The ocular technique ended.
The illusion conjured by Subi Chii dissipated, and Kaguya snapped back to reality with a jolt. She pointed at Itachi's stunned, crumbling expression and exclaid: "Kazuki… Kazuki! This little bastard must be killed! He might look like a normal person now, but without you around, he would've slaughtered the entire Uchiha clan!"
"He's an even bigger monster than Hamura and Hagoromo!"
Kazuki gave a small, amused smile.
In Kazuki's past life, people used to call Hagoromo the 'Little Uchiha Itachi', but compared to this full-blown mass-murderer, the Sage of Six Paths wasn't nearly as terrifying…
If the corrupted version of Uchiha Itachi had been granted enough power, he might have made the entire shinobi world his target—turning it all into a clan-wide massacre in the na of his so-called love!
"Kaguya," Kazuki said softly, "but in this tiline, I exist. Do you think Uchiha Itachi will still end up that way?"
"Right now, he clearly disagrees with Uchiha Fugaku's ideals. His eyes are full of resistance…"
Kaguya frowned, turning to look at Itachi—head bowed, silently defying Fugaku's words.
"And besides, Kaguya," Kazuki continued, "don't assu that Itachi and Fugaku are so unique, isolated father-son duo…"
"If we used Subi Chii to peer into others' futures, we might find outcos just as grim as Itachi's. And there are many—many—people with malicious intent toward , just like Uchiha Fugaku. Even within Konohagakure."
"This is human nature. The human heart—it's the one thing that crumbles fastest under pressure."
In truth—
That was a lie.
Within Konohagakure, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi were likely the most extraordinary father-son duo imaginable.
Or perhaps, even if you expanded the scope to the entire shinobi world, the sa would still hold true.
Kaguya's expression slowly turned solemn. She nodded lightly and said in a quiet voice, "Then… is it really worth it, Kazuki?"
"To risk your life for these filthy, foolish, selfish, and narrow-minded humans…"
Kazuki shook his head and gave a soft chuckle.
"Kaguya, I love the shinobi world. I love this world…"
The mont she heard the word love, Kaguya stiffened all over. She suddenly recalled how Uchiha Itachi had used love as an excuse to kidnap Sasuke and utterly destroy his life.
At that instant—
Kaguya truly feared Kazuki might be following the sa path as Uchiha Itachi. With Kazuki's power and finesse, combined with Itachi's kind of twisted extremism…
Kaguya felt that would truly spell the end of everything.
Even she had to admit that there was almost no one in the world who could stop Kazuki. Though he lacked the overwhelming raw power of a complete Ōtsutsuki, his mastery of combat techniques and jutsu made him nearly impossible to kill.
"That's why," Kazuki said, "I won't bla the entire world for the sins of a few twisted, ugly, and fallen individuals. Because beyond those people, there are still those who love , those who are willing to believe in . They're the reason I'm willing to protect this world."
He looked at Kaguya with quiet emotion in his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of weariness.
"No matter what you do, there will always be criticism... Especially when you're trying to do sothing beyond what most people can imagine. Even those closest to you might begin to doubt."
"For example, when people see how close we are—how... how this our relationship looks," Kazuki blinked, deliberately vague, "If they still believe you're the 'evil' Sage of Six Paths, won't they think I've already fallen under your control? There are things that can't be explained clearly—especially when people like Ōtsutsuki Isshiki co to attack. I might even need to borrow your strength, which would only make things look worse."
"If I abandoned the responsibilities I could have borne just because of a few individuals, or a few misunderstandings... I would regret it, Kaguya."
Kaguya listened quietly to Kazuki's calm and thoughtful words, dazed for a mont.
Relationship, huh...
Was he talking about trust, closeness, or…?
But as they returned to the heart of the issue, Kaguya forcibly suppressed those strange thoughts and replied seriously, "Kazuki... perhaps you really are the one capable of awakening Gaia's consciousness."
"No, Kaguya. You're more suitable than I am."
Kazuki shook his head.
"I've thought it through. You, who once protected the shinobi world, who absorbed the chakra fruit this planet produced, who tried to awaken Gaia's consciousness before—you're the best candidate."
"Back then, your thinking just had so flaws. But this ti, I'm here beside you. I'll shield you from misunderstanding and betrayal. All you have to do… is beco the goddess of protection once more."
