Naruto: Tales of Ashihara
The Shinden Saga – Arc 4: The Otsutsuki War
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Chapter 145 – Mission of Order
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In the large desert of an unidentified world, Seiki Tomoe and Fuyuko Yamanaka stare in amazement and confusion at the one who just freed them from their jail. Levitating in the sky, illuminated by two suns behind her, is Naobi Otsutsuki.
"You're the great Naobi-sama! The goddess of purity and order!" Seiki repeats herself, unable to believe it. "Am I dreaming? This can't be happening. Did I die in my sleep?"
"Yeah, of course! And you had the luck to be trapped in the afterlife with me!" Fuyuko mocks her, unable to take this seriously. "Look at that chick, Seiki! Those horns and the symbols on the little clothes she wears… She's not a spiritual god that can grant your wishes. She's just another of those Otsutsuki guys."
"No." the celestial woman decides to speak. "You made no mistake, Seiki Tomoe. I am Naobi, the goddess of order, purity and creation. The one worshiped as a sacred deity by the people of Shin no Kuni. The benefactor of the Tomoe clan."
Seiki is left speechless, flabbergasted by this revelation. Even though she just stood up, the glorious image of her goddess makes her lose balance and fall back on her butt in the sand. Fuyuko, a lot more pessimistic and godless as his former cellmate, puffs and stands up. He slaps his thighs to wash the sand away from his prison uniform, clears his throat and prepares to address this encounter.
"Ok, so, Naobi. You're a super magic wish granting entity. Yet you don't really look like a blue CGI Will Smith. You're more like a cosmic loli. Why did you, as a goddess, choose to have your ass look like an uncolored Tatsumaki?"
Seiki stays quiet and just stares with pain and disgust in her eyes at Fuyuko who's making sure to express his discontent by acting as disrespectful as he can. Naobi lets him speak. Unlike them, she does not have many questions waiting to be answered and the heat of the two stars in this sky doesn't bother her.
"I mean…" Fuyuko prepares to go on with these comparisons. "You do look like a sassy lost child. Your voice kinda sounds like a little girl's. You're very likely able to make tornadoes and use telekinetic powers. You're definitely arrogant and insufferable. And you're wearing only one piece of clothing which is this large mantle… I'm sure you also don't have any panties under that thing… But do people of your kind even have genitals to hide anyway?"
Naobi stays quiet, only waiting for the Yamanaka to leave his state of ironic euphoria to listen to her explanation for this sudden summoning. Fuyuko, not satisfied by the lack of reaction of the goddess despite his obvious provocation, waits for a serious answer to his last question. Assuming he won't get one, he carelessly takes a step and leans forward while looking up to peek under the levitating woman's clothes and get a visual answer.
This stupid play is now going a bit too far for Naobi who doesn't leave him time to please his eye and takes action without any apparent movement.
Sharin-Byakugan
Without any eye contact, she casts a Genjutsu on Fuyuko that shows him, from his perspective, his head falling from his body and fluttering away, out of sight for the private parts of the goddess. Since the illusion was made painless, Fuyuko, seeing his headless body fall down before him, makes an awkward face and still finds the will to continue his game.
"Ah… I guess you do have something more or less human-like to hide down there if you gotta react like that." he comments, unbothered.
This added provocation finally irritates Naobi for real. No one in thousands of years has ever acted so mindless toward her. From how she sees it, this human needs to be taught a lesson.
Tsukuyomi
Using her Dojutsu, she remakes the illusion previously cast and distorts the Yamanaka's perception of time, life and logic. This allows her to let him see his own death in hundreds of different scenarios, all within an instant. Seiki sees the trembling and hears the gasps of her friend whose chakra is very distinctively twinkling in and out for just a few intense seconds. Frightened by this punishment, her lips tremble and sweat as she tries to crawl away.
Yet, Fuyuko, once freed of this mind prison, has a way less dramatic reaction. After falling on his knees, out of balance, He shakes his head and comes back to reality. He looks around and sees Seiki's shocked face and posture, and Naobi who came closer to the ground. Looking into her eyes, he understands exactly what happened and immediately weighs its intensity in comparison with what Takeshi's demonic illusion made him feel.
"Well…" he says with a chuckle. "That was wacky. Wouldn't like to be that guy."
This lack of concern doesn't really impress Naobi, but it sure intrigues her. She purposefully lightened its effect, but to still be so little affected by Tsukuyomi, that man must have had his mind exposed to worse illusions and strengthened by the experience. Yet, despite this odd non compliance, he won't get any form of respect from her.
