Bab 264: Chapter 264
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Hagoromo and Hamura sat across from each other, faces serious, having finished discussing crucial matters.
Hagoromo was worried about the reincarnation of his younger son, Asura, while Hamura was concerned about the formidable Kyomu.
Hamura called Kyomu formidable based on various signs he had analyzed, concluding that Kyomu would eventually initiate a war against the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki clan.
Was this a joke?
The brothers had feigned death primarily to avoid being detected by the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki, ensuring the planet wouldn't be targeted again.
But Kyomu had different plans. He not only didn't hide but also showed signs of knowing much about ancient events, with intentions of leading an army from the ninja world to counterattack the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki.
"Brother, Kyomu's actions are extremely dangerous. If we don't intervene, this planet might once again attract the attention of the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki. When they come, it might not just be one but two or three or more, which would be a disaster for the ninja world."
Hamura agreed with his brother's concerns, recalling how the three of them had destroyed a third of the ninja world continent when they sealed Kaguya.
For example, the desert landscape of the original Land of Wind was a result of their battle. Without that battle, the geography of the Land of Wind would have been as hospitable and fertile as the Land of Fire.
"What you fear might very well happen, but convincing Kyomu to back down without intervention from us is nearly impossible," Hagoromo sighed. "He's stubborn, and once he sets his mind on something, it's hard to change it.
Besides Kyomu, Asura's reincarnation chakra has vanished from the ninja world for a long time. This could mean two things: either Asura has been completely eradicated, or he has been taken to a space beyond the ninja world."
Hamura's pale eyes flashed with alarm. "Brother, Asura and Indra are key to our millennium-long plan. We can't afford any mishap with either of them."
"Indeed, no mishap is acceptable," Hagoromo continued to deduce. "But I don't think Kyomu is responsible. He hasn't had the opportunity to act against the current Naruto."
"Then who?"
"I don't know, but I have a premonition. Naruto's sudden disappearance from the ninja world must be a meticulously planned act. I fear there's a terrifying possibility..."
Hamura, with a serious expression, pressed his brother, "Brother, what have you thought of?"
"Do you remember Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"
"Him?" Hamura raised an eyebrow. "Mother once mentioned him, a source of her fear. Her fear of Isshiki was even greater than her fear of other main family members of the Ōtsutsuki clan. If it weren't for her fear of Isshiki, our world wouldn't have become what it did, and we wouldn't have done what we did to her."
Speaking of Kaguya, Hamura felt a deep sense of guilt.
"Hamura, we did what we did for the sake of this world. We weren't wrong," Hagoromo defended their actions. "But we must guard against Isshiki, whom mother once feared. Do you remember she mentioned that the Ōtsutsuki clan members don't truly die?"
"I remember, but mother never elaborated on the specifics."
Though Hagoromo and Hamura were true Ōtsutsuki in terms of bloodline, their inheritance was incomplete. Their mother, Kaguya, was a branch family member of the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki clan. Despite being of high status within the branch family, comparable to a princess, her standing was still lower than that of the main family members.
Just as the main and branch families of the Hyūga clan have restrictions to control the branch family, it's logical to assume the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki clan has similar measures to prevent the branch family from growing too powerful.
The branch family members wouldn't willingly sacrifice themselves during the cultivation of the God Tree to benefit the main family members.
Even with restrictions, Kaguya dared to ambush the main family's Isshiki and steal the God Tree's fruit. Without restrictions, there would be more individuals like Kaguya, leading to internal strife within the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Such strife would prevent the Ōtsutsuki from focusing on cultivating the God Tree across planets.
To maintain order, the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki clan established a system of main and branch families, with a series of restrictive measures to ensure the main family remained strong while the branch family became subservient, willingly or unwillingly accepting self-sacrifice during the cultivation of the God Tree.
Besides restricting combat abilities, the only effective control measure left was the "Kama Seal" resurrection technique.
"I remember mother mentioning the 'Kama Seal' resurrection technique," Hagoromo found the key. "Mother mastered only a part of it and required Isshiki's cooperation to revive. Based on her words, Isshiki possessed the complete 'Kama Seal' and couldn't be killed. This constant fear of Isshiki's return drove mother to extreme measures. She knew Isshiki would come back one day."
