[I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!] Chapter 281 (Patreon)

The bright sunlight streamed into the quaint, traditional town.

Men and women clad in period attire strolled along the streets. Occasionally, samurai in layered armor and shinobi mingled among them, their presence oddly harmonious amidst the lively chatter.

Amid the vibrant scene, Hagoromo Gensou turned to the bowing Senju and Uzumaki shinobi before him and asked with a faint smile:

"How are your clan leaders these days?"

The Senju and Uzumaki shinobi responded without hesitation:
"Clan Leader Hashirama is currently in the Wind Country at the Daimyō's request, working on a reforestation project in the desert."

"Clan Leader Ashina has been busy teaching the younger generation in our clan. By the way, we've heard from the elders that he plans to visit you soon, Clan Leader Hagoromo."

"Is that so?"

Gensou nodded knowingly.

Hashirama and Ashina.

Both were figures from his own era.

It was now clear to him—he had returned to the "Warring States Period."

Looking up at the sky, Gensou's thoughts grew more focused.

Limited Tsukuyomi.

The prototype of Infinite Tsukuyomi, a technique that uses the power of Tailed Beasts to transport its target—body and all—into a mirror world replicated from reality.

Though Gensou's memory of the original Naruto timeline had faded with time, he recalled fragments of details about Limited Tsukuyomi.

One vague impression was its use in a story involving "Naruto" and "Menma," which he vaguely remembered as ramen toppings.

But standing in this improbable town, facing Senju and Uzumaki shinobi who shouldn't exist, Gensou fully grasped the situation.

"Limited Tsukuyomi requires Tailed Beast chakra. Since the Gedo Statue was under my control, Obito couldn't have stolen its chakra without my knowledge. This must be Black Zetsu's doing."

Quickly piecing the events together, Gensou surmised that Obito's invitation to meet at the Gedo Statue had been a ploy to exploit hidden mechanisms and seize control of the statue.

At the time, Gensou had been unperturbed.

With the Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan in his possession, he believed he could neutralize Obito and reclaim the statue regardless of the latter's actions.

But to his surprise, Obito had chosen to cast Limited Tsukuyomi on him instead.

"And Zetsu managed to extract the Tailed Beast chakra so quickly?"

"Was their goal to trap me here forever? Or to eliminate me within this world?"

Gensou's gaze swept over the perfectly replicated world of Limited Tsukuyomi, his thoughts deep and calculating.

While he pondered, two shinobi ahead—a black-haired Senju man and a red-haired Uzumaki woman—exchanged subtle glances and whispered to each other.

"Why would Clan Leader Hagoromo appear here?"

"How would I know? But I have to say, he's so handsome! Truly worthy of his legendary status as a godly figure!"

"Planning to propose yourself?"

"Do you think I could?"

"Stop being ridiculous! Don't forget how many admirers Clan Leader Hagoromo already has. Don't you know the Second Princess of the Uzumaki Clan is set to marry him soon?"

"Sigh! The competition is too fierce. I've even heard that someone from your Senju Clan is also marrying into his family."

"..."

Gensou, who had already snapped out of his thoughts, overheard their conversation and froze momentarily.

It sounded as if he had... many wives?

Impossible!

As someone who valued self-discipline, how could he engage in such behavior?

No, this had to be the work of this world's native "Hagoromo Gensou." It had nothing to do with him.

Still, the thought lingered—if he had replaced this world's Gensou, what had become of the original?

Were they merged into one? Or existing simultaneously?

Shaking his head, Gensou set the thought aside.

For now, the priority was locating Obito, the caster of the technique.

Eliminating him would dispel the Limited Tsukuyomi.

After bidding farewell to the Senju and Uzumaki shinobi, Gensou began walking away.

He hadn't gone far when a small, chubby hand grasped his sleeve tightly.

Though he could have easily shrugged it off, he hesitated.

"Big Brother Gensou! Where have you been? I've been looking for you all day! I'm exhausted! As compensation, you must buy me... no, buy me three popsicles, and I'll forgive you!"

The voice, sweet and familiar, pierced his ears and struck his heart.

Gensou turned slowly, his once hardened heart trembling uncontrollably.

Before him stood a girl of about ten years, her hair styled into two buns. Her round, adorable face glowed with mischief as she clung to his sleeve, her bright eyes sparkling with playful cunning.

When their eyes met, the girl quickly replaced her mischievous look with a pitiful expression. She pointed to her dusty hair, clothes, and shoes, adding in a pleading tone:

"Big Brother Gensou, look how much trouble I went through to find you! Asking for some popsicles isn't too much, is it?"

When Gensou didn't respond, merely staring at her, the girl began to fidget, thinking she might have gone too far.

Puffing up her cheeks, she hesitantly held up two fingers.

"How about... two popsicles?"

Still, Gensou remained silent.

The girl's shoulders slumped. She finally dropped one finger and murmured:

"One... one is okay too."

Then, with her head bowed, she scuffed her shoes against the ground and mumbled:

"If not, then... I guess I can—"

"Ten."

Suddenly, a voice she knew so well interrupted her.

She looked up, her eyes wide with surprise and delight.

"Ten? Really?"

Gensou reached out, his hand trembling slightly as it touched her head. Slowly and gently, he ruffled her hair, his voice soft and familiar.

"Just this once. Haru, your stomach isn't strong, so you can't eat too many cold treats."

"Yay! I knew Big Brother Gensou was the best! I love you so much!!"

The girl, named Hagoromo Haru, immediately brightened, her earlier disappointment vanishing as she beamed and hopped around Gensou joyfully.

Her lively, adorable figure reflected in Gensou's eyes, holding his gaze unwaveringly.

In that moment, Gensou understood the true danger of Limited Tsukuyomi.

(End of Chapter)

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