Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

Chapter 202 The Shinichi Meeting (Part 2)

What happened?!

Both Hagoromo and Hamura, beings who had transcended the mortal realm, felt a strange and intense surge of emotion coursing through their hearts at that moment.

This sudden feeling was anything but ordinary, especially for Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths who was proficient in prophecy and the perception of cause and effect.

In an instant, both of them realized that some major event, closely related to them and of paramount importance, was unfolding.

Thus, following the unseen pull, their gazes pierced through numerous obstacles and focused on the source of that throbbing sensation.

"Is it...him?"

When the Hagoromo and Hamura brothers saw that young, familiar face, they felt a moment of disorientation almost simultaneously, and then they both remembered.

Five years ago, one summer, Hagoromo Otsutsuki suddenly sensed a slight deviation in the ripples of the ninja world's destiny that had never been seen before.

Out of instinctive vigilance regarding the two children and the future of the ninja world, he once scanned the entire ninja world with his mind, focusing on Konoha Village, which was a key point in destiny. He had once glimpsed the child carrying a huge rock and training hard on the ninja academy's training ground.

On that same day, Otsutsuki Hamura, who was also on the moon and paying close attention to the changes in the ninja world, also surveyed the ninja world in his own way. Later that day, he saw the same child in the same place, practicing basic swordsmanship diligently and sweating profusely.

But at that time, the Hagoromo and Hamura brothers had more urgent variables to confirm, so they only glanced at it and left in a hurry, not taking it to heart at all.

Unfortunately, Shinichi was unaware of this reason; otherwise, he would probably have thought to himself that these two seniors hadn't paid more attention to them back then.

Now, upon seeing this face again, the Hagoromo and Hamura brothers recalled that they had actually seen this boy who was stirring their hearts once before.

Inside the moon, a space that lies between reality and illusion.

A beautiful woman with snow-white skin, flowing white hair, two horns on her forehead, and an exquisitely beautiful face, yet without any expression, slowly opened her eyes.

As those pure and flawless white eyes opened, the ferocious crimson Sharingan in the center of his forehead also suddenly appeared.

Perhaps it was the natural blood connection between mother and child, perhaps it stemmed from some higher level of destiny, or perhaps it was some force that even she could not fully comprehend.

Following this unseen pull, her gaze pierced through layers of seals and spatial barriers, landing on the ninja world, on Konoha, on...

The boy who was talking eloquently.

At this moment, the strongest family of three in the entire ninja world, and arguably the entire universe, all turned their attention to that spot and focused on the same mortal boy.

At the same time, on the surface of the moon, at the Hamura Shrine.

This is the sacred hall where the ancestor, Ōtsutsuki Hamura, is enshrined. It is also the place where, after death, all members of the Ōtsutsuki clan, regardless of whether they belong to the main family or a branch family, have dedicated their Byakugan here, thus forming the core of the Great Tenseigan.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the temple was tense and fraught with danger.

The two brothers, Nobunaga Tsutsuki, the head of the main clan, and Shingen Tsutsuki, the head of the branch clan, who have been arguing for years due to differences in their ideologies and have almost come to blows several times in the past year, had another fierce argument today.

As the words became heated, the main and branch families that the two supported behind them were already in a standoff, their chakra surging faintly, and it seemed that the verbal argument was about to escalate into a physical conflict at this critical moment!

hum! ! !

Deep within the temple, the enormous Reincarnation Eye, suspended above the massive magic array, suddenly began to tremble violently without warning, its dazzling golden light surging like waves.

"!?"

'

Otsutsuki Nobunaga and Otsutsuki Shingen's expressions changed simultaneously, their argument abruptly stopped, and they both turned to look at the source of the disturbance.

"What's going on? Why is the Great Reincarnation Eye suddenly shaking?!"

Nobunaga Otsutsuki demanded an answer, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty. Shingen Otsutsuki also frowned, staring intently at the Great Tenseigan, temporarily suppressing his argument with his brother.

Nobunaga Otsutsuki stepped forward, his hands quickly forming several hand seals, and the golden light on the surface of his Tenseigan flowed like ripples on water.

Immediately, a clear image was projected by some force and appeared in the void of the temple.

"It's him?" Otsutsuki Nobunaga raised an eyebrow, his face showing surprise.

"It's that Shinichi Higashino again!" Shingen Otsutsuki's face showed undisguised disgust.

Nobunaga Otsutsuki did not respond, and Shingen Otsutsuki also temporarily suppressed his emotions.

