Capítulo 25: Ōtsutsuki

After rescuing Hinata, Naruto still wanted to stay with Kuro—maybe to play or simply for company.

But Kuro refused.

He had things to do: his training needed to continue, and more importantly, he had just acquired Hinata's hair.

He wanted to find out what special items he could forge with such a rare material.

Naruto, as always, had also hoped to train with him. However, after a previous attempt, he had realized that he couldn't keep up with Kuro.

Not wanting to be a burden or slow down Kuro's progress, Naruto decided not to ask him to train together again. Instead, he made a resolution: he would double his efforts to one day catch up.

After parting ways at the intersection, Kuro headed straight home.

---

Back at Home

Upon entering, Kuro closed the door behind him and headed directly to the dojo. Sitting in the center of the room, he pulled out Hinata's hair and held it in front of him as the system chimed.

[Special material "Diluted Ōtsutsuki Hair" detected.

With this material, you can forge the following special items:

- Scented Rice Bowl

- Diluted Ōtsutsuki Crystal

- White Lenses

Do you wish to proceed with the forging?]

Kuro furrowed his brow slightly as he read the options.

White Lenses?

"Forge."

A moment later, three items appeared in his hands.

- A small porcelain bowl, red and about the size of an adult's palm.

- A pure white crystal, thumb-sized, with a brilliant texture.

- A pair of contact lenses that appeared ordinary at first glance.

[Special Item "Scented Rice Bowl" detected.

Effect: Eating from this bowl significantly enhances the user's appetite, making any food served in it taste exceptionally delicious and appealing.]

[Special Item "Diluted Ōtsutsuki Crystal" detected. (Status: Upgradeable)

Effect: This crystal contains a diluted Ōtsutsuki lineage. By absorbing it, the user's body will be transformed, granting them the Hyūga Clan's lineage and awakening the Byakugan.]

[Special Item "White Lenses" detected. (Status: Upgradeable)

Effect: These lenses contain the power of the Ōtsutsuki's eyes, though in a diluted form with degraded abilities. When equipped, the user can utilize Byakugan abilities.]

Kuro examined the items carefully, intrigued.

Just then, the system chimed again in his mind.

[Host possesses "Eternal Red Lenses," which can be integrated with "White Lenses" to create an enhanced item.

Do you wish to proceed with the integration and upgrade?]

[Host possesses two "Broken Fairy Crystals," which can be upgraded by fusing them with the "Diluted Ōtsutsuki Crystal" to increase their power and effects.

Do you wish to proceed with the upgrade?]

Kuro thought for a moment but decided not to fuse or upgrade anything for now.

Based on the previous fusion effects, merging the crystals with the Diluted Ōtsutsuki Crystal didn't seem significant enough to warrant it.

As for the contact lenses…

If he fused them, he would simply gain both Byakugan and Sharingan abilities simultaneously.

For now, he planned to save the White Lenses for when he eventually had to visit the moon to deal with Toneri.

Regarding the Diluted Ōtsutsuki Crystal, he had no intention of altering his appearance and becoming a pale "white monster." Walking the Ōtsutsuki path wasn't part of his plan.

In summary, the items in his possession weren't immediately useful.

Throwing the three items into the system space, Kuro prepared to resume his training.

Fush

However, just as he stood up, a cold gust of wind brushed against his face, bringing with it a faint sense of unreality.

For a moment, he thought it might be a Genjutsu, but upon observing the room and the shadow on the ground behind him, he confirmed it wasn't.

Slowly turning, he found a figure standing in the corner, wearing an eagle mask and draped in a black cloak.

Though the face was hidden, the familiar aura was enough for him to recognize who it was.

Itachi.

"Tsk, I thought you wouldn't show up again," Kuro muttered.

Over the past two months, he had been carefully observing those around him. With the "Book of Knowledge", no one could hide from his eyes.

During that time, Itachi had appeared near him on more than one occasion.

Though Itachi used the Transformation Technique and remained hidden in strategic positions, none of his movements escaped Kuro's perception.

However, Itachi had never stepped out of the shadows, and Kuro hadn't sought him out either.

I'm in no hurry. He's the one who's anxious.

The conflict between the Uchiha and the village was reaching a critical point. While leaders like Hiruzen and some clan members sought peaceful solutions, the interests of both sides were too deeply opposed.

Even if the leaders compromised, the ambitions and grievances of the clan members and village shinobi would ensure that tensions persisted.

Conflict was inevitable.

Itachi knew this.

Danzo had already explained the potential consequences, pressuring him to choose between his clan and the village.

For Itachi, the choice was clear.

However, all he could do was delay the inevitable, desperately searching for a peaceful resolution.

But the more he thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.

In his despair, he had placed his hope in Kuro.

Though he wasn't sure if Kuro truly had a solution, he was his last card to play.

Hearing Kuro's taunt, Itachi remained silent for a moment before replying:

"Why are you so certain I would come?"

Kuro smiled casually.

"Didn't you say last time that you'd come to me in the future?"

Itachi shook his head, his tone cold but contemplative:

"That was just a test, something most would forget or dismiss as a lie."

The eyebrows beneath Itachi's mask furrowed slightly.

But Kuro hadn't.

The fact that Kuro reacted this way proved that not only was he perceptive, but he understood Itachi better than he should.

But how? Where did I slip up?

Itachi was puzzled.

He could confirm that he had never interacted with Kuro before, and he was sure he hadn't shown any flaws in his movements as an ANBU. Even if someone had seen his face by accident, his identity remained secure.

So how did Kuro know so much?

Could it be an irrational ability? Something like the Nine-Tails Chakra or Sharingan powers?

The possibility brought a faint, barely perceptible smile to Itachi's lips beneath the mask.

The more mysterious and unpredictable Kuro seemed, the more likely it was that he could resolve a conflict that had surpassed all conventional solutions.

Perhaps… this is the only hope.

With that thought, Itachi allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction, even though he knew there was still much to be resolved.

________

Time: If you're craving more (and I know you are!), I have just what you need. On my Patreon, you'll find exclusive chapters. Join our community and be the first to discover what happens next!

👉 [patreon.com/Athome790]

Your support fuels me. Thank you for the support! 💖