The Byakugan's transformation into the Tenseigan was now an inevitable reality.
Kaede considered whether to create another moon once the transformation was complete. After some thought, he decided to leave that decision for later.
While pondering the matter, he also sensed something unusual, an eerie, cold presence descending into the ninja world as the moon shattered.
To call it a "presence" was generous.
In truth, it wasn't tangible chakra, not even a discernible aura. It was more like a formless, unattached malevolent intent.
"Kaguya Otsutsuki's consciousness, perhaps..."
Kaede murmured, his voice low.
He could sense that this chilling presence closely resembled the Shinigami summoned by Namikaze Minato during the Reaper Death Seal, a clear sign that it originated from Kaguya.
It seemed the moon had sealed not only the shell of the Ten-Tails, the Gedo Statue, but also a portion of Kaguya's consciousness. And now, with the moon destroyed, that consciousness had been set free.
Kaguya's will appeared to have been split into three parts.
One part had resided within the Ten-Tails itself. When the Sage of Six Paths split the Ten-Tails and founded Ninshu, this part of her will was scattered across the ninja world, drifting between life and death, gathering and dispersing endlessly.
The Shinigami summoned by the Reaper Death Seal likely stemmed from this portion.
Another, larger portion, likely the main consciousness, had been sealed within the moon alongside the Gedo Statue. And now, that seal was broken.
The final fragment remained inside Black Zetsu.
"Well, it doesn't really matter."
"Even if her will has broken free, it's still scattered and unfocused. It'll take a long time, years, maybe even decades, for it to reassemble. And even if it does... at best, it'll just be a hollow shell, something like the reincarnated form of Madara Uchiha through Edo Tensei."
Kaede shook his head.
While Edo Tensei forms could be terrifying, that was only true for ninja below the Six Paths level. Once you reached that level, Edo Tensei bodies no longer posed a real threat.
Even if Kaguya's will reformed and she revived through Edo Tensei, she'd never regain her full power. At most, she'd reach the first stage of Six Paths strength.
And besides,
The process would be painfully slow. It might take years, even decades.
"Hamura has made his move. Kaguya's will is free. Obito is still gathering the Tailed Beasts. Madara is waiting for resurrection... You guys are playing a strange game of mahjong, and I honestly can't tell who'll win in the end."
Kaede chuckled softly at the thought.
Originally, Kaguya was supposed to be the final player to make her move, but he'd already disrupted the plot. Maybe she will return in Edo Tensei form this time.
And if she happened to run into Obito or Madara along the way... well, it'd be anyone's guess who would come out on top. In terms of combat experience, Madara could probably take on ten Kaguyas.
The future was no longer set in stone.
But Kaede was already far ahead of everyone.
Shaking off these idle thoughts, Kaede turned his attention to the ninja world below. He closed his eyes and attempted to sense the locations of the Flying Thunder God kunai he had left behind.
"Just as I expected... The distance is too great. I can barely sense the coordinates left in the ninja world. Looks like I'll have to fly back down manually."
Normally, surviving in space without a true Six Paths body would be impossible. But Kaede, with his ability to reverse time, was far more durable than even those with Six Paths power.
Getting back to the ninja world wouldn't be difficult.
=============
Konoha
Kakashi and the others had been guarding the spatial portal to the moon. When the blinding white light faded, they were shocked to discover that the portal had completely collapsed!
"What... just happened?"
"The power source maintaining the spatial gateway has been destroyed."
Kushina's eyes flickered slightly as she spoke. "It must've been Kaede."
Rin's expression tensed. "Then... does that mean Kaede can't return?!"
Kakashi spoke in a serious tone, "That's not a problem. Big Brother still has the Flying Thunder God Technique… Right now, we need to confirm that he's okay."
As they were contemplating their next move, a figure quickly darted toward them from the direction of Konoha.
It was a shadow clone Kaede had left behind.
"The main body is fine."
"With the portal destroyed, there's no need for you to keep guarding this spot."
After calmly delivering the message to Kakashi and the others, the clone disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Relieved by the news, Kakashi and the rest let out sighs of relief.
After exchanging glances, they began removing the seals and barriers they had set up, returning to Konoha.
=============
Land of Frost
A small island nation nestled between the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning, the Land of Frost lay amid the sea. Thanks to its close relationship with the Land of Water and its regular tributes, it had long been under the protection of Kirigakure and rarely faced attacks.
Due to its unique geographic position, the country remained in a perpetual state of winter. It rarely snowed, but a thin layer of white frost covered its buildings and forests year-round.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In the middle of a frost-covered forest, seven or eight figures raced through the trees. They were all Kirigakure shinobi, their headbands bearing the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village.
They had arrived because, about half a month ago, a group of rogue ninja had attacked the Land of Frost. The country quickly called for help, and Kirigakure responded by dispatching a squad.
Leading the team was a girl around fourteen or fifteen years old. She had chestnut brown hair, bright green eyes, and fair skin, radiating a natural youthful charm.
"Stop."
Mei Terumi came to a halt on a tree branch, motioning for the others to pause. Her gaze locked onto a faint mark left on the bark, and she studied it for several seconds.
"These marks are from about half a day ago… If they stopped to rest, we should be closing in."
Her voice was quiet, but confident.
The attackers were likely from a minor ninja village, traveling by merchant ship to raid supplies from the Land of Frost before fleeing. Their mission was to eliminate these intruders.
"Keep pursuing!"
Without lingering, Mei issued her command and pressed forward, her team following swiftly behind.
Although she was the youngest among them, every shinobi followed her orders without hesitation, not because of her beauty or charm, but because of her strength and standing.
At just fifteen years old, Mei Terumi was already an elite Jonin of Kirigakure!
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