"My idea is that after every living being finishes their daily activities, they will instinctively transport their remaining 'Chakra' into the God Tree through the surrounding trees. This way, the impact on their lives won't be significant."
Takuno finally stated his purpose.
Hearing this, the three of them nodded. If it was just transporting the remaining chakra of the day into the God Tree, while it would still affect living beings, the impact would indeed not be large.
One might even say that for some people who are so energetic every day that they cannot sleep, it might even be a good thing...
Subsequently, Takuno formed a hand seal, which was precisely the seal to release the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
There was no earth-shattering light or sound; everything was as calm as a breeze.
But this was not a failure.
On the battlefield, the tightly closed eyelids of the people caught in the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi flickered slightly, their breathing became steady and long, and they gradually woke up from a deep sleep that was not a nightmare.
Confused expressions began to replace the lethargy of slumber as consciousness slowly returned to reality.
Takuno did not stay there to wait for everyone to fully wake up and witness this historic moment.
Under the gaze of Hashirama, Tobirama, and the Sage of Six Paths, his figure quietly dissipated into the air of the Shinobi World, which had just experienced a catastrophe and welcomed a new life.
There was no farewell, no declaration, just as mysterious as when he first appeared.
What remained was Hashirama's ecstatic expression.
This former God of Shinobi looked at the scene of his compatriots gradually regaining vitality, and a wave of immense joy hit him.
It made his eyes moist, and a bright, relieved smile blossomed on his face; he almost wanted to raise his arms and shout.
Beside him, Tobirama, the Second Hokage known for his calm rationality.
Although he tried hard to maintain his usual seriousness, his furrowed brows had smoothed out, and a genuine curve rose uncontrollably at the corner of his mouth.
His tense nerves finally relaxed. Although he still had doubts about Takuno's logic-defying power and unpredictable thoughts, at this moment, he felt more relief that peace could be maintained.
Floating in mid-air, the solemnity on the Sage of Six Paths's face had long since turned into a peaceful smile.
His deep gaze seemed to penetrate time and space, seeing the possibility of the Shinobi World's future continuing under the gentle "Chakra absorption" system modified by Takuno.
He knew well that Kaguya's threat had been removed and Takuno had ended the Infinite Tsukuyomi, albeit in a way that surpassed his imagination.
In this gamble with the fate of the Shinobi World as the stake, they had ultimately won.
Looking with gratification at the world protected by the chakra reincarnations of his two sons surviving, his mission as the founder seemed to finally be coming to an end.
With this sense of release and expectation for the future, his soul projection also faded away like smoke, finally disappearing into the Shinobi World.
The dawn of the Shinobi World arrived quietly in the wordless calm.
The members of the Allied Forces gradually regained consciousness.
Some touched their bodies in a daze, while others looked around in suspicion and uncertainty.
The white cocoons of the God Tree that were supposed to wrap them had disappeared. After a brief dead silence, a clamor erupted.
"We... weren't we controlled by the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
A Sunagakure Shinobi pinched his arm hard; the pain was real but could not dispel the panic.
"Uchiha Madara clearly already won!"
"Could this be a Genjutsu within a Genjutsu?"
The Hidden Mist Shinobi formed seals to try and release the Genjutsu, but the chakra flow showed nothing unusual.
No matter how they tried, they felt that this was reality.
Of course, some people were still immersed in the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi and had not yet reacted.
Even the Kage-level experts were the same; their last memories told them that the Allied Forces had already failed.
Minato, however, thought of something. When he was completely covered by the God Tree branches at the end, he seemed to see that the first two Hokages had not fallen into the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Moreover, he looked around but did not see the mysterious figure of The Collector.
"Has Senpai already left? At that time, only Senpai should have been able to solve it, right?"
Minato guessed some things but could not be completely sure, so he quickly went to the Senju brothers.
"First Hokage-sama, Second Hokage-sama, greetings. I would like to ask what exactly happened after we all fell into the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
Both Hokages looked at the Fourth Hokage before them with satisfaction. In this Shinobi World War, they had seen Minato's performance and were very satisfied with his abilities.
Of course, Hashirama felt it would be even better if Minato could be a bit stronger.
Tobirama also sighed. When he chose the Third Hokage, it was due to the pressure of the situation and he had to choose a Hokage.
