As for their powers, both brothers had white eyes. Hamura's Byakugan had started evolving, while Hayato's eyes remained completely unchanged.
As for the rest, Hiroki had only taught them some systematic knowledge, giving them a basic understanding of "ninja techniques" and "chakra."
For these two brothers, using no-hand-seal ninjutsu came naturally.
...
Ten years had passed. Part of the earth's energy across the entire world had been absorbed by the God Tree. The forest where he had previously buried his kunai now had much thinner vegetation compared to before, no longer as vibrant or full of life.
After so many years of exposure, that buried kunai had already rusted badly, covered in cracks.
He inserted another kunai—crafted using Yin-Yang Release and marked with the Flying Thunder God seal—looked up at the sky, then set off again.
The geography from a thousand years ago was completely different from what it would become in the future, yet he still wanted to use the future map as a reference for regional divisions. Only this way could he conveniently locate other places, such as the entrance to the Shikkotsu Forest.
The Three Great Holy Sites exist in a separate realm, never touched by the Infinite Tsukuyomi unless Kaguya herself paid attention to them. Otherwise, those locations usually remained hidden from others.
He had already wasted far too much time.
From fifteen to twenty-five, by ninja world standards, he had entered what could be considered the middle-aged tier.
Mastering Sage Art techniques would boost his strength and prolong his life.
He couldn't help but wonder if time moved differently across the two worlds.
Where exactly had Minato ended up after his space-time jutsu?
Time-space jutsu—if you didn't grasp its rules, using it was like playing Russian roulette with your soul.
A few days would never be enough to finish this mission. Yet staying outside for too long would certainly prompt that demoness Kaguya to come hunting for him.
"Especially…how long has she been waiting?"
Sighing softly, he activated the Flying Thunder God just before nightfall and returned home.
"Ayano," he called out to the passing figure.
Ayano immediately stopped and bowed respectfully. Now in her mid-twenties, she had become even more mature.
"Do you know who the current Miko is?"
"The Miko?" Ayano didn't understand why he asked this but thought carefully before replying, "The previous Miko died during the war ten years ago. Since then, no one has inherited the role."
Hiroki already understood most of the situation.
That so-called war was most likely just Kaguya's memory modifications at work. The Miko had probably never truly appeared.
"If anything unusual comes up, let me know right away."
"Which aspects do you mean specifically?"
"For instance, sudden dramatic changes in someone's personality..."
"That sort of thing seems to happen every day..." Ayano muttered to herself.
Frowning slightly, Hiroki paused thoughtfully, then continued, "Pay attention to any sudden appearances of monsters."
Ayano nodded, showing her understanding.
Hiroki turned around, entered the study, took out his previous notes for review, reinforcing his memory.
A faint noise from the doorway made Hiroki swiftly stow everything away.
Kaguya walked in, raising an eyebrow. "Back already? Did you find what you were looking for?"
Kaguya was torn inside.
She didn't want Hiroki doing anything outside her control.
She had always felt like what she had now was stolen—and she feared he might leave her someday.
With [Infinite Tsukuyomi], she could control anyone, but if he truly became a puppet like that, he wouldn't be himself anymore.
That's why she always wanted to bind him.
"No," Hiroki shook his head.
"Tell me what you're looking for. I can help you." Kaguya walked over and sat on his lap, naturally wrapping her arms around his neck.
Hiroki waved his hands insistently, "This is the study."
"Could it be that *you're* the one misunderstanding things?" Kaguya suddenly chuckled seductively. "Besides, what difference does it make where we are..."
With that, she lowered her head and sucked on his earlobe.
He blushed faintly and quickly pushed her away.
If they gave in now, they'd be at it for hours again, and then need hours to recover. Back and forth like this, they'd accomplish nothing all day.
"You don't like it?"
"..." Hiroki remained silent.
As much as he liked it, he couldn't just give in every single day.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," Kaguya smiled, then walked out the door, her expression gradually returning to calmness as she intercepted Ayano who was busy working.
"Ayano, what did he ask?"
