Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make
Chapter 149: Return
---Kagami POV---
They had returned to their world after nine days of traveling, and Kagami had learned many things during their time away.
The first lesson was about the true nature of those in power, something he had never fully seen before due to growing up in the Uchiha Clan.
The only thing he had witnessed before was how the Hyuga Clan's main family tried to enslave the branch members, but even that had been stopped by Setsuna's sensei and Lady Haruko.
"Sensei, what do you think of that world?" Kagami asked.
"Hmmm, that world is what ours might have become if there were no chakra," replied Setsuna.
"I hated it, sensei. I can't stand the idea of slavery, or how the nobles forced themselves on young women," Kagami said with a frown.
"I left a clone behind, and I plan to travel back and forth to visit it in the future," said Setsuna.
"Will you end the slavery?" Kagami asked.
Setsuna recalled the figure who had once abolished slavery, and how one nation's actions had influenced the world.
"The kingdom needs to grow strong and gain enough influence before it can effectively put an end to slavery," Setsuna explained.
"How do you plan to achieve that, sensei?" Kagami asked.
"I'll introduce more advanced technology, forcing the other kingdoms to cooperate with us. Then, I'll draft a resolution to abolish slavery. If any slaves escape to our country, they won't be branded as slaves. They will be treated as free people," Setsuna said..
"Sensei, will it work?" Kagami asked.
"If they want access to the technology, they'll be forced to sign the resolution. And if they want war, aren't we shinobi? They're just weaklings," Setsuna replied confidently.
Kagami burst into laughter. Their visit to another planet had shown him just how fragile ordinary humans were. His sensei had claimed the throne, and not a single person had dared to challenge him.
"What did you gain from this journey?" Setsuna asked.
"I've learned more about greed and darkness," Kagami said. What he saw on that planet had taught him a lot about human nature, and how wealth could turn people into something evil.
---Sunagakure---
"Kazekage-sama, it seems Konoha has leaked some intel to the other villages," reported the elite Jonin.
"Tell me everything," Kazekage demanded.
"From what we've gathered, they've leaked information about their own shinobi," the Jonin explained.
"Intel? Which shinobi?" Kazekage inquired.
"They're targeting the Senju Clan. Last we heard, a group of Senju went on a mission," the Jonin replied.
"Have you confirmed this?" asked Kazekage.
"An unknown group of ninja dropped some papers containing the Senju Clan's mission details," the Jonin said. "Based on their chakra signatures, we believe it's from Konoha."
"Thank you for the report. Summon Lady Chiyo," Kazekage ordered.
The Jonin nodded and left to call Lady Chiyo. Within ten minutes, she arrived.
"Kazekage, why disturb this old woman?" Chiyo grumbled. She had been playing with her newly born grandson, Sasori, before being summoned.
"It's about Konoha. They seem to be targeting their own clan," Kazekage explained.
"Which clan?" Chiyo asked.
"The Senju. It seems Sarutobi Hiruzen is targeting his teacher's clan," Kazekage said.
As seasoned leaders, both understood the intricacies of politics. The news of a Hokage targeting a prominent clan wasn't surprising.
"This is good news. A Kage only targets a clan when they are opposing him," Chiyo remarked.
"So, which side should we attack? The Hokage or the Senju?" Kazekage asked.
"Don't do anything. Let the Hokage finish off the Senju Clan himself," Chiyo advised. "The Senju are a far bigger threat compared to the Hokage."
"Understood," Kazekage replied.
---Madara---
It had been a few years since the last battle in the Valley of Hell.
He had used all his power to defeat Senju Hashirama, but still lost. Fortunately, he managed to take a piece of Hashirama's flesh and faked his own death.
Today was the day he finally activated Hashirama's cells with chakra after the flesh become dried. It had taken him years to reanimate the dead cells and begin injecting them into his body.
But nothing happened, even after the cells were injected. He waited and waited, not daring to leave his cave, as he only had one Mangekyō Sharingan left.
His other eye had gone blind, and his power had been reduced by half, leaving him without the confidence he once had.
His only hope was the Hashirama cells. He waited patiently for the Rinnegan—the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths—to manifest. It was still too early to know if the experiment had failed, but all he needed was time.
At times, he felt lonely and wanted to visit Izuna.
He believed Setsuna had taken care of Izuna, as Setsuna had taken him just before he died.
He still remembered that day vividly, as it was the first time Setsuna had used his Kamui in front of him.
Due to his status as a traitor to Konoha, he didn't dare visit his only brother or Uchiha Kazuha.
He didn't want his presence to bring suffering to those he held dear.
Kazuha was the dearest to him. Her smile and laughter often echoed in Madara's mind, as if they played on the edges of his consciousness.
---Black Zetsu---
At first, he thought his plan had failed, but then he noticed that Madara was still alive. The next thing he saw was that Madara had managed to acquire a piece of Hashirama's flesh and was experimenting with it.
He was certain that Madara would awaken the Rinnegan. The only person known to have done so before was the Sage of Six Paths—his own foolish brother, cruel enough to imprison their mother.
What Madara did next made him smile wide. He had injected Hashirama's cells into his body.
'Mother, the day you will escape from the moon is near,' thought Zetsu.
He recalled that, for the Rinnegan to awaken, Madara needed some sort of stimulation. However, he wasn't sure who or what would provide it. Black Zetsu didn't want Madara to grow suspicious of him, so he kept waiting.
Madara would eventually awaken the Rinnegan when he was old and no longer able to fight, further weakening his strength.
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