The scene shifted, and Yoichi and Kaguya returned to the ninja world.
"Dispel the Divine Tree, Kaguya," Yoichi said to Kaguya. Though her pure white eyes flashed with a trace of reluctance and grievance, she complied.
This Divine Tree was her garden, and just as her secret techniques were stolen from her a thousand years ago, now her garden was being taken. Despite her unwillingness, the memory of her encounter in the primordial space forced Kaguya to release the Divine Tree's hold on the chakra it was absorbing, freeing the people bound to it.
While Kaguya was alive, canceling the Infinite Tsukuyomi only stopped the Divine Tree from absorbing chakra from those not caught in the genjutsu. However, releasing those already encased in the Divine Tree required her direct action.
"Sit down and tell me about the Ōtsutsuki clan," Yoichi said, referring to the Strategy Guide. He used Wood Release to create a table and chairs, inviting Kaguya to sit.
The Strategy Guide analyzed that despite Kaguya's immense power, she was naive in many ways—her betrayal by her two sons proved that.
Additionally, she harbored deep fear toward the Ōtsutsuki clan after betraying them, swallowing the Divine Tree fruit meant for the clan and ambushing its protector, Isshiki.
The key now was to reignite Kaguya's fear of the Ōtsutsuki and position himself as her only protector. That would hasten her submission.
Kaguya turned slightly, her white eyes betraying a hint of discomfort. "There's nothing to say about the Ōtsutsuki. I don't know much about them," she replied.
Just as the Strategy Guide had indicated, Kaguya was deeply fearful of the Ōtsutsuki, avoiding the topic entirely.
"Since the Ōtsutsuki are my targets, I need information on them. If an enemy comes, who will fight them—you or me?" Yoichi paused, then continued, "Kaguya, why did you create the Zetsu to fight the Ōtsutsuki? Those things can't even reach space. What were you thinking?"
"... At the very least, they can drain some of their chakra."
Kaguya was silent for several seconds before responding, though she avoided looking Yoichi in the eyes. She had the feeling that Yoichi was looking at her with that same condescending gaze again.
"I only know five Ōtsutsuki. The rest of the Ōtsutsuki can only be contacted by the protectors. Protectors aren't qualified to participate in the Ōtsutsuki's main affairs."
Slowly, Kaguya began to share more about the Ōtsutsuki. She was Isshiki's protector, or more accurately, his subordinate.
In their group, there were three protectors: Momoshiki, Isshiki, and Urashiki. As for the lower-ranked subordinates, there were Kinshiki, herself, and Tsukishiki.
These "lower subordinates" were essentially fodder for the Divine Tree, sacrificed when necessary to help the protectors evolve.
However, the Ōtsutsuki clan seemed to have undergone internal conflict. Kaguya mentioned that Isshiki had taken the body of Shibai, who was meant to be offered as a tribute, but the details were unclear to her.
Without that incident, Kaguya would never have dared to attack Isshiki. The strength of the protectors was too overwhelming.
Kaguya went on to share what she knew about the abilities of Momoshiki, Isshiki, Urashiki, Kinshiki, and Tsukishiki.
However, Urashiki and Tsukishiki were already dead—the former had been captured by Yoichi and was now being studied in Orochimaru's lab, while the latter had likely been sacrificed to the Divine Tree.
As for Isshiki, though Kaguya believed her ambush had been successful, Yoichi knew better. Isshiki was hiding within Jigen, looking to cultivate a new vessel.
Moreover, Isshiki had already nurtured a Ten Tails. All he needed was sufficient energy and an Ōtsutsuki to create another Divine Tree and bear its fruit.
Isshiki wouldn't be able to accomplish that for decades, but Yoichi could. With Urashiki's chakra and the power of the Dragon Vein, he could grow the Divine Tree much faster. It was as if Isshiki's plan was gifting Yoichi a Divine Tree!
As Kaguya recounted her knowledge of the Ōtsutsuki, Yoichi interjected with comforting words and derisive comments about the other Ōtsutsuki, as instructed by the Strategy Guide. This subtly raised Kaguya's favorability toward him.