To quickly take care of the reason she approached him, she raises her staff and points it toward him. This is a simple gesture that eases the detection of any sub-spirit or hidden trace of chakra in this human's body. Hopefully, she doesn't find anything. She's now taken all the precautions she needed before completing the mission of order she was given.
"Yamanaka Fuyuko, …" she declares, ready to explain herself before leaving them alone. "Your lack of respect and sensitivity deserve no praise or recognition. You will receive no apology or wish granted from myself for this unannounced solicitation."
Fuyuko, even though he endured the illusion, understands the annoyance he is and accepts this scolding. He stands up silently and complies with the goddess' decision. Seiki, seeing the calm returned, joins his side. Looking around, Fuyuko decides to take things seriously.
"Where are we?" he kindly asks.
"We are on a desert planet, in another dimension, far from planet Earth." Naobi explains to them. "I've brought you here to avoid any tracking from the prison you were locked in. I needed to meet you, Yamanaka, only to ensure that my mission wouldn't have unwanted consequences. Since you were in contact with my nephew Momoshiki when you were younger, I suspected that he sealed a fragment of his soul and energy within yours. Had it been the case, preventing his resurrection using Oshio Uchiha would have triggered the same reincarnation process to take place within your body. And this would have been completed in very little time, considering that you aren't sealed in any way unlike your former leader. Gladly, Momoshiki didn't think it through that far. Neither you, nor any of the other potential vessels I inspected before you, was used as a backup plan. Oshio Uchiha is the only one he cursed."
Fuyuko looks sadly at Seiki who just gazes back confusingly after hearing this explanation. To him, knowing that he isn't prey to Momoshiki's soul is relieving even though he had no idea this was possible. But to be reminded that Oshio is still condemned in such a way pains him. He is among the few who were told by Oshio himself about his sealed fate.
Seiki, unaware of Oshio's current situation, didn't understand Naobi's explanation and therefore stayed silent. But for the Yamanaka, more than regrets, it brings up a question.
"And… What is your mission exactly?" he asks her, thinking she might target his friend. "I mean, if it's to prevent Momoshiki's return, how would you do it?"
"I don't intend to take any human life myself." Naobi answers with no further detail, having guessed what Fuyuko suspected and making sure to reassure him. "I will now bring you back to Earth." she adds as she prepares to open a portal.
"Wait!" Seiki exclaims, which doesn't stop Naobi from simply using Chimatakami to create a space rift. This however makes her wait afterwards, which feels awkward for Seiki but leaves her time to discuss with the goddess she used to worship. "Sorry, Naobi-sama, I just would like to ask a few things." she says while bowing down.
"I'm listening, Seiki Tomoe." the goddess replies.
"I-… Why didn't you help us?" the Tomoe girl spells out a combination of all her interrogations that sounds like a cry for help, to Naobi's surprise. "I mean the Tomoe clan. I mean Lady Gozen Tomoe. Why did you let the Otsutsuki kill her and steal our land? This alone is what started the downfall of my clan and the lands of Heart. If you're really the goddess we put our faith in, why didn't you protect us? Why didn't you answer our prayers?"
Fuyuko raises an eyebrow and curiously looks at Naobi, waiting to see how she intends to answer that. What answer she could give intrigues him. Will she shake Seiki's faith or manage to restore it?
"The prayers of the Tomoe clan in my name… have been heard and answered." Naobi declares. "You asked for strength to rule and prosper, and so I've granted your wish in the form of a blessing. All the newborns of Gozen Tomoe's clan, like yourself, were granted chakra and bodies like the Senju and life energy like the Uzumaki. However, as every gift of Kami Musubi comes at a price, your clan paid for its hatred toward men and foreigners. In exchange for my benediction, you lost the ability to self sustain your demography without the help of outsiders. Only women are born within your clan, forcing you to rely on foreign men to procreate."
After this fatal explanation that left Seiki speechless, Naobi goes through her portal and leaves it open for the two cellmates to follow. Shaken by this unbearably logical answer, Seiki stands still. Fuyuko slowly nods, acknowledging the goddess' tale that perfectly explains both the Tomoe clan's unique strength and exclusive femininity.
"Girl just explained your clan's whole lore." he jokingly says to the Tomoe girl before hopping in the space rift. Disconcerted, Seiki follows as well to avoid being left in another world.
