Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 416 Otsutsuki Isshiki, I Choose You! (You MUST read this chapter!)
Inside the large tent at the Konoha camp.

The tent was brightly lit, but only the faint crackling of the lights could be heard.

On the table in front of Hinata Kumokawa, several newly delivered intelligence reports were spread out, the ink still fresh, yet exuding a bloody aura between the lines.

The "Evil God Cult" launched a surprise attack on the daimyo's residences in the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Water. The daimyo and nobles of the three countries were killed, and the Ninja Village took full control of the military and political power of the country.

Oh, right.

There's also the Land of Wind and Sunagakure.

A hint of a smile flickered in Hinata Kumokawa's eyes.

The scenarios for the Land of Earth, the Land of Thunder, the Land of Water, and the Land of Wind are largely the same.

The evil god cult is a handy "knife" to use.

Even Orochimaru, who had long been secretly controlling the Land of Wind, staged a performance to avoid suspicion.

He planned to have White Zetsu impersonate the evil god cult, kill the daimyo who had already been replaced by White Zetsu, and then have himself, as the Kazekage, take over the power of the Land of Wind.

Although it was a pointless and unnecessary act, Orochimaru did it anyway to avoid suspicion.

The old barriers are being torn down in the most brutal and thorough way.

When Xiang Yunchuan took that step in the Land of Fire, he had already foreseen today's situation.

Those "smart people" who occupy high positions in various countries had already seen through this irreversible trend when he announced the "unity of shadow and government" in the Land of Fire.

So-called resistance is nothing more than a futile struggle to gain more bargaining chips or a dignified exit.

Now, even this last shred of dignity has been completely shattered by the madness of the evil cult.

The "Daimyo" will disappear completely from the future of the ninja world.

Meditation and hand seals—these two keys that could lower the barrier to entry and allow chakra and ninjutsu to spread more widely—were generously given away by him and Onoki.

Even those disgruntled officials lost their will to resist after learning of the Land of Fire's success.

No one wants to be left too far behind by the Land of Fire, and no one can refuse this "gift".

Even though Orochimaru was always wary of Hyuga Kumokawa, after repeatedly checking but finding no traps, he had no choice but to follow up and spread the word in order to avoid arousing suspicion.

Once the dam of the human heart is breached, the torrent becomes difficult to stop.

The old order is destined to completely disintegrate in the spread and redistribution of this power.

[Remaining realization points: 73041]

Looking at the points that only he could see, Hinata Kumokawa knew that his plan was only a few steps away from success.

"call……"

He placed the last intelligence report on the table, then slowly leaned back in his chair, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and slowly exhaled.

The breath was long and deep, as if it were exhaling years of planning, waiting, and even the complex emotions of the moment.

Just then, a pair of hands quietly reached out from behind the chair, gently pressing on his shoulders with just the right amount of pressure. The fingertips were slightly cool, and the movements were practiced and skillful.

Hinata Kumokawa did not open his eyes, nor did he show any surprise.

She's the only one in the entire camp who can approach people behind her without being notified.

Sunflower.

Ever since she mustered the courage to say "yes" in that hospital room many years ago.

This once proud and sharp-witted daughter of the main family seemed to have concealed all her sharpness, transforming it into an almost stubborn emotion.

She devoted herself entirely to Hyuga Kumokawa, and with her considerable strength and former status, she is now a Konoha Jonin.

Together with Hyuga Iroha, she managed the increasingly vibrant Hyuga clan on his behalf as the nominal clan head.

However, compared to Hyuga Iroha, who was once a member of the branch family and now has to handle a lot of specific affairs, Hyuga Aoi is more often seen as a silent and reliable mouthpiece.

"What year is it?" Hinata Kumokawa asked.

"65 years," Hinata Aoi said softly. "Aren't you too tired?"

Her massage technique was excellent; her fingers contained subtle chakra, and her gentle fist-like massage was indeed effective in relieving mental fatigue.

Hinata Kumokawa neither answered nor rejected this thoughtful gesture, but simply closed his eyes and remained silent.

The tent was quiet, with only the soft sounds of breathing and rubbing.

After a long while, just as Hinata Aoi thought he had fallen asleep and was about to move her hands even more gently, Hinata Kumokawa suddenly spoke up: "What is the answer this time?"

Hinata Aoi's fingers paused slightly as she massaged him.

Of course she knew what he was asking.

That question that's only asked once a year.

That question had no standard answer; right or wrong depended entirely on his opinion.

