Facing Kaguya's answer, Naruto felt his heart grow heavy.
Why?
Because from Naruto's perspective, training the entire world to create a massive number of combat-ready forces was, in essence, no different from what Kaguya had done in the past by creating the White Zetsu army.
Yet now, Kaguya was telling him directly that this path was not feasible.
Naruto let out a long sigh.
In truth, he had already reached this conclusion in his heart. Back on the moon, he had discussed this possibility with Kaguya before, and at that time, she had already hinted that it was impossible. Now, she was formally and unequivocally confirming it.
The reason was painfully simple.
The Ōtsutsuki clan was simply too powerful.
Seeing Naruto fall silent, Kaguya stood up slowly and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"So far, the Ōtsutsuki clan has produced only one true god—the Ōtsutsuki God. But even that existence, as far as I know, must constantly absorb an enormous amount of chakra just to maintain its power."
"At the same time," Kaguya continued, "there are also high-ranking members within the clan who are walking the same path, endlessly cultivating themselves and consuming chakra."
"That is why guardians and those being guarded exist as pairs," she said, her eyes distant. "They travel endlessly through the starry sky, harvesting chakra fruits from planet after planet. The Divine Tree is merely a tool—a means of harvesting."
Naruto nodded slowly. This much, he already understood.
Kaguya looked at Naruto seriously and said, "Naruto, since you have chosen to become the enemy of the Ōtsutsuki clan, you must understand what that means."
"It means you are challenging the most powerful race in the universe."
"The Ōtsutsuki God is an existence you cannot avoid. No matter what you do, you will eventually have to face it."
Naruto's reply was heavy, but resolute.
"I understand."
Kaguya continued, her gaze unwavering. "The Ōtsutsuki God is not me. You were able to defeat me by gathering and using my power. But against that being, the gap in power itself will determine victory or defeat."
Naruto fell completely silent.
He understood this comparison all too well.
Comparing himself to the Ōtsutsuki God was like comparing a fresh student at the Konoha Ninja Academy to the Nine-Tails itself.
The difference was not something that could be bridged by effort alone.
It was an absolute, crushing gap.
Seeing Naruto sink into silence, Kaguya knew it was time to speak her true thoughts.
She looked at him and said, "Naruto, if you truly wish to defeat the Ōtsutsuki God and protect everything you cherish, then there is only one path left."
Naruto slowly raised his head and met her gaze. There was no excitement in his eyes—only calmness and a deep, heavy resolve.
Kaguya smiled faintly.
"It seems you've already guessed it."
Naruto remained silent. Conflict and hesitation flickered across his face.
"…Do things really have to come to this?" he asked softly, as if questioning Kaguya—or perhaps himself.
Kaguya answered without hesitation.
"This is the path that remains when all others are closed."
"The sealing techniques you humans rely on are merely methods of converting chakra into usable forms. No matter how refined or powerful those techniques become, they are meaningless in the face of absolute chakra."
She looked directly at Naruto.
"Therefore, if you wish to defeat the Ōtsutsuki God, you must use the same methods as the Ōtsutsuki clan."
"You must harvest chakra. You must strengthen yourself."
"Only then will you have even the slightest hope—only then will you have a chance to challenge the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Naruto frowned deeply.
"But if I use the Divine Tree like you did—if I harvest the chakra of this planet—then yes, I'll become powerful… but everyone on this planet will die."
"What would be the point of that kind of strength?"
Naruto's voice grew heavier as he continued.
"And even if I truly ate the chakra fruit born from this planet, I still wouldn't be able to defeat the Ōtsutsuki God."
"You said it yourself. The Ōtsutsuki God was born by continuously devouring chakra fruits, over and over again, until it reached godhood."
"With resources on that scale," Naruto said bitterly, "I'd only have one chakra fruit from Earth. There's no way I could ever compete."
At this point, a trace of despair crept into Naruto's heart.
After facing Momoshiki, Kinshiki, and Urashiki, Naruto had gained a far deeper understanding of the Ōtsutsuki clan—especially Momoshiki in this life.
Although Momoshiki had been defeated, Naruto knew very well that he wasn't truly dead.
If Momoshiki couldn't even be completely eliminated, then how could Naruto possibly stand against the Ōtsutsuki God?
Seeing Naruto voice his deepest concerns, Kaguya smiled.
"I'm glad you're thinking this way," she said.
Naruto hummed softly, then looked at her in confusion.
"…Glad?"
Kaguya nodded.
"The fact that you've thought this through means you're not blindly chasing power."
"At the very least, it proves you won't foolishly rely on something like universal conscription alone."
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle.
"So that's what you meant."
Kaguya replied calmly, "What else did you think I meant?"
She stood up, picked up the teacup beside her, poured herself a cup, blew gently on the steam, and took a sip. Then she continued:
"Naruto, this path is still the only way for you to defeat the Ōtsutsuki God. You must consider it seriously."
"And don't worry," Kaguya added. "You will never harvest the chakra fruit of Earth."
"This planet holds everything you care about. You would never choose that."
She paused and looked at Naruto's abdomen.
"For you, the chakra fruit already exists."
"It was harvested long ago and divided by my son using his methods—into the Nine Tailed Beasts."
In the inner world of Naruto's soul, Kurama seemed to sense Kaguya's gaze. He raised his head, baring his teeth slightly.
Naruto touched his stomach and looked back at Kaguya.
"What are you trying to say?"
Kaguya answered directly, "You already know."
"Become me first."
"Only by becoming what I once was can you contend with the Ōtsutsuki who will come next."
Her voice grew firm.
"At my peak, my chakra was enough that Momoshiki and Kinshiki were nothing to fear."
"Facing them, I had confidence—just as you do now."
She smiled faintly, then added, "Of course, I understand what you're thinking."
"If I was so powerful, why was I sealed by my own children?"
Kaguya's smile turned bitter.
"Hagoromo and Hamura took away a massive portion of my chakra."
"My true peak was the moment I consumed the chakra fruit—before I ever gave birth."
Hearing the emotion in her voice, Black Zetsu spoke anxiously.
"Mother…"
As the embodiment of Kaguya's will, Black Zetsu could feel her sorrow more clearly than anyone.
Kaguya looked back at Naruto, her expression solemn.
"Naruto, if you truly wish to defeat the Ōtsutsuki clan, then you must first become me."
"Become the god of this planet."
"Gather all the power that can be gathered."
"Only then will you be able to leave this planet, venture into the universe, obtain the power of other worlds, and ultimately challenge the Ōtsutsuki God."
Naruto listened in complete silence.
At this moment, his thoughts were no longer bound to Earth.
Kaguya had dragged his vision outward—toward the vastness of the stars.
Her proposal was clear.
First, Naruto would consolidate the chakra that already existed on Earth and store it within his own body—becoming the Kaguya of the past.
In doing so, Earth itself would not be harmed, because this chakra was not newly harvested. It was the power Kaguya had gathered long ago and which already existed in the world.
Once Naruto attained a sage-like body comparable to Kaguya's, traveling through the universe would no longer be a problem.
After that, Kaguya would teach him how to use the Divine Tree to harvest chakra from other planets—allowing him to grow rapidly.
Only then would Naruto truly have the strength to face the Ōtsutsuki God.
Only then would Earth have a future.
And only then would Naruto be able to protect everything he cherished.
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