Chapter 309: The Moon
The pitch-black environment instinctively prompted Itachi and Shisui to activate their Sharingan.
Kakashi also lifted the headband covering his left eye, revealing the Sharingan hidden beneath.
The cavern's surroundings became immediately clear.
Around them were painted murals, depicting centuries of conflict between the Hyuga and Otsutsuki clans.
More specifically, they documented the Hyuga's ties with the Otsutsuki main family and their battles against the Otsutsuki branch family.
As Kakashi and the others observed the murals, Haneda moved to the center of the cavern, approaching an altar-like structure.
Activating his Mangekyo Sharingan, he placed his hand on the altar and pressed lightly. In an instant, the cavern was bathed in radiant light.
"What's this?!" Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui's attention snapped to the source of the glow.
Haneda explained, "The space portal has been sealed for far too long; it needs to be reactivated."
As Haneda spoke, white points of light gathered together, forming a shimmering doorway.
The light began shifting to a starlit hue, and at the center of the portal, the faint, golden-yellow outline of the Moon grew clearer and closer.
As the portal slowly activated, Haneda took the opportunity to issue another warning:
"This mission is incredibly dangerous. The techniques the Otsutsuki clan possess are peculiar—some can see into your mind, and others can silently drain your chakra..."
"I'll handle the individual directly controlling the Tenseigan with Kakashi. Itachi, Shisui, your job is to infiltrate their base and sever the Otsutsuki's connection to the Tenseigan."
"Unexpected complications could arise at any moment, so stay vigilant!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Itachi and Shisui replied solemnly.
They had already donned their masks symbolizing their roles as ANBU, revealing only their blood-red Sharingan.
They were acutely aware of the mission's danger—Haneda, the most powerful Hokage in history, had repeatedly emphasized the risks.
Unlike the serious Itachi and Shisui, Kakashi suppressed his excitement. For the first time in four years, he would be fighting alongside Haneda again!
Memories of their earlier teamwork flashed through his mind, bringing a smile to Kakashi's face.
"Compared to a few years ago, we now have more coordinated techniques—Flying Raijin exchanges, Kamui for absorbing attacks…"
"We'll catch the enemy completely off guard!"
Haneda glanced at Kakashi and gave him a reassuring smile.
But deep down, he understood the immense threat posed by the Tenseigan.
The Tenseigan's abilities included summoning massive stone golems reminiscent of Edo Tensei puppets. These golems could regenerate when destroyed, with bodies rivaling the size of the fully-transformed Nine-Tails!
The Tenseigan Chakra Mode was on par with the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
And the Truth-Seeking Orbs, symbolic of Six Paths power, could likely nullify even Haneda's full-strength attacks.
Not to mention the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, a technique capable of slicing the Moon in half!
This mission to the Moon wasn't just about brute strength—it required a combination of Haneda and Kakashi's direct confrontation and Itachi and Shisui's infiltration to succeed.
Destroying the Otsutsuki's connection to the Tenseigan would be far easier than trying to win a head-on battle.
Haneda glanced at a faint blue interface visible only to him:
[Haneda Uchiha]
[Strength: Beyond Kage (99/100)]
[Chakra: 83.6 units | Attributes: Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Yin, Yang]
[Kekkei Genkai: Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan (Rinnegan Awakening Progress: 34%), Perfect Sage Body, Wood Release, Ice Release, Scorch Release, Explosion Release, Lava Release, Boil Release, Blaze Release, Dust Release... Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse)]
[Special Abilities: Eight Gates – Gate of Wonder (89/100), Hatake Swordsmanship Mastery (67/100), Flying Raijin Jutsu (87/100), Lightning Chakra Mode (98/100), Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode (76/100), Kagura Mind's Eye]
[Dojutsu: Shinra Bansho, Takemikazuchi Thunder, Kotoamatsukami]
[Senjutsu: White Rage Technique, Inorganic Reincarnation, Phantom Apparition, Levitation Technique]
"If only I had Obito's luck with a guiding old sage, I wouldn't have to risk everything like this..."
Haneda sighed as he stared at the now-connecting space portal.
Obtaining the Tenseigan was the best way to break the current stalemate.
With the Tenseigan, his power would soar, hastening the awakening of the Rinnegan.
The Bloodline Collection Plan could also progress further.
Combining external forces with his own strength, he would surpass even Madara at his peak!
This high-risk Moon mission promised rewards that far outweighed the dangers.
Under Haneda's watchful gaze, the light portal locked onto a remote area of the Moon.
The space-time tunnel was now fully operational!
Haneda tossed two kunai marked with Flying Raijin seals to Itachi and Shisui before leaping into the portal without hesitation:
"Let's go! Itachi, Shisui—stay safe!"
As they entered the space-time tunnel, an expansive ocean unfolded before them.
Yet, standing on the seabed, the group felt no sensation of water.
Their Sharingan quickly discerned the truth—this was a world of genjutsu.
The illusionary world shattered under the scrutiny of their dojutsu.
Itachi and Shisui curiously observed their surroundings on the Moon.
Contrary to their expectations of barren wastelands, they found oceans, forests, and traces of human activity.
It felt as though they had never left Earth.
"My Sage Mode can conceal chakra signatures. Kakashi, don't use any sensory jutsu!" Haneda cautioned.
"Ah… force of habit," Kakashi replied, halting his attempt to release sensory jutsu.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged sheepish glances and silently retracted their chakra as well.
Activating Kagura's Mind Eye, Haneda scanned an area spanning several dozen kilometers, detecting every chakra signature.
The Otsutsuki clan members within a distant fortress remained unaware of his presence.
This was the terrifying capability of Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode—top-tier stealth in the ninja world.
"There are 18 individuals in total. Seventeen of them possess chakra on par with Jonin, and one has chakra equivalent to a Kage-level shinobi."
Haneda continued scanning but couldn't locate the Tenseigan. It was clearly protected by a barrier that blocked sensory detection.
"Approximately eight kilometers ahead lies a city where all Otsutsuki members are gathered."
"Inside the city are numerous puppets, though their craftsmanship doesn't match those of Sunagakure."
"Destroying the puppets could alert the Otsutsuki to our presence. Be cautious."
"What's the plan, Haneda?" Kakashi asked.
Haneda gave his orders:
"We'll split up. Kakashi and I will launch a frontal assault. Itachi and Shisui, infiltrate the city and locate the Tenseigan!"
Itachi and Shisui nodded silently before veering eastward to avoid detection.
Meanwhile, Haneda and Kakashi moved straight toward the city.
The city was quite a distance from the space portal, even at a ninja's speed.
As they ran, Kakashi turned to Haneda and asked,
"Anything else we need to know?"
To Be Continued...