Chapter 1: Ōtsutsuki Shen
"Ugh—cough, cough, cough!"
Accompanied by a violent fit of coughing, in the distant reaches of the starry sky—within the Ōtsutsuki clan's residence—a slender young boy painfully pushed himself upright from a wooden bed.
After regaining his senses, the boy glanced around. The room was entirely made of wood, yet it was old and decayed, in a state of near disrepair.
He tried to get up, pressing both hands against the edge of the bed. But when his gaze fell on his own hands—pale to an almost sickly degree—his pupils suddenly shrank.
"Did I really… come here?"
The boy hurried to a water vat and quickly leaned over it. Lowering his head, he looked at his reflection—and froze.
In the reflection, his pupils were white, nearly indistinguishable from the whites of his eyes. If not for the faint darker ring around them, there would be no contrast at all. His face was just as pale as his hands, and from his forehead grew two horn-like protrusions, resembling dried wood.
"I really transmigrated… and even became a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan? Then the memories in my head that don't belong to me… are they real too? I've become an Ōtsutsuki—Ōtsutsuki Shen?!"
The boy—no, Ōtsutsuki Shen—muttered in disbelief. Just as he was still sorting through his thoughts, a loud, arrogant voice came from outside his dilapidated wooden hut.
"Hey, are you dead yet?! Shen! Shen! What the hell—you're still alive? I've been calling you for ages. You trying to die?"
A tall, round, almost ball-shaped young man stepped through the doorway.
"Ōtsutsuki Hien. What are you doing here?" Shen turned his head, his gaze turning cold as it landed on the obese youth.
From his memories, this fat man was the captain of the servant squad—and someone who had a direct conflict of interest with him.
"Hm? What kind of tone is that? That's how you talk to me?" Hien looked at Shen in surprise. He hadn't expected someone he had nearly beaten to death to speak back like this.
"If you've got something to say, say it. Otherwise, get out. If I remember correctly, I still have two days left on my leave, right?"
Shen snorted.
"Yesterday, you forced me to help move lumber—that alone violated the rules. And after that… heh. Tell me—what do you think happens if I report this to Lord Fūseki, who values discipline above all else?"
He showed no fear, directly invoking his backing.
Yesterday, Hien abused his authority, forcibly cutting Shen's leave short, then used absenteeism as an excuse to beat him.
But Shen wasn't without support.
Ōtsutsuki Fūseki—a member of the main family. Though not particularly high-ranking, he still held a managerial position. It was said he possessed a medicinal pill; if he weren't saving it for his grandson, he could have used it to strengthen himself and rise further within the clan.
By chance, Shen had formed a connection with him.
Fūseki had a particular fondness for hydroponic plants, and every three days, Shen was required to visit his residence to tend them. Shen had always done well, earning Fūseki's favor—and occasional protection.
Recently, however, something had changed. Fūseki had been summoned away by the main family. Taking advantage of his absence, Hien—who had long disliked Shen—finally decided to make his move.
"Hmph. I'm here this time to deliver an order from the main family."
Hien sneered.
"You know Lord Momoshiki, right? He has a maid—Kaguya. Apparently, she secretly ate the fruit of the Divine Tree he planted. Now the clan is mobilizing to capture her."
"Heh… after a recommendation from our squad, you've been selected for the operation."
"How about it? A chance to serve Lord Momoshiki."
Hien's grin turned sinister. This was no good assignment.
Even if the mission succeeded and one earned recognition from the main family—or even received a small Chakra Fruit and ascended into the main lineage—the chances were slim.
More importantly, Shen knew exactly how powerful Kaguya had become after consuming the fruit.
He could very well die at her hands.
And right now, Kaguya had only just eaten the fruit—this was when her strength would be growing at its fastest.
Hien was clearly sending him to his death.
But Shen wasn't foolish enough to charge straight at Ōtsutsuki Kaguya under the banner of "punishment."
At this stage, survival was everything.
Since he couldn't avoid being conscripted, he might as well take the initiative. With his foresight, the outcome was far from certain.
"I don't know what you're planning, but since you've given me this chance to serve the main family… I'll thank you for it."
Shen feigned ignorance and expressed gratitude.
"Hmph. No need to thank me. Aside from me, you're the strongest in this squad. Naturally, I won't send myself—so it has to be you."
Hien grinned viciously.
"Let me warn you—don't mess this up. I'm aiming to be promoted. If you ruin this for me, then even Lord Fūseki won't be able to stop me from crippling you when you get back."
