Chapter 239

「Long time no see, Mother. 」

In the sealed space, Hagoromo and Hamura looked at the floating Kaguya with somewhat complex gazes, while Kaguya remained expressionless.

Actually Kaguya also feels a bit dazed now, because she herself hasn't figured out how her two sons came here.

The seal of 【Heavenly Earth Explosion Star】 is still quite effective; at least she truly finds it hard to leave here.

Even the last time, that descendant called Yuzhi, only after opening a space channel could she let her own chakra seep in.

However she also must admit, that it was because of that interaction with Yuzhi that she somewhat changed her view of her son.

Even though she still feels her son's method is very weak, after all he still displayed the cold-bloodedness that an Ōtsutsuki should have.

Moreover, looking at it now, he indeed has had some effects, some unexpected effects!

「How did you guys come here? 」

Although she was thinking about these problems in her heart, Kaguya still spoke in an icy tone.

「Such a prison, it seems not the place for you two brothers to be. 」

「Mother. 」

Hamura's mouth corner twitched a bit, he couldn't help sighing inside, he could still feel their mother's anger in her heart.

After all, he also has his own children; he can imagine what it would feel like inside if his children attacked him.

Although he doesn't regret attacking his mother and sealing her, this situation really makes him feel uneasy inside.

「It's us who are wrong; for a thousand years we only cared about our own sleep, never coming to visit Mother. 」

Just when Hamura was most embarrassed, Hagoromo suddenly raised his head and spoke softly.

「Actually I should have come earlier; I just didn't think through many things, sorry, Mother. 」

Hagoromo's words instantly left Hamura somewhat speechless; what's going on?

Not only him, Kaguya also was left somewhat dazed; how could her 【always strong-willed】 son now also have changed a bit?

Could it be that those Ōtsutsuki have come?

Just thinking about that, Kaguya's face also grew somewhat grim.

She indeed has great conflict with her son, but no matter how great the conflict, they are still linked by blood.

And those Ōtsutsuki will surely kill everyone, including Kaguya herself!

This is a matter of life and death; even though Kaguya is still very angry inside, she has also somewhat changed.

「What happened? This isn't like you. 」

「Indeed some things have happened, and while these things were happening, I also figured out many things. 」

Hagoromo raised his head, looking seriously at his mother; the next moment his chakra suddenly surged forth.

They wrapped around and connected with the sealed Kaguya, and these chakra also carried his will.

Kaguya was somewhat puzzled, but when she felt these chakra that originally belonged to her, she immediately understood many things.

Because within these chakra are the memories of the conversation between the Six Paths and Yuzhi.

「Speaking of which it's laughable, I have always longed to understand others, but I indeed never tried to understand you, Mother. 」

Watching Kaguya as she was perceiving these memories, Hagoromo sighed before continuing.

「Yuzhi, he's an unbelievable kid; it's him who let me know my current shortcomings, and also let me realize some other problems. 」

「Perhaps my heart also harbors Ōtsutsuki thinking, but I simply refuse to admit it, just as Yuzhi said. 」

「Hamura and I grew up in a human environment; compared to the Ōtsutsuki, we believe we are humans, so. 」

Having said this, Hagoromo gave a wry smile and shook his head, while Kaguya, listening to his words and sensing his memories, was also deeply moved.

「Uchiha Haori? 」

This little guy, she fresh in her memory, at least he was the first person in her memory to break the bonds of life, the first person she saw after being sealed.

Through this kid she also learned many things about the outside world, especially regarding her son's plans.

Unexpectedly, this kid also gave her a greater surprise: it was he who awakened her son, and also made her son realize something.

Although using the term 【will divergence】 to explain their conflict is somewhat vague, upon reflection it indeed is a core issue.

And letting her son realize his mistake, realizing that deep down he mostly wanted to prove himself, this is truly unexpected.

Even more unexpected is this kid's strength!

「He actually won against one style? 」

Exactly how he won, Hagoromo didn't say, and there's no related manifestation in the chakra, but this matter surely isn't a joke.

