Chapter 171: Thousand‑Handed Gate: How Did the Moon Turn Into a Sharingan?

"Are you sure this damned place actually has any ancient ruins?"

"I'm certain; don't worry."

Land of Fire, Autumn Moon Valley.

Yuzhi held Hikari's hand, facing the doubts of Nagato, Konan, Orochimaru and Xie behind him; a faint smile appeared on his face.

Nagato's efficiency remained high; after all, when Yuzhi said he would give him one minute, he indeed gave him exactly one minute. When Yuzhi left without a decision, Nagato was forced to give an answer.

He truly longed to learn some "truth", and besides that he was genuinely worried about certain events occurring.

Yuzhi's words were spot on, point for point, but who knows if his refusal will change this guy's aid plan for the Land of Rain.

Beyond that, whether the things he promised will change because of his decision remains uncertain.

One must remember this guy is the Hokage; how dirty his heart is, given his political games for his country and village's benefit, who can say?

Just as Yuzhi finished speaking, his hand was twisted by Hikari.

Xie glanced at Yuzhi, nodded at him, and then spoke.

The ninja world is chaotic enough; rather than go on an adventure, it's better to live peacefully. Don't trouble yourself.

A cave—an even more place a normal person wouldn't easily explore, because of the unknown, lack of food, and who knows if some ferocious beast lives inside.

Yuzhi gently shook his head, his eyes briefly scanning Hikari beside him, then he smiled again.

He didn't care who the leader of the Akatsuki Organization was, because for him, his joining was guided by the 'Mysterious Person', who showed him the hope of resurrecting his parents, also the 'Mysterious Person'.

"Look for more caves and the like."

"The waters of the ninja world are deep, deeper than you can imagine."

"Lord Hokage is so confident; naturally we are willing to believe."

"Lord Hokage, may I boldly ask, what are you mainly looking for this time?"

The feeling that things remain but people change is hard to describe; fortunately, her past memories are all suffering, so she doesn't dwell on them much.

Orochimaru heard that, licked his lips lightly and smiled.

"Senior Orochimaru, since when have even you become so cautious?"

Yuzhi simply didn't mention it, and they found it hard to ask; moreover, their agreement was mostly due to 'political factors'. Now Orochimaru spoke directly, and they naturally wanted to understand everything.

Orochimaru spoke softly, and Nagato and Konan's gazes turned toward him; they naturally knew this operation wouldn't be peaceful, and they had also contemplated what it would be like.

Although he was confident he could do it easily, whether he could achieve the same state as Yuzhi afterward was uncertain; his control over the Rinnegan hadn't reached that level yet.

Yuzhi internally mocked Xie's confidence; after all, such a seal hadn't been discovered for years, it's not that easy to locate.

In an instant, he witnessed how Yuzhi solved it with such nonchalance.

"But Autumn Moon Valley seems to have no records of any large‑scale war here; did Lord Hokage ever find any documents?"

After all, he only has to be responsible for his own people; for those who aren't his own, he doesn't care about them!

"Moreover, this guy's power is truly…"

Since the Fifth Hokage and the 'Mysterious Person' have already reached an agreement, the conclusion on how he should act was already decided.

"After all, this is Lord Hokage himself leading the team."

Yuzhi raised an eyebrow, looking playfully at Orochimaru.

"Then these puppets can help; they are puppets I've modified to possess excellent reconnaissance abilities. I think as long as your marked location is correct, they can find it."

After careful deliberation and considering the other side, Nagato still agreed to this operation, and since Orochimaru and Xie were already in the Land of Rain, he brought them over directly.

But as soon as the idea surfaced, she quickly dispelled it; Yuzhi never believes in 'ifs', so she doesn't either—everything now is predetermined!

"Then let's search properly."

"Gathering us all like this, it seems this operation won't be peaceful either; to prepare for future trouble, may I ask for some clarification?"

This is the place where Yuzhi once unearthed Hikari; although Hikari already knows the destination, upon arriving here she feels somewhat dazed.

While speaking, he produced several scrolls; accompanied by the rumble of chakra, countless puppets flooded before them.

Xie wasn't interested in all that; he actually preferred to continue researching cloning techniques, but this mission truly required his involvement.

But thinking carefully, this place is sparsely populated, and the terrain has long been altered by constant wars, so ordinary people rarely head this way.

It's just that Yuzhi is being a bit absurd; do you need to explain in detail what you dug up here?

Sometimes, Hikari can't help but wonder.

