In a dark forest, the grass was eerily silent. Isseki lay critically injured among thick bushes, his figure well hidden by the lush wild grass.
On such a night, at first glance, it was nearly impossible to notice someone lying there.
As daylight broke, the bloodstains on the green grass grew more noticeable.
Morning dew dripped onto leaves, rolling down along the veins and washing away the dark, dried blood.
Isseki stared hollowly at the sky. He struggled to stay alert, carefully listening for any surrounding sounds.
After dragging himself into Another Dimension to escape the God Tree's devouring, he had quickly returned to the Ninja World.
Although Another Dimension was safe, it provided no resources or support for survival.
Now without combat ability, his life hung in the balance, constantly facing potential threats. He desperately needed a "living vessel."
His chakra could still be used in small amounts—but whether there was enough left to imprint the Kāma remained uncertain.
Time passed unknowingly. Isseki grew weaker, and increasingly anxious.
At such a critical moment, all sense of elegance or gentlemanly demeanor completely vanished. He became angrier by the minute, resentment toward Kaguya boiling inside him.
"Bitch!"
"That despicable harlot!"
"How dare she!"
A rustling sound broke the silence. Footsteps steadily approached.
Hiroki pushed through the bushes and stepped inside.
Instantly, Isseki gathered his strength, attempting to clearly identify the newcomer.
Their eyes met. Both hesitated slightly, thinking about what to say.
Isseki's attention was immediately drawn to the few [Truth-Seeking Balls] orbiting around Hiroki.
Although appearing outwardly calm and composed before Isseki, Hiroki remained highly vigilant—after all, this was an Otsutsuki. Who knew what last-resort tricks he might still have?
Summoning the Truth-Seeking Balls was purely for self-protection.
Seeing them, Isseki felt confused about Hiroki's identity.
Because the Otsutsuki Clan often used these balls to create weapons, and with so many members—some constantly on missions—it wasn't unusual that not everyone recognized each other.
Therefore, Isseki speculated that Hiroki might be related to the Otsutsuki.
Still, something about him seemed suspicious.
Most obvious of all—he had no horns at all!
Could he possibly be someone's "living vessel"?
Puzzled, Isseki couldn't yet tell whether this sudden appearance represented a threat or hope.
Even if Hiroki were truly part of the Otsutsuki Clan, there was no guarantee he would come to his aid. Among the Otsutsuki, familial bonds did not necessarily mean brotherhood.
"You look absolutely wretched, senior," Hiroki remarked mockingly.
He had some knowledge of the Otsutsuki Clan's structure.
Even Kaguya wasn't certain of the exact number of Otsutsuki members.
With so many clan members unfamiliar with one another, pretending to be someone else and making up an identity sounded quite reasonable.
Even if discovered, it wouldn't matter much.
Isseki faintly curled his lips. That one word—"senior"—was enough to confirm who Hiroki truly was.
Yet, pride prevented him from showing any desperation.
"What territory do you oversee? Why are you here?" Isseki rasped weakly.
Hearing his question, Hiroki secretly chuckled inwardly, knowing that his act of pretending to be mysterious and faking familiarity had worked.
"Don't even think about stealing my fruit," Hiroki said with a teasing grin. "If I came back empty-handed after my first planting mission, I'd be finished."
"..." Isseki muttered. Why did it feel like he'd randomly run into someone who wouldn't stop talking?
"You can call me Hei, Senior."
"..."
"How disappointing… I really expected her to be devoured by the God Tree, but alas…" He clicked his tongue mockingly. "Senior, truly pitiful."
Constantly on the receiving end of mocking sarcasm, Isseki's mood darkened considerably. He irritably asked, "What exactly do you want?"
If he wasn't going to help, then he should scram quickly—otherwise he might miss his chance at reincarnation.
In the distance, a pair of pure white eyes silently observed their interaction.
Kaguya was already heading in this direction. Seeing Hiroki chatting cheerfully with Isseki, her brows gradually knitted together.
"Senior Isseki, I understand your feelings completely."
Hiroki squatted down, a trace of reminiscence flickering in his eyes.
Isseki couldn't help but take a deep, annoyed breath.
It's only because he currently lacks combat power. If he hadn't been injured...
Whether he's from the same clan or not—die already!
"I encountered something similar too..."
Hiroki scratched his head, sighed, and continued, "My fault probably. I treated him too respectfully normally, even though I'm a newbie who always needs to ask him about many things I don't know."
"That's exactly what made him think he could overpower me."
"That guy actually tried to eat me alive..."
Listening to his rambling, Isseki completed his own interpretation.
This self-proclaimed 'Hei' must be a new Protected.
His Guardian partner was an elder member of the clan, which stirred up resentment in him, leading to disobedience...
Only hearing Hiroki sneer, "...the problem is, that guy didn't understand me well enough. He doesn't realize I can communicate with others instantly regardless of distance."
"When I finally managed to escape, all the clansmen willing to help had already arrived..."
"Senior Isseki, want to hear what happened to that guy?"
Isseki pondered briefly, then coldly spoke out, "Go ahead and tell me. What do you want from me?"
Hiroki chuckled, "Senior Isseki, I can help contact some other clansmen. In return, you have to give me a share of your harvests from various planets."
"The God Tree fruits must be offered to the Master," Isseki immediately replied seriously.
"I know," Hiroki shrugged. "You give them to me, then I'll offer them to the Master in my name."
Isseki remained silent, seemingly weighing the gains and losses of this potential transaction.
Hiroki took out a small scroll from his ninja tool pouch, unfurled it, and tossed it in front of Isseki, also handing him a brush pen.
"Isseki-senpai, listen—why don't you write down the names and descriptions of the clansmen you've worked with? People who know you might be more willing to help."
[Kaguya] is merely a woman of low status. No matter how hard she struggles, she cannot escape our grasp.
"Of course, if you feel it's unnecessary, I can always inform all the clansmen about this situation."
"She could appear at any moment. We must hurry."
"As for what the clansmen want, we'll decide once they're here…"
"Fine." Isseki thought carefully for a moment and agreed.
Between the two options—"contacting clansmen he knew to negotiate" and "announcing everything to all clansmen in hopes of assistance and becoming a laughingstock"—he chose the former.
He picked up his brush and quickly began jotting names and sketches onto the scroll as he recalled the faces of the clansmen he knew.
The air grew quiet once again.
"So that's how it is…"
A chilling voice cut through the silence as Kaguya materialized before them.
She was far from calm; her icy gaze pierced through the air like a blade, seemingly ready to freeze Hiroki's body in place.
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