The occurrence of this matter left Kaguya's mind somewhat dazed; she herself knows full well how terrifying one style is.

Initially, her desperate sneak attack could still let one style escape, forcing her to use only half of one style's body to complete the final sacrifice.

How long has Yuzhi been an 【Ōtsutsuki】, and yet he managed to defeat one style?

Besides one style, plus the already dealt-with Ura style, this guy truly is an 【Ōtsutsuki slayer】!

Even without inheritance, his performance truly surpasses inheritance by far.

「Although I still don't agree with your idea, I must also admit that I somewhat understand your choice back then. 」

After a while, Kaguya finally sighed.

「Chaos is the ladder to rise; after a thousand years of tumultuous war, these people we once regarded as ants have grown

And as they grew, it also gave our descendants opponents, people to temper their minds, and motivation to grow.

Perhaps your method is also correct. 」

「That's right, Mother; big brother's method may be harsh, but at least it really works. 」

Hamura hadn't had a chance to speak, but now seeing the situation ease, even though he was curious inside he held it back, then he said with a smile.

「. 」

Hagoromo glanced at his younger brother; even though he had gradually come to accept the idea that 【everything is his layout】.

But he really didn't want his younger brother to keep bringing this up, he shook his head, and he looked toward his Mother.

"Mother, I think you've also seen it, those Otsutsuki are likely to make a comeback."

"I think we need to do something; I don't know what Mother thinks."

Although Hagoromo still had many things to say, he also knew it wasn't the time to talk about these matters, and being more direct would be better.

Moreover, they will have plenty of time and opportunity to talk about these later.

Kaguya silently looked at her two sons, for a moment she expressed no stance, just gazing at them.

After a while, she suddenly spoke calmly.

"You guys now look too old, even older than I appear."

——

"Looking good, congratulations, Neji."

"Thank you, teacher, for this opportunity, but I'm still far from it."

Inside the Feather Village Temple, Yuzhi carefully observed Neji for a moment and then spoke with a smile, while Neji was especially cautious, or rather his attitude toward Yuzhi became more respectful.

At this moment, Neji's eyes were still a pair of Byakugan, but his aura had also undergone some changes.

More solid, and also stronger.

"And you two, Sasuke, you're also not bad."

Yuzhi turned his head to look at Sasuke and Naruto, and he spoke with a smile.

"Naruto, you're about the same; it looks like you both have gained something this time."

"Thank you, Father."

"That's right, Hokage Uncle!"

Sasuke and Naruto both laughed; this time they indeed reaped abundant rewards, and Yuzhi also made this lunar operation complete.

Neji's eye enhancement has been settled, and he also managed to pull through.

Even if Yuzhi helped him with "pressure relief," compared to the whole body's cells collapsing, this kind of pressure relief is truly insufficient.

But he ultimately held on, seized this opportunity of fate's favor, and thus his eyes received sufficient enhancement.

However, a reincarnation eye is still a reincarnation eye; even if Neji endured and completed the transformation, his current situation is actually not as strong as imagined.

"It seems my understanding of the reincarnation eye is still insufficient."

Yuzhi lightly shook his head; Neji's reincarnation eye, more accurately speaking, is in an "embryo" state.

He hasn't even experienced the first "fetal movement," or rather his first fetal movement is still brewing.

Even though his eyes can already exert considerable power, this power is relatively limited and still very dangerous.

A moment's inattention could easily cause his eyes to downgrade directly, reverting to the Byakugan level.

However, all this is fine; Neji is mentally prepared, and what he needs to do now is to complete the first fetal movement as soon as possible, so his eyes gain stronger and more enduring combat power.

These things can be done after he returns.

As for Naruto, he's had a relatively tough time on the moon.

He has no need for eye enhancement, but the training in Yang Release, taijutsu, and even subsequent senjutsu has made him suffer greatly.

But Naruto's willpower is also the strongest; no matter how hard or tired, even being subjected to Madara Uchiha's "still hitting even when trying to avoid" physical education, he never stopped.

