The guest from afar—the alternate-timeline Sasuke who had traveled across space-time—

After the battle with the Ōtsutsuki, he had shared certain pieces of information. Following that, Senju Tobirama arranged for him to stay temporarily in Konoha, something between observation and soft confinement.

Only after the Shinobi Alliance had been established and the direction of the great formation confirmed did Senju Tobirama finally decide, on this day, to approach the alternate-timeline Sasuke for more intelligence.

About the shinobi world in his timeline.

On one hand, to obtain further knowledge about the Ōtsutsuki. On the other, to try luring the alternate-timeline Sasuke into the great formation.

After all, a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was an extremely valuable source of power…

After speaking at length with the alternate-timeline Sasuke, Senju Tobirama was utterly shaken by what had happened in that shinobi world without Kazuki…

How could so much chaos occur?

Tobirama's sharp mind quickly realized—this was the perfect chance to rally hearts behind Kazuki!

Nothing could drive the point home better than hearing, from a traveler of another timeline, what the shinobi world would look like without Kazuki…

And it was something quite strange.

In the shinobi world where Kazuki did not exist, even the great Hidden Villages—despite being enemies—seemed to be in a better state than in the original timeline…

As for Konoha, it wasn't even worth mentioning—it was in shambles!

"In a while, I'll bring in some shinobi. I'll need you to repeat the experiences you've just shared…"

Tobirama gave a light cough.

"As repayment, once matters settle in our shinobi world, I'll ask Kazuki to lend aid to your timeline."

The alternate-timeline Sasuke nodded helplessly.

Truth was, he had no choice… After all, the treasure that allowed him to traverse time and space had already fallen into Kazuki's hands. He could never return to his world…

And more than that—

After witnessing the progress of this shinobi world, Sasuke also realized that the true calamity awaiting them was far beyond something he and Naruto together could resolve.

It was an enemy that even Kazuki himself regarded with worry…

One by one, they arrived.

Ōnoki, the Third Raikage, the Third Kazekage, Pakura, Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Fugaku—even Uchiha Itachi…

Many figures who had met grim ends in the original timeline gathered here.

And then, an unexpected one.

As the assembly neared completion, a spatial rift slowly opened, and Uchiha Obito stepped out.

"Everyone, I'm not late, am I?"

The alternate-timeline Sasuke shot to his feet at once.

"Be careful! This man is extremely dangerous. At this point in time, he has a strong inclination toward destroying the world—he thrives on chaos!"

Obito's face twitched.

You're the one with a world-destroying inclination!

…Wait, no, when Rin died, that part was actually true.

…Never mind then.

"Sit down, Sasuke… Within both of them, I sensed Kazuki's chakra."

The red glow of Tobirama's Mangekyō Sharingan flickered as he waved a hand.

"That alone is enough for trust."

The alternate-timeline Sasuke reluctantly nodded, though suspicion lingered in his eyes. His gaze shifted to Black Zetsu.

"You are… Why do you possess Uchiha Obito's Kamui?"

"You may call me Uchiha Rin—or, if you prefer, by my former name: Zetsu."

Uchiha Rin clung sweetly to Obito's arm as she answered crisply.

Alternate-timeline Sasuke: Huh?

Sasuke's brows furrowed tightly.

His pair of tomoe-patterned Rinnegan fixed rudely on Black Zetsu. The refined lines of his face, now twisted by shock, lent his gaze an almost coarse edge.

No way…

Black Zetsu was clinging to Obito's arm—and had even taken the form of a woman from the Uchiha clan?

The words themselves, when broken apart, Sasuke could understand.

But strung together like that, why did they become so incomprehensible? As if there were a curse woven into them, and just thinking about it made his head feel like it would explode…

"Hey, greasy middle-aged man, you'd better move those eyes elsewhere!" Obito stepped forward, shielding Black Zetsu behind him. Narrowing his eyes, his tone was sharp as he said: "Those are Mangekyō Sharingan… and a Rinnegan too? You're an Uchiha shinobi?"

"Why is it I've never heard your name before…" The battle intent in Obito's eyes deepened as he stared at Sasuke with growing suspicion.

An Uchiha with such overwhelming power, appearing out of nowhere… Having lived through Madara's descent into darkness, Obito could not help but recall unpleasant memories.

Could it be… another Uchiha Madara?

At his side, Black Zetsu gave a faint chuckle, tugged lightly on Obito's sleeve, and leaned in to whisper something by his ear.

Only then did Obito's expression ease somewhat. He let out a cold snort, his dissatisfaction with Sasuke's impolite stare made plain.

Back when they had fought the trio of Ōtsutsuki, Obito had been possessed by Isshiki and cast into another dimension. He had never heard Sasuke's later explanations, which led to his current misunderstanding…

As for Black Zetsu—though he had not been close enough to eavesdrop at the time, his millennia of intelligence work, coupled with information gathered later, had allowed him to piece together the truth of this otherworldly Uchiha named Sasuke.

'This Uchiha Sasuke actually doesn't know about Kazuki… But someone like Kazuki could never be obscure in any timeline. The only explanation is that, in Sasuke's world, Kazuki doesn't exist…'

'So this is like throwing a victory banquet for my elder brother…'

Black Zetsu glanced at Senju Tobirama's expression, then gave him a knowing look and a faint smile.