What is the emotion furthest from "understanding"?
Many years ago, when she first answered, she said "cowardice".

She believes that the biggest obstacle to understanding is the fear of expressing oneself and facing challenges.

But he said, "That was the wrong answer."

Every year thereafter, she would give a different answer.

Is it "hatred"? Because hatred can blind you and distort the truth.

Is it "prejudice"? Because preconceived notions can block the possibility of communication.

Even last year, when she was frustrated by repeated failures, her answer was "indifference," because without being indifferent, there was no room for understanding.

But each time, all I got was his calm "mistake," or occasionally, a "wrong" with an elusive smile.

She had thought this was his way of politely declining, an excuse that would never let her "get it right".

Over the years, he allowed her to get close, gave her trust and power, yet always kept her at a distance.

This annual question has become a dividing line between them.

Hinata Aoi remained silent, her hands unconsciously slowing down.

Looking at the slightly tired profile of the man in front of her, she suddenly felt as if she had never been able to truly touch the heart of the man in front of her.

Since I met him, or rather, since I started really watching him, I have never seen him stop, not even for a day.

From that taciturn boy from the branch family, to the leader who united the branch family's will, to the hero of Konoha who turned the tide, and then to the Kage of Konoha and the Kage of the Land of Fire...

Even now, in the eyes of most people, he has already stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world and is worthy of being called a "savior".

Everyone thought he was a genius, a monster, a madman, and that his success was due to his talent, his bloodline, and the favor of fate.

However, whenever Hinata Aoi sees those eyes, she can always sense that he is always thinking about something.

It never stops, not at any time.

Even now, when he has become the strongest person in most people's eyes, second only to the Otsutsuki, he remains so.

He was too tired.

It was as if something was constantly chasing him from behind, never stopping...

Thinking of this, a thought flashed through her mind and suddenly illuminated Hinata Aoi's thoughts.

She took a deep breath, stopped massaging him, gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and whispered, "Is the answer... longing?"

Hinata Kumokawa kept his eyes closed, his facial features softened by the candlelight. He didn't respond immediately, but simply asked with his eyes still closed, "Why?"

"..." Hinata Aoi was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I just suddenly realized that even someone like you can get tired."

"After having this idea, I paused for a moment."

"I wonder, why doesn't someone like you get tired?"

Why do I feel like you're not tired?

"I think it's because your performance has always been too perfect; I feel like you can do anything."

"I am perhaps not so different from those who see you as a monster."

"I think I've been too idealistic. You are just like the person I aspire to be, someone I know I can never reach."

She paused here, looked down at Hinata Kumokawa's face, and continued, "What I see is only what I want to see, not what you truly possess."

“I will dress you in magnificent robes, regard you as omnipotent, and kiss you devoutly, but I will also forget your inner self and your soul, and forget to understand everything about you.”

"I only think about you from my own perspective, but I forgot to think about what the world in front of you is really like from your perspective."

"You are human, you get tired, and perhaps you also have desires and selfish motives. You are not perfect, nor are you omnipotent."

After that, the tent fell silent again. The lamplight flickered slightly, casting long shadows of the two people on the tent.

After Hinata Aoi finished speaking, she held her breath, as if she could hear her own heartbeat gradually quickening, and the hand on Hinata Kumokawa's shoulder unconsciously tightened slightly.

Hinata Kumokawa could also feel the person behind him slowing down his breathing, and the emotion that was almost overflowing yet being carefully restrained.

"Ah."

Hinata Kumokawa suddenly chuckled, tilted his head back, and slowly opened his eyes to meet Hinata Aoi's sparkling gaze.

“You’re very close,” he laughed. “I think next time you’ll be able to give the right answer.”

Upon hearing this, Hinata Aoi pursed her lips, her heart filled with disappointment, joy, and confusion—a complex mix of emotions. Because she knew why she would be able to give the correct answer next time.

Whether the answer is correct or not actually depends on whether she can see clearly what kind of person Hinata Kumokawa is and what he is truly pursuing.

If, on that day, she still doesn't choose to retreat or betray Hinata Kumokawa after seeing through his heart and schemes...

Therefore, her answer would naturally become the "correct" answer.

But is it too late?

Hinata Aoi's hand, resting on Hinata Kumokawa's shoulder, began to massage unconsciously. Hinata Kumokawa closed his eyes again, and the slight ripples in his heart returned to calm as he fell into thought.

Hinata Aoi was right.

There was indeed something chasing him from behind.