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On the other side, Fuyuko indeed recognizes the feeling and the energy of his home world. However, to his disappointment, he wasn't brought back to his prison cell. Instead, they are in the middle of nowhere in between rocky mountains. He looks up to see Naobi looking in a specific direction as if something got her attention there. Then, she looks down at Seiki.
"Seiki Tomoe, I didn't intend to have you involved. As an apology, I may grant you one wish with Kami Musubi. Whenever you make your choice, call my name and I shall appear." Naobi says before looking back to where she was gazing.
Izunome
Before Fuyuko has time to complain about the chosen place, the Otsutsuki vanishes and leaves them behind.
"What the hell?" he yells. "Ma'am could have at least called an Uber! I don't even know where we are!… Is that… the land of Earth?" he adds after analyzing his surroundings.
Seiki, behind him, stays calm. Like him, she doesn't know what much to do with this given freedom. To make her decision, she wonders about all that she learned from this mystic encounter. Fuyuko calms down and tries to guess what Naobi was looking at before leaving. This direction is where Oshio is… He suddenly feels an urge to visit his friend, but knows it wouldn't be allowed.
Since he doesn't have anywhere else to go, he might as well just go back where he belongs. Having chosen his destination, he goes forward. Seiki, not yet decided, sees her cellmate get on his way.
"Where are you going?" she asks.
"Ain't that obvious? Back in Konoha's jail." he answers. "I figured going to Iwa first and explaining the situation is the easiest way to get there… And you?"
Seiki, looking in his direction, also thinks of Oshio and Naobi's mission. Fuyuko was just the last of several candidates that were in contact with Momoshiki. This reminds her of someone else.
"Do you think Naobi-sama also visited Lady Meinu?" she asks Fuyuko who doesn't seem to care.
"Why would I know? I honestly don't give a fuck what that psycho is up to." he replies.
Seiki doesn't react to this. Now that she's free from prison, her first thought is obviously to find Meinu again, but she has no idea how to find an S-rank wanted criminal by herself. So she instead focuses on thinking of the answer she was given by the goddess of order. This made her feel an odd pride and nostalgia for her roots.
"Well… Since I have nowhere else to go… I think I'll go home… In Ketsugakure, and tell my clan about what Naobi-sama said."
Fuyuko sees her get on her way and lets her go. After 3 years spent rotting in the same cell, the two former Kakumei members part ways.
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Above the pit of the volcano in which the infamous prison of Iwa is built, Oshio Uchiha sits and waits for time to consume him. During the last 2 years, his hair grew to reach below his shoulder blades. His chakra and the eye in his left palm stayed sealed all along, Yet, judging from his paler hair and skin, it didn't prevent the growth of Momoshiki within him.
In his boredom, he stands up and faces toward Iwa. Just yesterday, it seemed like something terrible happened there, and he senses traces of a strange and massive chakra in the air since then. It makes him feel like all his senses are slowly fading away. People witnessing from up close shouldn't even be able to maintain consciousness. This energy is also very subtle. Outside of Iwa and its surrounding, it must be totally unperceived.
Yet, he has no way of investigating it further, and no one to give an explanation. Since it happened, he feels like his prison isn't even secured by guards anymore. Nobody brought him his meal of the day either. It's like he's been left behind, or like all of Iwa stopped functioning.
Deep in his thoughts, wondering if the invaders from outer world he warned Izuna about have finally made their move, he's startled by the gentle voice of a mystical character.
"Oshio Uchiha, former ruler of Shin no Kuni, leader of Kakumei, vessel of Momoshiki. Lost firstborn of Sakura and Sasuke Uchiha…" he hears. "My name is Naobi Otsutsuki, goddess of creation, order and purity. I sit among the Shinden, divine lords looking over all of creation… I have come by demand of our sovereign, the great Ryu Shinsen."
Oshio turns around and focuses on deciphering the cosmic energy of this woman, unable to see her. The introduction she's given is more than enough for him to understand his situation. What he felt in Iwa must be the doing of another of her clan.
"I see…" he says. "What I foretold happened. The gods have come upon us and no one mighty enough is here to protect the ninja world… Naobi Otsutsuki, whether you are an ally or enemy to Momoshiki, you're certainly no friend to me. It's ironic that my judgment has to be delivered by the one goddess I tried to erase from Hikari… Before you get rid of me, I just have one question. Which path have you gods embraced? The way of the Absolute Spirit, or Sincerity?"
