Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 184: Approved
Although Kazuma possessed the highest authority within the clan, as a clan leader. He had no intention of making this decision alone because the stake is so high.
He could create laws, issue orders and even overrule the elders if the situation demanded it. However, releasing Kaguya was not an ordinary clan matter, If he made the wrong choice, the consequences would become so big, there is no second Hagoromo and Hamura to stop her at this time.
Earth would suffer alongside them, that was why Kazuma ordered several of the clan elders to gather in the meeting.
The last time this meeting room was used during the branch member suggested him to destroy people on earth. It was a circular room built from pale stone, with an old carving of Hamura Otsutsuki covering the wall behind Kazuma seat. Sealing formulas had been written around the carving, reminding everyone present of the duty Hamura had given their ancestors.
Before he passed away, Hamura had told his child to protect the seal, watch over Kaguya and never allow her to return.
Seven elders were seated around the circular table, some appeared curious about why they had been summoned without warning, while others had already heard rumours about the visitors from Earth.
Kazuma waited until the door closed before speaking.
"Three descendants of Hagoromo have arrived on the Moon," he announced.
The quiet conversations stopped immediately.
"Three?" repeated one of the elders. "Why are they coming here?"
"That is the detail of this meeting," said Kazuma. "They brought important news."
Several elders frowned, because they never had visitor come from earth.
"The two men are Uzumaki Raiken and Uchiha Madara," Kazuma continued. "Both carry blood inherited from Hagoromo. Raiken is the current leader of the Uzumaki Clan, while Madara is one of the strongest descendants of Hagoromo elder son."
"An Uzumaki and an Uchiha travelling together?" muttered an elder. "That is already strange."
"It becomes stranger," said Kazuma. "Black Zetsu claims to be another son birthed by Kaguya."
Their expressions changed immediately.
At first, there was bewilderment, some of the elders looked at one another, wondering whether they had heard Kazuma correctly.
Then came surprise and finally, every face around the table became serious.
"Kaguya had another son?" asked Rei Otsutsuki.
"That is what Black Zetsu claims," answered Kazuma. "According to Raiken, Black Zetsu has been manipulating Hagoromo descendants for generations. His goal has always been to release his mother."
An elderly woman at the opposite side of the table narrowed her eyes.
"And these visitors brought such a creature directly to the Moon?" questioned him.
"They did," replied Kazuma
"Why?" They wanted to know why bring such person to this place
"Because they want to release Kaguya," revealed Kazuma.
Every elder in the room erupted.
Several elders rose from their seats at once, voices overlapped as questions and objections filled the room.
"Impossible!"
"They cannot be allowed near the seal!"
"Send them back to Earth!"
"Why would descendants of Hagoromo undo what he sacrificed so much to accomplish?"
One elder struck the table with his palm.
"This is clearly a plot, he manipulated them into bringing him here!"
"Enough," Kazuma ordered.
The authority in his voice as a clan leader, silenced everyone in the room. Although the elders' anger did not disappear, they returned to their seats one by one, waiting for him to explain.
"Raiken claims that other members of the main Otsutsuki Clan are coming to Earth," said Kazuma. "They have harvested other worlds before by planting chakra seed and Earth may be one of their next targets."
That statement brought a different kind of silence.
The Moon clan possessed old records concerning the Otsutsuki beyond Earth. Much of the information had been lost over the generations, but they knew their ancestors had not originated from this world.
They also knew Kaguya had once feared something from beyond the stars.
"Did he offer any proof?" asked Rei Otsutsuki.
"Not enough to confirm when the attack will happen," admitted Kazuma. "However, his description matches some of our oldest records. He knows about the Chakra Tree, the chakra fruit and the method used by the main clan to harvest a world."
The oldest elder slowly rubbed his chin.
"That information could have come from anywhere."
"It could have," agreed Kazuma. "But that does not mean it is false."
Rei leaned forward slightly.
"What exactly does Raiken want from Kaguya?" asked him.
"Information regarding Otsutsuki Clan, Kaguya came from their clan. She may know their hierarchy, abilities, methods and weaknesses. Raiken believes she can help us prepare for the Otsutsuki who will eventually come to Earth."
"And after he obtains that information?" asked another elder. "Does he intend to let her walk freely?"
"No, Raiken claims that he has created a seal capable of suppressing her power. He offered to let us inspect and test it before Kaguya is released."
Some of the elders looked less hostile after hearing that, but others remained unconvinced.
Rei turned his attention back to Kazuma.
"What do you think about this, Kazuma-sama?"
Everyone fell silent, although Kazuma had called the elders because he wanted their opinions, they still wished to know where their clan leader stood.
Kazuma did not answer immediately, he looked toward the carving of Hamura on the wall.
"Our ancestors were ordered to protect Kaguya seal," he said at last. "That duty has remained unchanged for generations and I have no intention of ignoring Hamura sama warning."
"Then we should reject their request," said the oldest elder.
Kazuma shook his head.
"Our duty is also to protect this world. If Raiken is telling the truth, keeping Kaguya sealed without preparing for the other Otsutsuki Clan may place everyone in greater danger."
The elder frowned. "You believe we should release her?"
"I believe we should listen to Raiken and inspect his seal," Kazuma clarified. "Granting him permission to demonstrate his technique is not the same as allowing him to release Kaguya without supervision."
Rei nodded thoughtfully.
"If the seal is incapable of suppressing her, we refuse. If it works, then we consider the next step."
"Exactly," said Kazuma.
Another elder folded his arms.
"You are assuming that Kaguya will cooperate after she awakens. What if she refuses to answer their questions? What if she attacks the moment she is released?"
