Go back? Go back where?
Hiroki lifted his gaze toward Kaguya and Zetsu.
Their eyes met, but neither spoke.
As silence fell over the room, Black Zetsu continued, "I took a quick look earlier. There are three bedrooms in Hiroki's house—probably arranged when his parents were still alive: one for them, one for Hiroki, and one as a guest room."
"Now it works out perfectly—one room each for Hiroki, Karin, and Kimimaro."
Glancing cautiously at Kaguya's expression, Black Zetsu offered a slight smile. "Mother, if you really need a place to stay, why not go to the Country of Hot Springs?"
"White Zetsu has already made arrangements there. Everything is ready—magnificent palaces, maids... everything set up especially for you. You'll be treated like royalty..."
Kaguya paused briefly, saying nothing, her calm gaze fixed steadily on Hiroki, silently asking: What do you think?
Truthfully, Kaguya would rather stay here.
But she couldn't possibly say something childish like fighting these brats over rooms.
At this moment, Kaguya was secretly annoyed. He must have known there were only a few rooms at home, yet he suddenly brought so many people back—what on earth was going through his mind...
Hiroki hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
As for those delicate young ones, Kimimaro and Karin—if either had to leave, it might hurt someone's feelings...
Zetsu wore an unreadable expression.
As for Kimimaro and Karin themselves—
Kimimaro remained just as expressionless as ever.
Karin, however, long accustomed to surviving by reading others' moods, quickly sensed the odd atmosphere.
Kaguya raised an eyebrow, waiting for Hiroki to stop her from leaving.
Knock knock!
The knock broke the silence. Karin stood up immediately. "I'll get the door."
Soon after, Karin returned with Hiashi Hyuga.
Realizing a stranger had arrived, Zetsu quickly hid himself.
Hiashi wasn't on his list of trusted people.
Hiashi glanced at Karin, who had led him in, then at the unfamiliar face beside her—Kimimaro.
Strange. More strangers again.
But since they might be connected to Kaguya, he decided not to ask further questions.
With a respectful bow, slightly lowering his head, he addressed Kaguya. "Ancestor Kaguya, shall I inform all clan members of your arrival?"
"No need," Kaguya replied coldly.
Hiashi gave a slight nod before continuing, "Ancestor Kaguya, I've already prepared a residence and assigned servants. Would you like to take a look...?"
Briefly glancing toward Hiroki, Kaguya's lips curled into a faint smile. "Lead the way."
Hiashi walked ahead, guiding her into a large, vacant mansion.
Black Zetsu muttered angrily to himself: *Hiashi Hyuga, you ruined everything!*
Only after their figures disappeared did he cautiously come out again and quietly follow them.
Night fell.
Kaguya stepped outside and looked up, silently gazing at the night sky.
"Mother..." Black Zetsu whispered softly.
She didn't respond, but he knew she was listening.
"Mother, Jiraiya recently contacted Nagato and Konan from the Akatsuki Organization. It's possible they may join forces in the future."
"And recently, he's been seen in the Country of Hot Springs again. Several peripheral members of the Akatsuki have also stayed there for some time."
"I think we no longer need to wait for the Akatsuki to act. We should take the initiative."
"Konoha, Kumogakure, and several other nations — with the forces you currently control, capturing Tailed Beasts can begin now," Black Zetsu spoke persuasively.
He believed that once the plan was handed over to his mother, there would be no need for him to remain inside the Akatsuki any longer — he could finally stay by her side always.
As for Madara Uchiha, there was no need to resurrect him either.
If his mother wished, she could simply reclaim the Ten-Tails and initiate the Infinite Tsukuyomi again.
Moreover, with just the military strength of Konoha and Kumogakure, they were already stronger than the constantly expanding Akatsuki.
Kaguya turned to look at him, speaking in a calm voice: "Is that so? If this is the case, then go bring back the Rinnegan and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. I can't personally handle everything myself, can I?"
Black Zetsu fell silent, visibly troubled.
This particular task indeed posed significant difficulty for him.
"Someplace else with abundant chakra concentration?" Kaguya asked after a long pause.
"The Grel Stone contains massive energy. White Zetsu can absorb the Grel Stone's energy, so you, Kaguya, certainly can too," Black Zetsu replied after consideration.
"There's also immense chakra in the Dragon Vein (the ancient chakra reservoir) of the Louran Ruins. However, that place is extremely dangerous. It's said someone once traversed space-time using the Dragon Vein. A single misstep might trigger chaos across timelines."
Kaguya responded indifferently with a slight nod before walking into her room.
Hesitating for a moment, Black Zetsu ultimately decided to leave first.
His mood sank.
It seemed like his mother had reacted quite coldly — nothing like the joyous reunion he had imagined.
Even regarding collecting the Tailed Beasts, her attitude didn't appear as urgent as it used to. What exactly was going on?
On his way out, Black Zetsu spoke to the White Zetsu portion on the other side of his split form, "White Zetsu, if Mother interacts with Hiroki Hyuga in any way, make sure to inform me immediately."
"Sure thing," White Zetsu chuckled cheerfully.
"Why hasn't he come to find me yet?" Kaguya silently wondered.
Thinking about how Hiroki and the others must be happily enjoying themselves together while she faced a crowd of submissive strangers made her feel uneasy.
She felt like an outsider.
What's the point of having this body at all if things end up like this?
The next morning,
After washing up, Hiroki walked into the living room, catching a whiff of a pleasant aroma.
Following the scent, he looked carefully.
To his surprise, Kimimaro and Karin were working in perfect sync in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
"Such thoughtful kids," he inwardly mused.
"Kaguya, how are you doing?" Hiroki asked.
Ever since Kaguya constructed a physical body for herself, she had been speaking less often — no longer confined to the spiritual world as before.
"Fine." Eventually came her flat response inside his mind.
After breakfast, Hiroki took Karin and Kimimaro with him toward the Hokage Building to find Tsunade about resolving these two newcomers' identity issues.
The inauguration ceremony date was approaching, and Tsunade didn't skip work—she stayed properly stationed at the Hokage's office.
"They're staying here? Are they living with you?"
"Yeah," Hiroki nodded.
"So who's looking after them? You?" Tsunade asked again.
"Tsunade-sama, don't worry. They can take care of themselves just fine."
Leaning back in the Hokage's chair, her body slightly tilted backward, Tsunade looked at Karin and asked, "Karin, would you like to live with me? The Uzumaki and Senju clans once worked closely together. My grandmother was also part of the Uzumaki clan."
After a moment of hesitation, Karin shook her head in refusal.
"Well then," Tsunade sighed helplessly. "I have some scrolls from the Uzumaki clan. If you ever want them, feel free to come find me."
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