"Could that lightning bolt have been the World Force of his previous world?" Shishou pondered as he recalled the scene of the lightning piercing through the overpass and striking his clone.
If that was truly the case, returning to his original world might prove to be quite difficult.
With a sigh, Shishou reflected on the brief few seconds his clone had spent in the previous world. He was certain that it was indeed the world he had come from.
But this raised even more questions—what exactly was the ninja world he currently inhabited? A parallel world? A multiverse?
And what was that lightning that destroyed his clone? Was there an unknown force in his previous world?
Lost in thought, Shishou stared at the spot where the strange space-time node had vanished, feeling a deep sense of unease.
"This world might be much larger than I ever imagined..." he mused, before disappearing from the spot and returning to the ninja world.
Since he couldn't return to his original world for the time being, he resolved to continue increasing his power. Eventually, he would uncover all the answers.
Back at Konoha Hospital, Shishou took a moment to gaze at his newborn self, observing the baby's wide-open eyes curiously scanning his surroundings. Shishou couldn't help but smirk at the sight before turning and leaving with Urashiki.
A few months later, the Nine-Tails incident erupted. Shishou, acting in secret, rescued his parents, who were supposed to die in the chaos, and relocated them away from Konoha. He erased their memories and gave them new identities, allowing them to live as an ordinary couple in the capital of the Land of Lightning.
By doing so, Shishou ensured they wouldn't alter the course of history, and he also repaid the debt he felt toward them.
With this task completed, Shishou once again retrieved the Plow artifact and, with Urashiki, returned to the original timeline.
Back in the original timeline, Shishou looked at Urashiki and asked, "Did you leave any space-time markers when you came to the ninja world?"
Having witnessed the power of the Plow and Zero artifacts, Shishou was no longer underestimating the Ōtsutsuki clan. Those capable of creating artifacts that could traverse time and halt time were not to be taken lightly.
He decided it was best to bide his time, continue to grow stronger, and only confront the Ōtsutsuki clan after consuming his second and third Divine Tree fruits, and after Tsunade, Mikoto, and the others had all reached the Six Paths level.
Urashiki respectfully answered, "Yes, I did."
To ensure a quick return to the Ōtsutsuki homeworld for reporting, he had naturally left behind space-time markers to expedite his journey.
Hearing this, Shishou asked, "If you, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki don't return for an extended period, how long would it take for the Ōtsutsuki clan to send reinforcements here?"
Although Shishou could technically move the entire ninja world into his personal dimension, doing so would consume a vast amount of chakra, greatly weakening him. Thus, he preferred not to resort to such measures unless absolutely necessary.
Urashiki replied, "If we don't return within three hundred years, the clan leader would likely send a new team to this location."
"Given the space-time markers we left behind, it would take about a hundred years for them to reach this star system."
"And following the usual protocol, they would likely send ten people, all of whom would be Bloodline Limits."
"Four hundred years, ten Bloodline Limits," Shishou muttered, frowning.
He hadn't anticipated the Ōtsutsuki clan dispatching ten Bloodline Limit users, but upon reflection, he understood why.
While one Divine Tree fruit might not mean much to the Ōtsutsuki clan, it was a matter of pride and protocol. If a branch member like Kaguya could defect without facing severe consequences, it might inspire others within the branch families to do the same. This would be a significant problem for the main family of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Although the branch families of the Ōtsutsuki clan were powerful, they were essentially disposable to the main family. They were needed as sacrifices for planting the Divine Tree, and in confrontations with the main family, they could be absorbed as nutrients at any time.
Kaguya and Kinshiki were prime examples of this.
To maintain control and prevent any rebellious thoughts among the branch families, the main family would undoubtedly use overwhelming force to eliminate Kaguya as a warning to others.
With this in mind, Shishou extended his hand and summoned Momoshiki and Kinshiki to his side.
"Hmph!"
Momoshiki and Urashiki exchanged cold glances, each snorting in disdain.
The two had never gotten along, which was why they had separated when they initially came to the ninja world, only to be captured by Shishou individually.
Shishou wasn't concerned about their personal grievances. Addressing the three of them, he instructed, "Go and erase all the space-time markers you've left in the surrounding star systems to prevent the Ōtsutsuki clan from tracking us here."
Although four hundred years would likely be enough time for Shishou to cultivate a second and third Divine Tree fruit, he still wanted to be cautious.
As for why only the nearby star systems' markers were to be erased, it was because the markers in distant star systems would take Urashiki decades to reach and remove—completely unnecessary at this point.
After consuming the second and third Divine Tree fruits, Shishou planned to take the ninja world and flee anyway. This was just a precaution.
Moreover, he had other important tasks for the three of them.
"Yes," the three Ōtsutsuki members replied in unison.
Urashiki then used his Yellow Springs Hirazaka technique to depart, while Momoshiki and Kinshiki each activated their space-time ninjutsu and vanished as well.
Once they were gone, Shishou stored the Plow artifact in his Kamui dimension and returned to his personal dimension to bring Raiko back to Mount Myoboku.
"Master," Raiko exclaimed with joy upon seeing Shishou reappear.
Shishou walked over to her, and they left the dimension together.
Back in Raiko's house in Mount Myoboku, Shishou glanced at her and asked, "Tell me, what do you want?"
Raiko had played a significant role in helping Shishou locate Urashiki, leading to his successful control over the latter. She deserved a substantial reward.
Hearing this, Raiko bit her lip and cast a shy glance at Shishou.
Then, she knelt before him with utmost respect and made her request: "I wish to serve you, my lord. Please grant me this honor."
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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