Ōtsutsuki Kaguya hovered in the sky, beginning to assess her surroundings!
Veins bulged at her temples as she used her Byakugan to observe Naruto and the others below.
"They all possess the Rinnegan..."
She gave them a cursory glance, then began studying them carefully, starting with Obito.
Her gaze lingered on Obito only briefly before shifting to Madara.
"This one... Indra's reincarnation..."
After murmuring indifferently, she looked at Sasuke, her elegant brows furrowing slightly.
"Hmm? Why is there another Indra..."
Nearby, Black Zetsu said, "Ajuan, mother seems a bit confused about the situation. Let's go to her side!"
Ajuan smiled imperceptibly. "Kekeke..."
Swish! Swish!
The two leaped up together. Mid-air, Kaguya extended her sleeves, allowing them to enter.
After Black Zetsu entered her left sleeve, he poked out his pitch-black head. "Mother, here's what happened..."
After listening to Black Zetsu's concise explanation, Kaguya nodded. "I see."
Black Zetsu added fuel to the fire. "The biggest problem is that Uzumaki Naruto. He orchestrated this entire situation. If not for his interference, mother would've been revived long ago. His crimes are unforgivable..."
Kaguya stared intently at Naruto, a strange light flickering in her Byakugan. "His chakra... it's incredibly dense. It rivals even Hagoromo's..."
Black Zetsu continued, "Because of Naruto's meddling, neither the Hidden Rain nor today's shinobi fell under the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Their chakra slipped through our net..."
Kaguya replied coldly, "Leave those people to my soldiers."
Rustle rustle rustle rustle...
The ninety thousand White Zetsu who had remained in the Land of Lightning—never deployed by Indra—now emerged from the ground before the Hidden Rain's gates!
Most of the unconscious shinobi had awakened by now. Seeing the White Zetsu army before them, they prepared for battle!
"Where the hell did these things come from?!"
"According to intel, these white creatures are called White Zetsu—they're enemies of all shinobi!"
Cold sweat broke out on Yamanaka Inoichi's face. "An unimaginable chakra reaction just appeared in the distant sky. Dear god, this chakra... it's beyond my comprehension. All I can say is—it's far more powerful than Indra!"
Nara Shikaku's expression was grim. "So she's here... Kaguya. Using White Zetsu against us means she doesn't consider us a real threat!"
"With Kaguya's revival, there's no turning back. Either we win her over or seal her again. Either way, we have to trust Naruto to handle this!"
"Prepare to engage... White Zetsu oppose us because of the Gedo Statue's influence. If possible, try not to kill them!"
"Hmph! Boys, charge with me!!!!"
"RAAAHHH! Follow the boss!!"
But the Fourth Raikage clearly had other plans. Like an unrestrained wild bull, he charged straight at the White Zetsu formation!
Dodai sighed, "Sorry, Konoha's Shikaku... Our Raikage won't follow your strategy."
Shikaku smiled wryly. "It can't be helped. This battle erupted so suddenly—there wasn't time to establish unified command. The fact that we managed to gather here despite mutual suspicions is already remarkable."
"Besides, though it's called the Fourth Great Shinobi War, anyone can see shinobi aren't the main players. The ones truly deciding this war are 'gods' in shinobi form, wielding heaven-shaking, earth-shattering power!"
"Stay true to our shinobi duties and prepare for battle. The enemy... is White Zetsu!"
...
Front lines.
Gazing up at Kaguya reigning in the sky.
Obito asked, "Do we attack directly, or try negotiating first...?"
"Fighting's inevitable, but negotiation won't happen instantly. First, we need to plant a seed in her mind..."
Naruto stepped forward.
Black Zetsu immediately grew alert. "Oh~ Here he comes, mother. Looks like he wants to say something. Be careful—this Uzumaki Naruto is incredibly silver-tongued. Don't let him deceive you..."
Black Zetsu preemptively warned Kaguya.
Naruto spoke with composure. "Lady Kaguya, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Strictly speaking, I should call you grandmother..."
Black Zetsu scoffed, "Playing the emotional card right away, huh? Ruthless with Indra, but seeing mother's transcendent power, you're scheming now? Dream on! Someone as powerful as mother won't be led around by you!!"
"Hehe..." Naruto just chuckled.
Black Zetsu: "What are you laughing at!"
Naruto: "I'm laughing at your shortsightedness. Even now, don't you see? Grandmother Kaguya's revival was entirely orchestrated by me!"
Black Zetsu: "What delusions are you spouting!"
Naruto: "Black Zetsu, the Tenseigan satellite has been tracking your every move. If I'd interfered even slightly, you never would've succeeded!"
Black Zetsu: "Stop this hindsight nonsense!! I only succeeded because Ajuan saw the light!!"
Naruto glanced at Ajuan hiding in Kaguya's right sleeve and pondered briefly. "Ajuan actively joining your side was indeed unexpected... But even without her help, I would've found other ways to create this situation."
Black Zetsu: "Baka baka shi [Complete nonsense]! What's your game?!!"
"My game? Good question..." Naruto's lips curved into a slight smile as he looked directly at Kaguya. "Grandmother Kaguya, I know exactly who you fear. My purpose is the same as yours—to protect this land from those people!"
"Nani?!" Black Zetsu was stunned. "Mother, this man came prepared—don't believe him!!"
"..." Kaguya's gaze remained cold, her face showing no emotional fluctuation.
Naruto pressed his advantage. "Grandmother Kaguya, I allowed Black Zetsu to revive you for one reason only—to discuss defending against foreign threats. We shinobi are not your enemies. At least, I personally have never considered you one. I hope we can shake hands, unite, and together protect this land we both once loved!!"
After a long silence, Kaguya finally spoke. "Your words are... moving. But I've already decided never to trust anyone again, including my own children!"
Her tone shifted. "If you truly want to protect this land, then offer up your chakra... to me."
Naruto's expression didn't change. "I won't do that."
Black Zetsu sneered coldly, "Heh, your true nature's showing!"
Ignoring Black Zetsu, Naruto reasoned methodically. "Three reasons. First, concentrating all chakra in one person doesn't necessarily maximize power. Proper resource distribution allows you to harness collective strengths and achieve synergistic effects! Hagoromo and Hamura, though individually weaker than you, managed to seal you together—that's the best proof."
"..." Kaguya's gaze sharpened slightly.
Naruto continued, "Second, even if you could single-handedly defeat the invaders, continuing your past policies would only bring disaster to this land and humanity. You'd protect against external enemies only to become humanity's greatest foe—not only counterproductive, but I can't bear to watch you shoulder such burden alone..."
"..." Kaguya's eyes flickered.
Naruto raised his gaze, voice deepening. "Third, and most importantly..."
Black Zetsu forcefully interrupted, "Enough, mother! Don't listen to his nonsense. Kill him, and we'll hold all the cards!"
Kaguya murmured, "Yes, that's right... This land has already suffered so much. I can't let it be harmed any further!"
Buzz!
The Rinne-Sharingan on her forehead suddenly blazed with light!
—Amenominaka!
🔥 Want to read the next 60 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/DarkGolds]