What he didn't realize was that Shen had already seen through the malice in his eyes.
"Tch. You think I'm like you? All talk, no effort?"
Shen sneered.
"The only reason I haven't reported you is out of courtesy. And yet yesterday, you still pushed your luck. That said, since you helped me get in touch with Lord Momoshiki this time… I'll let it slide."
Straightening his clothes, Shen stepped out the door.
Glancing back at the still-stunned Hien, he added with deliberate provocation:
"What are you standing there for? Take me to the assembly point. If we're late, your promotion won't look so good."
He wore an arrogant expression, as if he had already captured Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and returned in triumph.
Hien sneered inwardly.
So what if you once relied on Lord Fūseki? This time, you're not coming back.
Feigning irritation, Hien led the way, mocking Shen's naivety in his heart.
Someone who had eaten a Divine Tree fruit—just how powerful were they?
He hadn't seen it himself, but he had witnessed the strength of the main family.
Shen was as good as dead.
Let him act arrogant while he still could.
Walking behind him, Shen naturally understood everything. Unfortunately, Hien's acting was poor—his thoughts were written all over his face.
Heh… when you see me again, that'll be the moment of your despair.
After winding through several paths, they finally arrived at a large plaza, where quite a number of people had already gathered.
At the highest point stood Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, his expression filled with anger.
Shen blended into the crowd. Not everyone had arrived yet, so he quietly waited.
After about half an hour, the gathering was complete.
Momoshiki finally spoke:
"You already know what has happened. I won't waste time. I've gathered you here to capture that wretched woman—Kaguya—and bring her back."
"Anyone who contributes will be rewarded. And whoever captures her… will receive a Divine Tree seed."
The entire plaza erupted.
No one had expected the final reward to be a Divine Tree seed.
Compared to small Chakra Fruits, a Divine Tree seed was on an entirely different level. Though it required time to cultivate, the quality of the fruit depended on the host planet.
With a planet of decent potential, one could yield a mid-grade or higher Chakra Fruit—enough to secure a position in the upper ranks of the main family.
From this, Shen deduced something crucial.
The Divine Tree fruit in the ninja world must be extraordinary—possibly even top-tier.
And accordingly, the difficulty of capturing Kaguya had just increased.
Scanning the crowd, Shen noticed that only seven or eight people—including himself—had realized this and quickly calmed down.
These people… could be useful.
The rest were unreliable.
With that in mind, Shen moved quickly toward them.
Each time he approached someone, he lightly tapped their arm. Those who were touched paused briefly, then silently followed him, clearly understanding his intent.
Once they gathered in a secluded corner, Shen spoke in a low voice:
"Everyone here is smart. You all understand how dangerous this mission is."
"In that case, let's work together."
"Afterward, the Divine Tree seed will belong to all of us. Once it matures, we'll split the fruit into eight portions."
"Each share may be weaker than a whole fruit, but at least no one gets nothing. Besides, cultivating and protecting a seed alone… isn't exactly convenient, is it?"
"Do you agree?"
"If you do, gather around me once the mission begins. If not, that's fine. But if we capture Kaguya… don't expect a share when the tree is planted."
"Well?"
"Agreed."
"I'm in."
…
After everyone agreed, Shen finally let out a breath.
At least his chances of survival had improved.
Once they reached the ninja world safely… he would deal with these people as well.
"Alright. You all know your task."
Momoshiki raised his hand.
"I will now open a dimensional passage to Kaguya. Your objective is simple—reach her planet as quickly as possible and capture her. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Hundreds of voices answered in unison, echoing across the plaza.
With a wave of his hand, a spatial portal opened at the center.
After all, the Divine Tree in the ninja world had been planted by him. He naturally possessed the coordinates of the dimension born from its fruit.
But he had no intention of going personally.
To him, capturing Kaguya didn't require his involvement—these servants were more than enough.
As everyone stepped into the dimensional passage, Shen found himself in a world of ice and snow.
At a glance, he recognized it.
This was the icy dimension that would later become Kaguya's palace.
No wonder she chose to establish her domain here—to block the Ōtsutsuki from easily tracking her through space.
Looking around, Shen saw the other seven gradually gathering toward him.
He exhaled slightly in relief.
At least none of them were like Hien—cowards who would back out at the last moment.
"Alright. Let's start searching for the exit."
Shen spoke calmly.
"It shouldn't be too difficult."
After all, this space had only just formed. It must still be connected to the main dimension—the one that would later become the central space.
From there, Shen was confident he could gather everyone's strength… and carve a path forward.