Before their battle, Kaguya's favorability toward Yoichi had been 20. Now, it had risen to 58.
This meant Kaguya no longer viewed him as a threat, and he was just two points away from shifting her perception of him from "a tolerable acquaintance" to "a friend."
"Let's head back. When we get to Konoha, don't harm anyone. Just live as you did in the Land of Ancestors."
Yoichi told Kaguya, releasing his chakra to signal his Kamui clone to locate him.
Moments later, the space around them twisted, and the Kamui clone emerged, tossing a black orb back to Kaguya.
"Here, take this back. No more schemes. Have Black Zetsu gather all the White Zetsu in the ninja world and have them come to Konoha within a day," Yoichi ordered.
"Mother, what's going on? This brat—"
"Enough, I am now his protector," Kaguya replied coldly, sealing Black Zetsu within her sleeve and temporarily suppressing its consciousness.
Black Zetsu was another form of Kaguya's "wedge." Although given sentience by the power of Yin-Yang Release, its sole purpose was to ensure Kaguya's resurrection. Now that she had been revived, Black Zetsu had fulfilled its purpose.
"Come with me. I'll use Flying Thunder God to take us back."
"Mm-hm~~"
As Yoichi placed his hand on Kaguya's shoulder to teleport, he suddenly remembered his Succubus Body ability.
Kaguya trembled and collapsed onto the table, barely managing to recover after several moments.
Even when her body regained control, Kaguya was still panting heavily, clutching her chest as her body quivered.
Having experienced this sensation nearly twenty times in the span of half a day, even her divine body was struggling to endure the constant, uncontrollable surges of emotion.
"Sorry, I forgot about my ability. You'd better open the portal to return," Yoichi said with a sigh, glancing at the Strategy Guide to find that Kaguya's favorability had increased by another two points.
'She's still so naive, living in fear of the Ōtsutsuki and the betrayal of her sons,' Yoichi thought, seeing the guide's instructions.
"Are you alright, Kaguya? Do you need to rest for a while?"
"I'm... fine," Kaguya replied, her pale skin tinged with pink. Her tone was slightly odd as she added, "That strange... vulgar ability... you should stop using it."
"It will stop in half a month. I can't control it either," Yoichi sighed. The ability was so strong that no woman could resist, yet its uncontrollability was troublesome. He feared he'd have to refrain from touching any women for two weeks, or risk overwhelming them.
Otherwise, even a simple touch could lead to their utter exhaustion.
"Where is Konoha?"
"There, where you sense those strong chakra signatures—that's Konoha," Yoichi pointed toward Konoha, as his clone dispelled the jutsu, releasing chakra that Kaguya could detect.
Once she confirmed the location, Kaguya nodded and used Yomotsu Hirasaka to open a space-time portal.
As for Madara, who was still breathing faintly nearby, and Ōnoki, who was on the verge of death, Yoichi had already instructed his Kamui clone to take Madara away. After all, his Rinnegan was too valuable to waste.
"It seems the situation has been resolved. The trees sprouting from the ground have released those caught in the genjutsu, and the genjutsu itself has been dispelled," Tobirama Senju said, receiving information from his shadow clones. He wasn't one to sit idle and had sent clones to gather intelligence while remaining inside.
"I've confirmed the same. Fourth Hokage, let's send a message to the Rain District and the Sand Special District to check in," Hashirama Senju suggested after receiving memories from his Wood clones.
"Understood," Sakumo Hatake replied, motioning to an ANBU operative to send the message.
With the Infinite Tsukuyomi dispelled, Konoha's higher-ups gathered at the Hokage building. After learning that the genjutsu affecting the entire ninja world had been lifted, even the chūnin in the room heaved a sigh of relief, including Hyūga Rimi, who had recently gained the power of the Tenseigan.
Rimi had believed that aside from Yoichi-sensei, she was the strongest person in the village, capable of wielding the giant Tenseigan to fend off invading enemies. However, the genjutsu from the moon had caught her off guard, leaving her defenseless. This filled her with both fear and frustration.
If she had performed better, she might have gained more recognition from Yoichi-sensei.
"First Hokage, Second Hokage, where is the Fifth?"