"But brother, what does Isshiki's resurrection have to do with Naruto's disappearance?"
"There's no direct connection. I'm merely speculating," Hagoromo said, waving his hand to conjure a screen monitoring the ninja world. "I've monitored the ninja world for nearly a thousand years without finding any evidence of Isshiki's existence. However, recently, I found proof of his presence. It's not accurate, but it corroborates mother's fear."
With that, the screen slowed down, showing Mabui with the Kama Seal on her body.
"Brother, look closely," Hagoromo urged.
Hamura watched intently, observing Mabui's entrance and the Kama Seal on her arm.
"This power..."
"Doesn't it resemble the spatial power mother described Isshiki possessing?" Hagoromo said deeply. "Moreover, Mabui's limited talent couldn't have attained such power without external help. Based on past clues, I believe only Isshiki, who has been silent for a millennium, could enable someone of limited power to master and use such a force."
Hamura nodded, his expression darkening. "If so, then Naruto, who carries Asura's chakra, is indeed the perfect vessel for Isshiki's resurrection."
"Exactly. There's no better vessel than Naruto, who has part Ōtsutsuki bloodline and Asura's chakra and soul," Hagoromo frowned. "If we were to choose to resurrect, Naruto or Sasuke, or your descendants, would be our first choices. This would minimize our power loss, allowing us to regain at least 90% of our strength after resurrection, if not more."
Hamura fell silent, contemplating before raising his head. "Brother, what should we do?"
"I plan to discuss this with Kyomu."
"Kyomu? Him?" Hamura was wary of Kyomu. "He's a troublemaker. Seeking him out might cause more issues."
"If we don't, what other solutions do we have?"
Hamura pondered again, only to shake his head, admitting he had none.
"Brother, without physical bodies, combating Isshiki is extremely difficult."
"That's true, but brother, I'm worried Kyomu will demand too much," Hamura still distrusted Kyomu. "In my surveillance, Kyomu not only has signs of waging war against the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki but also the potential to wage war against the summoning realm."
"Are you worried about Gamamaru?"
"Yes, brother." Hamura nodded. "Don't forget, Gamamaru helped us greatly in the past. Without that resurrection talisman, I would have died, and you wouldn't have awakened the Rinnegan."
Hagoromo pondered deeply. Rationality dictated that cooperating with Kyomu was the best option, even if it meant being suppressed and limited by him.
The outcome wouldn't be terrible. Kyomu understood how to expand and conquer. He also knew how to reward his people, always taking good care of those loyal to him.
However, for enemies, Kyomu believed only in eliminating them, with no room for compromise or leniency.
Given his current achievements, Hagoromo felt confident he could defeat and kill Kyomu. Yet, he wasn't sure about other unforeseen events. He had observed too many anomalies in Kyomu, such as when he killed the Grim Reaper of the ninja world, leaving Hagoromo baffled and confused.
But emotionally, Gamamaru shouldn't be abandoned. He had helped the brothers greatly a thousand years ago.
Choosing to protect him would inevitably lead to a confrontation with Kyomu, with an uncertain outcome. Hagoromo was unsure of what terrifying means Kyomu might have.
Seeking stability, he didn't want to gamble.
After much deliberation, Hagoromo made a decision. "Brother, I still plan to talk to Kyomu."
"What if Kyomu remains obstinate and targets our old friend? And when he feels ready to wage war against the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki, what should we do?"
"I will discuss these matters with him thoroughly," Hagoromo said ambiguously, leaving Hamura somewhat disappointed.
Hamura looked at his brother deeply. "Brother, you may try, but if the outcome is unfavorable, I will not agree."
With that, Hamura's body gradually faded and disappeared.
Hagoromo gazed at the spot where his brother vanished, lost in thought, but eventually sighed and let it go.
Ryūchi Cave, Back Mountain
In the back mountain of Ryūchi Cave, where natural energy was abundant, Kyomu was still working hard to balance the "yang" natural energy within him. Absorbing a large amount of purplish-red natural energy that made up Mōryō's body had greatly enhanced Kyomu, but it had also limited his Sage Mode to an aggressive path.
