The Divine Tree sprouted in the wilderness of the Land of Lightning. Five massive roots, like octopus tentacles, sprawled across the landscape in five directions. Twisted together, they formed a trunk that stretched toward the heavens, its canopy towering over a hundred meters high, crowned with a single bud waiting to bloom!
Indra gazed upward. "That's the Ten-Tails' final form—the Divine Tree. It's also the source of Grandmother Kaguya's chakra fruit!"
Black Zetsu stepped forward eagerly. "Indra, absorb the Divine Tree into your body and become the 'Divine Tree Jinchuriki.' You'll gain chakra far beyond what you have now, plus truly immortal vitality!"
Indra noticed something unusual. "The Ten-Tails evolved into the Divine Tree, but it's still absorbing natural energy. And that flower at the top... there's something strange about it."
Black Zetsu tried to deflect. "It's... already sufficient! Whether that flower blooms or not won't affect the Divine Tree's power!"
Rustle!
As they spoke, the outer petals began to unfurl ever so slightly.
Indra's eyes narrowed. "At this rate, that flower will bloom in about fifteen minutes. Let's wait a bit longer. No need to rush now!"
Black Zetsu grew anxious: Damn it, why is Indra being so difficult!? Would it kill him to just follow my lead obediently!?
If the Divine Tree's flower blooms, the Infinite Tsukuyomi will activate automatically, consuming chakra from the Divine Tree itself, not Indra. If Indra isn't weakened enough, I won't be able to exploit the opening and possess him. Mother's resurrection will face new variables. No—I have to convince him!
So Black Zetsu began spinning tales. "Indra, as they say, 'when the moon is full, it wanes; when water is full, it overflows.' Everything requires moderation. The Divine Tree's power still holds many unknowns. Absorbing the current Divine Tree would make you invincible—why complicate things and invite variables?"
Indra remained unmoved. "With the world's end approaching, I want to witness the Divine Tree's flower in full bloom at least once!"
Witness your ass!!!
Black Zetsu was screaming internally but forced himself to remain patient and speak sweetly. "How about this, Indra—first absorb the Divine Tree and become its Jinchuriki. If you want to see the flower bloom, you can admire it leisurely after completing the Infinite Tsukuyomi..."
But Indra's eyes remained fixed on the flower. "No, no, no. It wouldn't be beautiful if forced. Right now, with the moon bright and stars sparse, it's the perfect time for flower viewing..."
Damn it!! Stupid brute!! Where did he pick up these pretentious scholarly habits!!!!
Black Zetsu unconsciously cursed every scholar and warrior under heaven, but knowing he couldn't do anything to Indra now, he could only swallow his frustration and consider alternatives.
It seems he's determined to wait for the flower to bloom. The Infinite Tsukuyomi won't drain his chakra, but the subsequent 'Divine: Nativity of a World of Trees' can only be executed after becoming the Divine Tree's Jinchuriki.
By then, Indra will inevitably suffer some depletion. I'll seize that opportunity...
...
As the Divine Tree took root, in the Valley of the End, within the Six Paths barrier—
After intense battle, Naruto had defeated the former Kage summoned from the Pure Land!
They lay on the ground, their souls incomplete!
The spirit of the Sage of Six Paths sat cross-legged in midair, hands pressed together.
—Buto no Mitama!
Whoosh! The Kage's fragmented souls were restored, their chakra becoming whole again!
Naruto frowned. "At this rate, there's no end in sight..."
"Hm?" The Sage suddenly sensed something. "This feeling... the Divine Tree has already..."
It seems Mother's resurrection is inevitable. Sasuke chose to stand with Naruto, so the only ones who can stop Indra and Mother now...
Seeing the Sage's expression, Naruto spoke up. "Old man Sage, dragging this out benefits no one. How about we discuss something?"
The Sage shook his head. "As long as you insist on reviving Mother, there's nothing to discuss!"
Naruto continued regardless. "You're just afraid I can't control Kaguya and will end up harming everyone on this land, right?"
After the Sage's tacit acknowledgment, he added, "It's not just about Mother. Everything you've done since returning from the future doesn't match Ashura's character!"
At this point, Naruto couldn't be bothered to delve deeper. "How about this—let's make a bet. Whoever wins gets to write the future's script!"
The Sage asked, "What kind of bet?"
Naruto said, "If I can persuade Kaguya to become our ninja ally, it proves my strategic vision is correct. If I can't convince her, it proves your concerns are justified. Fair enough..."
The Sage pressed, "How can I ensure you'll honor your promise?"
Naruto replied, "Even if you think I've changed, name one promise I've made that I haven't kept."
The Sage countered, "This time is different. If Mother loses control, this world is finished!"
Naruto: "Worst case scenario, if persuasion fails, sealing her away again would be easy enough, right? Or do you think something I accomplished in my previous life is beyond me now?"
"..." The Sage hesitated.
Naruto pressed his advantage. "Continuing this meaningless stalemate might truly lead to losing control. Is that acceptable?"
Swish! Swish!
Naruto backflipped, dodging incoming attacks, his gaze profound. "Besides... this manifested spirit of yours draws power from the Truth-Seeking Orbs that were buried with me earlier. Once those orbs' power is exhausted, your spirit will disappear and you won't be able to interfere with me again!"
Naruto's implication was clear: make your decision now while you still have negotiating power!
The Sage, despite his reluctance, saw that the external situation was spiraling beyond his control.
Indeed, it was unwise to continue this stalemate.
The Sage said, "Everyone, stand down!"
Whoosh! All the Kage spirits ceased their actions!
The Sage continued, "You all heard what Naruto just said, correct?"
The Kage spirits replied, "We heard every word clearly!"
The Sage nodded. "Good. First Raikage A, First Tsuchikage Ishiwa, First Mizukage Byakuren, First Kazekage Retto, Second Kazekage Shamon, Third Mizukage Weiyang—you six were all highly respected Kage in life. You'll serve as witnesses to this wager between Naruto and myself!"
The Sage looked toward Sasuke. "And Sasuke, I haven't revoked your power because I hoped you'd reconsider. I'm still preserving the power I granted you, on the condition that you also serve as witness. How about it?"
"..." Sasuke's brow furrowed.
He disliked this negotiation style, but... if possible, he didn't want the power he'd gained to be taken away for nothing.
However, this mainly depended on Naruto's decision.
Sasuke asked quietly, "Naruto, were you serious about what you just said?"
Naruto answered frankly, "Of course. No matter when or where, I'm always completely serious!"
"Alright..." Sasuke nodded, looking up at the Sage. "I'll serve as witness!"
The Sage thought: Even Naruto wouldn't be shameless enough to break his word in front of Sasuke.
Buzz!
The sealed barrier opened!
Since we've come this far, let's see it through.
The Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, waved his hand.
—"Then prove it to me, Naruto. If you succeed, not only will I stop interfering with your policies, I'll even give you my hidden power. But if you fail, I hope you'll honor your promise!!!"
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