After leaving the sealing space, Ōtsutsuki Toneri carefully returned the statue of Ōtsutsuki Hamura to its original position.
He paused, gazing at the statue in deep thought.
Since he had reached an agreement with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, it was time to begin the next phase of his plan.
Tomorrow, Ōtsutsuki Hagaku would take him to the Ninja World Continent. No matter what, he had to seize this opportunity to break free and regain his freedom.
The matter of his eyes also needed to be addressed soon. Relying solely on perception and the Rinnegan in his palm could not be a permanent solution.
The Hyūga clan's pure Byakugan…
Toneri frowned slightly. It wasn't particularly difficult for him, but he hadn't yet settled on a concrete target.
"Tomorrow, then," Toneri decided, letting his thoughts settle. He cast one last deep glance at Hamura's statue before turning and leaving the shrine.
Ōtsutsuki Hamura—a being who wielded the Rinnegan representing both creation and destruction—could be eroded by time!
Ridiculous.
…
The next day, Toneri dressed in the sage robe beneath Ōtsutsuki Kyokusen's attire and finished his morning rituals, before heading out to meet Ōtsutsuki Hagaku.
"Kyokusen, will you accompany me to the Ninja World Continent?" Toneri asked lightly with a smile as they walked.
He was very pleased with this attendant. Her Ōtsutsuki bloodline was exceptionally pure, and with proper cultivation, she could be quite formidable.
Letting her die in some internal Ōtsutsuki conflict would be far too wasteful.
Since he had no immediate plans to return to the Moon, it was perfect to bring Kyokusen along.
"Wherever you go, Master, I follow," Kyokusen said, her delicate face lighting up with joy, her pure Byakugan shimmering faintly.
She had always thought this, but Toneri had never asked. She wouldn't have dared to speak up on her own.
"Hmm. I'll need your support in the future as well," Toneri said lightly, the depth in his words leaving Kyokusen slightly puzzled.
The future?
The young master's future should naturally be under my care, Kyokusen thought, furrowing her brows. She didn't fully understand his meaning.
The two soon reached the top of the castle, where Hagaku was waiting.
"Father," Toneri said, bowing slightly in respect. Etiquette toward elders was something he had always observed meticulously.
Politeness was necessary, after all.
"Toneri, let's depart," Hagaku said, glancing briefly at Kyokusen trailing behind.
He knew that this personal attendant of Toneri's was an exceptionally talented girl.
If her family hadn't perished and left her orphaned, brought back by Toneri, she likely would not have had such favorable circumstances.
Within the Ōtsutsuki clan, the internal conflicts were brutal.
The three headed straight to the teleportation array. Between the Moon and the Ninja World, there was more than one array.
Besides the large array for mass travel, there were several smaller, simpler ones—but these could only teleport a few people at a time.
At the array, Hagaku channeled his chakra into the formation.
A flash of white light, and the three vanished.
In a valley within the Land of Fire on the Ninja World Continent, they reappeared.
"This… is the Ninja World Continent!" Toneri tilted his head, breathing in the fresh air so different from the Moon's sterile atmosphere.
His delicate, beautiful features couldn't hide his excitement—it twisted slightly with overwhelming thrill.
The Ninja World Continent… he had finally arrived!
The scarlet Rinnegan in his left palm slowly opened, eager to take in this new world.
"Toneri, this should be in the Land of Fire, but… hmm?" Hagaku raised an eyebrow, amused.
He could not understand why his usually calm and composed son was so excited to arrive in the Ninja World.
Just as he opened his mouth to comment on the journey ahead, Hagaku's expression darkened.
Toneri noticed his father's sudden unease and allowed his perception to expand, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
As expected—this was the Ninja World Continent!
Not far ahead, about a dozen ragged men were charging toward them aggressively.
"Hmph! Indeed… this Ninja World! This continent!" Hagaku's gaze turned icy, his voice devoid of warmth.
Displeasure mounting, he had long abandoned any hope for this wretched Ninja World.
He knew exactly why these dozen men were charging at them.
The men reached their position. Leading them was a two-meter-tall brute carrying a large blade, his ugly face fixed on Toneri and his companions.
"Big brother, look! It's them—I noticed them before!" One of the men beside the leader pointed toward the three, bowing in flattery.
"Not bad. Later, you can take a bigger share," the leader said approvingly, patting the man's shoulder.
By their appearance, these three clearly belonged to a wealthy family. Capturing them could provide enough food and drink for their gang for an entire month!
Seeing the bandits treating them like prey, even discussing loot distribution, Hagaku's eyes went completely cold.
Kyokusen also tensed, ready to teach these brutes a lesson.
Yet a small, fair hand blocked her advance.
Kyokusen looked down, puzzled, at Toneri.
"Perfect timing. Since arriving in this world, aside from fighting with you, Kyokusen, I haven't really struck anyone else," Toneri said softly, his delicate features as charming as a porcelain doll.
He stepped forward, a slit of scarlet Rinnegan glimmering in his palm—strange, foreboding, and ominous.