The crisis that had troubled the Ōtsutsuki clan for many years was resolved in the most unexpected of ways. As Tsukihime raised her hand and cast a rainbow-like signal into the sky, the various scattered members of the Ōtsutsuki began arriving one after another at the signal's location.
Gin stood beside Tsukihime and Byakuya at the edge of a vast sinkhole in the middle of the primeval forest. Peering down, one could see crystal-clear blue-green water glowing faintly beneath a labyrinth of stone pillars.
"Gin-san, please wait a bit. We're organizing a farewell party for you."
Byakuya, now dressed in a plain robe, looked at him with eyes full of reluctant emotion. Her luscious lips were pursed slightly as if pouting in grievance.
"Haha, don't worry. I, Uchiha Gin—known as the Honest Young Lad—will definitely pave the way for you."
Feigning ignorance to Byakuya's fiery gaze, Gin thumped his chest with a bold grin, making a loud promise.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
As the three chatted idly, dozens of figures began arriving in succession. A complex mix of feminine fragrances wafted through the air, making Gin momentarily dazed.
Every newcomer was a white-haired beauty with soft features and pale eyes filled with curiosity. Spotting the only male present, the crowd of Ōtsutsuki women began whispering among themselves.
A few bolder ones even tossed flirtatious glances his way—the desire in their eyes was practically tangible.
"Quiet!"
Seeing so many clan members coveting Gin, Byakuya immediately grew displeased. A surge of formidable pressure burst from her body, shaking the bolder women to their core, forcing them to lower their heads in fear.
"Ahem… This is Gin-san. He bears the mission entrusted by our ancestors and has come to save the Ōtsutsuki clan. He will play a vital role in our revival."
Tsukihime began reciting from a speech she clearly made up, but it sent the crowd into quiet delight.
Their white eyes began to slightly redden with excitement as their bodies grew damp with anticipation.
"Oi, oi, what nonsense are you spewing?"
Hearing that misleading introduction, Gin's face twitched as he stared at Tsukihime with disbelief. Was this girl an airhead?
"Eh? Did I get it wrong?"
Tsukihime flipped through her notes, her brows furrowing and her small nose twitching in confusion. She looked completely sincere.
After thinking it over, she suddenly gave Gin a look of disdain.
"As expected, those with a filthy heart see everything as dirty."
This little girl… I swear, I'm going to punish her someday!
"Anyway, Gin-san will help us open a pathway to the surface."
Finally cutting to the chase, Tsukihime's words made the crowd of Ōtsutsuki women burst with enthusiasm.
They had only glimpsed the surface through monitors before. Now, with the chance to descend in person, their bodies trembled with excitement and their minds flooded with fantasies.
"Hehe, I saw plenty of cute boys down there~"
"Hmph! That old man still has his charm~"
"Hey! We have long lifespans. Isn't it great to raise a sweet little boy from a young age?"
Hearing such bold and spicy declarations, Gin felt a pang of guilt. But honestly, this kind of sweet burden was too much for one man to handle.
Especially considering these Ōtsutsuki women, though appearing in their 30s or 40s, were in fact all over a hundred years old. He couldn't handle that—better leave it to the guys below!
"Quiet! Don't go into heat here! You're embarrassing the dignity of the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Tsukihime frowned at her lovestruck clanswomen. Injecting chakra into her voice, she quelled the atmosphere with a domineering presence. Once the crowd was silent, she continued:
"To maintain order and decorum, the elders have decided: Gin-san will serve as our intermediary and establish a branch office on the surface. Clan members will rotate to the surface in an orderly fashion based on seniority."
This plan had been unanimously passed—by the clan leader and the great elder, with two votes for and none against.
"Any objections?"
Byakuya swept her gaze across the now-silent crowd and, seeing no opposition, nodded in satisfaction and chuckled.
"Hehe, since everyone agrees, the plan is officially approved!"
Clap clap clap—
Despite some silent grumbling, the women had no choice but to applaud, thunderously clapping under pressure.
"Now then, let us send off Gin-san! Once he opens the portal, you'll all have your chance to go down for duty!"
With a show of enthusiasm, Tsukihime stepped forward, arms raised high to signal the send-off.
"Waaah~ Gin-san, I want your babies!"
"Please hurry, Gin-san! I can't wait any longer~"
"Gin-saaan!"
Faced with the overwhelming passion of the Ōtsutsuki ladies, Gin immediately ran for his life. Without looking back, he leapt into the sinkhole, arriving at the lakeside, with Byakuya and Tsukihime close behind.
"Gin-san, you must return!"
Byakuya gazed at him longingly, lips trembling as she made her plea.
"Don't worry, I always keep my word. But the portal might take a while to set up. You can leave someone to watch over it—there'll be a signal."
Gin formed hand seals, recalling Hamura's instructions and explaining it to Byakuya.
Neither she nor Tsukihime had the Six Paths bloodline, so they couldn't bypass the intelligent seal Hamura had placed. They could only wait for Gin to unlock it.
The timeline? Could be a day… or a year—it depended on the construction speed of the portal array.
"How will I find you again?"
Byakuya asked, her voice tight with concern.
"I gave you a cloak, right? Are you wearing it?"
Gin asked, remembering a trick he had for tracking people.
"Yes, I always keep it with me!"
Byakuya immediately tore off her robe, revealing the white-and-gold enchanted cloak worn beneath—hugging her now-recovered curves from using the Chō Baika no Jutsu (Butterfly Expansion Technique).
The sight made Gin gulp reflexively.
"Good, just keep wearing it."
He reached into his bag and pulled out an identical cloak. As Byakuya blinked in confusion, he slapped the cloak in his hand.
A flash of light—her cloak vanished.
Startled, she looked down and saw her chest fully exposed beneath it. Gin didn't wait to explain. He dove into the water, leaving only a final echoing sentence:
"Keep that necklace close. I can sense it—once you're on the surface, I'll find you immediately."
Byakuya lowered her raised hand in silence. Her expression turned bitter—who knew when they'd meet again?
"Eh? The life aura from that necklace is intense!"
Just then, Tsukihime stepped close and stared at the blue pendant nestled in Byakuya's chest, eyes full of envy.
"Oi oi oi! What about me!?"
She dashed to the water's edge, shouting at the fading ripples.
"Gin-san, wait for me!"
Byakuya gently caressed the dragon claw pendant that radiated warmth over her heart. Her lips curled faintly, her longing growing ever deeper.
Beneath the water, Gin activated the teleportation technique Hamura had taught him. He didn't feel suffocated, only drawn by an enormous force into a spiraling vortex.
After nearly ten minutes of nausea, the pressure finally eased. The cold of the water hit him again. He slowly opened his eyes.
Reflected on the lake's surface—was the moon.
Relieved, he looked up at it… only to feel something underfoot. Lowering his gaze, he saw a long black sword plunged into the seal formation at the lake's bottom—the heart-sword left by the Sage of Six Paths.
"I wonder if I can pull it out this time…"
Activating his Sharingan and enhancing his strength, Gin summoned chakra from all his bloodlines. His body glowed with a chaotic swirl of colors—like a disco ball in a nightclub.
Behind him, a dark silhouette began to form as he gripped the hilt. The sword began to move—
"It's working!"
The chakra in his eyes shifted, the three tomoe forming a perfect triangle. The dark figure solidified further—
"Huh? Isn't that brat's sword? Since he wants it… why not give him a hand~"
(End of Chapter)
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