Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
Orochimaru had an impression of him, but it wasn't particularly deep.
He only remembered that Urashiki was fairly skilled.
However, Orochimaru didn't care.
With Kaguya handling the battle, and himself still present, victory was inevitable.
As he observed Kaguya's battle, Orochimaru finally pieced together some answers to his lingering questions.
Judging from Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki's arrogance and the power he had displayed.
What Kaguya feared wasn't Momoshiki himself, but rather the entire Ōtsutsuki clan.
Kaguya was likely strong enough to handle a single Momoshiki.
But if another Urashiki or Kinshiki appeared, she wouldn't stand a chance.
Not to mention other Ōtsutsuki clan members, all of whom possessed chakra.
So the true source of her fear, beyond the trauma of her past, was the overwhelming power of her clan.
Think about it.
Hundreds of Ōtsutsuki—each with the destructive power of a Perfect Jinchūriki.
Each possessing the Byakugan, each wielding Yin-Yang Release.
If such an army arrived on Earth, it would mean absolute annihilation.
Just like now.
If Orochimaru and his clones hadn't been here, Kaguya's fate would have repeated itself.
Either killed—or sealed once again.
---
"Kill them all!"
"Damn it, where did these guys come from?!"
"There's no end to them!"
"Damn it…!"
"Die!"
"Goodbye!"
The White Zetsu army and the clone army advanced together, sweeping toward the Ōtsutsuki stronghold like a relentless tide.
If one warrior couldn't win, there would be two.
If two couldn't win, there would be four.
Orochimaru had perfected the art of overwhelming force.
The battlefield was littered with countless corpses, making the war appear brutally tragic.
However.
The death of Momoshiki had dealt a heavy psychological blow to the remaining Ōtsutsuki.
After a full day of battle.
At the cost of over half his forces, Orochimaru, alongside Kaguya, finally annihilated the entire Ōtsutsuki clan.
This included countless high-ranking members—and even Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
What?
They exterminated every last Ōtsutsuki?
Even the elderly and children?
Too cruel?
Maybe.
Call Orochimaru a butcher if you want.
But he stood by his decision.
---
"It's over."
Standing atop the Ōtsutsuki Ancestral Star Castle, Kaguya gazed down at the war-ravaged planet, her white robes flowing in the wind.
Her expression was indifferent.
As a princess of the Ōtsutsuki, she had personally destroyed her own clan.
No one could understand what she was feeling—except for her.
"Yeah. Rest for two days, then we prepare to return to Earth."
Orochimaru stretched his arms. "For now, let's clean up the battlefield with Zetsu."
"Yes, Father!"
The Zetsu army departed with absolute obedience.
Orochimaru turned to Kaguya. "Let's go find a place to rest."
With that, he deactivated his Six Paths Mode and walked away.
"Orochimaru…"
She suddenly spoke.
"Thank you."
Orochimaru stopped.
"Huh? Didn't expect to hear that from you."
He laughed. "I'm actually surprised."
"Never mind… let's go."
Without another word, Orochimaru entered the castle.
Kaguya hesitated for a moment—then followed, her long robes dragging behind her.
---
One month later…
Earth. The Ninja World.
By Konoha's calendar, it was now November, Year 56.
Five kilometers outside the central city of the Land of Frost, a private villa stood in the suburbs.
The estate was immense, but its surroundings were even more unusual.
Fantasy, ocean, forest, desert, wasteland, lava, dense fog…
From the sky, these eight different terrains formed a pattern.
But the real secret of this place?
Each region was inhabited by a Tailed Beast.
Yes—Tailed Beasts.
The One-Tailed Shukaku resided in the desert.
The Two-Tailed Matatabi lived in the fantasy realm.
The Three-Tailed Isobu swam in the sea.
The Four-Tailed Son Gokū remained deep in the caves.
And so on—
Each Tailed Beast had its own domain.
Together, these eight beasts guarded this villa.
Even Bee, due to his close bond with Gyūki, often visited to chat.
At this moment, inside the villa.
In the courtyard, Kushina was teaching several children.
Meanwhile, Mikoto was making tea.
Inside the living room, Tsunade sat with Orochimaru, hosting some… unexpected guests.
Orochimaru frowned slightly, looking at the three women in front of him.
"Tsunade… what's going on?"
He recognized all three.
One had braided hair.
One wore a backless dress.
The last was dressed in deep blue robes.
"Some of the other villages wanted closer ties with you, so they sent them here."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully—then changed the subject.
"But at their age, isn't this a little inappropriate?"
Tsunade scoffed.
"You actually care about that?"
Orochimaru was immortal.
After a thousand years, would a mere ten or twenty-year age gap even matter?
Obviously not.
"Fair point. But…"
Orochimaru glanced at the three women and smirked.
"I understand Yugito from Kumo and Pakura from Suna…"
His eyes landed on the last woman.
"But… Mei Terumī?"
His smile deepened.
"Aren't you the Mizukage? What are you doing here?"
(To be continued.)