Before Hiroki could react, Kaguya placed the fragment she was holding into his body.
It wasn't an insertion.
Rather, it dissolved in. Without affecting his skin at all, it directly entered his forehead.
In that instant, Hiroki sensed a profound shift within himself.
Although his strength hadn't visibly increased, he felt completely different from before—transcendent. His mindset and very essence had been transformed entirely.
The last time he experienced this feeling was during his time in Konoha, when Kaguya had let him briefly experience her full power.
But back then, there was more excitement and passion; now, however, there was no such emotion—only calmness, extreme rationality.
A slight confusion rose within his heart, yet his mental state remained completely stable.
Looking at Hiroki, Kaguya merely smiled softly.
See everything from that perspective, she thought. That way, you won't be hesitant and indecisive like Hagoromo and Hamura.
From Hagoromo's and Hamura's viewpoint, the moment the Divinity Crystal entered his body, they sensed something different about his eyes.
Cold, emotionless, as if he had lost all feelings.
In their memories, Father used to show moments of melancholy—but now he resembled their Mother instead, even more so, becoming someone distant and difficult to approach.
Hiroki stood quietly in place. In that instant, he fully understood why the Shinigami didn't interfere or care about humans being controlled by Kaguya.
Because gods feel no emotions or biases toward any living beings.
They are observers along the river of time, recording the chronicles of the world. To them, all species were equal—none needed attention or concern.
Such matters simply didn't matter to them; they had no interest in others' joys and sorrows.
Over time, they too would lose their own sense of joy and sorrow.
Without pressure or motivation, they became like the Shinigami—lacking purpose, idle, and exceedingly bored.
Then what about Kaguya? Hiroki wondered silently.
Her strength surpassed even the Shinigami after obtaining the [Ten-Tails]' power, naturally reaching this same level.
Thus, she could effortlessly take people and matters into her grasp—and just as easily release them, without hesitation.
That's why Ayano, who had accompanied her for over a decade, had her memories erased and was released back to her original life.
Years of companionship ended in a dignified farewell.
So how could Kaguya still care about romantic matters between them?
This shouldn't have disturbed her inner peace...
According to original plans, even though she gained the [Ten-Tails]' power, making her one of the strongest among the Otsutsuki Clan, she still cautiously arranged her forces, fearful of pursuit from other Otsutsuki. Was this miscalculation of strength, or did she simply need something to preoccupy herself?
"Father," Hamura spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "Do you plan on becoming a Shinigami?"
Hiroki shook his head. "Becoming a god means losing freedom—I have no intentions of doing that."
The Divinity Crystal was voluntarily removed and handed over to Kaguya.
Glancing at Hagoromo and Hamura for a moment, Kaguya then held out the crystal towards Hagoromo.
Hayato Otsutsuki hesitated as he asked, "Mother, are you saying you want me to become this 'Shinigami'?"
"If it matters to you, then take it," Kaguya replied indifferently. "Only the Shinigami can create a space to contain the souls of the dead."
After thinking for a moment, she continued, "Otherwise, those souls would wander aimlessly, possibly even becoming the various ghosts and monsters described in the shrine maiden's scrolls."
Beside her, Hiroki suddenly understood.
So that explained what had happened a thousand years ago in the original storyline.
Hayato Otsutsuki, the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tail, had fought against the Shinigami, seized his Divinity, created a new resting place for souls—the Pure Land—and connected it with his Rinnegan.
Thus came into being the [Deva Path], [Naraka Path], [Human Path], [Asura Path], [Preta Path], and [Animal Path].
Later, his descendants inherited and evolved the Rinnegan, gaining the ability to control life, death, and souls through the Six Paths.
That was why their Rinnegan differed from that of the Otsutsuki Clan.
Although the members of the Otsutsuki Clan possessed powerful Rinnegan, none had ever displayed the ability of the Six Paths.
No wonder their innate Rinnegan abilities were so different when compared to those of the Sage of Six Paths, Pain, or Madara Uchiha.
As for creatures like Moryo and Satori, they were probably born before the Pure Land had fully formed.
"..."
Hayato did not immediately accept the object offered to him, hesitating over whether to accept the role.
Kaguya calmly placed the Divinity in his palm, almost scoffing, "Fine then, Hayato. When you finally understand, merge with this piece of Divinity."
"Understand what?" Hayato cut in, "Is there something else you need to tell me?"
"Hmph. Of course, your naive dream—creating a world without conflict—is nothing but a fantasy."
Kaguya's expression remained calm and indifferent.
With that, she turned her attention away from the two of them and walked off alongside Hiroki.
Looking down at the fragment resting in his palm, Hayato clenched his fist tightly around it.
The two brothers stood silently watching until they disappeared from sight. Hayato Otsutsuki let out a sigh, "Things have gotten even more complicated."
"Yeah," said Hamura Otsutsuki, glancing toward the battlefield before asking, "Brother, will you do as Mother said?"
Hayato fell silent again.
After a while, he murmured, "Our first priority is to seal the God Tree. Then we must repair the damaged land. As for the Shinigami realm... Let's worry about that later. Come on, Hamura, let's go."
Hayato sighed once more.
Then, the two of them headed toward Tree Village.
Meanwhile, Kaguya and Hiroki were walking side by side toward the Dragon Vein.
"Hayato—not Hayato again. Do you like me because I stole your first kiss?" Hiroki suddenly asked with a smile.
"Oh? So you really did it on purpose that day," she mused, raising her eyebrows slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
His smile didn't falter in the slightest, entirely unbothered by being found out.
"I like..." Kaguya hesitated briefly, then continued softly, "if you had appeared after the God Tree's fruit matured, you might not have stood a chance of having any future with me at all."
She longed for warmth she had never known — and for finishing the mission her old self had started before ascending to a higher state.
Hiroki opened his mouth as if to ask what she meant, but in the end, he said nothing.
"I'm glad you came when you did… and that it was you who came," Kaguya added in an extremely quiet voice.
They were quiet for a moment. Then Kaguya took out the Chakra Pill. "Hei, this is for you. Just swallow it. It'll boost your power."
Before he could speak, Kaguya seemed to see through his thoughts. "One pill wouldn't do much for me now, but for you... it might just help you break through finally."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>