Chapter 644: Suffering and Happiness
After leaving the Giant Tenseigan and strategy with Tobirama, spurring him on, Lux departed.
Currently, Parallel World 2's unification progress was the lowest. Though the bound power shifted to Madara, unification progress reached 58%.
Slightly higher than Tobirama and Konoha's previous 52%.
But compared to other Parallel Worlds, it remained at the bottom.
Hopefully, Tobirama and Madara both strive, so the last-place title doesn't stick to Parallel World 2.
After Lux left, Tobirama didn't hide the fervor in his eyes, immediately summoning many Anbu ninjas.
All moon Ōtsutsuki clan members on the ground were secretly taken away, temporarily detained at a covert base outside the village.
It was where Tobirama once secretly researched Hashirama's cells, his brother's.
No choice.
After Hashirama's departure, Tobirama alone propped up Konoha, facing provocations and coercion from the other four villages.
The pressure was immense, naturally making him miss his brother's Wood Release power.
Thus, he quietly resumed Hashirama's cell research.
Later, Hiruzen, Danzō, Orochimaru, and other juniors accessed Hashirama's cells for cultivation and study, all stemming from here.
Now, this place was conveniently used to house the moon Ōtsutsuki.
As for the heavy task of extracting Byakugan?
It was entrusted to Tobirama's most loyal 'perfect steed,' Uchiha Kagami.
To create the Giant Tenseigan, the moon Ōtsutsuki's Byakugan needed extraction.
A cruel, heavy task.
Ordinary ninjas with low mental resilience couldn't handle it.
Only Tobirama and Kagami could execute it!
On this, Kagami couldn't help feeling a bit cruel:
"Sensei, isn't this too harsh? They seem useless now; must we still take their Byakugan?"
"Precisely because they're useless, no different from ordinary people, their Byakugan must be taken!"
"Have you forgotten how coveted Hyūga ninjas with Byakugan and your clan's Sharingan are?"
"On battlefields, behind the scenes, how many target them?"
"Even branch Hyūga ninjas, restricted by the Caged Bird Seal, are seen as treasures by many!"
"If they kept their Byakugan—perfect Byakugan without curse seals—what do you think would happen?"
Tobirama taught earnestly, all truths.
Perhaps Lux considered this too.
A man without sin but with treasure is guilty; especially these chakra-drained moon Ōtsutsuki, unable to protect their Byakugan.
Releasing them wouldn't save them—it'd kill them!
The ninja world's cruelty was known to none better than Tobirama.
Unless he unified the world in the future, only then could he fundamentally change the Hyūga and moon Ōtsutsuki's conditions.
But first, he must win this ultimate bet, defeating Uchiha Madara!
So, he could only make the moon Ōtsutsuki suffer.
At least, after losing their eyes, he'd ensure their safety.
"Sensei, can't we take just one Byakugan? Let the Hyūga clan seal the rest with curse seals…"
"Kagami, I know your heart's kind. But sometimes, evil must be borne silently. It's all for the village!"
"Sensei, why do those words sound like Danzō?"
Tobirama's face stiffened, scolding flatly:
"Is it the same? As your teacher, I'm only slightly cruel to external enemies, while that kid in the future will be ruthless to his own; how's that the same?"
"Sensei, what did you say? Danzō? Is he okay in Sunagakure?"
"…"
Tobirama sensed his overreaction, as if he'd become like the black-hearted old Danzō.
People fear becoming what they hate, and Tobirama was no exception.
Luckily, no matter how dark his heart, he wouldn't harm his own.
"It's fine. Danzō's doing well, maybe more comfortable than you."
"Really? Good…"
"Enough. Stop talking, start quickly. After it's done, we can find ways to implant ordinary eyes from the dead into these moon Ōtsutsuki. Don't worry too much. Right now, focus on defeating that Madara!"
"Understood! I'll complete this task!"
