The more the three of them talked, the more they hit it off. Feeling like kindred spirits, they agreed to act in three days—after the Eel Sage had fully recovered his strength and spirit—then strike together to take down the White Ape Sage!

However, unbeknownst to them, due to the excessive drain from Uchiha Kirin's Divine Technique drawing on the power of the Dragon Vein, their conversation was heard loud and clear by the White Ape Sage, who was situated midway up the Dragon's Spine.

"So that's who it is... a dragon crossing into foreign waters. Fine then. I'm gonna find out what legendary dragon meat tastes like..."

Midway up the Dragon's Spine, on an island protruding from the sea, an old white-furred ape sat draped in a tattered kasaya, flipping repeatedly through a worn sutra.

The old ape sat oddly, right at the entrance of a cave hidden beneath a waterfall. Above the cave mouth, six large golden characters were carved:

"Water Curtain Cave of Mount"!

Suddenly, the White Ape twitched his ears. Six phantom ears appeared at his temples, capturing every sound across the entire shinobi world.

"Three days from now? Looks like the rumors of a reincarnated god aren't fake after all..."

The old ape quickly flipped through his scripture, seemingly searching for something. Then he waved his hand and called out:

"Prepare early—we've got an esteemed guest incoming!"

...

"That sensation again—being watched. But compared to what I experienced during the simulation, this is far weaker."

Could it be that old ape?

Uchiha Kirin focused his senses. With both Sage Mode and Breathing Techniques, along with the power of his Ōtsutsuki bloodline, his sensory perception had reached its peak.

In simulations, he could sense even the gaze of the Sage of Six Paths. So doing the same in reality was no issue.

However, this time the source of the observation clearly wasn't the Sage of Six Paths. The presence was even weaker than his own.

Which meant—it was most likely the old ape!

To have such a method...

Rather than feeling fear, Uchiha Kirin grew even more excited. This meant that if he managed to take down his opponent, the gains would be immense.

But he had no intention of waiting three days. He would strike today!

Sensing the prying gaze, Kirin realized that the barrier at the front of the Dragon's Spine had weakened due to his absorption.

So, using "resting and recovering" as an excuse, he followed the Eel Sage to the back section of the Dragon's Spine to temporarily reside.

In truth, the fatigue from his earlier burst—caused by multiple simulations—had already been swept away the moment he condensed the Divine Technique.

Borrowing the Eel Sage's territory was purely for the Dragon Vein's shielding power.

Once settled, Uchiha Kirin hovered near the exit of the Thunder Cavern, enjoying the soothing lightning discharge like a massage—

And leisurely opened his system panel.

He held in his hand the previously obtained 〖Seed of Indra's Will〗.

According to the system, this was something like a half-finished wedge.

It was a product created by the Sage of Six Paths during his research on the Divine Tree:

It could be implanted into someone and gradually grow. As it matured, it would shape their mind toward Indra's path—transforming them from spirit to chakra over time.

Of course, once fully matured, it could also be picked like a fruit and consumed. Doing so would grant strength and deeper insights into Yin Release!

Since there was currently no safe method to consume a full Divine Tree Fruit in the shinobi world, Kirin figured he'd start with this alternative to satisfy his craving.

With this seed in hand, every simulation would effectively give him a new "fruit" to eat!

Since he wasn't consuming it this time, Uchiha Kirin opened the prototype Divine Tool of his Divine Realm and attempted to place the seed into the system's storage space—

Only to be shocked by the sight before him.

The once chaotic structure of the three rules had now clearly split into heaven and sea. Obviously, the formation of the Divine Technique had affected the structure of his Divine Realm.

Thankfully, the seed was unharmed, and Black Zetsu was only a little shaken.

But now wasn't the time to ponder the link between the Divine Technique, Divine Realm, and Authority. Better to jump into the simulation and sort things out there.

Simulator, activate!

Ding! Title reward pending. Would you like to receive it now?

"Yes—and next time, tell me sooner..."

Alright~ Title has been granted. Please check promptly:

〖Sword Saint〗

〖Doubles the user's talent in swordsmanship. Any weapon used can be quickly understood and mastered!〗

A simple, no-frills effect.

Kirin had already unlocked four title slots, but opening a fifth would cost a whopping 10,000 Simulation Points. He wasn't about to waste points on that.

So he swapped out the "Desert Reaper" title, which had regional limitations, for the straightforward weapon-boosting title.

While he was at it, he also pulled out the broken sword he'd received from a prior simulation—the one he never figured out how to use.

Perhaps with this new title, he could unlock the weapon's true potential!

〖Simulation Start〗

〖Loot System Target Locked—Uzumaki Naruto〗

〖Detected probability of Uchiha Clan Massacre Night is below 1%. Activate energy-saving mode?〗

"Yes, do it!"

Only now did Kirin realize what the system meant by "energy-saving"—it wasn't about the system's energy, but his own.

The more accurate and detailed the simulation, the greater the energy cost.

Now that the Uchiha Massacre had essentially been prevented, there was no need to simulate every fine detail.

...

〖Year One〗

You arrived at the Dragon's Spine, planning to team up with the Eel Sage and Shark Sage to defeat the White Ape Sage, and take full control of the Dragon Vein.

But unbeknownst to you, the White Ape Sage had inherited a unique power that allowed him to sense through the Dragon Vein's barrier—he could even hear voices from the Pure Land.

Your plan was exposed from the very start.

During the three days you prepared, the White Ape Sage contacted the Ryūchi Cave.

From the White Snake Sage, he confirmed that you had no affiliation with the Ryūchi Cave.

So, the White Ape Sage invited the White Snake Sage to help kill you. He offered no reward—your corpse would be hers to keep.

But the White Snake Sage declined.

She maintained neutrality regarding you. As the leader of the serpent summons, she wouldn't harm a fellow reptile, even if you weren't truly from Ryūchi Cave.

Having failed to rope her in, the White Ape Sage decided to act solo.

Returning, he used his inherited technique once again to grow six extra phantom ears to spy on any and all information about you.

Upon learning that you were originally a low-key, unremarkable Uchiha, but had suddenly gained great power just days ago, he became fervently obsessed.

He believed you to be the reincarnation of one of the shinobi world's ancient deities, and was convinced you carried powerful legacies.

This only deepened his resolve to hunt you down.

And it also made him more cautious.

The White Ape Sage traveled to the vast sea and sought out the three most powerful sages of the Orca Clan. He made them a promise: if he failed, they would kill you together and split your body to uncover its secrets.

At the same time, the White Ape Sage used a clone technique and dispatched three clones—to Konohagakure, the Cat Summons Clan, and the stone cave where you had previously rested.

The clone sent to Konoha and the stone cave detected numerous powerful clones of yours hiding there. Judging himself unable to win quickly, the clones withdrew.

Only the one sent to the Cat Clan began a massacre.

It seized control of the intelligence cat responsible for message delivery and spread false information, luring Boss Black Cat back to the clan.

Sure enough, the Black Cat, waiting in the cave, claimed urgent clan matters and left without arousing suspicion from your Wood Release clone. He was then captured by the White Ape Sage's clone and brought back to be sealed.

A hostage, for future leverage against you.

Before the agreed three days were up, your attracting of lightning allowed the Eel Sage to venture deeper into the Thunder Cavern and absorb more natural energy suited to his nature. The depleted electricity restored faster than expected.

After a quick discussion, you all decided—

To launch a surprise attack ahead of schedule.

----------------

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