Chapter 257: The Giant Tenseigan!  

Uchiha Madara crossed his arms, silently staring at Otsutsuki Isshiki in front of him without saying a word. 

Helping him hold off Konohagakure and buying time to collect the tailed beasts. 

What a great deal. 

But could such a good thing really exist in this world? 

Perhaps, but Madara understood one thing very clearly: 

Every gift from fate comes with a hidden price. 

Madara didn't trust it. He didn't believe that the person standing before him was acting out of kindness. 

It was clear to Madara that this ninja's goal was to destroy Konohagakure. 

But why? 

Hatred? 

Unlikely. 

If it were hatred, this guy would have acted against Konohagakure long ago. 

Even if there was a process of growth involved, during that time, he could have at least targeted ninjas from Konohagakure who were on missions outside the village. 

After all, he was just one person. He didn't need to worry about exposing his existence. 

But in reality, from the founding of Konohagakure to this day, there had never been any sign of this person in the ninja world. 

Even during the years after Madara's death, if this guy had made any moves, Zetsu would have certainly informed him. 

But nothing. It was as if this person had appeared out of nowhere. 

No… 

Something must have happened on the day this ninja intervened in that battle. 

A sudden realization surfaced in Madara's mind.

What happened?

What is different now with Konohagakure compared to before?

Senjutsu, that jutsu with an especially long duration.

Is it because of the Senjutsu that this person chose to attack Konohagakure? But… why?

And how did this person know about his plan? How did they know he wanted to collect the tailed beasts? Was it Uchiha's leak of information, or was there another reason?

And the question that had long been bothering Madara—who is this person?

Such immense power, yet no connection to the Senju or Uchiha clans.

That made Madara uneasy.

With all these questions weighing on him, Madara couldn't bring himself to cooperate with this person.

"You want to collect the tailed beasts? The entire ninja world knows about it."

Otsutsuki Isshiki suppressed the helplessness in his heart, chuckling lightly before casually speaking to Uchiha Madara.

"My goal is to destroy Konohagakure. I don't think that conflicts with your goal. As for what happens after Konohagakure is destroyed, that's between you and me, isn't it?"

After speaking, Otsutsuki Isshiki organized his words and continued.

"Or are you afraid to face me alone, Madara?"

At the end, Otsutsuki Isshiki added one last comment.

A simple provocation—whether it worked or not, he decided to try it first.

"Heh..."

Madara's lips curled into a slight, disdainful smile when he heard this.

Madara wanted to reject this person because he knew that Konohagakure was his enemy.

This person in front of him was also an enemy.

So, whatever this person planned, Madara simply needed to stop it.

But what this person said was also true.

Right now, their goals didn't conflict.

For a moment, Madara felt conflicted.

While Otsutsuki Isshiki was trying to convince Madara to join forces against Konohagakure, Raijin made his own discovery.

This story begins with a shadow clone that had been placed under a genjutsu.

At noon, Raijin and his family of four were having a meal.

Suddenly, Raijin's chopsticks slightly paused, and his brows furrowed uncontrollably.

For some reason, past memories suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

From being awakened by the Thunder Fruit to now facing Uchiha Madara.

All these experiences flashed by, but soon Raijin snapped back to reality.

"What's wrong?" 

Tsunade, noticing Raijin's strange reaction, asked him with concern.

"I think I've discovered something."

Raijin blinked and looked up at Tsunade as he spoke.

This technique...

It should be correct.

It's the passage to the moon.

After quietly noting the location, Raijin said to Tsunade.

"I may need to leave for a while."

"Where are you going?"

Tsunade furrowed her brows slightly and asked Raijin.

Tsunade didn't suggest going with him.

Right now, in the ninja world, there was no way for both Raijin and Tsunade to leave the village at the same time.

One of them would have to stay behind to protect the village.

"A shadow clone found a place that leads to the moon. There's a ruin there, and it seems to hide some kind of secret."

Raijin paused, pressed his lips together, and since it was his shadow clone that investigated, no one else would know what it had seen. So, Raijin told Tsunade directly.

Raijin emphasized the importance of this matter.

He needed to go. Raijin had to admit, Uchiha Madara was really strong—stronger than he had imagined. Especially now, another very powerful ninja had appeared.

This couldn't go on. Something had to change.

He needed more power.

And the giant Tenseigan on the moon might be his only chance.

That's why Raijin had to go, even though the timing was critical.

"Have you made up your mind?" Tsunade asked, her lips pressing together as she looked at Raijin without saying much more.

Tsunade trusted that Raijin understood the situation clearly now.

So, if Raijin still chose to go, Tsunade wouldn't stop him.

Tsunade trusted Raijin.

Chin and Ryuri had stopped eating at some point and were quietly watching Raijin and Tsunade.

"I've made up my mind."

Raijin nodded and spoke to Tsunade.

"Good, then go. Konohagakure is in my hands for now."

Tsunade nodded and said to Raijin.

Raijin looked at Tsunade for a moment, then turned his gaze to the sun outside.

"If all goes well, I'll be back before dark."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Tsunade nodded again and said to Raijin.

"Mm."

Raijin nodded, and before the words had even fully left his mouth, his figure disappeared from the house.

"Let's eat. Daddy will be home tonight."

Turning toward Tatsu and Ryuri, who were watching him, Tsunade smiled gently and spoke softly.

Since becoming a mother, Tsunade wasn't the fiery little princess she once was. At least, that was the case when she was with her children.

"Mm."

Tatsu and Ryuri exchanged a quiet look, nodded, and resumed eating their meal in silence.

After Raijin left, Tatsu and Ryuri couldn't shake a sense of unease that slowly grew within them.

… 

This was a quiet cave.

In the dim and damp cave, a faint greenish light flickered.

