Amidst the verbal clashes between the major ninja villages, news about the disappearance of the One-Tail Jinchuriki and the possibility of him having been captured by Kumogakure quickly spread throughout the Ninja World.
When Nagato, Jiraiya, and others received this information, they were all deeply alarmed.
Inside Orochimaru's base, Jiraiya, Naruto, Sasuke, Orochimaru, and the others were discussing the matter.
Minato was deeply frustrated—thinking that, in hindsight, he really should have left Sunagakure a way to get in touch.
If he had been with Gaara, perhaps he wouldn't have gone missing.
After pondering for a long time, Sasuke let out a cold laugh. "If your theory is correct and Kumogakure is indeed connected to Kaguya, then the One-Tail Jinchuriki has most likely already fallen into her hands."
The others considered it briefly before agreeing with his speculation.
Later, Jiraiya informed Nagato—who was in the Rain Country—about this development.
In the quiet tower, after finishing the letter sent by Jiraiya, Nagato's pale face bore a helpless, bitter smile.
Meeting Konan's questioning gaze, he said, "That person has already begun capturing the Jinchuriki. The One-Tail is the key to activating the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Starting from the One-Tail and ending with the Nine-Tails, they will ultimately fuse into the Ten-Tails."
"Why didn't she send someone to seize the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?" Konan couldn't understand. "Zetsu has been lurking here for so long; there must have been opportunities."
Regarding this point, even Nagato could not figure it out. His voice heavy, he said, "It seems we only have one choice left—to cooperate with Orochimaru, activate his experiments, and protect the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
Konan nodded and sighed alongside him.
...
"In the Raikage's office, Mabui asked, "Raikage-sama, are we really going to keep enduring this?"
"They're intentionally provoking us. If we take any action, we'll be facing three ninja villages at once, giving them reason to attack simultaneously," Yugito stated seriously.
Years of experience had significantly sharpened her political instincts, allowing her to see right through Onoki's schemes.
"Oh, and find out what Konoha's stance is."
Although unsure why, those few villages clearly excluded Konoha from their plans. To Kumogakure, Konoha might become an ally.
Mabui nodded solemnly and immediately set about drafting a letter.
...
At the start of the new year, Hiroki turned fourteen, and Tsunade and Yugao Uzuki returned to Konoha.
Upon returning to the village, after getting a rough understanding of everything that had happened, Tsunade immediately declared Konoha's position to Hiashi and the others—Konoha would stand united with Kumogakure.
She clearly understood that Yugito had been manipulated into power by Kaguya.
On the streets of Konoha, when Hayate Gekko saw a somewhat familiar figure, a warm smile appeared on his face as he waved and greeted, "Yugao Uzuki, long time no see."
"Long time no see," Yugao Uzuki replied somewhat awkwardly.
At that moment, a certain distance lingered between them. Hayate wanted to say something but held himself back, feeling unexpectedly embarrassed. He forced himself to stay natural and walked away.
Those emotions that had never been spoken gradually faded into memory.
They became strangers who once knew each other far too well.
Watching his retreating figure, Yugao also felt a sense of melancholy—not for that romance which ended before it even began, but for her fading youth.
Ever since she'd inadvertently come into contact with Kaguya, she'd grown more reserved and distanced herself from most others.
Before leaving Konoha, she feared something strange might happen to her and hurt those around her.
After leaving Konoha, she threw herself into work to keep her mind off things.
She didn't know how long this routine would last or when she'd finally be free to do what she truly wanted.
Thinking back, it had already been six years since she first met Hiroki.
"I'm in the prime of my youth at eighteen—why does life have to feel so boring?" She sighed, touching her cheeks as she turned and walked into the Uchiha compound.
Hiroki, Kaguya, Tsunade, Hinata, Kimimaro, Karin, and Izumi Uchiha were all there.
They chose to gather here because the Uchiha compound was large enough and free from disturbances.
In Izumi Uchiha's kitchen, everyone except Kaguya was busily preparing food. Without realizing it, Yugao had moved to stand beside Kaguya.
"Kaguya-sama, when will your plan begin?"
"Hmm?"
"…Perhaps I shouldn't have thought like that. I just feel everyone has been restrained for too long." Yugao hesitated briefly before speaking. She didn't dare to look at Kaguya, fearing a furious glare.
