert a massive amount of seawater into the depression.
In no time, a saltwater lake took shape. Shūichi and Tobirama stood on its surface, surrounded by forests swaying in the breeze. Reflected in the shimmering lake, the sunlight created a dazzling display of rippling light.
Tobirama suddenly asked, "Shūichi, how do you plan to move this fortress?"
"Other than you, the Fourth Hokage probably can't use Flying Thunder God to teleport it, right?"
Shūichi nodded. "That is indeed a challenge."
"That's why the matter on the moon needs to be addressed sooner rather than later."
Tobirama frowned. "You're talking about the Tenseigan?"
"But the Tenseigan requires someone with the Byakugan to control it. That means involving the Hyūga clan. Are you planning to use this to balance against the Uchiha clan?"
Shūichi chuckled. "I'm not thinking that far ahead."
"But the Hyūga clan's abilities are undeniably valuable—not just for reconnaissance and perception but also for geological surveying, mining, and even medical applications."
At that moment, Hashirama returned and chimed in, "Tobirama, you shouldn't always doubt your allies."
Tobirama immediately retorted, "This isn't doubt; it's precaution, something a leader must consider."
"Shūichi may be incredibly powerful now, but there's no guarantee he can always be here. Without overwhelming military strength to maintain order, even if we unify the ninja world, ambitious individuals will still harbor inappropriate thoughts."
Shūichi couldn't agree more with this last point.
If the First Emperor of China hadn't died, no one would've dared rebel. But once he passed, rebellion spread across the land.
So, what's the solution?
Naturally, live as long as possible.
On this point, Shūichi was quite confident.
He was different from the Sage of Six Paths.
He wasn't a Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, and although he hadn't fully harnessed its power, he had fused the abilities of the nine-tailed beasts and the Gedo Statue to gain a portion of the Ten-Tails' genes and power.
While he couldn't guarantee the exact longevity of his physical body, living for over a thousand years like Gamamaru was entirely feasible.
Moreover, he possessed abilities akin to the Ōtsutsuki clan, allowing him to reincarnate directly.
With the power of the Star Curse Seal, or even through soul possession, as long as he wasn't outright killed, Shūichi believed he could dominate the ninja world for millennia.
However, he harbored no such ambition.
The ninja world was simply too small.
…
Shūichi set aside his thoughts and delegated responsibilities, opting to head home and spend time with his wives.
Meanwhile, the interior of the massive meteorite—now officially named the "Alliance Fortress"—bustled with activity. Once Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake successfully set up the space-time teleportation array, waves of ninjas and craftsmen began moving in.
Though preparing the arena for upcoming events was relatively easy—achieved with Kitsuchi and a few skilled Earth Release users—more effort was required for the grander ambitions.
Buildings were handled by Yamato, the team's expert architect.
But since dignitaries and daimyōs would be visiting, a mere functional setup wouldn't suffice. Additionally, the fortress, as the alliance's headquarters, had to reflect its prestige.
The construction of various living facilities and commercial areas also required expertise beyond what ordinary ninjas could provide.
Fortunately, none of this concerned Shūichi anymore.
Upon returning home, he found that Tsunade had once again buried herself in her research laboratory. Without hesitation, he dragged her back home.
Tsunade's belly had grown significantly. While the later stages of pregnancy were generally safer than the early months, the various chemicals and substances in her lab posed potential risks to the unborn child. Shūichi had no intention of risking his child's health.
Elsewhere, the pregnancies of Pakura and Tenka were also progressing noticeably.
Had Shūichi not exercised control, Anko, Shizune, Mei Terumi, and Konan might already have joined the ranks of expectant mothers.
After all, Shūichi's dedication to his "family responsibilities" was unmatched.
---
July, Year 51 of Konoha
The first stage of the Ninja Alliance's Chūnin Exams officially commenced in Konoha.
Shūichi, however, paid little attention to it. He spent a few days with Tsunade and the others, introduced them to mahjong for entertainment, and then left with Uchiha Shisui to explore the depths of the moon.
Instead of searching for the natural passage between the ninja world and the moon's core, Shūichi used a space-time gate to arrive directly.
---
"So, you've come at last!"
Ōtsutsuki Takashi, who had been monitoring the ninja world through the Tenseigan, immediately noticed the arrival of Shūichi and Shisui.
His expression turned grave. Though confident in the power of the Tenseigan, Takashi was fully aware of Shūichi's formidable strength. And alongside him stood an Uchiha wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"No matter what, I must not let him..."
Prepared for this eventuality, Takashi activated his defenses, summoning a vast number of puppets.
---
Walking through the ruins of an ancient lunar settlement, Shisui couldn't help but remark, "Civil strife is truly the most destructive force. The Ōtsutsuki must have been incredibly prosperous once."
Shūichi nodded in agreement.
The massive Tenseigan on the moon was a fusion of countless Byakugan.
Unlike the Sharingan, which required a specific trigger for awakening, the Byakugan was an inherent trait.
Over centuries or millennia, the Ōtsutsuki could have produced an overwhelming number of Byakugan users.
Especially on the moon, where there was no war, population growth would have been unhindered—unlike the Hyūga clan in the ninja world, whose numbers were stunted by constant conflict.
As they explored, Shūichi suddenly looked up and smiled.
Shisui also sensed something, raising his gaze to see a black dot growing larger in the sky.
"Hmm?"
"So many people?"
"Didn't you say there were very few Ōtsutsuki left on the moon?"
Activating his Sharingan, Shisui quickly realized the truth. "Ah, I see. They're puppets!"