In an instant, the tense atmosphere between the two sides eased. Both the main family members and the branch family members were eager to know why Shinichi Higashino had caused the Great Tenseigan to move.

In fact, the Otsutsuki clan on the moon, especially the higher-ups, were not entirely unfamiliar to Shinichi Higashino.

The root cause dates back more than a decade.

At that time, an event that shocked the entire Otsutsuki clan on the moon occurred: the Gedo Mazo, which they had guarded and sealed deep within the moon for generations, was somehow summoned away without warning and completely disappeared from the moon!

This incident caused an unprecedented shock within the clan. The Outer Path Statue was such an important existence, a mission that their clan had guarded for generations.

Therefore, over the past decade or so, they have repeatedly used the power of the Great Tenseigan to scan the entire ninja world, especially Konoha, which is home to the bloodlines of the Senju and Uchiha, the two great descendants of the Six Paths, in an attempt to find the audacious thief and ascertain the whereabouts of the Gedo Mazo.

Although the search over the past decade has yielded no results and no definitive clues have been found regarding the Gedo Mazo or the new Rinnegan, the high-ranking members and some elite members of the Otsutsuki clan have developed some impressions of certain figures from Konoha during these repeated scans.

Among them was a boy named Shinichi Higashino who carried a huge boulder in the morning and practiced swordsmanship diligently at noon!

And today's unusual movement of the Great Tenseigan was actually caused by this Shinichi Higashino.

This was completely beyond the comprehension of Ōtsutsuki Nobunaga, Ōtsutsuki Shingen, and all the Ōtsutsuki clan members present.

In an instant, everyone's attention, from Kaguya Otsutsuki and her two children to the Otsutsuki clan on the moon, was focused on Shinichi.

Konoha, inside the Aji no Takumi restaurant.

Zhen Yi had no idea that so many heavyweight viewers would be focusing their attention on him, but he had some vague guesses in his mind.

At this moment, an unprecedented surge of emotion was welling up in his heart, so intense and real that it far surpassed any previous impulse he had ever felt.

It was even a hundred times stronger than when he spoke those words, which were similar in essence to the Second Hokage's last words, to Kakashi at the Konoha Cemetery under the secret gaze of the Third Hokage.

It's the [Good Fortune] attribute that's being activated!

Could it be?!

Shinichi was overjoyed, but his face remained calm. He slowly scanned the crowd and finally fixed his gaze on Jiraiya in front of him.

"So, Lord Jiraiya, regarding your question about how to prevent war and achieve peace?"

"My answer is that before we can achieve true peace, the first and foremost step is to ensure that the identity of the ninja is completely restored to its original essence and mission, as bestowed upon us by our ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths, and is no longer merely a tool for killing and war! Let us first rediscover the original ninja spirit—a spirit that uses connection as its power, understanding as its bridge, and saving the world as its ideal!"

"Only when ninjas are no longer bound by the destiny of killing and hatred, and are freed from it, can they turn their attention back to communication and creation, and the possibility of mutual understanding, eliminating differences, and seeking peace between people and between nations, truly have a solid foundation!"

1

"This is the most fundamental path to peace! It's a true transformation that begins within ourselves, at the very roots of this profession!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a longer and deeper silence. Everyone had different expressions: some were excited, some were deep in thought, and some were confused.

Shinichi's gaze slowly swept across every face in the room, but he knew that the true audience at this moment was far more than the nearly one thousand people in front of him.

Sage of Six Paths, are you paying attention to this place right now?

Shinichi was very confident, perhaps even nine-tenths certain. At this moment, the Sage of Six Paths, the progenitor of ninjas, was looking this way, which was why his heart was pounding so intensely.

If it were a normal performance opportunity, he might not be able to resist showing off his amazing strength, speed, or exquisite control over fire release techniques to gain the recognition of this ninja progenitor.

But he immediately suppressed this naive idea.

To lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains is absolutely unacceptable!

What he wanted was not for the other party to watch a spectacle or a monkey show.

What he wanted was for the Sage of Six Paths to truly see the difference between him, Shinichi Higashino, from this moment on!

This made him realize that in the ninja world, which had been silent for thousands of years and had been filled with endless blood feuds and killings, there had finally emerged an anomaly who truly understood his original ideals and had the courage and ability to put this path into practice!

He wanted the Sage of Six Paths to continuously focus his gaze, attention, and even his unfulfilled expectations on him in the days to come!

In this way, one can continuously gain the highest quality and highest level of knowledge for oneself!

He also wanted to make the Sage of Six Paths clearly realize that his two useless sons, for nearly a thousand years, had been nothing more than endlessly reincarnating, fighting, and sowing the seeds of power and hatred in their descendants' bloodlines.