"Then Raiken seal must suppress her before she has the opportunity," replied Kazuma. "That is why we will examine every part of it, we will not depend on his confidence alone."
The elderly elder looked around the table before speaking.
"There is something else we should consider."
Everyone turned toward him.
"We keep speaking as though our only choices are leaving Kaguya sealed forever or releasing her ourselves," she said. "But if the other member Otsutsuki Clan truly comes to Earth, they may discover her prison."
A few elders exchanged troubled looks, he continued.
"Imagine what will happen if they reach Kaguya before we are prepared, they could destroy the seal and release her at full strength. When she awakens, she will see us as the people who imprisoned her for generations, while the invaders will appear to be her liberators."
"You believe she might join them?" asked Rei.
"I believe we cannot dismiss that possibility," she answered. "Kaguya may be angry enough to ally with anyone who promises revenge against Hagoromo descendants and Hamura's clan. If that happens, we will face Kaguya and the other otsutsuki clan at the same time."
The atmosphere in the meeting room became much heavier.
The elders had spent generations believing that Kaguya was safest inside her prison. None of them had seriously considered what might happen if an outside force broke the seal.
"If Raiken releases her first and immediately restricts her power, we would at least control the circumstances," the woman concluded. "That may be safer than waiting for our enemies to make the decision for us."
No one dismissed his argument.
Even the other elder, who had opposed the idea from the beginning, now seemed uncertain.
"There is still Black Zetsu," he reminded them. "If he truly manipulated Hagoromo descendants for generations, we cannot trust anything connected to him."
"We do not need to trust him," replied Kazuma. "Black Zetsu will remain restrained and he will not be allowed to approach Kaguya or participate in the unsealing."
"And Raiken?" asked Rei. "How much do you trust him?"
Kazuma remembered the red-haired man calm expression when every guard had activated their Byakugan.
Raiken had not attacked them in responsed and Madara had not moved either, despite possessing enough chakra to make every guard nervous.
"If they intended to release Kaguya by force, they would not have asked our permission," Kazuma said. "They came here openly, explained their purpose and offered to let us examine the seal. That does not mean we should trust them completely, but it gives us a reason to hear them out."
The elders became silent once again.
This time, none of them immediately objected, Rei was the first to speak.
"I agree that we should inspect Raiken seal."
The elder beside him nodded.
"So do I."
One after another, the other elders gave their approval. Some did so reluctantly, while others still looked troubled by the risk.
Eventually, only the oldest elder remained and everyone turned toward him.
He looked at Hamura carving on the wall for a long time before releasing a weary sigh.
"I do not like this," he admitted. "Our ancestors would never have imagined that we would willingly discuss releasing Kaguya."
"Neither did I," said Kazuma.
"However, the world has changed since Hamura gave us this duty. If enemies from Otsutsuki clan are truly approaching, then blindly following an old command may not be enough to protect anyone."
The elder looked directly at Kazuma.
"I will approve the request under one condition, the moment Raiken seal shows any weakness, we stop everything. Kaguya remains imprisoned, regardless of what information she might possess."
"That was already my intention," replied Kazuma.
Rei looked around the table.
"Then we are all in agreement?"
No one objected, Kazuma rose from his seat.
"Raiken will be allowed to demonstrate his sealing technique. If every elder is satisfied with the result, we will grant him permission to approach Kaguya prison."
The decision had been made.
...
Raiken was still sitting in the guest room when he noticed the chakra presence belong to Kazuma.
Madara stood near the opposite wall with his arms crossed, while Black Zetsu remained few meter away from both Madara and Raiken.
Raiken looked at Kazuma face and smiled.
"I assume the meeting went well?"
Kazuma entered with other elders behind him.
"Your request has been approved."
Raiken smile widened.
[DING! 3,000 Stars Donated by Fernandez]
[Message: I didn't expect they agree with Raiken.]
[DING! 2,000 Stars Donated by Leo]
[Message: Raiken actually succeeded without fighting anyone, character development confirmed.]
"I knew our relatives would understand," said Raiken.
Madara gave him a flat look.
"There are conditions, aren't there?" asked Madara
"Several," replied Kazuma. "First, you will reveal the complete structure of your seal to our people, You will not conceal any formula or secondary effect."
"That's reasonable," said Raiken.
"Second, Kaguya must be restrained the moment she is released. If there is even a brief period when she can use her full power, the operation will be cancelled."
"I can do that," smiled Raiken.
"Third, Black Zetsu will not be allowed inside the sealing chamber." Kazuma looked straight at the black Goo
The smile disappeared from Black Zetsu face.
"What?" he demanded. "I have waited for centuries to see Mother!"
"And you can wait a little longer," said Raiken.
Black Zetsu turned toward him in anger.
"You promised to release her!"
"I promised to release her, I never promised you would get the best seat."
[DING! 2,500 Stars Donated by Ronaldo]
[Message: Black Zetsu spent centuries planning Kaguya revival only to be removed from the guest list.]
[DING! 1,500 Stars Donated by Fernandez]
[Message: Raiken treats ancient conspirators like badly behaved children.]
Black Zetsu trembled with anger, but if he fight with Raiken, he also might get sealed.
Kazuma continued. "If Kaguya resists the seal, attacks anyone or attempts to escape, we will reseal her immediately and you will not interfere."
Raiken expression became serious.
"Agreed."
Kazuma studied him carefully.
"You accepted those conditions very quickly."
"I came here to gain information and prepare Earth for an invasion," said Raiken. "Releasing Kaguya without controlling her would defeat the entire purpose."
For once, none of the audience mocked him.
Even Madara gave a small nod of approval.
Kazuma moved aside and gestured toward the open door.
"Then follow us, everyone are waiting to see this seal you are so confident about."