As the Truth-Seeking Ball in Kaguya's palm, shining with a cold light, was about to be released, she felt a slight tug on her sleeve. Turning her head, she saw a blonde, twin-tailed girl—it was Black Zetsu. She had somehow appeared at Kaguya's side.
"Mother," Black Zetsu said softly, looking up with trembling eyelashes and pursed lips, "don't kill her. She is not our enemy."
A fleeting look of confusion appeared in Kaguya's eyes, but she quickly regained her calm demeanor.
In the blink of an eye, Hinata reached Kaguya and threw herself into her arms, holding her tightly. She said softly, "Sister, please wake up. I know this isn't the real you. Please don't act this way. You promised that after the war, we would eat dango together."
Upon hearing these words, a trace of confusion flashed through Kaguya's clear eyes as she murmured, "Dango..."
"Yes, dango," Black Zetsu's eyes lit up as she hurriedly continued. She was certain that some reason, perhaps the Infinite Tsukuyomi, had triggered the consciousness of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki within Kaguya's body, controlling her actions. But now it seemed that control wasn't complete, and they might be able to awaken Kaguya's true consciousness.
Black Zetsu preferred a gentle and caring mother over someone who was indifferent to her. Once she had experienced the warmth of being cared for, she never wanted to return to the cold and lonely world she knew before.
So, she was determined to save her beloved mother. Black Zetsu clenched her small fists, resolute in her decision.
Kaguya seemed to be contemplating something, her flawless fingers resting on her chin.
Suddenly, she lifted her head, her brow furrowing slightly, and raised her arm.
Black Zetsu turned to look and was nearly infuriated. Somehow, Neji and a group of others had charged forward.
Were they fools?
"Kaguya, wake up!" Neji shouted anxiously, clenching his fist. "We are your friends, not your enemies."
"Yeah, take a good look. It's us," Inuzuka Kiba shouted, waving his arms from a distance.
From afar, someone was running towards them at lightning speed—a bowl-cut and bushy-browed figure wearing a deep green bodysuit—it was Rock Lee. He arrived in front of Kaguya, panting heavily.
Before he could speak, Kaguya frowned and showed a look of disdain as she raised her arm. A powerful repulsive force suddenly erupted. Although her mind was a bit foggy, she still remembered her dislike for the person with the bowl-cut in front of her.
Just as Rock Lee was about to speak, he felt a tremendous force surging towards him. He was instantly hit as if by a cannonball, flying backward and about to crash into a small mountain when he was caught by someone.
"Guy-sensei," Rock Lee said, clutching his chest and coughing a few times. Looking back, he saw a figure with the same bowl-cut and bushy brows—no, even more pronounced.
"Lee, step back; we'll handle this," Guy said gravely. "This isn't something you can resolve."
"But, Guy-sensei..."
Rock Lee's mouth moved as he urgently tried to speak, but Guy silenced him with a wave of his hand.
"No buts," Guy said, his eyes fixed firmly on the silver-haired girl ahead. "In your current state, you can't perform at your usual level. You know what I mean, Lee."
Lee bit his lip and clenched his fists. He knew exactly what Guy meant. Lee had always had feelings for Kaguya, and if he were to fight her, he wouldn't be able to give his all. A momentary lapse in focus could lead to irreparable consequences. Furthermore, Kaguya's power was far beyond his.
"Listen to your teacher and step back, Lee," Kakashi said, approaching with folded arms and giving Lee a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Leave this to us. You should help treat the injured."
"Yes." Though reluctant, Lee nodded in agreement.
"Let's go, Kakashi," Guy said with a determined look in his eyes.
"Yeah," Kakashi replied, his expression equally serious. "Ordinary ninjutsu won't work on her. Only senjutsu and taijutsu's physical damage are effective. But with Naruto not here, we'll have to hold her off ourselves."
"Got it. It's my time to shine, Kakashi," Guy said, flashing a grin and a thumbs-up, his white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "Don't get too jealous."
"Yeah, yeah," Kakashi replied, rolling his eyes and spreading his hands in resignation.
"The Blue Beast is on the scene!" Guy leapt forward, landing in front of Kaguya.
"Are you all brainless?" Black Zetsu, the girl with twin tails, shouted in anger. "Or are you just mindless amoebas?"
Black Zetsu was furious. Just when her mother had shown signs of responding, these fools had interrupted.
"What?" Kakashi stared at the twin-tailed blonde girl standing by Kaguya.
"My mother's mind has been invaded, and she's currently fighting against this spiritual force," Black Zetsu said sharply. "If you disturb her, you won't help her; you'll cause unimaginable consequences."
"My sister would never act like this under normal circumstances; something must be controlling her," Hinata added anxiously. "Please listen to Black Zetsu."
"Is that so?" Kakashi pondered, stroking his chin. From his memories, Kaguya wasn't a bloodthirsty person, nor could she be considered evil. She had saved the Third Hokage, Asuma, and even recently protected the headquarters from disaster.
Could what this girl is saying be true?
"You're too naive," Guy suddenly shouted, pointing accusingly. "This is the enemy's scheme. She's exhausted her chakra in battle and is trying to buy time to recover. You can't fool me!"
Black Zetsu was nearly apoplectic with rage. How could anyone be so stupid? Couldn't he see the situation clearly?