What exactly did it contribute to pushing the ninja world towards true connection and peace? Was it the continuous warfare, or the increasingly sophisticated killing techniques?

His own son?

He doesn't need to be the Sage of Six Paths' biological son, just as he wasn't the Third Hokage's biological son, but that doesn't stop him from being the most valued and highly regarded successor in the other's eyes.

What he needs is to become the only person in the Sage of Six Paths' mind who truly and perfectly inherits the ideal of saving the world that he founded the Ninja Sect, and who has the ability to transcend the millennium-long predicament, carry it forward in the new era, and fulfill his unfinished regrets!

In addition, Shinichi harbors an even deeper and more distant ambition.

He once speculated that "Kage" might not be the ultimate pinnacle of the ninja profession system, or that "Kage" is merely the pinnacle of the current ninja profession system under the existing order.

The ninja profession system may have a level or title that ranks above "Kage".

If such a title truly exists, then it must have only one name: Ninja Sect!

This title, which symbolizes the origin and orthodoxy of the ninja profession system and carries the Sage of Six Paths' initial ideals and supreme authority, is therefore crucial in that every word he speaks next must be of paramount importance, directly addressing the core and touching upon the deepest regrets and expectations in the heart of that ninja progenitor.

After a moment, Jiraiya took a deep breath and spoke with utmost seriousness, "So, Shinichi, what should we do? How can we bring ninjas back to the essence you spoke of?"

This is a common source of confusion for many people.

"Lord Jiraiya, and everyone here."

Shinichi didn't answer directly, but instead posed another question, his gaze sweeping across the entire room once more: "In your view, is the power of ninjutsu merely, or primarily, used to serve combat, killing, and destruction?"

This question sparked a lot of thought, and many people nodded subconsciously, giving various different but essentially the same answers.

"Most ninjutsu is indeed designed for combat and killing."

"Even auxiliary ninjutsu ultimately aims to improve combat effectiveness."

"The essence of ninjutsu is weaponry..."

'

Some have even cited history: "From the Warring States period to the present day, the evolution of the ninjutsu system has almost entirely revolved around how to more effectively kill enemies and protect oneself..."

'

Just then, a clear, slightly tense yet unusually firm female voice rang out, breaking the almost unanimous agreement.

"But...but medical ninjutsu isn't!"

It's muted!

She mustered her courage and raised her hand, a hint of nervousness on her face as she felt under the spotlight, but she continued, "Medical ninjutsu is for saving lives! It's for rescuing people, comforting the wounded, and giving hope! It...it's not for killing!"

Shizune's words were like a clear spring, and the eyes of many medical ninjas or those who shared this view lit up.

Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi, who was sitting next to her, gently bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Shizune, you're right. Medical ninjutsu is meant to save lives."

"However, in our current system, isn't the value of medical ninjas largely still to heal comrades injured in battle, allowing them to return to the battlefield more quickly and continue fighting? From this perspective, medical ninjutsu is still a part of serving war and combat, just in a different way..."

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Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she herself felt that her statement was somewhat cold-hearted, but she could not deny the underlying logic. Many of the people present, who were medical ninjas, also showed complex expressions on their faces.

Jingyin opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but for a moment she didn't know how to express herself.

Yes, in the current war system, their medical ninjutsu seems to still be tied to the war machine called war, becoming an indispensable logistical support for maintaining high-intensity combat.

This seems to be no different in essence from a curse that serves killing.

All eyes in the hall once again focused on Shinichi.

Jiraiya didn't offer a direct opinion; instead, he looked at the calm-looking boy before him and asked, "Shinichi, what's your opinion?"

Shinichi met his gaze, and all the focused eyes, and slowly began to speak: "What if there were a ninjutsu that could make people fly into the sky, allowing ordinary people to cross mountains and seas, connect distant towns, and reunite with loved ones far away?"

"What if there were a ninjutsu that could gather water, purify filth, restore life to parched land, and bring sweet springs to thirsty villages?"

"What if there was a ninjutsu that could shape rocks, making house construction effortless and road paving incredibly fast, allowing ordinary people to have sturdy homes and convenient transportation?"

"Or perhaps there is a ninjutsu that can accelerate plant growth, make barren farmland fertile, multiply grain yields, and banish hunger from the world?"

Shinichi's series of "what ifs" seemed to unfold a vibrant and hopeful picture before everyone, completely different from the bloody battlefield.

"However, I want to tell you that these ninjutsu have always existed within our ninja power system."

