Glancing at Hiroki's Tenseigan, Hiashi's mind churned with thoughts. Covering his mouth and nose, he coughed lightly before asking, "Hiroki, have you ever considered your future?"
Unsure of his meaning, Hiroki shook his head.
"When I was your age, I had already been promised in marriage," Hiashi said seriously, a faint smile breaking across his face.
"…" Hiroki momentarily faltered, unsure how to respond.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Hiashi let the matter go without another word.
Later, holding the scroll containing Minato Namikaze's mission records, Hiroki hurried away.
Back at the Hyuga Compound with the scroll in hand, Hiroki scanned each line until he finally found what he'd been looking for.
"Land of Wind… Louran Ruins… powerful Puppet Master… a boy with blond hair…"
During an earlier mission in the Land of Wind, Minato Namikaze and a few companions had passed through the ancient kingdom of Louran.
Although the text contained only a few brief lines without detailed descriptions, it clearly documented Minato Namikaze's encounter with Naruto Uzumaki during that mission.
"Did someone really cross dimensions? A blond-haired Naruto Uzumaki?" Hiroki muttered.
When Hiashi Hyuga returned to the family compound after finishing his official duties, Hiroki was already gone. The conversation he had wanted to have never took place.
"Where did Hiroki go?" he asked one of the clan members on guard duty.
"We don't know," the clansman shook his head.
"Gone off somewhere again?" Hiashi murmured.
Come to think of it, Hiroki hadn't updated his mission records in at least six months—in other words, no new missions during that time.
Since Kaguya's return, he hadn't even bothered keeping up appearances.
"Clan Head, is something wrong?" Seeing Hiashi suddenly look troubled, the clansman asked.
Shaking his head, Hiashi said nothing further before turning and walking away.
---
In the Land of Wind, Hiroki was crossing the desert toward the Louran Ruins.
He wanted to verify exactly what had taken place back then.
As he neared his destination, the ground beneath his feet shifted from sand to broken stone slabs.
Suddenly, White Zetsu appeared, blocking his path.
"The Master said accessing the Dragon Vein requires her permission first."
Hiroki remained silent and mentally contacted Kaguya. "Kaguya…"
"Don't rush. We'll talk when I return," Kaguya replied.
With no choice, Hiroki turned his gaze to White Zetsu. "White Zetsu, see if there are any Louran survivors still around."
White Zetsu received the command and hesitated for a moment before turning away.
Before leaving, he paused. "The three village Kages—Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure—they seem to be planning a meeting to discuss something…"
"Kages? Has Terumi Mei become the Mizukage yet?"
"Not yet," White Zetsu answered. "Should we attempt to interfere?"
Hiroki thought for a moment, then shook his head.
What of it? In the original narrative, it was the Five Kage Summit. Now only three villages are involved—what real significance could that hold?
After White Zetsu vanished, Hiroki glanced at the sky and chose to leave as well.
In the verdant jungle, Kaguya and Tsunade strode side by side.
This place felt utterly unlike the Ninja World. Kaguya sneered, "Creatures who can barely mimic human form now claim the finest lands?"
After walking for a while, both women halted abruptly as an invisible barrier blocked their path.
"It's a barrier," Kaguya said flatly.
Moreover, it wasn't composed of ordinary chakra—it was Sage Chakra, or rather, Natural Energy. She couldn't absorb it easily.
Tsunade unleashed the Monstrous Strength Jutsu and slammed her fist into the barrier.
The barrier merely rippled like water waves spreading outward in circles.
There was no sign of it breaking at all.
"Slug Sage, I wish to speak with you," Tsunade frowned slightly before shouting into the distance.
Although this place wasn't exactly the heart of Shikkotsu Forest, they had already entered its territory. Tsunade didn't believe the Slug Sage wouldn't know about her arrival.
Her voice was powerful—enough to startle nearby birds.
Many birds scattered into flight, but nothing else occurred.
"Kaguya-sama, you possess Spatial Ninjutsu, right? Can't we just go straight inside?" Tsunade suggested.
Kaguya gave a short, mocking snort, a cold smile playing on her lips. "I'd like to see how long she intends to hide."
Deep within Shikkotsu Forest, the Slug Sage trembled.
Though her strength might rival Gamamaru or the White Snake Sage, she was naturally gentle, avoiding trouble and conflict—timid and soft-hearted.
All of Shikkotsu Forest belonged to her domain. As soon as Kaguya and Tsunade appeared, she sensed them immediately. Thus, she felt deeply resentful.
Tsunade...Tsunade, haven't I treated you well all these years?
Why did you bring that demon here?
All debts have their due head, and all grudges have their rightful owner. Go find Gamamaru instead. Why are you coming after me? I've wronged no one—I'm not your enemy!
"What should I do... what should I do..."
Terrified, the Slug Sage trembled. She sent out a clone to find Gamamaru, all while pretending not to sense Kaguya and Tsunade's arrival. Deep inside Shikkotsu Forest, she hid away—deluding herself into believing they wouldn't find her.
"Kaguya-sama, so what do we do now?" Tsunade asked outside the barrier.
"Wait," Kaguya replied coldly.
"Fine." Tsunade shrugged helplessly.
"Tsunade, isn't now a good time to train? Practice here," Kaguya suddenly smiled.
Tsunade hesitated briefly, then followed the order with mixed emotions.
Mount Myoboku.
"Slugs, since you're here now, don't return for a while. Otherwise, you might lead that woman straight to us," Gamamaru said anxiously inside the temple after listening to the small slug's report.
"Gamamaru, what are you planning to do? Will you act personally?" the small slug asked.
"If we get personally involved, there'll be no turning back," Gamamaru said, his voice eerily calm.
"So you're going to play the pawn again, huh?"
Upon hearing this, Gamamaru remained silent for a moment before retorting, "Are you trying to say all of this is my fault? Should we just sit back and let these outsiders plunder the Ninja World?"
"I..." the small slug was at a loss for words.
Gamamaru ignored her afterward and summoned Shima Gamagami and Fukasaku Gamamaru, instructing them to send Jiraiya to bring Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha.
"Remember, I said **Sasuke Uchiha!**" he emphasized sternly.
Gamamaru Fukasaku nodded seriously and left.
------------
Shikkotsu Forest.
Tsunade had just settled into a cross-legged position for a brief rest when suddenly she felt her body slipping out of her control again. Kaguya stood beside her with her eyes closed.
Tsunade felt a bit speechless, unsure of what exactly Kaguya was up to this time.
At this moment, Kaguya was retrieving the experience she had gained from cultivating natural energy.
To her, mastering natural energy was just like mastering chakra — once she fully understood its essence, both the barriers of Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myoboku would pose no threat to her. She could simply absorb that energy.
Tsunade wasn't as skilled in Natural Energy as the frogs or slugs, but even at her current level, breaking through the sealed barrier around her was only a matter of time.
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