Power and authority often go hand in hand.
Right now, the most powerful person in the entire ninja world was, without a doubt, Emiya Shirou. He was followed by Madara Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, who now possessed Yang Power, and Sasuke Uchiha, who held Yin Power. The hierarchy below them was clear.
The future of this era would be decided by them.
In their presence, traditional ninja armies were useless. Each of these individuals was a one-man army.
However, Madara believed that even he and the two brats—a trio powerful enough to pacify the ninja world on their own—were no match for Emiya Shirou.
Madara believed he understood Emiya's point and subconsciously began to consider the future structure of the ninja world. This was a new chance to achieve eternal peace after the failure of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, so Madara took the matter very seriously.
Of course, the strong dictate the fate of the weak. Madara agreed with this law of the ninja world with all his heart.
"In that case..." Madara stroked his chin thoughtfully and looked at Emiya Shirou. "Then Lord Emiya shall serve as..."
"I will not stay here." Emiya Shirou shook his head and added, "Madara, the future peace of the ninja world depends on you. So don't speak so lightly of your own death."
Just a moment ago, Madara had been showing signs of wanting to follow Hashirama's path. Emiya felt he had to tell Madara his plan to leave the ninja world.
"You're going to deal with those Otsutsuki from outer space?" Madara thought he understood Emiya's meaning once again.
The only threats Emiya Shirou couldn't handle in the ninja world were the cosmic beings that even Kaguya Otsutsuki feared.
"Perhaps..." Emiya's words were vague, but he didn't mind encouraging Madara. "If I don't come back, the future of the ninja world..."
"I have only just obtained power at the Six Paths level..." Madara chuckled, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. He was extraordinarily confident in his ability to grow even stronger.
This was hardly surprising. The man had always been supremely confident. After all, he was a master at using his power to its absolute limit, a true artist in the brutal dance of battle.
"However..." While Madara felt proud of his ability to protect the world, he had to bring up another problem. "Those two brats, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke..."
"They should be back soon, right?" Emiya knew the Sage of Six Paths wouldn't give up on Naruto and Sasuke.
He tapped his finger on the tabletop, certain of his judgment. "Before long, Sasuke should come looking for us..."
Madara didn't believe him. He couldn't imagine Sasuke willingly siding with them. He was already thinking about what he would do if Naruto and Sasuke joined forces to resist his vision for peace after Emiya was gone.
But… it seemed that Emiya's predictions were never wrong.
Still, what else could Emiya do?
The war was, for all intents and purposes, over. That child Sasuke should return to Konoha with Naruto...
Konoha?
Madara suddenly realized something.
He thought he had guessed Emiya's plan and chuckled lightly. "So that's how it is. Sasuke was already considered a rogue ninja when we brought him to the Akatsuki. He no longer has a place in Konoha, does he?"
"Konoha will always find a way to take him back..."
"But Sasuke will definitely not want to return." Emiya shook his head, unconcerned. "If you're interested, you can go and see for yourself..."
"Alright." Madara was indeed very interested in this.
-----
After the Infinite Tsukuyomi was released, there was still one person in this world who had not found peace.
He wasn't a living ninja. He had been resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation before the Infinite Tsukuyomi was cast, but he had not been summoned back to the Pure Land by the Sage of Six Paths. After all, he wasn't one of the Five Kage.
Itachi Uchiha.
It was unknown whether this was his fortune or misfortune.
During Kabuto Yakushi's Sage Mode battle with Orochimaru, Orochimaru had reanimated Itachi's body. It was his last trump card, an attempt to use Itachi's power to fight back.
In the end, before Orochimaru could even command Itachi to do anything, both he and Kabuto were caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, leaving Itachi behind.
The reanimated Itachi was immune to the Infinite Tsukuyomi and had also escaped Kabuto's control because of it. He immediately began searching the battlefield for any trace of Sasuke.
Unfortunately, though Itachi searched the entire battlefield, digging up one cocooned body after another, there was no sign of his younger brother. His worry grew with each passing moment.
What worried him most, however, was that the Infinite Tsukuyomi was quickly released. This meant that Orochimaru, who controlled him, would soon be free to use the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu to control him again and learn what he knew.
"There's not enough time..."
The reanimated Itachi could only ponder for a moment before beginning to prepare a backup plan. He found a crow he had hidden before his death.
In its eye socket was a scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan—the legacy Shisui Uchiha had left him, containing the powerful genjutsu Kotoamatsukami, which could alter a person's will.
Itachi Uchiha… was also a man who had plotted beyond his own death.
Unable to escape his fate before he died, Itachi had analyzed the situation and predicted that Orochimaru and Obito would eventually be at a disadvantage against the Akatsuki.
He knew they would reanimate his body to use in the war. Orochimaru, a master of the Impure World Reincarnation, would never pass up such an opportunity.
The Impure World Reincarnation… was Itachi's opportunity. Everything had happened exactly as he had expected.
"Sasuke's future..."
Itachi knew his younger brother's personality and intelligence all too well. He worried that Sasuke would be deceived and used by dangerous figures like Emiya Shirou and Madara.
That was something he never wanted. If Sasuke, who now possessed the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, stood with Emiya and Madara, he would become a major threat to Konoha.
To neutralize the hidden danger of his brother siding with the Akatsuki, Itachi had specially prepared for his own reanimation.
His eyes lifted to the crow before him, staring intently at the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan. Using the Transcription Seal, he sealed a jutsu inside it, along with his memories and his hopes for his younger brother.
This eye must absolutely not fall into the wrong hands. Itachi had to ensure this was done before Orochimaru regained control, and he had to prevent both Orochimaru and Obito from ever using a dangerous ability like Kotoamatsukami.
"Let it be so..."
Before Orochimaru's will could invade his mind again, Itachi raised his hand and released the crow, which now carried his hopes for his brother.
To ensure there would be no accidents—to prevent Orochimaru from controlling him to summon the crow back and use its eye—Itachi took the final step and dissolved the summoning contract between himself and the crow.
"Everything... is arranged."