Naruto: Fatherhood Made me Invincible

Despite knowing the source, Kagami had no intention of being guided by some cosmic entity, benevolent or not. There was no way to confront the planetary consciousness directly for now, but he could still try to shield himself from its influence.

He turned his focus inward again. 'System, can you completely block all external forces from influencing my consciousness from now on, regardless of their intent?' he requested. He was confident that the system's power would be more than enough to create such a defense.

[Ding! Executing host's command—enable real-time psychic protection!... Command failed. Insufficient permissions. System upgrade is required to enable this feature.]

The system's response was a minor disappointment, but Kagami didn't dwell on it. Wasting energy on something he couldn't change was pointless.

He shifted his line of questioning. 'In that case, system, what are the conditions for an upgrade?'

[Ding! When the host has produced ten offspring, the system will automatically update and upgrade. Post-upgrade, you will gain access to new functions, including the ability to locate your offspring, check their status in real-time, and communicate with them remotely.]

The system continued its explanation. [Furthermore, the upgrade will unlock a new item extraction function. Whenever one of the host's wives becomes pregnant, you will be able to extract a random item from across the multiverse.]

Hearing this, Kagami's eyebrows rose in genuine interest. "Not bad," he murmured to himself. "Those are all incredibly practical functions." He had already been considering the logistical challenges of raising and protecting a large number of children in a world this dangerous. It seemed the system already had a solution prepared; he just needed to reach the milestone.

However, after learning the upgrade conditions, he also accepted that it wouldn't be happening anytime soon. He currently had only one child, Sukuna. To reach ten, he would need to have twins with Uchiha Suzune and the others. For now, the upgrade was a distant goal.

There had to be another way. Kagami focused, seeking a temporary solution to prevent the planet's consciousness from manipulating him without his knowledge.

After a moment of thought, he addressed the system again. 'System, if you cannot block the influence, can you at least alert me whenever I am being implanted with subconscious guidance?' He reasoned that if he couldn't build a wall, a warning bell would be the next best thing. That way, he would at least be aware of the manipulation and could choose how to react.

[Affirmative.]

Hearing the system's simple, positive response, Kagami finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had been worried the system would deny this request as well, leaving him completely vulnerable. Fortunately, it had not let him down.

With a temporary solution in place, Kagami's curiosity took over. He was now intensely interested in the purpose behind the planet's guidance. What kind of suggestions were so benign that the system didn't automatically intercept them? If he could understand the planet's motives, he would feel much more secure.

So, he asked, 'System, can you tell me the specifics of the three guidance prompts implanted in my subconscious?'

The system did not keep him waiting. After a brief processing period, its voice echoed in his mind once more.

[Ding! The first implanted guidance is: Marry more wives and have more children. The second guidance is: Establish an empire that unifies the ninja world and ends the age of war. The third guidance is: Send a clone to the Hidden Rain Village.]

"...?"

After hearing the three directives, a look of utter confusion spread across Kagami's face. He could understand the last two, but the first one... what in the world was that about?

Marry more wives and have more children?

'Could the planetary consciousness somehow know about my Proliferation and Blessing System?' The thought was so bizarre that it was almost comical.

While the planet's full agenda remained a mystery, the last two directives offered significant clues. The planetary consciousness of the Shinobi World seemingly wanted him to bring true peace and, in the process, thwart the plans of the Sage of Six Paths.

This wasn't difficult to deduce. The second directive was straightforward, and the third had sent his clone to the Hidden Rain Village, where he had serendipitously encountered the Sage plotting against him. Looking at it that way, the planet's goals were quite easy to guess.

"So," Kagami mused aloud, "am I the new Child of Prophecy, destined to bring peace to this world?"

The realization left him feeling bewildered. He finally understood why the system had allowed the planetary consciousness to influence him. All three directives aligned perfectly with his own goals and the system's core function. He even began to wonder if there was some kind of secret arrangement between his system and the consciousness of the ninja world. It was the only explanation for a subconscious guidance as specific and outrageous as "marry more wives and have more children."

After a silent, weary sigh, Kagami decided to stop overthinking it. Whatever the truth was, the guidance from the planet's consciousness had so far caused him no harm. In fact, it had alerted him to the Sage's plot, potentially saving him from a devastating ambush. For now, he would let the planet be. He wouldn't try to overthrow it... yet.

Of course, the primary reason for his temporary truce was the fact that he currently had no means of fighting a planet.

Just as Kagami concluded his internal dialogue, Madara spoke, his voice grave. "Have you discovered anything?" he asked. He had been wracking his brain, considering and discarding countless possibilities, but had come up with nothing. He was hoping Kagami's perspective might shed some light on the situation. He had no desire to ever be puppeteered by that unknown influence again.

On the sidelines, Kakashi could only stare blankly, lost. 'What are they even talking about? I don't understand a single word.'

Nearby, Obito, who had been brutally maimed and left for dead, groaned weakly, "Save me... I'm going to bleed out..."

A moment ago, Kagami might have been just as confused as Madara. But now, he knew exactly who the mastermind behind the manipulation was. It was, without a doubt, the planetary consciousness of the ninja world.

'But why did the planet want the Sage of Six Paths dead?' Kagami wondered. Even though it was only a clone, he was certain the planet's intent was lethal. He suspected the Sage must have been planning something that threatened the very survival of the world, forcing the planet to intervene by guiding their hands.

Seeing the flicker of contemplation in Kagami's eyes, Madara assumed he was also at a loss. Though disappointed, he said nothing. After all, if he, who had lived since the First Great Shinobi War, had no answers, what could a mere teenager possibly know?

Kagami snapped back to the present, noticing the fleeting disappointment on Madara's face. He knew Madara had misunderstood. After a moment's thought, he decided there was no harm in telling him the truth.

He spoke directly, "I believe I know who was guiding your subconscious."

"Tell me," Madara demanded, his eyes flashing with a sharp, vengeful light. "Who is it? I will make them understand the price of toying with Uchiha Madara!"

The rage was palpable, but it wasn't directed at Kagami. It was aimed at the shadowy figure who dared to invade his mind.

Kagami offered a faint, almost pitying smile. "It's the consciousness of this planet."

Madara froze. "...."

The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at Kagami, utterly speechless. "Are you telling me... this world itself is influencing my mind?"

Kagami knew he sounded insane. He didn't bother trying to explain further. "I know you don't believe it," he said calmly, "but it is the truth."