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Moon Castle.
With Kazuki's arrival accompanied by the yōkai, the vast, once-empty castle became considerably more lively.
Fūta, who had once studied swordsmanship under Onikiri alongside Sasuke, immediately sought Sasuke out upon seeing him, and the two ran outside the castle to spar.
The other yōkai also rushed out enthusiastically to watch the spectacle.
"Sasuke-kun's swordsmanship seems rather unusual."
Orochimaru observed Sasuke utilizing the Full Concentration Breathing technique from a distance, commenting to Kazuki.
"It's merely a training method that uses breathing to enhance physical constitution."
Kazuki offered no detailed explanation.
"Breathing, is it? That is indeed a research direction worth exploring."
Orochimaru smiled faintly and continued watching the swordplay exchange between Sasuke and Fūta.
"By the way, Orochimaru."
Kazuki drew a sheaf of documents from his sleeve and handed them over.
"This is an overview of the space defense network outlined in my plan. Perhaps you might find it interesting?"
"Oh?"
Orochimaru accepted them with evident interest and began to read.
"Kazuki-kun, are you not concerned about me knowing too much?"
"It's of no consequence. In matters concerning the confrontation with the Ōtsutsuki clan, I trust you." Kazuki stated.
Of course, this was because the document contained only a broad outline.
The specific structural details of the barrier network were something he would not allow anyone but himself to see.
"In that case, I thank Kazuki-kun for his trust." Orochimaru let out a few raspy chuckles and continued flipping through the papers in his hand.
"Come to think of it, Kazuki-kun's plan is truly on a grand scale."
"It's an unavoidable necessity," Kazuki replied with a tone of resignation. "After all, compared to the Ōtsutsuki clan, the power of our home planet remains far too weak. I have no choice but to utilize every available resource to stand against them."
"That is also true."
Orochimaru smiled again and put away the documents.
"Kazuki-kun, you don't mind if I take these back for more detailed study?"
"Please, be my guest. It would be wonderful if you could propose better suggestions." Kazuki smiled. "After all, your brain is different from most. You always view things from a research perspective, which is quite similar to my own approach."
"Indeed. That is likely why we get along so well."
Orochimaru gave a soft laugh.
As they spoke, the sparring match concluded on the other side.
Sasuke, without employing any means other than pure swordsmanship, had defeated Fūta for the first time in a swordplay exchange.
"Hmph, you've improved quite a bit, Sasuke!" Fūta's eyes held a look of reluctance to admit his defeat.
"However, I'll win next time!"
"Heh, I'll be waiting for your challenge." Sasuke sheathed his sword, raising his chin slightly.
"Hmph!"
Pricked by Sasuke's proud demeanor, Fūta gripped his own sword tightly, turned, and walked away.
Kazuki watched the scene with a soft chuckle, then turned, took Yūrei's hand, and also began walking toward the castle's exit.
"Kazuki-kun, are you going to create new satellites now? You don't mind if I observe, do you?"
Orochimaru smiled as he followed along.
"Of course not."
Kazuki certainly couldn't stop him.
After walking a certain distance, Kazuki released Yūrei's hand and walked alone to the edge of the lunar surface, beginning to repeat the process of satellite creation from the previous day.
The massive commotion naturally attracted the yōkai's attention as well, and they all came running to watch.
Yūrei held out a hand, stopping a few eager yōkai who tried to get too close, ensuring everyone observed from a safe distance.
As several enormous meteors descended from the sky, the yōkai let out excited exclamations of surprise.
Unlike the generally alarmed reaction of the shinobi the day before, the yōkai, possessing greater inherent trust in Kazuki, felt not a trace of fear.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
As the black sphere carrying immense gravitational force ascended, the meteors were drawn in, compressed, and once again formed a massive satellite.
Kazuki used Shinra Tensei to propel and position the satellite into the moon's orbital path.
Afterward, Kazuki dispatched two paper clones to the two satellites to set up the broadcast arrays, while his main body returned to the castle rooms with Yūrei.
"Kazuki, according to your plan, the teleportation arrays on the satellites are also crucial, right? Aren't you going to set those up personally?"
Yūrei curiously examined the room, decorated and furnished in a style completely different from Mount Ōe's, as she asked.
"It's fine. Paper clones, since they don't need to breathe, actually have an advantage over my main body when flying in space."
Kazuki led her to sit on a sofa on the balcony.
"Wait a moment. We're going to make a trip to Yomi Hell."
He turned and began setting up a barrier that enveloped the room.
"Hmm? To Yomi?" Yūrei was somewhat surprised.
"Yes. You probably want to go too, don't you?" Kazuki looked back with a gentle smile. "After all, you and Lady Kaori have always been close."
"Not particularly."
Yūrei shook her head.
"I already said my proper goodbyes to Kaori."
Kazuki formed the final seal to activate the barrier, then walked back to stand before Yūrei. He crouched down and took her hands in his.
"Heh. It's because you were waiting for me to return, isn't it? That's why you declined their invitations."
He looked into her eyes.
"After all, even Kenetsugu went to visit."
"Hmph, I already said I just didn't want to go that much!" Yūrei averted her gaze. "Yomi is gloomy and not all that fun. It definitely wasn't because of you!"
"Alright." Kazuki laughed.
"Then let's just say you're accompanying me on this trip. Is that okay?"
"Since you're asking me like that, I suppose I can..." Yūrei nodded.
Kazuki pulled her to her feet. Before them, a black, irregular spatial rift appeared.
"One moment."
Kazuki patted Yūrei's head, walked over to the bed, and lay down. His soul left his body.
"Let's go."
Kazuki's spirit form took Yūrei's hand once more, and the two stepped into the spatial passage together.
Inside the passage was pitch black. Yūrei held Kazuki's hand tightly, following closely in his steps.
"You've come." King Enma's voice resonated.
Yūrei opened her eyes. Before her sat King Enma upon a high dais, with Chiri and Izuna beside Him, assisting with various administrative tasks.
"Where's Madara?"
Kazuki, still holding Yūrei's hand, walked directly up the steps to the dais.
"Heh. He claimed fatigue from having his power borrowed by you, so he went to rest." King Enma replied.
"Since when did THE Madara start using such excuses?" Kazuki couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Back when Izuna said Madara would come to help, I had my doubts. After all, Madara isn't the type willing to deal with these trivial matters."
"Hmph." Izuna's face was cold. He snorted but said nothing.
"What's the matter?" Kazuki asked softly, throwing a meaningful glance toward Chiri.
"Madara likely went to find Senju Hashirama to drink." Chiri answered quietly.
"Ohh..."
"Hmph."
Izuna snorted again in displeasure, forcefully setting down a document he was holding.
Kazuki shook his head and turned back to King Enma. "Your Majesty, do you know where the yōkai who came to Yomi Hell for leisure are currently located?"
"By the Sea of Red Spider Lilies next to the River Sanzu. That area has become Kaori's domain now."
King Enma answered without looking up.
"Thank you. We'll head over then."
Kazuki took Yūrei's hand and turned to walk out of the grand hall.