441 The Shimura Has Ice Release

At almost the exact same time Jigen left the shinobi world, the daimyō coalition army was completely annihilated. The shinobi broke into the daimyō residences and easily captured the daimyō who had tried to commit suicide—but were too afraid of the pain to actually do it.

As for those ministers who had paid money to buy Kakuzu's secret escape route, they vanished as if evaporated from the world, completely disappearing within the shinobi world. Some speculated they had escaped to a place shinobi could never find, and rumors even spread that they had hidden immense treasure overseas.

This instantly ignited a wave of maritime exploration across the entire shinobi world.

Only Kakuzu, the instigator, knew all of this was a lie. The reason those ministers disappeared was because he had sent them all to the Pure Land.

Of course, he wasn't someone addicted to killing; the ministers' families all survived and, after being brainwashed by genjutsu, were sent to Kakuzu's mines to dig ore.

"Treasure overseas? Don't make me laugh. That kind of lie only fools little kids."

Kakuzu stood on the deck, watching the ships sailing around them, and let out a disdainful sound.

"But why do we have to go to sea too, Kakuzu-sama?"

Behind him, Tayuya—who had long since figured out Kakuzu's personality—complained irritably.

He himself was the real culprit, yet he actually joined the maritime craze and became one of this crowd.

Hearing Tayuya's question, Kakuzu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his head toward her, his green-glowing eyes especially calm.

Tayuya had never seen Kakuzu look like this. Being stared at made her embarrassed.

"You, you—what are you looking at, Kakuzu-sama..."

"No, nothing. Going out to sea is just a task given by that nasty-tempered boss of ours."

Kakuzu turned his head back.

"The boss, huh? You said the same thing last time when you robbed some daimyō's tomb, but I've never even seen this boss of ours."

Tayuya was used to Kakuzu dumping blame on someone else.

Ever since the daimyō estates were completely destroyed five years ago, the once-famed Integration Movement disappeared without a trace. No one knew they had gone into hiding in the Land of Fields.

When the shinobi released announcements ordering all daimyō who hadn't participated in the war to surrender their authority, Kakuzu, using the name of a Field Country minister, declared that the country had already overthrown its daimyō and established a new people-focused regime.

After hearing the news, the shinobi alliance didn't personally verify it. They still had to deal with the remnants of the Akatsuki Organization, as well as continue investigating the Ōtsutsuki ruins. After confirming who currently ruled the Land of Fields, they simply went back to their own tasks.

For various reasons, the daimyō either voluntarily or "voluntarily" stepped down, and the Kage of each village took control of their countries' governments.

At first, the people were very worried about shinobi rule, and even staged massive protests.

This opposition movement didn't calm down until the Fourth Hokage, Sakumo, released a series of policies beneficial to the nation and the people—and publicly promoted them widely.

From then on, villages like Konoha, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure disappeared, replaced by Kage who ruled their nations.

"Kakuzu-sama, does our organization really have a big boss? Are you sure he's not just someone you made up to dump responsibility onto?"

Tayuya blinked and walked up beside Kakuzu.

"Who knows? A guy who disappeared five years ago—whether he's alive or not, even I'm not sure." Kakuzu took a deep breath, his mind drifting back to the events in that small grove all those years ago.

...

Land of Fire, Research Bureau under the Ministry of Defense.

Compared with five years ago, Danzō had grown visibly older. Supported by Aburame Tatsuma, he came into a laboratory while leaning on a cane.

This once-ambitious schemer no longer had the sinister sharpness of old. From a distance, he looked like an ordinary elderly man with a gentle expression.

But the moment he saw who had summoned him—Orochimaru—his face twisted with open disgust.

"What do you want from me, Orochimaru?"

Across from him, Orochimaru—now having restored his male form—turned with a smile.

"Nothing much. I just have an interesting research result I want you to see."

Beside him, wearing a researcher's uniform, Haku gave a shy smile and stepped forward to support Danzō.