"Trust . Together, we can save the shinobi world. With here, you won't be hurt again."
"And when that day of success finally cos, I believe that when we look back at the rough, winding road we've walked… it will all seem like nothing more than wind and frost."
Kaguya stared blankly at Kazuki.
So that was it...
Kazuki truly saw her as a goddess of salvation. He genuinely wanted her to beco the chosen vessel for Gaia's consciousness.
He was sincerely thinking only of her.
But then, Kaguya's heart began to panic—because the truth was, she had never once had the intention of protecting the shinobi world!
As the incarnation of Gaia's consciousness, how could this planet possibly look kindly upon a foreign invader like her?
And yet, Kazuki's boundless love for the shinobi world made Kaguya feel that—if this planet did awaken Gaia's consciousness—then the one it would surely choose was Kazuki!
Even so, Kaguya couldn't bring herself to refuse him. She couldn't resist the pure goodwill radiating from deep within his heart.
"Kaguya, you're currently residing within my body. You and I are one…"
Kazuki spoke softly: "You only need to be the leaf that bathes in sunlight—just hold on to your love for the shinobi world. I'll be the root hidden in the shadows, absorbing the negativity for you, soothing the wounds inflicted by those who once stood close to you."
"I brought you to witness all this today because I wanted to show you—no matter how sinister human nature can be, no matter how twisted the misunderstandings beco, I can bear it all for you. With standing at the front, you don't need to carry those burdens."
"Just… don't abandon the ideals you once held for protecting the shinobi world, Kaguya."
[From the target Otsutsuki Kaguya: You get the jutsu—All-Killing Ash Bones!]
Kaguya had never t anyone like Kazuki before.
He didn't try to coax her into becoming the vessel of Gaia's consciousness by sugarcoating the struggle. Instead, he laid out plainly all the hardships she would face—but then told her he'd carry those burdens in her place. Every word touched the deepest scars left by betrayal in her heart.
Especially when contrasted with the story of Uchiha Itachi...
Kazuki respected her so deeply. He laid out the thods, the risks, and the goals of saving the shinobi world without concealing a single detail.
Could what Itachi offered be called love?
Absolutely not!
But what Kazuki gave her—could that be called love?
Without a doubt. It was a love that encompassed the entire shinobi world, the entire planet…
And yet, for just a fleeting mont, Kaguya felt a pang of regret—Why wasn't that love directed at her alone? Why had she lied to Kazuki?
Caught in this tangle of emotion, Kaguya lowered her head and gave a vague nod.
"Mm…"
Kazuki's nature…
If she truly gave him her whole heart—if she refrained from doing anything to harm him or endanger the shinobi world—then even if she had hidden a few things in the past…
There was a good chance Kazuki would still give her a chance to be forgiven.
"Kazuki, I… I'll do my best. But you have to keep going too!"
Kaguya said softly, "Let's make sure we have a backup plan. If I fail, then you can try to beco the one chosen by Gaia's consciousness…"
Kazuki smiled and nodded.
"Let's let you try first. I believe in you, Kaguya."
As for the idea of Kaguya being chosen by Gaia's consciousness—Kazuki knew, even without a final bond having taken place yet, that it was impossible.
Whether it was possible didn't matter. What mattered was that Kaguya believed Kazuki thought it was.
This All-Killing Ash Bones jutsu—wasn't it proof that a corner of Kaguya's heart had been opened?
From here on, Kazuki would continue teaching Kaguya more advanced combat techniques with his gentle deanor—and like an investnt returned with interest, every technique Kaguya learned from Kazuki would be repaid several tis over.
anwhile, the argunt between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Fugaku still dragged on.
But Kazuki no longer cared about those two. Their value had reached the point of diminishing returns—it was better to let them burn out on their own.
Even if things ended in disgrace,
There were people in today's Konoha who would make sure they were rembered with dignity. Kazuki didn't need to act personally.
"Kaguya, tomorrow's training will be even harsher. Do you think you can handle it?"
Kazuki looked at her with a warm smile, amused by the mix of determination and slight guilt flickering in her eyes.
"Of course I can, Kazuki-sensei!"
Kaguya playfully winked.
"I'll be counting on your guidance!"
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