"I know… but I still want to do something for you. Even if it's just my selfish wish. Also, I can feel the Divine Tree stirring after your actions. Tomorrow, come with me to see it."
Kaguya's voice trembled faintly. She knew their parting was near, and she no longer wished to leave Kaede's side. Because parting meant years of loneliness before seeing him again.
"Mm."
Kaede nodded.
He recalled the flow of time. In the original timeline, Kaguya had taken three years to unify the world, and from the faith of the people the Divine Tree bore fruit—two children.
Those children were Hagoromo and Hamura, the ones later called the Sage of Six Paths and his brother.
Though born of the Divine Tree, Kaguya cherished them as her own sons, intending to raise them against the Otsutsuki.
But human greed and the meddling of the Three Great Sacred Lands twisted them, leading to rebellion. In the end, Kaguya's power was stripped and scattered among humans, giving rise to the ninja clans.
Yet here, Kaede had unified the world in a single month. Perhaps the Divine Tree would bring forth its children earlier.
The next morning, Kaede and Kaguya stood before the Divine Tree. It was lush, full of life, branches heavy with two glowing buds.
As they approached, the buds bloomed. The cries of newborns rang out.
Two boys.
Kaguya rushed forward, cradling them with trembling hands. Her eyes shone.
"I never thought… the Divine Tree would give me children. Kaede, is this not a gift from the tree?"
Lonely in this world, with Kaede soon to leave, she now held two lives to accompany her.
Kaede folded his arms, gaze calm.
Hagoromo and Hamura. The same sons who would one day seal their mother.
"I will raise them well. Since they were born from the tree, they will bear the name Otsutsuki. Otsutsuki Hagoromo. Otsutsuki Hamura. Yes… I like that."
Kaguya smiled warmly.
"Then raise them well. Just don't let them walk the same path as before. And beware the Three Great Sacred Lands—those creatures are no friends."
Kaede's eyes narrowed. In his time, he had erased them. Here, they still lurked.
"Mm, I will be careful."
But before Kaede could say more, he felt it—the pull of time.
Space split open. Golden light wrapped around him, blurring his form.
"Kaede, are you leaving?" Kaguya's voice trembled with panic.
"Yes. I must return to my own time. But don't worry—we will meet again."
Kaede smiled.
"I'll wait for you."
Tears fell from Kaguya's eyes as his body faded away. She had grown used to his presence, and his sudden absence left her aching. But she still had to live, to raise her sons, and to await their reunion.
The rift sealed, the world calmed.
Kaguya returned to the Divine Nation's palace, two infants in her arms.
"Lady Goddess… where is the other god?" the people asked, confused.
"He has returned to the divine realm. In his place, heaven gifted me with two children. This is the greatest blessing. Remember—obey the rules, and never betray."
The people prostrated themselves, swearing loyalty.
Time shifted. The cycle turned.
When Kaede opened his eyes again, he was back in his rightful timeline. He could already sense the subtle changes his actions had left behind.
But he did not return to the Uchiha immediately. His first thought was of the moon—of rescuing Kaguya.
"It's his aura—hurry!" voices called out behind him as others sought him out. The village had changed since Isshiki's defeat, and many wanted to report the developments.
But by the time they reached the place Kaede had stood, he was gone.
(End of Chapter)
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