Now his understanding and use of Yang Release power have also achieved considerable results; besides that, there's senjutsu.

"Now this Naruto, although he no longer has the Nine-Tails, his senjutsu ability seems stronger; could this also be considered a form of compensation?"

Yuzhi stroked his chin; the combination of Yang Release power and senjutsu power, although like Senju ZhuZhang, deviates from the "traditional Asura" combat mode.

But he, like Senju ZhuZhang, is considered to have opened his own path.

Even without producing a Wood Release technique like that, this is merely a difference in combat style; the current Naruto is becoming increasingly not to be underestimated.

"When the Sage of Six Paths sends the cheat over, who knows how far Naruto will develop."

Yuzhi looked at Naruto somewhat amusedly, then his gaze turned to the other cheat recipient, Sasuke.

At this moment, Sasuke was glaring with big eyes at Naruto, seemingly thinking that this guy was too rude.

He has now been considered fully fused, and his eyes have also regained their former luster, while Yuzhi also obtained some records and information of a "normal" Eternal Eye.

"The Eternal Eye actually also uses pupil power for fusion; it seems I let Sasuke suffer."

Yuzhi silently muttered to himself, but he more so blamed Sasuke and Madara Uchiha for forcing Itachi Uchiha's cruel eyes into Sasuke's sockets.

In the original work, both Madara and Sasuke have said that the Eternal Eye is like brothers' eyes.

This gave Yuzhi two interpretations; the first naturally is eye swapping, placing the brother's eye into one's own eye for use.

But doing so, why can't brothers simply exchange directly, why must it be a fight to the death?

Logic doesn't allow it, and losing one's eyes equals losing one's own power, which is obviously impossible.

"Then, only the second possibility remains."

The second possibility is the transfer of pupil power, but Madara and Sasuke in the original work both said their eyes are brothers' eyes.

Therefore Yuzhi could only use the most primitive method to try some attempts, directly performing a physical fusion, stuffing both eyeballs into a single eye socket!

Don't look at the eye socket being just that small; in fact, the eyeball has a certain elasticity, so even if two eyeballs are stuffed together, the socket can still accommodate them.

In Yuzhi's operation, Sasuke's eyes remained in a state of extreme swelling, and if the two eyeballs hadn't fused, Sasuke would have been in big trouble.

Fortunately, the two eyeballs eventually fused; their chakra attracted each other, and their pupil powers continually intertwined.

Furthermore, with the use of White Absolute Cells, this further accelerated the fusion speed of the two eyeballs, greatly shortening Yuzhi's timeline.

"Actually, in the original work, it seems Sasuke didn't rest for long either."

Regardless, Sasuke's eyes are now completely calm, and they have truly reached a higher level.

The Eternal Eye, perhaps still slightly lacking for Yuzhi and them, but the strength of these eyes is indeed already sufficient.

"As long as the Sage of Six Paths sends the cheat over when the time comes, it'll be about right."

Yuzhi is still thinking about the Six Paths' gift, but he is even more curious about how Six Paths and his mother are communicating now.

After all, Six Paths was persuaded by him and then disappeared without a trace; presumably he went to do something.

However, what Six Paths does is not really related to him, and he should now do what he ought to do.

"Alright, since you all have no objections, let's prepare to go back."

Yuzhi smiled and said, then he glanced behind at Kabuto and Ban, as well as Hikari standing with him, before withdrawing his gaze to look at the three little ones.

"Remember, for this operation, what I told you should not be told to others for now, because what you know are the strictest secrets."

"Yes!"

The three little guys immediately nodded; even the restless Naruto knows that now is not the time to joke.

"Moreover, you must always be ready."

Yuzhi stroked his chin, then he spoke softly.

"After we return, I fear it won't be long before a larger and more tragic war breaks out; I hope you make preparations."

"Because there is a great chance that the enemy we face this time will be beyond imagination, and you will also have to bear more responsibility."

"Make good use of this war; I hope to see your transformation!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

The three little ones looked solemn; they stared earnestly at Yuzhi, then whispered.

