Chapter 102: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes, the Celestial Visitors—The Ōtsutsuki Clan

Yes, this person was none other than Uchiha Itachi, who hadn't been seen for many years.

Back then, after Naruto had defeated Obito, he hadn't been able to find Uchiha Itachi's remains. Although the official report had listed him as missing, in Naruto's heart, he had essentially already concluded that Uchiha Itachi had fallen in battle. But he never could have imagined that Itachi was still alive. Moreover, it seemed that Uchiha Itachi had even become a member of this Crow Organization—truly, the ways of the world were strange and wonderous.

"To be precise, not just a member, but the leader—and also its founder," Uchiha Itachi said in a calm, flat tone.

After a brief pause, he added, "Much like your standing in both the Wave Country and the Whirlpool Country."

Naruto furrowed his brows slightly and raised an eyebrow as he said, "You even know about the things we did in the Whirlpool Country and the Wave Country? You're surprisingly well-informed."

"It's not just that I know. In fact, when you and Sasuke were doing those things, I happened to be there on-site. From the moment the two of you returned to Uzushio Village and established your enterprises, all the way to your later seizure of the Wave Country, I was watching from afar."

What the hell, the way you say that makes you sound like some kind of stalker, Naruto thought to himself.

Uchiha Itachi continued, "I also lent a small hand in spreading those rumors that Jiraiya-sama was circulating in the Wave Country. Judging by the results, it seems to have worked out quite well."

He paused briefly, then went on: "The profits you shared with Sasuke, and the new clan territory you designated for the Uchiha—that is, the region you called the autonomous dominion—I'm honestly very grateful for that."

Though there was no expression on Uchiha Itachi's face, the sincerity in his words was unmistakable.

"Since you saw everything, why didn't you just come out and meet us openly?" Naruto asked, genuinely unable to comprehend Itachi's reasoning.

Itachi let out a soft sigh and said, "At that time, I couldn't show myself, because I was still in another organization and under constant surveillance. I couldn't risk Sasuke having any contact with that organization—it was far too dangerous."

He frowned slightly and continued, "Come to think of it, if not for the fact that you and Sasuke seized the Wave Country and cut off that organization's surveillance of me and of us, we might not have been able to escape at all."

"Our organization was founded quite early, but we've only been able to act freely in the vicinity of your territory."

"It's only recently that we truly managed to seize the opportunity to regain our freedom."

Naruto understood what Itachi meant. In the Wave Country's new capital, in Tazuna's fishing village, and in the area around Uzushio Village, he had set up anti-surveillance devices—devices that could block external intelligence-gathering on his domain. Perhaps it was precisely because of these devices that the jutsu and mechanisms used to monitor Uchiha Itachi and his companions had been rendered useless.

"Can you tell me what exactly you've been through in these past few years?" Naruto asked, his voice full of concern.

Uchiha Itachi furrowed his brows slightly, his gaze drifting into the distance as if sinking into deep memories. After contemplating for a moment, his expression settled back into calmness, and he slowly began to speak: "Naruto, I know you have many questions. The things I've been through—they're a long story, but I'll do my best to keep it brief."

"A few years ago, when I was fighting against Obito, the jutsu he used banished me into a mysterious alternate dimension. In that space, all around me was pitch-black darkness, devoid of any sign of life. At the time, I thought to myself that I would probably die slowly in that loneliness."

Naruto blinked curiously and pressed, "And then? How did you get out of that alternate dimension?"

Itachi continued, "Later, a mysterious figure appeared and saved me. However, this person demanded that I join some mysterious organization. At the time, I thought to myself that in order to protect Sasuke, and also to uncover the truth behind this mysterious organization, I agreed to his request."

"Eventually, through repeated probing and investigation, I managed to figure some things out."

"I learned the name of that organization, understood its structure, came to understand its principles of action, and even discovered the true identity of that mysterious man."

Naruto still looked perplexed, scratching his head as he asked, "Then what about this Crow Organization of yours? How does that fit in?"

Itachi patiently explained, "The Crow Organization was formed by me, leading a portion of the defecting members from the outer circle of that original organization. Those members were deeply dissatisfied with the deeds of the original organization. We shared common ideals, so we decided to break away and seek out a path of our own."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully, his eyes suddenly brightening as he pressed further, "So does this organization still have some secrets behind it?"

Itachi didn't answer Naruto's question directly, Instead, he asked in return, "How much do you know about the Ōtsutsuki clan?"

"Honestly, I don't know much about them at all," Naruto replied, scratching his head. "This is the first time I've even heard that name from you."

"No matter if you don't know. I'll mention one person, and you'll immediately understand what this is about." Itachi paused, then continued:

"The Sage of Six Paths—that's what everyone commonly calls him. But his real name is Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo." Itachi spoke the name very calmly, and Naruto's eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing it. He quickly focused his consciousness to communicate with the Nine-Tails:

"Kurama, is what Itachi said true? Is the Sage of Six Paths' real name really Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo?"

"Well... how would I know that?" the Nine-Tails said, looking bewildered. "Though I do know that the old man was indeed called Hagoromo, and he also had a brother named Hamura."

Just then, Itachi revealed more information: "The Sage of Six Paths also had a younger brother, whose name was Ōtsutsuki Hamura." Itachi furrowed his brows slightly. "But the point I want to make isn't about those two brothers, after all, they were both born in the ninja world. The key point lies with their mother."

At these words, Naruto's brows lifted slightly, and the Nine-Tails inside him pricked up its ears, listening intently—so much so that he didn't even notice his own tail standing straight up and swaying gently.

What does this mean? Why did he say the Sage of Six Paths brothers were born in the ninja world?

And why does he say their mother is the key point? Could it be that the Sage of Six Paths brothers are descendants of aliens?

Naruto had previously told the Nine-Tails that in the world where he used to live, it wasn't certain whether other life existed in the universe. It wasn't until this time, when he had returned to the age of three, that he became certain that there must be more than one planet in the universe harboring life.

Itachi's words inadvertently revealed a piece of intelligence: the planet on which the ninja world existed had actually been visited by extraterrestrial life, and that life had exerted an enormous influence on the course of this world's history.

Seeing the change in Naruto's expression, Itachi nodded. "I must say, Naruto, you're truly intelligent. It seems you've already guessed correctly."

Itachi gave a soft sigh. "That's right. The mother of the Sage of Six Paths brothers, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, was a visitor who came from beyond the stars. And the Ōtsutsuki clan are intelligent lifeforms from outer space."