"Perhaps… my power can help you."
Ōtsutsuki Hamura's words made Tsukimi Heshu raise an eyebrow.
Hamura was studying him in return.
Power was not to be passed on lightly. No one could predict where that power might go, or what consequences it might bring.
Heshu could clearly see the scrutiny in his gaze. But Hamura was overthinking it. He had zero interest in his power.
"Your power could indeed help the world as it is now," he acknowledged.
"Do you wish to inherit it?" Hamura asked, watching him, anticipation in his ancient eyes.
Heshu shook his head without hesitation. "There's someone far more suitable for your power."
The evolution of the Tenseigan required both Ōtsutsuki chakra and a pure Byakugan. Neji was the perfect candidate.
Heshu recommended him.
"Why won't you take it?" Hamura pressed.
Why? Because I don't want it. Obviously.
Heshu's cheek twitched slightly. A warm, brilliant smile blossomed on his face instead. "One person's strength alone cannot defeat our enemies. I believe only by uniting everyone's power can we truly renew the shinobi world."
Seeing that smile, Hamura paused. An image of another figure appeared unbidden in his mind's eye. His brother. The Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.
Affection for his brother softened Hamura's expression. A faint smile touched his lips. "Well said. Bring the child in."
He believed now. This girl before him could save the world, just as his brother once had.
Neji was led into the chamber by the Branch Family leader, Ōtsutsuki Gen'ichi—the father of Ōtsutsuki Toneri. Since entering this space, Gen'ichi had been quiet as a mouse, not daring to make a sound. He was terrified of drawing Hamura's attention. He was the one who had nearly started a war. He was the one who wanted to destroy Earth. Heshu had no doubt Hamura would gladly punt his head like a ball.
Ōtsutsuki Shūpū was also on his best behavior, his mind utterly lost in worship of their ancestor.
Neji entered and quietly moved to stand beside Heshu. The sight of the floating old man was a direct assault on a decade of his established worldview.
So ghosts are real.
Maybe I shouldn't have laughed at Rock Lee for reading those horror comics.
"Come here, child."
Seeing a descendant with the same eyes as his own, Hamura's gaze gentled further.
Neji hesitated, looking to Heshu.
Heshu patted his head. "Go on."
Go collect your windfall. The jackpot of all jackpots. With this, you'll be a main character in the Fourth War too.
Once he evolved the Tenseigan, Neji would truly become a bird that could fly.
Neji didn't fully grasp the situation, but he trusted Heshu completely. The old ghost's Byakugan also stripped away any lingering wariness.
Guided by Hamura, Neji reached out, his palm meeting the ancestor's.
Vast energy rippled through the chamber. A torrent of power, awe-inspiring in its scale. As the transfer continued, Hamura's form grew fainter, more translucent. Neji felt no pain, but an overwhelming drowsiness seized him. His eyelids grew heavy, irresistible.
The moment the flow of power ceased, his consciousness fled. He slumped backward.
Heshu caught him, cradling the boy in his arms.
"I leave both Earth… and the Moon… to you."
Hamura's final words to Heshu were solemn, weighted with millennia of duty.
"Understood."
As Heshu spoke, Hamura's spirit dissipated into motes of light.
[Ding! Favorability of target Ōtsutsuki Hamura: 60!]
Heshu paused. What I want… should be available for exchange now.
Combined with the favorability he'd collected before, the total should be enough for those two specific abilities.
They exited the chamber.
Shūpū glanced back at the dark space. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream.
Ōtsutsuki Gen'ichi had wholly abandoned his plans for war and planetary destruction. Hamura's appearance was warning enough. And by bequeathing his power to Neji, Hamura had handed the authority to watch over Gen'ichi to Heshu and Neji. That final command, "I leave both Earth and the Moon to you," made Hamura's stance perfectly clear.
Hiashi was the first to step forward, his eyes fixed on Neji in Heshu's arms, worry plain on his face.
"He's fine," Heshu said with a reassuring smile.
Hiashi instantly relaxed.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri showed little interest in the proceedings. His gaze swept over the group… and landed on one small girl. He pulled free from his father's grip and walked up to Hinata.
"I am Ōtsutsuki Toneri. What is your name?"
Perhaps it was fate.
Hinata, influenced by her earlier impressions of the Branch Family members, flinched and hid behind her father's leg.
Naruto, who had been watching from beside Hanzo, saw red.
Damn Branch Family! They want Hinata's eyes!
He charged over, planting himself between Toneri and Hinata with a fierce scowl. "Stay away from her!"
Toneri gave Naruto a flat, dismissive glance, then looked back at Hinata. "So your name is Hyūga Hinata."
Naruto's expression was a masterpiece.
