Tsukihime burst into the room with barely contained excitement, her eyes gleaming. "Dad, I've mastered the Rinnegan!"
Hanekawa smiled and ruffled her hair. A month to master one of the most powerful dōjutsu in existence. She really is something else.
"What should I learn next?" Tsukihime asked eagerly.
"You're coming to the Ninja Clan with me," Hanekawa said after a moment's thought. "Time to expand your arsenal."
Though Tsukihime possessed the talents of the Sage of Six Paths himself, the Rinnegan represented her ceiling in that particular direction. The next phase required something different—a foundation in the fundamental nature releases. Fire, water, lightning, earth, wind, and the more esoteric yin and yang techniques. Once she mastered those, he'd teach her to shape the Truth-Seeking Ball itself.
"Really?" Tsukihime's face lit up. "I've been wanting to go to the Ninja Clan forever!"
"I see you just want to play," Hanekawa said, tapping her forehead with a slight smile.
Over the past month, the Ninja Clan had grown into something resembling an actual organization. More than a hundred students now trained there daily, filling the compound with energy and purpose. Compared to Kaguya's complete indifference toward childcare—she'd sooner destroy a mountain than organize a field trip—Tsukihime thrived in that environment.
"Go on," Hanekawa said. "I need to talk to your mother first."
Tsukihime skipped away, humming to herself.
When Hanekawa looked up, he found Kaguya Ōtsutsuki watching him with those penetrating Byakugan. Her gaze could cut through steel.
"You're going to the Ninja Clan," she stated flatly.
"I am. I'm teaching them a new jutsu system today—one I created by combining sealing techniques with nature releases."
Kaguya tilted her head slightly, processing this. "I will accompany you."
Hanekawa blinked. That was easier than expected.
"I thought you might want to change first," he said, gesturing to her white robes. "I bought you some clothes."
Kaguya glanced down at her garment—the same one she'd worn for millennia. "There is no need."
"There's a saying: clothes make the person," Hanekawa said, stepping closer. "That dress doesn't do justice to someone as beautiful as you."
Kaguya's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes. Beautiful. The word hung in the air between them. In all her existence, no one had ever used that word to describe her. The Ōtsutsuki clan had only ever seen her as lesser. The world beyond had only known fear.
"Where are these clothes?" she asked quietly.
---
Twenty minutes later, Kaguya emerged from her room in a traditional kimono. The garment transformed her—the formal elegance suited her perfectly, complementing her cold beauty and dignified bearing.
"You look stunning," Hanekawa said, and meant it.
Kaguya had paired the kimono with white silk stockings, and when she moved, there was something almost hypnotic about the way the fabric caught the light.
"Are you wearing stockings?" Hanekawa asked, his eyes lingering a moment too long.
Without hesitation, Kaguya lifted the hem of her kimono, revealing slender thighs wrapped in white silk. At the edge of the stockings, pale skin peeked through—a contrast that made Hanekawa's breath catch.
Oh no.
"I see desire in your eyes," Kaguya observed, lowering her kimono. "Are you thinking of reproduction?"
Hanekawa's face went hot. Leave it to her to be completely literal about everything.
"Yes," he admitted, deciding honesty was the only way forward with someone who had no concept of social filters.
Kaguya nodded as if this confirmed her hypothesis. "Once you build the Pure Land, perhaps I will agree."
Perhaps. He'd take it.
"Your kimono isn't quite right," Hanekawa said, stepping closer. His hand found her waist. "Let me fix it."
Kaguya simply watched him, her expression unreadable.
Hanekawa found himself staring at her lips—soft, naturally rosy, without any cosmetic enhancement. Up close, he could see the delicate lines of her mouth.
What am I doing?
He lowered his head and kissed her.
For a moment, nothing happened. Kaguya remained perfectly still, her eyes open, completely bewildered by the sensation.
When he pulled back, she asked flatly: "What is the purpose of that action?"
"It's called a kiss," Hanekawa said, coughing awkwardly. "You'll understand its significance later."
He practically fled to Tsukihime's room.
Behind him, Kaguya touched her lips thoughtfully, her snow-Byakugan narrowing slightly. Interesting.
---
The Ninja Clan's training square was packed. Over a hundred students stood in neat formations, their eyes widening as they spotted Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in her formal kimono, standing beside Hanekawa on the raised platform.
"You've trained for a month," Hanekawa announced. "Today, you learn the true divine techniques."
The crowd stirred with anticipation.
"Divine techniques are what gods use. What you practice are ninjutsu—the mortal equivalent. There are seven fundamental nature releases: Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Yin, and Yang."
Hanekawa formed hand seals. A massive fireball erupted into existence, the heat distorting the air. The front row of students stumbled backward, sweat beading on their foreheads.
"Fire Style."
More seals. The fireball vanished, replaced by a coiling water dragon that hung suspended in the air.
"Water Style."
