Inside the dimly lit tower
Cold rainwater trickled down the glass window, Nagato sat quietly in the shadows, his Rinnegan reflecting the image of Momoshiki devouring Kinshiki in the Heavenly Screen.
"Something's not right." Konan frowned slightly, the paper flower unconsciously folding and unfolding between her fingers. "These extraterrestrial visitors... their logic is completely different from that of the Shinobi World."
"No matter how fierce the battles are in the Shinobi World..." Nagato's voice was low and hoarse, "No ninja would ever become stronger by 'devouring their comrades'."
(At least... it won't be shown so blatantly.)
He suddenly thought of Orochimaru —the man obsessed with forbidden techniques. If Orochimaru possessed such an ability, he probably wouldn't hesitate at all.
"That's precisely why..." Nagato slowly raised his head, a cold light flashing in his Rinnegan, "That we need to 'change' this twisted world all the more."
(Pain, war, betrayal, devouring... the root of all this must be severed.)
Konan was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "What about these Ōtsutsuki...?"
"If they dare to obstruct 'peace'..." Nagato's voice was as cold as iron, "Then let them feel the pain too."
"All construction projects have been suspended recently, and the procurement of ninja tools and supplies has been cut by 30%." Her voice was calm, yet tinged with tension. "Although the ninja below have no objections for the time being and understand the situation in the Land of Rain... Nagato, our funds won't last much longer."
Nagato sat in the shadows, the purple light of his Rinnegan flickering faintly. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
What about Xiao's 'external channels'?
Konan shook her head, and the paper butterfly flew out of her sleeve, tracing several arcs in the air:
"Black market bounty missions have recently been under strict scrutiny by various countries, Kakuzu only brought back half of the expected funds last month."
"As for underground Bounty Station... many of those within the Land of Rain have already moved away."
(If this continues, the organization will run into problems.)
Nagato tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the seat, producing a dull sound.
"It's alright," Nagato's voice was low and calm. "I'll figure something out."
His Rinnegan remained fixed on the Heavenly Screen, its pupils reflecting the twisted and powerful figure of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, as if weighing something.
Konan nodded gently, and the paper butterfly silently vanished from her fingertips.
"Understood."
She didn't say anything more, but quietly stood back beside Nagato, her gaze also fixed on the Heavenly Screen.
(No further words were needed; they were already used to this silence.)
Neither financial difficulties nor formidable future adversaries could shake their resolve.
Within the Land of Water
Inside the swaying cabin, Kisame grinned, revealing shark-like fangs, and stared with great interest at the figure of Sasuke Uchiha in the Heavenly Screen.
"Mr. Itachi, your younger brother looks very promising~" He deliberately dragged out the words, his tone slightly teasing.
Uchiha Itachi sat quietly in the corner, his crimson Sharingan flickering slightly, but he didn't utter a word. Yet, between his cold and stern brows, a faint, almost imperceptible gentleness was revealed.
(To see him grow to this level... is enough.)
When the scene of Momoshiki devouring Kinshiki played, Kisame let out an exaggerated "Wow!"
"Hey, that's really scary~" He tilted his head, as if he had discovered something interesting, "They even eat their own kind? This reminds me of sharks."
Itachi's gaze remained calm, but Kisame paid no attention and continued speaking to himself:
"Mr. Weasel, do you know about shark habits?" He grinned, his smile sinister. "Sometimes they eat their own kind, and... unborn shark pups will devour each other in the womb, leaving only one survivor."
This phenomenon is quite common among sharks.
Itachi glanced at him indifferently, then silently gazed at the Heavenly Screen, seemingly uninterested in his remarks.
Kisame shrugged, feigning regret as he sighed, "Itachi-san is really boring..."
But he didn't say anything more. He simply hoisted Samehada, leaned against the side of the cabin, and watched quietly with Itachi as the battle that defied all reason unfolded in the Heavenly Screen.
Inside the dilapidated mountain stronghold hall
Kakuzu sat on a rough wooden chair, his feet resting on the bloodied head of the missing-nin leader, slowly counting the money pouches he had just looted.
"Hmph, penniless wretch." He snorted coldly, stuffing the money pouch into his pocket. "This little bit of bounty isn't even enough for interest."
Beside him, Hidan sat cross-legged on the ground, his scarlet eyes fixed on the Heavenly Screen, excitedly waving his blood-red Triple-Bladed Scythe.
"Hey, Kakuzu! Look at those guys—" He grinned, revealing a fanatical smile, "The village's shadows, and those extraterrestrial visitors... they're all top-tier sacrifices!"
"If I could offer them all to the Lord Jashin... haha! Just thinking about it makes me tremble with excitement!"
Kakuzu glanced at him, his green eyes filled with disdain.
"Shut up, idiot," he said coldly. "Those guys aren't worth any bounties; messing with them is a waste of time."
He has absolutely no interest in anything that would interfere with making money.
Hidan pouted in dissatisfaction. "All you care about is money! The Lord Jashin's blessing is the most important!"
Kakuzu ignored him and continued examining the scrolls he had found on the missing-nin, trying to extract some more value from them.
"Hey, Kakuzu," Hidan suddenly narrowed his eyes, "Do you think... if we encountered those extraterrestrial beings, we could defeat them?"
Kakuzu raise his head, his voice indifferent:
Whether we can win or not isn't important, what's important is --
Are they worth anything?
Hidan laughed loudly, "You miser! But... if Lord Jashin wants them dead, I won't hold back!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly, too lazy to reply.
(Anyway... if he really encountered that kind of monster, he would definitely be the first to run away.)
Making money is fine, but risking your life? Forget it!
Land of Water - Nameless Island
"Whoosh--"
A vortex-shaped spatial rift appeared out of thin air, and Obito Uchiha, wearing an orange Spiral Mask, slowly stepped out. He looked up at the future scene playing in the Heavenly Screen, his scarlet Sharingan gleaming coldly in the shadows.
"Cut..."
The scene depicting middle-aged Naruto and Sasuke fighting side-by-side against Momoshiki Otsutsuki seems to be silently mocking his plans.
(Is this what the future is really like?)
(The Eye of the Moon Plan... has it failed?)
But the next second, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and his fingers unconsciously clenched.
"No, it's not over yet." He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse but firm, "As long as I live, the future remains in my control!"
Obito's thoughts raced, and he instantly formulated a new plan:
First, take down Orochimaru —that mad scientist might have a way to remove the Madara Uchiha's heart.
We must retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan —the eye that rightfully belongs to him—it needs to be taken back!
(The future world will be shaped by him— Obito Uchiha!)
(As for Ban? He should just stay in the Pure Land!)
"Whoosh--"
The vortex of Kamui slowly swallowed him, and his last whisper dissipated in the sea breeze:
"Just wait... the future will be mine."