Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

Just as the two ladies were concerned about Furukawa Osamu, the Yin Nine-Tails, which had been sealed again, controlled the familiar body and shed tears. At that moment, it felt that the Sage of Six Paths was completely dead:

"Old man, I'm so sorry..."

Chapter 298 Father and Hokage (Chapter without main character)

By the end of September, after two months of hard work by the ninjas, the statue in the Valley of the End was basically completed.

The giant statue of Osamu Furukawa replaced the original Madara Uchiha, while Hagoromo Otsutsuki stood in the place of Hashirama Senju on the opposite side.

One held a long sword at his waist, and the other leaned on a slender tin staff. To please Furukawa Osamu, the group deliberately made the Sage of Six Paths look ugly, giving him a slightly ferocious expression.

"Lord Xiu defeated the Sage of Six Paths, who was possessed by an evil spirit, and once again saved the ninja world!"

"To commemorate this great battle, with the consent of the Land of Fire, the Valley of the End will be renamed the Valley of Dawn."

"The end of one era often signifies the dawn of another. Lord Xiu is like the sun, illuminating the path to a new era for us!"

At the completion ceremony, the newly appointed general of the Land of Iron, who had led the entire project, delivered a passionate speech. At the end, the general was moved to tears, repeatedly shouting:

"Peace in the ninja world depends entirely on Lord Shu!"

"Without Lord Xiu, there would be no Iron Country as we know it today!"

The ninjas below the stage were all dumbfounded. They almost thought that their memories were wrong. Wasn't the regime of the Land of Iron destroyed by Furukawa Osamu?

The general on the stage now seemed to have forgotten about the incident, almost regarding Furukawa Osamu as his second parents. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably, leaving everyone stunned by his genuine emotional outburst.

Under the sunlight, the statue of Osamu Furukawa looked even more dignified and majestic, making the Sage of Rokudos appear like a demon.

The Konoha genin, having completely finished their "brick-moving mission," were admiring the fruits of their labor. Rock Lee, the brick-moving expert, suddenly burst into tears, shouting excitedly, for some unknown reason:

"This is the power of protection!"

"Teacher Kai told me about Master Xiu's deeds. In response to Master Xiu's protection of us, I will continue to lay bricks until the base is repaired!"

"My youth is burning bright again! Teacher Kai, please look at me! This is all my hard work!"

Seeing the defeated look on her face every day, the girl couldn't hold back any longer and hid behind Sakura and the others, whispering in pain:

"I never want to do this kind of mission again!"

Sakura and Ino chuckled awkwardly, but seeing the restored valley and statues, they felt a sense of accomplishment; they had also contributed to Dawn Valley.

Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba all looked worried. The good news was that Naruto had returned, but the bad news was that their friend might have turned into a "monster"!

Shikamaru, who had been promoted to Chunin, received more information. The Jonin held daily meetings to discuss how to deal with their friend, and the Fifth Hokage visibly showed signs of exhaustion.

Seeing Sasuke turn and leave with his hands in his pockets, Kiba couldn't help but call out:

"Sasuke, don't you want to help Naruto? If this continues, Naruto might really turn into a 'monster'..."

"How can we help? The medical department has already analyzed the ingredients of those medicines, so replicating them isn't difficult."

"If the medicine doesn't work, Naruto will turn into a monster, and even the Hokage won't be able to defeat him. At that time, Master Shu will solve the problem."

"There's nothing we can do except cheer them on."

Sasuke spoke these words calmly. Seeing that everyone had lowered their heads, he immediately turned and left. He realized that pointless bravado would only make things worse, and he suddenly felt that Naruto's return was not a good thing.

Shikamaru, wearing a green Chunin vest, let out a long sigh. He had to admit that Sasuke was right. Even Jonin and Hokage couldn't do anything about the Karma technique, and he and his comrades couldn't help at all.

"Shikamaru, go back to the medical department and apply to visit Naruto!"

"He's being studied every day and subjected to strange looks. Going to cheer him on is just a small way of helping him out..."

Choji lowered his head and made a silent suggestion. Kiba hesitated, then nodded in agreement without saying anything.

"Okay, I'll apply. But after seeing Naruto, let's not say too much. That guy is smart; he's probably already realized how serious things are!"

"Preparing some interesting mission experiences is enough..."

After giving a brief instruction, Shikamaru sighed inwardly. If Naruto were still outside, perhaps this dilemma wouldn't have arisen. He could only hope that the Karma issue would be resolved soon.

