The method to release Infinite Tsukuyomi was quite simple.
According to the original Sage of Six Paths, only Naruto, who possessed the chakra of all the Tailed Beasts, and Sasuke, who wielded the Rinnegan, could perform the necessary hand seal.
In other words—Indra, Asura, and the Ten-Tails combined.
Orochimaru possessed all three powers, so undoing Infinite Tsukuyomi barely consumed any of his energy.
As the technique was cast, countless tree roots began to wither and collapse.
The shinobi who had been entangled in the roots slowly awakened, regaining their consciousness.
---
"What… happened?"
"Is it… over?"
"Who is that woman??"
As their gazes landed on Kaguya, Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage, and other powerful figures of the ninja world were filled with bewilderment.
They had never seen this woman before.
And the sheer aura she emitted, so powerful that just looking at her brought an indescribable pressure, left them feeling uneasy.
Their curiosity was piqued.
---
"Tsunade, I'll leave it to you to explain when we get back."
Orochimaru had no intention of offering an explanation himself.
"Understood!"
---
Orochimaru had successfully revived Kaguya and temporarily reached a truce with her.
He handed Guy over to Kakashi and entrusted Madara to Zetsu.
After briefly greeting Minato, he took three women and boarded Kaguya's space-time express.
Kaguya's spatial abilities were utterly absurd.
She only needed a general direction, and she could open a spatial rift in front of her while simultaneously creating an exit at the desired location.
Even when traveling with multiple people, she could reach any destination instantly.
Thus, they returned to the Land of Frost that very night.
---
The main city of the Land of Frost, Orochimaru's villa.
When Kushina, who had just been freed from Infinite Tsukuyomi, saw Kaguya enter with her long silver-gray hair, she was completely stunned.
Had it not been for the familiar figures of Orochimaru and Tsunade behind her, she might have been terrified by the sheer coldness in Kaguya's gaze.
"You all go back to your rooms and rest for now."
"Mikoto, make me a pot of tea. I have something to discuss with Kaguya."
"Understood."
"Nonō, Kushina, let's go!"
Knowing that Orochimaru had important matters to discuss, Tsunade didn't hesitate.
She promptly led the others back to their rooms.
At the same time, she briefly filled Kushina in on what had transpired.
Once everyone had left, Orochimaru gestured toward the sofa, signaling for Kaguya to sit.
Kaguya glanced around the modern-style room, and for the first time, a subtle fluctuation appeared in her usually indifferent expression.
Slowly, she walked to the sofa and sat down gracefully, her piercing eyes filled with curiosity as she stared at Orochimaru.
"This… is what you call science?"
"That's right." Orochimaru replied calmly.
"But before we get to the main topic, can I ask you a question first?"
"Go ahead."
"What does it feel like to be sealed away by the power of the Six Paths?"
Kaguya's expression remained calm as she answered:
"For the most part, I was unconscious."
Hearing this, Orochimaru couldn't help but click his tongue in thought.
If she had been fully aware throughout those thousands of years of imprisonment.
It would have been worse than death.
Humans were social creatures—being completely isolated for such a long time would have driven anyone insane.
Even being locked in a small, dark room for too long could make an ordinary person go mad.
Thousands of years?
Just the thought was terrifying.
"Then… can you still use your spatial powers to return to your home planet?"
"Return?"
"For what purpose?"
"Of course—to help you crush the rebels and avenge yourself."
Revenge?
The moment Kaguya heard that word, she froze.
---
The Next Morning
The sun shone brightly.
The birds sang, and the scent of flowers filled the air.
Before Orochimaru even opened his eyes, he heard several women's voices coming from the living room.
"Should we wake him up?"
"No, let him sleep a little longer. He's been working hard for so long—he deserves some rest."
"…Then… what should I call you?"
Tsunade looked at the woman in front of her, her tone filled with uncertainty.
By bloodline, the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki clans.
All originated from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Facing their thousand-year-old ancestor, even someone as casual as Tsunade felt compelled to show respect.
"Whatever you like."
Kaguya's tone remained as calm as ever, leaving Tsunade at a loss for words.
"Well then… Lady Kaguya… How about I take you for a walk while Lord Orochimaru is still asleep?"
Kushina, shaking off her nervousness, interjected with a bright smile.
Orochimaru had already told them Kaguya's story.
Now that they knew who she was, they no longer feared her.
Instead, they felt pity for her.
Each of these women had a naturally kind and empathetic nature.
Thus, Kushina hoped to befriend Kaguya.
As Kaguya gazed at the cheerful red-haired girl, an old memory resurfaced.
She thought of the maid who had once taken care of her when she first came to Earth.
The girl who had later become her sister.
"…Forget the walk. Just tell me about the current state of the world."
"Ah! Of course!"
"No problem!"
And so, the women gathered in a circle, explaining the ninja world's current situation to Princess Ōtsutsuki.
Orochimaru, lying in bed and listening to their chatter, couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.
Had he really… been in this world for so long?
---
The Land of Frost was bustling with life and activity.
The streets were filled with lively merchants and shoppers.
On a busy street, a young red-haired girl was munching away on a bag of potato chips, eating like no one else existed.
Beside her, a cool-looking boy turned his head, staring at her in exasperation.
"Reige, eat less! If you keep eating, you'll turn into a fat pig!"
"No way!"
Reige confidently stuffed another chip into her mouth.
"My mom said I have a special metabolism! No matter how much I eat, I won't get fat! I'm an Uzumaki, not an Akimichi!"
"Whatever… Do what you want."
Before Sasuke could finish speaking.
A loud voice suddenly boomed behind them.
"What's wrong with being an Akimichi?! What's wrong with it?! I'm big-boned, not fat!"
Hearing that voice, Reige stiffened.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Seeing the two people standing behind her, she couldn't help but feel awkward.
"Uh… Shikamaru, Chōji? When did you two get here?"
"…You were too busy stuffing your face to notice…"
Shikamaru lazily rested his head on his hand.
Before Reige could respond, a shocked voice called out from a distance.
"Sasuke! Reige! Hey!! Oh—Shikamaru and Chōji are here too?!"
The approaching figure was Naruto.
Shikamaru frowned.
"…Naruto, what's got you so riled up?"
"Something huge happened! Do you guys remember what happened three nights ago?"
"Three nights ago?"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Chōji.
"What are you talking about?"
Naruto looked at them in disbelief.
"You seriously don't remember? That night, the moon suddenly shone with a dazzling light, and then—everyone just fell asleep! When we woke up, it was already the next morning!"
"The moon… shining brightly? Everyone falling asleep?"
Shikamaru frowned in thought.
Chōji also scratched his head, clearly confused.
"Did that really happen?"
"Of course it did!" Naruto exclaimed, scratching his head in frustration. "And during that time, no one has any memory of what happened! Don't you guys think that's strange?"
(To be continued.)