Chapter 184: Storm Approaching
Deep in the distant cosmos.
The Otsutsuki clan member who'd performed the secret technique slowly opened his eyes, the fluctuating dark silver chakra surrounding him gradually calming.
Meeting all present clan members' gazes, he announced gravely:
"No response."
"They... should have already been killed."
As his words finished.
The halos surrounding all present Otsutsuki showed obvious swaying or flickering, reflecting their no-longer-calm hearts.
"As expected..." A clan member shrouded in emerald light murmured.
Though a thread of hope remained previously, reality hadn't aligned with their wishes.
"How many years since an enemy like this appeared?" Another Otsutsuki added, voice carrying unprecedented gravity.
"We must immediately convene a war council." The eldest elder spoke gravely, his dark red chakra roiling like substance. "This matter exceeds individual families' scope. An enemy who dares openly hunt Otsutsuki must be completely eliminated."
"But who's willing to go personally?" A sharp question was raised. "Before understanding the opponent's details, going rashly would be suicide."
The gathering fell silent again.
Each Otsutsuki silently weighed options—honestly, though that fruit attracted high-ranking Otsutsuki, it wasn't worth risking lives.
Besides, why must they personally act? Just a fruit—hardly worth it.
Ultimately, all gazes simultaneously focused on that representative from Isshiki's family.
"Since this was your family's responsibility zone," the elder said slowly, tone brooking no argument, "you should investigate first. We'll establish support channels here. Once discovering the situation, we'll immediately provide reinforcement."
Hearing this, that representative from Isshiki's family saw his dark silver halo suddenly freeze.
He slowly raised his eyes, scanning each fellow clan member present, voice revealing cold intent:
"Have you all forgotten? I just used secret techniques to establish contact, already bearing the risk of exposing my coordinates."
"Moreover, the opponent can silently eliminate so many fellow clan members. Their strength likely far exceeds our estimates. Having my clan go alone now—if we merely die in vain, that's one thing. But if we alert the enemy, letting them completely hide, or even—"
"As everyone speculates, if the opponent truly is a powerful Otsutsuki who does as he pleases, absorbing my entire clan... then who should bear responsibility for strengthening the enemy? Which family's turn would it be to face that stronger monster?"
He didn't look at the elder but threw the question to everyone present:
"Unless one of the families here is willing to go with my clan, joining hands through this difficulty?"
Once spoken, previously focused gazes shifted away. Some looked toward the void. Others remained silent.
Amid silence, no one responded.
He sneered inwardly yet his tone grew increasingly calm:
"Seems everyone isn't as... eager to eliminate this enemy as you appear."
This representative's words undoubtedly precisely struck the deepest wariness in all present Otsutsuki hearts.
They'd considered this possibility yet only now, spread nakedly before them, did that heavy weight truly press upon their hearts.
Thinking carefully, among clan members previously lost on that planet were those who'd consumed God Tree fruits, their strength publicly acknowledged as outstanding.
Yet even so, they'd still sunk like stones in the sea, unable to transmit even half a useful message.
If... the opponent truly was an Otsutsuki without taboos who could massively devour fellow clan members...
Then by now, exactly how many compatriots had he absorbed? Perhaps even before reaching that planet, he hadn't necessarily refrained from similar acts.
No one knew how many Otsutsuki's source powers had already converged in him alone.
His current strength—just imagining it was enough to chill one to the bone.
Seeing the situation cool, the eldest elder's dark red chakra slowly circulated as he finally spoke. "Since that's the case, rash action is indeed inappropriate. But this matter absolutely cannot be shelved."
"Since everyone has concerns, proceed thus: Each family present shall dispatch one scout skilled in spatial concealment to jointly form a united reconnaissance squad."
His gaze swept the gathering, tone serious. "Their task is limited to long-distance observation. Strictly forbidden from approaching the target planet, much less any form of contact. Upon sensing any abnormality, immediately retreat—preserving themselves is the highest principle."
This compromise eased the heavy atmosphere somewhat.
Merely remote reconnaissance indeed greatly reduced risk. Each family also had a way to save face.
"As for subsequent action..." The elder paused, saying gravely, "After preliminary intelligence returns, I'll personally report to the 'Council of Elders.' This matter exceeds our judgment scope. Higher authorities must decide."
That representative from Isshiki's family bowed first. "We humbly accept the elder's arrangement."
Only now did he relax. Having spoken thus far, this responsibility was finally deflected.
The others also agreed one after another.
This arrangement minimized losses for each family—after all, Otsutsuki clan members were sparse. Each member was precious family wealth.
With decisions made, action swiftly unfolded.
Two days later, several phantoms nearly merged with the cosmic background quietly appeared outside Earth's atmosphere.
They hovered midair, each coming from participating Otsutsuki families, yet without exception were all family servants who'd never consumed God Tree fruits.
Though these selected Otsutsuki's strength ranked lowest within clans, they'd all refined spatial concealment and remote observation techniques.
Their orders: only observe, no contact.
Like a group of silent ghosts, record all abnormalities but absolutely forbidden from entering that planet marked as "forbidden ground."
Simultaneously, within Konoha village, Kaguya—who'd been practicing chakra control with daughter Yoya in the courtyard—suddenly paused.
She raised her head, gazing at the clear, cloudless sky. Pure white eyes flashed with confusion.
Just now, she'd vaguely captured an extremely weak spatial fluctuation.
That feeling was distant and blurred, like peering through heavy frosted glass, fleeting instantly.
"Mother?" Yoya noticed her distraction.
"...Nothing." Kaguya withdrew her gaze, gently shaking her head.
She couldn't confirm whether that was illusion or if the main family's investigation had already begun through methods she couldn't understand.
But by now, she had no path back—having chosen to board Uchiha Yu's ship, she could only walk it to the end.
If fellow clan members learned of her previous actions, death would likely become a luxury.
Because after learning Uchiha Yu had already slain several Otsutsuki, Kaguya clearly realized—this was no longer merely private grudges between her and Isshiki's family.
What she bore was the crime of betraying the entire clan.
Driven by fear, she brought her daughter to the alley where Uchiha Yu was.
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