Instead, it was the newcomer Uchiha Yi, whose strength had already reached their level, who deserved their attention. Judging by the images Hagoromo Otsutsuki had shown him, Uchiha Yi was only twelve. Neither Hagoromo nor Hamura Otsutsuki had been as strong at that age.
"His bloodline reached my level long ago, and it once carried the strength of yours as well. More recently, I sensed the aura of Tailed Beasts on him. I suspect he could grow to reach Mother's level." Hagoromo fell silent for a moment, then continued. "He probably knows we're still alive in a way.
"Not long ago, he also found Gamamaru and told him there was another Ōtsutsuki in the Shinobi World: Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who arrived alongside Mother back then. He's still alive. We need to find him."
"Ōtsutsuki Isshiki? It's not as though I haven't noticed signs of something over the years. Now his existence is confirmed." Worry crept across Hamura's face. "Is Uchiha Yi willing to work with us?"
"There's no reason we can't work together. Everything we do is for the Shinobi World.
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan isn't something we, or he, can stand against alone.
"Think about how powerful Mother was back then. Even she feared the Ōtsutsuki Clan. It seems there are quite a few among them stronger than she was.
"We've grown considerably over the years. I've mastered the true power of Kekkei Mōra and reached Mother's former level—perhaps even surpassed her. But there's no guarantee we can defeat them.
"If it comes to that, we can release Mother. I doubt she'd refuse to fight the Ōtsutsuki Clan alongside us," Hagoromo said gravely.
"I know. I've made some preparations over the years too.
"But all the descendants of my line are gone. There'll be no one left to keep watch on