NOVEL NEXT Chapter 331: Chapter 331
Hui's actions were natural and unassuming, raising no suspicion.
"This time, I've come for a reason," Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo began. He had been observing Konoha's development for some time.
Hui had grown to a level beyond Hagoromo's. As a result, he could no longer monitor Hui recklessly.
Yet during this period of observation, Hagoromo had witnessed the future of the Shinobi World, one aligned with his hopes and dreams.
That made Hagoromo happy.
However, Hui's decision to rescue Kaguya left him uneasy.
He couldn't forget Kaguya's past actions, nor the war that had erupted between mother and sons.
He feared that Hui might succumb to greed and follow in his mother's footsteps.
That's why he needed to confirm things.
Now, the Six Paths Yin-Yang Power used to seal Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had returned to him, and he was ready to seal her ,or even Mochizuki Hui, again, if necessary.
However, Hagoromo was unsure if he could still seal Hui.
Given Hui's current power, sealing him might be beyond Hagoromo's capability.
"I am worried. I don't know how you discovered that Mother was sealed on the moon, but do you understand exactly what kind of person you've released?" Hagoromo's voice was low and serious. Although he frequently watched over the Shinobi World, he wasn't omniscient.
For example, he knew nothing about Black Zetsu or Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
"Of course, I know exactly who I've freed. In fact, I know more than you do," Hui responded calmly.
Through his mind reading, he had already sensed Hagoromo's worries.
Those worries brought a slight smile to Hui's lips.
In truth, Hagoromo had failed in many ways.
He had sealed Kaguya out of opposition to her actions, and that decision wasn't necessarily wrong.
But he hadn't handled it well.
He had acted too hastily.
He hadn't taken the time to understand why Kaguya had acted as she did.
Back then, Kaguya had split her power between Hagoromo and Hamura, leaving her unable to resist the rest of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Plagued by fear and anxiety, she had eventually descended into madness and used ordinary humans.
Had Hagoromo understood her initial intentions, perhaps the mother and sons wouldn't have reached such a tragic breaking point.
Given Hagoromo and Hamura's natures, they likely would have willingly sacrificed their lives and returned their chakra and power to Kaguya, empowering her to resist the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
That might have stopped her from targeting humans.
Unfortunately, in his anger, Hagoromo had acted rashly, and he had also been influenced by a certain toad's prophecy.
When Hui's words reached him, Hagoromo froze in shock.
Hui knew about all of this? And knew even more than him?
Hagoromo was bewildered.
Hui continued speaking.
He elaborated on the history of the Ōtsutsuki Clan and revealed the existence of the hidden threat, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
Slowly, he explained everything to the Sage of Six Paths.
When he finished, Hui quietly sat in place.
He could sense the complex emotions swirling within Hagoromo.
Hagoromo had never imagined that such truths existed.
He had spent so much time focusing on the Shinobi World's development, worrying over its endless wars, fretting over its future.
Yet he hadn't realized that the Shinobi World's greatest danger didn't come from within, it came from the distant stars.
The Ōtsutsuki Clan, and possibly other cosmic races these were the true threats to the Shinobi World.
For a moment, Hagoromo was lost in confusion.
But he was, after all, a being who had lived for over a thousand years. He had seen too much, experienced too much.
So, he quickly regained his composure.
"So, that's why you created that technique, to counter the Ōtsutsuki Clan and other potential threats. Excellent, Mochizuki Hui. It is truly the Shinobi World's fortune that you were born."
Hagoromo now fully understood the significance of Hui's Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique.
Hagoromo spoke with praise in his voice, unable to hide his admiration and respect for Hui.
Back in the day, Hagoromo spread the knowledge of chakra across the Shinobi World, giving rise to the era of ninjas.
Now, Hui had created the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique, a system that would usher the Shinobi World into an era of sages powered by natural energy and evolution.
In a way, he and Hui were kindred spirits.