"We will not disappoint the Hokage-sama; certainly!"

——

"Nagato, how do you feel now?"

In the Rain Country, overcast rain continues; in a house, Konan watches Nagato slowly open his eyes and asks with slight concern.

"I'm fine, don't worry, Konan."

Nagato showed a smile, he gently shook his head and said with a smile.

"I'm very well; the Byakugan given by the Fifth Hokage, although not as good as the Rinnegan, I can feel its immense potential; rest assured."

"That's good."

Konan nodded, listening to the pattering rain outside the window; the corner of her mouth also curled into a smile.

"Without the Rinnegan, Nagato now looks much more cheerful; although the Byakugan looks a bit strange, after looking at it for a while it still suits you well. It's a pity Yahiko isn't here; otherwise he would surely be happy."

"It's best for Yahiko to stay in Leaf Village, after all Leaf Village is the safest."

Nagato shook his head indifferently; raindrops splashed outside the window; he thought for a moment, stood up, walked to the window, and then closed it.

The Rain Country remains as usual, constantly overcast and rainy, but such rain in Nagato's eyes is no longer the despairing weeping of the past.

Such rain seems to have imparted a romantic tone; Nagato himself also enjoys this continuous fine drizzle.

Such rain also seemed to bestow a romantic tone, and Changmen himself also greatly enjoyed such continuous fine rain.

When one's heart is filled with despair, everything seen is so ugly, able to connect to the most painful inner feelings.

Conversely, when one's heart is filled with hope, everything becomes beautiful blessings, turning into things that make people happy.

Nagato is like this; Konan is likewise; all the residents of the Rain Country are like this!

"Speaking of which, how has the village that Leaf Village established here been?"

Nagato, in good spirits, turned to look at Konan, then asked with a smile.

The smile now often hangs on his face; he is no longer as deeply resentful as before.

His smile now often hangs on his face, and he is no longer, as before, always full of hatred and grudges.

Not bad, everything is running normally, Leaf Village has used many of our people, and also contacted me to let me help.

Xiao Nan nodded, she looked at Changmen and said.

I agreed; in the near future I may need to go with them for an inspection, so that I can make better decisions.

Then let's go; if we have the opportunity to go to Leaf Village, seeing Miyan wouldn't be bad either.

Changmen nodded; Leaf Village plans to reorganize the ninja organization of Rain Country, and Changmen would not oppose this.

Moreover, Leaf Village has always used 'locals' to govern these places; although these 'locals' are all oriented toward Leaf Village, they wholeheartedly identify themselves as part of Leaf Village.

But they are the ones who know these places best, and letting them govern is also the best and most correct choice.

Once the village is built, you might even become a new shadow.

How could that be; at most it's just the ninja chief of Leaf Village's subordinate organization, and according to the Fifth Generation, it could be considered a local official.

Xiao Nan smiled, however she also did not refute; over these years many matters of Rain Country have been handled by her, and if she were truly allowed to be this ninja chief, she would not refuse.

Of course, by then there may be more restrictions, after all there is a Leaf Village above overseeing the whole situation, but Leaf Village treats everyone very well.

Rain Country, in the three-year war, belonged to those conquered relatively early, after all it is located at the junction of three countries; how could Leaf Village possibly let such a militarily important place go?

Changmen and them only symbolically resisted a bit, also counted as showing Rain Country's true strength before retreating.

However, the Akatsuki Organization was putting up strong resistance, but that was later; Leaf Village easily took control of Rain Country without much effort.

But just because Rain Country is the front line, many things develop slower than imagined, and after other places are subdued, Rain Country, being a small country, receives fewer resources.

Fortunately Rain Country is still fairly wealthy, the resources previously tilted by Leaf Village were still sufficient, and now we can focus on governing.

Speaking of which, we seem to have not seen that mysterious person for a long time.

Suddenly, Xiao Nan didn't know what she had thought of, she let out a slight sigh and said.

That guy helped us so much, and now we don't know where he went.

Hmm, indeed.