"I haven't forbidden you from doing anything," Kaguya replied indifferently.
Yugao fell silent. Well said—but if she truly did certain things, she would certainly anger Kaguya.
Not knowing what else to say, Kaguya suddenly spoke calmly, "Six years… In a lifespan measured in decades, it's indeed regrettable, but over a much longer timescale, it's nothing at all."
"Yugao, essentially you're trying to say I've squandered your youth—especially the most vibrant phase of your life…"
"Kaguya-sama, that's not what I meant!" Yugao quickly explained.
"Time is sometimes precious, sometimes insignificant. For those whose lifespans don't reach a hundred years, ten or twenty years are naturally the most treasured moments. As for you, well—that little bit of time—I can simply give you a longer life..."
"…" Yugao froze instantly. Did Kaguya actually have a way to grant longevity?
She desperately wanted to understand Kaguya's meaning, but Kaguya clearly didn't want to continue discussing it. Her eyes glanced toward the window.
While the two were talking, Hiroki and the others had already brought dishes from the kitchen and placed them on the dining table.
"You've worked hard, Yugao. Stuck in Snow Country for such a long winter, only to come back and deal with another here," Hiroki smiled.
"Just saying 'you've worked hard' is enough?" Yugao couldn't help but respond teasingly.
"Eh?" Hiroki looked confused.
"If you really think I've worked hard, then show some understanding and take over my responsibilities. You're not just some carefree kid who doesn't have a worry in the world anymore, are you?" Yugao huffed.
Hiroki blinked—he could clearly detect a slight emotional undertone in her voice. "Okay then. Just leave all your tasks to me."
Yugao's face showed a faint satisfied smile as she spoke, "Actually, the land transportation in the Country of Snow has already been established."
"OK, I'll keep an eye on the Country of Hot Springs and the Country of Frost. You just stay in Konoha and enjoy life," Hiroki said.
Outside the house, several crows perched on a bare branch beat their wings and took flight into the sky.
Izumi... Sasuke was still alive...? Where exactly are you now...
...
After the New Year celebration, life continued as usual.
Merchant Caravans came and went, starting their hard work for the new year.
Suddenly, someone got attracted by a certain figure and froze in place. He tapped a nearby Konoha villager and curiously asked, "Is that person an actress?"
Following his gaze, the Konoha villager shook his head. "No."
"But I really saw her in a movie..."
Kaguya pushed through the crowd with a frown, constantly under curious stares.
Why would someone ask if she was an actress again?
She knew what movies were, and she understood what actresses did… but how could that possibly relate to her?
Thinking about it, she decided to investigate personally.
"Hiroki, let's go watch a movie."
Hiroki hesitated momentarily, thinking to himself: Could this be considered a date?
The two arrived at a cinema. The audience exiting the screening room looked surprised seeing Kaguya, whispering in astonishment, even showing signs of gathering around her.
"Isn't she the main star?"
"Could she be here for promotion?"
"That's impossible; there was no announcement..."
Hearing these words, Hiroki couldn't help frowning. Carefully looking further, he noticed a poster featuring a woman extremely similar to Kaguya in one direction.
How was this possible? Kaguya definitely wouldn't act in any movie...
Could someone else be impersonating her deliberately to mess with her mind?
Immediately, he pulled Kaguya outside.
"Kaguya, temporarily change your appearance."
Hesitating for a moment, Kaguya still used the Transformation Jutsu to alter her external features.
Her horns disappeared from sight, her long knee-length hair became shoulder-length, and even her Byakugan turned into ordinary pupils.
Hiroki said, "Although I don't know what the movie is about, it's obviously targeting you."
At this point, Kaguya's expression also grew colder, clearly having some suspicions of her own.
They entered the cinema again, bought tickets, and watched the movie.
In the opening scene, a radiant falling star blazed across the sky...
Kaguya immediately froze. Wasn't this exactly how she appeared in the Ninja World initially?
Who could have captured all of this so clearly...?
A vague realization formed in Hiroki's mind.
Recalling vaguely, the Great Toad Sage's Crystal Ball had the ability to show events from the past. If using equipment to record those images and editing them into a video wasn't too difficult...
Just as he suspected, next the film played out everything Kaguya did afterwards...
Eating the fruit of the God Tree.
Bringing peace to the chaos.
Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Releasing part of humanity while continuing her rule.
