"Lord Madara, that little brat left on his own."
Several tens of miles away from the battlefield, Madara sat somewhat disheveled on a rock.
He bowed his head, looking at his aging body, and fell into a brief silence.
The encounter with the Shimura clan's brat once again made Madara keenly aware of his own aging.
His thin right hand lifted, slowly clenched, and Madara's gaze became firm and sharp.
"Lord Madara, do you want to make that little brat experience pain?" White Zetsu, emerging from the ground with only his upper body, looked at Madara and asked.
"That brat is one who sees through the essence of the world but willingly falls into decadence, associating with mediocrity!"
"Voluntarily living with worms and insects, he will inevitably fall into mediocrity!"
"Such a coward is not worthy of joining my plan!" Images and memories from the wood clone flashed through Madara's mind as he spoke coldly.
"What a pity! It seems he has disappointed you."
"You keep an eye on Nagato." Madara said coldly, standing up again after his rest.
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
Ignoring White Zetsu as he returned underground, Madara jumped down from the moss-covered boulder to the ground.
Feeling the reality of his aging body once again, Madara made a decision in his heart.
In order for the "Eye of the Moon" plan to proceed smoothly, with his limited lifespan, he should also cultivate an obedient tool.
Just as Madara made the decision to find and train a tool, Kizaru also returned to the Amegakure with Matatabi, seeking his own tool.
Three days after defeating Madara, in the outskirts of the city where Amegakure was located, in the forests surrounding the city, Kizaru and Matatabi were hiding in a dense tree, eagerly observing.
"Yahiko, has that Golden Flash already returned to the Land of Fire? Do we really need to find him?"
"Of course, I must pay respects to that Golden Flash who defeated Lord Hanzo. I must follow him to learn ninjutsu and change the plight of Amegakure!"
Not far from the large tree where Kizaru was hiding, a boy and a girl were sitting by a campfire, roasting fish and corn.
These two children were none other than Yahiko and Konan, whom Kizaru was seeking!
In the original plot, due to the need to guard against other major nations, Konoha's forces were dispersed, and their conflict with Amegakure lasted longer. The decisive battle between the Legendary Sannin and Hanzo also occurred later.
At that time, Nagato had already become an orphan. He witnessed the battle between the Sannin and Hanzo along with Yahiko and Konan by chance in the distance.
After witnessing the battle between the Legendary Sannin and Hanzo, the three of them, in order to become stronger, decided to seek out the trio to become their disciples.
This was the life trajectory of the three before they met Jiraiya, as depicted in the original plot.
But because of Kizaru's appearance, the Second War was nearing its end just as it began. Amegakure did not suffer the tragic fate of becoming the main battlefield between the major nations because of this.
Also because of Kizaru, with no pressure from other directions, Konoha dared to launch a direct frontal battle after Hanzo declared war, significantly advancing the timeline for the battle between the trio and Hanzo.
The change in the timeline fortunately prevented Nagato from becoming an orphan, but it also meant that he couldn't meet Yahiko and Konan.
In the end, only Yahiko and Konan, who were wandering near the city where Amegakure was located, witnessed Hanzo defeat the Sannin and then be defeated by Kizaru.
Kizaru's splendid performance in that battle deeply shook the hearts of the two children.
"So this is how powerful ninjas are!"
After fleeing the battlefield, Yahiko, who was deeply impressed, proposed to Konan that they go find the Golden Flash to become his disciples together.
The intelligent Konan understood the difficulties involved but, faced with Yahiko's enthusiastic proposal, she gently agreed.
The two of them, having made their decision, braved dangers to inquire about the whereabouts of the Golden Flash, only to receive news that the Golden Flash had already returned to Konoha in the Land of Fire.
"Are these two kids your targets? They seem to admire you a lot!" Reduced to the size of a cat, observing Yahiko and Konan's conversation, and hearing Yahiko's dialogue, Matatabi looked at Kizaru squatting beside it.
With a smirk on his face, Kizaru, who also heard the conversation, stroked his chin, eagerly watching the two kids below.
Indeed, very interesting!
Watching Kizaru with a perverted gaze, Matatabi asked vigilantly, "What do you want to do now?"
Looking at Matatabi, Kizaru's smile became more self-indulgent.
"Just playing with them!"
With that, Kizaru stood up directly, formed hand seals, and performed the Transformation Jutsu.
White smoke rose and then slowly dissipated, revealing the dazzling appearance of the authentic Admiral Kizaru.
Standing at three meters tall, he wore a yellow-striped suit, white leather shoes, a purple tie, tea-colored sunglasses, and a white admiral's cloak draped over his shoulders.
With the Transformation Jutsu, Kizaru perfectly replicated the appearance of the famous Admiral.
"What kind of freakish creature are you!" Seeing Kizaru's new form, Matatabi couldn't help but scoff.
"How unbecoming, Matatabi!" Hands in his pockets, Kizaru bent down, looking down at Matatabi with a smirk.
Ignoring this freak, Matatabi lifted its head haughtily, elegantly looking in another direction.
Seeing Matatabi ignoring him, Kizaru didn't mind. With a slight smile, he jumped down from the tree.
The noise caused by Kizaru's landing caught the attention of the two kids roasting fish.
With their heads held high, Yahiko and Konan were a bit dumbfounded to see this three-meter-tall "giant" for the first time.
After a moment of hesitation, Yahiko reacted first.
He immediately stood up, took a half step forward, and stood in front of Konan, looking warily at Kizaru.
"Uncle, what do you want?" Feeling nervous, Yahiko looked at Kizaru, who was smiling and looking at them, and asked.
"Me? I'm just hungry!" Smiling, Kizaru's gaze shifted to the fish roasting on the fire, the only one left.
