"Brother, are you sure you didn't feel wrong at the beginning?"
"Why do I feel an indescribable strangeness?"
"Is this really how the ninja world is supposed to be now?"
High above the moon, two translucent figures hovered silently.
They were the souls of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
The Sage of Six Paths wore a complicated expression. After hesitating for a long while, he finally let out an awkward smile.
"I think so… I think so."
"After all, the progress of the ninja world in recent years is obvious to us as well. Compared to the past, it is far more peaceful."
"Things have already come this far. As the dead, we should no longer interfere."
"Let him continue."
Hearing this, Hamura nodded slowly.
"That's true. Uchiha Hikaru really did allow the nations and villages of the ninja world to coexist peacefully."
"Even that child has awakened the Rinnegan…"
"I just don't know how they plan to stop Black Zetsu from resurrecting Mother when the time comes."
At his younger brother's words, the Sage of Six Paths rolled his Rinnegan slightly.
"You say that as if you already know exactly how Black Zetsu plans to revive her."
"The nine Tailed Beasts are all on Kame Island. I personally separated the Ten-Tails back then."
"Relying solely on Impure World Reincarnation to recover the chakra of the former Jinchūriki will never be enough to revive the Ten-Tails. There's no need to worry."
"Even if they truly manage to revive it, at the critical moment, the reincarnations of Ashura and Indra will still step in."
"Relax."
Only then did Hamura finally feel at ease.
"In that case… let's refrain from interfering any further."
As he spoke, Hamura's soul gradually faded, dispersing into the void.
The Sage of Six Paths cast two final glances at the ninja world below.
Uchiha Hikaru… you are truly a strange one.
I don't know why the future reincarnations of Ashura and Indra would choose you to save this world.
Let me see whether you can resolve this crisis on your own…
Soon after, his figure also dissipated completely, as if he had never appeared at all.
...
Ninja World — Kame Island.
The former training grounds of the Jinchūriki had been chosen as the command center for the Five Kage's combat meetings.
There were two reasons for this decision.
First, Kame Island was currently moving irregularly through the northern seas of the Moon Country. Based on changes in battlefield conditions, the Five Kage could use Uchiha Hikaru's Flying Thunder God Technique to rapidly relocate to different fronts and provide support.
Second, all nine Jinchūriki were now gathered on Kame Island, inside the secret chamber where Jinchūriki once trained.
Fortunately, the space was large enough that none of them felt too confined.
At this moment, Uchiha Hikaru stood inside the chamber, facing the Jinchūriki.
"Everyone," he said calmly,
"for the duration of this war, you will remain inside this facility."
"I've had this place renovated into a full recreational and rest area."
"There's a lounge, dining hall, game room, karaoke room, and bathing facilities."
"All necessities are provided. The supplies here are enough to last at least a month."
"The primary objective of this war is to ensure the safety of all nine of you."
"I've also instructed the barrier team to deploy multilayered sealing formations outside—above ground and underground—to guarantee absolute security."
"For the sake of the ninja world, I ask for your patience."
The reactions among the Jinchūriki varied wildly.
Naruto, in particular, shot to his feet.
"Brother Hikaru!!"
"What do you mean by that?! Everyone in the village is already heading to the battlefield!"
"Even Sasuke has become a squad captain in the First Unit!"
"How can you stop me from going?! He'll laugh me to death!"
"I don't care! I've trained for two and a half years—two and a half years!"
"Do you know what I've been through during that time?! It was all to become a perfect Jinchūriki and beat that bastard Obito!!"
"To avenge my parents—how can you not let me go?!"
Standing beside him, Fū casually patted Naruto's back while holding a Konoha specialty she had just taken from the freezer—a Pu Pu Mee Mee potato bubble milk tea.
If this had been earlier, she would've been just as fired up as Naruto. But the environment here was simply too comfortable to resist.
"What a pain~"
"This is all for the greater good, you know?"
"Us staying here is already the greatest contribution we can make to the ninja world, right?"
"For the sake of our villages and world peace, we just have to make a tiny sacrifice~"
With that, she took a sip of milk tea, chewed on the tapioca pearls, and smiled blissfully.
o(￣▽￣)o
Naruto clenched his fists, his face twisted with despair.
"No—!"
"I can't accept this!"
"If things go on like this, Sasuke will rack up a ton of military merit and get even closer to becoming Hokage!"
"That's basically public humiliation—please don't do this to me!!"
He immediately dropped to his knees, clutching his head and wailing dramatically.
Nearby, Yugito Nii silently sipped her iced milk, casting Uchiha Hikaru a flat, unimpressed look.
A soul-searching question followed.
"Hikaru… are you sure this guy is really your little brother?"
"He doesn't resemble you at all."
Uchiha Hikaru smiled awkwardly.
"Haha~ Maybe it's because he hasn't received enough care and 'guidance' from his elder brother over the past two years."
"That's why he's feeling restless."
The calm, ominous tone sent a shiver down Naruto's spine.
He immediately straightened up, forcing an awkward grin.
"Ah—um, Brother Hikaru! I was just trying to liven up the mood!"
"Don't take it seriously!"
"For the sake of the ninja world, I'll stay here obediently!"
"Everything for justice!!"
Uchiha Hikaru nodded in satisfaction.
Mm. As expected—his little brother was still teachable.
Very teachable indeed~ (￣▽￣)
Soon after, Uchiha Hikaru left the secret chamber and returned to the command room.
"How did they react?"
A was the first to ask.
After all, his younger brother Killer B was also among them—and that guy's personality was… troublesome.
Uchiha Hikaru waved his hand dismissively.
"Killer B's been behaving pretty well."
"He's having a blast on the dance machine and even tried to teach the other Jinchūriki how to rap."
"It was Naruto who made the biggest fuss at first—kept shouting about going to the battlefield to avenge his parents."
"But after my friendly persuasion, he calmed down."
Tsunade burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"That brat Naruto must've gotten beaten up by you, didn't he?"
"I've always said it—the person Naruto fears the most is you!"
"Cough—cough!"
"Don't spread nonsense," Uchiha Hikaru replied seriously.
"I'm not someone who enjoys using violence."
"He simply realized the situation wasn't in his favor and chose to compromise."
"Honestly, after not seeing him for two years, he's gotten smarter."
"Looks like Kushina didn't beat him enough."
Tsunade froze.
Then, an awkward expression crossed her face.
If one had to say whose personality Kushina resembled the most…
It was undoubtedly her.