On the other side.
The First Raikage, who successfully escaped the battlefield, was also running at full speed.
He didn't stop for a moment, exerting all his strength to head back toward his village.
His plan had failed. Not only did he fail to capture Senju Tobirama, but he also exposed his village's malicious intent.
When Konoha learned of this, they would likely launch a retaliatory war against Kumogakure.
Given Konoha's terrifying strength, Kumogakure would surely be unable to withstand it.
Thus, he had to return to the village immediately, bring this news, and start organizing the ninja to evacuate.
The world was vast; as long as they scattered and hid, Konoha couldn't possibly capture everyone.
As long as he survived, and the young ninja inheriting Kumogakure's will survived, even if Kumogakure was destroyed this time, there would still be a chance to rebuild in the future.
So, he had to return to the village quickly!
Until now, the First Raikage didn't know Black Zetsu was behind it all, nor that White Zetsu had disguised itself as other Kumogakure ninja and stolen their village's treasure, the Amber Purifying Pot.
Thus, in less than a day, the First Raikage covered thousands of kilometers, fleeing from the Land of Fire back to Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning.
"Damn Senju and Uchiha clans, how could such ninja clans exist, and those monsters appear in this world?"
"Calm down, calm down, our Kumogakure isn't weak either."
"Whether it's Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, Senju Tobirama, or Uchiha Izuna, they can't live forever…"
"And Kumogakure's will shall endure."
"Though we're not their match now, one day we'll defeat them!"
"For now, we'd better retreat temporarily."
"Almost home!"
"I need to organize the evacuation immediately…"
Nearing home, the First Raikage grew more excited, cursing inwardly while planning.
He was, after all, a hero from the end of the Warring States Period; he wouldn't fall from a single failure.
There would be many opportunities in the future. The one who laughs last is the true winner.
But as the First Raikage looked toward the mountain where his village stood, his eyes widened in shock and confusion.
"Wait…"
"Where's my village?!?!"
"I remember it should be on that mountain! Did I take a wrong turn?"
"No way, I couldn't have!"
"That? Smoke and fire?"
"Damn it, my village is destroyed!"
The First Raikage couldn't comprehend how the entire mountain where his village stood had vanished!
He also saw that the once misty, beautiful clouds had turned into black smoke, like a dark hell.
Flames roared beneath the black smoke, illuminating the dark night sky into a murky haze.
He could even smell the sharp, scorched odor in the air.
A horrifying, insane realization exploded in the First Raikage's heart!
Kumogakure had been annihilated!
"Hmph!"
Before he could process it, a cold, arrogant snort sounded from the distant right air:
"Looks like one escaped here!"
A massive, mountain-like complete Susano'o parted the black smoke, emerging from the night. Madara's disdainful gaze locked onto the First Raikage.
"Madara, take it easy. Don't destroy everything around!" Another reprimanding voice sounded.
From the left night sky, a giant wooden Buddha statue, equally imposing, appeared. Hashirama, clad in full armor, stood atop the Buddha's head, also locking onto the First Raikage.
The First Raikage was utterly desperate: щ(ﾟДﾟщ)!!!
"Hashirama, stop talking! This guy seems fast—let's race to see who can beat him to death first!"
"Alright! Let's race!"
Hashirama and Madara agreed to the contest and attacked simultaneously.
The giant Buddha's palm on the left and the demon's fist on the right covered the sky, crashing down with shockwaves, like the King of Hell claiming a soul, striking the First Raikage together.
The First Raikage could only stand frozen, powerless to dodge.
His despairing gaze even seemed dazed:
'This must be a dream! Yes, it's all fake!'
*BOOM!*
The attack landed, an explosion erupted, and the world fell silent…
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
While Hashirama and Madara were advancing world peace in Kumogakure, Lux arrived alone at the moon in Parallel World 1.
Currently, in the ninja world, no enemies could threaten Konoha.
With Tobirama and the others' progress, unification was expected to be completed soon.
Once unification was complete, Kaguya of Parallel World 1, sealed in the moon, would be a major threat.
Though theoretically, Kaguya couldn't escape the Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei seal, if an accident occurred and she broke free while Lux was absent, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
Even worse, if it directly disrupted the 20-year peace period post-unification, the loss would be greater.
Thus, the best choice was to deal with Kaguya of Parallel World 1, this unstable factor, before unification was complete!
Lux descended to the moon.
Since the last time Hashirama and Madara disciplined the Otsutsuki branch clan on the moon and fought Otsutsuki Isshiki, all Otsutsuki on the moon realized how terrifying and abnormal those two human ninjas were.
Plus, the giant Tenseigan had been taken, the branch clan leader who tried to rebel had his Byakugan removed and was sealed by the main clan.
Many remaining branch clan members were controlled and monitored to prevent extremism from resurfacing.
Additionally, Hashirama deliberately left a slug sage clone on the moon to oversee the Otsutsuki clan's movements.
With various guarantees and restrictions, the entire Otsutsuki clan on the moon had become obedient and disciplined.
On one hand, they provided data like orbits, climate, tides, geography, and more to Konoha on Earth.
On the other, they sent clan members to study in Konoha, some even marrying into the Hyuga clan.
Overall, the integration progress was satisfactory, with no major conflicts or confrontations.
For Lux, this was enough.
No matter where the moon's Otsutsuki lived, as long as they recognized Konoha's legitimate status in the ninja world and committed to protecting and maintaining its unity, they were excellent people.
They could have their own lives and futures.
Lux wasn't a demon from hell; he didn't have a cruel habit of slaughtering everyone.
Of course, if anyone still wanted to cause trouble or destroy, Lux would show them true cruelty!
