535 Naruto the Flame-Flame Fruit

Kiyosuke replenished his chakra. With such an overwhelming amount healing his body, he felt much better; the backlash from the Eight Gates had greatly diminished, and moving no longer felt like torture.

This Ten-Tails would stay sealed here. After all, the only ones who could reach this place were him and Sasuke—unless another Ōtsutsuki arrived, which wouldn't happen anytime soon.

Sasuke went to examine the murals. After he activated the mechanism, Kaguya's image appeared on the platform, followed by Momoshiki, Kinshiki, Urashiki, and Isshiki.

"Is this meant to record information about the Ōtsutsuki clan? Interesting. But only five appear… Whatever, it has nothing to do with me anymore. Let's go to Kara."

"Alright."

They opened a spatial vortex and stepped into a base. Koji Kashin stood there, unsurprised.

"So it seems you two managed to take down Isshiki."

"Yes."

"Then I no longer have a purpose." Koji removed his mask, revealing a face identical to Jiraiya's. Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.

"That face… isn't it—"

"One of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya. I'm his clone. My creator, Amado, hoped that by recreating the 'star of reform' fated to change the ninja world, I'd have a chance to kill Isshiki. Looks like it was unnecessary. I can't believe that monster died at your hands." Koji had been created solely to kill Isshiki—nothing more.

Now that Isshiki was gone, his existence held no purpose.

"So, where will you go?"

"No idea. Amado told me that if Isshiki was confirmed dead, I'd be free. If he survived, I was to deal the finishing blow." Koji spoke quietly, hiding nothing.

"I see. And your creator Amado? He's quite the talent."

Whether it was Kawaki's body or Koji's clone construction, Amado's skill was undeniable. Bringing him to Konoha might be worthwhile.

"He went to Konoha," Koji said. "Isshiki left the base—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

There was no need to explain Amado's importance. Even Isshiki prohibited him from leaving the base and kept him under constant surveillance.

But after Isshiki's long absence due to his battle with Kiyosuke and the others, Amado realized this was his only chance. And now, the only place he could seek protection was Konoha—one of the Five Great Villages. After Koji sent him there, he waited for Isshiki's return.

"That good? Already sent him over? Then I'm relieved." Kiyosuke paused. "Do you want to come to Konoha with me? Amado says you're free, but Konoha still needs to follow procedure."

Koji was a valuable asset. His strength even surpassed Jiraiya's. Better to bring him back.

"As you wish."

"Then besides you and Amado, does Kara have anyone left?"

"Jigen has been killed by you all. Code is in that dimension—probably already taken out by you. Delta is dead. Only Boro remains, but I heard Uchiha Itachi already went after him. His time is short."

Boro might have extraordinary regeneration, but he had weaknesses—weaknesses a Sharingan user like Itachi would exploit instantly.

So the only core members left in Kara were Koji and Amado.

And both were traitors.

Thus, Kara was truly finished.

"So that's it, huh?" Kiyosuke scratched his head. Looked like the trip was pointless.

"Not entirely," Sasuke said. "At least Kara is gone. And the data here hasn't been destroyed, right?"

"Of course not," Koji replied. "All of Amado's research is here—including his studies on the God Tree."

"The God Tree?"

"Yes. Planting one is the entire reason Kara exists."

Jigen created Kara to plant a God Tree on this world and harvest the chakra fruit.

But not everyone in Kara sought the fruit. Some feared Jigen's power, some were forced, and only a few desired the fruit themselves. Of course, those people were fools. Anyone sane knew Jigen would never share it. They'd only end up dead.

After examining the base, Kiyosuke and the others took Koji back to Konoha.

At the Hokage building, tension filled the room. A white-haired man with glasses, an older uncle-like figure, looked up in surprise.

"Back so soon? Was Code really that easy to handle?"

This was Amado—Koji's creator, a scientist even more gifted than Orochimaru.

"Code? He walked right into my trap," Kiyosuke said casually.

Amado pushed up his glasses.

"As expected of you. Code surpassed even Jigen in raw power and possessed a mutated version of Kāma, yet you managed to trick him to death? Impressive, Asakawa Kiyosuke."

"Lack of real combat experience. I sent him off quickly. Honestly, he felt weaker than Jigen. So you're Amado."

"Yes. I'm Amado—now an ordinary citizen of the Land of Fire. This is the pardon issued jointly by the Daimyō and the Hokage." Amado took out a document and waved it.

Shikamaru looked furious. "Damn you… You actually used Shikadai…"

Amado had used his own son as leverage, and offered his scientific expertise in exchange for Konoha's protection, becoming a citizen of the Land of Fire.

Despicable, yes—but they had no choice.

With that single decree, Amado became someone untouchable. Shikamaru couldn't lay a finger on him unless he truly committed a major crime.

A single piece of paper might not look threatening, but it kept Amado safe.

"Konoha's genius strategist is also just a father at heart. Anyway, that collar was fake."

His words made Shikamaru explode, grabbing him by the collar.

"You bastard!"

"Shikamaru!" Naruto grabbed him and turned to Amado. "From now on, you're only allowed to move within Konoha. Someone will accompany you at all times. You may conduct experiments only with supervision at the Scientific Ninja Tool Laboratory."

"Understood. Quite convenient, actually. Oh right—Asakawa-san, could I ask you to help me with a small experiment later?"

"Experiment? Give me two days. I'm exhausted. Just want to sleep."

"No problem. Come find me in a few days."

"Sure."