People kept vanishing — in truth, they were sacrifices given to the God Tree.
Hayato and Hamura were born and raised by Kaguya.
Two children grew up, learning the truth about the God Tree. In the end, mother and son became enemies.
Kaguya was sealed away.
The end.
As the movie played, Kaguya's aura grew increasingly cold, so much that even Hiroki felt a bit frightened.
"Cursed… Every one of them deserves to die—even those who watched this." Her voice was as cold as ancient ice. As she spoke, her killing intent became harder to suppress.
If they'd only exposed her past cruelty to humans, it wouldn't have mattered much.
These filmmakers actually showed the process of her being sealed by Hayato and Hamura.
Isn't that just pouring salt on an open wound?
Broadcasting such a private moment to beings she saw as nothing more than ants—how dare they witness her weakest side?
Would she now allow their pity, sympathy, or mockery? Did they even deserve any of it?
Furiously enraged, Kaguya's chest heaved violently.
"Stay calm. Stay calm," Hiroki said while holding her tightly.
"Are you also pitying those humans?" Kaguya gave him a freezing stare.
"Hiroki, they're deliberately provoking you," Hiroki replied gently. "I will always stand beside you."
...
"I told you—most people are just watching it like a movie. They won't take it seriously."
In a dimly lit room, Jiraiya and Sasuke sat across from each other.
This film about Kaguya had actually been their joint effort.
Jiraiya had agreed to Sasuke's suggestion, traveled to Mount Myoboku, selectively recorded parts from the Memory Stones, and used connections built over years as a writer to pass the material to friends in the movie industry for distribution.
Jiraiya had even funded most of it himself.
Initially, he had anticipated great public reactions, but based on recent trends, most people clearly separated the film from reality without making any connections.
Seeming not to hear Jiraiya speak, Sasuke simply chuckled quietly, his laughter growing louder until he finally burst out laughing—roaring with laughter.
"Sasuke," Jiraiya frowned.
"I was just imagining how furious that woman must be right now, maybe smashing things somewhere. That scene must be spectacular."
Sasuke still couldn't hide the amusement in his voice when speaking.
"So was this entire thing really just for that reason?" Jiraiya asked solemnly.
Since Sasuke returned from Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya realized that he couldn't keep treating him like a child anymore.
"Of course not," Sasuke shook his head, continuing with sarcasm: "Because you don't know what plans she has or when she'll act."
"And those you consider allies right now are scattered pieces, each harboring their own hidden agendas."
"Therefore, we need something to distract her attention."
"Now, am I in danger then? If she investigates, eventually she'll trace it back to me," Jiraiya suddenly realized.
"Precisely," Sasuke replied with a mocking gaze.
Jiraiya couldn't help but look deeply at him.
This punk kid acts like he's the biggest shot in the world, even though he's clearly just a brat!
It's seriously annoying. What exactly is he strutting around about? I really want to punch his lights out!
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, who had been searching everywhere for clues about Isshiki, had also finished watching this movie in a cinema.
His already pitch-black face darkened even further.
Those insignificant insects actually dared to disgrace Mother like that?
Unforgivable!
Without waiting for Kaguya's command, he had already mobilized the White Zetsu army into action.
Within two days, all staff members at every cinema that had shown this film were completely slaughtered.
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Not only did numerous tragedies occur, but the original master tape of the movie was also destroyed.
The film, which had been released for less than seven days, was forced to be pulled from screens.
Now, even someone extremely slow on the uptake could realize there must be some connection between these events.
...
Standing atop a rock and ignoring the many ninja surrounding him, Minato Namikaze calmly fixed his gaze on the elderly Tsuchikage and spoke composedly:
"Tsuchikage-sama, you've probably seen that movie too, right?"
Onoki, who had already suspected Minato might appear in Iwa, remained quite calm.
"That banned film? That story..."
Minato couldn't help but frown and interject, "That's not..."
Onoki raised his hand, halting Minato mid-sentence.
"After speaking, he ordered the Iwa ninja, 'You guys may leave first.'"
Once only he and Minato remained, Onoki revealed a barely perceptible smile upon his face. "Rasa told me already. You want our help fighting against Konoha, Kumogakure, and the people behind them, don't you?"
Minato solemnly nodded.
"If we're going to work together, where's your sincerity?"
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