"Move!" Indra snapped coldly, his mood already sour.
Kaguya merely chuckled softly, standing her ground.
Indra's icy gaze lifted to her face—and he froze momentarily.
Those horns on her head... the clothes... why do they look so familiar?
Especially that white outfit—nearly identical to his own.
Could this woman also be a disciple of the Ninja Arts?
But what did it matter?
Whether man or woman, anyone who angered him now would perish.
Annoyed and impatient, Indra had no intention of investigating further. All he wanted was peace. He raised his hand, ready to unleash Lightning Release.
"You're being very rude."
Kaguya reached out calmly and gripped his wrist. The crackling lightning vanished instantly.
This woman...
A chill ran through Indra as he realized how vastly inferior he was to her.
"Don't you remember anything at all?" Hiroki approached from behind, one hand resting lightly on Kaguya's waist as he tilted his head toward Indra.
Kaguya released Indra's wrist accordingly.
Indra turned his gaze to him—once more, his breath caught in shock.
Those piercing blue eyes felt even more familiar than before.
"Just who exactly are you two... Are you from the Otsutsuki Clan?" Indra asked cautiously, already bracing for battle.
Hiroki rolled his eyes and slapped his forehead. "Didn't White Zetsu say this guy was supposed to be clever?"
Kaguya gave an indifferent sigh. "I am Kaguya Otsutsuki, of the Otsutsuki Clan."
Indra stood completely stunned, whispering softly,
"You're my grandmother... and grandfather?"
"It seems Hayato still thinks of us," Hiroki mused.
Meanwhile, back in Tree Village, villagers were joyously celebrating Hayato's succession with a grand feast and dancing happily around the bonfire.
Beneath the same moonlight, far from the village revelry, Indra sat with Kaguya and Hiroki, silently watching the moon above.
"Indra... were you abandoned?" Hiroki suddenly spoke up.
"No," Indra gritted out, visibly upset. "It was I who abandoned them."
"Why?" Though Hiroki already knew everything from White Zetsu, he still asked gently.
"It's just..." Indra lowered his head, his voice thick with resentment. "The strong are meant to rule the world. Then why not me? Why was I cast aside?"
Kaguya turned toward him thoughtfully. "Hayato... even after becoming a god, does he still hold onto such naivety?"
"How truly..." She exhaled softly.
"Grandfather, grandmother," Indra broke the silence after a moment, "why don't you go see Father and the others?"
Hiroki rubbed his face, still struggling to get used to being called 'grandfather' when he himself was barely in his twenties—and his grandson was barely ten years younger.
Kaguya merely smiled, completely composed. "Out of all of them, I value you most."
Indra fell into thought for a moment. "And what would you have me do for you?"
Kaguya shook her head and pointed upward to the night sky. "Indra, have you ever heard of the [God Tree]?"
"The [God Tree]?"
"From what Father mentioned briefly, is it that God Tree which siphons energy from the earth and vitality from humans?" Asura mused quietly, recalling what Father had mentioned before.
"The God Tree lies within," Kaguya suddenly sighed. "Those two fellows could've ruled everything, yet they insist on playing these childish games."
"Grandmother, are you asking me to overthrow Father's system?" Indra obviously felt stirred.
"No, you simply suit my preferences better." She placed a Chakra Pill in his hand. "I'm giving you a gift—one called 'power.'"
"Power?" His eyes lit up as he gazed at the item in his palm, eager to find out what it could do.
What would happen if I consumed it?
"Go ahead and try out your potential," Kaguya smiled knowingly.
After they departed, Indra immediately swallowed the Chakra Pill.
Power… overwhelming power. So this is what it feels like…
"Hahaha…" Indra laughed aloud, his face showing unrestrained arrogance.
"My eyes seem different too."
He walked toward the lakeside. The water's surface clearly reflected in his eyes, revealing distinct patterns.
The original three Tomoe had transformed into a six-pointed star shape, and were already showing tendencies of forming concentric circles.
Indra curled his lips again, his eyes burning with fanaticism. "[Sharingan]... Father, I can become the one who establishes rules now. Why should I follow your dictates?"
Back in the village, Asura looked anxiously into the distance. "Brother Indra, when will you return..."
Several months had passed without any sign of Indra. He questioned villagers, but none knew where he'd gone.
But aside from him, few people seemed truly concerned about Indra's disappearance.
Even Hayato and Hamura only casually remarked that Indra's strength wouldn't lead to trouble.
This only deepened Asura's sadness, making him feel even more guilty.
"Asura, how are you progressing with the techniques I entrusted to you?"
A firm voice interrupted his thoughts. Asura immediately bowed respectfully to Hayato. "I can basically use them now."
Hayato nodded approvingly. "Once you've completely mastered these techniques, it'll be time for me to go."
"Leave?" Asura was surprised. "Why, Father?"
"Just some unfinished business—I must bear that responsibility." Hayato offered no further explanation. "Don't worry though, Hamura will still be here. You can turn to him for help if needed."
"Father, do you not care at all about Brother?" Asura tactfully changed the subject.
"Indra developed his personality because of the [Sharingan]."
A flicker of sorrow passed through Hayato's eyes.
"Anyone who sees his Sharingan gets overwhelmed by its power."
"Even without realizing it himself, the Sharingan's influence had already grown this strong."
"Because of this power, Indra gradually stopped trying to understand others' feelings, eventually closing off his heart."
"This setback might not necessarily be a bad thing for him."
"Will he come around?" Ashura still felt somewhat worried.
"Hayato-sama, Ashura-sama, dinner's ready..."
Hearing the crisp shout, father and son stopped talking and walked in the same direction.
Suddenly—
A deafening roar rumbled through the air, like a mountain splitting apart. Even the ground beneath their feet trembled violently.
The two turned their heads toward the source at the same time.
Villagers were also drawn by the commotion, lifting their heads to look outside.
"What is that?"
Evening was drawing near, and the fading light blurred the world into shadow.
Yet beyond the village, atop a nearby great mountain, a mass of purple chakra burned brightly and clearly.
Just as everyone was trying to make sense of what was happening, the purple mass suddenly split apart, launching a projectile into the sky before accurately descending into the village.
Boom!
The entire village seemed to shake.
Immediately afterward, thick clouds of dust and smoke billowed out, hiding what had just occurred.
"What the hell is going on?"
Disciples of the ninja arts burst out of their homes.
Hayato and Ashura also moved toward the crowd.
"Is everyone alright?"
Ashura carefully stared at the lingering purple chakra, where a figure gradually became clear—Indra emerged.
He quickly ran over, his face filled with shock. "Brother!"
"Indra, what exactly is happening here?" Hayato demanded sternly.
Above them, Hiroki and Kaguya silently observed the confrontation unfolding below between the father and his two sons.
"Father, Mother, you're back..." Seeing their silhouettes, Hamura flew over as well.
He glanced downward briefly and softly asked, "Has Indra's strength grown so quickly because of you two?"
"Honestly, I'd like to ask you too, Hamura," Hiroki suddenly interjected. "You were supposed to be honing your strength—so why haven't you started your own family yet?"
Faced with Hiroki's sudden question, Hamura—who usually appeared calm in front of others—looked utterly baffled.
What connection did these two things have?
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