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Time passed swiftly. As the date of the Five Kage Summit drew near, the current leaders of the five great shinobi villages each departed from their homes, accompanied by their guards and farewells.
On the same day, Kaito received a peculiar message.
Near the northern border of the Land of Fire, close to the Land of Iron, one of his paper clones had inadvertently discovered an extraordinary limestone cave. Upon entering, the clone found a luminous pool deep within the cavern. At a glance, Kaito recognized the layers of cursed seals hidden beneath the water's surface.
This was a concealed passage interwoven with genjutsu and space-time ninjutsu. Though the clone lacked the power to determine the exact destination of the passage, it concluded that the discovery was worth investigating and promptly relayed the information to the main body.
Without informing anyone, Kaito left another paper clone in Konoha and had the clone stationed at the northern border summon him directly to the site.
"Is this the place?"
Kaito gazed at the faintly glowing pool beneath his feet and activated his Ryūmyaku Communication Mode.
"So that's it," he mused, stroking his chin. "No wonder I've been subconsciously delaying my trip to the moon. My instincts as an onmyōji were telling me there was still a chance for a turnaround."
"A passage to the moon?" The paper clone chuckled. "Seems it wasn't a coincidence that I stumbled upon this place on a whim."
The main body and the clone exchanged knowing smiles.
After a brief laugh, Kaito swiftly exited the communication mode and pulled out a messenger paper figure to contact Sasuke. Simultaneously, the paper clone left behind in Konoha discreetly made its way to the Hyūga clan compound.
"Now, we wait here."
Kaito and his clone stared at each other in silence for a long moment before he suddenly reached out and dispelled the paper clone.
"Might as well summon Madara and Izuna first."
Clapping his hands together, he called out: "Summoning Jutsu: Gate of the King of Hell!"
An ethereal gate materialized before him, and three figures stepped through. The moment their feet fully crossed the threshold, their forms solidified into physical bodies.
"Senior Madara, Senior Izuna."
As the gate dissipated into scattered points of light, Kaito greeted the two with a smile before turning to the third person.
"And this must be Senior Hikaku?"
The young man with a high ponytail grinned warmly. "Indeed. It's been a long time, Clan Head."
"I didn't expect Senior Hikaku to come out as well," Kaito said cheerfully. "Perfect—with four of us here, we can play cards!"
He promptly spread a blanket on the ground and produced a deck.
"Hey, kid," Izuna's irritated voice cut in. "Where exactly are we? You didn't summon us just to play cards, did you?"
"Hm? Didn't I mention it?"
Kaito pointed at the glowing pool nearby.
"This is a passage to the moon."
"What?!"
The other three immediately rushed to the edge of the pool and crouched down to inspect it.
"This water…" Hikaku stirred the glowing liquid with his hand. "Lord Madara, Lord Izuna, there's something odd about it."
Izuna dipped his fingers in as well. "Seems it doesn't wet clothes."
"Mn." Madara activated his Rinnegan to peer beneath the surface. "The water is laced with intricate cursed seals designed to distort vision."
"Kid, let's head down and check it out. What are we waiting for?" Izuna's tone was eager.
"For Sasuke and the Hyūga clansmen to arrive," Kaito explained. "The moon was established by Hamura. Bringing along shinobi of his bloodline might prove useful."
"So, you summoned us just to keep you company playing cards, huh?"
Izuna plopped down onto the blanket and glared.
"Exactly." Kaito began shuffling the deck with flair. "It'll take Sasuke at least two days to get here. Waiting alone would be too dull."
"You could've just left a paper clone here and had it summon the rest of us later!" Izuna snatched the cards from Kaito's hands.
"Well, I also wanted to study the cursed seals here in detail." Kaito gave a sheepish smile before glancing back at the pool. "Besides, it's lonely by myself."
"Tch! Then go study properly!"
Izuna kicked Kaito away and waved at Madara and Hikaku. "Brother, Hikaku, ignore this brat. Let's play without him."
"Very well."
Madara smiled and took a seat, while Hikaku amiably followed suit.
"I could always study after a round or two."
Kaito stubbornly rolled back over.
"This isn't like you, Clan Head." Hikaku eyed him curiously.
Kaito slung an arm around Hikaku's shoulders and grinned. "No need for formalities among comrades, Senior Hikaku."
As Izuna dealt the cards, he shot Kaito a disdainful look.
"This brat alternates between pretentiousness and shamelessness. Suit yourself, Hikaku."
"Is that so?" Hikaku laughed heartily. "That's fine by me. It seems the Clan Head truly considers me a comrade."
"Of course. Senior Hikaku was Senior Madara's right-hand man in the past." Kaito patted his shoulder and settled into his spot.
"And I can be yours in the future, Clan Head," Hikaku quipped, though his eyes held sincerity.
Meeting his gaze, Kaito smiled again. "Naturally. I'd be honored."
...
In the Land of Waves, Sasuke retrieved the Executioner's Blade from Zabuza's grave with his newly formed team.
"Sasuke! Where are we headed next?" Karin clung to his side, pressing against him at every opportunity.
Another new member of the team, a pale blue-haired boy with shark-like teeth, carried the massive sword on his back. He smirked at Karin's antics and taunted, "Hey, Karin, you only joined this squad because you've got a crush on Sasuke, don't you?"
"You bastard, Suigetsu!!"
Karin spun around and punched his head into a splash of water before turning back, her face flushed.
"I—I'm only here on Lord Orochimaru's orders to assist Sasuke!"
"Aah…"
The boy, Hōzuki Suigetsu, hailed from Kirigakure's Hōzuki clan. His body, capable of liquefying at will, made him impervious to physical attacks. As his head reformed from the water, he sneered, "Anyone can see you're obsessed with him, you violent fangirl!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Karin's face burned crimson as she raised her fist again.
"Enough." Sasuke cut in. "We're moving out immediately. Our destination is the northern border of the Land of Fire, near the Land of Iron."
With that, he dashed ahead at full speed.
"Sasuke!" Karin hurried after him. "You still haven't told us what the mission is!"
"Such a troublesome woman." Suigetsu clicked his tongue and glanced at the boy walking beside him. "Hey, Hyūga. You don't get along with her either, right?"
"Hyūga Neji."
Neji coldly corrected him before speeding up without another word, leaving Suigetsu behind.
"Ugh! I swear, none of you are my type!"
Suigetsu groaned loudly before reluctantly giving chase.