"Wind manipulation can regulate local climate, dispel harmful miasma, and even allow for the study of more precise morphological changes, realizing the possibility of assisted flight as I just mentioned!"

"Earth Release can modify terrain, level land, reinforce riverbanks, and dredge waterways. It can also efficiently shape bricks and stones to construct the framework of houses and infrastructure!"

"Water evasion can also be further developed to purify, nourish, and guide water bodies, solving droughts and pollution; its social value is immeasurable!"

"Lightning Release, with its precise control, activation, and conduction of energy, could potentially become the core principle for some kind of long-distance communication or precision energy supply if studied in depth!"

"The same applies to Wood Release! The power that the First Hokage used to quell chaos and create forests, if used to create life..."

The benefits of promoting growth can be channeled into improving crops, greening deserts, and stabilizing ecosystems—the significance of which is profound!

"Even Fire Release!"

Shinichi's words landed on his area of ​​expertise: "It can also be applied to precision forging, smelting, and soil improvement in certain specific environments!"

His words were like a wake-up call, giving many people a sudden shock!

Yes!

They were so familiar with how these escape techniques worked in battle that it almost became a fixed mindset for them.

But the other possibility that Shinichi described was like sunlight piercing through the dark clouds, instantly illuminating another vast and boundless side that they had long ignored.

Ninjutsu, it turns out, has never been limited to killing.

For thousands of years, the path of the ninja has been gradually confined to the narrow cage of "combat profession".

"Have you all noticed?" Shinichi slowly scanned the entire room, continuing, "Stripping away the heavy cloak of killing, war, and destruction, we will find that the ninjutsu serving connection, creation, healing, and prosperity has always existed within the power we have inherited, waiting for us to rediscover it, to explore it further, and to truly make good use of it!"

"Ninjas could have been architects of civilization, not just destroyers."

"Chakra should be a bridge for connection and creation, rather than just a blade for tearing and destruction."

"Ninjutsu should not be narrowly defined as a tool for combat or a skill for killing; rather, it should be a force for building the world, improving people's lives, and truly driving the times forward!"

"Our first task is to liberate the power of ninjutsu from the single dimension of combat and killing. We must develop ninjutsu so that it can genuinely improve the lives of every ordinary person and promote productivity and creativity throughout society!"

"When ninjas can use their extraordinary powers to serve the public, becoming builders and guardians who create greater public value!"

"Only then can the identity of a ninja truly break free from the shackles of its destiny as a killing tool and return to its original essence and mission, bestowed upon us by our ninja ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths!"

These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue!

This is no longer a simple advocacy of ideas, but a clear, feasible, and even groundbreaking new path that could shake the very foundation and direction of the ninja world!

Jiraiya's eyes shone with an unprecedented brightness, as if a traveler who had been wandering in darkness for a long time had finally seen a lighthouse guiding his way. He almost immediately and impatiently pressed on, "Shinichi! If—and I mean if—that day you spoke of truly comes, will people be able to truly and completely understand each other? Will war disappear? Will the ninja world... will the ninja world finally enjoy eternal peace?!"

However, unexpectedly, Shinichi simply shook his head slightly. "Lord Jiraiya, do you remember the analysis I gave earlier about one very important factor among the many root causes of the war?"

"Many wars are essentially struggles over the limited resources available for survival and development."

"Like the Land of Wind, where Sunagakure is located, most of its land is barren desert with extremely scarce resources. They yearn for more fertile land, more abundant water, and a more stable food supply. Can we understand this desire for basic survival needs?"

Jiraiya nodded slowly, his expression grave: "Yes... if we lived in that kind of environment, we would feel the same way."

"So!"

Upon hearing this, Zhen nodded slightly, but her voice became sharp, even somewhat aggressive.

"Should we simply hand over the fertile land, forests, and water resources that the Land of Fire has cultivated for generations, just to satisfy their expectations?"

"This..." Jiraiya was speechless. He opened his mouth, but could not utter a word.

He could understand the difficulties faced by the Land of Wind, but as a ninja of Konoha, should he and the people of the Land of Fire sacrifice their homes and interests?

Seeing Jiraiya's reaction and noticing the complex expressions on the faces of many people present, Shinichi's gaze slowly swept across the entire room again: "Everyone, I imagine that many of you here may find my idea of ​​freeing all ninjas in the ninja world from their shackles and freeing them from their tool-like fate somewhat unrealistic, or even difficult to understand."

"After all, we belong to different villages, with our own interests and positions. Right now, we are still fiercely fighting with Sunagakure and Kumogakure. Why should we, the ninjas of Konoha, help them? Why should we consider their future?"

