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A flash of red light flickered in Kaito's eyes as he transmitted the entire sequence of events to Indra through genjutsu.
"So that's how it is."
Indra's gaze darkened, his expression remaining cold as he turned to look at the massive Tenseigan device.
"The result of countless ocular powers stacked together." He sneered. "It seems not only the descendants of the old man, but even Uncle's lineage are still killing each other."
"Why do you think Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo didn't stop any of this?" Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Just like how the Sage of Six Paths never stopped the generations-long feud between you and Asura?"
"Tch." Indra's voice was icy. "How would I know what the old man and Uncle truly thought?"
Kaito only smiled faintly. "Then let's discuss it later, Senior. For now, I need to close this door to sever the connection between the Tenseigan and the moon."
"Hmph… Do as you wish."
Indra grabbed the young boy who had tried to touch the Tenseigan earlier and strode deeper into the hall.
"See you later!"
Kaito waved at the clan members still watching him before stepping outside.
As he clasped his hands together once more, the gates of Enma Palace slowly closed, then dissolved from solid to intangible, vanishing into thin air.
---
Five Minutes Earlier, Outside the Castle.
After Kaito and Madara left, the battle outside quickly reached its conclusion.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri had severely underestimated the strength of the intruders who had come to the moon. Though he had taken Hinata hostage, he was soon overpowered once Izuna and Hikaku began fighting in earnest.
Neji seized the opportunity to rescue Hinata, and Toneri was swiftly defeated and captured.
Yet, he refused to surrender, still commanding an endless stream of puppets in an attempt to free himself.
"If only I had obtained the eyes in time…" Toneri, now seated on the ground with most of his chakra pathways sealed, glared at Hinata with his empty eye sockets.
Hinata, who had just regained consciousness, stood nearby with her head lowered, unease written all over her face.
"You wanted Hinata's eyes."
Neji, who was guarding Toneri, pressed a finger against him again, cutting off the chakra flow in another pathway.
"Your eyes aren't bad either," Toneri looked up at Neji and smiled faintly. "But… I wanted the best."
"Now you'll get nothing." Neji's voice was laced with scorn. "Gathering your clansmen's eyes to slaughter the other half of your kin—only to end up as the blind last survivor. A fitting curse for your lineage."
"We were right!"
Toneri's voice suddenly rose sharply.
"Hagoromo's destiny must be fulfilled!! No one can stop it now!!"
"Is that so?"
Neji's gaze shifted past the others still fighting the puppets, toward where Kaito had gone.
At that moment, all the puppets suddenly stiffened, collapsing to the ground with a cacophony of clattering metal.
Simultaneously, the golden spherical barrier enveloping the castle began to crumble and dissipate.
"It seems they've succeeded." Neji looked down at Toneri.
"Impossible! No one without Hagoromo's blood can interfere with the Tenseigan!!!" Toneri roared in disbelief.
"I don't know how it happened, but the moon should have stopped moving now," Hikaku remarked, looking up at the sky.
"Yeah." Izuna glanced at Toneri, whose composure had finally shattered, and smirked dismissively. "And here I was, expecting this moon expedition to be more exciting. What a letdown."
"It's not over yet."
Kaito's voice carried from a distance.
"Oh?"
Izuna turned to see Kaito and Madara approaching.
"Let's regroup first," Kaito said as he landed beside Izuna. "Everyone, head into the castle and find some food."
"Understood." Sasuke glanced up at the towering castle before turning to Kaito. "There were a lot of things I didn't understand during this operation. Feels like I missed a lot?"
"We'll talk later."
Kaito patted his shoulder and led the way into the castle.
"Rest for now. The Five Kage Summit is about to begin."
"Hoh? You've meddled in that too?" Izuna asked.
"Of course." Kaito's voice carried amusement. "It's a rare gathering that will decide the future of the shinobi world. How could I miss it? I doubt the Akatsuki will either."
Most of those present were already accustomed to Kaito's shocking statements.
As for the newcomers—
Kaito glanced back at the three Hyūga ninja and the two new members of Sasuke's team, all staring at him in stunned silence.
He could ensure they wouldn't leave the moon before things were settled.
---
Land of Iron.
Amid the swirling snow, Tsunade finally arrived at the venue of the Five Kage Summit, accompanied by Kakashi and Tokuma.
"Welcome, Hokage-sama." A lean, long-bearded samurai stepped forward. "I am General Mifune of the Land of Iron."
"Thank you." Tsunade removed her hat. "Have the other four arrived yet?"
Mifune answered honestly. "Only the Mizukage has yet to arrive."
"I see. When does the meeting begin?" Tsunade looked up at the imposing castle ahead.
Mifune gestured for her to follow. "The summit will commence tomorrow. For now, please allow my subordinates to escort you to your quarters."
"Much obliged."
Guided by two Iron Country samurai, Tsunade and her entourage entered the castle and were led without delay to their prepared rooms.
Once inside, Tsunade sat down and asked the samurai, "We didn't run into anyone from the other villages on the way. I take it our lodgings are spaced out?"
"Ah… yes." The masked samurai's tone carried slight awkwardness. "Tomorrow, once the meeting begins, all the Kage will convene."
"Got it." Tsunade waved them off. "You may go."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Once the samurai left, Tsunade turned to Kakashi and Tokuma. "You two must be exhausted from the journey. Get some rest."
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi and Tokuma exchanged glances. "We'll take shifts."
"You're seasoned shinobi. Suit yourselves."
Tsunade stood and walked into the inner chamber.
As the door closed, a figure abruptly appeared by the low table near the windowsill.
"What are you doing here?" Tsunade's tone lacked surprise as she sat across from the figure, setting her hat aside.
Kaito smiled, pouring two cups of tea.
"Please." He slid one toward her.
"Hmph." Tsunade picked up the cup, sniffed it, then eyed the composed young man. "Are you the real one or a clone?"
"A clone." Kaito cradled his cup. "Just here to witness the spectacle."