Raiden was stunned.
He had never expected that the seemingly carefree White Ape King had actually fought against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, a being standing at the very peak of combat power in the ninja world.
Was that even possible?
At first glance, it sounded absurd.
But after thinking about it carefully…
It might not be completely impossible.
The White Ape King specialized in pure physical combat, and his physique was unbelievably tough. Even in later generations, the Ape Demon Clan would produce monsters like Enma, whose transformed staff body could withstand the sharpness of the legendary Kusanagi Sword.
If the White Ape King had also mastered Sage-enhanced strength, then in theory—
he could at least exchange blows with Isshiki.
Provided, of course, that he could survive the barrage of black chakra rods used by the Ōtsutsuki.
Raiden knew the story sounded exaggerated.
But he had fought the White Ape King many times during training.
Despite using powerful Sage Techniques, Raiden had never managed to break through the ape king's defenses.
So even if the White Ape King couldn't defeat Isshiki—
holding him back for a while shouldn't be impossible.
Raiden quickly began calculating the battle situation in his mind.
The White Ape King vs Isshiki → roughly balanced.
Kaguya vs Isshiki → perhaps three to seven odds.
Himself vs Isshiki → maybe two to eight.
So…
White Ape King = Isshiki
Raiden < Isshiki
But—
Raiden + White Ape King + Kaguya > Isshiki
A light suddenly flashed in his mind.
If you rounded the numbers a little…
Wouldn't that mean they were guaranteed to win?
"Brother!"
"You should've told me earlier that you were this amazing!"
Raiden enthusiastically filled the White Ape King's cup with wine.
The ape king gulped it down happily.
Soon he slumped against the stone table, clearly drunk.
"Raiden… don't worry…"
"You came to the right place!"
"I've been wanting to settle things with that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki anyway!"
"I, the great White Ape King, will crush that alien completely!"
"Those cosmic barbarians dare run wild on our planet!"
"They probably don't realize that I, the heroic White Ape King, am guarding Earth!"
After shouting these heroic words—
the ape king immediately collapsed and began snoring loudly.
Perfect.
Everything was perfectly stable.
"With allies like these…"
Raiden thought happily.
"Victory should already be guaranteed."
Without these strange animal allies, fighting the Ōtsutsuki alone would have been nearly impossible.
But now—
with the White Ape King…
and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki…
Isshiki might actually fall.
"Just wait, Isshiki."
After leaving the Ape Demon Clan's spirit realm, Raiden soon received a message from the White-Browed Toad of Mount Myōboku.
The concealment robe was finished.
That same night—
Raiden put on the robe and went to find Kaguya.
His goal was simple.
Test the robe's concealment ability.
If even Kaguya could detect him, then deceiving Isshiki would be impossible.
The Land of Ancestors – Imperial Palace
Inside a quiet chamber,
Kaguya sat before a mirror.
Her expression was troubled.
Soon—
she would be offered as a sacrifice to the Ten-Tails.
This was the cruel rule of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
When two Ōtsutsuki arrived on a planet,
one of them would be sacrificed to the Ten-Tails so that the Divine Tree could grow and produce the Chakra Fruit.
It was her destiny.
But after arriving on this world—
Kaguya had fallen in love with a human.
And resentment had grown within her heart.
Why must she be the sacrifice?
Why not Isshiki?
That resentment pushed her toward rebellion.
That was why she sought Raiden—
hoping to find a powerful native ally.
"…Sigh."
"It seems he won't come after all."
Kaguya sighed softly.
That man named Raiden was extremely cautious.
Perhaps he had been too afraid to involve himself in such danger.
Besides…
he probably didn't even understand what a Chakra Fruit truly was.
But at that very moment—
Raiden was already standing quietly in the corner of the room.
The concealment robe perfectly blended his presence with the surroundings.
Kaguya remained completely unaware.
Raiden nodded slightly.
The robe truly worked.
Even someone with the Byakugan had failed to notice him.
Isshiki's mysterious dōjutsu might be powerful—
but it did not necessarily surpass the Byakugan in perception.
Otherwise Isshiki would not have needed to activate the Byakugan during battle.
Satisfied with the test, Raiden stepped forward.
"Kaguya."
"I'm here."
He spoke softly.
Kaguya instantly turned around.
Shock flashed across her pale face.
She hadn't sensed him at all.
The only person who could appear beside her like that was usually Isshiki.
Yet this human had done the same.
"How long have you been here?"
She asked cautiously.
"Forget that."
"I've come to discuss your proposal."
"I'll join forces with you."
"But after everything is done—"
"I want the Chakra Fruit."
Raiden spoke calmly.
Kaguya's eyes immediately lit up with joy.
"No problem."
She agreed without hesitation.
Raiden frowned slightly.
He didn't quite understand.
The Chakra Fruit was the ultimate treasure of the Ōtsutsuki.
Why would Kaguya willingly give it up?
"Why?"
"You said earlier the fruit is extremely valuable."
"How could you simply give it to me?"
Raiden asked.
Kaguya smiled softly.
"Because I don't want power."
"I just want to stay with the one I love."
Raiden immediately understood.
At this point in history, Kaguya had already fallen deeply in love with the emperor of the Land of Ancestors.
Mystery solved.
"In that case…"
"Let's discuss the plan."
The two quickly finalized their strategy.
Everything was prepared for the sacrifice ceremony.
A Few Days Later
A vast bamboo forest.
At the center of a massive pit—
a juvenile Ten-Tails writhed restlessly.
Its grotesque mouth opened wide, waiting for its offering.
Isshiki watched coldly.
"Next…"
"comes Kaguya's sacrifice."
Kaguya slowly stepped forward.
Hidden nearby—
Raiden followed silently while wearing the concealment robe.
At the same time he remained extremely cautious.
If things went wrong—
he would instantly escape back to Mount Myōboku using reverse summoning.
Inside Raiden's hand—
the White Ape King, transformed into a golden staff, spoke nervously.
"Wait… are you seriously doing this?"
"What else?"
"Fake it?"
Raiden looked at him suspiciously.
The White Ape King swallowed nervously.
Oh no…
I really messed up this time.
Suddenly Raiden froze.
"Wait."
"You bastard…"
"Don't tell me that story about fighting Isshiki for three days and three nights was fake?!"
"I… I…"
The White Ape King stammered.
Then he finally sighed helplessly.
"Alright… I'll tell the truth."
"I can't beat Isshiki…"
"DAMN IT!"
"Why didn't you say that earlier?!"
Raiden nearly exploded.
"You told me you fought him for three days and three nights!"
The White Ape King scratched his head awkwardly.
"I did fight him for three days and three nights…"
"But…"
"I was the one pinned to the ground and beaten for three days and three nights."
"In the end I couldn't take it anymore…"
"So I escaped back to the Spirit World…"
The White Ape King spoke with a strained expression.