Menma's gaze locked onto the blueprint Kyusei had pushed toward him.
As someone who had independently developed the Nine-Faced Suvaha technique, he held absolute authority when it came to sealing arts.
"This pattern…"
His fingers traced along the intricate lines Kyusei had drawn.
"This was originally a large-scale sealing technique, something close to a space-time sealing array," Kyusei explained. "I'm thinking of converting it into a combat-oriented sealing technique."
His eyes remained fixed on Menma.
He already had ideas in mind, but he still wanted to hear Menma's thoughts.
After all, this was someone who had once aimed to rule the world in the Limited Tsukuyomi—a boss-level existence in his own right.
His insight was worth considering.
"What's your concept?" Menma asked, glancing at him.
"I want to use Adamantine Sealing Chains as the foundation."
"The Eight Gates and Six Paths as anchor points. Combined with Kurama's chakra and Sage Mode, using the spatial expansion properties of this array to create a personal domain."
Kyusei laid out his vision without hesitation.
He didn't care if Menma learned from it.
If he could grasp it, then so be it.
…Sage Mode.
Menma's expression grew serious.
He had already experienced its power firsthand. Kyusei, who had once been evenly matched with him, had completely overwhelmed his Tailed Beast Bomb after infusing it with senjutsu chakra.
And this so-called "barrier"…
Leaning back, Menma fell into deep thought.
Rather than a barrier—
This was more like a domain.
Barriers were meant for detection and confinement.
But Kyusei's intention clearly went beyond that.
If he only wanted to seal, the Adamantine Sealing Chains alone would suffice.
As the counterpart of Kushina, Kyusei had no reason not to master that technique fully.
"We won't be able to complete this quickly," Menma said after a long silence.
He was confident in his abilities—but even so, this was no ordinary technique.
Once completed, it would revolutionize shinobi combat.
Ninja battles were battles of intelligence.
But something like this would completely change the rules.
Being dragged into such a domain meant being pulled into an entirely different space.
And Menma knew—Kyusei didn't plan to create this just for one-on-one duels.
With proper execution, it could grant overwhelming control—terrain, positioning, everything.
Total dominance.
But a technique like this couldn't be developed overnight.
Even with both of them—and adding Kushina, Karin, and Kaoru—it would take at least two or three years.
"It's fine," Kyusei said lightly. "This is just an idea for now."
"Akatsuki comes first."
Seeing that Menma didn't reject it, Kyusei felt relieved.
Having someone to work with was better than doing it alone.
"Speaking of Akatsuki…" Menma leaned forward. "When are we moving?"
"This is the first real obstacle," he added. "No way I'm sitting this out."
"Once Nao opens her eyes," Kyusei replied.
Menma blinked.
"Wait—you're seriously bringing that woman along?"
He could understand Kaoru.
Paper Release, Tandem Paper Bombs, Flying Thunder God—it was a terrifying combination.
But that Byakugan woman?
What did she have?
Looks?
Kyusei just smiled.
Once Nao fully awakened, her destructive power would surpass everyone in Konoha.
The Tenseigan could split the moon in half.
The only concern was time—she had little opportunity to adapt.
But they had already delayed long enough.
Akatsuki's silence was suspicious.
They were definitely doing something with the Dragon Vein.
Time passed.
Kyusei and Menma worked on the domain technique.
Kaoru refined her combat style and mass-produced explosive tags.
Nao's Tenseigan grew more active.
Meanwhile, Akatsuki remained completely silent.
The shinobi world felt… strange.
—
Late one night, Nao lay quietly on the bed, Kyusei wrapped around her like an octopus.
The giant Tenseigan pendant on her chest glowed softly.
Then—
She opened her eyes.
The pure white Byakugan had transformed into radiant white-blue Tenseigan eyes.
Even looking at them felt overwhelming.
At the same time, a wave of power swept across Konoha.
Every capable shinobi woke instantly.
Kyusei's eyes snapped open.
Menma, Kaoru, Kushina, Sasuke, Karin—
All awakened.
Far away, Nagato suddenly opened his eyes.
His Rinnegan flickered faintly.
"This…"
A strange resonance.
Something he had never felt before.
He looked toward the distance.
Konoha.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
Konan stepped in, concern on her face.
"Nagato, what's wrong?"
"…Nothing."
"And you? Why are you still awake?"
"Too much work in the village," she said, rubbing her temples.
Since becoming the leader of Amegakure, everything fell on her shoulders.
Even with past experience, it was overwhelming for someone her age.
"…Sorry," Nagato said softly.
Konan shook her head and sat beside him.
"Isn't this what we agreed on?"
"I'll handle everything that could disturb you."
"And you'll protect me."
She held his hand.
Nagato fell silent.
"My strength is limited… this is all I can do."
"Sorry, Nagato."
He pulled her into his arms.
She didn't resist.
"I'll give you a peaceful world," he said firmly.
"That's my promise."
"I believe you," she whispered.
Under the dim light, he lowered his head—
—
Boom!
A massive Tailed Beast Bomb collided with a black sphere, sending shockwaves across the ocean.
Two figures—one golden, one green—clashed at high speed.
Nao.
Kyusei.
On the shore stood Sasuke, Menma, and Kaoru.
"…She's insane," Menma muttered.
"So he wasn't joking."
He stared at Nao, surrounded by green chakra flames.
"That level of ocular power…" Sasuke said, scratching his head. "Even I can't match it."
His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan granted him Amaterasu, Kagutsuchi, and Susanoo.
Top-tier abilities.
Yet—
Compared to her…
It felt inferior.
A natural hierarchy.
Kaoru watched calmly.
In pure combat power, Nao had surpassed her.
"Heh… your position's in danger," Menma teased.
Kaoru replied calmly, "This is all for the Dragon Vein plan."
"Every bit of strength matters."
Menma leaned closer, grinning.
"And what about you?"
"You stood beside Kyusei because of your strength."
"Now there's someone stronger."
"Do you think—"
Before he could finish, Sasuke clamped a hand over his mouth.
Kaoru gently removed it.
She looked at Menma, her gaze steady.
"I don't know why you're so hostile toward me."
"And I don't know what your childhood was like."
"But if something like this could shake me…"
She smiled softly, placing a hand on his head.
"Then I wouldn't be me."
Menma slapped her hand away.
"Do you know what I hate most?"
"…Or rather, what I hate about Namikaze Minato?"
Both Kaoru and Sasuke froze.
Why did Menma hate his parents so much?
Menma smirked coldly.
"You think I'll tell you?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"That kind of person…"
"…has no right to be my father."
Kaoru fell silent.
She sighed softly.
Menma wouldn't say anything.
And no one could force him
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