Chapter 271

[RUSH TIME TILL THE END OF THIS FANFIC!!!]

[100 PS = 1 CHAPTER!]

[300PS REACHED! Next Goal: 400]

Three years had passed since the complete unification of the Shinobi World under the Land of Dragons.

In this time, the power structure of the Land of Dragons had become stable.

However, to ensure the longevity of the nation's prosperity, Kyomu needed to maintain stability and fairness in the pathways to power.

To achieve this, a nationwide ninja academy had been established, with a unified curriculum that included both ninja knowledge and academic studies. Ninja clans that relied solely on their Kekkei Genkai had almost disappeared.

Apart from Kekkei Genkai, various secret and forbidden techniques were now semi-public. As long as students followed the prescribed path in the academy and advanced to higher grades, they would have the opportunity to learn these secret and forbidden techniques.

In this fairer system of advancement, the Hidden Dragon Village had become the sacred land of ninjas, and the ninja class had cemented its position at the top of the world's hierarchy.

As for privileged groups, they still existed, with the most notable being the remaining Kekkei Genkai clans.

This was an inevitable reality—Kekkei Genkai clans had their place in the world, and absolute fairness was an impossibility.

Take the Uchiha clan, for example. They had entered a period of true prosperity, with members placed in key positions throughout the Land of Dragons.

But Kyomu trusted them completely. The Uchiha were deeply tied to him; their fate was intertwined with his. As they flourished, so would the nation. The Uchiha would not betray him.

With the powerful Uchiha clan serving as his sharpest blade, the remaining Kekkei Genkai clans had no choice but to follow Kyomu's orders obediently, neither daring to defy him nor resist his authority.

Thus, Kyomu's rule over the Shinobi World had penetrated every corner. After all, who could resist the allure of becoming a ninja and rising to the top?

It was said that the ultimate skill is best sold to the emperor, and Kyomu was that emperor to whom all ninjas would gravitate.

Kyomu had three major ambitions in life: to unify the Shinobi World, to make ninjas the center of the world, and to eradicate the Otsutsuki Clan from beyond the stars. He had already accomplished the first two, and he believed the third was not far off.

"Madara, take a seat," Kyomu said, gesturing to a chair beside him, inviting Madara to sit.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After three years of tempering, Madara's foul temper had somewhat improved. There were various reasons for this, but the most significant was that the current peace and prosperity of the Shinobi World aligned with Madara's ideals.

For someone like Madara, once his ideals were fulfilled, the malice in his nature would naturally subside. As long as no one provoked his deepest grudges, he would likely never erupt again.

"Your Majesty, did you summon me today because of Sasuke?"

"You're well-informed," Kyomu said, sitting across from Madara. Shisui, who stood behind Kyomu, immediately served tea for both men.

"Unless it's information specifically sealed by Your Majesty, I can generally find out anything I need to know," Madara said candidly. "The intelligence network built on White Zetsu remains under my control."

Kyomu sipped his tea, then set the cup down and shook his head. "Aren't you worried that I'll grow suspicious of you?"

"That's something only the powerless would do. Your Majesty doesn't fall into that category."

"Though what you say is true, I must admit your words are becoming more agreeable," Kyomu remarked with a smile, then returned to the main topic. "Since you already know, I wanted to ask your opinion on Sasuke's current strength."

"He has decent talent and puts in enough effort, but he's lacking in experience against truly formidable opponents, which has made him somewhat arrogant."

"That's typical for an Uchiha," Kyomu said, unsurprised. "An Uchiha who isn't prideful and arrogant isn't a proper Uchiha."

Madara didn't argue, instead steering the conversation back to the topic at hand. "So, I assume that with the appearance of the Kara organization and Uzumaki Naruto, it's time for Sasuke and me to make our move?"

"Not just Sasuke," Kyomu listed several names, "There's also Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, Haku from the Yuki Clan, and Lee, Gai's disciple. These are the new generation in need of training, and I want you to take care of them."

Madara's expression darkened instantly. This task was practically babysitting—and for a lot of people, too.

"Of course, you won't be doing it alone. I'll also assign Itachi, Shisui, Kimimaro, and Kisame to assist you. They'll share the burden."

"They're not qualified to mentor the next generation," Madara stated flatly. "They're all still on the same level. Entrusting the new generation to them would be a disservice."

Kyomu didn't respond, but Shisui, standing behind him, looked embarrassed. It had been a long time since someone had questioned his abilities.

But coming from Madara, Shisui couldn't argue. Compared to Madara, he was indeed lacking.

"Then they can assist you?"

"Hmph!" Madara huffed, crossing his arms and turning away, unwilling to engage further with Kyomu.

Since Madara had joined Kyomu's ranks, he had been immediately put to heavy use. However, the duties had been too burdensome—ranging from national military affairs to leading teams of young ninjas. Kyomu always thought of Madara first.

"Itachi and Shisui won't hold you back. Itachi has already awakened the Rinnegan, just like you, and Shisui's ocular jutsu is the strongest defensive technique in the Shinobi World. They'll be a great help."

Hearing Kyomu mention Itachi, Madara couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort.

After joining Kyomu, Madara had learned many secrets, including the fact that he had been manipulated by Black Zetsu, who used him as a pawn.

This had already been a huge blow to his pride, causing him to be particularly irritable for a while. Fugaku had often been the target of his frustration.

But Itachi was another thorn in Madara's side.

Although Madara didn't want to admit it, everyone knew he was envious of Itachi.

The Rinnegan—those eyes, the pinnacle of Uchiha bloodline evolution—had taken the brilliant Madara twenty years to awaken.

In contrast, Itachi had awakened his Rinnegan in just four years, even without the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

Madara felt deeply bitter.