In fact, based on his view of his several disciples at the time, none were suitable to be the Hokage; everyone had their own shortcomings.
But the situation was urgent, and he could only pick one from among the short ones, eventually letting the Little Monkey pass his test to become the Third Hokage.
Although he didn't know how the Little Monkey had done, the Fourth generation he chose was indeed quite good.
Even he, if he had met Minato, would have certainly put all his effort into training him to be the next Hokage.
After hearing Minato's inquiry, the two told him some things, but they did not tell him about the chakra absorption.
After all, although Takuno had left, with his vast supernatural abilities...
Their conversation might not be hidden from him. If he became dissatisfied because of this and changed the way chakra was absorbed, then everything would be over.
Even though everyone was now awake and their combat power had recovered, they did not think the entire Shinobi World combined could deal with Takuno.
"As expected of Senpai."
Minato was not surprised and showed a smile.
The Senju brothers looked at each other, and Tobirama asked, "Fourth Hokage, do you know that mysterious Collector?"
Minato nodded. "Our relationship... should be considered quite good."
But he had no intention of revealing Takuno's affairs.
"Mhm, then you should maintain this relationship well in the future." Tobirama did not pry further.
Then he seemingly casually asked about some things. From Minato's answers, the solemnity in his eyes grew thicker and thicker.
"As expected, cognition has been modified; that matter has become an instinct for everyone."
Tobirama sighed. He wanted to give a reminder, but he was afraid of disturbing The Collector.
Minato, on the other hand, felt that the Second Hokage's questions were a bit strange. Isn't this what they have always been doing?
Moreover, if one doesn't want to go far, they could just plant a large tree next to their house and then input their chakra after finishing their work.
This way, those Tailed Beasts would no longer do things to harm Konoha, and their excess chakra would have a way to be used besides naturally dissipating. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?
What Minato did not know was that there were some irrationalities in these cognitions or instincts.
But the power of Kotoamatsukami lies in the fact that those affected will automatically ignore these irrationalities, and even reminders from others cannot wake them up.
Just like Mifune in the original work, even after learning he was under Kotoamatsukami, he was very surprised but ultimately did not break free and continued to act according to the will of Kotoamatsukami.
In the end, he relied on his own reason and the belief that those Kage would not deceive him to judge that there was a problem with his thoughts.
Although they did not know how they had achieved the final victory, they still began to celebrate.
And they began to handle subsequent related matters, such as medical treatment and so on...
...
Takuno had now returned to the Initial Space of Amenominaka.
At this time, Kaguya and Black Zetsu were waiting there 'respectfully' for Takuno's arrival.
Clearly, while he was handling the affairs of the Shinobi World, Black Zetsu had also successfully persuaded his mother, Kaguya, and she no longer had any feelings of resistance toward his arrival.
"Lord, have you finished your business?" Black Zetsu flattered. He was very familiar with this, having deceived Madara for a lifetime.
If it weren't for the Truth-Seeking Orb incident being exposed at the end, he wouldn't have needed Takuno to act; he could have pierced the other's heart to bring his mother back.
At this moment, Black Zetsu also tugged at his mother's sleeve.
"L... Lord, you have finished your business." Kaguya was still a bit reluctant, but she finally spoke.
"Mhm."
Takuno didn't care about this and looked at Black Zetsu. "Black Zetsu, there are some things I need you to do later."
"Please speak, Lord. It is my honor to be able to help you."
Takuno told the two about how he used Infinite Kotoamatsukami to change the cognition of the Shinobi World and began collecting the chakra of all living beings.
"Lord, I understand," Black Zetsu said.
It understood human greed very well. Although Takuno had used Kotoamatsukami to change everyone's cognition and even their instincts...
There would inevitably still be a portion of people who would stop doing this for various reasons.
Once these people increased and there was no corresponding punishment, then the people around them would also gradually give up transporting chakra.
So, this was when it needed to step in.
Takuno nodded and then waved his hand. Then, under the unbelievable gazes of Black Zetsu and Kaguya...
Nine Tailed Beasts condensed in the light, but their bodies were several times smaller than before, only about the size of an ordinary Shinobi dog.
Their chakra levels were completely equal, with no more gap where the Nine-Tails reigned supreme. The crimson Nine-Tails lay side by side with Shukaku, Matatabi, and the others, their postures identically submissive.
