After much reflection, Pakura chose to believe everything Kazuki had said was true.
Because there was no reason—no need—for Kazuki to lie to her.
He wasn't a schemer like Rasa, or one of those hypocritical village elders who spent their days entangled in politics. He was a new kind of shinobi god—revered and feared by countless ninja—who had risen to the top of the shinobi world at just eighteen.
And more importantly, he was the kind of person who killed without hesitation… someone who wasn't shackled by worldly dogmas or empty reputation.
"I chose you because Isshiki discarded you. Tobirama rejected you. The Sage has no eyes on you. And you're strong enough to matter."
Kazuki nodded slowly.
"In terms of positioning, you're the perfect candidate to serve as a hidden ace. But right now, you're still too weak. You need to become stronger…"
A rainbow-hued chakra began to swirl in Kazuki's palm. He slowly extended his hand and placed it gently over Pakura's.
"Look into my eyes," he said softly.
Pakura's heart skipped a beat—but she obediently lifted her gaze.
In an instant, Kazuki's chakra began flowing into her body.
Once one reaches the level of an Asura or Indra-class existence, chakra becomes something akin to an externalized embodiment of the self—it can attach to living beings and subtly influence their thoughts and behavior.
And once someone attains the level of a Kekkei Mōra user or Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, the applications of chakra become practically limitless.
Even in the original timeline, after being struck by Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones and losing the power of the Ten-Tails, the former Jinchūriki Uchiha Obito could still transfer both of his Kamui abilities—and a complete Susanoo—to Kakashi.
"You don't need to fully understand everything about the Ōtsutsuki. What matters is that I've given you a portion of my power. Your role is vital to the fate of the shinobi world," Kazuki said.
Pakura, feeling the power surging within her, locked eyes with Kazuki, her gaze resolute.
"From here on out, I can't predict what will happen," he continued. "Whether it's Isshiki, the Sage of Six Paths, or me—who will ultimately prevail? But for both Kaguya and myself, we need to be believed."
"Much of the Rabbit Goddess's power comes from the faith people hold in their hearts."
Kazuki's voice was low and steady.
"At a critical moment, you must use the power I've granted you to break the genjutsu that Isshiki has cast on the affected shinobi… and to awaken the past heroes revived by Tobirama's Impure World Reincarnation. Free them from the Sage of Six Paths' control."
"Tell the world that the Sage is the true puppet master, hidden away in the Pure Land… and reveal the truth about Isshiki and Kaguya."
"Help them understand what's really going on—and when the very survival of the shinobi world hangs in the balance, have faith that Kaguya and I will win!"
Kazuki's words rang clear.
Pakura gave a firm nod. "Consider it done!"
Even if she didn't quite believe that faith alone could influence a battle of Ōtsutsuki-level scale…
If Kazuki said it mattered, then it had to mean something.
She knew her role. Just completing the mission Kazuki entrusted to her would be a success in itself.
In that sense, Pakura was something like the shinobi world's ideal task-doer—a model subordinate with a mindset not unlike Hatake Sakumo's, but from Sunagakure's side.
"Remember to stay hidden, Pakura…" Kazuki's figure began to fade.
Deep within Kazuki's body, Kaguya hesitated, then fell silent.
From the way Kazuki had arranged things, Kaguya could tell he was trying to awaken the Gaia consciousness—the collective awareness of the shinobi world.
He had picked someone like Pakura: abandoned by Isshiki, unnoticed by the Sage of Six Paths, but still capable—a wild card. She would reveal the 'truth' to the people, clarifying the nature of the crisis and reigniting their fighting spirit.
But there was just one problem.
The 'truth' Kazuki wanted her to spread—wasn't actually the truth!
Sure, if she were just tricking Kazuki, Kaguya still had the confidence to pull it off…
But putting on a whole show in front of both Isshiki and the Sage of Six Paths?
That was a tall order for someone like her, who wasn't exactly the smoothest talker…
If she slipped up, everything would fall apart!
"I'm not the chakra-harvesting Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—I'm the Rabbit Goddess who protects the shinobi world…"
Kaguya took a deep breath, mentally repeating to herself: "I'm a protector, not a destroyer!"
And that wasn't all.
She even started mentally rehearsing what kind of reaction she should have if she ended up in a confrontation with the Sage or Isshiki—especially if Pakura were shouting that 'truth' right next to her.
Just thinking about it made her break out in a cold sweat…
But for the sake of Kazuki's trust—
Kaguya forced herself to push past her dread and kept refining her talking points over and over.
Kazuki, meanwhile, wasn't overthinking any of it.
Was Pakura important?
She was useful, yes—but not essential.
She was a disposable piece on the board. Just provoking Kaguya into emotionally unleashing Yomotsu Hirasaka as a system reward was already enough. For a minor shinobi not even at Kage level, that alone meant she had gloriously fulfilled her role.
Even without her, Kazuki believed that someone like Senju Tobirama would eventually deduce the 'truth' on his own.
Besides…
If Tobirama somehow failed—
Wasn't Uchiha Izuna still around?
Kazuki had no doubt.
Under his subtle orchestration, Senju Tobirama—his long-time comrade—and Uchiha Izuna—the most familiar stranger in his life…
With the combined intellect of these two legendary strategists of the shinobi world, Kazuki was certain they would eventually deduce the truth:
That he had been misled and manipulated by Kaguya.
And then, there was Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu, who had once gone so far as to sacrifice the precious chakra Kaguya had given it, just to empower Uchiha Obito…
This made Kazuki wonder:
If Obito had risked his life to save Black Zetsu—who would it choose in the end?
Would it stay loyal to Kaguya… or side with Uchiha Obito?
And if Kaguya were to witness Black Zetsu's betrayal with her own eyes, choosing Obito over her…
How would she feel?
Just imagining these scenarios that hadn't even happened yet, Kazuki could almost hear the shimmering sound of gold coins cascading to the ground—a sweet, melodic symphony of potential payoff.
"It's time to move out, Kaguya…" Kazuki said softly. "According to what I've sensed, the Allied Shinobi Forces are advancing toward the Land of Water."
"They were utterly crippled in our last encounter. There's no way they'd have the resolve to wage war again. The only explanation behind this anomaly… is Isshiki."
Kaguya gave a slow nod, a flicker of hesitation flashing through her eyes. She spoke quietly: "Kazuki, if it really comes down to a fight… I'll lend you all my strength."
"Just don't underestimate the Sage of Six Paths and Isshiki. One has been preparing for over a thousand years, and the other is a pure-blooded main family member. Even without the Ten-Tails, I don't have much confidence left…"
"You've already done so much for the shinobi world. As long as you're alive, there is still hope. Do you understand what I mean? This isn't cowardice—it's a path toward ultimate victory…"
A flash of surprise crossed Kazuki's mind.
Had their time together changed her?
Somehow… it felt like Kaguya had gotten a lot better at lying through her teeth.
"I understand, Kaguya…"
Kazuki smiled gently. "Don't worry. I'm not bringing you to your death—I'm bringing you to victory."
A quiet sense of calm settled over Kaguya.
Kazuki's promises always gave her a kind of reassurance she had never experienced before.
It was like learning a difficult combat technique—if Kazuki was the one teaching it, then she believed without question that she could master it.
...
Several days later.
Senju Tobirama, accompanied by the elite shinobi of Kirigakure and Konohagakure, arrived at the sea where Kazuki had been sealed.
Through the thick seawater, they stared down at the black coffin buried deep below—a shape they could not even truly see.
The Kazuki Rescue Plan…
Was about to begin!
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