"He hasn't returned yet. The enemy wasn't in the Land of Fire," Tobirama said, folding his arms. "As for when he'll be back, we don't know. But since he has a clone in the village, he'll alert us if he needs backup."
Before Tobirama could finish, he and the others suddenly felt Yoichi's clone vanish, followed by the appearance of two powerful chakra signatures just outside the village.
"He's back!" Tobirama exclaimed as he and the others rushed toward the village gate.
Upon arrival, they found Yoichi and Kaguya standing there.
"Fifth Hokage, is this the enemy?" Tobirama asked, puzzled. The pressure emanating from Kaguya was immense, even though she wasn't releasing her chakra. The oppressive aura made everyone uncomfortable, including Hashirama.
"This is Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the Moon Goddess from a thousand years ago. She was the enemy, but after losing to me, she is now my protector."
Yoichi explained the situation briefly, informing them that Kaguya was no longer a threat, before continuing, "It's a long story, and I'll explain in detail later. But for now, I have some tasks for you, First and Second Hokage."
Madara Uchiha posed no threat to Yoichi or the village anymore. The gap in power between the Six Paths level and those below it was insurmountable. A single Truth-Seeking Ball was enough to stop any opposition.
How to handle Madara was up to the First Hokage, but the Rinnegan had to be taken.
"Let's not discuss this out here. We should head back to the village and—"
Thud!
Before Yoichi could finish his sentence, a black staff suddenly pierced through his chest, stopping him mid-speech.
"Jiraiya?!"
Tobirama, Hashirama, Tsunade, and the others were shocked, momentarily frozen by disbelief.
"You bastard! What are you doing?!"
Tsunade's face contorted with fury as she charged toward Jiraiya, throwing a punch with the intent to smash his skull.
Whoosh!
Before Tsunade's fist could land, Jiraiya vanished, reappearing a hundred meters away.
Jiraiya's appearance had changed, and now a set of Truth-Seeking Balls floated behind him. His eyes had turned into the purple Rinnegan.
"I didn't expect it to go so smoothly. Now, things will get easier... Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei!"
The black staff embedded in Yoichi's chest adhered to his body, encasing him in a black humanoid shape. It quickly flew into the sky, and in the next moment, the ground trembled as countless stones rushed toward Yoichi, forming a massive spherical prison of rock.
"Brother, let's take him down together. Fourth Hokage, protect the village!" Tobirama ordered coldly, throwing a Flying Thunder God kunai. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The kunai multiplied, transforming into hundreds of copies that flew toward Jiraiya.
Raising his hand, Jiraiya said calmly, "Tobirama, you misunderstand me. I'm correcting the mistakes of the ninja world. Once I've sealed him and Mother Kaguya, I will leave this man's body. Shinra Tensei!"
The kunai were deflected by the repulsive force, but in the next second, one of Hashirama's Wood clones burst from the ground beneath Jiraiya, aiming a punch at him.
Boom!
Jiraiya summoned another black staff, shattering the Wood clone's arm with a single swing.
However, the shattered arm immediately grew into thick, sturdy wooden branches that wrapped around Jiraiya.
"Die!" Tsunade, still enraged, charged forward, ready to strike again. This time, a Truth-Seeking Ball appeared in front of Jiraiya, transforming into a black shield.
Bang!
A loud sound echoed as cracks began to spread across the black shield, and the sound of it shattering grew louder.
Jiraiya's expression shifted slightly. "She can even break a Truth-Seeking Ball? Impressive strength..."
Whoosh!
Jiraiya vanished from within the layers of wooden bindings just as Tobirama's Water Severing Wave and Yoichi's Bone-Shattering Ash Bone struck the empty space where he had been.
Jiraiya's calm gaze turned to Kaguya, and he spoke, "Mother, long time no see. You're still as tyrannical and domineering as ever."
"Hagoromo, I hate you. And Hamura! You sealed me for a thousand years!"
Kaguya's voice dripped with hatred as she glanced up at the growing seal in the sky. "Now, you've also sealed my only hope against the Ōtsutsuki. Hagoromo, you deserve to die!"
(End of Chapter)
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