Kaguya didn't answer Hamura's question.
Because she didn't know how.
After sending him away, Kaguya opened the book he'd left behind.
Its title was "Family Affection and Romantic Love."
Natsume had genuinely prepared it for Hagoromo and Hamura.
Why give it to them?
Because both brothers would later marry and have children, branching into several clans.
Natsume worried about the butterfly effect, so he wanted them to learn ahead of time.
But he didn't expect Hamura to be this perceptive.
["Liking is an outward-flowing desire to obtain and possess, beyond the needs of mere survival. The scope of 'liking' is broad; when it refers to a specific person, it usually means romantic love."]
Kaguya glanced at the line and immediately thought of chakra.
So that feeling is "liking."
Mm, that makes sense.
What about Natsume?
Kaguya paused, then gently nodded.
At first, she didn't really care.
But recently she occasionally felt a desire to permanently obtain and possess.
Because Natsume had helped her greatly, making it quite easy for her to acquire a lot of chakra.
"Why does liking become love when it's focused on a specific person?"
Kaguya's pale eyes shifted as she continued reading.
["Love is a deeper level of liking. While obtaining and possessing, one also gives, and without asking for return. When facing obstacles and hardships, you don't abandon each other; you put the other person's feelings first, and so on."]
"I see."
A trace of realization appeared on Kaguya's face.
It seemed she only liked Natsume, but didn't love him.
Although she had paid chakra, that was in order to harvest even more chakra.
If faced with mortal danger, she believed she would abandon him.
As for putting his feelings first—she had never done that.
["There are many ways to express liking and love, such as holding hands, hugging, kissing—forms of physical contact."]
Kaguya's expression suddenly tightened.
Kissing is one of the expressions?
She recalled Natsume saying that, to him, the highest reward was physical contact.
In other words, he likes me?
A hint of surprise rose in Kaguya's heart.
Honestly, over the years, every creature she'd met either feared or worshiped her.
Within the Ōtsutsuki clan, they utterly looked down on a clanswoman destined to be sacrificed to the God Tree.
For example, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki always felt arrogant and cold to her.
It was the first time Kaguya had encountered someone who liked her.
Thinking back, Natsume's attitude toward her seemed different from the very beginning.
Almost like the love described in the book.
He put her first in everything, helped her solve all difficulties, and never demanded excessive rewards.
Kaguya stared at the words on the page, then slowly closed the book.
"This person really is quite interesting."
The corner of her lips subconsciously curved, and a faint joy rose in her heart.
But she didn't think being liked was anything special.
Or rather, she had no concept for it.
A knock came at the door.
Kaguya casually set the book down and looked at the entering Natsume.
"Lady Goddess, with your help, the Goddess Army now meets no resistance. In less than half a year, we will unify the world."
My help?
She remembered only developing a few small ninjutsu.
This one truly gives selflessly.
"You've done well."
Kaguya's tone softened unconsciously, like when she spoke with her two sons—her feelings had shifted.
"It's only what I should do."
Noticing her expression, Natsume sighed inwardly. His efforts over the past two-plus years were working.
Kaguya still appeared cold most of the time, but compared to when she first descended, she seemed more human.
She would, unintentionally, show emotional change.
In any case, she no longer looked like an ascetic.
Hagoromo and Hamura had contributed too.
After all, motherhood is an instinct most creatures share.
Kaguya stood, walked to him, and looked down from above.
"What is it?"
Feeling her pressure, Natsume shifted uneasily.
Kaguya said nothing. She cupped his face, leaned in with a blank expression, and kissed the corner of his lips.
"Would this behavior be called 'liking'?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard, Natsume was stunned.
What's going on?
Is this a confession?
Kaguya ignored his reaction.
She thought for a moment, then pressed her lips to his again, longer this time.
A strange sensation rose clearly within her.
"I see."
A flash passed through Kaguya's eyes.
