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Horyu looked at the assembled shinobi, noting the impact of his words on them. Satisfied that he had planted the necessary seeds of understanding, he turned to Mito and said, "I am returning to the village, Mito-sama. I will arrange your arrival."
Mito nodded, a warm smile on her face. "Godspeed," she replied.
Horyu smirked, "I have it," and vanished in an instant.
The room descended into silence, each shinobi lost in their thoughts. Hashirama was the first to break the quiet. "He is unique," he observed, his tone filled with a mix of admiration and curiosity.
Mito nodded, her gaze softening as she thought about Horyu. "He can see the picture as it is. He doesn't hate the village, the Uchiha, Shisui, Hirato, or others. He just knows that everyone has their own reasons for what they are doing, and every person is their own."
She let out a tired sigh, her expression reflecting the weight of years of wisdom and experience. "Humans often forget that others are just like them. We start to think of ourselves as special and believe that what we want, think, and wish are more important than others'. But everyone is the same. That causes all this conflict."
The gathered shinobi listened, the gravity of Mito's words sinking in. Naruto looked down, his fists clenched as he grappled with his emotions. Himawari placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering silent support.
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin exchanged glances, the weight of their shared history heavy in the air. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan nodded in agreement.
Returning to the Mist Front, Horyu appeared in front of Shisui, who looked tired and older. The weight of his decisions and the toll of using his Mangekyo Sharingan were evident on his face.
"How is it?" Shisui asked, his voice tinged with weariness.
Horyu shrugged. "They are coming soon."
Shisui nodded, his gaze distant. When Horyu told him that the Uzumaki lived, Shisui was shocked beyond belief. However, the imminence of the war overshadowed his worries. He also had to consider the presence of two Kage, one of whom was Tobirama Senju, whose hatred for the Uchiha was legendary. Shisui knew he couldn't control them with his Mangekyo. First, they were legendary Gods of Shinobi; second, they were Edo Tensei, and he wasn't sure if his Mangekyo would work on them; third, he was already losing his vision after using them for so long. His goal was now to protect Konoha and the Uchiha, as he had first dreamed. But he also realized he had gone too far.
Horyu noticed the turmoil in Shisui's eyes. "You're thinking too much," he said bluntly. "Focus on the present. We have a battle to win."
Shisui sighed, nodding. "You're right. It's just... seeing what I've become, what I've done, it weighs on me."
Horyu's expression hardened. "Regret later. Act now."
Itachi returned with the gathered Konoha Jonin, his expression serious. "Are we retreating?" he asked, looking at Horyu and Shisui.
Horyu nodded, "Yes. The First and Second Hokage have ended the war for now. The other villages will soon visit Konoha. We need to present a united front against the enemy manipulating us all."
Some of the Jonin clenched their fists in frustration. "But why should we give up our advantage now that we are ahead?" one of them argued. "Four villages gathered to attack us before this hidden enemy stole their tailed beasts. We should strike while we have the upper hand."
Shisui got up, his gaze steady and filled with determination. "We were all manipulated into this war. Continuing will only lead to more of our brothers and sisters dying. We need to focus on the real enemy now."
Itachi stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "We have to be smart about this. The First and Second Hokage have called for a meeting of all the villages. We need to show unity and strength, not chaos and division."
The Jonin looked at each other, the tension in the air palpable. Slowly, they began to nod, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Horyu continued, "Once the other villages arrive in Konoha, we will discuss our next move. For now, we need to regroup and prepare."
As they prepared to leave, Shisui glanced at Horyu, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and determination. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For everything."
Horyu sighed, "Everyone makes mistakes." He didn't elaborate and walked away, lost in his own thoughts. Reflecting on his journey, he remembered how narrow his perspective had been initially. When he first reincarnated, he viewed Shisui as a manipulative figure, solely responsible for the deaths of Minato, Kushina, and Fugaku. He believed Shisui's actions stemmed from selfish and evil desires. However, over time, Horyu's understanding deepened. He began to see the broader picture, recognizing the complex web of motivations and circumstances that had driven Shisui's choices. While he didn't regret his own actions, he acknowledged that with more wisdom, he could have handled things differently.
As he walked, the memories of his own errors weighed on him. His initial confrontations had been driven by a lack of insight, by an eagerness to correct what he perceived as wrong without understanding the full scope of the situation. The lessons he'd learned shaped him into a more strategic and reflective individual. Horyu's growth wasn't marked by regret but by a commitment to do better, to see the world in all its complexity and act accordingly.
He looked at the sky as the rain began to fall, each droplet mingling with the dirt and grime of the battlefield. "I've never been the sentimental type, pondering over useless questions," Horyu thought. The mysteries of his reincarnation, the origin of the system, his purpose—these were things he had chosen to ignore. He saw no problem in using this second chance for his own benefit. He wasn't heartless, but he had his own code, his own sense of right and wrong.
The rain fell harder, soaking his clothes, but he barely noticed. "Things will work out in the end," he mused, his voice barely a whisper. "Even if Kaguya returns at her peak, I can contend with her. The real problem isn't her, though. Beyond Kaguya, there are specters, ancient forces we barely understand." He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the coming battles. "After we deal with Hirato and Zetsu, I need to discuss the Utopia Plan with Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito-sama."
A day later, Konoha had seen visitors of legendary caliber. First to arrive was Mifune of the Samurai Land, who had initially overseen the Five Kage Summit Shisui held three years ago. Although he felt vexed by Shisui breaking their agreement, the mysterious visitor at the most recent Five Kage Summit had reminded him of his own hypocrisy. Mifune felt ashamed—an emotion a samurai would rather die than experience. He realized his error in judgment. When other villages declared war on Konoha despite agreeing in front of him, Mifune did nothing. Now that Konoha was on the weaker side, he wanted to bully it? The mysterious visitor's words had struck a nerve.
Mifune, clad in his traditional samurai armor, approached the gates of Konoha with a solemn expression. His dark eyes scanned the area, taking in the remnants of the recent battles. The air was thick with tension and the scent of lingering smoke. He saw Shisui waiting at the entrance, ready to greet him and those who would follow.
Shisui's face was stoic, but there was a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Mifune-dono, welcome to Konoha," he said, bowing slightly.
Mifune's gaze hardened as he looked at Shisui. "Uchiha-dono, it seems you have caused quite a stir," he replied, his tone edged with frustration.
Shisui nodded. "I have. But now is not the time for past grievances. We face a greater threat that requires all our strength and unity."
The samurai leader sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I understand. Let us proceed."
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