Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

“Obviously, this shouldn’t be a secret to you.” Hozuki Gengetsu shrugged and sat down next to Uzumaki Kushina. “We have never concealed our identities in the ninja world. The information that the Shinigami and the Seireitei belong to the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, Mizuki Yoru, should have already been placed in the offices of the Kage of your ninja villages.”

“You seem to have no concern at all about being exposed, or about provoking other national powers and thus being attacked by a group of them.”

Why would an elephant be afraid of ants?

Hozuki Gengetsu snorted softly: "We have a more noble dream and goal, understand? It's not some so-called desire for power, it's a higher level."

"...Could you elaborate?"

"Of course not. Although you're going to die soon, you're still a member of Konoha. Do you think I'm the kind of person who would casually spill secrets?"

"But speaking of which, are those extraterrestrials really that strong? I could easily wipe out a great nation like Konoha on my own, but in Eizou's eyes, it still seems insufficient..."

You've revealed that so-called secret!

Kushina's lips twitched slightly. She had originally thought this guy would be aloof, but he seemed a bit oblivious, even a bit overly friendly.

But that's good too. Getting to know these kinds of people is probably the most relaxed and stress-free thing to do.

"What are these extraterrestrials? And I can't sense any chakra within you..."

"I already told you I wouldn't tell, why do you still ask? You really have no tact!" Hozuki Gengetsu snorted. "The so-called 'people from beyond the heavens' are, as the name suggests, people who do not belong to the ninja world, people from outside the ninja world. As for why you can't sense the chakra in my body, that's even simpler, because there is no chakra in my body at all."

"No, chakra doesn't exist?"

"I am a Grim Reaper, not a ninja, so of course I don't have chakra. The energy within me is called spiritual power..."

The raging Nine-Tails was wreaking havoc on Konoha, while Hozuki Gengetsu was chatting with Uzumaki Kushina atop a giant ancient tree.

at the same time.

After leaving, Uchiha Shisui did not go anywhere else, but instead went to the Uchiha clan's residence.

The Uchiha clan's territory remained exactly as it had been when he went to the Land of Rain on a mission. However, compared to other parts of Konoha that were in chaos due to the appearance of the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha clan's territory was equally deserted at this moment.

On the way, Shisui encountered many members of the Uchiha clan, but instead of heading towards the Nine-Tails, they went towards the rear of Konoha to assist Akimichi Torifu and the others in evacuating the people.

The Uchiha clan are undoubtedly battle maniacs, so Shisui heard a lot of complaints.

"I really don't know what's going on. Has the Nine-Tails been dealt with yet...?"

"Ugh, why won't the Elder let us go together? It's so annoying!"

"I heard this is the intention of the village's higher-ups..."

"Damn it..."

"Keep quiet. Our mission is to protect non-combatants. Don't say anything that could undermine unity!"

"Yes……"

Shisui silently watched the Uchiha ninjas, when suddenly his gaze fell on a young boy.

He was a boy of about five years old, with short black hair and black eyes. His eyelashes were very long at the corners of his eyes, and his delicate features immediately reminded Shisui of Mikoto, whom he had respected the most back then...

At that moment, the boy was carrying a child who looked to be about a year old, and was running quickly toward the shelter.

"One against seven..."

A complex expression appeared in Shisui's eyes. He had watched Itachi being born and had always regarded him as his own younger brother.

I originally thought I would always be with Itachi and guide him to grow, but the path of everything has already changed.

Shisui didn't stop Itachi or reminisce with him. He simply left a trace of his eye power on Itachi and continued walking towards the Uchiha compound.

Before long, he arrived at the Uchiha clan's Naga Shrine.

Because of the Nine-Tails' attack, the Nanga Shrine was deserted at the moment, with only two candles burning inside the shrine, bringing a faint light to this place of Uchiha clan heritage. In the center of the shrine, a stone tablet stood quietly.

The inscription on the stone tablet was in a chaotic and disorderly manner, and no one knew what it recorded.

