On the Moon.
Kaguya watched through Hiroki's and 'Toneri's eyes as they peeled back each other's sleeves, seemingly engraving Summoning Seals onto one another. Her expression grew increasingly odd—then she sighed without explanation.
"Don't do this. Are you narcissistic? Even if you are, you've picked the wrong target. That's Toneri!"
"I'm carving Summoning Seals. This otherwise useless technique finally found its purpose," Hiroki replied.
After finishing the Summoning Seal engravings, their exposed skin was once again covered by clothes.
From now on, they could summon each other anytime using the Summoning Jutsu.
Between Earth and the Moon, there was no direct connection. Even White Zetsu needed to travel via the Lunar Rift to cross between the two celestial bodies—a rather inconvenient process.
Therefore, Hiroki simply pulled out a certain obscure jutsu he'd invented earlier, which Tsunade had previously criticized as redundant—only meant for use in emergencies like this.
Kaguya sighed again.
Have you really become this bored?
Hiroki stepped outside the castle, heading toward where the God Tree grew.
Life on the Moon was indeed quite boring. To ensure someone cared for daily meals and routines, 'Toneri' used his large-scale Tenseigan as an energy source to activate these puppets.
Besides regular meals and simple training sessions, Hiroki simply stared at that tree.
He fed it bits of his own Chakra every day, and it absorbed them quickly.
Although it hadn't grown much bigger, he did notice the tree looked slightly more vibrant.
If it were to grow into the original God Tree's size, it would require an astronomical amount of Chakra.
"How can we tell whether it has completed fusing with Hamura and developed a new consciousness?" Hiroki asked.
"You can't tell just by looking at it," Kaguya answered.
"That's why I'm asking you."
"Simple. Try infiltrating it yourself."
Hiroki: "..."
So even you aren't sure… You've probably never tried this yourself.
After a moment of silence, Hiroki focused intently on the tree.
And entered... the tree itself.
Looking up, he felt as though arriving in some kind of space fissure, with various holes scattered across the surrounding walls, eerie rays of light pouring through.
"What was it like?" Kaguya asked the instant he returned.
"It seemed like a shattered dark void."
"Then it's almost ready—but not yet."
Hiroki didn't really understand what it meant to nurture a sentient lifeform.
Two days later, he told Kaguya that the place had transformed into a sealed space—and she said that was sufficient.
Just as he felt somewhat confused, something miraculous occurred.
Strands of azure-white hair drifted in from nowhere, softly brushing against his cheek.
His vision became momentarily obscured, but when clarity returned, a woman dressed in loose white robes turned around.
Hiroki stared wide-eyed at this scene.
Weird. How amazing. It even created its own clothes.
Seeing his stunned expression, Kaguya smiled slightly, her lips curving into a warm arc. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her smile radiated a soft, inner light.
"..." Hiroki felt momentarily dazed before immediately projecting his consciousness out of his body and arriving at Kaguya Palace.
That person was still there, sitting calmly on the Throne and watching him.
Seeing his stunned look, she suddenly laughed, "I told you before, it's just a projection of my consciousness. It's a clone. Isn't that good?"
Hmm... one Kaguya inside, one outside...
Strange...
Life might get pretty interesting from now on.
As he returned to his own body, his mood became somewhat complicated. He couldn't help wondering how they would get along.
Looks like we'll have to live together then? Otherwise, she might clash with others around me.
With Kaguya's personality, she definitely won't compromise with others, right? So I guess I'm the one who has to make concessions!
He turned his gaze to the Kaguya who had just appeared.
Her hair was so long it dragged on the ground.
Horns curved from the sides of her head.
A vertical mark ran between her brows, and her forehead was eerily smooth.
Judging by this appearance, the [Rinne Sharingan] probably can't be awakened.
That makes sense too. If simply creating a tree was enough to fully restore her former power, she wouldn't have obsessed over gathering the Tailed Beasts for so long.
Besides, the tree was made using Kaguya's own chakra.
This vessel likely can't manifest much of her true strength.
Creating this vessel in advance was likely just a backup plan to prevent mishaps during her future collection of the Tailed Beasts.
Still, Kaguya's current appearance is quite extravagant. Definitely 100% attention-grabbing wherever she goes.
While he was lost in thought, Kaguya walked over and gently raised her hand.
"Let's go eat."
Hiroki reached out and took her hand.
Well then, time for some up-close pampering.
"Eat? You mean consume chakra?" Hiroki asked doubtfully.
Did truly immortal beings like her even need regular food?
"What chakra? Yours?"
As she spoke, Kaguya secretly thought: Actually, I should replenish some chakra soon. For years I've only been giving it without refilling. If he keeps taking endlessly like this, there'll come a day when I can't provide, leaving me unable to enhance his abilities. Wouldn't my prestige drop significantly then?
If Tsunade and the others find out, they'll definitely go nuts! Especially that blasted Tsunade!
"...If you need, I can give you some daily." Hiroki offered.
"You?" Kaguya deliberately gave him a disdainful look.
Hiroki got momentarily stuck in his throat. "Then let's just go eat."
In Konoha, at the Hyuga Clan.
"Father sighs again. It seems he does this every day..."
Hanabi, still young, leaned against the doorway, peeking her head out while looking at Hiashi in the courtyard, her childish face showing a trace of worry.
"Sister, do you know why?" She tugged Hinata's clothes.
"...Yes." Hinata pursed her lips. How could she not know?
Lord Hiashi must be imagining something terrifying again.
In the courtyard, Hiashi sighed deeply once more.
Why can't things ever go smoothly? He just wanted to protect both his daughters' freedom—he never wanted to sacrifice one for the other...
Hinata sighed softly. "Sister, I really can't tell Father about Toneri?"
"Don't rush. We're already here," Kaguya replied.
"Here? Where exactly?" Hinata asked, confused.
Hiroki led Kaguya into the Hyuga estate.
Along the way, they passed several clan members who gave Kaguya puzzled looks when they saw her.
Which branch member is she? Why have we never seen her around the compound before?
"That woman has an incredibly powerful presence. Do you recognize her? You'd have to be blind not to remember someone like that," someone whispered.
The others shook their heads. "No idea."
"But those eyes... definitely the Byakugan..."
"Truthfully, doesn't her clothing look kind of outdated? It looks like something our elders used to wear..."
"Outdated?" Kaguya narrowed her eyes slightly at the remark.
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