"Have you found anything?"
Naruto sat upon the high platform, gazing down at the shinobi gathered below.
As Umbrella dug deeper into Kara's secrets, more and more irregularities surfaced—hidden intelligence, dormant cells, and traces of influence from across the entire shinobi world.
Only now did Naruto finally understand the root of the problem.
The world's technological advancement had progressed too fast—far too fast.
And the only explanation was Kara.
To be precise… Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
Kara's technological foundation originated entirely from the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Kara had infiltrated every corner of the shinobi world—its members disguised, integrated, and quietly accelerating research behind the scenes. The scientific boom the shinobi world was experiencing would never have happened without them.
And because Isshiki had been plotting for so long, even Naruto had failed to notice that some of his earliest recruited researchers were already Kara operatives.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had lived for an unfathomably long time.
With longevity came knowledge—far beyond what any human researcher could grasp.
The Rinnegan's summoning abilities, as demonstrated by Pain, were proof that Ōtsutsuki possessed vast stores of technological power.
Most of Kara's scientific ninja tool technology came from Isshiki himself.
After all, among the many civilizations scattered throughout the cosmos, technological power could rival even chakra.
The Mechanical Clan, for example, possessed technology so advanced that even the Ōtsutsuki acknowledged its strength.
Thus, in many ways, Kara had quietly guided the technological evolution of the shinobi world.
Through his investigation, Naruto discovered something surprising, some Kara members had eventually grown fond of their new lives and voluntarily defected.
Their roles were minor, their value low—they were never trusted deeply to begin with.
Others secretly transmitted Umbrella's research back to Kara, though they mainly had access to general technological knowledge.
"This is unbelievable… to think there were so many Kara operatives embedded within our ranks."
Shisui's expression tightened with shame.
Most of the vetting and screening had been his responsibility.
Naruto had treated researchers well—almost indulgently—because the scientific team had been painstakingly assembled in the early stages.
They were hardworking… devoted…
Who would have imagined that those very people had been Kara agents?
And even more unexpectedly—the earliest Kara infiltrators weren't fighters at all.
They were scientists without chakra.
Naruto sighed softly.
"This isn't your fault. It's my oversight as well."
Shisui hesitated.
"…How do you want to deal with them?"
"No action is needed."
Naruto's answer was immediate.
"To the Ōtsutsuki, these people are nothing more than tools. But to us—they are invaluable instruments that can strengthen the shinobi world."
"Have Madara accelerate the search for Kara's base. Once Ōtsutsuki Isshiki is eliminated, these researchers can be fully absorbed into our empire."
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
"To Isshiki, everyone in Kara—aside from one individual—is irrelevant. He may not even remember the rest exist."
And he was right.
Most of Kara's early operatives were planted casually by Isshiki—mere disposable assets.
He cared nothing for scientific progress.
All he cared about was the Ten-Tails, the chakra fruit, and the re-creation of the Divine Tree.
Even the scientists who received scraps of Ōtsutsuki technology didn't value those early sleeper agents anymore.
Seeds planted long ago… now forgotten.
Umbrella's current technology—mechanics, energy systems, and general engineering—had caught up with Kara.
But when it came to androids, biological enhancement, and cloning, they lagged far behind.
Such research required extreme experimentation.
Recalling Orochimaru's early human trials was enough to explain the moral weight such studies carried.
Thus, progress was slow.
They used mice for most experiments, occasionally applying for permission to use condemned criminals as test subjects.
Naruto hadn't shared these details publicly.
Meanwhile, Madara and Hashirama were making rapid progress.
After wandering the shinobi world for several days attempting to shake pursuit, Delta finally returned to Kara's base.
The moment she arrived, she exploded with anger, loudly demanding Amado repair and upgrade her body.
She wanted revenge—and redemption.
But Katsumura Yota burst into cruel laughter.
That woman had finally tasted reality.
How could she ever hope to challenge Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara—two men who once stood at the absolute peak of the shinobi world?
At that moment, Jigen's expression darkened as he stared at Delta.
He uttered only two words:
"You fool."
Delta froze, trembling.
She instinctively took several steps back.
Jigen had never been this angry.
In everyone's memory, he was always detached, composed, and indifferent.
Why was he like this today?
Jigen slowly rose from his seat.
His eyes turned toward an empty space.
"Come out."
The members of Kara were stunned.
All of them followed Jigen's gaze—
—toward the seemingly empty corner of the room.
Then—much to the shock of everyone present—two figures slowly emerged from the void.
Everyone in Kara recognized them instantly.
The former God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
And the man once feared as the Shinobi's Ashura, Uchiha Madara.
Both had been resurrected by Uzumaki Naruto.
Their attitude toward Naruto was one of absolute respect.
In their eyes, anyone capable of restoring them to life wielded power comparable to that of a true sovereign.
Among all present, perhaps only Kawaki remained clueless—he still didn't understand Jigen's true identity.
"So you are Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. You certainly possess remarkable power."
Hashirama spoke heavily, eyes fixed on the refined-looking man before him.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Only Kawaki stood frozen, confused by everything unfolding.
Jigen's expression tightened.
"Exposed…? Did that woman reveal something? No… She doesn't even know I exist."
He muttered to himself, brows furrowed.
He had sensed Kaguya's chakra years ago.
Even Kara's own members barely knew anything about him.
So how did these two arrive at the truth?
The old man in the Pure Land?
Impossible—he was only a soul.
The Shinigami?
Even more unlikely. Those beings looked down on the shinobi world entirely.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was genuinely curious.
If he couldn't figure out how they learned the truth…
…then he would simply force the answer out of them.
A single thought later, Jigen entered combat mode.
The distinct Ōtsutsuki horn protruded from his head, and—
In a flicker, he vanished.
A violent impact followed.
Madara was blasted straight through several buildings, sent hurtling hundreds of meters into the distance.
"Madara!"
Hashirama's eyes widened, fury rising in his chest.
He slammed his palms together—Wood Release erupted skyward like a living forest.
But Jigen's body flickered again.
His movements were impossibly sharp, effortlessly slipping past Hashirama's attack.
In an instant, he was at Hashirama's side, and the two clashed directly.
Their taijutsu exchange erupted with thunderous booms, each collision shaking the surroundings—proof of the terrifying power both men commanded.
In the distance, Madara rose slowly from the rubble.
He wasn't injured.
Jigen's attack was simply too sudden, catching him off guard.
"As expected of an Ōtsutsuki…"
Madara murmured with appreciation, then sped toward the battle.
"Hashirama! Leave this one to me!!"
Madara roared.
The shout snapped the Kara members out of their stunned daze—and instantly filled them with overwhelming rage.