With the supplement and endorsement from the Sage of Six Paths, and combined with the intelligence provided by Uchiha Sasuke and Pakura, Senju Tobirama's reasoning received unanimous approval from all the shinobi present…

This was no ordinary war.

Their enemy was the Ōtsutsuki bloodline—the very power that had granted Kazuki his strength and also pushed his thinking to extremes.

"Everyone, do you still remember how Kazuki managed to wrest control of his consciousness from Kaguya?"

Senju Tobirama spoke in a deep voice, "It was Urashiki and Momoshiki who suppressed Kaguya, giving Kazuki the opening he needed! Now, we must take on the role of Urashiki and Momoshiki…"

"When our strength reaches a level sufficient to rival Kazuki's, the human side of him will naturally find space to suppress the Ōtsutsuki's extremism and return to his former self."

Off to the side, Orochimaru—who had been staring intently at Ōtsutsuki Hamura—cleared his throat lightly and said slowly, "What Tobirama-sama said is correct…"

"The Ōtsutsuki chakra guided Kazuki to pursue individual strength and perfection. If we can use opposing forces—'unity,' 'cooperation,' 'bonds'—to suppress Kazuki, the outcome may be far more effective."

As someone deeply versed in the art of body possession, Orochimaru offered a fair and insightful perspective.

Upon seeing Orochimaru, Tobirama shot him a sidelong glance and said dryly, "You've got some sense after all. That monkey really trained another fine student—impressive not only in research, but surprisingly resilient too…"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. Was that a jab at how he managed to survive even after being sealed by the Totsuka Blade?

Initially, Orochimaru thought to let it slide. After all, he couldn't defeat Senju Tobirama.

But then again…

Times had changed. Given Kazuki's current abnormal state, unity was the dominant theme—even Tobirama couldn't afford to settle old scores now.

So what was there to fear? Time to fire back!

"Tobirama-sama," Orochimaru said gracefully, "that's all thanks to your excellent teaching. I haven't quite mastered the essence yet—can't call it true originality until I've taken someone else's jutsu and modified it into my own."

He added with a smile, "I'll count on you to keep teaching me. Hopefully, I'll soon learn your signature technique—the Tobirama-style Orochimaru Substitution Jutsu."

Tobirama's expression darkened.

Orochimaru was referring to how Tobirama had claimed that his Serpent Substitution Jutsu was a modified technique created jointly with Kazuki…

For a proper scientific researcher, getting caught plagiarizing someone else's work face-to-face was an exceptionally awkward matter.

Uchiha Izuna immediately understood what was going on and let out a hearty laugh: "You're still too young, Orochimaru. That's just how Senju Tobirama is…"

"He always says the Uchiha only know how to copy with their Sharingan, but deep down he's just jealous. Why else would he always keep his eyes glued to the Uchiha? It's all envy, plain and simple!"

Tobirama glared at the two men who had both once fallen to him in battle, his gaze sharp and penetrating.

But soon after, he came to his senses…

This wasn't the time for conflict.

Right now, the goal was to rally everyone together—to sincerely prove to Kazuki the strength of collective unity…

Striking back physically? Out of the question.

But still, as a master of forbidden techniques, getting caught plagiarizing in front of everyone was… undeniably awkward.

"It's not plagiarism—referencing doesn't count as copying! That's innovation, you get it? In scientific research, how can you even call that copying?"

Tobirama's face flushed red, and then he launched into an incomprehensible rant—something about how, if not for Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito holding him back, he would've invented that substitution technique himself long ago… something about the 'value of the Sealing Scroll'…

For a moment, the battlefield was filled with laughter and good-natured banter.

The Sage of Six Paths watched the scene and let out a quiet sigh.

As expected—if no one threw a punch and everyone simply reasoned things out—this world could actually be… rather pleasant.

The problem, of course, was that if Kazuki weren't standing in everyone's way right now, Orochimaru's jab just now might have already provoked Tobirama into attacking.

No, without Kazuki as a common obstacle, these people wouldn't be united at all. They'd likely fight until one side was utterly crushed.

A strange and subtle premonition stirred within the Sage of Six Paths.

'The reason I allowed Asura and Indra to reincarnate over and over… was in hopes that those brothers might one day find a way to resolve their conflict. But regrettably, for over a thousand years, they've only led the shinobi world into repeated cycles of war…'

'They're able to build teams, yes—but it always ends in binary opposition. The shinobi world has never experienced true, unified harmony, not even once.'

His Rinnegan eyes swept slowly across the squabbling Tobirama, Izuna, and the others, and he exhaled a long breath.

Yes, the old grievances still lingered.