To make his Sage Mode more comprehensive, Kyomu needed to achieve a balance of natural energies within him.
This was a difficult process requiring time and effort.
On the last day of the month.
"I'll use ten more gold coins," Kyomu thought. "Keep fifteen for emergencies. The passive skill [Heaven's Reward for Diligence] needs to be maintained."
Despite the slow progress, Kyomu's pace was relatively swift. With the aid of [Heaven's Reward for Diligence], his progress in balancing natural energies seemed like riding a rocket to White Snake Sage and Ichikishimahime.
But Kyomu was not satisfied. Previously, advancing or mastering a combat skill never took more than a month. However, from training Sage Mode to now, three months had passed, and despite having [Heaven's Reward for Diligence], Kyomu's progress in balancing natural energies was only halfway.
"Select the passive skill [Heaven's Reward for Diligence]..."
Before finishing his thought, Hagoromo suddenly appeared before him.
Kyomu immediately tensed, ready to defend and attack.
"It seems you recognize me."
"Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, the Sage of Six Paths. Of course, I recognize you."
"You carry many mysteries and seem to know a lot. Could you explain some of it to me?"
"You're overthinking it, Hagoromo," Kyomu responded coldly, showing no reverence. "State your business. I assume your sudden appearance after a millennium means there's something urgent."
"You are perceptive. Considering your actions, I believe you know my mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"Heh, knowing that isn't unusual, is it?"
"But to me, it's very unusual," Hagoromo shook his head. "Since you know my mother, do you also know about Ōtsutsuki Isshiki?"
Looking at Hagoromo, Kyomu wasn't sure of his intentions, whether he was an enemy or ally, or if he was testing him.
"Just state your business."
"Naruto has disappeared from the ninja world, taken to a space I cannot perceive."
"And this concerns me how?" Kyomu maintained his composure, though internally alarmed. He had altered many timelines in the ninja world, and the chain reactions were finally surfacing.
If Naruto combined with Isshiki, the resulting variables would be too many. Judging by Hagoromo's attitude, the situation seemed even more complex.
"It might not concern you directly, but it has significant implications for this world and the empire you've built."
Hagoromo had hit Kyomu's weak spot. Kyomu might have a laissez-faire attitude about some things, but he cherished the empire he had built. Everyone needs a reason to fight, and for Kyomu, that reason was expansion and conquest.
"Are you trying to shake my resolve?" Kyomu asked.
"It's not me; it's Isshiki. He will be your future adversary. I think you might need my help then."
"Help? You must have ulterior motives."
"Indeed, I have some needs, and in return, I will assist you as best I can. It's mutual assistance."
"Don't think I've forgotten how you've tried to trip me up before."
"I only did that for my sons," Hagoromo admitted, knowing Kyomu better than to beat around the bush. "The more I hide, the more impatient you become. Honesty works better."
"You are straightforward." Kyomu's attitude softened. "Tell me, what do you want me to do? And what can you offer in return?"
"I want you to help find Naruto and train him well."
"To eventually turn him against me?" Kyomu scoffed. "Hagoromo, you have some nerve."
"You can't conquer the stars without Naruto's help."
"Kakashi and the others can. My remaining subordinates can."
"Kyomu, you should understand that this is impossible. You, my brother, and my mother are like children compared to the overall strength of the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki."
Hagoromo assumed Kyomu knew this and skipped the preamble, going straight to the conclusion.
Kyomu didn't pretend to be ignorant. He didn't need to explain his knowledge; he let Hagoromo speculate.
"Your failures shouldn't be blamed on others," Kyomu shook his head. "If the Ōtsutsuki can meddle in the ninja world, then I can certainly meddle in their territory. Where enemies tread, we shall tread! Your lack of ambition is laughable. Despite your high starting point, you've ended up here. Don't you find that ridiculous?"
Hagoromo was stunned. "Where enemies tread, we shall tread..."
He repeated the phrase twice, his expression changing. "Kyomu, your ambition is unparalleled, truly admirable."
"Stop flattering me. If you can't offer better terms, I can handle these emergencies myself without your interference."
Hagoromo found himself in a difficult position, realizing he would have to pay dearly to secure Kyomu's cooperation.
(End of Chapter)
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
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