In that instant, Black Zetsu understood exactly what Tobirama intended. Inwardly, he mused: 'No wonder he was so highly regarded by his brother… Even without Ōtsutsuki blood, his grasp of human nature and his cunning aren't beneath my own.'

And when Tobirama caught Black Zetsu's glance, he, too, allowed a smile.

This mysterious existence—sometimes appearing as Uchiha Rin, sometimes as a bizarre Yin-Yang Release construct—after conversing with Madara and the others, Tobirama had also discerned its true nature.

It was a desperate trump card created by Kaguya to ensure her escape.

Though its combat ability could not hold the stage, it had nonetheless succeeded in sowing chaos across the shinobi world, even leading Madara himself by the nose.

And when Tobirama had seen Kazuki's chakra flowing within Black Zetsu's body, his heart had eased greatly…

At last, a clever ally.

Yet as these two schemers exchanged glances, Sasuke remained utterly oblivious.

He was still stuck on the horrifying fact that Obito and Black Zetsu were together!

What in the world had happened in this timeline?!

Too much—this was insane!

The Black Zetsu in Sasuke's memory was the very same who had possessed Uchiha Obito to unleash the Samsara of Heavenly Life, and then stabbed Uchiha Madara in the back—the so-called third son of the Ōtsutsuki!

"You're not going to rescue Kaguya?"

Sasuke stared blankly at Black Zetsu and demanded, "What are you doing? Dating Uchiha Obito? Does Kaguya know about this?"

Driven by confusion, he fired off four questions in quick succession, like bullets from a gun.

"Kaguya knows, of course. I told her directly…"

But a flicker of uncertainty passed through Black Zetsu's heart. True, he had said it in front of Kaguya—but as for how she reacted within Kazuki's body, he couldn't be sure…

A blessing was out of the question. He only hoped the scolding wouldn't be too harsh.

Still, his expression remained utterly calm as he replied, "As for saving Kaguya… She's perfectly safe within Kazuki's body. That isn't something I need to concern myself with."

And as for the question of being in love with Obito, Black Zetsu merely exchanged a smile with him.

Alternate-timeline Sasuke was stunned numb. He turned to Senju Tobirama. "I just told you the history from my world, didn't I? It's different from here, isn't it?"

"Otherwise, how could the difference be this great…"

The other shinobi present all shook their heads. Kakuzu spoke up: "In the 44th year of Konoha—when Kazuki first began to make his mark—before that, your timeline and ours were mostly the same…"

"In other words, Boss doesn't exist in your world. It's his existence that changed ours."

Hearing the word "Boss," Sasuke turned toward Kakuzu's arm, where a Konoha forehead protector was tied—the very one Kazuki had once given him—leaving him all the more bewildered.

"Kakuzu, how did you end up as a shinobi of Konoha?"

"What are you talking about! I'm the Head of Intelligence for Konoha's Root. I'm not a Konoha shinobi. And what about you—are you?" Kakuzu gave a cold snort, his beady eyes raking up and down Sasuke.

"Little Uchiha brat from another timeline—where's your Konoha forehead protector?"

Sasuke was left speechless.

Truth be told, ever since the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, he really hadn't worn a forehead protector…

"But I'm curious myself. Without Kazuki, what would become of me in another timeline? Probably I'd just go on as a bounty hunter forever, living out a dull, empty life."

Fixing his gaze on Sasuke, Kakuzu added slowly, "Brat, in your timeline—you must have heard of me. The Immortal Ninja, Kakuzu?"

Sasuke gave a numb nod.

"I've heard of you… But you didn't go on living a dull life. Naruto took you down in one shot with his Rasenshuriken, piercing three of your hearts. Then Kakashi finished you off, stabbing through your last heart with his Raikiri."

"What?" A huge question mark all but appeared above Kakuzu's head.

Kakashi—that was Sakumo's kid, wasn't it? And he killed me?

"No way, brother Sakumo, what kind of lessons did you give your son?" Kakuzu first grumbled, then turned to the astonished Kakashi, eyes narrowing with amusement.

"Good boy, you've got real skill—managed to kill even your Grandpa Kakuzu, eh? Looks like you've got potential. Once the war's over, you and I need to sit down and have a proper talk!"

Kakashi waved his hands frantically, face paling. "No—that wasn't me!"

Kakashi was very familiar with Kakuzu—and quite fond of him as well.

After Hatake Sakumo's suicide, he had been brought back to life when Kazuki stitched his heart together with Earth Grudge Fear.

From then on, the two had become Root partners, and they got along extremely well.

Kakuzu would often come to Sakumo's home for meals, and when on missions, he would bring Kakashi souvenirs from other nations. He really was like a true uncle, caring deeply for him.

Especially since it had been Earth Grudge Fear that saved Sakumo's life, Kakashi's gratitude and recognition toward Kakuzu only grew stronger.

And now this guy named Sasuke had just opened his mouth—and claimed to have killed Kakuzu!

No way… what on earth had happened in a timeline without Kazuki?!

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