Inside the council hall of the Land of Water Royal Palace, faint golden morning light filtered through the carved windows.
Shun stood before a map, his fingertip hovering above the markers for the Land of Akatsuki, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Iron.
More than a year had passed since he repelled Isshiki in the Alternate Dimension, and in that year, he had dispatched countless ninjas to search, yet not a single trace of Isshiki had been found.
That old fellow seemed to have retreated into the Alternate Dimension, completely vanishing without a trace.
However, the unease in Shun's heart grew stronger with each passing day.
Soon, several figures walked into the council hall.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Kakashi, Izumi, and Shisui bowed in unison, their voices filled with respect.
Behind them, seven children immediately stopped, bowing together. "Father."
Shun turned to look at them, his eyes filled with gentle expectation.
"I've called you here today because I want you to go with Kakashi, Izumi, and Shisui to train in the Ninja World."
He pointed to the map, his tone solemn. "Sasuke, you will go to the Land of Akatsuki with Kakashi. He will teach you combat skills and Chakra control. Don't be impulsive, and listen to his advice."
"Manaka, Karin, and Shion, you will go to the Land of Fire with Izumi. Izumi's medical Ninjutsu and long-range attacks are very powerful. You must learn well, especially Karin, remember to take many medical notes."
"Shiryu, Seishin, and Hamamaru, you will go to the Land of Iron with Shisui. Shisui's Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu usage are top-notch. Shiryu, you must refine your Kenjutsu. Seishin, don't misuse your shurikens. Hamamaru, continue to protect your younger siblings."
Kakashi frowned slightly, stepping forward to ask, "Shun-sama, with the Ninja World in constant turmoil, isn't it too risky to have the princes and princesses participate in training? Especially Sasuke, who is impetuous, I'm afraid he might inadvertently get into danger."
Sasuke immediately looked up and retorted, his eyes full of defiance, "I won't. I can protect myself."
Hamamaru excitedly shouted, "Sasuke is right, we can all do it!"
Shun smiled and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his gaze turning serious. "I know you are all very capable, but the Ninja World is dangerous, and you cannot let your guard down. Kakashi, Izumi, Shisui, your primary mission during this training is to protect the children. Completing the mission is secondary. If you encounter an unsolvable crisis, do not be reckless."
As he spoke, he took out three specially made Flying Thunder God kunai and handed them to the three.
"These kunai have my Flying Thunder God Mark engraved within them. Now, have the children extend their wrists."
The seven children obediently stepped forward. Shun's fingertip condensed a faint golden Chakra, gently touching the inside of each child's wrist.
A subtle Flying Thunder God Mark appeared, quickly sinking into the skin, leaving only a faint Chakra fluctuation. His movements were exceptionally gentle, as if he were caressing a treasure.
He explained, "This mark is connected to my mind. Whether you activate it, or if a child encounters danger and triggers it, I can instantly teleport to your side."
He squatted down, meeting Shion's gaze, his voice filled with affection. "Children, if you encounter bad guys who use black rods, don't be afraid. Activate the mark, and I will be there immediately."
"Mhm." Shion nodded vigorously, her small hand tightly clutching her staff.
Shisui took the scroll, carefully put it away, and said in a deep voice, "Shun-sama, rest assured, we will protect them with our lives and teach them to master their skills, never failing your trust."
Shun nodded, his gaze sweeping over his three subordinates and seven children.
"Depart now. Remember to send messages back every day, even if it's just to say 'safe'."
"Yes, Father / Shun-sama."
The children and subordinates responded in unison, then turned and left.
Sasuke walked last, looking back at his father. Seeing his father watching him, he immediately straightened his back and quickened his pace.
Shiryu patted Seishin and Hamamaru on the shoulders, quietly agreeing to perform well in the Land of Iron.
Watching the children's figures disappear outside the hall, the gentleness in Shun's eyes faded, and his golden Six Tomoe Rinnegan suddenly lit up.
"I've already laid the bait. Isshiki, let's see if you dare to make a move and target my children."
Three days later.
In the Kara base in the Alternate Dimension, a metal cultivation pod slowly opened, and a pale green nutrient solution flowed down its walls.
A figure emerged from it, a tall and strong body clad in a white robe, but his face was no longer that of thirty-year-old Boro.
Pale skin and narrow white eyes exuded an unstable aura.
This was Isshiki, who had reincarnated into Boro's body, but the Chakra around him appeared exceptionally sluggish, far from as fluid as it was in his original form.
"Hmph, this body is still no good after all."
Isshiki raised his hand and squeezed his arm, feeling the resistant Chakra within his body, his tone full of dissatisfaction.
Although the Karma Reincarnation ritual was successful, Boro's Ōtsutsuki bloodline compatibility was too poor. He had no choice but to seal 70% of his power within the body, leaving only 30% to maintain basic movement.
If he forcibly unsealed more power, the cells of this body would accelerate their collapse, and his lifespan would be shortened to a maximum of three months.
Boro's original consciousness had long been devoured by Isshiki. The current "Boro" was merely a vessel for Isshiki's soul.
Isshiki walked to the monitoring screen, his fingertip tracing the images of the seven children on the screen.
Sasuke gripped a kunai with defiant eyes, Manaka calmly adjusted her bow, Karin diligently perused a medical handbook, Shion held her staff with curiosity, Shiryu's posture while practicing his fist techniques was upright, Seishin's palm techniques were flexible and agile, and Hamamaru danced with a sword, his gaze sharp. They all had Shun's bloodline.
A flicker of frantic greed passed through Isshiki's eyes.
"If it weren't for this broken body holding me back, I would have personally gone to grab these seven brats long ago."
Isshiki furrowed his arrogant brows, clearly annoyed by the limitations of this body.
"But it doesn't matter. As long as I can implant Karma into one of them, I can perfectly revive. Even if this temporary vessel is wasted, it's worth it."
He pressed a special blue button, summoning the Kara members.
A moment later, Isshiki looked at everyone expressionlessly.
"Send word down. Have the outer members in various regions closely monitor the movements of these seven children. Remember, don't harm their bodies. I want intact reincarnation vessels."
"Yes, sir."
The Kara members respectfully responded, then turned and withdrew.
Isshiki watched the movements of the three groups on the screen, a cold smile on his lips. "Kakashi, Izumi, Shisui, just three brats. But it doesn't matter. Once they are far from the Land of Water, far from Shun's protection, I will forcibly unseal my power if I have to, and snatch those seven brats."