Kaguya and Nanchuan You

"It's not quite what you think."

Before him, Nanchuan You shook his head, then spoke softly: "I love your mother—that goes without question."

"But loving someone doesn't mean blindly going along with everything."

"Correcting their mistakes in time, pulling them back from the wrong path—that too is a form of love."

He spoke gently: "The same goes for you."

"Innocent children will eventually grow up, just as you once did."

"Since you already have your own thoughts, then go ahead and act on them."

"Acting on them—that's also a necessary part of growing up."

He said this, his voice calm.

"Father..."

The Hagoromo Brothers were moved, at a loss for words in that moment.

"Whatever you want to do, go and do it."

Nanchuan You smiled: "But don't forget—this is still your home."

"When you're out there working hard, remember to come back and visit now and then."

"Yes."

The Hagoromo Brothers nodded respectfully, then slowly withdrew, leaving the place.

Nanchuan You stood still, quietly watching their figures depart.

Only when the brothers' silhouettes vanished from sight did he let out a long sigh.

"Are you just going to stand there watching, without doing anything?"

At a certain moment, he suddenly spoke, looking to the side.

There, a white-haired woman appeared, standing silently.

She had long white hair and horns atop her head, gazing into the distance just like Nanchuan You.

Her Byakugan reflected the figures of the Hagoromo Brothers, still watching from afar.

"What is there to do?"

Kaguya said flatly: "They don't want to see me."

"That's because you won't talk to them more, isn't it?"

Looking at Kaguya beside him, Nanchuan You sighed helplessly: "You—clearly you miss them too, so why don't you reach out?"

Kaguya said nothing, standing still, silent.

Nanchuan You came up from behind and slowly pulled her into his embrace.

He drew close from behind, his whole body pressing against Kaguya, as if savoring her presence.

"You..."

Kaguya lowered her head, looking at Nanchuan You before her, her gaze gradually softening.

Years had passed, and on the surface, she seemed unchanged from before.

Only in front of Nanchuan You did she reveal a tender side, not as cold as usual.

"Regardless, the children have their own goals and are willing to strive for them—that's ultimately a good thing."

Nanchuan You said softly: "The other Otsutsuki from beyond the heavens will come eventually. Rather than wait until then to work hard, it's better to give them a goal now."

"At least it keeps them from wasting time."

"It's useless."

Kaguya's expression was calm: "No matter what they do, it won't matter."

"They can never surpass me."

She had great confidence in her own power.

No matter how hard Hagoromo and Hamura tried, or how long they struggled, they could never defeat her.

Even among the Otsutsuki Clan, whether or not one had consumed the Chakra Fruit was a crucial standard.

An Otsutsuki who hadn't eaten the Chakra Fruit could never overcome her.

On this point, Kaguya was utterly confident.

Moreover, thanks to the rich foundation of the ninja world, the Chakra Fruit she had consumed was far superior in quality to ordinary ones.

Under these circumstances, even if Hagoromo and Hamura joined forces, they would never be her match.

"I'm not so sure."

Nanchuan You smiled: "If you keep thinking that way, they might just surprise you—you never know."

Whether in the orthodox storyline or other storylines, Kaguya is always defeated by the trained Sage of Six Paths and his brother, and ultimately sealed.

Moreover, in most versions, the Hagoromo Brothers defeat an enhanced Kaguya who has devoured the Chakra Fruit and sealed the Ten-Tails within herself as its jinchuriki.

This is enough to show that the potential within the two Hagoromo Brothers is immense—if it can be developed, it is sufficient to defeat Kaguya, the progenitor of chakra.

Compared to the Kaguya of the orthodox storyline, the Kaguya before him has only devoured the Chakra Fruit and has not yet extracted and sealed the Ten-Tails within herself; in terms of absolute power, she is even somewhat inferior.

As long as the Hagoromo Brothers can unleash the strength they possessed in their original storyline, defeating her is absolutely no problem.

Of course, at this moment, Kaguya does not believe this at all.

People cannot imagine things they have never seen.

For Kaguya, the idea of becoming stronger through self-cultivation is far too unbelievable.

Within the Otsutsuki Clan, the main path to power is devouring Chakra Fruits or consuming other clan members.

As for something like self-training, she has never witnessed it.

Precisely because of this, she cannot imagine what potential an Otsutsuki willing to train hard might hold.

"There is still plenty of time."

Nanchuan You takes her hand and speaks softly at this moment: "Let us wait and see."

Kaguya nods, saying nothing more.

Beside her, Nanchuan You is about to say something else when his face suddenly turns pale, and he begins to cough violently.

In that instant, his complexion becomes deathly white, and layers of seals spread across the surface of his body.

"The Karma is beginning to backlash..."

Otsutsuki Kaguya's eyes show a trace of worry.

The Karma of the Otsutsuki Clan can slowly transform others, but the risks involved are equally great.

In this regard, Kaguya has been very careful, but unfortunately, Nanchuan You's current body is still too weak—merely bearing a portion of the Karma's power is barely manageable.

This has led to the backlash, leaving him in a rather poor state.

Of course, there is also a way to resolve it.

"The Chakra Fruit..."

Kaguya stands still, and what the Byakugan reflects is the form of the Divine Tree.

Although the compatibility between the Karma and Nanchuan You is very low, after a long period of transformation, it has still granted Nanchuan You a faint trace of Otsutsuki constitution.

Next, if she lets him devour the Chakra Fruit, it will fully activate this sliver of Otsutsuki bloodline within him, transforming him directly into a complete Otsutsuki.

At that point, all his problems can be resolved, and he, like Kaguya, will gain an immortal life.

It is precisely for this reason that Kaguya is so anxious to hasten the ripening of the second Chakra Fruit.

If the Divine Tree Fruit cannot mature before the lifespan of Nanchuan You's body ends, the consequences will be dire.

Thinking of this, she turns around, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.

"Do not overthink it."

Beside her, Nanchuan You's voice rings out.

He stands there, looking at Kaguya before him, and shakes his head.