"Phew~ That felt amazing!"
Soaking in the hot spring had left Gin feeling completely refreshed. The fatigue of the past few days vanished like smoke. After donning the bathrobe prepared by the puppets, he opened the door and found the two maid puppets still waiting silently outside.
"You two… ah, forget it. Just get in."
Originally, Gin had planned to send the maid puppets back to wherever they came from. But then he remembered that his chakra was still lingering in their bodies. If their original master, Ōtsutsuki Hekira, noticed it, he'd have a hard time explaining. So, after a brief pause, he activated Kage Seki (Shadow Rift) and threw the cold-faced maid puppets into the shadow world.
"Hehehe, this Kage Seki really comes in handy!"
Though staying inside the shadow world was a bit uncomfortable, this ability was perfect for killing and looting. Gin couldn't help but nod in satisfaction, letting out an old-man-style chuckle.
"Gin-sama, where are the puppets assigned to serve you?"
Just after he swallowed the maids into the shadow world, the black puppet appeared in front of Gin, its yellow eyes rolling erratically as it searched around in a way that looked more creepy than effective.
"What puppets? I've been alone this whole time."
Gin feigned ignorance like a seasoned pro. He spread his hands innocently, acting like he had no idea what the black puppet was talking about.
"Maybe they got stuck in some corner?"
The puppet didn't press the matter. It simply stopped scanning and replied in its cold mechanical tone, "My apologies for the inconvenience."
"Oh? You guys break down too?"
"Humans also die."
"…Fair enough."
Gin was shut down on the spot. Humans do die, after all—but he was a bit of an exception.
"Just last night, an old puppet's head fell off unexpectedly. No need to dwell on it. Puppets are consumables."
Without further questioning, the black puppet bent at the waist and gestured for Gin to follow.
So, with curiosity in his eyes, Gin followed the black puppet deeper into the Ōtsutsuki estate, heading toward the mysterious inner chamber.
Knock knock knock~
The black puppet knocked rhythmically on the door.
"Come in."
The crisp voice of Ōtsutsuki Hekira echoed from within. The black puppet didn't hesitate and pushed the door open.
As Gin stepped inside, he saw Hekira hunched over a desk, busily reviewing documents. But… what was that line of drool trickling from her mouth?
"Hehe, it's you, Gin. How have you been these past few days?"
Upon hearing footsteps, Hekira slowly lifted her head. Her small white eyes sparkled with energy, and she beamed with affection at Gin's confused expression.
"It's been great. Everyone here is so talented, and they speak so nicely. I really like it here."
Gin's words weren't just lip service. This place truly felt like a hidden paradise.
"Good to hear. In a bit, onee-san will take you somewhere special. Dress up a little, though. A bathrobe is fine too."
Hekira's greedy gaze swept across Gin's toned chest, and a flustered smile crept onto her wide face.
"Uh, as the host wishes…"
Gin couldn't figure out what she was planning, but he didn't sense any malicious intent from her, so he held back his doubts.
"Mm. Once I finish up this work, we'll head out. In the meantime, have a rest. There's tea and snacks over there."
Seeing Gin didn't refuse, Hekira returned to her list. Sixty-six people… even with a rotation, that would take about a week. Add two more days for herself and the clan leader—what a massive undertaking. Poor kid. But for the sake of the clan's revival, sacrifices had to be made.
Maybe afterward, she'd take a few days to properly reward Gin and soothe his weary soul and body.
Moved by her own generosity, Hekira squeezed out a few crocodile tears the size of soybeans.
Blissfully unaware his fate had already been decided, Gin kicked back on the big sofa, munching on sunflower seeds and casually observing the room.
Like the rest of the Ōtsutsuki residence, this room was lavish—but it also had a surprisingly girlish charm. The trinkets and decorations gave it a soft, pinkish feel that clashed hilariously with Hekira's mountain-sized physique.
"Huh? That same lady again?"
On the wall hung a beautiful painting of the same white-haired woman Gin had seen in the bath mural. Her alluring expression stirred something within him. Who was she? He could only sense one living person in this entire palace—Hekira.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Gin finally asked, "Elder Hekira, do you have any sisters?"
"Hm? What's this about, Gin? I have no sisters."
She blinked in confusion before replying.
Crap. Probably an ancestor, maybe her mom or grandma?
"Oh, just wondering. Elder Hekira, do you have any family?"
Your mom looks amazing, by the way.
"Gin, do you know how old I am?"
Her expression darkened at the mention of family. After a moment, she looked up and asked.
"Eighteen, maybe?"
Gin knew how dangerous the age question could be. After a fierce internal debate, he swallowed the bile and gave his best guess.
"Hehehe, you sweet talker~"
Hekira beamed with laughter, her folds of flesh jiggling rhythmically. Gin averted his gaze in terror.
"Alas, onee-san is almost eighty."
"???"
Gin was stunned. While her appearance was indeed a bit… intense, her voice and chakra felt no older than thirty.
Pleased by his shock, Hekira flicked a strand of her white hair and explained with pride:
"Surprised? We Ōtsutsuki are the descendants of gods."
"For real?"
Gin frowned. How come these moon-dwellers lived so long? Were their ancestors tortoises?
