"You... what have you done to me?" Kaguya abruptly shook her head, her Byakugan showing intense resistance.
Her power surpassed that of Black Zetsu and White Zetsu. Though controlled by the Beast Enslavement Gu, a sliver of her self-awareness remained.
"Truly remarkable," Shinho chuckled in admiration.
He recalled how Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had previously broken free from the Beast Enslavement Gu's control. Perhaps, one day, Kaguya might be able to achieve the same.
Shinho extended his hand, and the Sea Oath Gu materialized. He needed an extra layer of insurance.
"Kaguya," Shinho addressed her, "Make a pact with me."
"No..." Kaguya instinctively resisted, but the Beast Enslavement Gu suppressed her defiance.
She was far too weak now, especially having lost the nine Tailed Beasts.
Her power had diminished drastically.
"The terms are very simple," Shinho continued. "Obey me, and I will spare your life. I will even help you deal with the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"How... how do you know...?" Kaguya stammered, stunned.
In the original story, the Ōtsutsuki Clan stood at the apex, capable of interstellar travel and planetary domination.
The Shinobi World was merely one of their target among many, yet it had proven utterly defenseless against them.
The so-called saviors, whether the Sage of Six Paths or Naruto and Sasuke, were essentially just participants in an Ōtsutsuki family feud.
Kaguya's desperate casting of the Infinite Tsukuyomi stemmed from her fear of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Even after consuming the God Tree's fruit, her chances of victory against them remained uncertain, prompting her to create White Zetsu as weapons.
"Aren't you curious about the source of my power?" Shinho countered.
Kaguya paused, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
She was naturally interested. From her perspective, the Ōtsutsuki's cultivation method was already incredibly unreasonable, which included nurturing the God Tree with a planet's life force, then consuming its fruit which contained the energy of an entire world.
Yet, Shinho's power surpassed even hers. Where did his energy originate from? How did he ascend to such heights?
"I can even help you become stronger," Shinho said, his fingers delicately tracing the relevant clauses within the Sea Oath Gu.
"Mother, don't listen to him!" Black Zetsu suddenly emerged, interrupting Kaguya's hesitation.
"I decree your immediate death, Black Zetsu," Shinho stated, glancing at Black Zetsu.
An invisible force instantly locked onto Black Zetsu. His eyes went dark, plunging him into eternal silence.
This was the power of the Rank Seven Immortal Gu, Death Sentence, which Shinho had just recently acquired.
As its name suggested, it allowed him to set a target's death date, a power akin to a prophecing someone's death. Of course, it only worked if the user's power significantly exceeded the target's.
"You misunderstand," Shinho said calmly, his expression unwavering. "This is not a negotiation."
Kaguya's heart clenched with apprehension.
Now, with the tables turned and Shinho holding all the cards, Kaguya had no leverage to negotiate.
"I agree," Kaguya conceded after a few seconds of hesitation.
Resistance meant only one outcome: another sealing.
And without Black Zetsu, could she ever escape again? After a millennium of imprisonment, she had finally tasted freedom and refused to relinquish it.
Accepting Shinho's terms offered at least a glimmer of hope.
Moreover, a subtle thought flickered in Kaguya's mind.
Should the Ōtsutsuki Clan arrive and Shinho prove unable to defeat them, perhaps she could shift the blame onto him.
"Follow me." Shinho, oblivious to or perhaps unconcerned with Kaguya's thoughts, led the way.
After all, he was a man operating with cheat codes.
The Sea Oath Gu required an oath sworn upon the sea.
Its method of dissolution was also tied to the sea: if the sea vanished, the contract would become void.
In the current Shinobi World, the largest body of water belonged to the Land of Water.
"Wait!" The Sage of Six Paths materialized before Shinho.
He gazed at Kaguya, his expression a mixture of complex emotions. She was, after all, his mother.
"What do you intend to do with her?" Hagoromo inquired, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
"Will you seal her?" He had been too far away to overhear their conversation. Furthermore, uncertain of the battle's conclusion, he had hesitated to intervene, lest he disrupt Shinho.
"Shinho!" Naruto and Sasuke arrived as well, their moods contrasting sharply.
Naruto was thrilled by Shinho's display of power.
Sasuke, however, felt a complex mix of emotions.
The growing gap between his own strength and Shinho's filled him with both frustration and a strange sense of relief.
