Neji nodded. "Right. I believe that if Natsuki steps in, then that so-called Ōtsutsuki Toneri wouldn't survive even a single Nikutōn (Flesh Release) punch from him. But if we do it that way, it's aningless. The Ōtsutsuki who invade in the future won't be just one—we can't only know how to rely on Natsuki. We have to be able to defeat the enemy ourselves!"
This ti, Naruto understood. "So this is the best trial! A trial where Natsuki doesn't interfere!"
Everyone else had the sa realization, and they looked at Neji with renewed respect.
To stay calm when his little sister had been taken—and to still think that far ahead—Neji really was outstanding.
Natsuki spread his hands. "Then I'll go find Orochimaru. I'll bring him along to watch from the sidelines, and I'll use the downti to collect samples. After all, even a single drop of blood from Ōtsutsuki Toneri is excellent research material. We can't waste it."
Neji agreed. "Fine. Then let's go with the flow."
Natsuki had no objection. He'd intended to let Neji handle this anyway. Since Neji had a plan, Natsuki was happy to let him run with it.
Mifune said, "In that case, everyone from Konoha, you handle your urgent business first. I'll host the others. If you need help, say the word at any ti. And once you're done, co back—my hospitality won't be skipped!"
The other Kage added, "If you need help, you'd better ask. Don't be shy!"
"Alright. Thanks, everyone!"
Neji didn't stand on ceremony. Then he turned to Minato. "Fourth-dono, please take us back to Konoha."
If he said no relying on Natsuki, then it was no relying on Natsuki—he wouldn't even let Natsuki bring them ho. That was "No-Natsuki Mode" activated on the spot. At this rate, Natsuki probably wouldn't even be allowed to speak.
Natsuki just smiled, then used Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) to jump straight to Orochimaru's lab.
Orochimaru was in the middle of an experint. He sensed Natsuki arriving, but didn't bother to stop—he kept working.
Natsuki said, "Hamura's descendants on the moon have appeared."
Crack!
Orochimaru crushed the test tube in his grip.
He snapped his head around, vertical pupils gleaming with excitent. "Ōtsutsuki material has surfaced? Hehehe… what do you need to do?"
Natsuki found a place to sit. "No rush. I'll explain. A guy calling himself Ōtsutsuki Toneri just abducted Hanabi from the Hyūga. So we're guessing he's Hamura's descendant. Neji is taking point on this, and I've been ordered not to interfere. All I need to do is bring you along to observe once the fighting starts—and if there's an opening, collect samples."
Orochimaru flicked his tongue out and licked across his face, still buzzing with anticipation. "Collecting samples… that's what I do best. Then I should prepare my tools first."
He imdiately started assembling supplies on his own.
Containers for collecting blood that dripped onto the ground. Large glass cylinders for sealing severed limbs and flesh. Nutrient bottles for preserving eyeballs—everything that might be needed, all of it.
After all, this "Toneri" was a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura, living long-term on the moon. His bloodline would be pure.
For material that good, Orochimaru wouldn't want to waste even a single strand of hair.
Once Orochimaru finished preparing, Natsuki flashed them back to Konoha at once, heading straight for the Hyūga compound.
Neji and the others had only just returned themselves and were still gathering details.
Hiashi had already gotten the report from Hanabi's mission instructor. Now he was briefing Neji directly. "According to them, the kidnapper had blue-white long hair and wore a white coat. He was young, but kept his eyes closed the entire ti. He had a puppet with him—black clothes, black hat, and a moon emblem on the hat. The puppet was very strong. The jōnin in charge wasn't a match. The man took Hanabi, claid he was Ōtsutsuki Toneri, and told the instructor to bring a ssage back. He demanded the village hand over Hinata, and he declared he would destroy the shinobi world created by the Sage of Six Paths…"
Destroy the shinobi world?
What a loudmouthed little bastard.
Were all Ōtsutsuki like this—always talking about ending the world?
Hinata imdiately spoke up. "Neji-nii-san, if his target is , then let go too! I'll bring Hanabi back!"
Naruto stepped in at once. "Hinata, don't worry. We'll bring Hanabi ho."
Hiashi snapped reflexively, "Hinata, don't cause trouble. Follow the Clan Head's arrangents!"
But Neji reached out and rested his palm on Hinata's head, serious and steady. "Hinata, you and Hanabi are both my little sisters. I won't let you take that risk—and I won't let anything happen to Hanabi. Trust . Hanabi will be fine. And that 'Toneri'… if he dares lay a hand on my little sister, then there's only one ending for him: death."
As he spoke, killing intent burst from him—Neji's first ti ever releasing it.
Not even when he faced Kaguya had he been like this.
It was obvious: Ōtsutsuki Toneri had touched Neji's reverse scale. Taking Hanabi was one thing. Setting his sights on Hinata too was another.
He was basically dancing on a minefield.
Hinata didn't find Neji's killing intent scary at all. Instead, she felt reassured. She believed Neji-nii-san would rescue Hanabi.
"Oh, that won't do, Neji-kun."
Orochimaru cut in smoothly. "I want living material. Dead specins lose most of their value."
Neji paused, but didn't refuse. "Fine. I'll leave you one alive. A man like that—ending up alive in your hands is worse than dying."
Orochimaru's smile turned sinister. "Exactly. I'll make sure to 'teach' him a proper lesson for you."
Everyone else couldn't help but shiver.
Compared to Neji's six-star killing intent, Orochimaru was sohow even more terrifying. If Toneri beca Orochimaru's research material, he probably wouldn't even be allowed the rcy of suicide.
He deserved it… but just imagining it was horrifying.
Naruto urged, "Can we stop talking and get to the point? How are we saving her?"
Neji looked up at the sky. "If he ca down from the moon, then he likely went back there. Sasuke—we'll need you."
"Relax. It's just the moon. If I want to go, I go."
As Sasuke spoke, one eye shifted into a six-tomoe Rinnegan. With his dōjutsu activating, a black void opened instantly. "A space-ti portal. It can reach any space."
Natsuki blinked, then rembered—Sasuke's Rinnegan really could perform space-ti movent, it just consud more chakra the farther the destination was.
But the moon wasn't that far. A few round trips were nothing. It was absurdly convenient.
Natsuki still asked, "Sasuke, looks like you've got space-ti aptitude. Want to learn Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) soti?"
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Good thing you reminded . When you've got ti, teach . The portal is fine, but the consumption is heavy and the speed isn't great. Hiraishin is still more convenient."
Honestly, Sasuke had wanted Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God) for a long ti—he just hadn't wanted to ask.
Since Natsuki brought it up himself, Sasuke wasn't going to be shy about it.
Once he learned it, he could flash around anywhere he wanted, whenever he wanted…
(End of Chapter)
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