A week passed in the blink of an eye. Shūichi, after receiving the memories from his clone's feedback, returned to Orochimaru's base. This time, the experimental body required for reviving Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had been successfully cultivated.
Once again, the foundation for the experiment was White Zetsu, the same type Orochimaru had used previously.
Seeing Shūichi arrive, Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "The power of Yin-Yang Release can create life directly."
"With the strength Shūichi-kun possesses now, it shouldn't be any less than the Sage of Six Paths in his prime, right?"
Shūichi chuckled lightly. "Who can say without testing it?"
As he spoke, the clinking of chains echoed. With a whoosh, the Heavenly Net surged forth, tightly wrapping around the experimental body.
Under the watchful eyes of Orochimaru, Yūjin, and White Zetsu (Tobi), the chakra of the experimental body began to rapidly dissipate. At the same time, a more potent force started to emerge.
"Ten-Tails' chakra!"
Orochimaru's gaze burned with intensity. "This is forcibly transforming the experimental body's various chakras into Ten-Tails' chakra."
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Orochimaru noticed a change in the experimental body's cellular composition.
"This is…"
Orochimaru was astonished.
White Zetsu (Tobi) exclaimed, "It's the Ōtsutsuki clan's cells!"
"As expected of Lord Shūichi! He's using chakra to directly create Ōtsutsuki cells, which are assimilating the experimental body's original cells."
"Moreover, considering that the Sage of Six Paths himself carried Ōtsutsuki genes, and Uchiha Madara had once become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki…"
"But most importantly, this demonstrates the ability to use Yin-Yang Release to create Ōtsutsuki cells."
Orochimaru extended his tongue in excitement. "In that case, it should be possible to directly create a body belonging to the Ōtsutsuki clan, right?"
"The key lies in the soul's consciousness, doesn't it?"
Yūjin speculated, "Back then, the Sage of Six Paths created the nine Tailed Beasts using Ten-Tails' chakra because chakra inherently contains the Ten-Tails' spirit."
"So, the Sage of Six Paths didn't truly create complete life forms?"
White Zetsu (Tobi) spread his hands with a grin. "That's something we'd have to ask the Sage of Six Paths himself!"
As the Ōtsutsuki cells replaced the original cells, the experimental body began to transform, sprouting a pair of small horns.
With the body of the Ōtsutsuki clan combined with chakra on the level of the Ten-Tails, the experimental body now exuded an entirely different aura.
"What an incredibly powerful body!"
Orochimaru was ecstatic.
"Byakugan!"
Yūjin suddenly shouted in surprise.
The experimental body's eyes changed, transforming into the Byakugan identical to that of the Hyūga clan.
Seeing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and glanced at Shūichi, thinking to himself, "So Shūichi-kun has likely already mastered the Byakugan as well."
"The three great dōjutsu united in one person… No, there's also the Tenseigan."
"With such abilities, his power is truly unfathomable!"
If Shūichi could use Yin-Yang Release to create Ōtsutsuki cells, it meant that he could, if he desired, transform into an Ōtsutsuki himself.
Yet it was evident he hadn't done so.
Orochimaru couldn't help but speculate boldly:
Shūichi's current body was already far more powerful than any Ōtsutsuki member that had appeared in the shinobi world thus far.
At that moment, Shūichi undid the seal on Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, using the Heavenly Net as a medium to inject her soul into the transformed experimental body.
In the next instant, the experimental body began to swell, quickly transforming into a large white sphere.
Shūichi retracted his Kekkei Mora, the Heavenly Net, just as the white sphere expanded to fill nearly the entire laboratory and then abruptly stopped.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the white sphere began to crack, its surface peeling away and disintegrating into fine powder.
Under the watchful eyes of Orochimaru and the others, long white hair became visible, followed by Kaguya's face and her slender figure.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had been resurrected!
"Fate is truly fascinating!"
Orochimaru couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
What would the shinobi world become now?
Orochimaru found himself growing ever more eager to find out.
…
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya landed gracefully, ignoring Orochimaru and the others. Her cold gaze rested on Shūichi Hoshita as she asked, "Where will I live?"
"Your house?"
Shūichi was momentarily taken aback by the question.
He hadn't considered this.
Take her home with him?