This stone tablet has existed for as long as the Uchiha clan has continued. Legend has it that this stone tablet records the true nature of this world. However, the text on the stone tablet is mysterious and difficult to understand. Almost no member of the Uchiha clan throughout the ages has been able to decipher the text. They simply worship it as a legacy of the Uchiha clan.

Only after the Mangekyou Sharingan is awakened will this stone tablet reveal its own secrets...

Shisui slowly removed the pure white mask from his face, revealing his true appearance. His blood-red three-tomoe Sharingan spun continuously in his eye sockets, and in just a few breaths, it transformed into the Eternal Eye.

As the Eye of Eternity appeared, the contents of the stone tablet gradually became clearer.

But this is not what Shisui wanted.

The eternal kaleidoscope continued to spin in Shisui's eyes. The next moment, the ripple-like Rinnegan appeared, and the stone tablet in front of him revealed all the information...

Chapter 157 A Qualified Shadow

Nanga Shrine.

The pale purple Rinnegan shimmered with an inexplicable brilliance under the candlelight. Uchiha Shisui stared silently at the stone tablet before him, his mind reeling.

This stone tablet requires special pupil power to see its contents; without it, it cannot be read.

The contents are encrypted in the order of the three levels: Sharingan, Mangekyou Sharingan, and Rinnegan. Only those with higher-level eyes can see more secrets.

When his father, Uchiha Mitsukaze, entrusted his eyes to him, thus awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan and the Eternal Eye, Shisui had come here and seen the stone tablet once.

This is what he saw at that time.

'A single god, desiring peace, divided yin and yang, creating two opposing forces that eventually merged into one, thus giving rise to the myriad phenomena of the universe…'

The information recorded therein not only alludes to worldly truths, but also contains the method to awaken the Rinnegan.

Now, having awakened the Rinnegan, Uchiha Shisui has seen the Uchiha Stone Tablet once again and has completely deciphered the secrets of this treasure that has been passed down since the Warring States period.

But this time.

Uchiha Shisui was not at all shocked by what he had just heard.

There is no other reason.

He already knew what it contained!

After joining the Seireitei, Minazuki Yoru had told him about the contents of this stone tablet, but Shisui had always had doubts in his heart, which is why he came to see it for himself at this moment.

"Devouring the tailed beasts, reviving the Ten-Tails, reappearing the Six Paths, beginning the dream of eternity, and creating eternal peace..."

A smile appeared on Uchiha Shisui's lips, a smile that contained three parts mockery and three parts indifference, much like the smile that a domineering CEO would occasionally reveal.

What could only be seen by the Rinnegan had already been foreseen by Minazuki Yoru.

Stepping onto the path of the Six Paths, the laughable Eye of the Moon Plan.

"I didn't lie to you, did I, Shisui-kun?"

"The world has always been shrouded in the shadow of a huge deception, with self-proclaimed gods fooling everyone for their own eternal rule."

"When powerful enemies from beyond the realm invade the ninja world with irresistible force, those who call themselves gods can simply reap the rewards and escape, while the innocent lives will bear the pain and disaster."

The sound of night rang in Shisui's ears. Shisui sighed softly and silently closed his Rinnegan.

"what should I do."

"From the moment you became Death, you've been doing it, haven't you? It's just that everything now has only strengthened your resolve."

Night, far away in the Land of Iron, spoke calmly, but his voice reached the ears of Uchiha Shisui, who was thousands of miles away.

"Get stronger, your current strength is not enough to face an existence of that level."

"...Do I need to deal with the Nine-Tails?"

"Whatever you want, but that dead toad from Mount Myōboku came and took Minato Namikaze back. He'll probably be back in Konoha in a few minutes." Yoru paused, then said, "I'll be there later too."

The Land of Iron is far from Konoha, and Minato Namikaze's power makes it impossible for him to return.

However, with Fukasaku's Reverse Summoning Technique, none of this is a problem. Minato Namikaze can easily return to Konoha by simply making two transfers at Mount Myōboku.

"Are you coming too...?"