Naobi is first disconcerted by the Uchiha's calm and awareness. She can't help but feel guilt when she sees how miserable he is. After all, his whole life, even his birth, was stolen by her nephew, using her own power. Yet, her mission has to be completed, and she can only show so much mercy.
"The laws of the Shinden is the path of Sincerity. Turning to the Taikyo for distinction has to be strictly forbidden." she answers his question.
"… I believe true wisdom and transcendence can only be achieved that way." Oshio theorizes.
"Trust me, what you know of the Taikyo is insignificant. All it takes is fear and arrogance to go down its path. Many are those who felt the need to possess its power. They all thought they could own it, and they all turned out as pawns in its game." Naobi explains before raising her hand with her palm facing the prisoner in his cell. "I hold no grudge against you, Oshio Uchiha. I am here to fulfill my mission. A mission of order."
The former leader of Kakumei, having learned to sense movements and chakra to surpass his blindness, raises his chin and stands ready. He doesn't know what the fulfillment of this goddess' task implies, but it certainly is connected to the devil growing in him. It is the only reason that would make him matter to such beings. Whether it kills or free him, he is ready to accept it.
This is the path he's chosen. Yet all he could obtain from the way of the Taikyo is an indifference to death. Sincerity is how he defines the path of the 7th Hokage. To think that the goddess Naobi would agree with it is astounding, but it serves as a lesson. Whether Sincerity is the right path to prosperity or not only depends on him, Naruto Uzumaki.
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Six days later, Naobi Otsutsuki didn't return to Earth after completing her task. Instead, she ensured the well going of her clan's migration from their home world to the moon. She is now making sure that Ashihara doesn't suffer from their absence until their return. There is still no one outside of Iwa who is aware of anything that has happened there a week ago. This is soon to change however.
Fuyuko Yamanaka had to rest hidden in a little vagabond village of the mountains to partially recover from his long captivity and get new shoes, despite his intention to go back to jail. Seiki Tomoe, to avoid crossing the deadly savage lands of the Shikkotsu forest, had to follow the frontier of the land of Earth until she got to the land of Rain. She now intends to cross this country, and then the desert of the land of Wind before reaching the southern ocean.
In Konoha, Boruto Hyuga kept going with his training. Sasuke Uchiha spent his time with his daughter Sarada. And the 7th Hokage left only a few clones to run the village. The original is with thousands of clones, training at Mount Myoboku to perfect the skills that should be key to the toughest challenge humanity has faced so far.
These few days with no order given by the Ryu Shinsen seem to be intentional. He probably wanted to leave enough time for his clan to install themselves on the moon, but also for the protectors of Earth to prepare themselves. For Tokubei Otsutsuki, these days were no different from the few before. He has been patiently waiting since his last meeting with the Uchiha for Yamitsuki to summon him. And he now finally received his call.
The Dragon Sage is sitting alone and waiting in the council room of the great sapphire palace he's built on the moon to replace the dark crystal temple of Izumo. There, the masked Otsutsuki joins him and calmly sits down with him. He has no worries or doubts about this meeting, and only expects to get the authorization and orders he wants.
"You seem relaxed, Yamitsuki-sama." Tokubei comments on the ruler's posture. "Or maybe simply deep in your thoughts? Is there a reason why?"
"Do you think all that I have let happen in my reign bothers me, Tokubei? Do you think, despite my statements, that I care about the consequences?"
"… The way I, and only I, see it is… the only thing that matters to you is the outcome." the Rinnegan user suggests. "And all the unruly acts you allowed were actually going your way. What you really couldn't care less about is your rivals. You know that no matter how far they go, they will never be threatening to you, because even if they could, they'd be stopped before getting this chance by others who care more than you. That is exactly how things went for Momoshiki. It is also why you never tried to stop your former disciple, the god slayer Shitsuki, despite his ongoing opposition with the Tenshin. Yet, your lack of interest is not limitless. You still had to eliminate Saraya, your youngest student, when she found your core dimension…"
Reminded of the dark path that one of his former students embraced, and the terrible fate he forced onto another, Yamitsuki side-eyes his interlocutor. As what is hidden in his realm was mentioned, Yamitsuki remembers the final answer that Ayaka Otsutsuki gave to his last question. As Tokubei just cleverly explained, the Dragon Sage only lets things happen because they serve him. And so will his fellow's next missions.
