The first few encounters with the Otsutsuki had been life-or-death struggles. But after so many battles, the Akatsuki had grown used to it, and what once felt impossible now came with a strange ease. Aside from the alien environments that still gave them trouble, most of the fighting had become manageable.
The most dangerous battle had been against Otsutsuki Shibai. Normally, a human would summon animals or tools to fight. Shibai, however, summoned space itself, and if not for Obito's time space abilities, that fight would have ended in total annihilation. In the end, survival in another world always came down to one thing: you had to have something no one else did. And the Akatsuki did. With each battle against the Otsutsuki, their strength grew visibly, as one might say, once you've slain a god, you are no longer human. That phrase fit them uncomfortably well now.
So, calling this expedition smooth wasn't wrong anymore. At this point, the interdimensional expedition felt less like a war and more like a peaceful lakeside camp. Except the lake was wrong. The water was pink. The soil was blue. The food was golden. A strange world.
Nagato didn't understand it. The native creatures barely resembled humans, though they were clearly carbon based lifeforms. This world had been enslaved by the Otsutsuki, its inhabitants reduced to nourishment for the God Tree. The Akatsuki had defeated the local overseers, finally earning a short break.
The golden fruit had been tested by Sakura and confirmed safe to eat. It was juicy, surprisingly delicious, though it did resemble something they all tried very hard not to think about.
Obito stared at it and immediately complained. "Can't you at least cut it into a different shape? It really feels like I'm eating…"
BOOM. A pile of golden fruit slammed into his face. Even Nagato didn't spare him. "You don't die if you don't speak!"
Obito groaned as more fruit rained down. After three days of battle with no food, they had finally eaten, and even the pink lake water was drinkable.
Sakura, ever serious, defended the situation. "This contains extremely high nutritional value. If you cut it, you lose nutrients and it won't be filling. Obito, stop talking." Obito muttered something but complied.
Kakuzu, meanwhile, was quietly experimenting with stitching his body with chakra threads to reduce pain. Sakura noticed immediately. "Kakuzu, do you think manipulating your body is easy for me? If you keep messing around, I'll shove ten jellyfish into you." Even Nagato avoided her medical jellyfish.
Kakuzu clicked his tongue. "I didn't do anything unnecessary."
Hidan laughed loudly. "Coward! I'll eat it right in front of you!" He did. No one stopped him.
Sakura, meanwhile, was the only one calmly enjoying the fruit. Everyone stared. "What?" she asked.
Nagato finally spoke. "Medical ninjas really do have strong tolerance." Konan nodded, and Yahiko style silence followed from the others.
Sakura sighed. "You're all too picky. This is nutritious. You've been starving for days." She turned to Itachi. "Eat more."
Itachi looked pale. "I'm full."
"Eat."
"Yes."
Deidara leaned over and whispered loudly, "I used to bully you, but now I feel bad. You really live a hard life, un." Itachi said nothing.
Nagato suddenly stood up and walked away. Then others followed. Someone threw up. Someone else followed suit. Sakura froze. "Seriously?" Even Kisame looked away.
Finally, Sakura pulled out her last trump card, a small paper wrapped bundle. She held it up. "Do you remember how I got my ring?"
Konan immediately interrupted. "Can it be eaten or not?"
Sakura smiled. "If it couldn't be eaten, I wouldn't have brought it."
Kakuzu reached forward instantly. "Then stop wasting time."
She pulled it back. "I need to clarify. You asked to eat this. I didn't force you."
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "I smell something bad."
Kisame asked, "What is it?"
"Potato seeds."
Silence. Then Obito suddenly roared, "THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? PLANT IT!" A potato feast vision appeared instantly in everyone's mind.
Sakura only gave them one seed. "It's precious. One is enough." Chakra flowed, and the seed sprouted instantly. In less than two minutes, it grew, matured, and produced a massive harvest. Kakuzu carefully dug it out. It was the size of half a watermelon, blue soil clinging to it. A normal potato, just enormous.
After cleaning and cooking for thirty minutes, Sakura even mixed the golden fruit juice into the pot. Nagato frowned. "I'll demote you."
Sakura didn't even look up. "Try it after you finish eating."
One bowl each. The taste was overwhelming. Kisame went for seconds. Itachi hesitated. Sakura leaned toward him with a spoon. "Eat, dear."
Itachi stiffened. This felt like a trap. But hunger won, and he gave in. Warm. Soft. Strange but satisfying. Energy returned instantly.
After eating, they all lay on the blue soil, digesting. Hidan raised a hand. "So, anything can be grown with chakra?"
"Please don't ask," someone said immediately.
Deidara tilted his head. "Why is it so big? Our village sells small ones. Is this a new breed?"