Pure Land.
This is a silvery-gray grassland, with countless flowers emitting a faint glow drifting across the plain.
Peaceful and serene, utterly tranquil.
But the tranquility was shattered by the sudden appearance of a sharp Herta.
Sukuna sat cross-legged inside the Herta, like an old monk in deep meditation.
The soul flowers drifting across the grassland, each one exuding a deep, penetrating fragrance, eventually settled into his stomach.
Thoughts collide, memories are read.
This is an extremely wonderful experience, like enjoying a thousand years of Shinobi World history.
Sukuna put aside his distracting thoughts and devoted himself wholeheartedly to this feast.
The gap between life and death.
The Sage of Six Paths Immortals gazed at the Pure Land, their brows furrowed in worry.
"This is... our last remaining strength..." Hamura said hoarsely.
He was unhappy that his brother allowed his sons to fight, but he could understand it.
In order to fight against the Ōtsutsuki, the mother wanted to use the Shinobi World as a nursery.
The Sage of Six Paths wasn't that ruthless; he came up with a compromise.
To create Pure Land and gather the souls of those who have died in the Shinobi World.
This is not a mandatory action. Just like Hatake Sakumo, who died in the original timeline, he did not go to the Pure Land and waited all along.
For example, if a certain evil, Senju- armed, white-haired individual invented the Impure World Reincarnation, the Pure Land would not restrain him.
If one has sufficient chakra strength and harbors an unwilling desire, one can be reincarnated repeatedly, just like Indra and Ashura.
This is the resting place prepared by the Sage of Six Paths for the deceased.
In dire circumstances, we will also borrow their strength.
The Sage of Six Paths remained indifferent, looking at the ball of soul fire dancing on his Tin Staff.
Upon seeing Kagami Uchiha summon the King Yama, he knew something was wrong and quickly seized several clumps of souls.
In...
There was Uchiha Madara.
He was aware of Uchiha Madara's plans; after Rinnegan, Madara couldn't obtain the Rinnegan without Madara's access to the Power of All Creation.
My thoughts were racing.
The Sage of Six Paths said in a deep voice, "Hamura, take my Yang Release power and go find the reincarnation of Ashura, the one named Hashirama Senju."
"Tell him everything, including the threat from the Ōtsutsuki Clan and what Kagami Uchiha has done."
"The matter is already quite obvious..."
"In order to evolve again, Kagami Uchiha wanted to raise this demon to a terrifying level."
"He can see the future... Perhaps he really can deal with the Ōtsutsuki from beyond the heavens, but this monster is the result of his deliberate indulgence."
"We must consider the possibility that this monster might kill Kagami Uchiha..."
"No matter what, only by possessing our own strength can we have the confidence to turn the tide."
Hamura looked at him intently and snorted softly, "So you've finally decided to take action, brother?"
"I thought that a thousand years had completely erased your decisiveness."
The Sage of Six Paths' gaze gradually darkened, and he sighed, "I'm just... afraid of the unknown."
"Kyo has his own pursuits, but I cannot gamble the survival of the Jonin world for them."
It wasn't that the Sage of Six Paths didn't understand, but...
Kagami Uchiha's pursuit is here, and so is his Shinobi World.
Both wanted to solve the calamity in the Shinobi World, but one was slightly more radical and the other more conservative.
——
——
Konoha.
The morning light spread out, bringing a touch of coolness.
But soon, the deafening sound of gongs and drums dispelled the chill.
A group set off from the Konoha Gate, led by a man with black hair, red eyes, and a tall, slender figure.
Uchiha Shinkwa.
After years of training, as one of the earliest bodyguards to follow Kagami Uchiha, he also learned the secrets of the Mangekyo.
However, he lacks the talent to awaken the Perfect Mangekyo. Even if Kagami Uchiha were willing to help, he would not be able to control such power.
He still has a chance with a regular Mangekyo. At this point, his accumulated pupil power has reached a critical point; with a little stimulation, he might just awaken it.
He was dressed in solid-colored, close-fitting black leather armor, with a silver-white longsword hanging at his waist, and the Uchiha behind him were dressed in the same attire.