"But what I want to say is, if only the ninjas of Konoha, or only the ninjas of the Land of Fire, embark on this new path, while the ninjas of other countries and villages remain trapped in old ways of thinking and survival, viewing plunder as the only or primary means of acquiring resources..."

"What will happen then? The prosperity we've worked so hard to create might become an even more tempting piece of meat in the eyes of others! What will become of us Konoha ninja then? Even if we dislike fighting and yearn for peace, will we still have to take up arms, stand on the front lines, and fight to the death against those who covet our homeland, to protect the home we created with our own hands and our loved ones?!"

"This puts us in a vicious cycle once again!"

"Therefore! Liberation must be thorough! Return to the motherland must be widespread!"

"Only by liberating all the ninjas in the ninja world can the ninjas of Konoha truly liberate themselves!"

"We should even do our best to help those countries and ninja villages that are plagued by resource scarcity, helping them solve the fundamental difficulties in their own development!"

"Only in this way, when the entire ninja world is no longer trapped in a zero-sum game of life and death due to the absolute scarcity of survival resources, and when the power of chakra is used more to solve development problems rather than to create destruction!"

At this point, Shinichi's gaze returned to Jiraiya, and he continued, "Only then will the fundamental conflicts between people based on the pressure of survival be alleviated, and the structural contradictions between nations caused by the competition for resources be eased. Only then will the mutual understanding you, Lord Jiraiya, have the soil to truly take root and grow. Only then will the peace we pursue not be a tree without roots or water without a source, but will have the potential to become a stable reality!"

"That's my answer."

After he finished speaking, the hall remained silent for a long time.

Many people realized that what they were listening to might not just be a discussion about peace, but a strategic blueprint on how to fundamentally reshape the future ninja world.

The Child of Prophecy!

These four words exploded in Jiraiya's mind like a thunderclap. He stared blankly at the calm yet ambitious young man before him.

For a fleeting moment, he even doubted whether the Great Toad Sage's prophecy had pointed in the wrong direction from the very beginning.

Could the prophetic child, on whom so much hope is placed and who will lead the world to change, not be the disciple he has painstakingly sought out and nurtured?

And right in front of us is Shinichi Higashino, who is only eleven years old but has already shown extraordinary talent, wisdom, courage and vision.

However, the thought only flashed through his mind, and Jiraiya quickly calmed down and keenly grasped the key point.

The young man outlined the blueprint, pointed out the direction, and even resolved the contradictions and dilemmas, but how exactly should one begin? Where should the first step be taken? What methods should be used?

These practical operational paths remain a vague and unknown territory.

Suppressing his surging excitement, he looked at Shinichi with even more fervent eyes and eagerly asked, "So, Shinichi! Tell me, what exactly should we do? What's the first step?"

Under Jiraiya's expectant gaze, everyone else present held their breath, waiting for the answer that would guide their actions.

However, to everyone's surprise, Shinichi shook his head slightly again.

"Lord Jiraiya, I don't know."

"Although I have that blueprint in my mind, that vague outline of the future of ninjas, and many 'shoulds' and 'musts' derived from the analysis of the current situation, but..."

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At this point, Shinichi paused for a moment, then continued, "Blueprints are ultimately just drawings, while the world is a fluid, complex reality filled with countless unknown variables and deep-seated contradictions."

"Based on my current knowledge, understanding, and learning, I am far from being able to provide a complete, reliable, and reliable specific solution that can withstand scrutiny."

Shinichi's gaze slowly swept over everyone present, and he calmly said, "Perhaps one day in the future, when the flames of war that have swept through the ninja world subside, I will leave the village, step out of this familiar environment, and set foot on this vast land of the ninja world, just like our ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths."

"I want to see with my own eyes just how barren and desolate the deserts of the Land of Wind are, to personally experience how deeply the people there yearn for water and oases. I want to personally feel the ruggedness of the mountains and the resilience of the people in the Land of Lightning. I want to understand how the people behind the cliffs of the Land of Earth view the world. I want to see the life and values ​​on the islands of the Land of Water."

"I want to listen to the stories of every country, every village, and even every ordinary person, to understand their joy, their suffering, their fear, and their hope."

At this point, Shinichi's gaze became even more profound, as if piercing through the barrier of time and arriving in that primitive and barbaric era.

"Perhaps...only in this way, when I use my own feet to re-measure this land that the Sage of Six Paths once walked and tried to save, and use my own eyes and heart to re-observe and understand with my own mindset how he observed the world's myriad aspects while traveling, and how, after witnessing countless conflicts and sufferings, he ultimately chose to establish the Ninjutsu sect, spread chakra, and yearn to connect people's hearts through it?"

