Chapter 320: Don’t ask, the answer is a definite win!  

"What happens after you extract the Tailed Beasts?" 

Senju Tobirama asked Raijin. 

"Seal the nine Tailed Beasts into the Outer Path Golem, revive the Ten-Tails, and use cloning techniques to clone the bodies of Otsutsuki Isshiki and Otsutsuki Kaguya." 

Raijin replied to Senju Tobirama. 

"Plant the God Tree on a planet. If Otsutsuki is used as a sacrifice, after a thousand years, the God Fruit can be harvested." 

"Although this path won't bring immediate effects, we can start setting it up." 

Raijin continued, 

"Leave this to the Konohagakure Research Center. Besides this, I think we'll also need the ability to move between planets." 

Senju Tobirama nodded and said to Raijin, 

"Mm, as for traveling to other planets, Madara and I can manage that for now. If all the conditions are met, we can proceed with the God Tree planting plan." 

Raijin nodded in agreement. 

Actually, if we didn't have to worry about the Jinchuriki's emotions, we could directly start the God Tree planting plan. 

But there's no rush. This plan is for the distant future and is a method to steadily increase Konohagakure's power. 

"By eating the God Tree's fruit, one could gain power like Otsutsuki Kaguya. And her family has many such beings."

"How many is 'many'?" 

Madara asked Raijin. 

"Well... for example, if the Otsutsuki clan were like the Land of Fire, then Otsutsuki Isshiki would be like a wealthy farmer, and Otsutsuki Kaguya would be like the slave of that farmer," Raijin said, pausing for a moment before continuing to explain to Uchiha Madara. 

"Don't go too far." 

At Raijin's words, not just the others in the office, even Uchiha couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

"Of course, in this example, the Otsutsuki clan wouldn't be as large as the Land of Fire, but it's probably comparable to the population of a small country." 

"As for the God Tree's fruit, according to the Otsutsuki clan's rules, neither Otsutsuki Isshiki, the planter of the tree, nor Otsutsuki Kaguya, who guards it and acts as the offering, are allowed to consume it." 

"When the fruit ripens, it must be taken back to the Otsutsuki clan and handed over to designated individuals." 

"However, Otsutsuki Isshiki and Otsutsuki Kaguya, after planting the God Tree in the ninja world, never returned to their clan for all this time." 

"The Otsutsuki clan has already sent someone to investigate." 

Raijin slowly began explaining the information he had gathered from Otsutsuki Isshiki. 

"Among them, Otsutsuki Isshiki can be seen as the planter, Otsutsuki Kaguya as the guardian, and the one sent to investigate their whereabouts is named Momoshiki, who can be considered the investigator." 

Raijin rubbed his forehead, clearly troubled. 

"Otsutsuki Kaguya once, in order to resist the possible arrival of Otsutsuki Momoshiki, consumed the God Tree's fruit and used the *Divine Tree World Birth* technique to create a large number of White Zetsu." 

"Because of this, Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed by her two children on the moon, and that's when the ninjas came into existence." 

"It's hard to imagine that all of this is real." 

Senju Tobirama said with a helpless blink of his eyes. 

"So, is Momoshiki the only one sent to investigate Isshiki and Kaguya?" 

Madara asked Raijin. 

This situation seemed much more serious than expected. 

"No, based on Isshiki's experience, when investigating a problematic planet, they typically send a group of three. Momoshiki's guardian is named Urashiki, but the identity of the third person is unclear." 

Raijin replied to Madara. 

"So... what is the Otsutsuki clan's strongest member like?" 

Senju Tobirama asked Raijin. 

"Otsutsuki Shibu is the closest thing to a god within the Otsutsuki clan. Over countless years, Otsutsuki Shibu evolved by continuously consuming the God Tree's fruit, and many Otsutsuki members considered him the closest being to a god." 

"But for some unknown reason, Otsutsuki Shibu died, leaving only his body behind." 

Raijin explained to Senju Tobirama. 

"Ah, I understand." 

Senju Tobirama's eyes showed a bit of relief. 

It's better that he's dead. 

"Looking at it this way, our situation might not be as bad as we thought." 

After a pause, Senju Tobirama summarized the information Raijin had provided and spoke to the group. 

At his words, everyone turned their attention to Senju Tobirama. 

"First of all, we are not the only planet the Otsutsuki clan is invading. There are many other planets in similar situations. So, don't you think other planets haven't encountered similar problems?" 

Senju Tobirama asked the group. 

"It's impossible. So, while the Otsutsuki clan is indeed strong, the worst of the pressure probably won't fall entirely on us." 

"For now, the only thing we really need to focus on is that trio coming to investigate Isshiki and Kaguya. We can't escape from that." 

"And for that, we'll need Raijin and Madara-sama to bear the brunt." 

"Of course, after Momoshiki arrives in the ninja world, Madara and I will also become one of his primary targets." 

Raijin nodded at these words. 

"After all, the chakra in Madara and me is highly tempting to Momoshiki." 

Raijin paused before adding, 

"By the way, it's important to remember that when facing Momoshiki, we should avoid using regular Ninjutsu to attack. Instead, we need to use Senjutsu chakra to counter him. Pure chakra will only become a supplement for Momoshiki." 

Raijin suddenly remembered something and addressed the ninjas. 

"Alright, for now, let's leave it at that. Some things are inevitable, so we just have to prepare for battle." 

Madara nodded and said softly. 

"Yes, that's true. So, I'll need to leave Konohagakure for a while." 

Raijin nodded in agreement. It was true; no matter what happened, Momoshiki and his group would eventually come to the ninja world. 