...

Inside the Hokage Building, Minato, who had just finished a meeting, still looked worried. Reason told him that he should resolve the threat as soon as possible, but as a father, he couldn't bring himself to make that decision.

When Kakashi brought the live slug into the room, he saw the troubled look on his teacher's face and didn't want to tell him the bad news.

"Kakashi, has Shu sent over the latest test results yet?"

Minato, resuming his usual demeanor, calmly inquired. Kakashi nodded helplessly. The slug had already wriggled onto the desk, giving a clear answer in its usual soft, sweet voice:

"The inhibitor's ingredients are fine, but the delay won't last very long."

"It involves genetic changes, which are almost irreversible. The solution proposed by Master Xiu is also to create a wedge."

"It's just that considering that the Otsutsuki has already controlled Naruto's body once, once he senses a threat, it will most likely escalate into a battle."

The slug didn't continue, because Furukawa Osamu had already given the answer: when it came to a battle, he naturally wouldn't hold back. Jigen was already very powerful, and with Naruto's more suitable body, his power would be even greater.

Minato understood that this was Furukawa Osamu being considerate of his feelings, and also a sign of his absolute confidence in his own power. He knew that if the research couldn't solve the problem on his own, then he would be the one to finish it off.

"I understand. Awakening is still too dangerous. The medical department is also working on the development of inhibitors."

"If Naruto's health deteriorates, I will inform you immediately."

"As Hokage, this is my responsibility; I need to be responsible for the village."

Kakashi lowered his head upon hearing his teacher's words, recalling the scene of Naruto being bound and sealed, and couldn't bear it, whispering words of advice:

"Teacher, since the inhibitor is temporarily effective, should we let Naruto..."

"Kakashi, you should be aware of the dangers of space-time ninjutsu. Even with thorough preparations, we can only delay his transfer."

“This is not the time to be willful. I know everyone is being considerate of my feelings, but Naruto must be strictly supervised.”

"I am a failed father, but as Hokage, I am responsible for the safety of the village."

Minato interrupted his disciple, thinking of an even worse situation. He closed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, then opened them and earnestly gave the order:

"If the medical department detects through those instruments that Naruto's physical mutation has worsened, I will personally take action."

"teacher!"

Kakashi looked distressed and shouted loudly, but Minato shook his head again, saying it was the Hokage's responsibility.

Kakashi looked bewildered as he left the Hokage Building. They were racing against time; if they could develop a better medicine or a method to transfer the Karma seal, Naruto might still be saved.

However, such an opportunity is slim; a more likely scenario is that the Otsutsuki awakens their powers ahead of time...

As the sun set, Kakashi arrived near the memorial monument and suddenly saw a familiar figure wearing a mask. He knew it was Uchiha Obito, but he didn't know what to say to him.

"Kakashi! I really meant no harm! I'm here to atone for my sins..."

After holding it in for almost a month, Obito finally couldn't take it anymore. He applied to be the liaison between Kirigakure and Konoha, but during this time he was still unable to speak with his close friends.

Seeing his best friend about to turn and leave, Obito had no choice but to speak up and reveal his identity. Kakashi paused, remained silent for a long time, and then finally responded:

"Obito, some things can't be undone."

"Lord Biwako is buried here, as are the loyal ANBU ninja who guarded this place."

"Minato-sensei agreed to let you be the liaison mostly because of Shu's influence."

"In Rin's and my hearts, you are still that hero. Now you are Uchiha Obito, the Hidden Mist Ninja, the murderer who almost killed the teacher's family."

Upon hearing these words, Obito's face behind the mask showed pain. He wanted to explain, but he didn't know how to begin.

Standing before his own tombstone, Obito watched Kakashi about to leave again and raised his voice, saying loudly:

"I just want to protect Naruto! Kakashi, Naruto is safest only if he stays in Konoha!"

"Master Xiu... he might need that Otsutsuki. This is my speculation after much thought."

"I don't doubt him, but if Naruto really wants to solve this problem, he can only rely on Minato-sensei."

"I...I can't watch Naruto die..."

Kakashi stopped and turned around, facing his former friend for the first time. He could hear the anxiety in Obito's voice, but things weren't as simple as Obito thought:

"Minato-sensei was the Fifth Hokage. Between the village and his son, he would only choose the village."

