The swirling mass of chakra gradually took on a humanoid form, stabilizing completely.
A flowing, ornate robe. Pure white, crystalline eyes. An aura of unfathomable mystery.
"This is..."
Sensing the overwhelming presence, Minato, Jiraiya, and the others were visibly shaken.
However, Danzō remained calm, levitating into the air.
This version of Kaguya was weaker than expected.
Perhaps it was because she had not been resurrected using a true Six Paths-level vessel.
In the manga, Six Paths Madara had devoured the God Tree and absorbed all the world's chakra before she emerged.
As Danzō approached, Kaguya's vacant gaze flickered with emotion. She slowly reached out a hand.
"...Child..."
Danzō, infused with Black Zetsu's consciousness, secretly exhaled in relief.
As expected, her intelligence was lacking.
Even in the original manga, Kaguya had never been particularly sharp.
She had first married the ruler of the Land of Ancestors, only to be betrayed by her own husband.
Then, after consuming the God Tree's fruit and unifying the world, she divided her power between her two sons—who eventually sealed her away.
During the final battle, she had been bewildered and easily fooled, even falling for Naruto's ridiculous Harem Jutsu before being sealed once again.
Danzō grasped Kaguya's hand but ultimately refrained from addressing her as "mother."
"Let's leave here first."
After sending a mental message to his team, the two figures vanished and reappeared high above the capital of the Land of Wind.
Kaguya still gazed at him in a daze.
A thousand years of imprisonment... could she really have gone insane?
"Mother, do you still remember me?"
Danzō finally spoke the words, relieving a burden in his heart. A true man knew when to endure and when to yield.
Kaguya reached out, caressing his face, though her vacant expression remained unchanged.
Still, Danzō could feel the deep, instinctual bond flowing from her bloodline.
But seeing her so absentminded, he began to doubt whether using her to locate Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo was a reliable plan at all.
...
The Land of Wind, Daimyō's Inner Palace
Ichikawa Naomi had already been waiting with ten handmaidens, having received Danzō's mental command.
"My lord..."
"See to the lady's needs. Prepare a bath and a feast. We will dine together later."
At his command, two of the most elegant attendants stepped forward to assist Kaguya.
But as they took her by the arms, Kaguya tensed slightly, her expression uncertain and hesitant.
Danzō sighed, patting her hand reassuringly. "It's alright. I'm here. This is home. It's safe."
Only after much coaxing did Kaguya reluctantly follow the attendants.
"My lord, this is...?"
"Don't ask. I will be staying here for some time."
Danzō had considered taking Kaguya to the Root headquarters, but that environment was too harsh. The Root operatives were excellent sentries, but not exactly suited for hospitality.
"Understood, my lord."
Sensing his authority, Ichikawa Naomi respectfully bowed with the grace of nobility.
...
After personally accompanying Kaguya through dinner, Danzō walked with her through the palace gardens.
He could clearly sense her mind recovering. Occasionally, she would space out, her eyes flickering with fleeting, indecipherable emotions.
As if she was recalling fragments of the past.
At twilight, their silhouettes stretched long across the palace corridors.
"Are your memories returning?"
Kaguya's eyes filled with pain for a moment, but then she shook her head.
Danzō spoke gently. "Then don't dwell on it. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will tell you everything."
She nodded. Her confusion seemed to be fading, but she still frequently lapsed into moments of absentmindedness—looking even more dazed than before.
It was hard to believe this was the progenitor of chakra, the final boss of the series.
Danzō couldn't help but smirk, reaching out to pat her head.
Kaguya froze, staring blankly at him, but did not resist.
After escorting her to her chambers, Danzō finally made his way to the Daimyō's residence.
...
The grand hall, illuminated by candlelight, exuded an air of luxury. Below the raised platform, an alluring dance was being performed in his honor.
Ichikawa Naomi, dressed in sheer silk, knelt beside him, ready to attend to his every need.
Beyond the gauzy curtains, six stunning dancers moved in flowing garments, their graceful movements exuding the seductive charm of the Land of Wind. Their veiled figures hinted at hidden beauty, radiating an irresistible allure.
As the performance ended, the dancers stood in formation, awaiting further orders.
"Does my lord not find this entertaining?" Ichikawa Naomi leaned forward slightly, her sultry gaze filled with suggestion.
"No, the dance was excellent..." Danzō casually caressed her chin, acknowledging her.
But his mind remained elsewhere—on Kaguya.
After all, she was his key to finding him.
Kaguya herself was not a threat. Even at her current level, should anything go wrong, Danzō was confident he could suppress her.
But he, the unknown factor, was a concern. The mere thought of that elusive schemer sent a wave of unease through him.
If he didn't deal with him soon, it could become a major problem.
Sensing Danzō's distraction, Ichikawa Naomi bit her lip before making a bold move—reaching out with mischievous intent.
But the moment their eyes met, her hand trembled, losing its strength before it could reach its target.
"M-My lord... it has been so long... since you last visited me... I... I..."
Danzō's brow gradually relaxed.
Indeed, he had been away from the capital for some time. Compared to the Daimyō, lately, he seemed to prefer the shadowed corridors of his office more.
"Enough. I do not blame you. Continue the dance."
Beyond the curtains, the mesmerizing performance resumed.
Within the chamber, flute and zither intertwined in a different kind of harmony.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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