He had spent twenty years in the darkness of the mountain graveyard to awaken the Rinnegan, only to be easily surpassed by Itachi, a newcomer. How could his proud heart not be troubled?

Seeing the changes in Madara's expression, Kyomu couldn't help but chuckle, causing Madara's face to darken even further.

"Itachi relied on external assistance."

"That may be true, but those are still Rinnegan eyes—his Rinnegan eyes," Madara didn't accept Kyomu's attempt to comfort him. He had long thought this through. "And Itachi's ocular jutsu is time-based. I have nothing to say. I admit that his Rinnegan has more potential than mine. It's not difficult to accept."

"So you've come to terms with it?" Kyomu observed Madara closely. "That's for the best. However, Itachi, despite having powerful Rinnegan abilities, still lacks in combat experience. I need you to help him hone that."

"Understood."

It seemed that Madara had truly come to understand the difference between the old and new generations and was slowly coming to terms with it.

He had no choice. Itachi's Rinnegan ocular jutsu was indeed powerful.

However, Itachi's Rinnegan jutsu wasn't focused on offense but on support.

Time-based abilities were even rarer than spatial ones, and while Itachi's Rinnegan jutsu leaned more towards support, it was by no means lacking in offensive power.

In terms of support, Itachi's Rinnegan jutsu, Heaven's Command, bore some resemblance to Kaguya Otsutsuki's Rinne Sharingan jutsu, Amenominaka.

The difference was that Itachi's ability dealt with time, while Kaguya's dealt with space.

When Itachi used Heaven's Command on a visible target, he could pull them into a real space created by the jutsu, where the flow of time was entirely under Itachi's control.

For someone within this time-space, their personal time flow was entirely manipulated by Itachi. If Itachi had no hostile intent, this space could be transformed into an ideal training ground.

If Itachi wished, someone could train within this space for ten years, and when they emerged, only a day or even less time would have passed in the real world.

If used offensively, Itachi could pull an enemy into Heaven's Command, adjusting the time flow inside to cause them to either age rapidly or be tortured by the extreme slowness of time, driving them to mental collapse.

When Kyomu learned of Itachi's awakening of such a Rinnegan jutsu, he was greatly surprised, realizing that his earlier speculation had been correct.

The Tsukuyomi jutsu already had the seeds of a time-based ability, even if it only touched on the edges. But it had proven that Itachi had the potential to awaken a time-based ocular jutsu.

It was clear that Itachi had not disappointed Kyomu. The Heaven's Command jutsu was exactly what Kyomu had hoped for.

However, the more powerful the ability, the greater the cost. This was an immutable law. Itachi's Heaven's Command required an enormous amount of chakra, to the point of being terrifying.

Since Itachi had awakened the Rinnegan, only Kyomu and Sasuke had benefited from the Heaven's Command training, with no one else, not even Madara, getting the chance.

Looking at Madara, Kyomu nodded, took another sip of tea, and said, "In that case, I won't keep you. Handling the Kara members and setting up the encounter between Sasuke and Naruto is now your responsibility. You're best suited for this task."

Madara remained silent, nodded in acknowledgment, and then swiftly left.

As Kyomu watched Madara's retreating figure, a satisfied smile spread across his face. Today, he had successfully delegated his duties, leaving him with nothing else to do—a feeling he thoroughly enjoyed.

...

In the northeastern border of the Land of Dragons, formerly the land of Lightning, a circular, black-and-red portal appeared in a secluded spot. A delicate foot, clad in ninja sandals and wrapped in black mesh stockings, stepped out.

It was Mabui.

Following her, several others emerged from the black-and-red portal: Naruto, Gaara, Deidara, and Ebi.

Once everyone had exited, the black-and-red portal vanished without a trace.

"Mabui-sama."

The leader of the Kara organization's outer members stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

"Is everything ready?"

"Everything is prepared. We've been waiting four years for this day."

The excitement and anticipation in the leader's voice were palpable, and if one listened closely, they could detect a hint of hatred.

The ninjas who had joined the Kara organization's outer circle were all former ninjas from the Land of Lightning, who had gone into hiding after its destruction.

Initially, they had planned to live out their days as ordinary citizens, but after being found by Mabui and learning of Kara's power, their desire for revenge had been reignited.

The desire to avenge the destruction of their homeland burned within them. If they had the power, they would surely seek retribution!

"Then let's move out. Our first target is the nearest town," Mabui commanded. "But remember, focus your attacks on the Dragon Country's ninjas and officials. Leave the civilians unharmed."

The leader of the outer members nodded and led his group out of the hideout, heading straight for the nearest town.

In reality, these rebel groups weren't large in number. Their methods and decision-making were akin to those of a terrorist organization.

But the Kara organization had always been like this; its very existence was fundamentally problematic. Mabui and the others were simply being manipulated by Jigen.

As the outer members of Kara began their operation, Mabui and the others followed, not only to provide support but also to use this as an opportunity to train Naruto and the others in combat techniques.

Ninjas must see bloodshed to grow. Fighting in real battles was the fastest way to improve—there was no substitute.

Meanwhile, the vast intelligence network of the Dragon Country, built around White Zetsu, was already in motion. The hiding places of Kara's outer members had long been under surveillance by White Zetsu's spore clones and the Dragon Country's intelligence ninjas.

As soon as the Kara outer members made a move, the massive war machine of the Dragon Country, dormant for three years, would begin to churn once more.

Far away, in the capital of the Dragon Country, Madara received the intelligence report immediately.

"Itachi, gather Sasuke and the others. It's time for us to move out."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

Itachi responded respectfully and left, while the next generation of the Dragon Country, led by Sasuke, quickly assembled, awaiting Madara's next command.

(End of Chapter)