Hearing Kizaru's words, Yahiko instinctively glanced at the roasted fish and corn in front of him, then looked back at Konan, who had also stood up. They exchanged a glance.
Just as Yahiko was about to speak, he saw Konan nodding at him.
With her support, Yahiko turned his gaze back to Kizaru not far away.
"Uncle, we don't have much food either. If you don't mind, you can join us!" Yahiko, who didn't want to offend or anger the suddenly appearing, strangely dressed, tall figure like a giant, kindly invited.
"Oh, thank you so much!" Smiling, Kizaru stepped forward and slowly approached the two children.
As Kizaru approached, Yahiko and Konan felt the towering stature of Kizaru more keenly.
Kizaru almost completely blocked out the sunlight, casting his shadow directly over the two children.
"So...tall!" With his head raised to the limit, Yahiko looked at Kizaru, who maintained his smile but had wrinkles all over his face, and couldn't help but marvel.
Behind Yahiko, feeling intimidated by Kizaru's height, Konan took a few steps back nervously.
"So cute!" Noticing Konan's movement, Kizaru smiled and said.
Noticing Kizaru's gaze, Yahiko raised his hand to protect Konan and looked up, saying, "Uncle, I'm Yahiko, and this is Konan behind me. What's your name?"
"A name?" Rubbing his chin, Kizaru revealed his "true name": "Borsalino!"
"Borsalino? Uncle, did you come to Amegakure from another country?" Curious, Yahiko asked, as he hadn't heard of such a style of name in Amegakure.
Nodding, Kizaru said, "I'm from the Land of Fire."
"Land of Fire!"
"Land of Fire!"
Upon hearing Kizaru's response, Yahiko and Konan both exclaimed in unison.
After the exclamation, they exchanged a glance, seeing the determination and caution in each other's eyes.
Nodding slightly at Konan, indicating reassurance, Yahiko turned his gaze back to Kizaru.
"Uncle, the fish and corn are ready, let's sit down and talk!" Pointing to the fish and corn on the fire in front of them, Yahiko smiled kindly.
Nodding with a smile, Kizaru sat down cross-legged directly.
Watching Kizaru, who was taller than both of them, sit down, Yahiko marveled again at Kizaru's height.
Turning around to lead Konan and make her sit on his other side, Yahiko sat down as well, beside Kizaru.
"Uncle, what do you do? Why did you come to Amegakure?" Sitting down, Yahiko initiated the conversation.
"I'm a pirate, here to search for treasure." Kizaru, wanting to tease the two kids, casually fabricated a lie.
"Treasure?" Yahiko exclaimed with surprise.
Amegakure is an inland country, separated from the vast Land of Fire by a huge distance.
This uncle, who claimed to be a pirate with a strange name, actually came to Amegakure to search for treasure, which surprised both Yahiko and Konan.
Nodding, Kizaru raised his voice slightly. "I dream of becoming the Pirate King!"
Exchanging glances again, Yahiko and Konan both found this uncle very strange!
"A month ago, while on a great voyage conquering the sea, I unexpectedly obtained a treasure map." Without pause, Kizaru lied smoothly.
Captivated by Kizaru's words, Yahiko and Konan watched him quietly.
"The treasure map was left by a great pirate named Roger. He wrote on it, 'Do you want my treasure? If you do, I'll give it all to you. Go find it! I've hidden all my treasures in Amegakure.'"
Upon hearing this, the young Yahiko and Konan's eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement.
A great pirate, a treasure map! These elements were extremely attractive to children.
"Did you find it, Uncle?" Yahiko asked curiously.
Wearing a look of disappointment, Kizaru smiled bitterly. "No, I haven't found it yet."
"Uncle, you'll find it!" Seeing Kizaru's disappointment, the kind-hearted Yahiko raised his right hand to encourage him.
Shaking his head sadly, Kizaru said in a low voice, "It's too late."
"Why? Are you giving up, Uncle?" Yahiko asked in confusion.
Intentionally coughing violently, Kizaru gasped as he spoke under the concerned gaze of the two children. "Just a week ago, I was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I don't have much time left."
"Is there really no way to cure it?" Konan, who had been silent, spoke for the first time.
Shaking his head, Kizaru continued, "Perhaps only Princess Tsunade of Konoha has a chance to cure my illness."
"Then, Uncle, you should hurry back to the Land of Fire and find Princess Tsunade in Konoha!" Yahiko said anxiously.
"It is said that Princess Tsunade of Konoha likes gambling and is very greedy. To ask her for treatment, you need a lot of money." Kizaru looked at Yahiko and Konan with a wry smile. "Only by finding the treasures recorded on the treasure map and giving those treasures to Princess Tsunade, may there be hope for her to cure me!"
After listening to Kizaru's words, Yahiko fell silent.
After bowing his head in silence for a moment, Yahiko made a decision. He clenched his right fist over his left hand, looked firmly at Kizaru, and said passionately, "Uncle, let us help you find the treasure and take it to Konoha to ask Princess Tsunade to cure you!"
"Yahiko!" Seeing Yahiko's determined expression, Konan called out with concern.
"Uncle, do you believe in us?" Yahiko asked seriously, looking at Kizaru.
"I'm truly grateful!" Kizaru looked at Yahiko with gratitude and smiled.
Raising his right hand, clenched into a fist, Yahiko reached out to Kizaru.
Understanding Yahiko's intention, Kizaru also raised his right hand, clenched into a fist, and lightly tapped Yahiko's outstretched fist.
With Kizaru's approval, Yahiko smiled happily.
Seeing this, Konan also extended her small right hand. Due to the short distance, she had to stand up to reach Yahiko's and Kizaru's right hands.