"Perhaps only in this way can I truly understand how to take the first step, and only then can I truly find the key that belongs to our era to turn ideals into reality."

He surveyed the room, his gaze finally settling on Jiraiya's complex expression. He bowed slightly and said, "So, Lord Jiraiya, I'm sorry, I don't have an answer yet regarding the specifics of what to do."

"All I can offer is a vague direction and a promise that may take a long time to walk, observe, and think before it gradually becomes clear."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, but he also understood that this ultimate problem that had troubled countless generations of the ninja world was not something that an eleven-year-old boy, no matter how talented he was, could easily provide a perfect answer to.

He could see the direction, dared to propose a blueprint, and was even willing to make such a heavy and sincere promise, which was already shocking and far beyond the imagination of someone who had lived a muddled life for most of his life.

He sighed softly, about to say something, when the boy's voice rang out again.

"However, Lord Jiraiya, and everyone else, I also understand the principle that one person's plan is limited, but many people's plans are more valuable. Even the grandest blueprint requires collective wisdom, the collision of different perspectives, and the convergence of intelligence."

"Therefore, I intend to take this opportunity to establish an open, non-official, and informal exchange and discussion society."

"This association does not involve political stances inside or outside the village, nor does it involve any specific strategic tasks. Its sole purpose is to pool wisdom and explore the possibilities I just mentioned."

Upon hearing this, many people's eyes immediately lit up.

"Explore how to extend the power of ninjas beyond combat to serve more applications in creation and development, and discuss how to gradually promote the transformation of ninja professional cognition from theoretical, technical, and even institutional levels, returning to the original ideals of the Sage of Six Paths, and then, from the most fundamental level, to consider various potential paths to lasting peace."

"I sincerely welcome all Konoha comrades who are interested in and have thoughts on this topic, regardless of seniority or background. We can all join us to discuss, learn together, and inspire each other."

"Even... if conditions permit in the future and the time is right, I hope that the doors of this academy can be opened to the entire ninja world, welcoming insightful individuals from other countries and ninja villages who are also tired of endless killing and eager to find a new path for ninjas to join our exchange of ideas."

"The clash of ideas knows no borders, and the desire for peace is a common human emotion. Perhaps only when such exchanges and consensus take root and grow on a wider scale, before political and military confrontations, can the seeds of hope truly be sown."

After describing the vision of the society, Shinichi showed a slight look of trouble on his face and said with a smile: "However, I haven't thought of a name for the society yet. I feel that it needs a name that can reflect its spirit of openness and exploration, and also slightly indicate our goals and directions. Does anyone have any good suggestions?"

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"Why not just call it a day for a bit?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jingyin, who had been listening intently with her eyes growing brighter and brighter, spoke up almost without thinking.

"Since you were the one who first proposed these ideas and initiated the organization, and the goal of the study and discussion is centered on the future blueprint you outlined, wouldn't it be the most natural and appropriate thing to name this association after you? The Shinichi Association, in the name of Higashino Shinichi, will gather companions to discuss the future!"

good good!

I absolutely love your mute feature!

"this...."

Shinichi was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Shizune to say that, nor did he expect her to nominate his name. However, before he could react...

"I think Shinichi is a great name!"

"Excellent! Simple, direct, and with a clear meaning!"

"I agree! This is it!"

"That's right! It was Captain Shinichi who suggested it, so using his name is perfectly reasonable!"

"Yes! Using this name will immediately tell everyone who's calling this meeting and what they're discussing!"

"Shinichi-kai! That sounds like it has a lot of cohesive power!"

"I agree!"

"I think it's a good idea too!"

The members of Shinichi's squad were the first to respond enthusiastically, and then many ninjas who were deeply moved by Shinichi's words that night also spoke up to express their support.

In an instant, the name Shinichikai gained almost unanimous support.

Shinichi shook his head slightly, as if he couldn't resist everyone's enthusiasm, and said in a compromising manner, "Since everyone thinks it's okay, let's call it this for now."

"Once we have fully defined our ideology and action plan, we will then give it a new name that is more fitting and better represents our mission and spirit!"

Of course, Shinichi was just talking. In the future, he will be the founder of the "Shinichi-kai", the creator of its ideology, and the executor and planner of its action plan.

It's unlikely that anyone would be so tactless as to suggest changing his name, unless Shinichi himself wants to change it.