Behind the procession were the carriages escorting lords from various regions.
It was nominally an escort mission, but it was more like a transport operation.
Some of the Uchiha in the group, unable to hide their excitement, couldn't conceal their true feelings.
They knew...
The moment when the Uchiha reigns supreme is finally approaching!
It wasn't just people like Tobirama Senju who wanted Kagami Uchiha to rule the Shinobi World; many Uchiha also hoped that Kagami Uchiha would extend his rule to the entire Shinobi World.
They don't consider management or economic issues.
A simple cerebellum has only one thought.
Domination, isn't it just about having a bigger fist than the other side?
Their ideas... can't be said to be wrong.
However, back when Kagami Uchiha hadn't risen to power, they dared to hold a clan meeting and challenge Fugaku, but things are different now.
Kagami Uchiha didn't speak, they didn't dare to utter a sound.
The sound of firm footsteps echoed, a resounding murmur of power.
Among the onlookers.
Naruto pressed down on Sasuke's shoulder to try and get a better view, shouting excitedly.
"So cool! I really want to join the Uchiha Police Force!"
Bang!
Karin punched Naruto on the head, yelling, "Get away from Sasuke-kun!"
"Besides! You're from the Uzumaki Clan, you're supposed to inherit the Uzumaki Clan's name, what are you talking about joining the Uchiha for!"
Her face suddenly flushed, her expression changed, and she leaned closer to Sasuke, saying in a sweet, coquettish voice, "I'm the one who should be joining the Uchiha, right, Sasuke-kun ~"
Sasuke rolled his eyes at the two brats with Uzumaki, then looked at Uchiha Shinkwa at the front of the group.
He made up his mind.
One day, I will be able to stand in that position!
No... I want to stand even higher!
——
A raised platform was laid out in Konoha Square, with plenty of seats reserved in front of it.
The Uchiha shooed the lords from various regions who had been 'invited' to take their seats, separating them from the high platform.
The two rivers are clearly distinct.
There was only one long table on the high platform, with eight seats.
First place.
Kagami Uchiha sat in the center, with Minato Namikaze on his left and Hatake Sakumo on his right.
On either side of the long table were Jiraiya, Kakashi, Nagato, Hashirama Senju, Shisui.
Knock knock.
Gently tap the table.
The square, where tens of thousands of people had gathered, suddenly fell silent.
All eyes turned to the platform, awaiting the speaker's address.
"First of all, I formally bestow upon you the title of Shadow."
Kagami Uchiha spoke slowly, leaving no room for argument.
"Jiraiya, ruler of the Land of Lightning, is known as Cloud Shadow."
"Shisui governs the Land of Earth, and is called Rock Shadow."
"Nagato, you are permitted to include the Land of Birds and other areas into your territory, which will be called Rain Shadow."
"Hashirama Senju, ruler of the Land of Wind, is known as the Mokage."
"Kakashi, the ruler of the Land of Water, is known as the Mizukage."
Now that things have reached the point of investiture, everything that needed to be discussed has been discussed, and everyone will have no other reaction but to agree.
The specially made shadow hats were distributed to everyone by Uchiha Genko.
The crowd below the platform held their breath, witnessing a scene that would surely be recorded in the history of the Shinobi World.
"Among the seven Kage, the Hokage is half a rank higher and has the power to dismiss the other six."
Kagami Uchiha continued speaking, his tone calm, as if to say that it was no big deal.
His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on Nagato.
Kagami Uchiha chuckled meaningfully, "Of course, you can continue to do what you want."
"It doesn't matter what kind of world-destroying weapon we create; we can stay in the Shinobi World and wait for our old friends in the Pure Land."
"The struggle is far from over... no, the struggle will never end."
"I sincerely hope that I will still see you all when the final battle bell tolls at the end of the century."
"At last..."
"Start choosing your winner's prize."
Kagami Uchiha casually crossed his legs, a stark contrast to everyone else who sat upright.
It's like a god descending from Takamagahara to fulfill the wishes of mortals.