What You See May Not Be the Truth

"Haha, Yahiko, you were too careless."

Listening to Yahiko's high-pitched screams, Katsuki squatted on the high platform with a smile, teasing the boy who was struggling in the swamp.

"Damn it, Katsuki, you actually pulled this trick!"

Because of Yahiko's frantic struggles, his calves were completely submerged in the mud, and he couldn't pull his feet out at all.

"Well, that's fine then. It's just a friendly spar, no need to take it so seriously!"

"You really are..." Yahiko shook his head, his fiery enthusiasm suddenly dissipating. "You are indeed very capable, I am no match for you, but to be honest, your ability to pretend is really terrible, you can't fool anyone at all!"

"Huh? Really? I think my acting is pretty good!"

"You really have no self-awareness at all!"

Watching the two engaged in a lively conversation, Konan hesitated for a moment but did not interrupt. Instead, she gazed with concern at Yahiko was slowly sinking.

"... I mean, shouldn't you try to get me up here?"

When his knees were submerged in mud, Yahiko finally realized that he was still standing in the mud and that he would sink in if this continued.

"Well... I'm trying to figure something out."

Katsuki's smile was awkward.

To be honest, he hadn't considered the current situation before making his move, and it was indeed quite tricky for him.

"Think of a way?" Yahiko's expression changed. "Huh? Eh? Eh!! You're kidding, right? You don't mean you can't get me out of here?"

"You understand quickly, Yahiko. I'm impressed with you."

"Don't think too highly of me! Hurry up and get me up here!"

"Hmm... there's no other way. It might hurt a little, so bear with it and don't bite your tongue."

Upon hearing Katsuki's words, Yahiko panicked. He stared wide-eyed, wanting to ask for clarification, when suddenly a tremendous force came from beneath his feet, propelling him rapidly upwards.

"Ouch!! My back is killing me!"

Yahiko stood on the raised Dodai, clutching his lower back, his face pale. Damn, it really hurt. His leg bones felt like they were about to break from the force of the ascent, and his back had also sprained. He felt terrible.

"Oh, I didn't really want to use this trick, haha!!"

"Yahiko, are you alright?"

Konan and Nagato arrived.

"It failed?"

"Yes, the target's strength is unexpectedly powerful, and their abilities are quite troublesome. Without a way to restrain them, even with more people, it will be difficult to achieve anything."

White Zetsu stood in the empty room and carefully recounted the course of the battle.

"Lightning Release... Flying Ninjutsu, this is quite rare, is it a newly created Ninjutsu? I wonder what the principle behind it is, I really want to see it with my own eyes." Madara's wrinkled face remained unmoved by the failure of the mission, but he showed a hint of surprise when he heard "Thunderclap Chariot," which piqued his interest.

In his time, there was no technique he was unaware of.

Aside from Kekkei Genkai, Secret Techniques, and space-time Ninjutsu —which are not Secret Techniques but whose mysteries surpass even those of Secret Techniques —his Sharingan truly sees through all Ninjutsu in the world. Any Ninjutsu he doesn't know could only be new techniques developed by later generations.

After the initial admiration came a sigh of regret, "It's a pity I can't live without this now, otherwise I would definitely..."

Before Ban could finish speaking, a colossal golem, as majestic as a mountain range, appeared behind him. Its face was cold and ferocious, yet it exuded an unusual sense of solemnity.

"Since we have failed, let's observe for a while before taking any further action."

With a wave of his withered hand, White Zetsu bowed slightly and retreated.

"Geniuses... every era has its share of geniuses, but how many are truly exceptional... unfortunately, they cannot withstand the test of time; even geniuses die!"

Staring blankly at his withered, claw-like hand, his scarlet eyes were filled with regret. Even someone as powerful as him could not escape the ruthlessness of time. Now he was only clinging to life with the power of the golem, unable to leave this place, let alone conquer all directions and enjoy one exhilarating battle after another as he used to.

"It's a pity Hashirama is dead!"

Mentioning this name, Madara felt a pang of melancholy. He had experienced countless battles, both large and small, throughout his life. But as time passed, when he finally stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, only Hashirama could stand shoulder to shoulder with him, or even surpass him.

This was his lifelong nemesis. They had known each other since childhood and fought almost their entire lives. After a brief, Utakata period of peace, they finally broke apart. It was clear that the only harmonious relationship between him and Hashirama was when they faced each other with swords drawn.

"Hashirama, I will take your place in the face of defeat and build a truly peaceful, beautiful, and turbulent world."

"Yahiko, Konan ..." Katsuki shifted, "And Nagato, thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

"Well, if you're going to leave, just leave already. Don't make it so sentimental," Yahiko said, pursing his lips.

"Hehe, Katsuki, come visit us sometime!" Konan smiled brightly.

"······"

Nagato remained silent, simply nodding as a greeting.

"By the way, Nagato, I have something to tell you," Katsuki said with a smile.

"What? Katsuki, didn't you say you wouldn't mess with Nagato? What, are you going to change your mind?" Before Nagato could even say a word, Yahiko's eyes widened.

"Hey, hey, don't use such misleading rhetoric, okay?" Katsuki glared at Yahiko, annoyed, before saying, "I don't have a habit of going back on my word. I'm just saying one thing, something about Nagato's inner conflict."

In an instant, before the words were even finished, Nagato, which had been slightly tilted forward and lowered, suddenly snapped up. Even through her disheveled bangs, one could feel the furious glare that seemed to burst forth with flames.

"Hey, Katsuki, don't say things like that." Yahiko's expression turned stern, and his nonchalant demeanor vanished instantly.

Konan's bright eyes widened as she nervously looked back and forth between Katsuki and Nagato.

"Ugh!! Why are you all staring at me like that? I wasn't planning on doing anything."

Katsuki rubbed her temples. "So this really is a sensitive spot!"

However, if he wanted to break free from the twists and turns of fate that lay ahead, he had to step into minefields.

"What do you want to say?" Nagato asked in Nagato voice, his sharp eyes fixed on Katsuki.

"It's very simple, just one sentence." Katsuki coughed lightly, cleared her throat, and her expression became serious. "Remember, what you see with your eyes may not be the truth."

······

"Finished?" Yahiko glared.

"Of course, I only said one sentence; I have no penchant for lying..."

"What do you mean by that? What exactly are you trying to say?" Nagato took a step forward, closing in on Katsuki.

"The meaning is simple, it means that our eyes..." Katsuki pried open her eyelids with her fingers, revealing the bloodshot whites of her eyes, her black pupils moving slightly, "... sometimes we can be deceived."