My Techniques are a bit off

One day later – Final-Chapter World, Land of Fire, Allied Shinobi Forces Branch, inside a tea room.

"That's everything."

Final-Chapter Gaara, wearing a gentle expression, looked at his younger self and recounted all the experiences and feelings he'd gone through.

To be honest, having a conversation with "himself" was a very strange sensation—perhaps even more interesting than talking with family members.

If it were possible, he thought about saving up enough contribution points one day to reincarnate the version of himself from the destroyed Third World.

"I understand now," Main-World Gaara said, lifting his gaze to meet his adult self's. All his lingering doubts disappeared. In the past, his father, as the village's economic pillar, had been the best choice for Kazekage—no one else could take his place.

But in this new era, the technique for refining resources was no longer such a big deal.

The Final-Chapter World's scientific ninja tools and more advanced mechanical engineering could easily replace the gold-dust refining technique.

"So, have you decided?" Final-Chapter Gaara asked with a smile.

He already knew himself well enough.

"I'm going back to become Kazekage in my father's place," Main-World Gaara replied.

He had hovered between familial affection, the village, and his ideals. His father's cold attitude weighed heavily on him. Yet after Link changed him, he placed great value on "love"—even though in terms of actual combat ability, he was no weaker than his father and, with Tailed Beast Mode active, could easily outmatch him.

Still, family love held him back. When his father attacked him, he would let himself be captured without a fight. If Temari and Kankurō hadn't "rebelled" and freed him, he might still be stuck in a confinement cell, tormented by indecision.

"I—" Final-Chapter Gaara began to speak, but just then, the paper door to the tea room slid open.

Whoosh!

"Uncle Gaara, my dad asked me to come find out when you're—" A teenager with a classic Nara-style "pineapple" haircut stood in the doorway. He froze at the sight of two Gaaras—one adult, one younger—and then realized the other "uncle" must have come from a different world.

"Shikadai, just give me a moment," Final-Chapter Gaara said. When the door shut again, he turned back. "I'll go with you. If you're on your own, you'll probably need help, right?"

"No."

Main-World Gaara declined his older self's offer. He smiled calmly. "Just like I trust everyone in my village, I believe they'll trust me too."

Walking the path of "love," he'd softened even someone like Sasori, let alone the people of Sunagakure.

The Fourth Kazekage—strictly speaking, Rasa—had locked him up so decisively not just because he was trying to leave the village as a jinchūriki, but also because he posed a real threat to Rasa's position. This was part of why Chiyo had been willing to help.

But the beliefs Gaara held were too dangerous for a ninja meant to be a mere tool. Even though Sunagakure was short on talent, and he surpassed the Kazekage in both strength and reputation, Rasa still refused to give up the title.

If Gaara was willing to fight for it, however, the entire village would stand behind him.

"Seems you're pretty confident," Final-Chapter Gaara said, remembering the path he had walked to become Kazekage. His smile grew a little brighter.

Main-World Gaara returned what was perhaps his first real smile in days. He rose to leave, then paused and asked quietly, "That boy just now—he's…?"

He had a vague guess, but it felt almost unbelievable.

"That's Shikadai, Temari's and Nara Shikamaru's son." Final-Chapter Gaara gave a playful wink.

I knew it… I never imagined it'd be with that lazy guy…

Main-World Gaara shook his head in mild astonishment. "Thanks again." With that, he politely slid the door open. He met the curious gaze of Nara Shikadai, gave him a quick nod, and hurried away.

Even as he queued up at the Web Net station portal, he was still thinking about Temari and Shikamaru.

"What an unbelievable future," he murmured in amazement.

…

Second World, in a laboratory on the outskirts of the Allied Shinobi Forces base.

"Tch, so only now you want to use Edo Tensei to revive me?"

Tobirama from the Second World gave a mocking smile at the small boy in front of him.

All four worlds connected by the Allied Shinobi Forces were now linked by Web Net. Even separated by life and death, people still died in the present and traveled to the Pure Land, carrying belated news with them.

Main-World Tobirama remained perfectly composed and unaffected. He sent his proposal across the network, then said, "Stop wasting time."

"What do you think? If you agree, I'll have someone reincarnate you."

No matter how angry he was, he knew that "he himself" wouldn't let that affect his decision.

Second-World Tobirama furrowed his brow as he finished reading the Web Net message, thought calmly for a few seconds, and said, "I want to meet my 'brother.'"

"No problem."

Main-World Tobirama clapped his hands. Two Hashiramas, each with different expressions, walked in from outside.

Second-World Hashirama gave an awkward smile. "Tobirama…"

It wasn't that he had refused to revive his brother, but he knew Tobirama well enough to realize that once revived, there'd likely be complications for the Alliance's establishment and development.

"Hmph." Second-World Tobirama sized up his beaming, energetic brother, then glanced at his other self. "I'll do it."

The village was important, but his brother was even more important to him.

It was a strange thing: The original First Hokage, hailed for his benevolence and readiness to bow his head to the weak, could still act ruthlessly against anyone if it meant protecting the village. Meanwhile, the seemingly stern and unfeeling Second Hokage was someone who greatly valued family bonds. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Uchiha Madara tried to kill Sasuke, he'd gotten so anxious that he shouted out loud.

Simply put, he'd sacrifice much for the village because his elder brother cherished it.

Seeing his brother doing well, he no longer cared if the village missed its chance to claim advantage in the future. Things had already gone this far, and eventually he'd have to accept it.

Plus, the future was still long.

The two Tobiramas locked eyes in silent understanding.

I won't remain beneath you forever.

I'll be waiting for your challenge.

They both gave the same sneer-like grin.

The two Hashiramas discreetly exchanged glances, then in unspoken harmony retreated half a step and inched toward the door. They wanted no part of dealing with two "Tobiramas," both of whom called them "Brother."

Main-World Tobirama spoke up lightly, "About that gambling software you two just set up—I've ordered it shut down."

"Don't forget to go pay the fine at the front office."

The two Hashiramas looked aghast, about to protest, but a single glare from the other Tobirama made them clam up. They nodded in unison and ran off.

"Relax. I won't tell them about your plan," Second-World Tobirama said, knowing exactly why his counterpart had scared off the Hashiramas.

Stirring up war in another world to forcibly unify the ninja realm—softhearted Hashirama must never find out about that.

Main-World Tobirama smiled. "Then I'll entrust the Main World's affairs to you."

The Main World, huh…

Second-World Tobirama found the term jarring, as if it implied his own world was inferior. He gave a muffled huff and did not respond.

~~~

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