She felt she now understood what "liking" was.
It wasn't bad.
She didn't dislike it.
"You may go now."
Kaguya spoke calmly.
Used as a test subject, Natsume tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He didn't really understand, but it didn't seem like a loss.
And her actions just now were quite interesting.
After Natsume left, Kaguya left the room and came to the plaza.
The new players there immediately dropped to one knee and hailed the Goddess.
Kaguya's cool gaze swept them and finally settled on a decent-looking young man.
Overjoyed, the youth stepped forward, thinking he'd been chosen.
"Lady Goddess, I am willing to follow you and become your most loyal servant."
A surge of disgust rose.
Kaguya frowned.
You think you're worthy?
She turned and left without hesitation.
She now realized Natsume truly was special.
She only liked him.
She felt nothing special for the others.
After the Toad Sage and White Snake Sage gave up, the Goddess Army's conquests proceeded smoothly.
…
Half a year passed.
Only one country remained.
The Land of Demons.
In the palace of the Land of Ancestors, Natsume received the Priestess, Kukuri.
"Thank you, my lord, for your mercy. The Land of Demons is willing to submit."
She was very pragmatic, opening with surrender.
Though the power of Priestesss was unique, Priestesss were too few to stop the army.
Even if they could, how would they face Kaguya?
To avoid more calamity, she was direct.
"Long time no see."
Natsume smiled and dropped his disguise.
"Y-you?!"
Kukuri's mouth half hung open in disbelief.
She never imagined the emperor of the Land of Ancestors was the same Natsume she'd saved due to a prophecy.
"Now I understand why the Land of Demons was the last country left—it wasn't luck."
Kukuri took a deep breath, a look of realization dawning.
"I said I would repay you—my promise is permanent."
Waving a hand, Natsume said, "Tell all future Priestesss: if disaster strikes one day, seek a ninja named Natsume."
"Thank you for your promise."
Kukuri bowed deeply.
With Natsume's current influence, plus the Goddess, that promise was worth a fortune.
The Land of Demons would maintain a special status for a long time.
[Because of your actions, Shion's fate has changed. You gain 30 Fate Points.]
Nice—an unexpected gain.
Natsume smiled. "The Land of Demons can remain neutral, but like everyone else, must accept the Skynet."
Kukuri nodded quickly. "No problem at all."
The power of Priestesss was almost a single-line inheritance.
Like natural energy, it could not be popularized among ordinary humans.
But chakra was different, and its usefulness had been proven.
Kukuri not only didn't oppose it—she felt it should be promoted.
Thus, the ninja world was unified for the first time.
Kaguya came to be honored as the "Rabbit Goddess."
Natsume was somewhat disappointed that the Reaper and the Evil God never appeared.
They seemed to have given up entirely.
The Three Great Holy Lands as well.
But Natsume knew the Toad Sage wouldn't stop there.
It was likely waiting for Hagoromo and Hamura to grow up.
…
Night fell.
Natsume served the meal.
"Dad, thanks for your hard work!"
Hamura grabbed his chopsticks, shouting with excitement.
"???"
Natsume almost tripped on the spot.
Little bro, what are you doing?
Do you want me to be your dad that badly?
"Hamura, what are you saying?"
Hagoromo looked at him in surprise.
"Hehe, Mother already agreed."
Hamura beamed innocently.
Natsume and Hagoromo instinctively turned.
Facing their looks, Kaguya's expression remained cool.
She said calmly, "If Hamura wants to call you that, let him. It's no big deal."
Natsume grew dazed.
Is this reasonable?
Seems reasonable.
Kaguya truly didn't care about titles like that.
And before, she hadn't regarded Hagoromo and Hamura as her children; now it had improved a little.
Still felt odd.
Natsume felt awkward.
How did a not-yet-twenty-year-old like me suddenly become a dad?
And theoretically, Hamura is over a thousand years older than him.
The pressure shifted to Hagoromo.
