"No, I'm just borrowing it!"
Shūichi chuckled lightly.
He had yet to complete the training required to master the Byakugan fully.
However, with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya cooperating with him and even opening her heart completely, borrowing her eyes for a moment was naturally no problem.
In the Shinobi world, Kaguya's Byakugan was undoubtedly the most advanced, surpassing even those of her descendant, Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
In fact, if one wasn't careful, even Hamura's powers could be taken over by Kaguya.
But what shocked Ōtsutsuki Takashi even more than the Byakugan itself was the act of borrowing it. "This… how is this possible?"
"You… you actually allied with such an evil person. Are you planning to destroy the entire world?"
Shūichi couldn't help but laugh at this. "Aren't you the ones intent on destroying the world?"
Ōtsutsuki Takashi's younger son, Ōtsutsuki Toneri, tilted his head up and declared, "That's because the world created by the Sage of Six Paths is a failure. We must build a new world! This is the mandate left to us by Ōtsutsuki Hamura, our ancestor!"
Shūichi glanced at the young Toneri and smiled. "A mandate?"
"Did Hamura ever clearly state that the Shinobi world must be destroyed?"
"What Hamura wanted was for you to guard the Gedo Statue and watch over Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, wasn't it?"
"That was one of the reasons why Hamura left the Shinobi world for the moon all those years ago."
Ōtsutsuki Takashi shouted, "The world of the Sage of Six Paths is a flawed world! Thus, as those who inherit Hamura's will, it is our duty to follow our ancestor's wishes, destroy this failed and erroneous world, and create a new one to continue his mission."
"Just as our ancestor and the Sage of Six Paths defeated Ōtsutsuki Kaguya back then!"
Shūichi nodded in understanding. "I see."
"But you must realize—I cannot allow you to destroy the Shinobi world."
Ōtsutsuki Takashi retorted, "Don't you think the endless cycles of war are a mistake?"
"Aren't you also trying to change things?"
"With your Rinnegan, if you join us, we can work together to build a brand-new world, just like the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura did in the past."
Uchiha Shisui immediately countered, "That idea is utterly absurd!"
"Do you think destroying the Shinobi world and creating a new one will end wars?"
"What we should do is eliminate war, not slaughter everyone!"
"If you do that, you'll be no different from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya back then… no, you'll be even more ruthless and evil than her."
"What's more, the Shinobi world has already entered an era of peace."
"With the formation of the Ninja Alliance, the villages are merging, and even nations are coming together. In the future, there will no longer be wars between villages or nations."
"That is what we should strive for, not the destruction of everyone."
To Shisui, Takashi had gone entirely astray.
Solving a problem by eliminating those who caused it might work in ordinary circumstances.
But to destroy the entire Shinobi world?
That was something Shisui could never agree to!
"Shūichi, leave them to me!"
Shisui turned to Shūichi with determination.
He intended to use Kotoamatsukami to alter the minds of these two.
Shūichi shook his head. "No, I'll handle it."
"They both have the power of the Tenseigan within them. Your Mangekyō abilities might not work on them."
Previously, Shūichi had considered letting the Hyūga clan control the giant Tenseigan to take over the Alliance fortress.
But now, a better option seemed to present itself.
Hearing this, Shisui couldn't hide his surprise. "Shūichi, you've mastered my Mangekyō abilities?"
Shūichi nodded. "Just two days ago."
The reason he hadn't used Kotoamatsukami just now but instead borrowed Kaguya's Byakugan was that her Byakugan held a stronger dominance over others of the same kind.
Moreover, the control power of Kotoamatsukami was not as effective as the Byakugan.
On top of that, Kaguya's Byakugan, being more advanced than those of Ōtsutsuki Takashi and Toneri, could also resonate with the giant Tenseigan.
Ōtsutsuki Takashi's expression changed as he listened to their conversation. He spoke urgently, "Only we can control the Tenseigan. Lord Shūichi, we are willing to submit to you and continue to guard the moon."
This was his attempt to stall.
But Shūichi had no intention of changing his stance. "Your thinking is too extreme."
"For the safety of the Shinobi world, I must change your minds."
As he spoke, Shūichi's Byakugan switched to the Rinne Sharingan, and he activated a technique.
Kotoamatsukami!
Ōtsutsuki Takashi's will was instantly altered. Despite possessing the power of the Tenseigan, he had not awakened it himself.
What's more, Shūichi's ocular power was overwhelmingly strong.
