Bab 225: Because He Reads A LOT!
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From Naruto and Hinata, to Tsunade and Rasa, every shinobi on the battlefield simultaneously rolled their eyes. Ino, not missing a beat, gave Koushin a slight pinch on his waist. "Be serious!" she whispered.
Even Kaguya's brow twitched in evident annoyance. "Who are you to address me so familiarly?"
Koushin chuckled, "Look, lady, we have no trouble with you. Want to coexist peacefully? We're too want that. The world's evolved; you don't have to keep battling."
Kaguya's clear eyes stared intently at him, seeking any falsehood. "What can you possibly know?" she retorted.
Koushin, ever the charmer, grinned confidently, "A lot. I know about your late husband, your children. I understand that you didn't want to become... this. But circumstances pushed you into it."
Her expression shifted from guarded to genuinely surprised. "How can you possibly know all this?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.
And something miraculous happened. Everyone on the battlefield, including Paarthurnax, the half-dead Itachi, Black Zetsu, Hashirama, Tobirama, and every shinobi — Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, Temari, Kakashi, Shin, Sai, Yuyu, Shino, Choji, Tsunade, Rasa, A, Oonoki, and Mei Terumi — spoke in unison, "Because he reads a lot."
A perplexed Kaguya flicked her gaze around, assessing each voice's origin, clearly taken aback.
Koushin chuckled at their reaction and looked at Kaguya. But before he could talk, Black Zetsu jumped in.
"Stop listening to him, mother! He is silver-tongued and will betray you." Black Zetsu's ire was palpable. He was still mad about not being able to phase through Koushin's seals. The dark entity wanted Kaguya to obliterate them all, but Koushin's words seemed to have left an impression. His Speech Skill was level 100, after all, and he'd activated A LOT of perks.
Kaguya's eyes darted between the gathered shinobi, a newfound curiosity in her gaze. She seemed to realize that all the ninja present had united against two common enemies prior to her arrival – both of whom were Uchiha. The clan she cursed with a local tribe.
Taking a deep breath, she faced Koushin, "What is the world like now?"
Koushin's lips twitched into a smirk, "As shitty as you left it."
Collective groans and facepalms ensued from the assembled ninja. Even Naruto sighed, looking exasperated. Clearly, they were hoping for Koushin to present a more optimistic perspective. Kakashi sent Koushin a look that seemed to pierce right through him, a silent reprimand for the missed opportunity.
Koushin, sensing the mood shift, hastily added, "But there are some really nice sunsets."
Kaguya tilted her head, clearly intrigued, "Sunsets?"
Before Koushin could dive into an elaborate and possibly poetic description, Ino squeezed his hand and whispered, "Stay focused."
"The thing is," Koushin began, keeping his gaze steady on Kaguya, "slaving the whole globe is not the way to live. You'll just be the queen of zombies, and trust me, it gets boring real quick." He glanced momentarily at Ino, who offered a supportive squeeze of his hand. "Yes, the world is... well, shitty. I can't deny that. But that's what makes it interesting. That's the spice of life."
Koushin gestured at the gathered shinobi with a flourish, "Just look at us. The minute we realized we had a common enemy, we all banded together. Differences put aside. Past conflicts forgotten. We stood united. The peace you dream of? It's not peace. It's just playing dollhouse."
Kaguya tilted her head slightly, a gesture that surprisingly made her look almost... cute. "Dollhouse?" she questioned, genuine confusion lacing her ethereal voice.
Koushin sighed and began gathering chakra. For a brief moment, Kaguya tensed, her stance shifting as if preparing for battle. "Relax," he reassured her, "I won't attack." To everyone's surprise, she seemed to accept this, nodding slightly. It was as if she could see straight into his heart, and found no ill intent.
Utilizing both Yang and Yin Release, Koushin conjured a vivid light show in the air. With a touch of genjutsu, an image materialized — a miniature version of Kaguya as a young girl, complete with white hair and Byakugan eyes. The childlike figure stood before a detailed dollhouse, tiny dolls within displaying various poses and expressions.
The scene was enchanting, painting a serene and whimsical picture amidst the starkness of the endless desert around them.
Kaguya's eyes widened as she took in the sight, clearly taken aback. The childlike version of herself, the dollhouse— it was a poignant reminder of simpler times, a stark contrast to the complexities and struggles of her current existence.
Ino looked at Koushin with a mix of admiration and amusement. She knew her boyfriend had an uncanny ability to defuse situations with unexpected gestures, and this was no exception.
Shikamaru couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Who would've thought that Koushin would use a dollhouse to make a point?" he mused.
Temari shot him a knowing glance, "He's unpredictable. That's what makes him so effective."
"The dollhouse is fun when you have endless imagination," Koushin began, his voice gentle. The miniature Kaguya animatedly started to play with the dolls, calling out endearing names like 'father', 'mother', 'Uncle Koushin', and 'Aunty Ino'. For a while, the scenes were full of laughter and joy, with little Kaguya orchestrating elaborate tea parties and adventures. But as the moments ticked on, the fun diminished. Her playmates remained static, and her attempts to interact grew increasingly frustrated. Little Kaguya searched the dollhouse, looking for someone, anyone, to genuinely connect with. But there was no one. The heartbreak in her eyes was palpable as she began to cry, alone and desperate for genuine companionship.
It was a hauntingly poignant portrayal, capturing the essence of true loneliness and the human need for connection. Every shinobi watched, a heavy silence enveloping the vast desert. The emotions displayed resonated deeply with all of them, binding them in a shared moment of understanding.
"Humans need connection," Koushin reiterated softly, his gaze fixed on Kaguya. "You too need that. You cannot rule over a desolate world. At your core, you are a human."
Kaguya's expression was one of shock and vulnerability. "I am not," she whispered.
But Koushin's tone was firm as he countered, "I don't care where you come from, lady. I know you are a human. So, here's the deal: let's not engage in battle and live together in harmony. You want to be queen? I'll give you a kingdom. Have a family, enjoy life."
His gaze shifted to Black Zetsu, the hint of a smirk on his lips, "Hopefully with cuter children this time."
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