"Incredible... This puppet technology far surpasses that of Sunagakure. It must be a capability of the Tenseigan you mentioned."
The puppets soon closed in, launching glowing orbs that streaked through the air.
Boom!
The orbs exploded on impact, filling the area with smoke and dust.
Suddenly, a colossal green figure emerged from the haze. A torrent of spinning magatama followed, tearing through the air and striking the flying puppets. Amid the thunderous explosions, the puppets shattered into fragments.
Shisui, controlling his fully-formed Susano'o, soared into the sky with Shūichi standing calmly on its shoulder.
The puppets showed no fear, attacking Susano'o from all directions.
But Susano'o was armed with a blazing spiral lance in one hand and a massive flame-forged shield in the other. Its immense form moved swiftly, obliterating puppet after puppet.
Though the chakra orbs launched by the puppets were powerful, they were nowhere near strong enough to penetrate the fully-formed Susano'o's defenses.
Shūichi refrained from intervening, leaving the task to Shisui, who swiftly dealt with the remaining puppets before charging toward the sunlit peak in the distance.
Ōtsutsuki Takashi's expression hardened. "To think they dismantled my puppets so quickly…"
He had never expected the puppets to defeat Shūichi and Shisui. Their purpose was merely to deplete the duo's strength and buy him more time to prepare.
But now…
Ōtsutsuki Takashi immediately grabbed his son and vanished, heading straight to the sacred site housing the Tenseigan.
Meanwhile, Shisui's Susano'o effortlessly broke through the barriers, entering the core of the lunar Ōtsutsuki settlement.
Inside, even more puppets swarmed forward, attacking en masse.
Seeing this, Shūichi simply raised his right hand.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A powerful invisible shockwave erupted, reducing the dense wave of charging puppets to mere fragments.
In one move, every puppet was obliterated.
Shisui couldn't help but marvel. "As expected of you, Shūichi!"
With his Rinnegan active, Shūichi pointed ahead. "Shisui, that way!"
Shisui nodded, directing Susano'o toward the cluster of meteors Shūichi had indicated.
As they approached, the massive meteors suddenly began to move, hurtling toward Susano'o at incredible speed.
Shisui's eyes narrowed as the chest armor of Susano'o opened, unleashing green magatama engulfed in flames. They shot out like enormous fireballs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One meteor after another exploded, but the resulting debris still rained down like a barrage of cannonballs.
Frowning slightly, Shisui enveloped Susano'o in flames. Wielding its fiery shield and spiral lance, Susano'o struck back.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Meteor after meteor was destroyed, while the smaller fragments exploded against Susano'o's flame shield.
Though some meteors managed to crack Susano'o's armor, they couldn't completely breach its defenses.
Shisui maneuvered Susano'o through the meteor barrage, finally emerging to see a massive palace perched atop a meteor.
"That must be it…"
Shisui could sense a terrifying power emanating from within.
For Shūichi, the sensation was even stronger. The immense energy of the Tenseigan distorted his perception, making it impossible to pinpoint more precise details.
He couldn't even use electromagnetic signals to construct a mental map of the surroundings.
Just as Shisui prepared to charge into the palace housing the Tenseigan, a massive golden beam of light suddenly erupted from within.
Shisui reacted instantly, thrusting his spiral lance to meet the beam.
Boom!!!
The two forces collided, creating a blinding flash of light and a shockwave that triggered a storm.
Shūichi's robes fluttered wildly, and his black hair whipped in the wind, but he stood unmoving.
Shisui, however, was visibly shaken. "The Tenseigan… Its power truly rivals the Rinnegan. What incredible strength…"
Under the intense pressure of the golden beam, the spiral lance of Susano'o began to fracture.
Shisui quickly raised a flame shield in defense.
Boom!
But even the flame shield started to disintegrate under the Tenseigan's relentless energy.
"Shūichi, I can't hold it!" Shisui shouted.
Shūichi nodded slightly. In the next instant, a golden half-body Susano'o materialized. With a single punch, it shattered the golden beam.
---
Inside the Tenseigan Palace
Beside the Tenseigan, Ōtsutsuki Takashi watched in astonishment. "The difference in power is overwhelming…"
"This man…"
His young son, Ōtsutsuki Toneri, looked up. "Father, is the enemy very dangerous?"
Takashi nodded solemnly. "A tremendously powerful foe. Likely stronger than even our ancestors."
Toneri remained calm, asking, "What should we do? Are they here to seize the Tenseigan?"
"Don't worry. I have a plan. Just remember the will of our ancestors," Takashi reassured him.
Toneri nodded, while Takashi prepared for another attack.
---
Outside, Shūichi activated his space-time gate with a mere thought.
Shisui understood immediately, dispersing his Susano'o and stepping through the portal. He reappeared not far from Takashi's position.
Once again, the green Susano'o rose, prompting Takashi to shift his attack. Beams of light from the Tenseigan rained down on Susano'o.
Outside, Shūichi's Susano'o shattered the beams with a single punch before vanishing and reappearing beside Shisui.
Then, Shūichi stepped forward, his body appearing almost ethereal as he phased through the Tenseigan's light beams. In the blink of an eye, he was next to Takashi.
"Rinnegan Technique!"
Takashi immediately tried to change his target, but before he could react, Shūichi's Rinnegan transformed into the Byakugan.
The veins around Shūichi's eyes bulged, and Takashi's body froze. His empty gaze fixed on Shūichi in disbelief.
"What… How can you possess the Byakugan and control me?"
"Did you… Did you steal Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's Byakugan?"
(End of Chapter)
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