"Lord Shūichi, please correct the erroneous thoughts of my son as well!"
Ōtsutsuki Takashi bowed deeply.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri was stunned. "What… what have you done to my father?"
"Is this… genjutsu?"
"Father, please wake up!"
Toneri shouted in desperation.
Shūichi immediately used Kotoamatsukami again.
Toneri quieted down at once and then bowed as well. "Lord Shūichi, I am Ōtsutsuki Toneri. From now on, I will always follow your will!"
Shūichi smiled and nodded. "Good!"
He then switched back to the Byakugan and turned to face the giant golden Tenseigan before him.
He had successfully taken control of the Tenseigan from Ōtsutsuki Takashi.
The power was indeed immense, worthy of the sacrifices the clan had made to obtain it.
"It truly possesses similarities to the Rinnegan, yet it is distinct in many ways," Shūichi murmured as he quietly examined the energy.
The Tenseigan had always been one of his objectives.
Moments later, he raised his hand to touch the Tenseigan. A torrent of immense energy from the Tenseigan surged into his body.
Boom!
A green chakra cloaked his body, transforming into a chakra mantle.
Uchiha Shisui was startled. "Shūichi, is this…?"
Shūichi smiled. "This is the Tenseigan Chakra Mode. It indeed differs in many aspects from the Rinnegan."
Ōtsutsuki Takashi praised him, "As expected of Lord Shūichi, to achieve such a feat is truly remarkable."
Although Takashi had previously used the Tenseigan's chakra, he had never been able to attain a full Tenseigan Chakra Mode like this.
If he could, he wouldn't have been subdued by Shūichi so easily.
Feeling the power of the Tenseigan, Shūichi was tempted to dismiss it as "not that impressive" and show off a bit. But after a moment's thought, he decided against it.
Too low-level!
Withdrawing his hand, Shūichi said, "Now, let's take the Tenseigan back to the Shinobi world with me!"
Ōtsutsuki Takashi bowed. "Yes, Lord Shūichi!"
Shūichi chose not to immediately utilize the moon's resources because the current Ninja Alliance was not ready for such elevated structures of power.
The Alliance Fortress was more than sufficient for now.
---
At the Alliance Fortress, within the first completed headquarters, the sight of the massive Tenseigan left everyone stunned.
"So, this is the Tenseigan, a power comparable to the Rinnegan? Its strength is indeed astonishing!" General Mifune couldn't help but marvel.
The Fourth Raikage asked, "It's powerful, but why is it in this form? Shouldn't it be a pair of Tenseigan?"
Shūichi smiled and explained, "That's because this was formed by fusing all the Byakugan of the Ōtsutsuki clan on the moon."
"What?"
The crowd was visibly shocked.
The Fourth Raikage asked incredulously, "Does this mean that the Hyūga clan of Konoha could also create such a Tenseigan?"
Minato Namikaze replied, "But doing so would require sacrificing the eyes of every clan member. It's not worth it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed. "Such power is indeed great, but it is not the righteous path."
The Fourth Raikage scoffed. "If the situation were desperate enough, this method might not be out of the question."
Ignoring the argument, Shūichi said, "The Tenseigan will be controlled by Ōtsutsuki Takashi. Its power will be used to move the fortress."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Takashi and asked, "Shūichi, should we select members of the Hyūga clan to take turns guarding it?"
Shūichi didn't answer immediately. Instead, Takashi explained, "Of course, that is possible. However, ordinary Byakugan users cannot directly control the Tenseigan. To wield its power freely, they must fuse their Byakugan with the Tenseigan."
Hiruzen frowned slightly at the revelation. "I see."
Takashi added, "Additionally, unless one has equivalent strength, only Byakugan users can touch the Tenseigan. Otherwise, it will drain their chakra completely."
Everyone was taken aback by this statement.
Shūichi said, "Sensei, regarding the matter of controlling the Tenseigan, we should first consult with the Hyūga clan."
Minato nodded. "I'll discuss this with Clan Head Hiashi."
Given the current state of the Hyūga clan, it was clear they were not suitable for directly managing the Tenseigan.
The clan's division into the main and branch families posed a significant challenge. The main family had few members, with only one per generation.
Hiashi Hyūga couldn't possibly gouge out his own eyes for this. And Hinata Hyūga was even less suitable at the moment.
As for the branch family?
It was unlikely the main family would entrust the Tenseigan to the branch family.
If the branch family developed other ambitions and used the Tenseigan to break the Caged Bird Seal, they might emulate the lunar Ōtsutsuki branch and overthrow the main family.