Seeing that everyone's enthusiasm was even higher, and many people were eager to join on the spot, Shinichi smiled, raised his hand, and gently pressed it down, saying loudly, "Everyone, let's eat first! It would be a waste if the food got cold. As for the specifics of joining Shinichi's Association, you can think about it carefully after you go back. There's no need to rush. You can also go back and think carefully about what thoughts, questions, or even different opinions you have about this direction. You can write them down."

"Wouldn't it be better if we found an opportunity to get together again, speak freely, and exchange ideas gradually?"

After the words were spoken, the people present indeed stopped speaking hastily, but the light in many people's eyes was even brighter than before they came to the banquet, as if an inextinguishable flame had been ignited in their hearts.

The atmosphere in the hall returned to a relaxed state, with the sounds of bowls and chopsticks, conversations, and exclamations of delight at the delicious food filling the air once more, but now carrying a different, more thoughtful and hopeful tone.

Deep within the moon, in a space that lies between reality and illusion.

Kaguya Otsutsuki withdrew her gaze expressionlessly. To be honest, she hadn't understood a word of what that insignificant mortal who had stirred a strange flutter in her heart had said.

Discussions about essence, mission, connection, and peace failed to stir even the slightest meaningful ripple in her long and lonely consciousness.

Like the buzzing of mosquitoes, it cannot be understood, nor does it need to be understood.

But....

Despite not understanding what she was hearing, she inexplicably felt a rare and inexplicable sense of pleasingness towards this ordinary ant.

That's really...strange.

She closed her pure white eyes and the Rinne Sharingan on her forehead again, casting this insignificant and incomprehensible feeling of pleasing appearance, along with the incomprehensible chatter from before, into the depths of her consciousness.

The Moon, another mysterious and unknowable space.

Wearing ancient-style clothing, Otsutsuki Hamura slowly withdrew his gaze with a faint smile on his lips.

"Shinichi Higashino?"

Hamura Otsutsuki whispered, "Brother, it seems that after a thousand years, on this land where we once placed our hopes but were repeatedly disappointed, the ninja world has finally produced a descendant who can understand and even try to reclaim your original ideals. Although he is still young and his path is far from clear, his heart is already a rare glimmer of light on this land that has been stained by hatred for too long."

"But... I don't know if he can ultimately keep going, or if he can forge a path that even we couldn't navigate..."

""

Before Otsutsuki Hamura could finish speaking, he suddenly frowned and sighed softly with a hint of helplessness.

He raised his eyelids, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of spatial barriers, looking towards the direction of the Hamura Shrine on the lunar surface.

There, the disputes and disagreements between the two branches of his descendants had become increasingly acute, almost to the point of being irreconcilable.

Moon surface, Hamura Shrine.

The atmosphere, which had been temporarily eased by the unusual activity of the Great Reincarnation Eye, has now become tense again, even more so.

"Nobunaga! I think you've really lost your mind! You've been completely swayed by a few sweet words? You didn't actually believe that kid's nonsense, did you?!"

On Otsutsuki Shingen's face, which bore a resemblance to Nobunaga but was even more sinister and cold, was written undisguised sarcasm and contempt: "Don't be fooled by his flowery words now, what peace? What return to the essence! Haven't you seen how many Sand Village and Cloud Village ninja have their hands stained with the blood of this guy named Higashino Shinichi in this war?! A bloodthirsty executioner, now standing here talking about peace and redemption? How hypocritical! How laughable!"

"I told you long ago! Nobunaga, you! And all the stubborn members of the main branch family! You are completely wrong! The ninja world created by the Sage of Six Paths, after a thousand years, what has it done besides prove its utter failure, besides being filled with endless hatred, slaughter, and the tragedy of reincarnation? It should have been thoroughly purified and reshaped according to the principles of my branch family long ago!"

It turns out that the conflict between the main family and the branch family of the Otsutsuki clan on the moon has a long history, but in the past they were able to maintain a superficial balance and a shared mission.

However, since the mysterious disappearance of the Gedo Mazo more than a decade ago, they have had to repeatedly search the ninja world with the help of the Great Tenseigan. They happened to witness the brutal fighting and endless hatred between ninjas during the Second Shinobi World War, and the differences in their views began to expand and intensify rapidly.

Now, in this Third Shinobi World War, they have witnessed the flames of war in the lower realms growing ever stronger and the killings becoming increasingly brutal, highlighting the differing ideologies held by both sides.

The main family tends to continue observing, fulfilling the ancient duty of watching over and guiding, while the branch family is increasingly convinced that the world created by the Sage of Six Paths has completely failed and must be purified!