Raijin wasn't sure just how strong they were, but based on the information he got from Isshiki's memories, they were definitely strong.

Stronger than Isshiki. Stronger than Kaguya. 

So before they arrive in the ninja world, whether Raijin and Madara can grow strong enough to resist or even defeat them… well, that depends on what happens next. 

In the end, it's a simple case of meeting force with force, reacting to whatever comes their way. 

There's not much room for flexibility. 

Win, and everything is fine. 

Lose, and it's game over. 

"Where are you going?" 

Madara was taken aback and looked at Raijin in surprise. 

"The first stage of my permanent Senjutsu training is basically complete, so I'm going to look for a breakthrough." 

Raijin didn't hide anything and told Madara directly. 

"You're really getting more and more comfortable around me." 

Madara chuckled. 

"You and I share the same last name. We're like brothers from different parents. Why wouldn't I trust you?" 

Raijin grinned. 

"Not quite. To be precise, I'm your grandfather." 

Madara held up a finger and shook it seriously. 

"Do you have a specific direction in mind?" 

Senju Tobirama asked. 

"Yeah, I have a few ideas. When all Eight Gates are fully opened, both chakra and natural energy can flow freely throughout the body. 

But the upper limit of power that permanent Senjutsu provides has nearly plateaued. So I was thinking—if the body can't hold more natural energy in the short term, what if I could tap into the energy freely floating in nature to boost my strength?" 

Raijin nodded as he explained. 

"Well, it's possible to use some of the natural energy around us even now, but your idea is definitely interesting." 

Tobirama nodded. When it came to technical discussions like this, he was an expert. 

"Exactly. That's why I'm leaving the village—to completely immerse myself in nature and develop better ways to control free-flowing natural energy." 

"Then go ahead. I'll take care of Konohagakure." 

Madara nodded. He fully supported the development of new techniques, especially in Senjutsu. 

"Alright." 

Raijin smiled and glanced around the room, packed with people. 

"Well, that's the main intel we've gathered this time. After I leave, I'll keep an eye on any movements from Otsutsuki Momoshiki and the others. If the village encounters them, let me know right away." 

Finally, Raijin turned to Tsunade. 

"Got it." 

Tsunade nodded. 

"That wraps up this meeting." 

With that, Raijin stood up and addressed the assembled ninjas. 

The meeting ended, and the ninjas left the Hokage's office one by one. 

Unlike when they arrived, there was no relief from an expected crisis being resolved. 

Instead, they were now facing an even greater, more dangerous enemy. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes. 

Compared to the Otsutsuki… the once-feared Four Great Hidden Villages suddenly seemed kind of harmless. 

… 

"Are you really planning to go to another planet to plant a Divine Tree?" 

On the way, Tsunade turned to Raijin. 

"Not necessarily, but it's important to master the technique in advance. It's pretty much confirmed now that life doesn't exist only on this planet. 

And where there's life, there's a chance we'll cross paths with others one day. When that happens, conflict is inevitable. 

At that point, the Divine Tree will be incredibly important, don't you think? Who could resist a fresh, delicious Divine Tree fruit?" 

Raijin spoke casually, hands behind his back. 

"Yeah." 

Tsunade nodded. She had never experienced an interstellar war before, but she knew that no matter who was at fault, once war started, it would only end with one side's complete destruction. 

"We… we will win, right?"

Tsunade held Raijin's arm and gently leaned on his shoulder.

"Mm, we will definitely win," she said.

Raijin replied without hesitation.

Can we win? Who knows?

Raijin had no idea how strong Momoshiki really was. He didn't even know the specifics of Momoshiki's power, so how could he know whether they would win or not?

But, as the strongest one in this family, as the strongest one in the village, everyone in Konohagakure could be uncertain, but Raijin couldn't.

Don't ask, the answer is definitely yes.

"When are we leaving?"

After a pause, Tsunade asked Raijin.

"Anytime," Raijin replied with a light smile.

"Let's go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we come back."

Tsunade let go of Raijin and spoke to him.

"Mm, it won't take too long," Raijin said with a light chuckle.

"Of course, you're a genius," Raijin added.

Tsunade smiled lightly and nodded.

"Let's go."

After taking one last look at Tsunade, Raijin's figure disappeared in an instant.

Raijin didn't like the atmosphere of goodbyes.

"Sigh…"

Tsunade sighed softly as she looked at the spot where Raijin had been. This was the first time Raijin was leaving her without a clear time for return.

For some reason, a strange feeling surfaced in Tsunade's heart.

But quickly, she shook off that feeling.

She slowly made her way toward the central lake.

...

Amid the vast yellow sand, Raijin's figure appeared in the middle of a ruin.

Looking at the heavily weathered buildings around him, Raijin couldn't help but sigh.

He could still remember the prosperous sight of Sunagakure under Shigeru's rule.

Unfortunately, now all that remained were these ruins, a paradise for animals.

Raijin gently lifted his head, and several bolts of lightning appeared. A few wolves immediately fell to the ground.

Taking two steps forward, Raijin gutted the wolves and started a fire to roast meat.

Raijin didn't have a specific purpose for coming here. He had just randomly chosen a place to mark with the Flying Thunder God technique.

After arriving, he realized this was the site of Sunagakure.

Turning the meat on the fire, Raijin soon stopped. He made a few hand seals, and two shadow clones appeared beside him.

One clone took over Raijin's task, while the other clone vanished from sight.

After a short while, the clone reappeared, now holding several bottles of sake.

Raijin's goal for this trip was simply to do whatever he felt like.

(End of chapter)

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