But overall, the fact that they now only exchanged barbs without drawing blades—that their conflict remained verbal rather than physical—was already the most peaceful state the shinobi world had seen since the founding of the Shinobi Sect…

'If… if Kazuki's humanity can be awakened, and the demonic nature of the Ōtsutsuki suppressed… Then maybe… maybe peace will truly return to this world.'

The Sage of Six Paths murmured to himself: 'Of all I've seen, only he has managed to unite the descendants of Indra and Asura, and earned the recognition of the other shinobi as well.'

'Could Kazuki truly be the only answer to the path toward peace?'

At that thought, the Sage of Six Paths suddenly asked aloud, "Have any of you heard of Mount Myōboku? Has there been word from there—any news of a Child of Prophecy?"

Senju Tobirama let out a cold snort.

"Of course. Those scam-artist toads had their eyes on Kazuki a long time ago…"

"If Mount Myōboku wants to atone for their attempt to infiltrate Konohagakure, then they'd better be willing to help the shinobi world wholeheartedly. If not, I will hold them accountable," Tobirama said icily.

The Sage of Six Paths' eyes lit up. He wasn't particularly concerned with Tobirama's personal evaluation of Mount Myōboku…

To him, this Tobirama—one who now possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan—was in some ways even more extreme than the average Uchiha. No matter how long ago the incident was, he simply wouldn't let it go!

What truly mattered… was that Gamamaru's prophecy really did seem connected to Kazuki!

"Focus on unity," the Sage gently reminded them, cutting off Tobirama's next comment. His gaze swept across the group.

"Do any of you know the exact details of Mount Myōboku's prophecy regarding the Child of Prophecy?"

Tobirama narrowed his eyes but didn't respond.

Now that the Sage of Six Paths had at least halfway redeemed himself, and since they still needed his help going forward, this wasn't the time to sour the mood.

And truthfully, with neither Namikaze Minato nor Jiraiya present, it seemed no one here actually knew the full wording of the prophecy. They only had vague impressions—something to do with Kazuki, but lacking clarity.

"This is important…"

The Sage emphasized once more, "Don't hold bias against Mount Myōboku. Back when I fought and defeated Kaguya, they played a major role."

Tobirama cast a sidelong glance at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said coolly, "Monkey… Don't tell me even you didn't know this? You can't control your snake disciple, and now your toad disciple's out of hand too?"

Hiruzen flinched.

In truth, he did know the specifics of Mount Myōboku's prophecy. Back then, both Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato had come to the Hokage's office seeking his support—only to be harshly rebuked by him.

But seeing Tobirama's expression now, Hiruzen initially chose to remain silent.

When his old sensei was arguing with Uchiha Izuna, that was a clash between outside parties. And in the spirit of unity to save Kazuki, they had at least maintained a certain level of restraint.

But he was different.

As Tobirama's own student, Hiruzen knew very well—if he stepped forward now and rattled off Mount Myōboku's prophecy like it were second nature, as if reciting treasured lore…

Then he'd definitely get marked by Tobirama.

Especially after having just been roasted by Orochimaru, all of this was now being tallied up on Sarutobi Hiruzen's account…

A case of the disciple causing trouble—and the sensei paying the price.

"Someone who possesses many forms of power, longs for peace but unintentionally incites war, a Child of Prophecy who walks out from within the forbidden…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen did his best to recall Jiraiya's words and slowly said, "Something like that. There may still be parts that are uncertain. We can return to Konohagakure and ask Jiraiya to confirm it."

"Sage of Six Paths, if Mount Myōboku is on familiar terms with you, could you perhaps ask them to intervene as well?"

As soon as Hiruzen finished speaking, the Sage of Six Paths suddenly lit up with delight. Stroking his long beard, he said, "Excellent! A Child of Prophecy who walks out from within the forbidden, who carries peace in his heart yet brings war in his wake…"

"As expected of Gamamaru—his prophecies are always spot on!"

Senju Tobirama furrowed his brows, seeming to realize a few corresponding clues himself.

Could it be… these toads actually had some merit?

Overall, the gist of this prophecy was that Kazuki could bring both peace and destruction—and that Mount Myōboku's power was necessary to regulate that balance and guide him onto the right path.

And if you replaced 'Mount Myōboku' with 'the shinobi world', it actually fit the current situation quite well.

"Prophecies are just vague statements dressed up to sound meaningful—purposely blurring the details so listeners fill in the gaps themselves and think they match some real situation."

"Toads are still just toads. But…"

Tobirama glanced at the Sage of Six Paths, who had a smile curling at the corner of his lips. He didn't say more—only offered a polite, cooperative smile in return.

If the Sage believed it, that was a good thing.

Because if he believed… then he'd be more willing to act.

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