Changmen hearing these words also became somewhat silent; the help that mysterious person gave them was truly too great.

If it weren't for that mysterious person, they might still not have found the correct path, they might still be worrying about Rain Country's future, or they might already be dead in Yuzhi's hands.

One could say, without that guy there would be no present Rain Country, and it is worthy that they still fondly remember that mysterious person.

But unfortunately, that guy, as usual, seemed to have vanished—no one could find him; only he would reach out.

But he hasn't shown up in a long time.

Perhaps, ask the Fifth Hokage; they've had more contact.

Nagato thought for a moment, and in the end could only say this.

Moreover, don't forget, that guy once said what he longed for was world peace.

Now we've achieved it; perhaps he's gone into hiding to enjoy this hard-won peace.

Hopefully that's the case.

Konan's eyes dimmed a little, but she still nodded; if that's true, then even if she's unwilling, she can accept everything.

If he's like that madman Obito, then

You're all here, that's good.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside the window, instantly making Nagato and Konan frown slightly, for they recognized who the speaker was!

Madara Uchiha?

Seeing the window open, Madara hurriedly jumped in; Konan's eyes instantly turned alert, while Nagato also frowned at him.

How did you come here, what do you want?

I'm here to remind you; some things are almost ready, and so is Leaf Village.

Madara paid no attention to their situation, speaking calmly; although other methods could be used to communicate, he, having just come down from the moon, still chose to come directly.

So you also need to get ready; don't mess up when the time comes.

You mean we're about to engage in the largest-scale battle with Leaf Village?

Konan frowned, even though she knew some plans, she still felt uneasy about this.

Hmm, indeed.

Madara nodded and continued.

I've met the Fifth Hokage, and he's also confirmed this.

Although it's a bit rushed, his choice is correct, after all we bear responsibility for the safety of the entire ninja world.

Waging war while developing—this is the future path; get mentally prepared.

Having said that, Madara turned to leave, having finished what he needed to say, and he also observed Nagato up close.

Although he didn't see much, Nagato's aura spoke of this guy's growth, which was enough to reassure Madara.

After all, Nagato has talent, potential, and ability; if someone like him can grow, it's good for the whole ninja world!

Now that everything that needs to be done is done, he also plans to leave here and wander around, wanting to take a good look at the current ninja world.

We'll prepare, but I have a question I want to ask you.

Suddenly, Konan seemed to think of something; she immediately spoke up to stop Madara, who was preparing to leave.

What's wrong?

Madara raised an eyebrow, then stopped and asked curiously.

Just say whatever else directly; that'll make it easier for us to handle later.

Back then, you found two people to act for you in the ninja world, one of them being Obito Uchiha, right?

Konan took a deep breath, then slowly spoke, and her words made Nagato instantly understand.

Even if that 'mysterious person' and Obito aren't allies, and even back then, in some respects, they could be considered to have launched a heavy assault on Madara.

But what Madara is doing now also seems to prove that guy was right, and that guy should have originally been one of Madara's own.

So, wouldn't asking Madara reveal that guy's whereabouts?

What are you guys talking about?

However, what they never expected was that Madara looked at them as if they were lunatics.

My only subordinate is that lunatic Obito Uchiha; that's all.

You guys, you wouldn't have been deceived, would you?

——

Finally back, huh.

Inside Leaf Village, at Yuzhi's home.

After sending Naruto and Neji home, and also telling Sasuke to go home to fetch his mother for the meal, Yuzhi leaned back on the sofa, smiling.

Hikari sat down beside him; compared to Yuzhi's ease, she still looked rather serious.

Those guys all came; aren't you worried?

Worry is inevitable, but there's no need to be so tense.

Yuzhi glanced at Hikari, then reached out and pulled her into his arms, smiling.

The ninja world is destined to have such tribulations; no matter who we are, we can't reverse it, perhaps someday we can find a way out.

After all, one ability of my Reincarnation Eye is time, but for me now it's still very hard to achieve; moreover, I believe more that our changing things will create a new world.

But no matter what, I have confidence in the future; we've endured countless hardships along the way, but haven't we all persisted?