He continued through the remaining elements, each demonstration more impressive than the last. By the end, the crowd was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Dad is amazing!" Tsukihime whispered.
Kaguya watched with mild interest. The techniques themselves weren't difficult—she could replicate any of them instantly. But creating seven entirely distinct jutsu systems from scratch? That required a different kind of strength. The Ōtsutsuki clan had never needed to innovate. They simply conquered.
"Everyone's physique is unique," Hanekawa continued. "Your ideal nature release depends on your individual constitution."
He released a wave of chakra that washed over the assembled students. After a month of training, their bodies had begun to resonate with specific elemental frequencies. The differences were subtle but detectable.
When the chakra settled, each student was surrounded by their corresponding element—fire, water, lightning, earth, or wind.
"This is your path," Hanekawa said. "Haori, Futami—reorganize them by attribute."
As the students regrouped, Hanekawa created five shadow clones.
"My clones will handle instruction from here," he said casually. "How much you learn depends on your dedication."
The crowd didn't feel slighted—if anything, they were awed. Only someone of immense power could create shadow clones stable enough to teach.
"Tsukihime, you're up," Hanekawa called.
"Yes!" Tsukihime bolted toward the training square.
Hanekawa turned to Kaguya. "Come with me. I want to teach you something different."
---
Back at the house, Hanekawa stood opposite Kaguya in the open courtyard.
"Taijutsu," he said. "Hand-to-hand combat. Ninjutsu won't work on you, but fighting technique will—because it relies on pure martial skill, not chakra manipulation."
"Teach me," Kaguya said simply.
"Attack me. But you cannot use any dōjutsu abilities."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed slightly—a challenge. She threw a punch.
The air exploded around her fist. Hanekawa sidestepped easily and countered with a spinning kick—Konoha Whirlwind.
Kaguya raised her arms to block, but Hanekawa was already moving, flowing into the next technique. Konoha Bad Rock Rise—an elbow strike aimed at her head.
She deflected it, but he was relentless. Attack after attack, each one flowing seamlessly into the next. Kaguya found herself constantly on the defensive, forced to react rather than initiate.
This is... frustrating.
She was stronger. Her reflexes were superior. Yet she was losing the exchange.
After two hours of this, Hanekawa created distance between them.
"You've learned the basics of Konoha Fluid Style," he said, breathing heavily.
Kaguya's expression was unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with something that might have been hunger. "Do you have other taijutsu?"
"Several," Hanekawa admitted. "I'll teach you more later."
"Thank you," Kaguya said, the words slightly awkward in her mouth—as if she were testing them out.
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. "You know how to say thank you?"
Kaguya ignored the question. "What is next?"
"We need to deal with the Pure Land," Hanekawa said. "And to do that, we need to find Death itself."
"I will accompany you," Kaguya said immediately.
"Worried I might get hurt?" Hanekawa asked with a slight smile.
"If you die, I will face considerable inconvenience," Kaguya replied with brutal honesty.
Fair enough.
Hanekawa retrieved a death mask and began forming seals. The Corpse Sealing Jutsu—an Uzumaki technique that summoned the Grim Reaper at the cost of one's life. Normally.
With Hanekawa's current power and Kaguya's presence, he had no intention of actually dying.
The seals completed. A cold wind swept through the courtyard.
A massive figure materialized before them—robed, ancient, with wild hair like a storm. The Grim Reaper regarded them with ancient eyes.
"Who summons me? How do you possess the mask?"
"Take us to the Pure Land," Hanekawa commanded.
Death paused. "The Pure Land? I know of no such place."
Interesting. So the Pure Land hadn't been created yet. Hagoromo would establish it in the future.
"Then we have a different proposition," Hanekawa said. "Submit to us."
Death's expression twisted with rage. "Insanity! I am Death itself! You dare—"
The Grim Reaper raised its hand. An aura of absolute annihilation poured forth—the essence of death itself. Grass withered. Insects crumbled to dust. The very earth became barren.
Hanekawa felt ice in his veins.
Then a Truth-Seeking Ball materialized before him, expanding into a shield. The death aura dissipated harmlessly.
Death recoiled in shock. "What—?!"
Hanekawa gestured. Nine Truth-Seeking Balls shot forward like bullets.
Death dodged desperately, but then Kaguya's Rinnegan activated. An invisible wave of force crashed down.
The Grim Reaper froze for a critical second.
The Truth-Seeking Balls struck true. The explosion was catastrophic.
When Death reformed, it was battered and broken, barely holding itself together.
"Spare... spare my life!" it gasped.
Hanekawa smiled. "Wise choice. You'll thank me for this decision."
As Death submitted, a notification appeared:
[S-Rank Talent Entry: Transcend Death]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat the God of Death]
[Effect: Survive fatal injuries for three hours]
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. Useful, though the wording is odd.
He checked his progress on "I Am a Myth"—now at 42%.
The Pure Land awaited. And with Death itself now bound to his will, the path forward had become considerably clearer.