"The teacher is also the most suitable person to solve this problem. Obito, you helped everyone make a choice, but this result is too cruel for the teacher's family."

"Why?! Minato-sensei is the Hokage, he can protect his son!"

Obito loudly questioned, "The Hokage can gather Konoha's resources to promote research. In terms of pharmaceuticals and biological research, Konoha is at a higher level than Kirigakure, which is the best condition for Naruto."

"Because this is the Hokage's responsibility!"

“That Otsutsuki isn’t Xiu. Judging from the malice he showed after taking over the body, you should know that he doesn’t care about the village or ninjas at all.”

"The Hokage is there to protect the village. If the teacher chooses his son, it will cause turmoil within Konoha."

Kakashi responded in a deep voice, while Obito, behind the mask, opened his mouth wide. Only then did he realize that after staying in Kirigakure for so long, his mind had been assimilated.

Although the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, was a reformist, she often didn't care about the lives of the Hidden Mist ninja. With Osamu Furukawa's support, her opponents died one after another.

The Mizukage wielded immense power. Obito, accustomed to this environment, only then remembered the difference in Konoha. The Hokage did not have arbitrary power; here, the Kage and the ninja clan jointly ruled.

Obito stared blankly at Kakashi's departing figure, fully realizing the pain he had caused Minato:

"I'm sorry, Minato-sensei..."

"I really just wanted to protect Naruto..."

...

As night fell, Sasuke, after returning from the medical department, went home and secluded himself in his room.

Seeing his friend bound by a dense array of techniques and shrouded in multiple layers of barriers, Sasuke felt a pang of sadness. Although he wanted to complain about the Hokage's inhumanity, after careful consideration, he admired the Hokage's decision.

Naruto was an important partner who helped him through that lonely time. Now that his friend is in trouble, Sasuke, who can't do anything for him, can't help but pound the bed in anger.

Staring up at the ceiling, Sasuke was still trying to figure out how to help Naruto, even if it was just making his friend smile, it would be a huge step forward.

Sasuke, who was concentrating, suddenly noticed that his surroundings had changed. He tried to sit up, but found himself in an unfamiliar "territory".

"Cough...you've finally arrived..."

Sasuke was startled by the old man sprawled on the ground, looking utterly dejected. Just as he was about to ask a question, the old man spoke again:

"I am the reincarnation of Indra's chakra, the Sage of Six Paths as known to the world."

"I survived only because of a trace of chakra in your body."

"You are the Sage of Six Paths possessed by an evil spirit?"

Hearing Sasuke's loud question, Hagoromo Otsutsuki nearly died of anger on the spot. He barely managed to sit up straight and replied breathlessly:

"No evil spirits! Sasuke, I have lost all my power, and this world is facing a tremendous threat..."

Are you talking about Naruto?

"...Phew...Besides the Otsutsuki inside him, there's also Furukawa Osamu. They're all eyeing the Ten-Tails' power, and their ultimate goal is the Chakra Fruit."

"To allow fruit to form, the life force of the entire planet must be drained..."

"I hope you can find a chance to rescue Naruto. You were supposed to inherit my Yin-Yang power, but now it seems you have another opportunity..."

As Hagoromo Otsutsuki spoke, his voice grew softer and softer. Sensing that Indra's last bit of chakra was almost exhausted, he hurriedly gave him a final instruction:

"My child, my time is running out. I hope you can maintain a meditative state every day so that I can continue to live."

"I will answer your questions. Your spiritual power has achieved a breakthrough. When you wake up, you will notice the change in your eyes. Consider this the first gift I give you..."

Just as Sasuke was about to respond, he suddenly detached himself from the mental world, felt a burning sensation in his eyes, rushed to the mirror, and then his eyes widened:

"Sharingan?! A one-tomoe Sharingan!"

"Is what that immortal said true?"

Suddenly realizing Naruto's predicament, Sasuke's joy faded, and he lowered his head to think carefully before finally making a decision:

"After we rescue that guy, we'll tell Shisui about the strange thing!"

Chapter 299 Naruto Uzumaki's "Sacrifice"...

In early October of Konoha Year 63, Uchiha Sasuke was suddenly captured by the Anbu, causing turmoil in the village.

What puzzled the Konoha ninja was that the arrester was none other than the current Anbu chief, Uchiha Shisui. Regarding this matter, only the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, gave a vague answer:

"Even if he's my son, he'll still be subject to supervision if he endangers the village!"