The battlefield was silent, the dust from their battle settling in the moonlight. The night air was crisp, carrying the distant chirping of crickets. Tsunade stood beside Ryūsei, her golden Rinnegan still flickering with residual power, while his six-magatama Rinnegan shimmered like a constellation in the darkness.
They had tested their abilities, pushed themselves beyond mortal limits, but something lingered—a sense of unease, of responsibility.
Reflections and Realizations
Tsunade exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "We might have overdone it."
Ryūsei chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe a little."
She turned to him, her golden eyes glowing faintly. "These powers… they aren't just for us to throw around. We can undo death, rewrite time, erase existence. This isn't just strength, Ryūsei. It's something else entirely."
Ryūsei's expression darkened. He had always pursued power, sought understanding of chakra, bloodlines, and the path of the Ōtsutsuki. But now, he was standing on the precipice of something far greater.
"I know," he said quietly. "This isn't just about war or even unification anymore. These powers could reshape the world itself."
Tsunade studied him carefully. "Are you afraid?"
He met her gaze. "Not for myself. But power like this… it needs a purpose. If we don't control it, it'll control us."
A gentle breeze swept past them, rustling the trees.
Tsunade sighed, stepping closer. "Then we'll figure it out together. We always do."
He smiled, pressing his forehead against hers. "Yeah… we do."
A Visitor from the Past
Just as the moment settled, the air around them shifted.
A presence—ancient, vast, and immeasurably powerful—descended upon the clearing. The temperature dropped, and the very space around them seemed to ripple.
Ryūsei immediately turned, his Byakugan activating.
Tsunade tensed, her Rinnegan flashing.
From the darkness of the trees, a figure stepped forward.
His robes were flowing, embroidered with celestial markings. His eyes—pure and piercing—held the weight of millennia. His long, silver-white hair shimmered under the moonlight, and his very aura commanded reverence.
Tsunade's breath hitched. She had seen images of him in ancient texts.
Ryūsei's hands curled into fists.
There was no mistaking who this was.
Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
The Words of a Forefather
Hamura's gaze settled on Ryūsei. His voice, deep and steady, carried across the clearing like a solemn wind.
"You have taken a step beyond the limits of mortals," he said. "Beyond even what my brother and I once achieved."
Ryūsei narrowed his eyes. "You've been watching."
Hamura nodded. "For a long time." He glanced at Tsunade, his expression unreadable. "And now, you have passed the threshold of the divine."
Tsunade clenched her fists. "If you're here to lecture us about power, don't bother."
Hamura raised a brow. "No. I am here to warn you."
Ryūsei's jaw tightened. "Warn me?"
Hamura's gaze sharpened. "Power of this level does not go unnoticed. The gods are watching. And soon… they will come."
Silence fell over the clearing, the weight of his words sinking in.
Tsunade crossed her arms. "You mean the Ōtsutsuki?"
Hamura's expression darkened. "Not just any Ōtsutsuki. The true sovereigns of the clan. The ones even my brother and I feared."
Ryūsei's heartbeat quickened. He had always known that his journey would eventually lead him to them, but hearing it from Hamura himself made it feel chillingly real.
Hamura took a step forward, his presence overwhelming. "You have begun your ascension, Ryūsei. You walk the path of gods. But know this—with power comes war. The moment you reached this level, you became a beacon. They will come for you."
A heavy silence stretched between them.
Tsunade exhaled slowly. "Then let them come."
Hamura studied her, then turned back to Ryūsei. "You still have time. Prepare. Master your abilities. Strengthen your people. Because when they arrive, they will not negotiate."
Ryūsei's eyes blazed with determination.
"I won't run. I won't bow. If the gods come for me, then I'll show them what it means to stand against the will of mortals."
Hamura's expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps approval, perhaps sorrow.
"Then I pray you are ready."
And with that, his form dissipated into light, fading into the night.
The Road Ahead
The silence after Hamura's departure was deafening.
Tsunade turned to Ryūsei. "So… gods, huh?"
Ryūsei exhaled. "Yeah."
She smirked, punching him lightly on the shoulder. "Good thing we're not ordinary mortals then."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No. We're not."
His six-magatama Rinnegan shimmered, the weight of his path heavier than ever.
Because now, the real battle was coming.