But did Hiashi have the resolve to abolish the Caged Bird Seal? The lunar Ōtsutsuki clan's history served as a cautionary tale.
---
Leaving Ōtsutsuki Takashi behind and handing Ōtsutsuki Toneri over to his teacher, Minato, Shūichi decided to return home.
He had no interest in keeping Toneri around, and it just so happened that Toneri could accompany Naruto.
As for Haku, Kimimaro, Suigetsu, and the others, Shūichi instructed Haku to bring them to Konoha.
A generation destined to produce numerous powerful figures!
---
Time flew by, and soon the Chūnin Exams began.
However, Shūichi didn't pay much attention. This cohort lacked any standout individuals that had left an impression on him in the past.
The first round of the Chūnin Exams was held in Konoha, while the second round—a team competition—took place on a deserted island.
Aside from the few wild beasts native to the island, the Alliance had also released numerous fierce creatures there.
Additionally, a few ninja beasts were scattered among them.
With nothing to do, Shiro followed Shizune to the island and ended up becoming the "King of Beasts."
The third round of the Chūnin Exams, a series of one-on-one battles, along with the final exhibition matches for promotion, were scheduled to be held inside the Alliance Fortress.
This was also the first time the internal structure of the Alliance Fortress was revealed to the public.
Unsurprisingly, this Chūnin Exam was a resounding success.
It marked the first display of unity within the Ninja Alliance and further strengthened collaboration and integration among the major ninja villages.
The daimyōs were thoroughly entertained, particularly the daimyōs of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain. Having already received advanced notice of their respective reconstruction plans and seeing the Alliance Fortress firsthand, their expectations were high.
After enjoying the spectacle, the daimyōs of the major nations were invited to a conference room to meet with the Kages.
As the host of the meeting, Minato Namikaze proposed reconstruction plans for the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind. At this point, the daimyō of the Land of Fire frowned.
The Land of Rain was one thing—the village had already been absorbed into Konoha, and its limited territory posed no threat to the Land of Fire.
But the Land of Wind was another matter entirely.
The Land of Fire's daimyō still clung to the grand vision Shūichi had painted for him: unifying all nations.
With the Ninja Alliance now established under Konoha's leadership, the influence of ninja in warfare would significantly diminish.
Given the Land of Fire's superior resources, it could easily suppress the other nations.
However, if the Land of Wind grew stronger, it would make the Land of Fire's dream of unification that much harder to achieve.
Scanning the other daimyōs in the room, the Land of Fire's daimyō finally said, "The matters of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain shouldn't require our approval, should they?"
Minato responded promptly, "On the contrary, this plan involves many nations."
"For instance, the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, and the proposed reforms in the Land of Wind can form a waterway transportation network to expedite trade and commerce."
"The Land of Wind has plenty of resources that could be exported, and goods from other countries would become more accessible for import and sale in the Land of Wind."
"Commercial prosperity translates to higher tax revenue. Surely, I don't need to elaborate on the benefits of that, do I?"
Hearing this, the Land of Fire's daimyō fell silent in contemplation.
There were undeniable profits to be gained.
Of course, compared to his ambition of unification, these profits were insignificant.
However, he couldn't prevent the merchants in his own nation from supporting such a plan.
And behind the merchants stood the aristocrats and ministers.
"If that's the case, then I have no choice but to agree," he thought.
"Moreover, this provides an opportunity to send spies—or even use trade to buy off the nobles of the Land of Wind…"
He recalled how Shūichi had previously influenced the Land of Grass and felt confident he could replicate those tactics.
The Land of Fire's daimyō concealed half his face with a fan and smiled. "If that's the case, then I have no objections."
The daimyōs of the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Water also voiced no opposition.
After all, there were benefits for everyone.
The Land of Earth, in particular, would see improved rainfall in its arid regions due to the proposed reforms in the Land of Rain. This would enrich its land and resources.
The discussion then shifted to task allocation.
All missions would be distributed through the Ninja Alliance, a decision that had already been privately agreed upon by the Five Great Nations and the Kages. As such, there were no objections.
Smaller nations, lacking any significant influence, had no say in the matter.
In less than an hour, all proposals were agreed upon, marking an exceptionally smooth conference.
However, as the other daimyōs began touring the Alliance Fortress, the daimyōs of the Five Great Nations were invited to another, more private meeting room.
"What? Unify the smaller nations?"
(End of Chapter)
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