Chapter 372: The End of Indulgence

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

During this time...

Funan's power had undergone a fundamental transformation.

He could feel it—when facing Naruto and Sasuke now, he no longer needed to expend much effort.

Even Kaguya... taking her down wouldn't be all that difficult anymore.

Taking on all three at once wouldn't be a problem.

Thus, Funan decided it was time to deal with the Sage of Six Paths.

Of course, when dealing with someone of that caliber, it wouldn't do to be careless.

After all this time, Funan still didn't know why the Sage had gone so quiet again.

Could it be because he couldn't make a move?

That possibility couldn't be ruled out.

Perhaps the Sage was also under certain restrictions.

"Kaguya should be about done, right?"

Once again, the One-Tail was released.

Funan infused it with power, and in the blink of an eye, that power was absorbed by Kaguya again.

Throughout the entire process, the One-Tail remained unfazed.

Even if the mountains crumbled in front of him, his expression wouldn't change; even if a tsunami rose behind him, his heart remained at ease.

He was beyond fear.

Over the past half year, the One-Tail had only one thing to say: I've had more than enough.

Every few days, he was forcibly extracted by Kaguya, only to be absorbed again.

It had happened so many times that he'd gone completely numb.

Do whatever you want.

It's not like I can resist anyway.

Funan couldn't help but find it amusing.

There was even one time, after being released by Kaguya, the One-Tail yawned.

He had truly given up.

When Funan brought it up, Kaguya hesitated slightly.

"What's the matter, Kaguya? Are you going back on your word?" Funan frowned slightly.

Today, he had come precisely to discuss the matter of releasing the Nine-Tails from her body.

The power he had given her already surpassed that of a complete Nine-Tails.

In that case, releasing the half Nine-Tails within her was only fair!

And with that, Funan would fulfill his part of the deal.

"The Nine-Tails... does it have to be the Nine-Tails?"

Kaguya hesitated. "What if it were one of the other tailed beasts...?"

"I only want the Nine-Tails. The others don't concern me," Funan interrupted her directly.

Are you kidding me?

What would I want the other tailed beasts for?

I'm not even familiar with them!

"Hurry up, Kaguya. Give it to me already!"

Funan's eyes were locked on Kaguya, glinting with hungry anticipation.

Kaguya's forehead creased with irritation. She glared at Funan, biting her teeth. "Can't you speak normally for once?"

"I can!" Funan replied instantly. "But we're on the same side. Being too stiff and formal is no fun."

Kaguya huffed in frustration. "If I give you the Nine-Tails, my power will take a big hit. What about Hagoromo?"

"You can't beat him even now?" Funan looked genuinely surprised.

Over the past half-year, he had come to visit Kaguya nearly every week to supply her with power.

And that power had only grown stronger each time.

From the initial Level 1 fruits to the final Level 4 fruits...

They weren't all that powerful.

But they had one major advantage: accumulation.

After a full six months of consistent supply, Kaguya's power had significantly increased.

"Don't underestimate Hagoromo."

Kaguya's voice was low as she said, "That child's talent… even if it's just… it's still extremely powerful!"

"So what if he's talented?" Funan said dismissively. "Kaguya, I'm asking you—can you beat him now?"

Kaguya thought for a moment, then replied, "I can only say… there's a certain chance."

That was as good as saying nothing.

Completely meaningless.

"So if you want me to fight Hagoromo," she added meaningfully, "then you'd better not drain my power."

Her words carried a hidden warning.

"You're threatening me?" Funan frowned deeply, his gaze darkening. "After all the power I've given you, you dare to threaten me?"

"It's not a threat," Kaguya replied calmly. "I'm just stating the truth—unless, of course, you don't intend for me to fight."

Funan narrowed his eyes and stared at her.

Kaguya showed no fear.

Over the past half year, not only had her power stabilized, but with Funan's help, it had even surpassed her prime.

"Fine."

Funan suddenly smiled. "Then after we deal with Hagoromo, how about you release that remaining half of the Nine-Tails?"