...
The day was bright and clear, not a single cloud in sight.
An orange little frog leaped out of the water, silently staring toward the direction of the God Tree.
After a while, it jumped toward distant farmland.
"Where did Hayato and Hamura go?" Hiroki arrived at the empty space and stopped someone to ask.
"They went to help fix the problem of reduced water flow in the nearby farmland."
...
Through Hamura's Byakugan observation, the two brothers located the source causing the river downstream to have less water.
At the riverside, staring at the giant boulder standing over six meters high right in the center of the riverbed, Hayato said, "I see now. This stone is what's blocking the water flow."
Hamura: "But where did this rock come from? It wasn't here before."
Just as the brothers were contemplating the reason, a voice came, "That stone was placed by me."
They looked around in confusion.
There was no one nearby at all...
"Hey, don't ignore me."
Hayato turned his head toward the source of the voice...
Hmm? A frog?
Gamamaru spoke again, "Even if frogs are great jumpers, there's no reason to overlook me!"
Their gazes passed directly over him, continuing to glance left and right.
Hayato pointed in shock, "Hamura, am I going crazy? How come there's a frog telling jokes?"
Hamura: "Brother, if that's what you're saying, maybe my brain also has some issues."
Gamamaru lifted one of his front legs, looking utterly exasperated, "You two seem perfectly fine, it really *is* me speaking."
Hayato glanced sideways, giving Hamura a knowing look.
Instantly understanding, Hamura immediately activated his Byakugan, scanning all around.
"There's no one around, and it's clearly not a voice illusion either."
Gamamaru said, "You two humans are too suspicious."
Hayato replied, "This frog is pretty arrogant."
Gamamaru extended his front leg again, pointing at him. "Such ignorant humans! Our frog clan has dwelled here since ancient times."
Hayato and Hamura exchanged glances before stepping forward simultaneously, wearing eerie smiles.
Hamura suggested, "Let's catch this talking frog. Everyone will surely be delighted."
Gamamaru angrily shouted, "Utter nonsense! You two won't catch me that easily."
Immediately, he demonstrated his abilities by effortlessly raising and then lowering the giant boulder with one hand.
"I placed this stone here deliberately to draw you in. You must be Hayato and Hamura. I am Gamamaru."
The brothers weren't scared — they were too amazed by the talking frog.
"Even a frog knows our names!"
"You two follow me," Gamamaru hopped down from the stone, leading the way.
"Oh right, almost forgot."
After walking forward a few steps, Hayato recalled their initial purpose.
He raised his hand and fired a bolt of lightning from his palm, shattering the boulder before them.
"You've got some skill," Gamamaru remarked.
Following Gamamaru, they arrived at a hillside.
From this vantage point, they could clearly see the entire God Tree.
"Gamamaru, why did you bring us here?" Hayato asked.
"Do you even know where you are?" Gamamaru asked, pointing toward the God Tree while facing away from them.
"Of course we do. That's the peak of the End's Summit."
Gamamaru turned around. "Ever seen the mountain's other side?"
"No, never," both Hayato and Hamura shook their heads together. "Our mother repeatedly warned us never to approach that place; everyone must obey, so no one has ever seen what lies beyond."
"Well, maybe someone does know..." Gamamaru replied coolly.
As the brothers looked puzzled, Gamamaru continued, "The true form of the God Tree exists there. The God Tree continuously drains energy from the land. As long as it remains, this territory will continue deteriorating."
"Is that really true?" Hayato doubted slightly.
Hamura added, "As far as I know, the God Tree gives life to this land."
"That's a lie. If you really want the truth, go check it out yourselves." After a pause, Gamamaru continued, "Do you know what the real night sky looks like?"
"Gamamaru, are you saying the God Tree isn't the deity we believed it to be? Or that the night sky isn't exactly as we perceive it?" Hayato questioned, bewildered.
"When you understand the truth, come find me again. Farewell." With that, Gamamaru directly jumped into the water.
"The truth..." Hayato murmured softly to himself.
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