"I recall that the teleportation array was inside a certain cave, connected to a lake?"

When I first woke up, if Amaterasu had burned this guy, wouldn't I have avoided being bullied?

"You know, I've actually unearthed some things right here."

Thinking of that, Yuzhi couldn't help but remind Xie, and Xie simply nodded in acknowledgment, then closed his eyes and focused on controlling the puppets.

Watching Xie already act, Orochimaru licked his tongue and, finally curious, asked.

"You're searching for the seal formation, right?"

"Then let's begin."

So even if there's something inside the cave, probably no one would go; plus there's a seal inside, and unless one enters to search, it's unlikely anything would be discovered.

Not to mention, Hikari was buried here for a hundred years without anyone noticing.

And moreover…

"And also, there's something else I'm very…"

Nagato thought for a moment and then spoke, looking seriously at Yuzhi as he asked.

"I want to know, moving forward, what are your thoughts and policies regarding our Akatsuki Organization, given your situation is so special."

Facing Nagato and Orochimaru's questions, Yuzhi couldn't help but gently shake his head for a moment.

He realized his deterrent power seemed a bit too great; as long as it's about his own thoughts and certain matters, people can't help but magnify them.

This situation existed when he was still the head of the Police Department, and now he controls the largest ninja village in the ninja world, wielding an even more unimaginable influence!

Yuzhi finds it a little funny for a moment, but he doesn't mind; a massive impact isn't a bad thing, they want to learn something, and he has no need to conceal it.

"The Akatsuki Organization's deployment has already been arranged within Leaf Village."

Yuzhi stroked his chin and said softly, while at the same time pondering how to phrase it smoothly.

"Especially after meeting that guy, we talked a lot, and my thoughts have become gradually clear.

Your current plan, as expected, is to gather Tailed Beasts and become the Ninja World's greatest deterrent, right?"

"Did that guy tell you?"

Changmen frowned; although he noticed the topic had been steered off course by Yuzhi, he couldn't help but ask.

"Sort of; he didn't say it outright, but I can guess it."

Yuzhi gently shook his head, then continued.

"But both he and I feel the plan needs to change; the biggest trouble in the Ninja World right now, for Leaf Village, is the Rock Village alliance and that mysterious Madara Uchiha.

For Rock Village, Leaf Village is the biggest trouble, and likewise the Madara Uchiha and his followers who swept them away.

Given that, why don't you simply hide deep within them while helping me, just as you are now."

"Just as now?"

Changmen was stunned by those words, then his complexion instantly turned black.

Honestly, you're treating us like turncoats, aren't you?

"Exactly, just as now."

Yuzhi nodded and said with a smile.

"We don't know what Madara Uchiha will actually do, but he's definitely restless, and your existence gives that so‑called alliance some confidence.

That way they can better unite to confront Leaf Village, right?"

I want to bring them together, but that takes time; it requires infiltration by various means before I can achieve everything I want.

And your existence can also provide us with the necessary intelligence about them—why not?"

"But regarding the Rain Country issue, do you think they'll still trust us?"

Xiao Nan frowned at Yuzhi, hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Moreover, by joining them we can obtain more Tailed Beast resources, even seize them directly!

Then why should we still listen to you?"

"Your plan is both illusory and meaningless, and we've already discussed this issue before."

Yuzhi gently shook his head, looking seriously at Changmen and the others.

"You simply can't achieve everything you aim for, and Madara Uchiha's group likely also targets Tailed Beasts; your attempt to seize them would end even worse.

I suggest you don't go mad; you can't even handle me, let alone him. Even when I face him, I still feel a lingering dread."

Boasting about his own mantle makes Yuzhi's heart race a bit, but Madara Uchiha needs an invincible persona, even if it's limited.

And when Madara Uchiha wreaks havoc, someone has to respond; so, provided they don't attack Leaf Village, it's Changmen's group.

Although they can't possibly win, at least they can give the illusion that the Akatsuki Organization can hold Madara Uchiha!

That's the result Yuzhi needs, and this allows him to devote more energy to infiltration, infiltrating them from every angle.

Then, when the final action is required, he can have the Akatsuki Organization feed him intelligence.

As for whether they will cooperate, this aspect is actually the easiest to handle compared to others.

Now Changmen's confidence is nearly gone; even if his talent is high and his limits terrifying, without confidence everything is in vain.

Especially after he learned the secret of the Rinnegan, what Yuzhi feared most may become a problem that need not be so worrying.