The conflict between the two sides has reached a dangerous tipping point.

Faced with Shingen's fierce accusations, the head of the main clan, Tsutsuki Nobunaga, remained calm and slowly said, "He may have blood on his hands and be in the vortex of war, that cannot be denied. But the direction he was thinking, the other possibility he was trying to point out, may just prove that this world is not entirely as you see it, with only depravity and destruction as its path."

"Since someone is willing to try to think and explore a different path amidst bloodshed and fire, even if it is still immature and may be full of variables, he has at least proposed a possibility! Before we have explored all the possibilities of peace, what right do we have to easily pronounce a world dead?! At the very least, we should give him, and give that world, a chance."

"6

"Another chance?! We've already given the world a thousand years! And what's the result?"

Ōtsutsuki Shingen interrupted him with a sneer, his eyes flashing with cold light: "This world is beyond saving! We should carry out the true will of our ancestor Hamura and thoroughly purify this place filled with error and..."

77

"Enough! Shingen!"

Nobunaga Ōtsutsuki abruptly interrupted him with a flick of his sleeve: "I am the clan leader!"

"You'll regret this!"

Upon hearing this, Ōtsutsuki Shingen's face darkened completely. After giving him a deep look, he said in an icy voice.

boom!

Having said that, he said no more, abruptly flicked his sleeves, and led the branch members behind him, whose faces also showed resentment and radicalism, to turn around and leave, slamming the door shut behind them, leaving only the temple door echoing loudly in the empty temple.

Meanwhile, in the Pure Land of the Underworld.

"Returning to our original form and mission?" Otsutsuki Hagoromo, sitting cross-legged, clad in ancient white robes, and holding a staff, slowly withdrew his gaze from Konoha.

In the depths of those eyes, which seemed to hold the weight of countless years, a complex and unreadable expression flickered. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, revealing a smile that was hard to decipher—whether it was bitterness, self-mockery, or relief.

It's been a thousand years.

He watched as the ideal of "Ninja Clan," which he founded and placed great hopes on, was constantly distorted, and as chakra was transformed from a bridge connecting people's hearts into a tool for dividing classes, creating hatred, and refining killing.

He watched wars come and go, watched peace fade like a fleeting moment, and watched the profession of "ninja" be firmly locked in the fateful cycle of blood and fire.

He sighed countless times in the depths of the Pure Land, and tried to leave guidance and warnings in various ways, but they were often like stones sinking into the sea, swallowed up by the torrent of the times and deep-rooted hatred.

Can he really do it? Or is it just another fleeting, unrealistic dream?

With this complex and indescribable curiosity, and a touch of instinctive scrutiny of the possibilities of the future, the Sage of Six Paths subconsciously activated his prophecy technique.

He wanted to see where the fate of this young man, who spoke of returning to the essence and seemed to have a subtle resonance with himself from a thousand years ago, would lead.

In an instant! What appeared before the Sage of Six Paths was a stream of images and information that was fragmented, with interwoven light and shadow, and noisy sounds, yet contained an unprecedented and immense power that made his soul tremble!

"For Shinichi! For a new world!"

"Smash these shackles! Break free from this fate! We will be our own masters!"

"Come on! For ourselves! For our descendants!"

"Fire! Set it ablaze! Burn away all injustice and decay!"

"Forward! Only forward!"

The scene became increasingly chaotic, intense, and bizarre.

Just as the Sage of Six Paths was trying to glean more information from this chaotic stream of prophecies!

fire!

A fire!

A flame of faith forged from countless pure and fervent hopes, anger, ideals and dreams!

It soared into the sky from the core of that prophetic scene, its light so pure, its will so intense, and it contained a resolute aura of creation that directly burned the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, which were closely connected to the River of Destiny!

"Hmm..."

"7

The Sage of Six Paths seemed to be burned by the flames. As he subconsciously closed his eyes, two streaks of blood slowly seeped from the corners of his eyes.

The prophetic vision shattered and vanished in an instant, leaving only boundless silence, a lingering burning sensation in the eyes, and an unquenchable storm in the heart.

The Sage of Six Paths slowly raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the bloodstain at the corner of his eye, sensing the "change" will contained within it—a will that was unfamiliar even to him, wild and full of life.

This boy named Shinichi Higashino...

What he ignited, or what he is about to ignite...

Is it a return to the original flame of idealism?

Or perhaps it was a cataclysmic event, one that even fate itself could not predict, one that would utterly destroy everything that existed before.

The spark of innovation?

I'm asking for monthly votes, recommendation votes, and support!

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