The Final Step

In the pitch-black expanse, the azure planet shone brilliantly. Compared to it, the moon was like a dim guard, faithfully protecting this beautiful star of life.

Dressed in white, Uzumaki Mito sat atop a barren mountain on the lunar surface. All she had to do was raise her head and look ahead to clearly see the distant blue planet, as though she could grab it with a single outstretched hand.

So many years had passed, yet her appearance remained that of a woman in her twenties, without any obvious change. If there had to be one, perhaps her bearing had grown ever more perfect. The charm of a mature woman was something little girls could never imitate.

Not long after the Second Shinobi World War began, she had been moved into the moon's interior. Everyone who had remained in Uchiha Valley had also been transferred here. The Main World was far too chaotic, and the state of war made it easier for them to be exposed there.

Though the moon's interior was beautiful, living there for too long inevitably became dull. During this time, Mito most enjoyed coming to the lunar surface to gaze into the starry sky, or watching that blue planet as she pondered something.

She had always possessed such a quiet temperament and was quite content in her own company. Of course, even while living here, they had not lost access to intelligence from the Main World. Akatsuki had used the war as cover to vastly expand its influence, and with Hyuga Tamamo's planning, it had already woven an enormous net in the darkness. Intelligence regarding the Shinobi War was naturally delivered to the moon's interior at the first opportunity.

Among all that intelligence, Uzumaki Mito cared most about news of the Uzumaki Clan. Overall, this Shinobi