"Unlike with Naobi, there is no border I can cross with how far I demand that you go, Tokubei." he praises his friend's faith.
"Yamitsuki-sama, I've told you many times before. It's just the two of us here. You don't have to call me by that name." the masked man reminds him.
"Naobi must have completed her mission of order." Yamitsuki replies, ignoring this demand as always and moving on to the reason for this private meeting. "By doing so, she should have prevented the reincarnation of Momoshiki with Onmyo Fushi Tensei. Now his only way back to life is the Tenshin. And to cancel this possibility is something I can not ask from her."
"So you're asking me to erase the stigmata that will resurrect him." Tokubei guesses, satisfied. "Then I have your authorization, and even order, to kill Sasuke Uchiha."
"That is not all." the Dragon sage adds. "Before that, there are two simpler tasks I need you to fulfill. In the hidden village of Kiri lives the shinobi who stood against Hyakki, Takeshi Minamoto. Naobi and I have the same suspicions about him. Without knowing what, I need you to visit him and see if you have the same feeling. If you do, confirm it… And while you are there, the Sanmeigan of Sakitsuki should very soon recover its sight. Bring her to this moon, back to the clan."
"I see… Just these 2 things, and Sasuke Uchiha. Is there anything else?" Tokubei says, satisfied regardless.
"Depending on the outcome of your current tasks, I may ask more later."
"And to what end should I fulfill these missions? Is it connected to the Dragon Emperor's prophecy,… or to what we hide in your dimension?"
"Either both or neither. I will not answer that question." Yamitsuki calmly says, thinking of how complicated the next tasks of Tokubei could become, depending on the outcomes of these.
Even though he's intrigued by this answer, Tokubei elects not to question it further. The Ryu Shinsen shares his deepest secrets with him. Secrets that not even Naobi-sama should ever learn of. That he now speaks of intentions he wishes to keep only to himself must be for a good reason. One thing is sure, no negative intentions could motivate him. So Tokubei stands up and prepares to leave, aware of his tasks.
"Wait…" Yamitsuki calls him just to give a warning. "As you know, I have fought against Sasuke Uchiha. I may not think of him as high as I do of Naruto, but his battle intellect is not to be underestimated. It is one of the greatest I have seen, despite being from only a decades old human. Since you have faced him in the past, you should not rest on your laurels. Do not refer to how much resistance he showed back then. Being given a second chance, it is very likely that he managed to surpass you as a threat."
"To surpass me?" Tokubei mockingly exclaims. "I know all his weaknesses and strengths, and I knew even better of the other lives of Indra. Sasuke Uchiha is nowhere near the level of mind power and ambition that Madara Uchiha and Indra himself had. I know him all too well, yet he knows nothing of me. No matter how intelligent he can be, there is much more I can take and learn from him than he'll have the chance to get from me."
"… This is a quite hateful statement, god of winter." Yamitsuki calmly blames him. "After all these years, you are still so alike to the soul of an Uchiha. Like even centuries of life cannot always change who we are deep inside… Consider my advice. You should never underestimate a rival."
"How would you know? Not like you ever knew anyone to consider as a rival." Tokubei complains. "Not even Isshiki could qualify as such. Who are you thinking of, that you could see as a worthy opponent?"
"It is not a matter of power, but wit, wisdom and will. The reason I can esteem a person to this extent is that, as I said, a rival is not to be underestimated."
"… Ah… Asura, the yellow fox, you mean…" the masked man guesses, pissed off by the respect given to Indra's rival. "Maybe his soul has been just as dishonored as Indra's with this last generation… Asura originally wasn't as forgiving as his avatars. He was as determined to win as Indra. This one, Naruto Uzumaki, would never give up on a second chance. And neither would he give up on his self-given mission. Yet, no matter how far he can push himself against you, whether the outcome goes his way or not, he will not make it out alive. And he must be well aware of that."
After this warning, the god of paths leaves, to get ready for his tasks. Alone in the room, the Ryu Shinsen's thoughts are focused on Tokubei's words. According to Naobi, the Hokage is determined to face him again. Will he really grow powerful enough to take on this battle? Or will he just condemn the Dragon Sage to balance the universe on his own.
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Meanwhile, the same questions come to Naruto's mind. Isolated in mount Myoboku, thousands of clones of the 7th Hokage are training, spectated by Gamakichi and other giant toad warriors. The original Naruto is following the advice of Toneri Otsutsuki and experimenting the shape shifting of his Gudodama, while his clones are all trying to reproduce the Dragon Sage's method to create new orbs.
