From Tenmon Gorge, Isshiki led Kaguya down into the Root Solid Island Nation. As they descended, he pulled out a red-glowing compass.
Kaguya eyed the artifact. "What's that?"
Isshiki replied, "The Celestial Compass—one of our clan's treasures. It points toward any planet with life."
Kaguya frowned. "Aren't we headed straight to Tsukimi Nation? If you have the spatial coordinates, shouldn't we be able to jump there directly?"
Isshiki shot her a sidelong glance. "You know more than I expected. Ryūshiki must've told you. The current map of the Reed Plains wasn't just handed down—it was pieced together by our clan's observers, one planet at a time, using this compass. But that's not everything."
He continued, "It's tradition: before we reach our destination, we scan the area. If we find new territories or signs of life, we report it. That's how our clan expands."
Isshiki stowed the unresponsive compass. "But around here? All dead stars. Makes sense—it's been ages. Nothing could've survived."
As they walked, Kaguya noticed white figures moving across the barren earth. She'd seen them before—when Kinshiki and Momoshiki brought her back—but back then, she'd been too numb to care. Now, something tugged at her curiosity. "What are those?"
Isshiki didn't even glance up. "White Zetsu. This nation was our clan's first colony. The remaining humans were processed into White Zetsu using Infinite Tsukuyomi. They're immortal—perfect soldiers. Some mutants are even as strong as Grass Gods. If they ever banded together, they'd be a terrifying force."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. She kept that detail close.
Isshiki snapped his fingers. "Let's go. Time for Tsukimi Nation."
With a flick of his wrist, a spatial portal ripped open beside his palm.
Stepping onto new soil, Kaguya's gaze drifted upward, to the moon hanging high above.
Isshiki's voice was cold. "According to our observers, the humans here only just evolved. They don't even know chakra exists. Lower lifeforms—perfect fodder for the Divine Tree."
Bang!
Isshiki released one of the Ten-Tails, his tone commanding. "For the Ten-Tails to become a Divine Tree, it has to devour you. So hurry up and find your vessel. Once you do, plant Karma on them—that'll guarantee your resurrection."
Kaguya hesitated, cradling the monkey Ryūshiki had entrusted to her. "I need to release this first."
Isshiki glanced at the animal, expression unreadable. The Divine Tree would drain all life—nothing would survive, not even the monkey. But he couldn't be bothered. "Fine. Just don't take forever."
Kaguya found a secluded spot far from humans and knelt, letting the little monkey down.
It clung to her for a moment, tail twitching, reluctant to leave.
Kaguya stroked its head. "From now on, you're on your own. Survive."
The monkey scratched its ear, then darted into the trees.
When she returned to the meeting point, Isshiki was sprawled atop the Ten-Tails' head, propped on one elbow. "You're back. Found your vessel yet?"
Kaguya shook her head. "No."
Isshiki's eyes narrowed. "Didn't find one, or didn't look?"
Kaguya lowered her gaze, silent.
Isshiki scoffed. "The stronger you are, the harder it is to find a vessel. They have to withstand our chakra. Once you hit Low God level, it gets tricky."
He smirked. "But you're just a Lower God—same as Momoshiki and Kinshiki, and weaker than both. Your vessel should be easy to find. Want me to help? Tell me your requirements—looks, height, gender. I'll do my best to accommodate."
Kaguya raised her head, voice trembling with conviction. "Is there any way… not to hurt the humans here?"
Isshiki paused, finger in his ear. "What?"
Kaguya pressed on, desperate. "The moon—on planets with moons, the Ten-Tails can become a Divine Tree and bear fruit without devouring clan members. That way, the humans won't be wiped out!"
This time, Isshiki sat up, interest piqued. "Ryūshiki told you a lot, huh?"
His voice chilled. "You should know, fruit produced that way is defective. Our clan doesn't accept that."
Kaguya made her final offer. "I'll take responsibility. You get the fruit."
Isshiki burst out laughing. "You're weak, but you're still a princess. The things you say are absolutely ridiculous."
His laughter faded, replaced by icy contempt. "Listen, Kaguya. Humans are nothing but inferior beings. Their only value is to serve as stepping stones for our evolution. Your compassion is laughable. Don't test my patience—find your vessel, come back, and let the Ten-Tails devour you!"
Kaguya realized there was no room for negotiation.
She bowed her head. "I… understand."