He tried for a long while but couldn't bring himself to say the word.
Compared to Hamura's carefree nature, he was more reserved.
Kaguya didn't care about his hesitation and quietly enjoyed the food.
Watching her unconsciously satisfied expression, Natsume nodded.
The cuisine plan had finally worked.
After the meal, Hagoromo pulled Hamura away quickly.
Because the latter kept pushing him to call Natsume "Dad."
He couldn't swallow his pride, so he chose to leave for now.
Natsume thought being the Sage of Six Paths' father was amusing, but he wasn't fixated, and didn't mind much.
He snapped back to awareness and noticed Kaguya was gone from the hall.
He didn't need to think to know where she was.
…
The palace roof.
Kaguya looked up at the stars, worry on her face.
As long as Isshiki wasn't found, he remained a threat.
"Lady Goddess."
Natsume climbed onto the roof and sat naturally beside her.
"What is it?"
Kaguya glanced at him.
"Nothing."
Natsume shook his head and smiled. "Are you worried about your enemy?"
Kaguya froze slightly.
Am I that obvious?
She suddenly remembered a line from the book.
When you like someone, you will naturally want to understand them.
Kaguya felt a sudden clarity.
Even Hagoromo and Hamura didn't understand her as well as Natsume did.
"Isn't that it?"
Seeing no answer, Natsume asked again, "Or is it about the God Tree?"
Kaguya tilted her head, then stretched out her arms and pulled him into an embrace.
"???"
Natsume was stunned.
He hadn't expected that.
Kaguya's thinking was simple: express liking.
The book said hugging was also a way to show liking.
Since she was sure she liked him, she would act as she felt.
Natsume's stiff body gradually relaxed.
Compared to Tsunade, she wasn't as soft—yet this was Kaguya!
A true rich lady.
Natsume glanced at her with the corner of his eye.
Her expression was cool, as if hugging wasn't particularly intimate.
He thought for a moment, turned his body to face her.
Kaguya paid it no mind.
Natsume leaned in, pressing himself against her, cheek resting at her neck.
Kaguya still didn't react, though his breath tickled her.
"You don't need to worry. Isshiki will find us soon."
Natsume didn't dare go further, lest he anger her.
He took her right hand and gently kneaded it.
Perhaps because she wasn't human, the feel was excellent.
A thought arose unbidden.
I wonder if other parts are like a human's?
"Mm."
Holding him, Kaguya's mood inexplicably calmed.
Moments later, all anxiety vanished.
A hint of confusion flickered in her pale eyes.
Why is that?
She pondered, found no answer.
But she liked this, so she kept holding him.
Feeling the warmth of this three-no-girl (expressionless, monotone, emotionless archetype), Natsume thought of a serious problem.
With the world unified, the next trend was to seal Kaguya.
He no longer wanted that.
But if they didn't seal her, the future would massively change.
If this wasn't a parallel world, Tsunade and the others might never exist.
Natsume wouldn't risk it.
His eyes narrowed as inspiration struck.
The purpose of the sealing was for Kaguya to disappear for a thousand years, until the later plot began.
If I take her away, wouldn't that achieve the same effect?
She'd vanish and couldn't influence the ninja world.
The only worry was whether Kaguya would be willing to go with him.
Perhaps he could use Isshiki.
Natsume sank into thought.
Looking down at him from above, Kaguya blinked her long lashes in puzzlement.
She thought, then leaned down and pressed several pecks on his face, trying to smooth his tense expression.
As for why she didn't use her hands—
Her left arm was around him, and her right was being kneaded by him; neither was free.
Feeling the damp softness on his face, Natsume froze.
He looked at Kaguya's cool, exquisite face, now inches away.
From her expression, it was as if she was doing something trivial, yet she was clumsily trying to comfort him.
The contrast made Natsume's heart stir.
The night was alluring—but the alluringly oblivious Kaguya even more so.