In the vast universe.
Naruto turned his head and looked back at the distant star field one last time. His gaze lingered for only a moment before becoming resolute.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped onto the path of the stars.
"Let's go, Naruto," Urashiki said.
Naruto nodded.
Father… Mother… Hinata… Sasuke… Jiraiya-sensei… Iruka-sensei… Kakashi-sensei… Everyone… wait for me.
With a whoosh, Naruto and Urashiki disappeared together into the boundless starry sky.
This was Naruto's first time truly traveling through the cosmos. For a moment, he felt a slight sense of discomfort. However, he was not completely unfamiliar with it. He had already absorbed the memories of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, Ōtsutsuki Tenshiki, and Ōtsutsuki Chishiki. From those memories, Naruto could extract vast amounts of chakra-related data.
Along the way, whenever they passed certain star systems, Naruto would deliberately ask Urashiki about them. Urashiki's answers were almost perfectly consistent with the information Naruto had obtained from those memories, which made Naruto gradually feel at ease.
There was no choice.
A person with no retreat could never completely trust anyone.
Urashiki glanced at Naruto and said, "Naruto, we'll have to travel for quite a long time before reaching the nearest cluster of Ōtsutsuki activity."
Naruto nodded calmly. "No problem."
Urashiki smiled slightly. "Alright then, let's go."
The universe was a vacuum, where sound could not travel. Naruto and Urashiki communicated entirely through chakra fluctuations.
Far away, within the domain of the Ōtsutsuki clan.
When the Ōtsutsuki God learned that Ōtsutsuki Tenshiki and Ōtsutsuki Chishiki had both died, his fury shook the heavens.
"Damn it!!!"
He attempted to contact Urashiki again—but the connection was rejected outright.
"This Urashiki!"
The Ōtsutsuki God was furious. He immediately urged his chakra outward, attempting to lock onto the star field where Naruto had once been.
Yet when his perception swept across that region, he froze.
"Hm?"
The planet… was gone.
The Ōtsutsuki God frowned deeply.
Below him, within the council of Ōtsutsuki high-ranking members—
The head of the clan, Ōtsutsuki Hishiki, spoke gravely:
"It seems… Urashiki has betrayed the clan."
The First Elder, Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki, snorted coldly.
"Urashiki must have joined forces with that low-level creature. Together, they killed Tenshiki and Chishiki. Not only that, they also stole the chakra fruit that belonged to the clan—and most likely devoured it!"
The Second Elder, Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki, slammed his hand down angrily.
"We must capture Urashiki and that low-level creature and execute them!"
The Third Elder, Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki, nodded solemnly.
"That's right. The dignity of the Ōtsutsuki clan cannot be violated. A traitor like him must be captured and brought back. I will personally execute him before all clan members!"
The Ōtsutsuki God looked disappointed as he spoke.
"Hishiki… the clan's discipline has been neglected."
Ōtsutsuki Hishiki immediately bowed deeply.
"Please forgive me, Lord God."
Tsukishiki remained silent, while Hoshiki and the others exchanged glances. Only Tatsushiki stepped forward again.
"Respected God," Tatsushiki said respectfully, "the head of the clan has always enforced strict discipline. However, the temptation of chakra is simply too great. Some members fail to abide by the rules. This… cannot be completely prevented."
The Ōtsutsuki God looked at Tatsushiki and let out a cold hum.
"So you, too, believe chakra is tempting and wish to swallow it?"
Tatsushiki's face changed instantly. He knelt down at once.
"My Lord, I would never dare!"
Seeing this, Hishiki quickly spoke with sincerity.
"Lord God, this is my fault. As clan head, I failed to discipline the tribe properly. I accept punishment. For the next offering, I will not consume any chakra fruit."
At these words, Tsukishiki's eyelids twitched slightly.
The Ōtsutsuki God snorted coldly.
"Enough. Let it be so. Restrict the clan members. Hunt down Urashiki and that low-level creature. For the next offering, urge them to retreat immediately."
"Yes! We obey the Lord's decree!"
After leaving the divine hall—
Tatsushiki followed behind Hishiki, his expression dark with anger.
"Clan Head, why must you punish yourself by giving up the next chakra fruit? You know full well that—"
"Enough!"
Hishiki shouted sternly, cutting him off.
At that moment, Tsukishiki stepped forward, bowed slightly, and smiled faintly.
"Clan Head, who do you believe should be dispatched to capture Urashiki and that low-level creature?"
Hishiki smiled calmly.
"First Elder, that decision is yours. Second Elder, when the next chakra offering is made, urge them to submit it quickly. As for my share—do not prepare it. Offer it directly to the Lord God."
Hoshiki smiled and bowed.
"I obey, Clan Head."
"Tatsushiki," Hishiki continued, "as the clan's executioner, you will convene a clan assembly."
"Yes," Tatsushiki replied respectfully.
Hishiki let out a tired sigh.
"I'm exhausted. I'll take my leave."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Tsukishiki and Tatsushiki bowed in unison and followed behind him.
As Tsukishiki watched Hishiki's departing figure, his eyes narrowed slightly.
At that moment, Ōtsutsuki Starshiki stepped forward and said in a low voice,
"Grand Elder, the clan head has made mistakes twice already. Why hasn't the Ōtsutsuki God removed him from his position?"
Tsukishiki's expression darkened instantly.
"What kind of place do you think this is, speaking such words here?!"
Starshiki was startled and hurriedly apologized.
After walking some distance, Tsukishiki spoke again, his tone calmer.
"The Lord God has his own considerations. I am not strong enough yet. To surpass Hishiki, I must consume more chakra fruits and evolve to a higher level."
He sighed softly.
"The God values balance. He will never allow one force to grow unchecked. That is why there is the distinction of Sun, Moon, and Star among the Ōtsutsuki."
Starshiki nodded thoughtfully.
In the Ōtsutsuki clan, Sun, Moon, and Star were titles for the highest authorities. Whoever sat in those positions bore those names.
Ten thousand years ago, after one of the Ōtsutsuki ascended to godhood, the original clan leaders were divided into these ranks. Relying on them, the Ōtsutsuki clan continued to roam the universe, hunting planets, harvesting chakra, and endlessly evolving.
The current clan head was already the third generation. The first two generations had both died in cosmic battles.
The universe was vast, and the Ōtsutsuki were not the only beings with terrifying power. Conflict was inevitable.
Not every Ōtsutsuki could successfully plant a Kāma wedge, find a suitable vessel, and revive.
Since the death of the second-generation clan head, it had been a long time since a planet could cause casualties among the Ōtsutsuki—until Kaguya.
First came Isshiki, betrayed by a branch member.
Then Kaguya herself, who deserved death for leaking Ōtsutsuki power to Earth, which ultimately led to the deaths of Momoshiki, Kinshiki, Tenshiki, Chishiki, Mizushiki, and Doshiki.
This matter could not be ignored—but neither could it be rushed.
Tsukishiki narrowed his eyes and said,
"Second Elder, send a few clan members of lesser strength to investigate."
Hoshiki frowned.
"First Elder… this is?"
Tsukishiki smiled faintly as he leaned on his staff.
"A disaster of this scale—if handled improperly—how else could it shake the position of the clan head?"
Hoshiki immediately understood.
And so—
Far away in the universe, Naruto and Urashiki continued forward.
Unaware that behind them, the gears of the Ōtsutsuki clan were already turning once more.
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