At that point, even if Otsutsuki Hamura revived and visited with two boxes of milk, it would be useless.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Lux didn't disturb the Otsutsuki clan's life on the moon.
He prepared to release Kaguya directly.
Of course, Lux didn't know how to release her normally.
Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei was a fusion of sage techniques from the toad world and a sealing technique researched by Hagoromo himself.
It was the pinnacle of the Sage of the Six Paths' work.
It not only enhanced Chibaku Tensei's power but also made it impossible to seal Kaguya, who could transform into chakra or merge with nature at any time.
But being unable to use it didn't mean being unable to break it.
Like in Parallel World 7, whether by blowing up the entire moon, creating a hole with space-time abilities, or reviving the Ten-Tails to bypass the seal, all could free Kaguya.
Lux chose the simplest method: space-time ability.
Yomotsu Hirasaka!
A black space teleportation gate opened, leading directly to the moon's seal core.
*SHUA!*
A small white hand reached out from the teleportation gate.
Then, a tiny version of Kaguya fully flew out.
Sealed for thousands of years, Kaguya was extremely weak, her chakra barely maintaining her human form, her body shrunken, unable to even form clothes.
She was truly like a white rabbit pulled from water.
"Here?"
Kaguya looked around dazedly.
Sealed for too long, her consciousness was still chaotic upon release, like a human waking from sleep, her mind blank.
But after being freed, her immortal body began unleashing terrifying power.
Like a tornado vortex, she rapidly absorbed surrounding chakra energy to replenish her chakra and recover her condition.
"You?"
Tiny Kaguya finally noticed Lux, guessing he was the one who freed her.
'But how does he know Yomotsu Hirasaka?'
'Is he a pursuer sent by the main clan?'
'But he has no horns on his head?'
Lux had no time to explain to tiny Kaguya, directly activating Amenominaka.
He forcibly transported himself and tiny Kaguya to the Initial Dimension Space, preparing to let another Kaguya guide and educate this younger Kaguya.
After being forcibly moved to another space, tiny Kaguya was first shocked, then stunned again, recognizing the activated technique as Amenominaka!
The exact same space-time ability as hers!
And this place seemed like her Initial Dimension Space?
No, there was a slight difference!
The chakra aura was wrong; this wasn't her space but another Initial Dimension Space?
'What's going on?'
As tiny Kaguya was confused, she saw another Kaguya, a full, sexy version, flying from the distance, stopping beside the mysterious person.
This other Kaguya stared at her with excited, hungry eyes, as if seeing a delicious dish, eager to devour it!
Strangely, this other Kaguya wasn't fake.
Tiny Kaguya could clearly sense that she had the exact same chakra, life aura, and soul wavelength.
It was nearly impossible to be fake—she was truly another her!
But that was impossible!
Tiny Kaguya was utterly baffled: (O_O)?
'Is this a genjutsu?'
"Is this a new cake?"
Parallel World 4's Kaguya, very familiar with Lux, grew excited upon seeing the 'new dish.'
She didn't care about swallowing another self; Kaguya lacked the brain for such philosophical issues.
She only knew that devouring another 'delicious cake' would make her stronger and more comfortable, make Lux more pleased with her, and weaken the main Otsutsuki clan's threat against her.
That was enough!
"She's not for you to eat, hold on."
"Hmm?"
"This is your new little sister, also you from another space and time. She's still clueless, so you'll guide her next, explain the current situation and rules here."
"Really can't eat her?"
Big Kaguya was still a bit greedy, wanting to swallow tiny Kaguya.
"Not for now. I'll bring you another snack later. Be a good girl, don't touch this one yet." Lux patted big Kaguya's head, calming her slightly.
"Alright."
Big Kaguya was very docile, not defying Lux, obediently following the order and no longer showing intent to swallow tiny Kaguya.
Seeing this, Lux was very satisfied.
Though Parallel World's Kaguya was excellent, training a tiny Kaguya from Parallel World 1, also at Six Paths level, wasn't a loss.
One full, sexy Kaguya plus one tiny Kaguya; double the happiness, wasn't that wonderful?
Of course, Lux had principles.
Any unstable factor threatening unification and peace must be completely eliminated.
But the method of elimination varied.
Like Parallel World 7's Kaguya, who activated the curse, killed, and was fully misled by Black Zetsu, had no chance for compromise or redemption. Lux naturally didn't want to save her.
Even if she could be saved, the effort and risks outweighed the benefits, making it unworthy.
But for Parallel World 4's mature Kaguya and Parallel World 1's tiny Kaguya, trapped in the moon for ages, freshly released and captured by him in a pure state, they were salvageable.
Their personalities and behaviors were easier to guide. Saving them clearly had more benefits than drawbacks, making it worthwhile.
This was why Lux let the Kaguya sisters of Parallel World 4 and Parallel World 1 live.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Who are you?"
Tiny Kaguya's body trembled slightly; she was indeed very weak.
She was shocked by Lux and the sudden appearance of another self, entering a high-alert state, ready to fight to the death.
"She's very cautious."
"She's just been released, so it's natural she's confused. That's why you need to guide her. Don't you want to educate another you?"
"!!!"
Big Kaguya's eyes lit up, a flame of excitement igniting in her heart.
Clearly, faced with the rare opportunity to educate another self, even Otsutsuki Kaguya couldn't resist the temptation.
"What if she strongly resists?"
Excited big Kaguya asked again.
Lux smiled faintly, saying with hidden meaning:
"That's exactly why you need to educate her well!"
Hearing this, big Kaguya was overjoyed, feeling an unprecedented thrill, immediately agreeing:
"Alright, leave it to me!"
Then, big Kaguya eagerly charged at tiny Kaguya, and under her terrified gaze, caught her and began ruthlessly training her!