He had never defeated Shinho anyway. This time, his mentality was different due to the overconfidence fostered by the Rinnegan, which had given him a false sense of hope.
"There's no need seal her," Shinho replied, shaking his head. "We're collaborating."
"Collaboration? On what?" Hagoromo was taken aback.
In his understanding, Kaguya sought the Shinobi World's destruction, making collaboration an impossibility.
"It seems you are unaware of the Ōtsutsuki Clan," Shinho said, proceeding to provide an explanation.
"What?!" Hagoromo's face paled.
He had indeed been ignorant of the truth. When Kaguya had cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi and attempted to consume the world, she hadn't offered any explanation.
Then came the battle and the sealing. He had never imagined that Kaguya, seemingly invincible, was but one among many in the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
A wave of fear washed over Hagoromo. According to his plan, Kaguya would be sealed once more.
If that had happened, they would likely have remained oblivious to the truth until the Ōtsutsuki Clan's arrival, by which time it might have been too late. How could the Shinobi World possibly contend with an Ōtsutsuki Clan even stronger than Kaguya?
The thought alone was terrifying.
"..." Kaguya remained silent.
She was certain that she was the only one in the entire Shinobi World who knew about the Ōtsutsuki Clan's existence.
So how did Shinho know so much? It was as if he had been observing her actions all along.
Two possibilities flashed through Kaguya's mind: either Shinho belonged to a clan no less powerful than the Ōtsutsuki, or he possessed some incredibly potent abilities that let him glimpse the truth of the world.
"You guys return to City of fire," Shinho interrupted their contemplation.
"But what about you...?" Hagoromo asked hesitantly, snapping out of his thoughts.
"We're going to find a place to finalize the pact," Shinho explained casually.
Hagoromo was skeptical.
Wasn't City of Fire the ideal location for such a contract? But Shinho offered no further explanation.
He grasped Kaguya's shoulder, and in a flash of golden light, they vanished.
Hagoromo frowned as he watched them disappear.
He had observed Shinho for a considerable period and believed he understood him reasonably well.
Shinho's most prominent characteristic was his...flirtatious nature, extending even to his own teacher, Tsunade.
And Kaguya, admittedly, possessed a certain allure. The thought troubled Hagoromo.
He didn't want any...unexpected stepfathers. But he was powerless.
Strength reigned supreme.
With a sigh of resignation, Hagoromo could only accept the situation.
The golden light descended, depositing Shinho and Kaguya on the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire, with City of Fire visible across the water.
"Sign it," Shinho said, handing the Sea Oath Gu to Kaguya. He gazed at the boundless ocean, his eyes losing focus.
Now, with a moment of respite, he could assess his gains.
He had earned three achievements:
..
[Achievement Unlocked: 'Locals are so Rude' (Kaguya Ōtsutsuki). Reward: Death Sentence Gu.]
[Death Sentence Gu: Rank Seven Immortal Gu of th rule Path. Sets a target's death date. Once the deadline arrives, even an Immortal will perish.]
..
This achievement had triggered after defeating Kaguya.
Death Sentence Gu, it sounded impressive, but it was essentially a tool for bullying weaker opponents, useless against those above Rank Seven.
However, in the Shinobi World, it was more than sufficient. Such a mysterious and lethal method would undoubtedly instill fear and reinforce his authority as emperor. In short, it was a perfect tool for asserting dominance.
..
[Achievement Unlocked: 'Last Man Standing'. Reward: Thousand Year Lifespan Gu.]
[Thousand Year Lifespan Gu: Rank Four Consumable Gu. Grants a thousand years of lifespan.]
[Note: 10 units acquired.]
..
This reward came after eliminating Black Zetsu.
Though only Rank Four, ten Thousand-Years Lifespan Gu were a godsend for Shinho, more valuable than any Rank Seven Immortal Gu in his eyes.
Tsunade, Hinata, Hanabi, Ino, Konan, Shizune, Karin, Samui, Mabui all could benefit from this.
Combined with the Thousand-Years Lifespan Gu he already possessed, he wouldn't have to worry about their lifespans for at least a millennium.
The system, he had to admit, was quite thoughtful.
..
[Achievement Unlocked: 'Strongest in the Shinobi World'. Reward: Myriad Self: Second Style: Reverse Flow Protection Seal.]
[Reverse Flow Protection Seal: Immortal Killer move, boasting exceptional defensive capabilities. Can deflect any enemy attack, up to Rank Eight.]