"Agreed."

Kaguya responded without hesitation.

She, too, let out a quiet breath of relief.

If possible, she truly didn't want to turn against Funan.

But—

That half of the Nine-Tails… the temptation was simply too great.

She didn't want to give it up.

Still—

"What about the power afterward...?" she asked tentatively.

She already had her own answer in mind, but she was also preparing a backup plan.

She had no intention of giving up her strength.

Funan looked at her and chuckled. "Kaguya, surely by now you've realized that the power I've been giving you… it's been extracted from the White Zetsu, right?"

Half a year—

Funan had provided her with a constant stream of power.

How could Kaguya not be curious?

How could she not want to enhance that power on her own?

So, even though she seemed to have stayed here all this time, Funan was certain—she had investigated his laboratory.

Most likely, based on subtle clues, she had already deduced that he was drawing power from the White Zetsu.

And as expected—

After hearing Funan's words, Kaguya's expression darkened slightly, but she didn't argue.

Funan chuckled and said, "I have a rather unique ability—I'm able to extract the power inside the White Zetsu to aid others. The power I used to strengthen the One-Tail came from that."

Kaguya seemed to catch on and frowned. "So…"

"So," Funan said, spreading his hands helplessly, "the supply of White Zetsu is almost depleted. The ones I've been extracting were all corpses of White Zetsu that died during the Fourth Shinobi World War. You tell me—how much energy could really be left in those bodies?"

Kaguya furrowed her delicate brows.

Funan sighed again. "What, do you expect me to start draining the White Zetsu we created ourselves?"

"That's out of the question," Kaguya said immediately. "I still have other uses for those White Zetsu."

Those were soldiers meant to counter the Ōtsutsuki clan—they couldn't be squandered so casually.

Even though strengthening her own power was important, she couldn't afford to give up her army.

"Well, that's that then." Funan let out a long sigh. "Three more times, Kaguya. I can only supply you with power three more times at most."

"Three times…" Kaguya murmured.

Her face grew grim.

These past six months had been a dream.

She didn't have to lift a finger.

A constant stream of White Zetsu was brought to her.

Funan visited every week without fail to enhance her power.

She'd grown lazy—almost too comfortable.

Defeating Hagoromo? That was nothing.

At this rate, no one would be able to stand against her.

No one... except Uchiha Funan!

And now—

Funan was telling her it was all over.

How could she possibly be pleased?

"You're not doing this just because I didn't give you the Nine-Tails, are you?" Kaguya eyed Funan suspiciously.

This guy was far from noble.

Holding grudges and returning every slight in kind—that was his whole philosophy.

"You're overthinking it!" Funan waved his hand quickly. "Ask your son. He was involved in the creation of the White Zetsu too. You tell me—those ones made by him, Obito, and Uchiha Madara—after using them in such large quantities for six months straight, how many do you think are left?"

Black Zetsu remained silent.

There really weren't that many White Zetsu to begin with.

And most of them had been killed off.

Being able to provide this much power to Mother was already impressive, in his opinion.

Wanting more than that? That would be greedy.

If it were anyone else, greed would just be greed.

But the problem was—Funan wasn't just anyone. If they provoked him...

Who could bear the consequences?

"So, what exactly are you suggesting?" Kaguya asked, staring intently at Funan.

Funan grew serious. "After those three final power infusions, let's go after Hagoromo. There's no point waiting around to increase your strength anymore."

Kaguya fell silent, deep in thought.

Only after a long pause did she slowly nod.

"Very well."

"Mother!"

Black Zetsu cried out in alarm.

Was she really going to move against Hagoromo?

"Then it's settled!" Funan said cheerfully. "Next month, we'll launch an attack on Hagoromo."

"This month, I'll give you the last of my power."

With that, Funan departed.

Black Zetsu's voice turned urgent. "Mother, are you truly going to strike at Hagoromo?"

"It was only a matter of time." Kaguya was unconcerned. Though they were mother and son, it was destined to end in life or death.

There was no other choice.

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