Otsutsuki Toneri

Immediately afterward, a dazzling light appeared where Otsutsuki Toneri had disappeared. The light grew stronger and brighter until it passed over Shiyu and then fell into the distance.

With a loud "boom," a slight explosion seemed to occur, and the surrounding area was enveloped in light.

"That's... Itachi seemed to have guessed something as well."

"The lunar surface," Shiyu said, "The lunar surface has begun to peel away. It seems Toneri is planning to attack our planet."

"Shiyu. Kurenai was also somewhat confused. She had just finished looking for Shiyu when she was suddenly attacked by a group of Puppet Ninja on her way back. Then the puppets carried her away."

"Toneri?" Itachi asked as well.

Shiyu replied, "Hagoromo Otsutsuki, also known as the Sage of Six Paths, and his younger brother Hamura Otsutsuki, sealed away their mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki. Hagoromo remained on our planet, while Hamura continued to protect Kaguya on the moon."

"Toneri is a member of the Branch Family of Hamura Otsutsuki," Shiyu said.

"What exactly is their purpose? Why did they kidnap Kurenai?" Itachi asked.

"I don't know, but I guess it's related to the Reincarnation Eye and the destruction of Earth," Shiyu added. "This matter must be resolved before the great war, otherwise, the war will inevitably be affected."

"I bet those guys got here through some kind of spatial passage. We can explore the area thoroughly," Shiyu said.

"Okay, I'll get the other shadows to help too."

Because the situation was extremely urgent, everyone helped Shiyu search the surrounding area. After gradually expanding the search area, Ao from Kirigakure found a cave.

"At the bottom of the cave, there's a glowing spring; it looks rather strange."

"Yes, it does feel a bit strange. Let's go over there!"

After entering the cave, the Third Hokage asked, "Kurenai, can you see what's at the bottom of the spring?"

Kurenai replied, "My vision is distorted; even with my Byakugan, I can't see clearly."

"It seems I'll have to go myself. Everyone, you can stop here. Next, Itachi, Shisui, and I will go over there," Shiyu said.

"Let Kurenai go with you. After all, she's involved, and it will be of some help to you," the Third Hokage said.

Kurenai nodded.

"Okay." Shiyu nodded, and Shisui, Itachi, and Kurenai, the four of them, dived into the spring.

After diving in, Shiyu discovered that the spring water did not wet people's bodies, which was quite amazing.

Continuing downstream, the four eventually swam directly past the bottom of the spring and reached a waterless space. However, there were many golden bubbles there, and quite easily, everyone encountered them.

Shiyu touched these bubbles, she quickly drifted into memories of the past.

The first scene is when Hinata Kurenai and Shuichi Matsuyama are fighting.

Why did I think of Shiyu again? Shiyu, I've always been holding you back. I really want to become stronger, and I'll keep going until you can see my efforts.

"At such a crucial moment, why did I think of him again?" But when Shuichi Matsuyama said that Shiyu was the worst student, Kurenai's expression changed.

"Don't speak ill of Shiyu!" Kurenai rushed over and knocked Shuichi Matsuyama unconscious with a single palm strike.

Then, the second scene appears: a rose-lined alley, a street in the Land of Hot Water.

The Kurenai before her was exceptionally captivating. She exclaimed, "What a beautiful street! I wish I could live here! To see such vibrant flowers every day would be such a blessing!" Hinata Kurenai's fiery red hair fluttered in the air, and her tender gaze was fixed on Shiyu, a truly beautiful sight.

"I hope that one day, we can settle down here together." The last sentence was spoken by Kurenai to herself, but Shiyu heard it in the flashback.

Then, the third image appeared.

"Multiply: Human Bullet Tank!" Akimichi Tonki and Kurenai were engaged in an extremely fierce battle.

Kurenai charged forward with renewed vigor, shouting, "Shiyu! I won't hold you back forever!" She then sent the Tonki flying.

The following scenes depict Kurenai's feelings for Shiyu, but Shiyu is completely unaware of how deeply Kurenai loves him.

The final scene returns to the day the two truly met.

"What's your name Hyuga, Hinata?" Shiyu looked at Hinata Kurenai but couldn't remember.

"Me? My name is Hinata Kurenai, remember that! Don't forget it later!"

Okay! I won't forget it again.

Shiyu's head grew heavier and heavier, as if he had fallen into a world of illusion.

"Shiyu! Wake up! This is a dream!" Itachi and Shisui were both masters of illusion and had already noticed something unusual, so they immediately woke Shiyu up.

Logically Shiyu should have discovered the problem long ago, but for some reason, she didn't take the initiative to resolve it this Shiyu.

"It seems this is a trap set by the enemy, casting an illusion on the invaders and imprisoning them in memories—a cage called memory."

"Ugh, Itachi and I quickly realized something was wrong and dispelled the genjutsu," Shisui said.

"A beautiful memory, huh? It seems just like the Infinite Tsukuyomi," Kurenai guessed.

Shiyu remained silent.

After passing through the area of golden bubbles, the group discovered a spring.

"Shall we go in?" Shisui asked.

"Hmm." Then Shiyu and the others rushed into the spring.

At that moment, Otsutsuki Toneri reappeared behind Kurenai.

"Kurenai, I said I would pick you up, but you still came here by yourself," said Toneri.

"What exactly is your purpose?!" Kurenai demanded.

Then Otsutsuki Toneri flew over and said, "Don't worry, although this world is about to be destroyed, you will continue to live on."

Otsutsuki Toneri opened his eyes; his eyes had returned to their sockets.

"Byakugan Princess, Kurenai, marry me," the Toneri asked.

"Marriage?" Kurenai was also somewhat surprised.

Shiyu sensed something was wrong and immediately gestured, "Kurenai, I'll be right back."

Itachi and Shisui nodded, crossed the spring, and arrived at a new scene.

The place is surrounded by Utakata, making it look just like the production base for that illusion bubble from before.

"This is probably the lair of the guardians of the Utakata -making pathway," Shisui guessed.

"The lair." Before the enemy, Weasel, could finish speaking, the surroundings immediately trembled.

"These are the guards." Itachi took a step back and stood in a row with Shisui.

The guard in front of us was a giant crab.

"Bang!!" A large amount of Utakata came out of the crab's mouth, and Itachi and Shisui immediately dodged.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

The two used fire-style techniques, but they didn't actually harm the crab in front of them.

"What a hard shell!"