Uchiha Shisui was somewhat surprised. It was just a small Nine-Tails. With the Second Division Captain and the Sixth Division Captain already in place, why did Mizuki Yoru still want to come?

Could it be that something big is going to happen tonight?

"I just want to get to know someone who is very interesting."

Ye Dan smiled and said, "Just take your time and explore Konoha as you please. After all, it's been a long time since you've been back, hasn't it?"

"I understand."

The call was terminated.

Uchiha Shisui put on his pure white mask again and left the Naka Shrine.

Gazing at the night sky stained red by the Nine-Tails' terrifying chakra, Shisui remained silent for a moment before finally choosing to walk in the opposite direction.

Mizuki Yoru is right. Dealing with the Nine-Tails is the responsibility of the Hokage and the ninjas of Konoha.

And he...

Let's take this opportunity to take a good look at this former hometown.

Picking a white chrysanthemum from the roadside, Shisui walked towards the memorial site...

……

"Nine-Tails, is it? Very well, passionate youth needs an opponent like this. Let me, Might Guy, be your opponent!"

at the same time.

On a street in Konoha, a thick-browed boy, forever burning with youthful energy, clenched his fist, ready to charge forward and engage in battle with the Nine-Tails.

But an older ninja in front of him reached out to stop him.

"No, Kai, Asuma, you two go to the designated location immediately."

"what?"

This was undoubtedly a bucket of cold water poured on Kai, who shouted, "Why won't you let us go and deal with the Nine-Tails? This is the time to burn brightly in our youth!"

"This is the Third Hokage's order. Proceed to the assembly point immediately. Do you intend to disobey orders?!"

"asshole."

"Let's go, Kai!" Asuma said softly, stepping forward to pull him away.

As the son of the Hokage, he naturally understood his teacher's meaning.

He and Asuma are currently only at the upper-middle level of Chunin. To the Nine-Tails, this level of power is no different from that of an ant.

Instead of causing trouble, it would be better to watch over and help those people get to the shelter.

The low- and mid-level ninjas retreated quickly, while in the distance, a fierce battle had already begun.

After the Third Hokage issued the order, all of Konoha's elite ninja were quickly mobilized.

Countless figures leaped up and fell down, and tiny flames, wind escape techniques, and water escape techniques emerged.

However, these ninjas are like ants to the Nine-Tails; even with various ninjutsu combined, they cannot cause any impact whatsoever.

In contrast, the Nine-Tails only needs to strike with one claw to kill at least several ninjas, and a single roar can easily blow up countless buildings.

Among those present, the only one who could truly threaten the Nine-Tails was Hiruzen Sarutobi. Therefore, the Nine-Tails' attention was mostly focused on him. However, even if it was injured by Hiruzen Sarutobi, under his almost inexhaustible chakra, such minor superficial wounds would heal in the blink of an eye.

"This guy……"

Seeing that the injuries he had sustained from his Great Bullet Technique had healed in the blink of an eye, Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands even began to tremble.

There were already a large number of casualties around him.

It is important to know that after the Third Shinobi World War, the clans with the most ninjas in the village were the Sarutobi clan, the Shimura clan, and the Mitokado clan, with the Sarutobi clan being the largest.

In other words, of the ninjas who have died at the hands of the Nine-Tails, at least two or three out of ten were members of the Sarutobi clan.

This enormous loss caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes to redden slightly.

This is all the foundation and accumulation he has built over many years in power. This is the basis for turning Konoha into Sarutobi's future!

"This can't go on like this..."

"The Nine-Tails' power is too great. Ordinary ninjas like this are basically easy prey for this guy..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had never actually witnessed the power of the Nine-Tails.

When the powerful figures of the previous generation were still alive, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha dominated the Warring States period, and the Tailed Beasts were insignificant.

By the time of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Konoha had a deep foundation and naturally did not need the power of the Tailed Beasts. The Tailed Beasts were also sealed within Mito Uzumaki, and there had never been any accidents. Even when the seal weakened during Mito's childbirth, the First and Second Hokage were still alive at the time, so the Nine-Tails had no chance of escaping the seal.

until today.