Matatabi had never laid eyes on Kaguya otsutsuki.
It came into being when Hagoromo Otsutsuki divided the Ten-Tails into nine separate tailed beasts.
Yet, at its core, it remained a fragment of the Ten-Tails.
Kaguya otsutsuki gained control over the God Tree by consuming the Chakra Fruit.
The moment Matatabi saw her, all sorts of emotions surged within it.
"You… who *are* you?"
It fought the instinct to kneel and bowed deeply, asking cautiously.
"Matatabi, what are you doing?"
Its hesitation confused Yugito Nii. "This is our only shot. If we take her down, Natsume won't dare move against us—we can go back to Kumogakure."
Kaguya otsutsuki raised her hand impassively and flicked her wrist.
Instantly, Yugito Nii was sent flying without resistance, crashing into the invisible wall of the sealed space before tumbling to the ground.
Her conscious form was battered and bloodied, blood spilling from her mouth as she coughed violently.
At first, Kaguya didn't care about her, but once she mentioned threatening Natsume…
She couldn't help but strike back in punishment.
But not fatally.
She knew this was one of Natsume's playthings.
Yugito Nii stared at Matatabi in disbelief.
She got attacked, and it didn't even try to help?
What was going on?
Weren't they close friends?
"Yugito," Matatabi said seriously. "Just hold on a second."
Hagoromo's earlier display reminded Matatabi of a familiar aura.
It connected with its previous suspicions about Natsume.
So the source was this person after all.
"And you… what connection do you have with the Sage of Six Paths?"
Matatabi carefully asked Kaguya, pointedly ignoring Yugito.
"Relationship?"
Kaguya stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Matatabi's head.
A surge of chakra flowed into it.
A few seconds later, Matatabi startled and jumped backward.
Without hesitation, it dropped to all fours, bowing deeply in reverence.
"I… I didn't realize it was you… Please forgive me."
Yugito Nii was completely stunned.
Tailed beasts were proud beings.
Back then, it took immense effort for her to establish a friendship with Matatabi—effort made possible thanks to the mysterious Turtle Island in Kumogakure.
That very island contained trials which helped her become a perfect jinchuriki.
To witness Matatabi's submission was beyond shocking—it was unfathomable.
When had a tailed beast ever acted like this?
Yugito stared in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"Matatabi," Kaguya otsutsuki said calmly. "As of today, you are under Konoha Village's protection."
"Yes!" Matatabi replied without hesitation.
Seeing this, Kaguya left the sealed space.
"Yugito…"
After a long silence, Matatabi finally lifted itself up.
"I'm sorry… I don't think I can protect you anymore."
"Why… why not?"
Yugito slowly turned her head toward it, stiff with shock. "Why would you turn your back on Kumogakure?"
"Because I never truly belonged to Kumogakure."
Matatabi sighed, speaking.
"Then… what about me?"
Yugito Nii asked again.
"I'm sorry."
Matatabi hesitated, though he knew there was nothing he could do.
Outside, there's Kaguya Otsutsuki. Even if he helped Yugito Nii break the seal, what difference would it make?
All of it would be meaningless.
It's pointless.
"Honestly, living as a cat isn't so bad."
Matatabi thought for a moment and tried to comfort her.
"…"
Upon hearing this, Yugito Nii's face turned pale.
How could you even say that?
I am human, not a cat.
After a long silence, Yugito Nii slowly rose and left the sealed space.
When she opened her eyes, Natsume's devilish smile greeted her.
"What exactly have you done?!"
Yugito Nii suddenly shouted in anger.
With hope gone, she no longer feared death.
"It wasn't me,"
Natsume reached out, gently brushing her cheek. "This was Matatabi's choice. I already told you before—it would betray you."
Yugito Nii shivered and slapped his hand away, her voice trembling with despair, cried, "Kill me!"
"What, you don't care anymore?"
Natsume smiled and asked, "What about Kumogakure? Don't you care about it anymore?"
Yugito Nii instinctively widened her eyes.
Damn that devil!
Her fists clenched tightly.
Matatabi's betrayal made her forget why she had chosen to keep living until now.
Reminded by Natsume, she couldn't suppress a bitter laugh.
"Keep living. Maybe one day, you can still save Kumogakure."
Seeing this, Natsume continued.
"W-what… do you mean?"
Yugito Nii's heart tightened, asking, "Are you planning to attack Kumogakure?"
"Isn't that inevitable?"
Natsume reached out again, pinching her cheeks slightly, "Even if I don't make a move, Kumogakure won't be able to resist forever."
