Chapter 25: Aizen’s Goal

"Is this guy one of Aizen's subordinates too?" 

The shark-faced young man wore a Kirigakure headband and carried a massive, bandage-wrapped sword on his back, with another long blade strapped to his waist. His grin revealed a row of sharp teeth. "What terrifying power!" 

Aizen didn't respond, not even glancing at him. "You know what to do, Kisame." 

"Of course." Hoshigaki Kisame smirked as he pulled down the high collar covering his lower face. 

What was truly unsettling was that his jaw and neck were covered in layers of white, bony material. 

Slash. 

Without hesitation, Hoshigaki Kisame drew the long blade from his waist and slashed it hard against his left shoulder. Blood gushed out, and his grin became even more menacing. 

"The 6th Squad of Kirigakure's assassination unit was attacked by Aizen Sosuke from Konohagakure. Fourteen members, including the vice-captain, were completely wiped out, and the Six-Tails Jinchūriki was taken." 

In reality, it was Konan who captured the Six-Tails, and Kisame himself who slaughtered the entire Kirigakure assassination squad. 

Yet, at this moment, Kisame was pushing all of it onto Aizen. 

Aizen, however, seemed perfectly content with this version of events. His voice was calm as he said, "Ah, you've worked hard." 

Clearly, everything had gone exactly as he had planned. 

As a Konohagakure ninja, he not only killed numerous members of Kirigakure's assassination unit but also stole their strategic weapon—the Six-Tails. 

So now, how would Kirigakure's higher-ups respond to Konohagakure? 

The answer was obvious. 

"There's no need to be so formal, Aizen-sama," Kisame said with a wide grin, gazing into the distance. "I'd love to see the future you envision." 

"You will," Aizen said confidently, lifting his gaze to the sunlight. His expression radiated pure self-assurance and pride. 

As soon as he finished speaking, the group chat interface in front of him suddenly flickered. 

Doujin Artist: @This is an Actor, Anzen-san! Anzen-san! Are you there? 

Amegakure Village's Angel: Eriri, isn't this a little inappropriate? If Anzen-san is busy with something important, wouldn't this just disturb him? 

Doujin Artist: It should be fine, right? Anzen-san seems pretty relaxed every day. Besides, who else in the group could answer that question? 

Curly-haired Guy: Hmph, as the group leader, getting disturbed is part of the job! It's his duty, his responsibility! If I were the group leader, I'd gladly let people bother me all the time! 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: That tone... Sounds like you're jealous of Anzen, Gin. 

Doujin Artist: Makes sense. Talented people always get envied, especially by those who aren't as good as them. 

Curly-haired Guy: Pfft! What nonsense are you talking about, kid?! What do you mean 'not as good'? Let me tell you—at the very least, I have the guts to drop my pants in front of everyone without flinching! You think Anzen could do that?! 

Amegakure Village's Angel: … 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac D-Drop your pants?! 

Saten Ruiko's eyes widened, her face burning red. 

Doujin Artist: Fine, I'll admit it—when it comes to being shameless, no one can compete with you. 

This is an Actor: Be more confident. Take out the 'maybe.' 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac Anzen-san is here! 

Doujin Artist: Whoa, looks like my summoning technique actually worked! 

This is an Actor: I was just assigning tasks to my subordinates. 

Curly-haired Guy: Oh, that reminds me—you're actually in charge of a research facility, aren't you? Tsk tsk, I bet you've used your position to take advantage of your subordinates more than once. Disgusting. 

Doujin Artist: Hey! Stop assuming everyone is as messed up as you! 

Amegakure Village's Angel: Having a boss as capable as Anzen-san must make things easy for his subordinates. 

This is an Actor: Sometimes, I can be quite strict too. 

After sending the message, Aizen glanced at Hoshigaki Kisame, who was covered in blood. 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Being strict is also a form of training, but let's get back on topic. 

Doujin Artist: Yeah, yeah. We were talking about Aizen's goal! Anzen-san, why do you think Aizen is collecting Tailed Beasts? Konan said he never told her the reason. 

This is an Actor: The Ten-Tails. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Huh? 

Doujin Artist: That can't be right. Anzen-san, you clearly said before that Aizen wasn't interested in the power of the Ten-Tails! 

This is an Actor: I only said that Aizen wouldn't become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. I never said he wasn't interested in its power. 

Amegakure Village's Angel: So, what you're saying is… 

This is an Actor: Just because he won't become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki doesn't mean he won't create the Ten-Tails. If Aizen wants to overturn the ninja world, he has to start at the source. And where does a ninja's power come from? Chakra. But how is chakra created? 

Amegakure Village's Angel: The Ten-Tails! The Divine Tree! 

Doujin Artist: So Aizen plans to destroy the Divine Tree? Is that even possible? 

Curly-haired Guy: If it's Aizen, he just might pull it off. That guy doesn't play by the usual rules. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Gin-san, I think you're just like him. 

This is an Actor: I also think it's possible. But I doubt he plans to destroy it. He wouldn't do something that boring. 

Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Then how does he plan to overturn the ninja world without destroying the Divine Tree? 

This is an Actor: Think about it differently. If the Divine Tree—the source of chakra—were contaminated with spiritual energy instead, then what would ninjas be refining? Chakra or reishi? 

Doujin Artist: …Whoa. 

Eriri took a sharp breath, looking utterly shocked. 

Curly-haired Guy: Damn, that Aizen guy is seriously devious! 

Amegakure Village's Angel: So that's how it is. 

Konan looked at the black cube in her hand, a flash of understanding in her eyes. 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: T-Then what do we do? Should we stop him? 

Doujin Artist: That's the problem—how do we stop him? The most terrifying thing about Aizen is that even if we figure out his plan, all we can do is watch. 

Curly-haired Guy: What if we wait for him to get distracted and launch a sneak attack? Maybe we'd have a chance? 

Amegakure Village's Angel: No, there's no need to stop him. 

Doujin Artist: ? 

Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Huh? 

Amegakure Village's Angel: My goal is peace for the ninja world. As long as peace is achieved, it doesn't matter if ninjas cease to exist. Right, Anzen-san? 

This is an Actor: Ah, yes, that's right. 

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