"Crackle!"

At that moment, a thunderous crack echoed through the cave without warning.

The next moment, the thunder disappeared.

Moments later, the body of a giant crab, pierced through completely, slowly floated up from the water.

Raijin was in a hurry. He didn't have time to waste on things like this.

Whether it was Madara or that mysterious person, they were both individuals with immense power.

If they wanted to launch an attack on Konohagakure, they wouldn't need to mobilize armies or prepare supplies. They could appear in Konohagakure from anywhere in the ninja world within an hour.

Without Raijin's presence, Konohagakure would be at its most vulnerable.

Leaving Tsunade alone in the village made Raijin uneasy.

Even if it was for the sake of gaining stronger power to protect Konohagakure from this crisis, Raijin felt conflicted about leaving.

He had to hurry!

At the very least, he couldn't afford to waste time on the journey.

On the moon, Otsutsuki Toneri was lying on the bed, pretending to sleep.

His hollow eye sockets stared at the ceiling. Even though there was nothing on the ceiling, Toneri's mind wandered back to the images he remembered from his childhood, when he still had his eyes.

Unexpectedly, the world created by Rikudou Sennin has once again returned to peace.

A faint, mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

But so what? When the power of Konohagakure weakens and the power of other forces increases, war will still happen.

So, what does it matter?

A world like that.

Is there still a necessary meaning for it to exist?

Slowly sitting up from the bed, Toneri stood up and casually walked around the large room.

How boring...

His heart network spread out, and Raijin immediately locked onto Otsutsuki Toneri's location.

In a flash, Raijin appeared in front of Otsutsuki Toneri.

"Who are you?!"

The sudden appearance of the stranger made Otsutsuki Toneri instinctively cry out in surprise.

"An invader."

A cold voice echoed, and Otsutsuki Toneri felt a sharp pain in his neck. The next moment, his consciousness sank into darkness.

Raijin reached out to support Otsutsuki Toneri's body and laid him back down on the bed.

Raijin didn't kill Toneri, even though Toneri would eventually do things that would destroy the ninja world.

But right now, Toneri hadn't done it yet.

And honestly, what he was doing now didn't feel quite right.

However, there was no other choice. Take what he needed for now, and deal with the rest later. 

Leaving a shadow clone to watch over Toneri, Raijin quietly disappeared.

… 

"Alright."

After careful consideration, Madara ultimately decided to team up with this mysterious person.

After all, from any angle, the benefits for him would far outweigh the drawbacks.

Raijin's presence wasn't that important.

If he could obtain the tailed beasts, awaken the Ten Tails, and become the Ten Tails Jinchuriki...

Killing this mysterious person might actually be a good option, right? No matter what secrets he had, or where he came from, once he's dead, everything would be gone.

And then, Madara would know everything.

"Please."

Hearing this, Otsutsuki Isshiki smiled with satisfaction. As his words finished, a space Uzumaki appeared in front of Madara.

Through the Uzumaki, Madara could easily see Konohagakure on the other side.

"Good."

Madara stood up and walked toward the Uzumaki.

...

A massive space vortex appeared above Konohagakure.

It almost immediately attracted the attention of many Konohagakure residents.

After finishing lunch and handling some documents in the Hokage office, Tsunade instantly appeared on the roof of the Hokage building.

The next moment, the sharp sound of alarms rang out.

Many residents began running toward the shelters.

Konohagakure's ninjas also appeared on the roofs of various buildings.

"Where's Raijin?"

Senju Tobirama appeared next to Tsunade and asked.

"Raijin has some things to take care of. He's not in Konohagakure right now."

Tsunade, holding an iron staff, stared intently at Uchiha Madara and spoke to Senju Tobirama.

"What?! He's not here at such a critical time?!"

Senju Tobirama was stunned for a moment. A flying thunder god Kunai appeared in his hand, spinning three times before being thrown.

The Kunai hit the roof tiles, but nothing happened.

Seeing this, Tsunade's gaze flickered slightly.

"He should be busy. He said if everything goes well, he'll be back before dark."

Tsunade said to Senju Tobirama while pressing her lips together.

"Night is falling..."

Senju Tobirama glanced at the bright, sunny sky upon hearing the words.

Are you coming back after nightfall to collect the bodies?

...

Did Raijin sense the change in the Flying Thunder God Mark?

Of course, he sensed it.

But Raijin really can't leave right now.

Floating in midair, Raijin, who had already entered Sage Mode, placed one hand on the massive yellow Tenseigan.

Sage Art: Ghost Buds Technique! This Ninjutsu, developed by Hiruko and later improved by Senju Tobirama and combined with Senjutsu, has now become very mature.

A large amount of natural energy gathered into long, tendril-like energy bodies, enveloping the entire Tenseigan.

Countless amounts of energy surged violently into Raijin's body.

"Ugh~"

Raijin couldn't help but grunt.

The enormous energy kept washing over Raijin's body. The power contained in all those Byakugan eyes was just too overwhelming!

And Raijin, without Otsutsuki or even Hyuga blood, was now completely using his own body, honed through years of Senjutsu training, to resist the massive pressure coming from the Tenseigan.

The unique energy of the Tenseigan entered Raijin's body, swirling with his chakra and heading toward his eyes.

Even the Senjutsu chakra, created by blending natural energy in a 1:1 ratio within Raijin's body, began to break down in that moment.

All chakra gathered towards Raijin's eyes.

In this state, Raijin could only choose to gather even more natural energy to reinforce his body.

Recovering from the damage the Tenseigan was causing to his body.

Relieving the pressure the Tenseigan was putting on him.

(End of Chapter)

---

 -----

Read +20 advanced chapters on my patreon

patreon.com/GustinaKamiya 

---