"..." Naruto's sincere words caused Kaguya to waver for the first time, but what followed was deep confusion.
She had once trusted humans, but what humanity gave her in return was merciless betrayal.
On one hand, Kaguya yearned to establish connections with humans again, yet she feared experiencing betrayal once more after giving her heart.
A frightened rabbit—that description wasn't wrong at all.
Naruto could see Kaguya's inner turmoil, but given his background and experiences, he didn't know how to organize his words. Just as he grew anxious, a gentle female voice echoed in his mind.
"Naruto, shared interests might force Kaguya to compromise temporarily due to circumstances, but if we can't use warmth to move her heart and resolve her inner conflict, she'll continue to waver and feel lost in the future."
Naruto said, "That's exactly what's troubling me, Mom... What do you think I should do?"
"Kaguya and I share the same identity—we're both mothers."
"I'm someone who can truly empathize with her."
"So, leave the rest to your old mom, dattebane~!"
Kushina's figure appeared beside Naruto. With her hands behind her back, she walked toward Kaguya.
"Who are you..." Seeing the newcomer, Kaguya immediately raised her palm.
Kushina said calmly, "I'm Naruto's mother, Uzumaki Kushina..."
Kaguya's gaze sharpened. She looked at Naruto, then back at Kushina, slowly lowering her raised hand. "He... is your child?"
"Yes~" Kushina said with complexity, "To be honest, though I'm this child's mother, the time we've actually spent together was only brief moments. I couldn't witness him growing up—I could only scheme to see him once after he'd grown."
Kushina stopped in front of Kaguya, meeting her gaze directly with sincerity. "Mother Kaguya, I actually envy you. At least you could watch your own children grow into adults..."
"..." Behind them, Naruto unconsciously clenched his fists.
Kaguya lowered her eyelids. "But the children I raised with my own hands... they..."
Kushina's beautiful eyes flickered. "Well... what do you think children mean to a mother?"
Kaguya shook her head, her expression pained. "I... don't know."
Kushina said softly, "This is how I think about it—children, though they're an extension of a mother's life, aren't our possessions. We shouldn't impose our will upon our children..."
"Speaking honestly, weren't you perhaps too harsh with your own children?"
Kaguya murmured, "I... I just wanted to protect them!"
Kushina said peacefully, "I understand your feelings, because I'm also a mother, but... children have their own thoughts and feelings too."
"If we ignore our children's thoughts and feelings and fail to communicate properly, our intentions can't be conveyed... Eventually, your care and protection becomes tyranny and high-handedness in your children's eyes, triggering rebellious psychology. That would be counterproductive."
"..." Kaguya was momentarily speechless.
Kushina scratched her head, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Look at me... I've never actually raised a child, yet here I am lecturing you. All this actually came from parenting books I read while pregnant with Naruto!"
Lowering her hand, Kushina said seriously, "But... I believe that the wisdom of our predecessors is precious treasure that can help us avoid detours."
"You're a kind mother, but you're not someone skilled at communication."
"If you changed your approach to relationships, perhaps none of what happened later would have occurred."
Tears filled Naruto's eyes. "Mom..."
Kaguya said desolately, "But there's no going back. Both my children and the people of this land see me as a demon..."
Kushina said calmly, "But... there's one person who has never seen you as a demon. He gave everything for you."
"!" Kaguya's eyes suddenly moved.
Black Zetsu—this being that Kaguya had created with Yin-Yang Release while filled with hatred during her sealing—strictly speaking, Kaguya hadn't even considered him her child!
The personality Black Zetsu was given was more like Kaguya's deliberate attempt to compensate for the love she'd once failed to provide!
Black Zetsu knew all this, yet bore no resentment. He fought against the entire world for a thousand years, all for his mother!
Kushina continued, "You're not left with nothing. Regardless of how others view him, he fought alone for you for a thousand years!"
"Moreover, you're not alone spiritually. I think any mother could understand your actions."
"Naruto is the reincarnation of your grandson Asura—he could be considered your grandson too."
"And I'm Naruto's mother. Calling you grandmother-in-law would be perfectly reasonable, wouldn't it?"
At this, Kushina took Kaguya's hand. "If you don't mind, Minato and I would be willing to serve at your side from now on..."
"And you'll gradually understand that this land you've protected isn't cold. Naruto, my child, has the power to change people's hearts. I believe that under his leadership, people will someday accept you!"
...
In the outside world.
Naruto and Kaguya still maintained their confrontational stance!
Sasuke, Obito, and Madara all stood at the edge of the All-Killing Ash Bones domain, closely monitoring developments and preparing their next moves!
Madara frowned. "Their mutual chakra absorption has stopped. What's happening?"
"..." Only Sasuke, with his Rinnegan, could see the exchange within the spiritual realm!
"Uwaaaahhh...!"
The Massive Truth-Seeking Orb Sage crashed from midair to the ground, rolling across the earth. The tension of the expanding Truth-Seeking Orb was about to burst his belly!
"I'm... going to split apart...!!"
Whoosh! Suddenly, that internal tension vanished completely...
Whizz! The Massive Truth-Seeking Orb Sage flew toward the horizon like a deflated balloon!
Sasuke released his clenched fists. "It seems... Naruto has made his decision."
Kurama lowered his hands from their seals, a fox-like smile playing at his lips. "Hmph, mother and son fighting together—quite the strategy..."
Whizz!
The Commandment Circlet disappeared from above Kaguya's head.
Naruto withdrew his palm.
Kaguya also lowered her hands that had been gripping Naruto's throat.
Kaguya's gaze was no longer cold, but peaceful with a hint of expectation. "Naruto, I am willing to trust you."
The Amenominaka was released.
Kaguya, Naruto, Sasuke, Obito, and Madara all returned to the outside world.
Inside the fecal slime, Black Zetsu watched this scene through the thick walls and instantly understood everything. "Mother... is this your choice?"
"It's time to end this battle..."
Kaguya prepared to release the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Naruto and Sasuke could certainly dispel it with their own power.
But due to different principles, the dispelling method created by the Sage of Six Paths would kill all the White Zetsu—products of the Infinite Tsukuyomi! The evidence was that when the Infinite Tsukuyomi was released in the previous world, all the White Zetsu, including Tobi, died!
So this time, Kaguya had to release it herself!
But suddenly, an anomaly occurred. Kaguya's expression became extremely pained!
A cold, charming voice tinged with admiration spoke from Kaguya's mouth: "I see. I understand now, Uzumaki Naruto. This was your scheme..."
Naruto stopped and turned back, frowning. "You are..."
"I really was underestimated by you..."
Sizzle sizzle sizzle!
Black markings appeared on Kaguya's body, gradually corrupting her features!
—"I must thank you for weakening Kaguya for me, allowing my consciousness to regain the upper hand. My fate is mine to control—I, Otsutsuki Indra, will never be manipulated by anyone!!"
Kaguya had successfully reached reconciliation with Naruto, but the war was far from over!
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