Now that Hyuga Kumokawa possesses divine powers, he is well aware that this world is not the main world, or rather, not the so-called "original" world.

There must exist a world that strictly follows the plot development of the so-called "original work," and that world is the "main world."

The world in which Hinata Kumokawa lives is a "branch world," or rather, a "fan-made world."

It's like a tree. If the original world is the trunk of the tree, then the world he lives in, after he appeared, began to deviate from the trunk and became a branch of the trunk.

Therefore, the future of the "fan fiction world" is uncertain; it can continue to grow and there are many possibilities for how it will grow.

That's why he was able to change the so-called plot and gradually reach the heights he has today.

Hinata Kumokawa knew that the counterpart summoned by the sword "Jealousy" was someone from another "branch world".

However, as Hinata Kumokawa's understanding of the rules deepened, he developed a strong sense of foreboding, especially after mastering the "High-Level Soul" technique, a divine technique involving time.

Hinata Kumokawa thought to himself, "Otsutsuki Shibai possesses the divine technique 'Clairvoyance,' which allows him to see the past, and the divine technique 'Ten Directions,' which allows him to see all the possibilities of the future."

This means that He can see all the "branch worlds".

So, what would He do if He saw an Otsutsuki Shibakai who would be stronger than Him in the future?
Or rather, would He allow the other party to appear?
"No." Hinata Kumokawa closed his eyes and thought to himself, "I will absolutely not allow it."

Moreover, this world has the ability to travel through time. If you want to kill someone, you can travel back to a time before Naruto grew up, just like Urashiki Otsutsuki did.

If you want to kill Ōtsutsuki Shibai, you can travel back to when he was weak.

Hinata Kumokawa believed that Otsutsuki Shibai was the first god to transcend dimensions.

The first thing to do is to ensure that "Shibai becoming a god" becomes an established fact that no one can change.

Furthermore, it blocks the possibility of others becoming gods.

It's highly likely that Otsutsuki Shibaju is doing just that.

As for the method used by Otsutsuki Shibaira, Hyuga Kumokawa also had some guesses.

—The Schrödinger's cat experiment.

Put a cat, a bottle of poison, and a radioactive source in a sealed box.

If the detector inside the box detects radioactivity, the flask will break, releasing poison that will kill the cat.

However, the atoms that act as radioactive sources are in a superposition of decay and non-decay states, so the poison may or may not be released.

So, if the box wasn't opened, the cat might have died or it might have lived.

However, once the box is opened, the cat's fate is instantly determined, becoming an irreversible "inevitability."

This inevitable outcome cannot be changed.

Applying this metaphor, the future of every world is like that cat whose fate is uncertain, full of all sorts of possibilities.

But if an observer from the future travels back in time, it's like opening a "box," and the future becomes a given fact.

In Boruto, Urashiki Otsutsuki and Boruto Uzumaki used a treasure called "Ryou" to travel back in time and meet Naruto as a child.

In other words, from that moment on, Naruto's future, and the future of that world, was sealed.

If Naruto and Sasuke hadn't sealed Kaguya, and if Boruto hadn't been born, then Urashiki Otsutsuki wouldn't have been able to travel through time.

Therefore, Boruto Uzumaki had to be born, Kaguya had to be sealed away by Naruto and Sasuke, Obito had to declare the Fourth Shinobi World War, and Rin had to die...

Everything that happened before Urashiki Otsutsuki's journey was necessary. Because it was the inevitable factor that led to Urashiki's journey.

This includes the story of "Ōtsutsuki Shibaki becoming a god".

This is the rule of time.

At the moment when Urashiki Otsutsuki traveled back in time, no one could change the fact that "Shibakai Otsutsuki of that world became a god"—an event that had happened in the past.

But how can the Ōtsutsuki Shibakai of that world block the possibility of other Shibakai and others becoming gods?
Did the Shiba Inu not only utilize Urashiki Otsutsuki, but also other Otsutsuki clan members in its layout?

Thinking of this, Hinata Kumokawa closed his eyes and frowned slightly.

Momoshiki? Isshiki? Or another member of the Otsutsuki clan?
If they have anything in common, it seems they both know that Otsutsuki Shibai's physical body exists in the ninja world...

"Wait a minute," Hinata Kumokawa pondered, "If I were Otsutsuki Shibai, and became the first god to transcend dimensions, what would I do?"

