The Eve

When Shamu teleported to the Hidden Mist Village, he was feeling a little tired, so he had Minato go talk to Hozuki Gengetsu.

However, he first had to make a trip back to the Radiance Hidden Village.

The mark for his Flying Thunder God was behind Itachi.

Itachi quickly realized it was Shamu. "Senior, you're back."

Shamu nodded. Itachi was in the conference room, and besides him—

There were Shisui, Yoya, and the other first-generation Earth Rumble students.

Among the older generation were Fugaku, Third Elder Takuya, and Fourth Elder Yohei.

Kakuzu from the Ministry of Finance, Scorpion from the Puppet Department, Chiyo from the Medical Department, and the rest were all present as well.

Although they had already learned that Shamu had returned, they were still excited when he appeared before them.

Though Shamu was still using Kimimaro's body, his appearance had already changed back to his own.

"Clan Head!"

"Clan Head!"

"Shamu!"

They all greeted Shamu in turn.

Shamu's performance during the Fourth Shinobi World War had directly created a new chapter in Uchiha history.

The Uchiha Clan worshipped the strong, and Uchiha Shamu had been the strongest person in the shinobi world at the time.

His prestige was self-evident. No one had expected Shamu to ultimately perish together with Kaguya Otsutsuki.

Naturally, the Uchiha Clan had taken it the hardest. Shamu, who had led the Uchiha Clan to become the strongest, had died in battle just like that.

It could be said that the entire nation mourned. Even though Itachi had forbidden memorials for Shamu, many people had held them of their own accord.

Among the Uchiha, who valued emotions deeply, nearly thirty people awakened their Sharingan directly because of Shamu's death.

At least twenty people had their Sharingan evolve. The ocular power of those who had not evolved, or who already possessed Three-Tomoe Sharingan, had also increased greatly.

Even Fugaku had returned to Three-Tomoe.

It could be said that Shamu had once again used his own death to strengthen quite a few members of the Uchiha Clan.

Now, they only needed to build up their strength for a while before preparing the second batch of Earth Rumble.

Shamu had not been back for long—only two days.

If not for receiving Shion's prophecy, he had intended to return only after reincarnating.

Shamu swept his gaze around the room. These people were the foundation he had built up.

There was no need to mention the Uchiha. After Kakuzu came to the Land of Radiance, he was like a fish in water.

He had used information gaps to make money before, but the purchasing volume backed by a nation was simply incomparable to what one person could manage.

Now, as a channel merchant backed by the state, he naturally enjoyed every benefit.

Though he still traveled throughout the shinobi world, his main purpose was now gathering all kinds of intelligence.

The money he earned from bounty missions was already far less than what he made from his position.

Kakuzu was living quite well.

Kakuzu had never really believed that Shamu would die in battle.

Moreover, even someone as rational as Itachi had never taken over the position of National Ruler of the Land of Radiance or the position of Uchiha Clan Head.

He was obviously waiting for Shamu to return.

Still, Shamu's return this time had indeed taken rather long.

Scorpion and Chiyo thought much the same. They did not believe Shamu would die either.

Itachi told them that Shamu had returned and that his reincarnation had been arranged for tomorrow.

Although they had immediately received intelligence that new Otsutsuki would be attacking—

Since Shamu had returned, nothing was a problem anymore.

Shamu looked around the room. "Everyone, rest assured. We received intelligence in advance this time."

"Although several members of the Otsutsuki Clan will attack, everything is under my control. All you need to do is minimize the Land of Radiance's losses as much as possible."

"The country's development still requires a large population. We must do our best to ensure the civilians survive."

"Tomorrow, I will complete the reincarnation ritual in the Land of Wind and return to life."

"If anyone wants to see the Otsutsuki Clan's combat power, I'll take you there."

Shamu looked around again. Fugaku and Kakuzu both showed interest.

They had not gone to the scene during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

It had been quite a regret not to witness those earth-shattering scenes firsthand.

Now that the Otsutsuki were invading again, it was a rare opportunity.

"Fugaku, Kakuzu, you want to go?" Though Shamu phrased it as a question, his tone was certain.

Fugaku stood up. "Everything in the clan has been arranged. The Third Elder and Fourth Elder will preside over it. I want to see the Otsutsuki Clan's strength for myself."

Kakuzu also rose to his feet. "Hehehe, I'd like to see just how strong the legendary Otsutsuki Clan really is."

"Alright. When Minato comes to pick people up tomorrow, you can come along."

After making the arrangements there, Shamu used the Flying Thunder God again and returned to Orochimaru's laboratory in Konoha.

The moment he returned, he yawned. His body was utterly exhausted.

Kimimaro's body had not yet taken on Shamu's own form, so he still had to sleep.

When he arrived, he happened to see Orochimaru installing the Rinnegan for Nagato.

Nagato had previously felt that the Rinnegan could be installed whenever necessary.

Who would have thought that it would need to be installed again after just one day?

After all, against this sort of natural disaster, the Rinnegan was still more useful than Nagato's Byakugan abilities.

Nagato was not the type to fuss over such things. Since it was needed, he put it on immediately.

After all, the Rinnegan was practically plug-and-play!

Rinnegan Nagato's limited-time return had been extended!

"Did Kakuzu learn your identity over the past two years?"

After greeting Nagato, Shamu asked. He was somewhat curious.

Nagato shook his head. "I've been in the Maritime Transport Department for the past two years. Although the Raikage of the Cloud Village figured out my identity, he never made it public."

"I was mostly out at sea, while Kakuzu went to some remote places to gather intelligence."

"We ran into each other, but we only passed by in a hurry. We never spoke."

"Hehe, now that's interesting." Shamu stroked his chin with interest.

"Get some rest early. There's a lot to do tomorrow."

Shamu patted Nagato on the shoulder, then headed toward the inner room.

He was feeling sleepy. This body really was inconvenient.

He had originally intended to deal with Haku's matter.

But he had no energy left now. He would wait until after reincarnating.

Shamu found the bed from yesterday, climbed onto it, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Not long after he fell asleep, Tsunade arrived at the door with Haku and Kimimaro.

Haku looked timid, both expectant and afraid.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm scared."

Tsunade nudged Haku. "What are you scared of? Go on. Let Shamu hold you more, and he'll definitely accept you."

Gossip gleamed in Tsunade's eyes. It was rare for Shamu to be in such a situation, so of course she had to play a little prank on him.

Of course, based on her understanding of Shamu, he would definitely accept Haku.

"Shamu's soul and body haven't fully united yet, so he still needs sleep. Once he reincarnates, you won't have another chance like this."

Haku looked up at Kimimaro, then turned back toward Shamu lying on the bed.

Then Haku quietly climbed onto the bed.

But Haku was very nervous. Unlike yesterday, Haku did not immediately curl up in Shamu's arms.

However, Shamu had traveled to many places today and was sleeping deeply.

When Haku climbed onto the bed, Shamu only sensed it vaguely.

He groggily opened his eyes. Seeing someone familiar, he casually patted Haku's head.

Then he draped an arm over Haku's shoulder and fell asleep again.

Watching this from the doorway, Tsunade wore a triumphant smile.

Kimimaro, meanwhile, was happy for Haku.

The two quietly withdrew. Whether it succeeded or not would depend on the next morning.

Haku was so frightened that Haku barely dared to breathe. Only after seeing that Shamu had fallen asleep did Haku finally let out a breath.

After letting wild thoughts run through Haku's mind for quite a while, Haku slowly calmed down.

Looking at Lord Shamu's face so close by—

Haku gently leaned closer.

Whatever.

At least tonight, I can lean against Lord Shamu.