Watching Akira appear on the screen carrying groceries, Boro smirked. "Oh? Looks like a man who enjoys the simple life. But I wonder how strong he really is."
On the screen, Akira stopped walking, his tone calm and indifferent. "If I'm not mistaken… you're Ao of the Hidden Mist. The Byakugan user."
Ao's voice came from the background. "Oh? To have my name recognized by you—I should feel honored. Uchiha Akira."
Leaning back on the sofa, Code picked his ear lazily. "He even calls him 'Mr.'? Looks pretty decent. Is this guy famous or something?"
In the footage, a hand opened a nearby case and pulled out a scientific ninja tool—a Gatling gun.
The camera lifted—Ao stood up, the recording device fixed in his eye.
"To be frank… I only wish to kill you. Or be killed by you."
"What a strange request," Akira replied casually, lifting the grocery bags in both hands. "Mind if I set these down first? They're ingredients for tonight's soup."
"Pfft!" Boro burst out laughing. "Soup? What is it—turtle soup? Something to boost your stamina?"
Jigen rested his chin on one hand, eyes fixed on the screen. "Boro. Code. Quiet."
"Nope~" Ao's voice answered with a twisted grin.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The Gatling roared, unleashing a storm of fire toward Akira.
"I see. What a pity."
Beneath his bangs, one of Akira's eyes was revealed.
Jigen's expression shifted slightly, his brow lifting. "Oh? A Rinnegan."
The next moment, Akira summoned a mechanical arm from the Asura Path, launching a detached wrist like a projectile. The explosion swallowed his figure.
When the flames cleared, Akira stood there—now holding a modified Gatling gun with his mechanical arm.
Boro leaned forward, surprised. "That's… a scientific ninja tool? He can use those too?"
Amado took a drag from his cigarette. "That's one of the Six Paths abilities of the Rinnegan. You can think of it as built-in scientific weaponry."
Gunfire erupted again.
Blue flames from Akira's Gatling clashed violently against the yellow flames from Ao's, flooding the entire scene with blinding light. The deafening roar shook even the observers.
Code frowned, covering his ears. "My eyes are going blind. So flashy…"
"No way! Our latest scientific weapon… completely suppressed!?" Ao's shocked voice rang out as the footage shook violently, debris and collapsing buildings flashing past.
Boro chuckled. "Looks like our Outer member got wrecked."
The perspective began circling Akira rapidly—Ao had switched to hit-and-run tactics.
Yet Akira didn't move an inch.
Still holding his groceries, he calmly returned fire with his mechanical arm.
Ao's weapon began to melt. A blue energy blast surged toward the camera—only to distort and vanish mid-air.
Amado explained, cigarette between his fingers, "Ao's Byakugan amplifier activated. It absorbed the Asura Path's attack."
The image stabilized.
The camera suddenly surged forward.
Though Ao's face wasn't visible, everyone could imagine it—charging forward empty-handed against a fully armed opponent.
Boro commented, almost impressed. "Not bad. The guy's got guts—charging like that instead of running."
A massive water dragon surged into view, swallowing Akira whole.
Then, in an instant—it shrank.
Akira's face appeared up close, right before the lens.
Code narrowed his eyes. "Absorption again… similar to Karma. Another Rinnegan ability, huh?"
The footage jolted again.
When it steadied, the view tilted downward—Akira's face looming from above.
He had seized Ao by the throat with a mechanical arm. The Gatling was gone, replaced by a compact, glowing purple hand cannon.
His gaze was cold, piercing straight through the lens.
"Ao of the Byakugan. We have no grudge. Why ambush me here? Speak. I don't want to kill in front of my home. If your answer satisfies me, I might spare you. But if you anger me… that won't be an option."
After Akira spoke, Ao launched into a string of sharp provocations.
The details were omitted.
"…Enough. I'll grind you to dust."
A burst of golden light engulfed the screen.
The recording ended.
"Yaaawn~" Code stretched lazily. "Boring. I thought he'd be stronger."
Boro shrugged. "That last shot was decent. But needing to grab someone at close range first? Not that impressive."
"Maybe… low Inner level. Around Deepa's level."
Code thought for a moment. "Maybe slightly stronger. He does have absorption, after all."
Boro grinned wickedly. "Absorption? Useless. Against my fast-acting virus, a half-mechanical body like his would just wait to die. Calling him Inner-level is already generous."
Code waved it off. "Whatever. I've lost interest."
Delta clenched her fists silently, eyes wide.
No… that's not it at all!
When I fought him… it wasn't like this! He's a monster—on par with Jigen himself!
If you underestimate him… you're all going to die!
Koji shook his head subtly, signaling her to stay silent.
Delta gritted her teeth.
Damn it… if not for that humiliating condition he forced on me… I…
Amado extinguished his cigarette and turned to Jigen, who had remained silent all along.
"So? Do you still think Uchiha Akira requires close attention?"
Jigen spoke calmly.
"Based on the footage alone, I can't reconcile him with the man rumored to have defeated Momoshiki and Kinshiki."
"But… there's a composure about him. The kind only true powerhouses possess."
"What we saw is far from his full strength. We cannot lower our guard."
"Find an opportunity. Send another Inner member to test him."
Amado nodded. "Understood. And the Vessel? Should we deploy another Inner member there as well?"
Jigen considered briefly.
"Konoha… since Koji and Delta have already gone, there's no need."
"I'll go myself when the time is right."
…
Meanwhile—
In a makeshift refuge outside Konoha, within a remote mountain orphanage.
Inside a quiet room—
"Naruto-kun. Sasuke-kun. You're awake."
As Naruto and Sasuke opened their eyes on the hospital beds, they saw a familiar face.
Kabuto Yakushi stood before them, calm and composed.
"Ka…buto…!" Sasuke tried to sit up—but sharp pain shot through both shoulders.
"Please, don't move," Kabuto said firmly. "Let me explain your condition briefly."
"Sasuke, I've used Hashirama cells to recreate your lost right arm—and your previously missing left arm as well."
"Naruto, for your destroyed eye, I implanted a pair belonging to Uchiha Kagami. He never awakened the Mangekyō, but they will serve."
Sasuke's voice was hoarse. "I thought you retired."
Kabuto handed him a cup of water. "I did. But as an external ally of the village, I can't ignore its safety—or let you both die."
"However…" Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his tone turning serious.
"Naruto—you've lost half of Kurama."
"Sasuke—you've lost your Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in your right eye."
"While the new arms and Sharingan compensate somewhat… they cannot fully replace what you've lost. Your combat strength has declined."
"And Naruto—without a full Kurama, that red mode you used against Uchiha Akira… is no longer possible."
He paused, his voice steady but heavy.
"And Akira aside… if another enemy like that blonde woman—Delta—attacks again…"
"You may not be able to handle it."
Kabuto folded his hands, his gaze sharp behind his glasses.
"I suggest… you make preparations."
"The boy named Kawaki—the one Kara is searching for…"
"How you handle him… will determine not only the safety of the refugees here…"
"But also the lives of the children in this orphanage."
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