Challenge: The Person Closest to "God"

White Zetsu paused, his voice raspy as he spoke.

"Lord Madara... I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I have a feeling... that guy has sensed my presence."

Madara Uchiha curled the corner of his lip, unimpressed: "Even I have never heard of such a unique constitution; it is not strange that he could discover you."

Years ago, during the battle at the Valley of the End, as recorded on the Six Paths Stone Tablet, Madara Uchiha seized the flesh and blood of Hashirama Senju.

By combining the power of both clans and spending decades of time, he touched upon the power of All Things in Nature, finally manifesting the Rinnegan.

But he was too old; this withered body, which would perish the moment it was disconnected from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, was insufficient to support him in fulfilling his long-cherished wish.

To grant the world peace—a beautiful world without losers.

First, he needed someone capable of housing the Rinnegan, someone who would use the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique in the future to resurrect him.

There also had to be someone to act as the guide for the Rinnegan, as well as its overseer.

For this candidate, Madara Uchiha decided to choose from within his own clan.

Although they were a group of hopeless fools, they were, after all, the clansmen Izuna had cared for most, and Madara was willing to give them a chance.

He understood the Uchiha; the more naive they were and the more they believed in beauty, the more they would realize the cruelty of the world when they lost what they loved, leading them to fully commit to the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Being easy to manipulate and possessing sufficient talent were the two rigid criteria.

By these standards, Uchiha Kamizuki was by no means a suitable candidate; after more than a year of observation, even Madara felt...

This brat was too cold, too heartless, and his methods were too radical.

It is difficult to cause the worldview of someone who is entirely self-centered and lacks any will for self-sacrifice to collapse.

However, finding an Uchiha who simultaneously possessed naivety, high talent, and ease of control... was truly too difficult.

He could only settle for what he had for now, tentatively designating Uchiha Kamizuki as the successor candidate.

As he thought this, Madara Uchiha's mouth twitched slightly.

"Not just that..."

"Perhaps even my existence has been sensed by him."

--

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The sky over Amegakure always resembled a heavy slab of lead.

Rainwater trickled down from the steel spires that pierced the clouds, flowing along dense networks of pipes and cables.

This highly industrialized architectural style was not merely due to the rainy environment; decades ago, this land had experienced a period of extreme prosperity.

When relations between the great nations were harmonious, the small nations situated between them lived very comfortably and developed rapidly.

In the early days of the establishment of the Five Great Nations, under the leadership of Hashirama Senju, the Five Great Nations provided these small nations with massive support.

Kusagakure possessed the largest prison in the ninja world, holding high-risk criminals from the five great ninja villages, with the Five Great Nations providing economic aid.

The Land of Hot Water was developed into the most famous hot spring tourist destination in the ninja world, and the Land of Rain, which connected the three great nations and served as a transportation hub, received the most support of all.

The high-rise buildings and electrical systems found everywhere were constructed with the help of Iwagakure and Konoha.

The Land of Rain, with its heavy rainfall, was originally a swampy region; it was Hashirama Senju and the first Tsuchikage who joined forces to shore up the foundations of Amegakure.

Many mechanical creations originated from Sunagakure, and the underground pipes were also laid out by Sunagakure's manpower and resources, intended to manage the water resources of the Land of Rain.

Ninjutsu used to improve life... it seemed the vision of the Ninjutsu Sect from a thousand years ago had truly been achieved.

The beginning of all change—

The death of Hashirama Senju.

It is no exaggeration to say that the death of one man affected the entire world.

The god who suppressed the desires of the human heart in this world was dead, and everyone wanted to become the new generation of god!

Ninjutsu was no longer used for creation; it returned to being a lethal weapon for killing!

The strength of Hanzo made the civilians of Amegakure who had not forgotten those years recall the god who had granted the ninja world a brief peace.

Some even called him the "Half-God of Shinobi," though even Hanzo did not dare to accept this title, continuing to use the name Salamander Hanzo.

What he wanted...

Was to truly elevate Amegakure to the level of the Five Great Ninja Villages, earn the title of "Kage," and only then would he accept that title!

--

Now, this "god" was facing his first challenger.

On the main street.

Without any tactical disguise or deception, he walked forward as if strolling through his own backyard, stepping toward the Central Tower of Amegakure.

Uchiha Kamizuki did not wear the Konoha jonin vest; his forehead protector was tied to his left arm, and rainwater slid down the clan crest on his back. One hand rested on the hilt of the Crimson Blade at his waist.

His two-tomoe Sharingan glowed with a faint scarlet light amidst the curtain of rain, appearing like two burning candle flames under the gray sky.

On the eaves, beneath the pipes, and inside the towers on both sides of the street.

The hands of every Amegakure ninja gripping their kunai were trembling, and their fingers, attempting to weave hand seals, could not stop twitching.

For two years, this name and this face had been known to everyone.

Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Amegakure—the number of people who had died at his hands was countless.

The few who survived were driven nearly to madness, never daring to pick up a weapon again, abandoning their identities as ninja forever.

His combat record grew more terrifying with every rumor.

Some said he had single-handedly slaughtered the ace puppet corps of Sunagakure, shattering even Chiyo's ultimate technique, the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.

Some said his body was impervious to blades, fire, water, and poison, clearly not that of a human.

Some said his Sharingan could see the future, and no attack could escape the insight of those eyes.

Some said he was a devil who could manipulate blood, and the battlefield was merely a dining table where he feasted.

A scarlet moon descended upon the world, the embodiment of death and terror.

Uchiha Kamizuki...

Whether the rumors were true or false, the Amegakure ninja were certain of one thing.

This was their territory, a place they had sworn to protect with their lives...

Yet, facing those eyes that swept over them so casually, they lacked the courage to step forward!

It was not killing intent, nor was it hostility.

What surged from that body and those eyes was a form of absolute oppression, like gravity itself—irresistible!

Finally...

"Stop!!"

A young Amegakure ninja rushed out. He looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old; his hand gripping the kunai could not stop shaking, and his lips trembled as well.

But he still rushed out, blocking Kamizuki's path.

"This is Amegakure! Konoha's—"

He stopped himself.

He had courage, having done what others could not: daring to face Kamizuki head-on.

But that was as far as it went.

He finally understood why the seniors who had gone mad said that what they saw was definitely not human.

His relaxed attire could not hide the explosive physical strength beneath, filled with the savage brutality of a predator.

Cold, desolate, and absolute suppression at a biological level!

Thud—

His knees went weak, and he collapsed onto the wet street, hands pressed to the ground as he gasped violently.

Every breath felt like his last, tears mixing with the rain as they streamed down his face.

I... I can't do it!!

Kamizuki did not spare the ninja a single glance, continuing his walk toward the Central Tower of Amegakure.

The rain grew heavier, gathering into rapid streams along the street.

Splash—

Within the water splashing from his falling footsteps...

Hanzo appeared.

He did not leap down from the Central Tower; there were no shouts from others, no warning, no sound, and no fluctuations of Chakra.

The blade of his sickle carved a silver arc through the curtain of rain, aiming straight for Kamizuki's neck!