"Kaguya..."
Kaguya slightly furrowed her brow.
Hiroki continued, "I know... I definitely know who I'm talking to and living with. Actually, I've spent more time with you than with her. Still, I can't bear to let her go. We don't know how much time has passed over there. If Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki..."
He spoke slowly, his voice fading into a soft murmur as his hands lingered on Kaguya's body.
The warmth snapped him back a little. He glanced down at her before slipping his hands beneath her clothing, inwardly sighing: This killer body—I just can't walk away from it...
"What do you say we give it a shot?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Seeing the atmosphere gradually turn awkward, White Zetsu slipped out tactfully.
Kaguya gave him a sharp look but didn't push Hiroki away—truth was, she enjoyed his touch. Smirking faintly, she asked, "Give what a shot exactly?"
"You know..."
As he spoke, his hands roamed freely.
Kaguya parted her lips slightly, staring at him for a moment. Then one arm wrapped around his neck while the other tugged his collar, pulling him into a kiss without hesitation.
Their bodies finally pulled apart, both catching their breath as the moment settled.
After a short silence, Kaguya spoke, "Come to think of it, you never really told me what happened to her."
"She went through something very much like your own journey—arriving on Earth, attacking Isseki, defending the God Tree, uniting the world... Later, due to conflict between Hayato and Hamura, plus Gamamaru's interference, the three of us fell apart... She was defeated and sealed until I accidentally made contact with her a thousand years later..."
As Hiroki spoke, Kaguya could almost see it all play out in her mind—even though none of it had ever happened to her, she felt every bit of it. Sadness, loneliness, rage—it overwhelmed her completely.
Especially upon hearing that Hayato and Hamura were behind such results, she nearly wanted to drag those two sons here and beat them herself.
She steadied herself and suddenly realized—if that's the case, then the other version of me hasn't gathered all the Ninja Beasts or restored full power yet; she must be weaker than me. So what exactly am I worried about?
Who knows what delightful image came to mind, but a faint smile suddenly appeared on her face. "Hey, how are you planning to take me with you? You mentioned the Dragon Vein?"
At her words, Hiroki immediately became alert.
Was she agreeing?
"That's right, the Dragon Vein can..."
Nodding, he hadn't finished speaking when Kaguya extended her index finger, lightly pressing it against his lips. Her smile deepened.
"Although you keep saying you arrived in this timeline through the Dragon Vein, I've never noticed anything particularly special about it."
"If it truly allowed time-space travel, surely many people should have disappeared from there over the years. After all, it isn't restricted territory—anyone can approach it. Yet nothing like that has ever happened."
Hiroki looked momentarily surprised before speaking, "Because that place hasn't activated yet. The Dragon Vein formed from the battle between Kaguya, Hayato, and Hamura that shattered the land, reshaping the world's geography and unleashing chaotic surges of subterranean energy..."
He shot her an irritated glance before continuing, "Moon, no wonder you don't care where I've been—you already know I can't leave, right?"
Kaguya shrugged playfully, "You want me to fight Hayato and Hamura now?"
Hiroki sighed helplessly, "Let's go see them first."
The two set off again.
Outside the God Tree, where brothers Hayato and Hamura had built homes, everything was packed with people. It looked extremely lively.
Hiroki and Kaguya were both surprised by the transformation.
"Do Hayato and Hamura plan on living here permanently with everyone?" Hiroki asked.
A man approached upon seeing their arrival and politely asked, "This is Tree Village. May I ask which village you're from, and what brings you here?"
"We came to see Hayato and Hamura," Hiroki replied calmly.
The villager glanced between the two for a moment before continuing, "You must have developed Chakra then, right? So you've come to report to our two honorable leaders?"
"Oh? So *everyone* here has Chakra? That's impressively quick," he said in mild amazement.
Kaguya stood silently beside him, unmoved.
"Not everyone needs to be that strong," explained the villager. "As long as someone has developed Chakra, they can bring their family here to live."
"Then take us to see them now."
"Please allow me to confirm whether or not you truly have refined Chakra..."
The villager stepped closer, attempting to grab their wrists.
Kaguya gave him a cold, indifferent glance. A crushing weight slammed into him, pinning him to the spot. Instantly, it felt as if something blocked him—he could no longer move even an inch, and panic surged inside him.
"Forget it, we'll find them ourselves."
Sighing helplessly, Hiroki activated the Spirit Transformation Technique, sending his voice into their spiritual world.
"Hayato!"
"Hamura!"
Before the towering God Tree stood two young men in white robes and horned headgear. Their expressions were solemn as they gazed up at the massive tree standing majestically before them.
One had light blue hair and matching eyes, while the other possessed deep brown hair and concentric rings visible in his irises, marked by a striking crimson symbol on his forehead.
One bore the Tenseigan, the other possessed the purple Rinnegan.
"Hamura, are you ready?" Hayato asked, glancing at the Sun Mark on his left palm.
Hamura nodded, replying, "Whenever you're ready."
Suddenly, Hiroki's voice echoed into their minds.
They exchanged glances, both smiling bitterly. "Father's back."
"You think he won't stop us, right?" Hayato expressed concern.
"I don't think so," Hamura shook his head.
Sighing, both walked out and welcomed Hiroki and Kaguya into the village.
Clearly seeing the changes in them—their eyes had evolved, and their demeanor grown more composed—Kaguya's face displayed visible satisfaction. "Hayato, Hamura…you've both improved significantly. Finally, you haven't disappointed me."
"You seem a lot more composed than before," Hiroki said, nodding approvingly. "Want to share what you've been through?"
Hayato sighed. "I've been trying not to end up like Mother, but eventually did something similar..."
Kaguya tugged her lips slightly, saying nothing, yet feeling inwardly displeased.
Everything these two have—comes from her—and yet they resent her.
If it weren't for Hiroki's presence, things might've ended up like with the other version of herself.
It was heart-wrenching.
As Hayato spoke, he stole a glance at Kaguya's expression. Seeing no sign of anger, he relaxed slightly and continued talking.
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