In his spiritual world…
The ancient Ōtsutsuki Hamura lay on a buzzing massage chair, humming contentedly. He had borrowed it from that odd junior. The only problem was he had to scan a weird code and infuse chakra each time.
"Achoo!"
Suddenly sneezing for the first time in a millennium, Hamura jolted upright.
"Eh? Someone talking about me? Must be that petty Hagoromo—jealous I'm enjoying myself~"
"Yes, the whiter the hair and eyes, the purer the bloodline. Most of us live over two hundred years."
Gin remembered hearing about this back in the Boruto era—how pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki were so impressive even other clan members hesitated to harm them.
"My parents weren't of pure blood, so they passed away long ago."
Hekira's expression dimmed as she paused her work.
"Then… who's the woman in that portrait?"
Gin pointed at the painting, unable to resist asking.
"Huh? Oh that~"
Hekira's eyes sparkled mischievously, raising an eyebrow as she sipped tea.
"Guess right and onee-san will~ reward~ you~"
"I guess… your grandma?"
Gin took a wild shot.
I bet your grandma was fine as hell.
Pfffft! "Cough cough—Gin! That's too much!"
Hekira nearly spat out her tea, half-laughing, half-scolding.
"My bad! I meant that respectfully!"
"I dare you to look again!"
Suddenly annoyed, Hekira shoved her wide face toward him, batting her tiny eyes meaningfully.
"Sorry, I just—"
Gin instinctively turned away but caught a glimpse of a familiar beauty mark at the corner of her mouth. His voice caught in his throat.
Swallowing his fear, he turned to look again.
And realized—under all that bulk—Hekira wasn't hideous. Her features were actually refined, her eyes still full of charm.
Was she… actually kind of attractive?
That thought scared him more than anything.
Nope. I'm just hungry.
He shut his eyes tight, trying to purify his heart.
Looking again at the painting, a terrifying realization crept in.
"It… it's you, isn't it?"
"Hehe, sharp eyes~"
Hekira smiled again, but this time Gin's stomach didn't churn—because he understood. This mountain of flesh was once a stunning beauty.
His fragile hopes were crushed. He had finally met a woman worth liking, but now…
"Well… the food here must be really good."
"…You think I'm ugly too?"
Her expression dimmed.
"No no no—"
Gin panicked and waved his hands, searching for a way to fix things.
"You don't have to say it. I know what I've become."
Hekira sighed, her voice tinged with sadness.
"What happened to you?"
Gin asked honestly. How did someone so beautiful become like this?
"It started sixty years ago. I was the envy of the clan, surrounded by suitors. But none interested me—until one man caught my eye."
She smiled wistfully, energy returning to her tone.
"He had no strength, but a pair of gifted hands. He played music and painted for me."
"You two got together?"
Gin leaned in.
"No. He had no feelings for me. Just served me silently."
"Then?"
"Nothing. I threw him in jail."
"…What?!"
Gin was dumbfounded.
"Think about it! A man not falling for me? Clearly something was wrong. I investigated. Turned out he had ulterior motives… and he was Nan Tong, into Nan Liang."
Her eyes grew dark.
Gin shivered inexplicably, as if a billion souls were judging him.
I'm not Nan Tong! he swore.
"What was he after?"
"Old grudges in the clan. Not worth talking about."
She didn't want to go into detail, but Gin guessed it had to do with the Ōtsutsuki's internal power struggles.
"I actually liked him… but he lied."
Her voice was calm now. The pain had passed.
"You were wondering why I changed? It was him. I was so heartbroken, I ate to forget."
She stroked her oily cheek with self-mockery.
"Bet you didn't expect that. Within a year, I became like this."
"Didn't try to lose weight? You're a ninja…"
"I did. Every method. Physical, medicinal, chakra-based, taijutsu… nothing worked."
Her eyes dimmed again.
"That serious? Let me take a look. I know some medicine."
Gin's curiosity was lit. He placed his fingers on her wrist and gently infused chakra to examine her.
Chakra flow: perfect. Vitality: immense. Nerves and muscles: elite-level density.
This body had no flaws. The issue was the very thing that made Ōtsutsuki strong—their fixed, powerful physique. Once formed, their body structure was nearly unchangeable.
"Elder Hekira… this is complicated."
Gin withdrew his hand, deep in thought.
"I'm used to it…"
"No. It's hard—but not impossible."
Gin's brain lit up. He knew a technique that might just work.
"Doctor, save me!"
Hekira grabbed his wrist like a lifeline, her white eyes full of hope.
"Cough… Please let go. Personal space."
She instantly released him, apologizing profusely.
"It's fine, it's fine. I get it. A long illness makes you grateful for any good doctor."
Gin put on his scholarly persona, black eyes gleaming with intelligence. Hekira shrank back in shame.
"To be honest… there's a secret technique that can help you shed all that weight."
As he spoke, Gin mentally reviewed an old, unused technique and finally mastered it.
Seeing her savior before her, Hekira dropped to her knees and bowed.
"Sensei! Please teach me!"
"Though fate brought us together by chance, I feel a deep connection. Let me pass on to you the Chōka no Jutsu (Butterfly Metamorphosis Technique). May you train well, and soon regain your former beauty."
(End of Chapter)
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