After a moment of thought, Shūichi realized it might be the best option—better than unsettling everyone else.
"Come with me," Shūichi said decisively.
At that moment, Orochimaru spoke up. "Kaguya, I contributed to your resurrection. If you don't mind, I'd like to study your cells."
Kaguya glanced at him and replied, "Fine."
Orochimaru was caught off guard by her easy agreement and broke into a wide grin. "Thank you! If I develop a stronger body, you'll be the first to receive it."
He was nothing if not accommodating.
After leaving behind some of her cells, Kaguya followed Shūichi out of the lab.
---
As they walked, Kaguya asked, "When do you plan to head for the stars?"
Shūichi replied, "When I'm fully prepared, of course."
Kaguya's tone remained calm. "You've already mastered my divine arts, as well as those of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki."
"You're hesitant because of your wife and children, aren't you?"
Shūichi sighed. "That's part of it, yes."
People are always bound by different attachments.
"Do you need me to bear children for you?" Kaguya suddenly asked.
Shūichi stumbled, staring at her in astonishment.
Kaguya remained calm. "While I was sealed, I could sense your thoughts."
"You've considered it before."
Shūichi's eyelid twitched furiously.
It seemed that close-contact training had its drawbacks—someone as powerful as Kaguya could clearly sense his inner thoughts.
Still…
Those thoughts were fleeting, merely occasional musings.
After all, he was only human!
Kaguya, unfazed by his embarrassment, continued, "I am the strongest woman on this planet, and you are the strongest man. Together, we could produce offspring surpassing Hagoromo and Hamura."
"They could protect this world in your stead."
Shūichi was momentarily stunned.
That… actually made some sense!
But wouldn't that make him the Sage of Six Paths' stepfather?
This was insane. Truly insane!
"Well… I'll think about it," Shūichi replied cautiously.
Though he didn't give a definitive answer, the seed of the idea had already taken root in his mind.
Kaguya withdrew her gaze. "I'll wait."
Shūichi turned to look at her profile.
To be honest, Kaguya wasn't his type.
But now… she seemed to have a unique charm.
Maybe time did foster feelings.
"I'll need to be more cautious about close-contact training in the future…" Shūichi sighed inwardly.
---
Instead of going home directly, the two stopped by the Hokage's office to meet Minato Namikaze.
Minato was already aware of Kaguya's resurrection, but seeing her in person still stirred unease.
He wasn't worried about Kaguya causing chaos in the shinobi world again. His concern lay in what would happen when Shūichi eventually left the shinobi world.
Facing the Ōtsutsuki in the stars with only Uchiha Shisui and another Ōtsutsuki by his side was a precarious situation. If Kaguya were to betray them, the consequences could be disastrous.
"Do you need the village to arrange accommodations?" Minato asked, already prepared for this possibility.
Shūichi shook his head. "She'll stay with me for now."
Minato's expression briefly flickered with amusement, though he kept his smile polite. "Very well."
"Then let's head to the Alliance Headquarters," Shūichi said.
Opening a space-time portal, Shūichi led Kaguya into the heart of the Alliance Fortress.
---
Years had passed, and the Alliance Headquarters had grown into a sprawling metropolis.
Its prosperity far surpassed that of the current Konoha.
This was the central hub for the most talented individuals from across the shinobi world—not only shinobi but experts in various fields.
Many nobles and merchants from the Five Great Nations chose to settle here to enjoy cutting-edge technology and top-tier medical care.
Indeed, the shinobi world had consolidated into five nations: the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Earth, Land of Lightning, and the Land of Water—the last being the sole remaining island nation.
Technological advancements and the efforts of the Ninja Alliance had strengthened connections between these nations.
Within the Alliance, shinobi from the five major villages now wore unified headbands bearing the kanji for "Shinobi" (忍), though regional distinctions remained in their attire.
Despite maintaining their own training systems, the five villages had, three years earlier under Minato's leadership, established a unified training program for elite shinobi.
All shinobi would undergo specialized training in this system before taking the Chūnin and Jōnin exams.
…
In the Conference Room
Inside the conference room, Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage, the Fourth Kazekage, Mei Terumi, and Mifune were waiting.
When Shūichi entered with his companions, all eyes immediately locked on Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
This was the person who had once nearly upended the entire shinobi world.
