Inside the Land of Fire, Takemi instantly flickered out in a valley.

"Finally, I can come out and stretch properly."

Standing on a tall tree, he looked at the dense forest shrouded in moonlight and gently twisted his neck.

Having spent nearly a month, he had largely dealt with Konoha's matters. After leaving a Shadow Clone, he decisively ran out.

During this time, he had lived a fulfilling life. Besides going with Kakashi to befriend other Jonin, he also didn't forget to get some useful things from Hiruzen.

"I heard that Kekkei Genkais can actually be achieved through Chakra fusion, so I want to prepare and make some attempts myself."

When Hiruzen curiously asked him for the reason, he immediately pulled out the explanation he had prepared long ago.

"Moreover, my control over Chakra is extremely precise, so perhaps I can learn more Ninjutsu of other attributes, which would make it easier for me to experiment."

"I understand. Although I want to say your approach is a bit risky, I am willing to support you."

Hiruzen didn't think for long and readily agreed, but he didn't forget to remind Takemi.

"If you have any special feelings, do not act rashly. You must inform me, or Kakashi, Jiraiya, or even Tsunade."

"With us around, even if we can't help you succeed, we can definitely guarantee your safety. Do you understand, Takemi?"

It must be said, Hiruzen was indeed very good to him. Besides him being considered part of the Hokage faction, it was also related to his daily performance.

"Perhaps if I were to shout out, 'I have a dream of becoming Hokage,' he might put in more effort to 'torment' me."

Takemi confirmed his direction and thought to himself while quickly moving forward.

"Perhaps, he doesn't even need me to shout, he already has ideas."

He recalled that he had obtained Ninjutsu scrolls of various attributes, as well as various insights, and even some notes from the First Hokage, as well as some materials and techniques from the Second Hokage.

This made him involuntarily gulp. He didn't know why, but Hiruzen specifically told him to learn more about the Second Hokage's things.

"The Second Hokage's Water Release, Genjutsu, and even some special insights."

"Are you treating me as the Second Hokage?"

"Am I that sinister?"

"Evil old Hiruzen, you curse so foully."

Although Takemi complained inwardly, he still accepted it gladly.

And for the past month or so, besides further strengthening his Yin Release and Yang Release, he had been learning these things.

He felt that he could reference the Second Hokage for his future 'positive image'. After all, both had white hair, short swords, and could use Flying Thunder God.

Aside from various forbidden Ninjutsu, he could learn most of it.

"Also, I'm not as sinister as him."

Takemi had a clear understanding of himself.

Shaking his head, he immediately cast aside these chaotic thoughts.

Looking at the approaching Fire Temple, he stopped and took out a scroll.

Bang—

With a puff of smoke, a mask appeared in his hand, along with a white robe.

"This should be enough."

After putting on all his equipment, Takemi formed a hand seal, and a water curtain immediately appeared before him.

Looking at his reflection in the water, he nodded with satisfaction, then extended his hand, and his Chakra vibrated slightly.

Buzz—

Under the propulsion of his Chakra, a black staff slowly appeared in his hand.

"Is this the most I can do for now? But it's enough."

Feeling the quality of the black staff, Takemi nodded lightly.

"Then, let's begin!"

Under the sparse moonlight, inside the meditation room of the Fire Temple.

"Sora, are you alright?"

Chiriku, who was training Sora, suddenly saw Sora collapse to the ground, his face full of pain, and asked with concern.

Sora was an apprentice ninja monk at the Fire Temple, but he also had another identity. He was the son of Kazuma, one of the former "Twelve Guardian Ninja."

Moreover, there was an ominous power within Sora's body, and the eruption of this power had destroyed the Fire Temple's defenses.

It had also nearly destroyed the Fire Temple and surrounding villages, which made Sora very unwelcome within the Fire Temple.

If not for Chiriku, Sora would probably have been expelled long ago.

"I don't know either, but inside my body..." Sora spoke in pain.

Although he had a hot temper and wasn't good at interacting with others, he knew who treated him well.

"It seems to be that monster, he seems to be a little afraid..."

"Afraid?"

This sentence made Chiriku pause, and then he felt a sense of alarm. He thought for a moment and immediately picked up Sora.

"I'll take you away first. This situation isn't right. I'll find someone to try and seal the rampaging monster inside you."

Holding Sora, Chiriku quickly left the meditation hall, preparing to head to the basement. But just then, he suddenly sensed something and abruptly looked up.

"This is..."

Under the moonlight, a white figure wearing a mask floated in the air, silently watching him.

"So, you're here."

The person spoke calmly, and as his voice sounded, Sora in Chiriku's arms became even more pained.

Even a layer of red Chakra had begun to appear on his body.

"Who are you? What is your purpose?"

Chiriku became more alert. This person, no matter how he looked, was not to be trifled with.

"Is your purpose Sora?"

"Yes, and no."

The figure shook his head gently.

"I'm just here to retrieve the hidden thing within him, something that originally belonged to me."

"Nine-Tails' Chakra, huh..."

Chiriku didn't speak, but his mind raced, and the figure seemed not to care about his attitude.

"Besides, this thing is also suffering inside him. Wouldn't it be better if it returned to its rightful owner?"

"What if I refuse?"

Chiriku was silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Also, who exactly are you?!"

"Refuse? That's truly a pity..."

The figure in the sky seemed to sigh. The next moment, he raised his hand, and the black staff in his hand lightly jabbed at the night sky.

Buzz—

In an instant, the sky, like glass, quickly developed a web of cracks resembling a spiderweb.

These cracks spread continuously, and in an instant, they shattered like glass all over the ground.

"The Iron Wall Barrier, it just shattered like that?"

Chiriku watched everything before him in shock. The barrier, which was rumored to have 'never been breached,' was once again broken.

And, it was done so effortlessly?

The destruction of the barrier immediately drew the attention of everyone in the temple.

But the figure leisurely flew over, looking down at him from above.

"The barrier is good, but not as strong as I imagined, and..."

"You can call me Ōtsutsuki Takeshiki."

In a forest not far from the Fire Temple, Obito looked at Itachi with some dissatisfaction.

"You still haven't found what you're looking for?"

Refusing to use Kamui to get here, searching for so long and still having no results, he even suspected Itachi was playing a trick on him.

"I told you, the information I have isn't sufficient. I also need to spend some time."

Itachi was very calm. He looked at Obito with cold eyes.

"Aren't you here to find a new recruit? Why don't you go?"

"Coincidentally, the new recruit to be tested is nearby, and I have enough information on him. I can go directly." Obito snorted coldly.

"So now, let's see about you... Hmm?"

But he didn't finish his sentence before his eyes suddenly widened.

Not only him, but Itachi and Kisame's gazes also changed slightly, and they turned their heads to look at the Fire Temple.

And there, a powerful Chakra was faintly erupting, and not only that—

"Nine-Tails' Chakra? What's going on?!"