Takuno looked down at the group of miniature Tailed Beasts and said to Black Zetsu:
"These will be your assistants."
Black Zetsu poked half its body out of Kaguya's sleeve, its raspy voice filled with suspicion: "You split the Ten-Tails? But their power..."
"The God Tree roots have already covered the Shinobi World; there is no need for a massive vessel."
Takuno tapped the void with his fingertip, and tree-shaped symbols appeared on the foreheads of the nine Tailed Beasts simultaneously.
"The equal distribution of chakra is for efficiency. They will patrol the God Tree nodes and recover the 'remaining chakra' dissipated daily by living beings."
"As for their power, they can borrow chakra from the God Tree to fight at necessary moments, so there's no need to worry."
Black Zetsu nodded and then said respectfully, "I will certainly not fail your expectations. I will make everyone in this world obediently hand over their chakra."
"Mhm." Takuno nodded. He didn't doubt anything; with Kaguya in his hands, was he afraid of Black Zetsu slacking off?
He really wasn't afraid to say...
"Black Zetsu, you wouldn't want your mother to..."
After making all these arrangements, Takuno's body suddenly split apart, becoming two.
The two Takunos looked at each other; it could be said there was no distinction of an original body.
They were not like clones; Shadow Clones only pass information to the original when they are released, and Wood Clones also have corresponding restrictions.
But they had none. Everything about them was mutual and connected in real-time—consciousness, feelings, even the progress of physical conditioning, and so on...
Soon, one of the Minamoto Takunos left with Kaguya and Black Zetsu. He would return to the Shinobi World to handle all its affairs.
For example, taking care of Konan as Nagato requested at the end. Although the outcome would not have changed without Nagato's help, since he had accepted the other's power, he did not intend to break his word.
And...
His physique had theoretically reached its limit, so it was time to pass on his lineage.
Kaguya, Sara, Nono, and so on...
While the other Takuno...
He would continue to train here. Although everything from the Naruto era had ended, it didn't mean he could relax.
He had gone through so much trouble to obtain the power of the Chakra Fruit for a reason—wasn't it for a higher limit, so that his future path could go further?
And has he reached his limit now?
Far from it, he can still continue to become stronger!
One Kaguya was far from making him use his full strength. His Eight Inner Gates Formation could already be used at will without any side effects.
Or rather, there were side effects, but they would be instantly dispelled by his Yang Release.
And with his current physique, opening the Eight Inner Gates Formation was completely incomparable to Might Guy.
He could even stack everything now: Eight Inner Gates Formation, Tenseigan Chakra Mode, Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan enhancement, Six Paths Technique boost, and the unreasonable, all-encompassing, limitless, and unconditional elevation of Dojutsu: Tenken.
In his current strongest state, even he himself didn't dare to use it lightly. He felt that one punch for every Kaguya wouldn't be a problem...
Therefore, Dojutsu: Tenken could still continue to raise his power without limit. Why say his power has reached its limit?
If he had reached the true limit, Dojutsu: Tenken should have no effect!
So, as long as Dojutsu: Tenken can still play a role, he will continue to cultivate!
However, when the time really comes that Dojutsu: Tenken no longer works, will Takuno really give up *Cultiv*?
This question is indeed worth delving into.
But what is certain is that Takuno will definitely not give up now. He... will become even more powerful!
Besides that, he also needs to continue strengthening the Chimera Technique.
Now, after merging with the God Tree, the original five slots were now empty again.
However, there is no one left in the current Shinobi World worth using the Chimera Technique to merge with.
And for objects worth merging with, the current Chimera Technique likely wouldn't work. Perhaps only the Reverse Chimera Technique he would deduce later could be effective.
Therefore, he needs to push the Chimera Technique to at least the Six Paths level.
By the time of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, when those Ōtsutsuki arrive, he will have new objects to merge with.
Thinking this way, the corners of Takuno's mouth curled up.
He was not familiar with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, but he did not think his current self needed to fear anything.
So...
"Ōtsutsuki, I hope you can arrive a bit sooner."
Takuno smiled. Under his current perception, some hidden clowns that he couldn't perceive before were now fully exposed.
However, he didn't have much interest in them now. What he needed were Ōtsutsuki bodies, not an ordinary person whose body had been usurped.
In an instant, Takuno looked at the endless starry sky again.
"Future Ōtsutsuki, do not disappoint me..."