Hiashi, caught between the three children, studied Toneri. On that refined, placid face, he saw profound contempt for Naruto.
Hiashi: "…"
Well. The Hokage raised him, but… he really doesn't look very bright.
Meanwhile, Heshu had turned to Gen'ichi and Shūpū, launching into a discussion about lunar base construction.
"Earth's enemies are powerful. I hope to secure your assistance," Heshu said, looking at them with apparent sincerity.
A high-tech base on the Moon? How cool would that be? The idea made Heshu's heart race. What guy wouldn't be thrilled by a fully realized sci-fi lunar world?
Shūpū misunderstood. He scratched his head, embarrassed. "Our combat strength isn't much help…"
He had a painfully accurate view of his clan's abilities. Gen'ichi's expression showed tacit agreement. The forest of ice sculptures outside was proof enough the Branch Family couldn't contribute much militarily.
"Your fighting skills are indeed lacking," Heshu agreed bluntly, clapping them both on the shoulder. "But you have technology. Don't sell yourselves short. Believe in it. Tech is the ultimate weapon."
Gen'ichi: "…"
Shūpū nodded vigorously. "That's true!"
"So you mean… we could manufacture weapons?" Gen'ichi asked.
"Exactly! And don't limit yourselves. Combat puppets are great too!" Heshu's eyes gleamed. "Let your imaginations run wild."
Gen'ichi: "…We'll try."
Shūpū, fired up: "Yes!"
What followed was a four-hour lecture from Heshu. Topics covered: base construction, development direction, resource extraction, technological breakthroughs… By the end, Gen'ichi's eyes were glazed over with despair. Shūpū's, however, shone with fanatical light.
"Amazing! What brilliant ideas! You're so clever!" Shūpū showered Heshu with unrestrained praise for his visionary thinking.
As for Gen'ichi? Only dread. He understood Shūpū's excitement—youth, easily swept up by the grand blueprint Heshu painted. But as someone with actual experience, he could foresee the monstrously complex engineering project she envisioned. Even working non-stop, without sleep or play, it would take them over five years.
Discussion concluded, Heshu turned—and immediately spotted Orochimaru.
The Sannin was circling young Toneri like a particularly enthusiastic kidnapper. A massive syringe was in his hand, his eyes glowing with predatory green light.
Credit to Toneri—even at his age, he possessed a preternatural calm. Under Orochimaru's intense scrutiny, his expression remained utterly placid. Truly admirable.
Still, Orochimaru was going too far. This was still Ōtsutsuki territory. He really had no sense of restraint.
Heshu snatched the syringe from Orochimaru's grasp, then turned a beaming smile on Shūpū. Toneri was just a kid, and a Branch Family member at that. How could he compare to a pure-blooded young Main Family member like Shūpū?
"Wh-what is that?" Shūpū asked, a bad feeling creeping up his spine.
"This?" Heshu shook the syringe, launching into a flawless stream of bullshit. "On Earth, we often study the physical constitutions of different shinobi clans. I'd like to draw a sample of your blood, take it back, and research the Ōtsutsuki physique."
"Really?" Shūpū's guard dropped considerably.
"I see!"
"Earth has such customs!"
He puffed out his chest proudly. "To be honest, my physique is excellent! I've never been sick a day in my life, and I rarely get injured!"
Hearing this, the light in Orochimaru's eyes wasn't just bright. It was diamond-hard, cutting, ravenous.
Heshu pressed the chakra-coated needle into Shūpū's arm. The syringe filled with dark red blood in seconds. She withdrew it, and the pinprick healed instantly.
Shūpū stared, amazed, at the vanished mark.
Heshu handed the full syringe to Orochimaru, who had already extended both hands in eager anticipation. The Sannin looked like he wanted to teleport straight back to his lab on Earth.
Under the watchful eyes of the Ōtsutsuki clan, Heshu's group began their journey back to Earth. Before leaving, Heshu thawed the furious young men. How to deal with them was Gen'ichi's problem now.
The lunar expedition had been a resounding success for everyone.
Heshu got his favorability points and a future, ultra-cool lunar tech base.
Neji got Ōtsutsuki Hamura's power and a path to the Tenseigan.
Orochimaru got his coveted research blood sample. A smug, unsettling grin was permanently etched on his face. Watching Heshu's back, he felt a swell of pride. As expected of someone who understands the path of research.
Hiashi and Hizashi had their horizons broadened and were satisfied.
Hinata was happy because she got a moon trip with Naruto.
Naruto was ecstatic—he could lord this over Sasuke for ages. Even if he couldn't spill the details, the sheer smugness filled him to the brim.
For Hanzo, as long as Naruto behaved, she was perfectly content with everything.
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