Moreover, Yuzhi himself keeps growing; perhaps in a few years he'll possess the Rinnegan himself.

"I've already told you my thoughts; now I'll ask you one final question.

Do you desire peace, forged by your own hands in any way, so that the entire Ninja World can unite, thrive, and prosper?

Or do you wish to use your own deterrence to instill fear in everyone's hearts, while deep down planting seeds of rebellion?

Or the seemingly false peace that could at any moment deliver a fatal blow, possibly revert to the starting point or become even more chaotic?

Or perhaps you want to follow that lunatic guy, doing what he wants, without even knowing if it truly leads to peace?"

I have to admit, Yuzhi's words are truly stirring.

Changmen lowered his head, lost in thought; Xiao Nan couldn't help but sigh at that moment.

The second thing Yuzhi mentioned was their former idea, but now Yuzhi's ruthless exposure makes it somewhat embarrassing for them.

"You didn't answer Xiao Nan's question."

After a while, Changmen finally lifted his head and looked at Yuzhi.

"If Rain Country accepts your support, how will other villages trust us?"

"We are the Akatsuki Organization, not the rulers of Rain Country."

Yuzhi shook his head; he felt that Changmen was somewhat out of it.

Even Orochimaru, who had been listening all along, couldn't help but shake his head, then spoke.

"Keeping such a good identity makes it irrelevant."

"Or perhaps, is Rain Country actually yours?"

Yuzhi silently counted Orochimaru in his mind, then his gaze sharpened as he stared at Changmen and Xiao Nan.

"We said that we were once members of Rain Country."

Xiao Nan spoke immediately; she could see Changmen was in a bad mood, but at least he had at least a temporary idea now.

"We will naturally pay attention to Rain Country's issues, but I must also explain that we need to consider these matters carefully before proceeding."

"Now, please explain the details of this operation."

"No problem."

Yuzhi nodded; he guessed Xiao Nan was probably waiting for Mi Yan's revival before discussing, and he wasn't that concerned.

He didn't know what Mi Yan would think in the end; if it really fails, "Bye‑Bye God" see!

"The purpose of this operation is to verify some things and also to obtain some things.

And what we are going to search for is the deepest secret hidden in the ninja world."

"What secret?"

Nagato looked up, gazing at Yuzhi as he asked.

"Found it. To the east there's a cave with a very strange lake, and inside that lake there's a very special seal!"

Yuzhi was just about to speak when Xie suddenly spoke beside him, and Yuzhi's heart rate quickened slightly upon hearing that.

"Found it?"

"Finally found it?"

This answer truly thrilled Yuzhi; he now genuinely felt fortunate that he had captured those from the Akatsuki Organization, whose assistance was truly unimaginable!

And with this answer, he could finally go about accomplishing the thing he set out to do!

"Let's go."

Yuzhi's face was full of smiles; he calmly gave Nagato a glance and then spoke.

"I'll take you there now, to seek the secret hidden in the deepest part of the ninja world!"

——

The moonlight was hazy.

Leaf Village, inside the medical department's laboratory.

Senju Feijian was still intently studying the technique "Jisheng Zhuansheng", while continuously scribbling and drawing on paper, seemingly to alter some of its logic and composition.

Since acquiring the technique, he has been working tirelessly, neglecting sleep and food.

"Aren't you planning to stop, grandpa?"

Just as he was working so hard, Tsunade's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Xiao Tsunade, did you forget? I'm Edo Tensei; I don't need rest at all."

Senju Feijian stopped his work, turned his head toward Tsunade and said.

"And also, don't compare me with that lazy Hokage; I'm not that damned slacker either!"

In Senju Feijian's eyes, his current level of diligence is the quality a Hokage must have, and Yuzhi, as a Hokage, is simply far too unqualified.

He calls himself neglecting sleep and food, but that guy is literally waste, sleep, forget, eat!

Although Yuzhi can always cite reasons, such as "centralizing power is bad for everyone; decentralizing lets everyone's initiative shine and greatly improves efficiency," and the like.

He thought the argument made some sense, but he still felt Yuzhi was just making excuses for his own laziness.

"Enough, let's not talk about that guy. And you, how are you now?"

Senju Feijian, irritated, stopped pondering Yuzhi's issue and turned his head toward Tsunade.

"I'm fine now; no need to worry so much."

Tsunade somewhat regretted coming to see her grandpa, and she even anticipated what he might say later.

For example, things like "Did you find a boyfriend? When will you marry? When will you have children? The Senju One Clan's lineage must not be broken."