The Fourth Raikage, in particular, felt an intense unease. He vividly remembered how he had nearly died, drained of chakra by Kaguya during their previous encounter. His wariness toward her was unmatched.
"Lord Shūichi, are you absolutely certain there's no issue here?" Mifune asked on behalf of everyone.
Shūichi smiled. "Rest assured, there won't be any problems."
Kaguya added calmly, "Though I've been resurrected, my power hasn't fully recovered."
"And even if it were restored, I wouldn't be a match for him."
Once, Kaguya's strength had surpassed Shūichi's. Now, the roles were completely reversed.
Hearing this, Ōnoki and the others subtly relaxed.
Compared to Shūichi, they found it easier to trust the words of their former enemy.
"Lord Shūichi, what exactly is your purpose in resurrecting her?" Ōnoki asked.
This was something Shūichi had not informed the Alliance about in advance.
While most assumed it was related to combating the Ōtsutsuki Clan, they suspected there had to be more to it. After all, Kaguya was a former enemy.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Shūichi explained. "Our enemy is the Ōtsutsuki Main Family, and Kaguya's enemy is the same."
"She consumed the fruit of the God Tree to escape her fate of being sacrificed, an act that already constitutes betrayal of the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"So, my plan is to eventually enter the stars and turn the tables. For that, I need Kaguya to lead the way."
What?!
The revelation shocked everyone, especially Mei Terumi.
As someone close to Shūichi, she had no idea about this plan. Her disbelief was evident as she stared at him.
Would he leave them behind to venture into space?
Meeting Mei's gaze, Shūichi offered her a reassuring smile before continuing. "We're all seasoned warriors here. You should understand that waiting passively for the enemy to attack is not a sound strategy."
"Especially if a war breaks out in the shinobi world, it will limit our ability to fight effectively."
"That's why I've been focused on nurturing Kage-level and even Super Kage-level shinobi, as well as striving to create Six Paths-level warriors."
"If we want to shield the shinobi world from the Ōtsutsuki Clan's harm, the best approach is to intercept them before they reach Earth."
"This is also why I initially proposed using the Moon as the Alliance's main base."
"The Alliance's purpose is to protect the shinobi world, and that means standing on the front lines!"
Shūichi's words convinced Ōnoki and the others.
However, Mei couldn't help but voice her concerns. "But isn't venturing into space too dangerous?"
"We could establish multiple bases outside Earth, like the one on the Moon, to intercept any potential Ōtsutsuki forces."
The Fourth Kazekage agreed. "I support the Fifth Mizukage's suggestion. Lord Shūichi, your plan seems too aggressive."
"We don't yet know enough about space or the Ōtsutsuki Clan," he continued.
"And we don't have enough Six Paths-level shinobi."
The Fourth Raikage nodded. "Fighting on home turf may have its disadvantages, but it also provides enormous advantages. Sacrifices are necessary until we gain absolute strength."
Ōnoki added his agreement. "Lord Shūichi, we need more time to build up our resources."
Shūichi sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "This is just a plan, not something to be executed immediately."
"Before that, I have another plan—one to cultivate a Ten-Tails."
A Ten-Tails cultivation plan?
The room fell into stunned silence.
Mifune broke it. "The Ten-Tails… doesn't that require sacrificing an entire planet?"
Shūichi nodded. "That's why it's called the Ten-Tails cultivation plan. If I intended to grow a God Tree with it, I wouldn't have destroyed Isshiki's Ten-Tails back then."
"But even for a genius like Kakashi, reaching the Six Paths level is extremely unlikely."
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan, on the other hand, has numerous Ten-Tails, planting God Trees across countless planets. Their forces are far superior to ours."
"To counter the Ōtsutsuki Clan, we need our own Ten-Tails."
"My plan is to create a Ten-Tails that doesn't rely on extracting planetary energy but instead uses other sources—such as the inexhaustible energy of the Sun."
Mifune couldn't help but exclaim, "Is that… even possible?"
Shūichi chuckled. "Don't underestimate our researchers."
"That's why I need the Alliance's support to allocate more personnel under Orochimaru's direction."
Ōnoki spoke gravely. "If there's even a chance, of course, we'll support it!"
(End of Chapter)
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