This time, Yugito Nii didn't pull away.
She looked at Natsume silently for a long time.
Kumogakure had always been renowned for its martial spirit.
Combined with the Fourth Raikage's volatile temper,
Eventually, it would spark another Great Ninja War.
A sudden impulse surged through Yugito Nii.
She had to escape, return to Kumogakure, and stop the Fourth Raikage.
Matatabi's surrender triggered a sudden realization in her.
Oh…
Who exactly was Kaguya Otsutsuki?
Even the Fourth Raikage may have defeated it physically, but never earned its true respect.
If Kumogakure and Konoha went to war, who would win?
Before this, Yugito Nii had always favored Kumogakure.
But now, she wasn't so sure.
[Meow~]
Yugito Nii knelt on the ground, swallowing her humiliation, and rubbed her head against Natsume's pant leg like a cat.
Undoubtedly, she decided to endure—for now, just like a cat.
Natsume paused, momentarily surprised by her decisiveness.
Especially with others watching.
Before now, Yugito Nii had stubbornly refused to become the Black Cat in front of outsiders.
Instinctively, Natsume cast a glance toward Kaguya Otsutsuki.
She wore a thoughtful expression.
Hmm, something's off here.
Given her personality, she shouldn't care about Yugito Nii in the least.
At this moment, Kaguya Otsutsuki asked coolly, "Do you like this?"
The question caught Natsume off guard.
He didn't know how to respond.
Could it be—you want to play too?
Natsume couldn't help but imagine.
Kaguya Otsutsuki transforming into a cat.
He couldn't help but inhale sharply.
Actually… that sounds kind of exciting?
But then again, there's no need for that.
It was just another form of punishment.
"You don't have to." Natsume shook his head. "Are you staying today?"
Kaguya didn't press further and instead asked.
"In two days, I'll come again." Natsume shuddered involuntarily and quickly replied.
He'd barely survived that torment—could he really go through it again so soon?
"Hmm."
Kaguya nodded and then said, "I'm feeling bored."
Natsume couldn't help but look at her.
That wasn't something she'd usually say.
After all, with an endless supply of chakra, she should never feel bored.
Now, without him, she felt bored.
This was clearly an unusual confession.
Natsume pondered.
Truthfully, he couldn't stay by Kaguya Otsutsuki's side constantly.
Mainly because being with her like this almost broke him.
If she's bored, maybe I should give her something fun to do.
"Why don't we play some games?" Natsume suggested.
"Games?"
Kaguya tilted her head slightly, somewhat puzzled.
Without explaining, Natsume spent 200 destiny points to redeem a computer along with most of the single-player games from his previous life.
"What do you think?"
Through chakra, he transmitted the operating methods to her.
Kaguya's eyes lit up slightly as she said, "Seems like it could be fun."
To her, this was undoubtedly brand new.
It was like a primitive person suddenly gaining access to the internet, instantly opening up a whole new world.
Seeing her like this, Natsume strongly suspected she might become a shut-in.
Well, that's fine too.
The Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Waves.
Natsume gently stroked Yugito Nii's soft cheek and said, "Next time, I'll come back to play with you."
[Because of your actions, the destinies of Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, and Inoichi Yamanaka have changed. You have earned a total of 450 destiny points.]
[Because of your actions, the destinies of Yugito Nii, Matatabi, and Tayuya have changed. You have earned a total of 230 destiny points.]
One after another, the prompts from the Tamaki of Destiny sounded.
The first group were all ninja who had contracted Ryuchi Cave.
The amount of destiny points earned wasn't significant.
After all, the help from summoned beasts was somewhat limited.
The latter group offered relatively better rewards.
Especially Yugito Nii and Matatabi, whose destinies were drastically changed, offering generous destiny point gains.
Hokage's Office.
"Hokage-sama, here's the situation report," Uzuki Yugao said, having already returned.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Natsume skimmed the report—it didn't contain anything particularly notable.
The White Snake Sage had been considerate—no snakes had caused any trouble.
"How is everyone feeling?"
Natsume put down the documents and asked casually.
"They're all very happy."
Yugao Uzuki paused briefly before replying, "They wanted me to thank you for securing the summoning beasts from Ryuchi Cave."
As a result of this incident, Natsume's prestige had undoubtedly increased once again.
Not fully devoted perhaps, but unquestionably loyal.
How should one put it?
The ninja mindset in this world remained surprisingly straightforward.
If there's real, tangible gain, they're willing to pledge loyalty.