Kagami accepted the order, activating his Sharingan. With enhanced dynamic vision, he swiftly moved both hands.
Like precise robotic arms, he rapidly extracted Byakugan from the moon Ōtsutsuki one by one.
His speed was astonishing.
Even Tobirama, watching long, felt a chill.
No wonder the Fourth Hokage said future Shisui was kind yet cruel—its source was Kagami?
Perhaps, compared to Danzō and Hiruzen, he was the cruelest!
The 'replace the old with the new' idea Tobirama suppressed resurfaced.
He even considered giving Kagami a fair chance to compete for Hokage.
Wait…
Something's off!
'If so, wouldn't I be like Sir?'
'Damn, so this is how it feels when Sir gives me a chance?'
At that moment, Tobirama finally grasped Lux's complex feelings.
While Tobirama worked anxiously to defeat Uchiha Madara, on the other side…
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In Parallel World 1, young Tobirama was also suffering and happy.
Happiness, naturally, came from his outstanding governance achievements.
Since his brother and Lux last entrusted the Fire Daimyo's entire administration to Tobirama, he'd worked tirelessly, sleeping three hours daily, devoting the rest to handling and reforming the Fire Country's governance and policies.
No choice—he was critically short-staffed.
Though Konoha had no shortage of ninjas, ninja strength and city management were worlds apart!
Most ninjas, though powerful, knew little about administrative governance.
For example: even a strong Madara would be baffled by city sewer planning.
Another: even Six Paths Naruto tired handling governance, far outdone by his father and Kakashi…
Professional specialization was the principle.
This was a fundamental reason ninjas initially struggled to meddle in state operations and maintenance.
Tobirama's task was proving to his brother that, without relying on the daimyo and nobles, their ninjas could manage the daimyo's residence—even the entire Fire Country—well!
Better than those greedy nobles!
To make his brother realize Konoha could unify the world! Good for ninjas, countries, all humanity!
For this, Tobirama poured his all.
To cover staff shortages, he even revived the original daimyo and many officials with Edo Tensei.
Using forbidden techniques, he made them work tirelessly for him, addressing the labor gap.
No choice.
Though these greedy nobles lacked talent, after years of idle office-holding, they understood administrative departments, grassroots organizations, and held some authority.
This was where Tobirama needed them.
Once everything was familiar and on track, replacing these Edo trash wouldn't be late.
Under Tobirama's day-and-night reforms, the daimyo's centuries-rotted governance machine's efficiency surged over tenfold!
Don't underestimate this.
Even ignoring other reforms, administrative efficiency multiplying was a massive change for the country!
Imagine the difference between processing documents in a day versus waiting over a week?
The latter could drive people mad!
Not to mention, post-efficiency gains, epic boosts to economic circulation, public life stimulation, and more.
In just over a month, other Fire Country areas aside, the daimyo's residence showed visible changes.
Streets no longer stank of filth, food and goods prices dropped, fewer samurai robbed outside the city…
Though not fully transformed, things were gradually improving!
Far better than a month ago.
This was just the start; further changes and fixes followed Tobirama's plan.
Until the entire daimyo's residence transformed, radiating to the whole Fire Country!
This was the true reason for Tobirama's joy.
He'd half-proved his truth to his brother, at least not losing to that bastard Madara's sharp taunts.
But beyond joy and zeal, the other half—pain and anger—deeply frustrated Tobirama.
The reason was simpler.
A week ago, his brother suddenly recommended and sent a Konoha ninja to aid him.
Said he worried Tobirama was overworked, his body unable to cope.
So, he sent more help.
Tobirama didn't oppose this, as Konoha's administratively talented ninjas were mostly already recruited by him.
But this time was different—the assistant his brother assigned was a vile Uchiha!
A female ninja named Uchiha Naori!
He, Senju Tobirama, the fastest in the ninja world, needing a female Uchiha ninja's help?
A knight could die but not be humiliated!
This must be that evil Uchiha Madara's conspiracy!