Seeing Haku's still-delicate face, Danzō froze for a moment, then recovered. Though he resisted slightly, he still accepted the assistance.

"What sort of research requires my presence? Ever since the shinobi forces and samurai merged into the Ministry of Defense, I've resigned from all my positions."

Danzō's voice remained as cold as ever.

Orochimaru didn't answer verbally. He picked up a remote from the table and pressed a few buttons. A section of the floor split apart, revealing a massive hollow space. Then two enormous cultivation tanks slowly rose into view.

Inside the tanks, two infants floated silently in nutrient fluid.

Just as Danzō finally saw clearly what was inside, Amado walked in from another room, cigarette in mouth.

"That battle back then erupted too suddenly. Some things did indeed catch me off guard. That part was my failure." Amado scratched his head and walked up beside Orochimaru.

The moment Danzō saw him, the killing intent radiating from his aged body surged violently. Even Haku's skin stung from the pressure.

"Fortunately, Hiruko once kept the Fifth Hokage's cells for experiments. Using his cells, combined with maternal cells and Ōtsutsuki cells, I cultivated these..."

Hearing Amado say these children were made using Takeshi's cells, Danzō's clenched hand trembled sharply and his expression grew even darker.

"Kamui, Kagura—these were the names given by the provider of the other half of the donor cells."

Completely ignoring Danzō's ugly expression, Amado continued:

"She also said she has no particular preference for the surname. If you're willing to give them the Shimura surname, she has no objections."

Looking at the two infants in the tanks, Danzō's killing intent faded only after a long moment. He cleared his throat, as if wanting to say something, but in the end he left only one sentence. Then he pulled his arm away from Haku's support and walked out of the Research Bureau.

"Let it be."

...

As Konoha's upper leadership took control of national power, the city that once housed the daimyō estate naturally became a ruined capital.

The village's location became the new national capital.

"The search for Isshiki and the Fifth Hokage has continued steadily. As for the alternate space used by the former Akatsuki Organization, development is ongoing."

In an office, Nara Shikamaru—who had inherited part of his father's responsibilities—gave his report to the Fourth Hokage with a lazy tone.

"You can make those decisions yourself. There's no need for me to listen in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, now as aged and frail as Danzō, stroked his beard with one hand and forced a smile.

"It concerns the Fifth Hokage. I have to report certain things to you."

Seeing Kakashi, who had been forcibly dragged over to handle documents, Sakumo's smile carried a faint sorrow.

"About those two children grown from cells, I already heard it from that useless disciple of mine." Hiruzen nodded, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, five years have passed."

"If not for the Fifth Hokage, Konoha—no, the entire Land of Fire—wouldn't be this prosperous." Sakumo's words were heard by Uchiha Itachi not far away. Busy going through military reports, his expression dimmed slightly.

Jeez... this atmosphere is really awkward, so troublesome.

Covered in the weight of solemn silence, Shikamaru shivered slightly and grumbled internally.

Still, their words stirred his childhood memories—the face, already fading in blur, yet still carrying traces of beauty and strong spirit, rose in his mind.

"Speaking of which, Obito's second child should've been born already, right? I heard it's another son."

Sensing the heavy mood, the Third Hokage changed the subject.

At his age, gossip about families came naturally.

Sakumo sighed helplessly and glanced at his own son.

They were married at the same time, yet Obito already had two kids. But his own child—still nothing.

He didn't know whether Terumi Mei was too busy, or if Kakashi simply had no interest.

"I really envy you, Third. Grandsons and granddaughters at your knees, and so many excellent students under your guidance. Compared to you, I'm ashamed."

Sakumo sincerely praised Hiruzen.

The granddaughter he mentioned was Sarutobi Mirai, daughter of Asuma and Kurenai.

"Students... truly shameful. As a teacher, I let my student walk ahead of me. If I had known back then..."

The Konoha leadership never told Hiruzen about that sudden operation. When Takeshi learned that Amado had come to Konoha and heard his plan, he joined without hesitation as a primary force.

