The Tenseigan had already granted her an immense reserve of chakra, more than enough to sustain her through any battle.
What made it truly terrifying, however, was its unique ocular ability. Compared to the Rinnegan, one of the Tenseigan's techniques allowed the user to remotely extract chakra from others, and those targeted had almost no way to resist. Even Uzumaki Naruto had been caught off guard by this ability several times.
As long as Himeji willed it, she could replenish her chakra in an aggressive and efficient way. In the middle of combat, any nearby ninja could effectively become her source of power.
This method was already close to how Naruto forcibly drew in natural energy during the great war at the Valley of the End.
And the Tenseigan's enhancements did not stop there.
As the ultimate evolution of the Byakugan, its sensory abilities had reached an astonishing level. Although it still could not match Hayashi's perception, it was dozens of times more powerful than a standard Byakugan.
Most frightening of all were the Truth-Seeking Orbs granted by the Tenseigan Chakra Mode.
These orbs were inherently destructive, and when combined with Yin-Yang Release, they could nullify any ninjutsu. While Himeji herself could not use Yin-Yang Release, Hayashi could.
With that combination, techniques like the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion and Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion would become even more devastating, their power reaching an unstoppable level.
At that moment, on the moon, two figures were locked in battle.
Natural energy surged through Hayashi's body, yet even in Sage Mode, he was completely suppressed in a direct clash against the girl before him.
Himeji's sapphire-blue eyes blinked softly as she extended both hands, catching Hayashi's right arm. His left hand, which had formed a Rasengan, was immobilized as well.
The two stood close, their posture almost intimate, yet filled with danger.
Himeji moved with precision, using the Gentle Fist to tap Hayashi's abdomen. Instantly, the flow of chakra within his body was disrupted.
Before he could recover, she struck again with lightning speed, slapping his wrist. The Rasengan dispersed immediately.
At the same time, the Flying Thunder God kunai he had thrown earlier was deflected upward by the repulsive force radiating from Himeji.
A moment later, Hayashi's feet left the ground.
He was sent flying alongside the kunai, crashing violently into a distant tree. The thick trunk splintered under the impact, and the surrounding rock shattered into fragments under the chaotic surge of chakra within him.
After steadying himself, Hayashi suppressed the pain. The regenerative effects of his Snake Sage Mode quickly healed his injuries, leaving almost no trace.
Seeing Himeji float forward, seemingly ready to continue, Hayashi quickly raised his hands.
"That's enough, that's enough."
Himeji paused, then nodded with a hint of regret. The Tenseigan in her eyes slowly faded back into the Byakugan.
She walked over, pulled out a first-aid kit, and carefully began wrapping Hayashi's already healed wound. When she finished, she tied it off neatly with a small bow.
Hayashi watched quietly, not stopping her.
Recently, the two had been sparring regularly. More accurately, Hayashi had been training Himeji.
Although Himeji had completed many missions, her combat experience still could not compare to his.
Even so, neither of them had used their full strength.
Hayashi avoided using Susanoo and did not draw on any Tailed Beast power. He fought only in Sage Mode, occasionally incorporating various ninjutsu and the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Himeji, in turn, refrained from activating her Tenseigan Chakra Mode or using her most powerful techniques.
Even without going all out, Himeji showed no signs of fatigue. Meanwhile, no matter how strong Hayashi's recovery was, he could not keep up with such relentless exertion.
Fortunately, the results were clear.
Himeji had fully adapted to her newfound power and developed her own complete fighting style.
Seeing this, Hayashi suddenly realized that there was little left for him to do.
With Himeji, the Tenseigan wielder, and Kushina, who possessed the complete Kurama, most threats could be handled without him needing to step in.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Did this mean he could just sit back now?
He coughed lightly.
A ninja's situation could not possibly be described that way.
It was a pity that Uchiha Mikoto had not awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan. If she had, the three of them together would form an overwhelming force. Who would even need to think about Indra or Ashura?
Then again, perhaps it was better this way.
Hayashi understood better than anyone the cost of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. If Mikoto were to awaken it, it would likely be under tragic circumstances.
If that required his death, then it was better she never awakened it at all.
They had already been away for ten months.
They arrived on the moon in October of Konoha Year 41, and now it was July of Year 42.
Aside from a few remaining descendants of the Ōtsutsuki, the entire moon held only the two of them.
Himeji truly enjoyed this life.
Far from the chaos of the ninja world, free from missions and complications, and with no one to disturb them, she found peace here.
If it were up to her, she would never leave.
Hayashi gently stroked her long hair.
"After everything is settled, we can come back here every year. I told you, I'd give you the moon as a gift."
He smiled warmly.
Himeji stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Then you'd better keep your word."
Hayashi sighed helplessly.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Himeji's eyes curved with a soft smile as she lowered her voice.
"Still… I don't want anyone else coming here."
Hayashi blinked, then quickly added, "I mean… not just anyone. Only people we trust."
Himeji gave him a charming smile in response.
Then, without warning, she waved her hand.
A powerful gravitational force surged outward, lifting Hayashi and sending him drifting toward the artificial sun.
Her mood had shifted instantly.
Hayashi felt a chill run down his spine.
"Wait, I didn't mean it like that!"
He hurriedly explained, "If someone like him has a girlfriend, he won't be staring at me all the time."
"Look at Hyūga Hizashi. Ever since I introduced him to someone last time, he actually smiles when he sees me now. That's never happened before."
Himeji listened, then shot him an unimpressed Byakugan glare before turning and floating away.
Still suspended in midair, Hayashi watched her retreating figure.
He could not help but notice how much she had changed.
She used to be quiet and reserved, but now she spoke more, smiled more.
What he did not realize was that this side of her only appeared in front of him.