After taking the magatama from Reiki's hand, Black Zetsu wore a puzzled expression.
He couldn't comprehend why Reiki would make such statements.
After all, he was an extension of Kaguya Otsutsuki herself. Now that his mother had been successfully rescued, he should naturally return to her body.
Yet, as Black Zetsu thought this, an inexplicable resistance arose within him—an unfamiliar, sudden emotion.
Could it be some kind of spell?!
But with his current strength, any powerful magic seal cast upon him should be noticeable.
"Ah…"
Though confused, Black Zetsu halted his thoughts.
With the seal's power fading, the room within the massive doorway grew brighter. Otsutsuki Kaguya emerged, her expression unreadable and her presence overwhelming.
Her footsteps echoed—da da da—as she slowly stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar figures. Her brow furrowed slightly.
She didn't recall arranging for anyone like these people to rescue her.
Though Black Zetsu was present, the aura surrounding him was vastly different from when she had created him. Clearly, much had changed over the years.
The Reunion
"Mother!"
"You... I finally rescued you!"
Tears streamed down Black Zetsu's face. But even as he spoke, he felt a hollow emptiness—a sense of loss, as though something vital had been taken from him.
"Ah…"
"Can you explain the situation to me?"
Kaguya's voice was gentle but commanding. Her sharp gaze lingered on Reiki and his companions.
Though curious about these strangers who stood alongside Black Zetsu, Kaguya was particularly interested in understanding why her sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, were absent.
"Mother, let me explain…"
Black Zetsu wiped his tears and began recounting everything—the battles in the ninja world, Hagoromo's decisions, Hamura's death, and his shift in strategy. He spoke of his alliance with Reiki, the defeat of Otsutsuki Ishiki, and the transformations in the ninja world.
It took over an hour for him to narrate the series of events. Though certain details were left vague, Kaguya absorbed the story's essence.
A Challenging Request
"Reiki, do you want to fight her?"
Chedoli suddenly appeared, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she studied Kaguya's powerful aura.
"No need," Reiki responded, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
This girl—always eager for battle—clearly enjoyed stirring up trouble.
With a swift gesture, Reiki dismissed Chedoli and An Ye through summoning release, sending them away.
"You're Reiki, correct?"
Kaguya's soft voice broke through, her tone calm yet curious.
"Yes, Lady Kaguya," Reiki replied respectfully. "I am a medical ninja from Konoha in the Land of Fire. If possible, may I examine your condition?"
"Medical ninja?" Kaguya echoed, her tone skeptical. "Are you suggesting you can heal people? While my body has its issues…"
She shook her head gently.
To her, the idea that a mere medical ninja could heal her injuries was laughable. If such a solution existed, she wouldn't have remained sealed for so long.
A Surprising Remedy
"This is… within the body of an Otsutsuki?"
Reiki's voice carried quiet fascination as he analyzed her body's chakra-based systems—the meridians, internal organs, and structure.
"This should be simple enough," he said confidently, pulling out a recovery potion.
"What is this?" Kaguya asked, her eyes narrowing as she examined the vial.
"This potion should restore your depleted chakra. It's worth trying," Reiki explained.
Hesitant but intrigued by the strange pull of the potion's aura, Kaguya decided to drink it.
As the liquid coursed through her, she felt an unfamiliar power. Her damaged body began to recover rapidly—at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Remarkable…" Kaguya murmured, stunned by the results.
"It works," Reiki observed. "The recovery potion can replenish chakra depletion. It seems effective regardless of your unique physiology."
"Why would you use such a valuable item on me?" Kaguya asked, visibly confused.
"To earn your assistance," Reiki replied candidly.
A Bold Proposal
Reiki turned his attention to Black Zetsu.
"And as for him—Black Zetsu, now fused with Otsutsuki's Yin-Yang Style—he has become an independent existence, no longer a mere puppet. I hope he remains this way."
Black Zetsu stared at Reiki, shocked by his request.
Reiki not only kept his promise but also treated Black Zetsu as an individual—a care and recognition he had never experienced.
Kaguya's Choice
"Assistance?" Kaguya asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "What exactly are you seeking from me?"
"I want to give the ninja world the strength to defend itself against the Otsutsuki Clan," Reiki declared. "And you, Lady Kaguya, are the best instructor for this task."
He explained the current efforts to empower the ninja world, his vision to unite them against external threats like the Otsutsuki.
The decision now rested with Kaguya: to aid Reiki's cause or remain detached.
Would Kaguya, once the enemy of the ninja world, take this chance to rewrite her story? Or would her allegiance to the Otsutsuki Clan prevail?