Actually, Senju Feijian had only said those words once, but Tsunade truly couldn't hold back; she still remembers them clearly!

"How's your body's integration level?"

Contrary to Tsunade's expectation, Senju Feijian's question seemed different from what she had imagined.

"Integration."

Tsunade blinked, and immediately replied.

"It's okay; although I can't use Wood Release yet, I can already feel a force inside my body as if being drawn."

After all, Tsunade is the direct granddaughter of Senju ZhuZhang; even compared with Senju ZhuZhang she indeed has a "small gap".

But this bloodline still gave her great benefits; at least after Senju ZhuZhang's power entered her body, she clearly felt her condition continuously improving!

"That's good. Actually, you should consider asking the Uchiha Clan for some blood for research and integration."

Senju Feijian thought for a moment, then slowly said.

"After all, the power of the Uchiha and the power of the Senju can combine to forge the power of the Sage of Six Paths.

Uchiha Haori is now walking this path; that evil‑world Madara Uchiha is the same, having obtained his older brother's power, so…"

"Forget it, the Uchiha's power lies in the Sharingan, and to do anything you need at least Mangekyou level; I don't think they can manage that."

Before Senju Feijian could finish, Tsunade immediately shook her head and interrupted.

Although the Sharingan has some "hot‑pluggable" traits, it's hard to say what the others' situation actually is.

Moreover, if the Uchiha still have an "unused" Mangekyou, given how bad the previous situation was, if they still have such eyes they'd just be "reversed"!

Could they still wait for Yuzhi's arrival and then "set the chaos right"?

Obviously that's impossible!

"Also, I remember Great‑Grandpa said he originally wanted Madara Uchiha to become Hokage; it's just because of Second‑Grandpa, that world isn't really an evil world, right?"

"Shut up!"

Tsunade pursed her lips and began to speak, but before she could finish, Senju Feijian angrily cut her off.

"You really are… In my dead world, Madara Uchiha even became Hokage; isn't that evil?"

"But that was Great‑Grandpa's lifelong wish, wasn't it?"

"What a lifelong wish, your Great‑Grandpa is an idiot, and you are an idiot too?"

"Second‑Grandpa, you said that after Great‑Grandpa is brought back by Edo Tensei, if I…"

"What do you want?"

Senju Tobirama's complexion is really awful right now; although he's not afraid of his older brother finding out, he can hardly imagine his older brother knowing that in another world, Madara Uchiha is the Hokage.

So, this guy want to go over and take a look, and even help that guy out?

This really isn't impossible at all, because he knows his older brother's situation too well; besides, he himself has been resurrected via Impure World Reincarnation, so his older brother will definitely do the same in the future.

He definitely doesn't want to be led around by Tsunade in these matters.

10,000,000!

Tsunade's eyes lit up, and she immediately spoke.

"Don't say you're penniless just because of Impure World Reincarnation—my teacher and them do have money; you're their teacher, so it's not unreasonable for them to fork over some, right?"

"You've really been led astray by Uchiha Haori, and spoiled by him!"

Senju Tobirama almost laughed in anger; he already knew what Yuzhi had done with his granddaughter.

Spending money to buy a disciple slot, then spending money to make a Hokage candidate drop out—this is really something a person would do?

Does having money mean you can do whatever you want?

Well, for Yuzhi facing Tsunade, it's really

Helplessly shaking his head, Senju Tobirama threw down his pen and walked to the windowsill, fuming.

He then opened the window and looked outside; tonight's moonlight remained the same, still so round and lustrous, still so clear.

Since being revived by Impure World Reincarnation, Senju Tobirama often stares blankly at the moon; after all, when he's so angry he can't do anything, this is all he can do to relieve his boredom.

But when he looked at tonight's moon, he suddenly frowned slightly.

"How, those sides keep showing light spots—what's going on?"

Senju Tobirama's heart was filled with doubt; he stared intently at the moon, this situation had never happened before.

However, in the next moment, the endless light spots began to spread continuously, and as these light spots extended, an eerie light arc suddenly appeared on the moon.

In the next instant, the entire moon changed color!

The scarlet moon instantly bathed the earth in light, and at that moment, a reflection of an eerie pattern also appeared on the moon.

Looking at those intricate patterns, Senju Tobirama's brain short-circuited in an instant; he recognized this as the pattern of the Mangekyou Sharingan!

And at this moment, his mind held only one thought——

"What the hell, how did the moon turn into a Sharingan?!"