Despite their strong objections, the Uchiha Clan ultimately complied with Konoha's order to relocate.
The entire clan moved to a new compound on the outskirts of the village. The decision pushed the already fragile relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan to the brink.
The tension was obvious.
Even ordinary villagers could feel it. Whenever patrols from the Konoha Military Police Force passed by, people instinctively avoided them. Some turned away quietly, others waited until the Uchiha were gone before muttering curses under their breath, blaming them for the death of the Hokage.
Other shinobi kept their distance as well.
The isolation was complete.
Still, not everything was bad.
At the very least, Ryūjin could tell that his friendships had not been meaningless.
Might Guy and Kurenai Yuhi did not avoid him. Instead, they came to find him on their own.
"Ryūjin, I've been craving something good lately. Let's go get barbecue," Kurenai said, her tone casual but deliberate.
"Yeah, my training has been intense these days. I need to refuel properly," Guy added, trying to sound relaxed.
Ryūjin wasn't stupid. He could see through the excuses immediately.
They were worried about him.
He let out a short laugh.
"Alright, let's go. If someone else is paying, it would be a waste not to eat."
The three of them walked off together, chatting as if nothing had changed.
But the moment they stepped into the barbecue restaurant, the mood shifted.
Conversations stopped.
Eyes turned toward Ryūjin.
The earlier laughter in the room disappeared, replaced by stiff silence and sharp stares.
Kurenai immediately sensed the problem.
"There don't seem to be any seats. Why don't we get some dango instead?" she suggested quickly.
A street stall would be better, less attention, less pressure.
Ryūjin glanced around, then pointed toward a corner.
"No seats? That one's empty."
Without hesitation, he grabbed Kurenai's hand and pulled her forward.
"Relax. You're overthinking it. I'm fine."
Kurenai froze slightly at the sudden contact but didn't pull away. Guy exchanged a look with her before following behind.
They sat down.
At first, the atmosphere remained tense, but as the meal went on, Ryūjin acted like nothing was wrong. He joked, talked, and ate as usual, completely unaffected by the stares around him.
No anger, no frustration, no bitterness.
Just the same attitude as always.
By the time they finished eating, both Kurenai and Guy finally relaxed.
Afterward, Ryūjin kicked Guy out without hesitation and went for a walk through the village with Kurenai.
---
Later that day, back in his room, Ryūjin entered the Kamui Dimension to check on Sasori.
After reinstalling Sasori's core, he should have revived.
But several days had passed without any response.
If not for the faint energy still present in the core, Ryūjin would have assumed Sasori was gone for good.
This time, however, things were different.
Sasori was awake.
"The technique you used on my soul puppet, what was it?" Sasori asked immediately, his tone sharp and impatient.
That was all he cared about.
"If you want answers, hand over your Soul Puppet Technique first," Ryūjin replied flatly.
Sasori hesitated.
That technique was his greatest asset.
Ryūjin didn't press him.
"This space belongs to me. You're the only one here. No need to eat, no need to move. You can stay like this forever."
"I've got time. Think about it."
With that, he left.
There was no need to rush. Sasori wasn't going anywhere.
---
That afternoon, while on patrol, Ryūjin sensed a faint chakra signal from the black receiver he had given to Orochimaru.
A summon.
Ryūjin left behind a Shadow Clone and used Kamui.
A space vortex formed.
He stepped into a dark, damp room filled with the faint smell of seawater.
An island base.
"Ryūjin-sama."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed softly. Beside him stood Kimimaro.
Compared to before, Kimimaro looked completely different. His complexion was healthy, his eyes clear. The change was obvious.
"Ryūjin-sama," Kimimaro said respectfully.
Ryūjin looked at him, then casually reached out and pinched his cheek.
Soft.
Kimimaro froze, completely confused.
He didn't move, didn't react, just stared at Ryūjin as if trying to understand what kind of test this was.
Orochimaru watched with interest.
"It seems Ryūjin-sama likes him. Would you like to take Kimimaro with you?"
"Not yet," Ryūjin replied. "I'm still a Konoha shinobi."
"With your strength, becoming Hokage would be effortless," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "Once you are Hokage, you can do anything."
Ryūjin didn't respond.
He had no interest in that.
His focus was simple. Get stronger.
Strong enough that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would not be a threat.
Strong enough that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki would not matter.
Strong enough that even when Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki descended, it wouldn't change anything.
Everything else could wait.
"Why did you call me?" Ryūjin asked.
Orochimaru shook his head.
"The two Jinchūriki you mentioned are still missing. Finding them won't be easy."
Then he smirked slightly.
"But I found something else. Takigakure. The Seven-Tails is there."
Ryūjin immediately understood.
Takigakure, a hidden village surrounded by waterfalls, nearly impossible to locate without guidance.
"You found it?"
"By accident," Orochimaru said. "I was tracking a lead related to Utakata, but it led nowhere. Instead, I discovered the entrance to Takigakure."
He paused.
"Since you want the Tailed Beasts, this is the best option for now."
Ryūjin nodded.
"That works."
Without hesitation, he placed a hand on Orochimaru and pulled him into the Kamui Dimension.
He turned to Kimimaro.
"Coming?"
"I want to go with you," Kimimaro said without hesitation.
"Fine."
Moments later, all three reappeared at the base of a mountain.
Waterfalls surrounded them on all sides.
"Follow me," Orochimaru said, pointing toward one of them.
They moved quickly, using the Body Flicker Technique to cross the terrain.
Soon, they reached a waterfall.
Passing through it revealed a hidden interior filled with pools.
"Through here," Orochimaru said, diving in.
Ryūjin stared for a second.
"This place is ridiculous."
Still, he followed, jumping into the water with Kimimaro.
The underwater path led to a larger body of water, and after swimming through, they surfaced again.
A village appeared before them.
Hidden, quiet, and almost impossible to find.
Ryūjin activated Sage Mode and scanned the surroundings.
No White Zetsu.
Good.
"Let's move," he said.
They headed toward the village.
But something felt off.
The streets were empty.
Then suddenly, people began running past them in panic.
"Kakuzu is here!"
"Hide!"
"Close the doors!"
Ryūjin narrowed his eyes.
Kakuzu.
A rogue ninja from this village, someone who had stolen the Earth Grudge Fear technique and left.
This wasn't a visit.
This was revenge.
Ryūjin smirked slightly.
"Let's go take a look."
"Takigakure can't handle him. If things escalate, they'll bring out the Jinchūriki."
He stepped forward without hesitation.