"No, being born in this world is my fortune," Hui said with a smile, shaking his head.
If he hadn't been reborn into this world, he might have truly perished, never experiencing such an extraordinary life.
Upon hearing these words, Hagoromo's lips also curved into a slight smile.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, his mother, whom he had sealed with his own hands.
"Mother… the past is irreversible. I don't expect your forgiveness… but I still want to say I'm sorry. I acted too rashly back then, not understanding the true reasons behind everything, and I struck out in impulsive anger."
Hagoromo's voice was filled with remorse.
But he was also calm, he knew that apologizing was necessary, and he faced this truth with composure.
Because, ultimately, sealing his mother hadn't been the wrong decision.
"Since the Shinobi World faces such powerful enemies, and this broken body of mine can no longer do anything… I will return my power to you, Mother."
With that, Hagoromo began to dissolve, intending to return his chakra to Kaguya.
But Hui interrupted.
"If you think giving your power back to your mother will be enough to stop the Ōtsutsuki Clan, then you're far too naive."
Hagoromo's actions paused as he looked at Hui in confusion. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya also turned her gaze to him.
Hui stood up and looked toward the endless expanse of stars in the sky.
He spoke, "If simply restoring Kaguya to her full power could fend off the Ōtsutsuki Clan, why would I have gone to such great lengths to strengthen the Shinobi World?"
He continued, his voice steady and confident. "Because I… have already surpassed Kaguya in her prime."
As he spoke, Hui released the restraint on his eyes, revealing their full brilliance, while a cloak of silver lightning flickered around his body.
Then, he shifted his gaze from the stars back to Hagoromo.
At that moment, a shiver ran through Hagoromo's entire being, his chakra trembling uncontrollably.
Hagoromo stared into Hui's eyes, feeling as though he was standing on the verge of destruction.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's body tensed as well. From Hui, she sensed a power far surpassing that of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, perhaps even on par with that figure from the Ōtsutsuki Clan whom she remembered.
This young man… had grown to such a terrifying level of strength!
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan is powerful, and the universe is vast and mysterious. The Shinobi World, by comparison, is minuscule. Besides me, the only person currently capable of opposing the Ōtsutsuki Clan is Uchiha Madara."
"Even if we add Kaguya, that makes only three of us."
"Three people… how can we resist the entire Ōtsutsuki Clan? How can we resist the potential existence of even stronger cosmic races?"
"If the Shinobi World is to survive the wars of the future, it needs many more beings like me, like Kaguya."
Hui's voice was grave as he spoke.
"But… do you really think the Ōtsutsuki Clan and the cosmic races are our only enemies?"
His words left Kaguya and Hagoromo stunned.
What?
Were there other enemies besides those two forces?
Mochizuki Hui continued, "When I was studying the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques, I came across a jutsu called the Reaper Death Seal, a technique that involves the Shinigami."
"And during my research into ancient Shinobi practices, I found records that mentioned an entity known as Jashin."
"I investigated further and eventually found a clue… a clue that points to the Pure Land."
"I've wanted to visit the Pure Land to investigate, but I've never had the opportunity, or the means, to do so."
"That's why I believe the Pure Land may hold another unimaginable threat."
He looked directly at Hagoromo, his expression serious.
"Compared to offering your life to strengthen Kaguya, I'd much rather have you probe the truth behind the Pure Land, the truth behind those so-called 'gods.'"
Hui's voice was resolute as he made his request.
There were too many unanswered mysteries in the Shinobi World, so many loose threads left behind.
The nature of those two deities remained shrouded in obscurity.
And now, Hui intended to have Hagoromo help him uncover the truth about these two "gods."
[tl/n: these chapters are consistently being on the longer side of normal chapters😫.
and shouldn't Kagya be stronger than Isshiki in his prime after consuming the chakra fruit? well if her power was divined between her sons in this setting, it makes some sense, but still, somethings nagging at my brain. I should seaarch though the wiki once more.]