In the silent, pitch-black space, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya stood before Ōtsutsuki Toneri. Her Byakugan glimmered with thoughtful light.
"I can help you," Kaguya said after a long pause, "but I require a promise from you."
She understood that Toneri's words were correct. He possessed potential worthy of her investment.
With such pure atavistic blood, coupled with the Tenseigan and Rinnegan, if he survived, he might even surpass her someday.
And with the subtlety and intelligence he had already shown, would he fail so early? That was not a question at all.
"Grandmother, please speak!" Toneri's smile deepened. He spoke without hesitation. As long as it allowed his Rinnegan to evolve, he cared little for agreeing to her conditions. Besides, he had already anticipated the promise she would request.
"In the future… assist me against powerful enemies," Kaguya said, her voice cold and clear, a flash of killing intent glimmering in her pure eyes.
The intense aura of death instantly filled the space. Its chilling presence seemed to lower the very temperature of the void.
Toneri instinctively shrank back, feeling the pervasive lethal intent. His heart tightened with awe and fear.
This Kaguya… was terrifying!
Was it any wonder she had been called the "Demon of a Thousand Years" long ago?
Toneri couldn't help but think: the most ruthless being in the entire Ninja World!
Yet soon, Toneri felt his body grow tense, his breathing laborious.
Kaguya's killing intent was overwhelming. Her power was far beyond that of a mere seven-year-old Toneri.
"You… are still too weak," Kaguya remarked, sensing his reaction. Her eyes flickered as she reined in the lethal aura that had spilled forth unconsciously.
Relieved, Toneri finally exhaled.
"Grandmother, I'm only seven years old!" he said with a touch of helplessness. If he had his eyes open, he would've rolled them in frustration.
No matter how exceptional his talent, he was still only seven. Facing Kaguya… what else could he do?
"…Being seven is not an excuse for nearly suffocating," Kaguya said, her expression momentarily caught, then she glanced away before finally releasing the words.
Toneri, sensing this through his Rinnegan, twitched the corner of his mouth.
Even this cold, divine woman could be tsundere?
"Grandmother, I need your help," Toneri said after taking a deep breath, calming the frustration in his heart, lifting his left hand so his Rinnegan faced her.
You may be strong now, but I'm remembering this moment!
I'll make you regret it someday!
Toneri thought fiercely. Abstinence? Impossible.
Soon, you'll be the one singing like a cat!
Reborn into this life, Toneri's ultimate goal was not merely to unify the Ninja World—it was to conquer the woman before him.
This was his ultimate aim. Success would mean he had truly risen to the pinnacle of the world.
Kaguya turned her head at his words, her presence slowly coalescing. At her once-pristine brow, a single crimson eye opened:
The Nine-Tomoe Rinne-Sharingan!
The strongest eye in the entire Ninja World. Without exception.
A beam of red light shimmered from Kaguya's Tomoe Rinnegan, merging instantly into Toneri's Rinnegan before disappearing.
Then, Kaguya closed the Tomoe Rinnegan once more, her forehead smooth again, and she gazed at Toneri's Rinnegan.
"I have infused a portion of my power and chakra into your Rinnegan. It will stimulate its evolution, but it will take time," she said calmly. Her chakra and ocular power—the strongest in existence—was more than enough to trigger Toneri's Rinnegan to evolve.
How far it would evolve, she did not know. She was merely the catalyst.
"Thank you, Grandmother. I am truly grateful," Toneri said, smiling uncontrollably. His goal had already been achieved.
He could feel a strange, powerful presence nourishing his Rinnegan. Evolution would come soon.
"Are you leaving now?" Kaguya asked after a long silence. She assumed this descendant had come only to evolve his Rinnegan. Even though his goal was complete, it was time for him to depart.
"No, I will stay with you, Grandmother. You must be lonely here alone," Toneri replied with a pure smile, his delicate face radiating innocence.
Though Kaguya's tone remained cold and calm, Toneri could sense the complexity beneath her words.
She secretly wished someone would keep her company.
After all, though called the Rabbit Goddess, she had been sealed for a thousand years, living alone in this pitch-black space. Loneliness was inevitable.
"I do not understand your meaning. If you wish to leave, you may," Kaguya replied lightly. This little boy was truly bold.
She… Kaguya! Needed company? Impossible!
"Grandmother, I heard that in your era, you were a princess?"
"Yes. I was once a princess," Kaguya answered.
"Did you ever marry?"
"No one could match me!" she said firmly.
"Actually… I've always wondered. You are an abstinent, yet how did you give birth to our ancestors?" Toneri asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"…."
Kaguya stared at the inquisitive child, lost in deep thought. She hesitated.
Should she teach him a lesson for his boldness?