Idiot.

After hearing Yuzhi's words, Hikari lightly shook her head, then leaned into his embrace.

I've always had confidence in you; this confidence has never changed, I just don't want you to become overconfident, even if you once defeated them.

When it comes to preparing for difficulties, Hikari always has it; after all, she is someone who came from the most chaotic Warring States period.

She also worries about facing future enemies; after all, no matter what kind of enemy she faces, she will not retreat.

In this world, Hikari has already left her own mark, and she also has formed sufficient bonds in this world.

Furthermore, everything in this world as it stands now can be said to have been personally crafted by Yuzhi for her.

She will never retreat no matter what; she will fight to the death!

But because she has such determination, she also worries about Yuzhi, the person most important in her life.

She worries that Yuzhi is overconfident, and she fears bad things happening around her.

"You're still the same as before."

Yuzhi smiled, gently ruffled Hikari's hair, and then spoke slowly.

"But I've realized that I really am becoming unable to stay away from you, and I also want to thank you."

"Thank you for always reminding me, thank you for keeping me from forgetting my original intention, and thank you for always being with me."

"Your words, I have always kept in my heart, haven't I?"

"Hmph, say fewer sappy words, and your words are not trustworthy."

Hikari let out a snort of laughter, but she leaned even deeper into Yuzhi's arms.

Though the words are sappy, they are all true; they still live in a place within the Uchiha Clan that can hardly be called a bustling area.

From beginning to end, the neighbors around them have always been the lowest‑rank members of the Uchiha Clan, and all this shows that Yuzhi has kept her words in his heart.

Moreover, isn't the world the same way?

"Come to think of it, what would have happened if you hadn't uncovered my words back then?"

Suddenly, Hikari looked at Yuzhi with curiosity and asked softly.

"I don't like this kind of 'what‑if' speculation, because having you is my established fact."

Yuzhi shook his head, but seeing the inquisitive look in Hikari's eyes, he helplessly shook his head again.

"To be honest, I don't know either; I'll probably just faithfully follow Uzhibo ChaNa and look for a chance to stir up his conflict with Uchiha Fugaku."

"Just like what you did back then?"

Hikari blinked, smiled and asked, and Yuzhi nodded.

"Hmm, just like what was done back then, but I'm probably not that decisive, since I don't have that kind of power, and I truly don't know what the aftermath will become."

"Because all things are interconnected, something I did might cause certain changes, or something I didn't do might cause a huge shift, so I can't jump to conclusions."

"If‑ifs are always full of uncertainty, and if we keep going down that path, Yuzhi also doesn't know where the situation will ultimately head."

"Perhaps, just as he said, he will stir up the conflict between the two, but it will be hard to make them clash in battle."

"Perhaps he can still activate the Mangekyou Sharingan, but Lin's and Kakashi's fates are also hard to say."

"Perhaps he will bide his time for a few more years, and only act after his Mangekyou Sharingan is fully matured."

"Everything is hard to say, because the key to everything lies with Hikari; without her, it would be a completely different story."

"So your existence is my established fact; no one can change it."

Yuzhi smiled, ruffled Hikari's hair again, and then said softly.

"Although in terms of age you truly are an ancestor of the Uchiha Clan, you could even be called a great‑grandmother, but—"

"You crazy lunatic!"

Hikari couldn't hold back any longer; she didn't know why Yuzhi kept saying such outrageous things, yet Yuzhi embraced her and continued.

"That's no problem for me; I just like older people."

"After all, a woman three years older—hug a gold brick; a woman thirty years older—gift a kingdom?"

Hikari glared at Yuzhi, hesitated a moment, then asked.

"What about three hundred years older?"

"A woman three hundred years older is even better!"

Yuzhi placed his forehead atop Hikari's, and laughed softly.

"Either give a celestial elixir or be ranked among the immortals; what's wrong with that?"

"And besides, I can truly call you now: my little ancestor."

"Although to them, Kaguya‑hime seems to be the true ancestor, so what?"