Kaguya officially settled down in Konoha.
However, the place arranged for her was not the Konoha Guesthouse, nor any ordinary residence within the village. Instead, she was accommodated within the territory of the Uchiha clan.
Moreover, the guards responsible for her safety were not limited to Kakashi's Hokage ANBU. Alongside them were former elite guards personally led by Uchiha Fugaku.
After listening carefully to Naruto's explanation, Fugaku nodded with a solemn expression.
"I understand."
Naruto smiled and said, "Uncle Fugaku, then I'll have to trouble you with the security here."
Fugaku replied calmly, "No problem. Leave it to me."
Sasuke stood nearby, looking at Kaguya resting quietly inside the pavilion in the courtyard. His brows furrowed slightly as he said in a low voice, "Naruto… is it really right to let her out?"
Naruto followed Sasuke's gaze, sighed softly, and replied, "There's no better choice. With her help, you and I can gain a much deeper understanding of the Ōtsutsuki clan. Only then will we truly have a chance to defeat them."
Sasuke fell silent.
He knew Naruto was right.
The Sage of Six Paths himself had only possessed fragmented knowledge about the Ōtsutsuki clan. In Naruto's previous life, most encounters with the Ōtsutsuki had been direct battles, not opportunities to learn their origins or systems. If they wanted to confront the threat that loomed beyond the stars, forming an alliance with Kaguya was the key.
Fugaku looked at Naruto and smiled.
"Naruto, thank you for trusting the Uchiha clan."
Naruto tilted his head slightly and smiled back.
"Don't say that, Uncle. To me, the Uchiha clan has always been part of Konoha. In the past, there may have been misunderstandings and distance, but that doesn't change the fact that the Uchiha are one of the village's most important pillars."
After Naruto said this, Sasuke's lips curved into a faint smile.
Fugaku laughed heartily.
"Yes, yes."
He understood very well that Naruto had said these words largely for Sasuke's sake. Otherwise, there had been no need to entrust the Uchiha clan with such an important task as guarding Kaguya.
Although Kakashi's Hokage ANBU were the ones in closest contact with Kaguya, Fugaku himself held overall authority and could enter freely to see her. That level of trust was not something granted lightly.
"Naruto," Fugaku said after a moment, "why don't you come to my house for dinner tonight?"
Naruto smiled apologetically and waved his hand.
"Sorry, Uncle. I have to go home tonight. I've been away for a while, and I should at least let my family know I'm safe."
Fugaku nodded.
"I see."
Sasuke then spoke, "Dad, I won't be coming home for dinner tonight either. I have something else to take care of."
Fugaku gave a soft hum. Naruto was understandable, but Sasuke not coming back either made him glance at his son with mild suspicion.
Seeing his father's look, Sasuke replied a bit awkwardly, "It's… something personal."
At that moment, Naruto suddenly wrapped an arm around Sasuke's shoulders and said with a grin, "Hey, big plans tonight, huh? Be careful with your waist, Sasuke."
Sasuke's face stiffened instantly. He shoved Naruto away and raised his voice, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Seeing this exchange, Fugaku immediately understood. He smiled knowingly.
"In that case," Fugaku said calmly, "you don't need to come back tonight. I'll explain things to your mother. I'm sure she'll understand."
Sasuke's expression turned even more awkward. He shot Naruto an irritated glare. This idiot had actually said something like that in front of his father.
Naruto laughed openly. He genuinely enjoyed seeing Sasuke embarrassed like this.
Without another word, Sasuke turned and left.
Naruto watched him go, raising his hand as if to call out, but after a brief thought, he lowered it again. He smiled faintly, deciding not to disturb Sasuke's private meeting with Sakura—and Karin.
Turning back, Naruto looked at Fugaku and said seriously, "Uncle Fugaku, I'll leave things here to you."
Fugaku nodded.
"Rest assured."
Naruto then glanced once more toward Kaguya before walking in her direction. Before leaving, it was only proper to say a few words.
In the courtyard pavilion, Kaguya sat quietly, her gaze lifted toward the sky. It was unclear what she was looking at—or perhaps what she was remembering.
A female ninja approached, carrying a tray of tea, and placed it gently on the table beside Kaguya.
"Please have some water."
This kunoichi was an elite chūnin, a member of Kakashi's Hokage ANBU guard. She was only one evaluation away from promotion to jōnin.
Hearing the voice, Kaguya tilted her head slightly and looked at her. After a brief moment, she seemed to notice something and stared intently at the ninja's face.
The female ninja felt uncomfortable under that gaze. Even though Kaguya was sealed, those pale eyes carried an indescribable presence—far more unsettling than the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan.
"Y-you… what are you looking at?" the ninja asked hesitantly.
Kaguya's lips curved faintly.
"You resemble a maid I once had."
The expression, the posture—it reminded her of the woman who had once stood before her, shielding her from a rain of arrows when Kaguya was pregnant.
The female ninja froze, unsure how to respond.
At that moment, Naruto arrived.
Seeing Naruto, the female ninja let out a sigh of relief and quickly retreated.
Black Zetsu immediately poked his head out from Kaguya's sleeve when he sensed Naruto.
"Boy, what exactly are you trying to do?" Black Zetsu said coldly. "You've trapped me and my mother here."
Naruto smiled calmly.
"You can think of it that way. For safety reasons, this is the best option for now."
Black Zetsu snorted and glanced around, sensing the surroundings.
"So you've set up seals… and there's a lot of bloodline chakra nearby."
Naruto raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You can still sense that while sealed?"
Black Zetsu replied disdainfully, "I am the consciousness separated from my mother. I don't possess chakra myself. I'm essentially immortal. Even if my mother is sealed, I can still perceive things."
Naruto frowned slightly.
"So… does that mean you could leave here freely?"
Black Zetsu froze.
…He'd said too much.
At that moment, Kaguya spoke calmly, lifting her gaze.
"Don't worry. He won't cause trouble anymore."
Naruto looked at Black Zetsu without speaking.
Kaguya continued, "We now share a common enemy. Black Zetsu understands the situation clearly. That's why he hasn't attempted to leave."
Black Zetsu nodded reluctantly.
"Naruto, as long as you can ensure my mother's survival and cooperation, I, Black Zetsu, am willing to provide all the help I can."
Naruto smiled slightly, his tone sincere.
"Black Zetsu, you really are a filial son."
Looking back at ninja history, it could almost be summarized as Black Zetsu's long, tragic effort to resurrect his mother.
Naruto believed them.
Kaguya then asked, "What are you planning to do next?"
Naruto paused, caught off guard by the question. After thinking for a few seconds, he answered, "First, we train the people of the world and make them ready for war. Second, I continue to grow stronger myself."
After hearing this, Kaguya's expression became serious.
"This… won't work."
Naruto looked up sharply.
"What?"
Kaguya said calmly but firmly, "If that's your plan, then it would be better to surrender now. At least that would be quicker—and less painful."
Her words hung heavily in the air.
The true struggle… had only just begun.
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