"I've always believed that Amado has ulterior motives. He must have feared the Fifth Hokage discovering something, which is why he came up with such a crude plan."

A sharp gleam flashed in Hiruzen's clouded eyes. Ever since Takeshi disappeared, he had focused all his attention on Amado.

As the famous "Professor of Shinobi," Hiruzen considered himself a good judge of people.

From the very first time he saw Amado, he sensed immense ambition in the man—greed no less than Orochimaru's.

Compared to him, even Hiruko seemed harmless.

Sakumo hadn't noticed anything off about Amado, but he completely trusted Hiruzen's judgment. Over the years, he continuously sent Internal Affairs shinobi to monitor Amado.

That's right—despite the merging of village and nation, the Internal Affairs Department created by Takeshi remained intact as a tool for maintaining governmental control.

"The surveillance continues. If he makes any suspicious moves, I believe Yamato will take care of it."

The one leading the monitoring unit was Yamato.

"Right, there's something else."

As Nara Shikaku pushed the door open, Sakumo's expression darkened the moment he saw Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Obito behind him. He then took out a document that looked like it had been left untouched for years.

"The reason I called you all here is actually something extremely important..."

Hearing the word "important," everyone became fully attentive—except Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi, who lowered their heads, already knowing the matter.

"Some time ago, while sorting unprocessed documents, I discovered that the Seven-Tails taken from Uchiha Yōwan back then is still sealed in the mountains behind Konoha... and we never assigned a jinchūriki..."

Everyone present: …

...

Land of Wind.

"Welcome, Hikari."

Fourth Kazekage Pakura reached out her hand kindly toward Uchiha Hikari, who wore a cloak and stood before her.

The reason she became the Fourth Kazekage was because Pakura, after the war ended, had absolutely no intention of restoring Rasa's honor. She still labeled him as the most vile traitor in history and even wrote his shameless actions into the history textbooks.

After protesting for a while, Ebizō and Chiyo realized Pakura completely ignored them, so they stopped insisting and returned to their retirement life.

"Mm." Uchiha Hikari showed no expression. After lightly touching Pakura's hand, she quickly withdrew her own.

Pakura didn't mind Uchiha Hikari's coldness. The other woman had always been like this—only close to one specific person.

...

Soon, the two appeared in the most famous restaurant in the Land of Wind.

Resting her chin in her hand, watching Uchiha Hikari—who was still the same as before, unable to move once she saw delicious food—Pakura asked what she had been wanting to ask.

"Are you still searching for that guy?"

Uchiha Hikari's hand froze for a moment when she heard this, then continued reaching for the piece of deep-fried pork belly drenched in sauce.

After taking several big bites of food together with rice, Uchiha Hikari finally stopped moving her chopsticks.

"That guy can't die. At least, before I make my move, he can't die."

"But, from what I know..." Pakura hadn't been idle either in searching for Takeshi's whereabouts. To be exact, all five great nations had poured enormous effort into looking for him.

But the result was that both Isshiki and Takeshi had completely disappeared without a trace.

Pakura originally wanted to advise her, but when she saw Uchiha Hikari's expression, she couldn't bring herself to say the rest.

The Uchiha clan was famous for being stubborn. Once they were set on something, they would definitely see it through.

Haven't you seen the precedent of the most tragic scam victim in history, Uchiha Madara? To warn future Uchiha, the Land of Fire even wrote that incident into their textbooks.

As for the culprit, Black Zetsu, he was probably still in Orochimaru's happy laboratory receiving "experiments"...

Uchiha Madara, a lifetime of glory, ruined in an instant by that old schemer Black Zetsu. Just thinking of it made Ōnoki laugh with great delight.

Every time the Five Kage Summit was held, the old Tsuchikage would bring up that matter to talk about it again.

Who knows—after seeing that from the afterlife—whether Uchiha Madara would go visit him in a dream.