Chapter 328: Replacing Heaven's Will with One's Own!
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"In my dream, Orochimaru betrayed the Akatsuki. He was the one who led Hyuga Fuji and the others here, which is why he's now chatting so casually with him."
Shinno rationalized what he saw, convincing himself.
Of course!
To him, Orochimaru had always been a scheming and untrustworthy individual. It was perfectly in character for him to do something like this.
And the fact that Tomoko was fighting Hikari? That was also expected!
That woman was always bossing him around every day (though in reality, it was Tobirama), and he never knew her weaknesses. But he did know that she was close with Hikari.
Now that those two were at each other's throats, it was only natural!
As for Uchiha Madara—
That guy always walked around with a cold expression, acting as if he was invincible, never sparing him even a glance.
Seeing Madara in a miserable state now, restrained by White Zetsu, actually made Shinno quite happy.
Yes! Everything here was exactly how he wanted it to be!
That could only mean one thing…
This was all a dream!
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Just then, Senju Tobirama approached with his usual stern expression.
Back in the Akatsuki, Shennong had boldly claimed credit for the creation of the Zero-Tails, calling it his masterpiece and his life's work—conveniently ignoring the fact that the original research had been based on Tobirama's notes.
So, naturally, Tobirama wasn't too pleased with him.
That was his artificial Tailed Beast!
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Seeing Tobirama approach, Shennong put on a resolute expression.
No problem.
This was just a dream.
Inside the illusionary space, there were no nightmares.
As long as he held firm, he could shape the dream as he wished…
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Before anyone could react, Tobirama barely released a fraction of his chakra—
And Shinno, the proud leader of the Sky Ninja, immediately fell to his knees.
"Second Hokage-sama! Lord Hyuga Fuji! I have long awaited your arrival in the Akatsuki!"
"The Akatsuki's actions—capturing Tailed Beasts, reviving the disaster that is the Ten Tails—are utterly unforgivable!"
"But alas, I was powerless! My strength was too meager to resist! I had no choice but to follow their commands!"
"Now that the Snow Country has liberated Ideal City and defeated the Akatsuki, it is a blessing not only for Ideal City but also for me!"
"I, Shinno, humbly pledge my allegiance to the Snow Country!"
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Dream? What dream?
This wasn't a dream—
This was reality!
If he had truly been dreaming, then Ideal City wouldn't be in ruins, and the Akatsuki wouldn't be defeated!
His leader was missing, Hikari and the supposedly "invincible" Madara had lost, and even Orochimaru, Tamako, and White Zetsu had all betrayed them!
The Akatsuki was finished!
So what was the point of waiting?!
Grabbing onto a big thigh for protection was the only logical choice!
And so… he actually did just that.
Shinno latched onto Tobirama's leg.
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Tobirama looked down at him, his face twitching in disgust.
This Sky Ninja leader had no shame.
Tobirama kicked him twice, trying to shake him off, but Shennong refused to let go.
"Get off of me!"
"My deepest gratitude, Lord Hokage! If not for your arrival, the Akatsuki would have surely worked me to death!"
Shinno was utterly shameless now, willing to abandon all dignity just to survive.
"I have long admired you, Second Hokage-sama! I have even conducted my own research on biological sciences. Could I perhaps serve under your command?"
Tobirama: "…"
Heh. The one who nearly worked you to death… was me.
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Tobirama narrowed his eyes but seemed to consider it.
With an amused smirk, he said, "If you can get Hyuga Fuji's approval, you may follow me."
"This…"
Shinno hesitated, stiffly turning his gaze toward Hyuga Fuji.
Honestly speaking, the two of them had nearly come to blows before, all because of the Fire Daimyo's schemes.
If Hyuga Fuji knew the full story, his impression of Shinno probably wouldn't be very favorable.
But before Shinno could speak—
Hyuga Fuji barely spared him a glance before turning to Tobirama.
"Do as you please."
A Zero-Tails Jinchūriki was no longer a threat in this new era.
And besides, seeing Tobirama's amused expression, it was clear that he planned to teach Shinno a lesson for stealing credit for his research.
That was fine by him.
With that, Hyuga Fuji lost interest in Ideal City and turned his gaze toward Konoha.
Now, he had reached completion.
Before the final battle, he had only one last loose end to tie up.
Nagato… and… Bayakushi!
Hyuga Fuji's eyes narrowed slightly, and with a single thought, an almost imperceptible ripple spread from his body—
Like sunlight radiating outward.
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Expanding Awareness—Reaching Across the Shinobi World
Instantly, Tobirama and the others appeared within his mind's view.
Then, it expanded further—
One kilometer…
Ten kilometers…
One hundred kilometers…
Until—
Most of the Shinobi World appeared as a single, vast plane within his consciousness.
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He had replaced Heaven's Will with his own!
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The reason he had allowed Hikari to successfully cast Tsukuyomi was for this very moment.
For years, he had embedded countless mental spheres inside the God Tree, and once Hikari unleashed her jutsu, every individual trapped inside had been linked into the chakra network.
Using that connection—
He had become the center of a vast web, spanning nearly the entire Shinobi World.
All across the continent, every ninja and countless living creatures became his eyes and ears.
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Just as he was about to continue his search—
He sensed something strange.
A foreign chakra was moving through the virtual space, passing between different individuals in the Shinobi World.
Hyuga Fuji's expression turned strange.
"This chakra… it feels a bit like Black Zetsu?"
If he hadn't embedded his mental spheres across the world, he would have never noticed it.
He lifted his gaze toward the moon and let out a soft chuckle.
"So… it's Kaguya, huh?"
He had been interested in studying Kaguya's power level.
Her abilities surpassed even those of Hagoromo, and if he could analyze her, it might give him insight into his own evolution.
But now?
With the corpse of Otsutsuki Shibai in his hands… why waste time chasing after Kaguya?
Letting out a sigh, Hyuga Fuji refocused on his original goal—
Tracking down Bayakushi.
But…
No matter how far his awareness expanded, he couldn't find him.
Hyuga Fuji remained patient.
Bayakushi was hiding, but he couldn't stay hidden forever.
If he wanted revenge for Isshiki, then sooner or later, he would have to make a move.
And when that happened—
There would be nowhere left to run.
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Meanwhile…
A few kilometers outside Ideal City, Black Zetsu remained hidden among the trees, observing the silent battlefield.
His heart felt heavy.
"The world is divided into three powers now… and Madara's dream of revolution… has died before it even began."
He sighed deeply.
If not for "Young Master" Nagato, who could still revive Kaguya, he would have completely lost all hope.
"I must leave now. I need to find Nagato. Hyuga Fuji is too powerful—we need to rethink our approach."
Just as he prepared to leave—
A strange sensation washed over him.
"Who's there?!"
He turned around abruptly—
And saw a squirrel perched on a tree branch, staring at him with cold, emotionless eyes.
A chillingly familiar chakra radiated from it.
Black Zetsu's eyes widened in shock, his mouth trembling.
"M…Mother?!"
(End of Chapter)
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