..
In the current Shinobi World, Shinho was indeed the strongest.
At least, until the Ōtsutsuki Clan arrived. The achievement's name was secondary; the reward was what truly mattered.
Like the reward for defeating Hagoromo, it was another Immortal Killing Move. While Myriad Self: First Style focused on offense, the Second Style specialized in defense.
As an Immortal Killing Move, it naturally involved numerous Immortal and Mortal Gu.
It retained the "Myriad Self" name because its core Gu was the Rank Six Immortal Gu, "Self Strength Gu," which Shinho had previously acquired.
Both the First and Second Styles relied on this Gu to manifest strength phantoms.
Besides Self Strength, Reverse Flow Protection Seal had two other core Gu. The first was the Rank Seven Immortal Gu, Perseverance Immortal Gu, belonging to the Human Path.
Its function was similar to that of the Strength Immortal Gu but more comprehensive, enhancing the duration of other Immortal Gu or Immortal Killing Moves.
In simpler terms, it extended their effects.
The second core Gu was the Rank Six Pulling Water Immortal Gu, belonging to the Strength Path but specializing in water manipulation, allowing the user to control water currents and form an invisible force.
Naturally, various Mortal Gu related to the Water Path were also involved.
"I've signed it," Kaguya said, returning the Sea Oath Gu to Shinho.
Though not a Gu Master, she felt an otherworldly connection upon signing her name. She could not violate the contract's contents without facing unimaginable consequences.
What truly terrified her was the potential loss of her immortality, gained from consuming the God Tree's fruit. Such power was simply unfathomable! However, she found solace in the contract's bilateral nature.
If Shinho broke his end of the bargain, he too would be reduced to ashes. Of course, the defeated party being Kaguya, the terms were heavily skewed in Shinho's favor. He had little to lose. His only obligation was to refrain from killing or sealing her.
"For numeous years of happy cooperation," Shinho said with a smile, storing the Sea Oath Gu away.
"..." Kaguya remained silent.
What was there to be happy about?
"There's something I need you to do," Shinho said, gazing at Kaguya.
An idea struck him, he wanted to test his newly acquired Gu, or more accurately, the Myriad Self: Second Style: Reverse Flow Protection Seal.
It was a rare killing move capable of defending against higher Ranks.
Although Shinho was a Rank Six Gu Immortal, he could use it to defend against and reflect attacks from Rank Eight Gu Immortals.
There were no Rank Eight Gu Immortals in the Shinobi World, so Kaguya would have to suffice as a test subject.
"What?" Kaguya felt a surge of wariness.
"You'll see," Shinho said, raising his hand.
Instantly, the seawater surged, emitting a faint blue glow.
Kaguya, startled, instinctively retreated. But she quickly realized it wasn't an attack.
Come to think of it, there was no reason for Shinho to attack her further. Bound by both the Beast Enslavement Gu and the Sea Oath Gu, she was utterly helpless to resist his commands.
The wind howled, whipping Shinho's hair and clothes around him as he stood his ground. In the next moment, seawater erupted skyward, blanketing the heavens before rapidly coalescing.
Just as suddenly, the sky cleared, the seawater vanishing without a trace.
It had condensed around Shinho, transforming into a pale blue robe. The robe, pristine as snow, shimmered with the image of flowing seawater, but in reverse.
"Attack me," Shinho instructed, glancing from side to side.
"...?" Kaguya tilted her head, confusion evident in her expression.
"I'm testing this defensive jutsu," Shinho clarified, adding, "Prepare to dodge."
Kaguya's gaze sharpened.
She clenched her fists, and a barrage of ethereal fists materialized in the air, hurtling towards Shinho.
Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack!
The fists collided with the pale blue robe enveloping Shinho. The Reverse Flow Protection Seal shimmered briefly, the air seeming to pause for a moment before all the fists were repelled, instantly engulfing Kaguya.
Yomotsu Hirasaka!
Kaguya swiftly plunged into a black portal, narrowly avoiding her own Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.
She reappeared a moment later, her gaze fixed on Shinho, a subtle change in her expression.
The Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack was a Kekkei Mōra, the pinnacle of the Gentle Fist. She had never encountered a jutsu capable of reflecting it. Judging by the jutsu's refinement, it wasn't newly created.
Yet, Shinho hadn't used it in their previous battle.
Kaguya fell silent, a single question echoing in her mind: What kind of monster is this?