Isshiki's face softened just a fraction. "Good. Go."
But as Kaguya turned and walked away, she suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Isshiki frowned, jumping down from the Ten-Tails' head. "What now? Altitude sickness? Or just playing dumb?"
He nudged her with his foot.
Kaguya snored loudly, a bubble forming at her nose.
Isshiki's frown deepened. He bent down, reaching toward her.
Suddenly, veins bulged at Kaguya's temples.
Isshiki sensed danger and leapt backward.
Boom! Kaguya snapped upright, her Byakugan blazing, palm thrusting forward.
—Eighty Gods Vacuum Fist!
Boom, boom, boom—white fists erupted, a tidal wave of force!
Isshiki's eyes widened. "What—?!"
But his reflexes were razor-sharp. His right eye flashed.
—Sukunahikona!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—the fists shrank, their power vanishing.
Kaguya's hair shot out, transforming into thousands of needles.
—Rabbit Hair Needles!
Swish, swish, swish!
Isshiki scoffed, already recovered. The needles shrank too, rendered harmless.
Kaguya gritted her teeth, reaching for her trump card.
Isshiki's patience snapped. "Enough! Know your limits!"
—Daikokuten!
Crack!
Black rods materialized, spearing through Kaguya.
Thud!
Isshiki lunged, driving a heavy fist into her abdomen.
"Ugh—" Kaguya doubled over, pain wracking her body.
Crack! Isshiki seized her throat, lifting her into the air. His voice was ice. "Ryūshiki taught you a few tricks, but he didn't tell you how stupid it is to challenge someone above your rank."
"You're just a Lower God, and you dare ambush me—a Low God? You must have a death wish."
Kaguya tried to struggle, but the black rods had sealed her chakra points.
Isshiki's tone was final. "Enough. At this point, you're a traitor. This will be recorded in our clan's Clairvoyance. I won't have to explain anything to your father. You don't need to be resurrected—just become Ten-Tails' food!"
"ROOOAAARR!" Ten-Tails opened its maw, and Isshiki hurled Kaguya toward it.
She was about to be swallowed—sacrificed.
Crack! Crack!
But at that critical moment, the magatama necklace Ryūshiki had given her began to fracture.
Whoosh!
Kaguya's body vanished from midair!
Isshiki froze. "What—?!"
Crack…!
The next instant, his body convulsed violently.
His gaze dropped—and horror overtook him.
A gray bone had pierced straight through him.
Kaguya stood behind, gripping the bone's other end.
Isshiki's eyes shook. "All-Killing… Ash Bone?!"
Crack! Crack!
The bone began to crumble. Isshiki felt death approaching and unleashed a desperate surge of chakra.
"ROOOAAAARRRRR!"
Boom!
The blast sent Kaguya flying.
Crack! Crack!
The magatama at her neck, infused with Izanagi, split further.
Crack…!
In his final moments, Isshiki severed his lower body, shrank his upper half, and made a frantic escape.
Crack!
The magatama necklace shattered completely.
At that moment, Ryūshiki's complex words echoed in Kaguya's mind:
"You did it after all. This is a road of no return. I have about 1200 years left—during that time, I'll do what I can to protect you. Take care of yourself…"
Kaguya clutched the fragments of the magatama, sorrow clouding her eyes.
A wind rose, scattering the pieces into the air.
For the sake of strangers in Tsukimi Nation, Kaguya had turned against Isshiki—and against her clan. There was no going back.
Hum…!
She activated Heaven's Eye Rift, cloaking Tsukimi Nation and shifting its spatial coordinates.
—
Takamagahara, in the canyon north of Awokigahara.
Ryūshiki stood over the sand table, watching as Tsukimi Nation's territory was enveloped in black—now invisible even to Clairvoyance. His fist clenched tight.
Behind him, a cold, beautiful woman in pale lavender robes confronted him. "You taught her how to crack Clairvoyance, didn't you?"
Ryūshiki turned, voice icy. "That's none of your business."
She stared at his back, her tone a warning. "Ryūshiki, if you dare betray our clan, I'll kill you—even if you're my own brother."
Among the five seats of Ōtsutsuki Upper Gods, three belonged to the kings, one to Ryūshiki, and the last to the woman before him—Ōtsutsuki Sento.
Her eyes were unique: pale blue irises, black sclera.
That was the Jōgan.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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