By holding one Gudodama in his hand and making its chakra revolve like in a Suiton – Rasengan, he manages to make it flow like water. Having understood the process, he summons his other orbs and makes them sparser and merged until they flow like liquid following his will.
"This would be even easier with gas." Kurama suggests, which makes him want to try.
As he prepares to do so, he wonders if it could be of any use against the Ryu Shinsen, who probably already mastered these tricks. The best way to use the Gudodama is still to have them shaped into efficient weapons, so maybe he should focus on elaborating something that fits his style. But before that, he needs more orbs to return. Since he arrived at mount Myoboku, he's had 5000 clones who did nothing but try to make more Gudodama, but only 2 were created and it was unintentional and misunderstood.
Fortunately, right now, just before Naruto can start trying to take his orbs to gaseous state, he's distracted by the shouts of one clone.
"Yosha! Guys! I got it!" he exclaims, drawing all the Naruto's and toad's attention on him.
The clone is holding a brand new Gudodama in the palm of his hand that the original manipulates to bring along his 5 others, making a current total of 6 out of 10.
"Well well! He's gonna figure it out, isn't he?" Gamakichi comments, praising his summoner.
"… I still have no idea how they do any of this." Gamatatsu, his brother, complains.
"Listen guys!" the clone exclaims before explaining how he perceives the process. "Toneri's right! This ball is just like a piece of mind. Gathering and mixing the chakra is easy with Kurama's method. You'd think the tough part is to merge body, mind and nature, but you actually just gotta see it like Kage Bunshin. It's just like making a clone, but to duplicate your soul, not body."
All the clones look at each other confusingly, finding it hard to understand. Gamabunta, father of Gamakichi, shares his thoughts.
"You mean… A Kage Bunshin is your chakra turned into a copy of your body that instinctively adopts your mind when animated. And a Gudodama, if you're right, is chakra turned into a copy of your soul that adopts this black ball shape as a body?"
"… Yeah… Kinda." the clone replies. "But like… A fragment of your soul… I guess 10 orbs is what it'd take to mobilize our whole soul."
This makes the original Naruto wonder about possibilities with Kurama. Since the clones are at their task, only he communicates with the Biju who gets a crazy idea from these suggestions.
"So… You can manifest a reflection of your soul and chakra with these orbs which explains why they act like extensions of your body… And making clones is making more bodies… Then what if you made both at the same time?"
"You mean a clone with Gudodama?" Naruto asks.
"More like a clone in body and soul." Kurama has just time to say before their conversation is cut short by the sudden intervention of another Biju.
"Hello Naruto, and Kurama. Long time no see." Gyuki, the 8-tailed ushioni, speaks. "Sorry for intruding but there is an important matter we have to discuss, as ordered by the Raikage."
"Hey yo! Naruto-boy!" Killer Bee, jinchuriki of Gyuki, exclaims to get his attention.
"Uh? Hey Octopops!" Naruto happily answers. "Good to see you're doing well, What's up?"
"Nothing but sold out shows, and crazy bitch and hoes! They are all fighting over me, the one and only Killer Bee!" he sings, which entertains Naruto but annoys the two Biju.
"Just tell us what it's about." Kurama hurriedly says, to stop Bee's rap.
"Darui-chan needs you in Kumo soon!" he continues to reply. "We gonna blow up the fucking Moon!" he adds as he stands up on Gyuki's head and raises one hand with his fingers in the sign of horns.
"What? Blow up the moon?" Naruto and Kurama exclaim together.
"Well, yes…" Hachibi explains. "Sasuke Uchiha reported that the Otsutsuki clan now lives there. So destroying it could have all of them killed at once, or at least chase them away."
"Okay I see the point, but isn't it way too soon to consider a mass murder?" the Hokage questions.
"What more should happen for you to consider that? Hostilities are definitely in." the Biju replies, causing the Kyubi and his host to stare at him and at each other confusingly.
"Oh no… Gyuki, they don't even know what happened yet?" Bee worriedly says.
"What happened?" Naruto asks eagerly.
"The Otsutsuki clan's invasion has begun. One of them has neutralized the Tsuchikage and taken over Iwagakure." Hachibi reveals, to Naruto and Kurama's unpleasant surprise.
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End of Chapter 145 – Next Chapter: New Queen of Iwa