Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 209: Love and Hatred, Intertwined?

"Lord Kitsuchi, don't you want to see the world outside?"

"..."

Kitsuchi stared blankly at Hyuga Fuji, his heart heavy and conflicted, unsure of what to say.

"Take your time to think it over."

Hyuga Fuji didn't press him. With a smile and a wave of his hand, Kitsuchi was sent away.

The future nations' technologies had no breakthroughs in space manipulation, but their research on the soul was quite advanced.

The restrictions placed on Kitsuchi's body included three layers.

Beyond a memory-blocking seal similar to the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, there was also a technique developed to prevent Edo Tensei from being used—one that would erase his soul upon death.

It was a thorough defense, utilizing every precaution imaginable.

Directly extracting information from Kitsuchi wouldn't be easy, even for Hyuga Fuji. It would take time.

However, Kitsuchi might eventually reveal everything voluntarily.

After all, no one in this era knew that the future Kitsuchi was already in Hyuga Fuji's hands. Alone and isolated, Kitsuchi had no alternatives.

As Kitsuchi disappeared, Chomei emerged from a distant part of the spiritual sea and approached Hyuga Fuji, curiosity gleaming in its eyes. "I didn't expect you to care so much about these outdated rules. Humanity has survived this long—I thought no one paid attention to such things anymore."

"The times have changed. Naturally, certain adjustments are necessary."

Hyuga Fuji's gaze shifted to some of the glowing spiritual spheres floating in the sea. "Besides, individuals like them would be wasted without opportunity."

"Individuals like them?"

Following Hyuga Fuji's gaze, Chomei looked at the spiritual spheres and seemed to understand. "They all seem to be people abandoned by their families."

Thanks to Hyuga Fuji, Chomei knew what the spheres represented—

Children sold to the underground black market by their families, destined to become slaves at best, considering the minimal morality of ninja-world traffickers.

But these particular children were fortunate. Hyuga Fuji's subordinates had rescued them.

Chomei's eyes lingered on several of the spheres. "If I remember correctly, one of those kids was blinded by his parents and left to beg on the streets. Later, because he didn't earn enough, they sold him off?"

Due to words left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, Chomei, before being captured, had limited interactions with humans. It only encountered two types: those who sought to capture it through battle and those too weak to pose a threat, who watched it leave in awe.

It never actively observed human behavior and didn't understand their customs. To Chomei, humanity was simply a self-destructive species.

But through Hyuga Fuji, it had been exposed to some of the darkest aspects of humanity.

The child it mentioned had caught Chomei's attention only because Hyuga Fuji had shown particular interest in him.

"Indeed, his talent is exceptional," Hyuga Fuji remarked, focusing on the sphere Chomei mentioned. "Among civilians, his aptitude is among the best. His soul is unique and shows extraordinary potential for spiritual techniques."

Hearing this, Chomei stopped hovering and lay down on the water-like surface of the spiritual sea. "They treat their own offspring so cruelly—it's beyond comprehension. In a world like this, isn't raising a child to work later far more beneficial than exploiting them for immediate gain?"

"Unfathomable?" Hyuga Fuji turned to Chomei with a smile. "You didn't always think that way. After spending so much time with humans, you should understand their motives by now."

Chomei's tone was calm. "I still don't. I'm not human, so how could I understand their twisted nature?"

Hyuga Fuji raised an eyebrow, giving Chomei an amused glance. "You sound quite human right now."

To think it had learned to insult humans indirectly.

Chomei let out a soft snort. "Don't lump me in with them. I'm not as devious and cunning as you are."

"True, you're not."

Hyuga Fuji chuckled and didn't argue. "In any case, in the next phase, I'd like to minimize such losses."

Talented individuals who had grown and left behind a legacy could be retrieved from the Pure Land. But those who hadn't had the chance to develop their potential and had died prematurely would have no second chances.

Understanding Hyuga Fuji's reasoning, Chomei nodded slightly before changing the subject. "That raccoon dog hasn't been stuffed into the Ten-Tails yet, has it?"

"Not yet. Are you planning to save it?"

"Not really. It won't die anyway. Besides, the Ten-Tails' revival aligns with your plans, doesn't it? I just can't figure out who you're going to use to replace me when the time comes."

The Ten-Tails couldn't be resurrected without all nine Tailed Beasts. Since Hyuga Fuji was currently the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, he wouldn't let the Akatsuki take him.

So who would take Chomei's place? Would he create another Seven-Tails?

Hyuga Fuji responded calmly, "You've forgotten Rin."

"..."

Chomei's previously relaxed demeanor vanished. It abruptly raised its head, staring dumbfounded at Hyuga Fuji.

Rin? What did he mean? Wasn't she just an ordinary medical ninja?

At most, she had participated in some of Hyuga Fuji's experiments...

Experiments... The artificial Tailed Beast experiments?!

A sense of foreboding welled up in Chomei. Its wings flapped anxiously, betraying its unease.

"Calm your wings," Hyuga Fuji said without a change in expression. "Rin was already the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki. She chose this path herself."

"As someone who once carried your chakra, combined with the artificial Tailed Beast experiments, her chakra can partially substitute for yours."

"No, wait—this... I just need to ask—she really agreed to this?"

"I informed her of the potential dangers before beginning the experiments. She still chose to proceed."

Hearing that Rin had volunteered, Chomei found itself at a loss for words.

It vividly remembered Obito.

When it had been sealed inside Rin, Chomei had witnessed everything: Obito's desperate madness to save Rin, followed by his breakdown after accidentally killing her.

Now, knowing that to fully revive the Ten-Tails and complete the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Rin would need to die again to extract the "Seven-Tails"...

Was history repeating itself?

Chomei gazed at Hyuga Fuji, its tone faint. "You're not doing this on purpose, are you?"

"It's Rin who wants to find an answer. This has nothing to do with me."

"I see..."

Chomei murmured to itself.

Although it knew Hyuga Fuji wasn't the type to orchestrate such a drama, without a definitive answer, Chomei couldn't help but wonder.

After all, as much as it sympathized with Rin, the potential for entertainment here... was undeniable.

Not to mention, Chomei bore no love for Obito. Just imagining a scenario where Obito faced an impossible choice—

Would he kill Rin again to complete the Infinite Tsukuyomi and live in a dream world?

Or would he protect Rin, betray his ideals, and turn back from the dark path he had walked so far?

Would it be love and hatred intertwined, or a sudden awakening of conscience?

Chomei found itself deeply curious.

(End of Chapter)