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Within the Fire Country's borders.
The sunlight was exceptionally brilliant, shining under the warm sun.
In the dense Konoha Forest, the sounds of various birds and beasts echoed back and forth, as if celebrating this beautiful spring.
At a mountain stream, a high-hanging waterfall descended rapidly from high above, resembling a silver hook!
The splashes of silvery water droplets refracted into colorful rainbows under the warm sunlight, creating a breathtaking scene.
In the deep pool below, plump fish occasionally leaped, as if trying to cross this rainbow bridge and break free from their restraints.
But in a concealed cave near this deep pool.
The scene was entirely different!
A profound darkness seemed to devour all the light.
In this darkness, a frail, hunched old man sat on a rock.
In front of him, a pile of embers burned dimly, and the faint firelight seemed to be on the brink of extinguishing, just like the old man's life.
The old man sat quietly, his gaze calmly fixed on the embers, without saying a word.
"Rustle, rustle!"
Suddenly, some strange noises came from a withered tree behind the old man.
A wriggling white substance slowly oozed out from the withered tree, gradually condensing into a humanoid figure.
"Plip, plip!"...
The white humanoid figure slowly walked to the old man's side.
When he saw the old man's actions, he couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"Oh my, have you been sitting in this posture since you left yourself, old man? This can't be good for an elderly person, you know."
Hearing his playful words, the old man slowly turned his head, and his eyes, as deep as darkness itself, stared at him as he spoke hoarsely.
"Have you carried out your mission, Zetsu?"
Hearing his words, the white humanoid figure named Zetsu suddenly looked bewildered, glancing around and stuttering.
"Uh... well... you see..."
In response to Zetsu's reaction, the old man remained calm, his voice hoarse.
"Don't forget who created you. If you defy my orders, you Nawakiuld be able to imagine the consequences."
With that said, he turned his head slowly and continued to gaze at the dim embers, as if trying to get closer to this light on the verge of extinguishing.
Meanwhile, the white Zetsu standing next to him scratched his head awkwardly and said softly.
"Actually, it's already done. The little guy you instructed me to deal with has had his eyes modified as you ordered."
"At the right time, he will naturally awaken."
"But are you really sure this method will work?"
In response to Zetsu's words, the old man didn't answer. Instead, a gleam of determination flashed in his eyes as he muttered.
... You probably never imagined, even in death...
The inscription on the Uchiha tablet... That's where the real method to achieve our dreams is recorded...
The Infinite Tsukuyomi...
Seeing that the old man didn't respond to him, Zetsu pouted.
Then he walked to a spot behind and laid down.
At this moment, the hoarse voice of the old man slowly came.
"That boy, make sure to monitor him closely. He can't have any issues."
In response, Zetsu sighed and said helplessly.
"Well, well, I've already arranged a clone nearby to keep an eye on him. Any movement, and I'll report it to you immediately."
Afterward, the two fell silent.
Under the dim light of the embers, the old man's figure stretched long until it merged into the darkness. In the corner of the cave, a vague and terrifying monstrous presence loomed.
...
In Konoha Village.
Sosuke walked quietly on the village streets.
As the Fire Country, despite being a powerful nation, had been at war with the Rain and Wind Countries for nearly three years, this war had not significantly affected the lives of the villagers in Konoha.
Both the Wind and Fire Countries had tacitly agreed to keep the battlefield in the Rain Country.
This made the villagers of Konoha feel more attached to their own village. After all, through various channels, they had learned about the miserable lives of the Rain Country citizens.
In comparison, being a villager of Konoha was truly fortunate.
Sosuke, who had achieved great feats on the battlefield, was highly respected by the villagers.
His title as "Leaf's Child" was well-deserved!
Just as Sosuke greeted a villager with a warm smile and continued down the street, at the corner he was passing by!
"Hah!"
Accompanied by a clear and childlike voice, a shadow suddenly rushed towards Sosuke!
In response, Sosuke smiled, gently extending his finger and lightly tapping forward.
Just as the shadow was about to touch the mirror hanging from his waist!
His slender finger gently touched the shadow's forehead.
"Bang!"
A burst of white smoke erupted!
Behind him!
A brown-haired child suddenly leaped high into the air. His little hand reached towards Sosuke's waist, and there was a victorious smile on his face as he said in a childish voice.
"Sosuke, that was a shadow clone, you know! Hehe, I'm going to win!"
However!
His full effort ended up in vain.
"Bang!"
With his body suddenly losing balance, he fell heavily to the ground.
Getting up from the ground, the brown-haired child felt a bit disheartened and struggled to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes due to the pain.
At this moment, Sosuke's tall figure slowly approached him. There was still a warm smile on his lips as he spoke softly.
"Nawaki, are you crying?"
Hearing Sosuke's words, Nawaki immediately wiped away his tears with the back of his hand, turned around, and faced Sosuke, saying in a childlike voice.
"No way, I was just... the wind blew into my eyes, that's all."
Hearing the childlike tone in his words, Sosuke smiled and gently ruffled his hair.
In response, Nawaki slightly turned his head, sneakily glancing at Sosuke, and said in a childlike voice.
"Sosuke, I'm already a big kid. Don't keep messing with my hair."
Sosuke chuckled softly and said gently.
"Even big kids are still kids. Let me know when you can create a Shadow Clone, and then you can tell me you've grown up."
At this, Nawaki blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed that despite his numerous attempts, he hadn't managed to successfully ambush Sosuke.
Suddenly, Nawaki seemed to remember something and looked up at Sosuke, asking.
"Sosuke, when is my sister coming back? It's been a long time since I've seen her."
In response, Sosuke smiled at him, looked into the distance, and said softly.
"It should be soon. After all, Tsunade has been thinking about you all this time."
Hearing his words, young Nawaki nodded obediently.
He deeply believed in Sosuke's words.
...
Afterward, Sosuke continued to walk alone on the street.
However, a stunningly beautiful figure of Kyōka Suigetsu appeared by his side.
Her figure was as perfect as ever.
Her delicate face was like that of a proud angel.
She gazed at Sosuke with a smile on her face, and her black eyes sparkled with light as she asked softly.
"Sosuke, why do you care so much about that child?"
Sosuke glanced at her, smiled slightly, and said softly.
"Nawaki has the potential for it... even though you come from another world, don't underestimate this place."
"If you've read some of the records, you'll find that the secrets hidden in this world are truly fascinating..."
As he said this, his eyes gleamed with excitement.