"That's good."
Natsume smiled and said, "You can go and rest now."
"Yes."
Yugao bowed and left.
Shortly after, Kurenai Yuhi entered.
"Natsume, there's something."
She handed him a file and said, "Jiraiya has returned to Konoha."
"What an unexpected guest."
Natsume arched a brow and smiled as he opened the file.
It detailed Jiraiya's recent movements.
Anbu could track him so clearly because Natsume had given the crystal ball obtained at Mount Myoboku last time to Shisui Uchiha.
Indeed, he was now Anbu's leader.
Besides, everyone in Anbu wears a mask daily, so no one would recognize his true identity.
Moreover, the Land of Snow no longer needed Shisui Uchiha's protection.
After all, Kaguya Otsutsuki was already there.
That place was the safest spot in the entire ninja world.
As for the Land of Waves, Konan was guarding it.
No major issues there.
To avoid wasting manpower, Shisui Uchiha was appointed Anbu commander.
This short chapter isn't finished yet—more excitement ahead!
He was quite content with this role.
Natsume skimmed the file.
Jiraiya had met with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In other words, he already knew about the events at Mount Myoboku.
Not surprising. After casting the Summoning Technique, he'd sensed something was wrong.
But it wasn't a big deal.
Because nothing significant could come from it.
If they knew their limits, Natsume wouldn't mind sparing them for Tsunade's sake.
But if they chose to press forward recklessly, then there was no choice.
"Don't worry about it."
Natsume casually remarked.
Jiraiya held a special status within the village.
Kurenai understood its significance, which made sense.
Still, upon hearing Natsume's instructions, she nodded.
"The Hyuga clan head requested to meet you."
"Oh? Where is he?"
Natsume was slightly surprised.
Indeed, it had been a long time since he last spoke with his future father-in-law.
The last few times, he only exchanged greetings when visiting Hinata Hyuga.
"Right outside the door."
Kurenai bent over and collected the files from the table.
Suddenly, Natsume reached out and patted her thigh.
"You..."
Kurenai was startled, her face turning slightly red as she looked at him.
"This is for stealing a kiss from me."
Natsume said with a smile.
"Lech!"
Kurenai playfully glared at him, clutching the papers as she stomped away.
She wasn't truly angry.
"Red."
Natsume called her back and said, "Your stockings have a run."
Kurenai instinctively looked down at her feet.
On her calf, precisely where the stocking had snagged, there was a small run.
She turned bright red, her blush reaching up to her ears.
She hurried away, nearly fleeing.
A short while later, the door opened again.
Hiashi Hyuga entered, his expression heavy with worry.
"Uncle Hiashi."
Natsume spoke first. "What did you need to see me about?"
"Hokage-sama, you're familiar with the Caged Bird Seal, aren't you?" Hiashi paused before continuing. "We specifically asked you to adopt Hanabi as your sworn younger sister back then to protect her from the Caged Bird Seal, but..."
"But the Elders of the main family are against it now?"
Natsume continued for him.
"The Elders have pressured me many times before, but now they've also gained support from many clan members," Hiashi said, nodding.
"Have the branch families joined in too?" Natsume asked upon hearing this.
"Yeah," Hiashi sighed. "To them, it's unfair that Hanabi doesn't bear the Caged Bird Seal while the branch families do."
Before receiving the Caged Bird Seal, every branch family member was like Hanabi.
Now that she's been given special privileges, they naturally resent it.
"Uncle Hiashi," Natsume asked, "what would happen to you if the main family lost control over the Caged Bird Seal?"
Hiashi was taken aback by this question.
He had mixed feelings about the Caged Bird Seal.
On one hand, he believed it harmed the familial bonds between siblings.
Yet on the other hand, he acknowledged its importance to the Hyuga clan.
After a moment's pause, Hiashi replied, "The Caged Bird Seal ensures the Byakugan never falls into enemy hands."
"That's not quite what I meant," Natsume clarified. "I'm not saying we should abolish the Caged Bird Seal—I'm saying control should go back to the branch families."
Hiashi remained silent.
"The current Caged Bird Seal has gained too many unnecessary functions," Natsume looked at him and asked. "If the sole purpose was preventing leakage, why forbid branch families from learning advanced Gentle Fist techniques? And why insist on keeping control within the main family?"
Hiashi opened his mouth but couldn't find anything to say.
"If you decide to go through with it, I can help," Natsume continued. "But the one who'll carry it out won't be me—it'll be Hinata Hyuga."
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