Of course, the plan is to kill the Shiba Inus from other worlds, replace them as your own clones, and then use those clones to eliminate other potential gods.

and so……

Hyuga Kumokawa suddenly opened his eyes, ignoring the stunned Hyuga Aoi, and thought to himself with a chilling aura: "Otsutsuki Shibai's body is definitely a huge pit!"

That thing was definitely left behind by Ōtsutsuki Shibaki to trick others.

It must be admitted that even if Hinata Kumokawa didn't know the original plot and didn't have this almost "God's-eye view" of knowledge, he still wanted to become a god.

Knowing the whereabouts of the "divine remains," he would definitely try to find and fuse with them.

Even before realizing this, Hinata Kumokawa had been attracted to the physical intimacy of a Shibai. However, he always felt that there was no such thing as a free lunch, so he never took any action.

After all, according to rumors, Otsutsuki Shibai transcends dimensions and the concept of life and death, no longer needing to rely on a vessel for reincarnation, so he voluntarily abandoned his physical body.

Anyone's first reaction would be that it was an incredible opportunity and a treasure.

Who would have thought that from beginning to end it was a trap to lure the victim in?

Only Hinata Kumokawa, a transmigrator who, despite not being a god like Shibai, possessed a similar perspective from the same dimension, could guess what Shibai was doing.

One more prerequisite is that the divine art he awakened himself also involves the realm of time, and that he has sufficient knowledge of the rules of time.

“I see.” Hinata Kumokawa’s eyes flashed. “This is the origin of the sense of urgency.”

The timeline of the branch world he exists in, the original world controlled by Ōtsutsuki Shibai, and other branch worlds should all be progressing simultaneously.

In the original timeline, Team 7, Team 8, and Team 10, including Naruto and Sasuke, graduated as genin in 1964 at the age of 13.

Naruto defeated Pain at the age of 16, while Sasuke killed Itachi at the age of 16.

Sasuke and Boruto traveled back to Naruto's childhood, when Jiraiya was still alive and Naruto had only recently become his apprentice. Judging from Naruto's appearance, he was about 15 years old.

In other words, in 66 years, the Ōtsutsuki Urashiki from another world will use the "plow" to return to the past, and the fact that Ōtsutsuki Shibai has become a god will never be changed.

Now, it has been 65 years, and only one year remains.

While Otsutsuki Shibai is already very strong, he has not yet completed his cycle, and his past can still be interfered with and changed.

So this is what is meant by being closest to "God".

Ultimately, he was only close to "God," not yet "God."

Hinata Kumokawa slowly exhaled, thinking to himself, "This year is my last chance to replace him."

He must push his abilities to their limit within this year.

Then, travel to that so-called original world, before Shibaju's past was anchored, and travel back to a time when Shibaju was still weak.

Kill it!
However, achieving this is not easy. Shibaju must always pay attention to the "security" of its past and guard against any interference from other timelines or worlds.

Not only that, before facing Shibai, Hyuga Kumokawa must completely anchor his past, otherwise if Shibai turns around and attacks him, he will be truly doomed.

As for what method to use...

Hinata Kumokawa glanced at his system, lost in thought.

"As expected, we still need the third layer of the dragon vein."

"Then I'll figure out a way to get Shibaju's attention elsewhere, so I can have a chance to make my move."

What should be used as bait?
Who has the right to be the target of attention?

call!
The curtain was suddenly lifted, interrupting his thoughts.

Hyuga Kumokawa looked up, and an ANBU ninja instantly appeared in the tent, knelt on one knee, and reported in a deep voice: "Hokage-sama, urgent report from the front: there is unusual activity in Amegakure!"

Upon hearing this, Hinata Kumokawa almost instantly had an excellent candidate for a tool in mind.

He thought of Isshiki Otsutsuki, who was now hiding behind the Akatsuki organization.

very good!

Otsutsuki Isshiki, I choose you!

"Let's go."

Hinata Kumokawa stood up, tossed his divine robe over his shoulder, and walked out of the tent, laughing, "Let's go see our opponent this time."

"I'm really looking forward to it."

(Just a reminder, the main text only covers Shibai's original world and the protagonist's side worlds, and doesn't involve any multiverse or other such nonsense.)
(Even if I were to write one, it would be a side story after the series is finished, like the Obito side story in Naruto. Don't overthink it; the purpose is simply to connect it to the Boruto storyline and the Otsutsuki Shibai arc, and to give it a happy ending.)
(Shibai is arguably the only character in the Naruto world who comes close to the multiverse level. By the end of the series, the protagonist replaces him as the first true multiverse-level character.)
(End of this chapter)