Inside the Hokage Building.
Kaguya suddenly appeared, startling Hagoromo, who was helping Tobirama process paperwork.
"Mother, what brings you here?" Hagoromo asked, looking at his mother in confusion.
"I cooked some food myself and brought it for you." Kaguya took out a metal lunch box and set it on Hagoromo's desk.
Hagoromo looked at the lunch box, tears of gratitude streaming down his face... This was the first time his mother had cooked for them... I have to eat every last bite!
Seeing the anticipation on Hagoromo's face, Kaguya smiled faintly.
Hagoromo slowly lifted the lid. The dazzling golden light he had imagined never appeared. Instead, a pitch-black cloud drifted out...
The smile on Hagoromo's face froze as he stared at the food inside...
I, the Sage of Six Paths... have no idea whether I'll survive eating this...
"Hagoromo, stop staring and eat." Seeing him sitting there in a daze, Kaguya assumed he was moved by her cooking for him for the first time and spoke with fond exasperation.
"Well... Mother... um... I'm not hungry right now... yes... I'll eat it later..." Hagoromo slowly closed the lid, forcing a smile.
"No. It's already noon. How can you skip lunch? I'll leave once you've finished eating." Kaguya shook her head, looking determined not to leave until he ate...
Hagoromo stared at the lunch box as though it were his mortal enemy... Even the battle a thousand years ago hadn't been this terrifying... He opened the lid again... Looking at its contents, he shakily picked up something that resembled a vegetable...
Hagoromo stared at the thing between his chopsticks and swallowed... What am I afraid of? This is food Mother made for me... Eat it! Steeling himself, he shoved it into his mouth...
Hagoromo's face instantly went deathly pale...
"Um... Mother... don't