Chapter 296: Otsutsuki—The Treasure-Delivering Clan?

Chapter 296: Otsutsuki—The Treasure-Delivering Clan?

When Hyuga Fuji exited the ocular space and scanned the surroundings with his Tenseigan, Bayakushi had already made a swift escape using his Kama mark technique. There was no trace of him within the river area.

Senju Tobirama and the others had pursued Shiroshi into the river but now saw Hyuga Fuji and a creature resembling a Tailed Beast appear underwater. They all swam over, surrounded by air bubbles created by scientific ninja tools.

Arriving before Hyuga Fuji, Uzumaki Ashina spoke apologetically:

"Apologies, our sealing techniques couldn't restrain Bayakushi. We failed to prevent his escape."

"I'm aware. His technique isn't a typical space-time jutsu," Hyuga Fuji replied calmly, creating a shadow clone and sending it to Iwagakure with his spatial ocular ability.

The Kama mark technique was similar to the Flying Thunder God but fundamentally and structurally different. The Flying Thunder God required the user to move first to transfer objects, while the kama mark could transport specific parts of the user's body.

Moreover, Bayakushi had likely left transfer marks in the research facility. Unless he was foolish and unaware of the significance of Shibai's corpse, retrieving that body would be impossible for now.

Still, the current spoils far exceeded Hyuga Fuji's expectations, so there was no regret.

He had gained the Ten Tails, the Kama seal, and numerous cosmic artifacts collected by Isshiki. Most importantly, the greatest threat at present—Isshiki himself—was dead.

Originally, Hyuga Fuji had only planned to drive Isshiki away, as killing him was a monumental challenge. Even Kaguya's ambush couldn't finish him off. In the original story, Isshiki's demise was ultimately due to the limits of his vessel's lifespan rather than Naruto's Baryon Mode directly defeating him.

In Hyuga Fuji's mind, the best time to confront Isshiki would've been after he obtained the results of the virtual God Tree project—not now.

But who would've thought Isshiki would target his body?

Shaking his head slightly, Hyuga Fuji glanced at Senju Tobirama, who was scrutinizing the Ten Tails. Smiling faintly, he asked, "This is the Ten Tails. What do you think?"

Senju Tobirama withdrew his gaze and frowned. "Is there a second Ten Tails in this world?"

"It's a weapon, capable of being mass-produced."

Everyone's expressions tensed. Senju Tobirama, deep in thought, muttered, "We've pieced together the history from a thousand years ago. I originally thought your caution was directed at Otsutsuki Kaguya. But now, it seems the forces represented by Isshiki are your true concern."

After a pause, Tobirama glanced at Hyuga Fuji. "Can you tell us the full story now?"

"Isshiki's true name is Otsutsuki Isshiki," Hyuga Fuji said with a faint smile, sending a chill down Tobirama's spine. Then he continued:

"I didn't reveal this earlier because I feared it might leak and disrupt my plans. Now that Isshiki is dead, I can share what I've learned from the historical records."

"Historical records?"

Uzumaki Ashina and the others exchanged understanding glances.

In the eyes of the shinobi world, historical records from a thousand years ago were akin to the ancestors' truthful accounts—trustworthy, accurate, and essential. If the records specifically mentioned the Ten Tails, they had to be taken seriously!

Senju Tobirama: "..."

This cunning Hyuga brat was fooling these elders again, and he didn't even flinch. Didn't his conscience ache?

While others might not know the truth, Tobirama did. Hyuga Fuji had originally spread the news about the historical records under Tobirama's name!

What historical records? It was all fabricated by Hyuga Fuji!

Yet, seeing Uzumaki Ashina and the others' convinced expressions, Tobirama chose to remain silent.

After all, the contents of these so-called historical records were indeed useful. Even if not entirely true, they provided a recognized authority that could help persuade stubborn factions in the future.

More importantly, with so many people believing in the historical records now—even Otsutsuki Hamura acknowledged their validity—who would believe him if he tried to refute them?

"We're still on the battlefield. Wouldn't it be better to discuss these matters after we return?" Tobirama suggested with a stoic expression, earning unanimous agreement as everyone ascended to the surface.

During this time, Tobirama communicated with Hyuga Fuji via their mental link.

"Otsutsuki Kaguya and Isshiki are from the same clan?"

Kaguya had a Ten Tails.

This so-called "Otsutsuki from the Moon," Isshiki, also had a Ten Tails.

And now, Hyuga Fuji claimed that the Ten Tails were mass-produced weapons.

Clearly, there existed an Otsutsuki Clan far stronger than the Moon faction, capable of creating Ten Tails. Both Kaguya and Isshiki seemed to be part of this clan.

Hyuga Fuji nodded. "That's correct. The Otsutsuki Clan calls itself the strongest clan in the universe. Their home planet is far from here. Kaguya and Isshiki are just part of this clan—not even the strongest."

"..."

Not even the strongest?

Recalling Hyuga Fuji's battle with Isshiki, Tobirama's eyes darkened. After a long silence, he finally said, "You're right."

The Ten Tails was clearly a weapon of invasion, and the Otsutsuki Clan had sent two of them to the shinobi world. This meant that enmity between the two sides was irreconcilable.

But judging from Kaguya and Isshiki's strength, if the shinobi world didn't advance, they'd inevitably be crushed in future invasions by more Otsutsuki.

"Scared?"

Hearing Hyuga Fuji's teasing tone, Tobirama snorted. "As if! I'm just curious where you got this information. The so-called historical records might fool others, but don't think they'll work on me."

Hyuga Fuji glanced at him and smiled faintly.

"Some alternate dimensions contain information about the Otsutsuki Clan."

From the perspective of this world, his past life's Earth could also be considered an alternate dimension. Furthermore, some of the shinobi world's dimensions did contain traces of the Otsutsuki. By this logic, he hadn't lied or tried to fool Tobirama.

Tobirama pondered for a moment before nodding. His gaze shifted to the Ten Tails following them.

"You've tamed it?"

Having initially been uncertain, Tobirama now confirmed his suspicions upon seeing the obedient Ten Tails trailing Hyuga Fuji like a summoned beast.

"More or less. It's one of the inheritances Isshiki left me."

Hyuga Fuji revealed a few of the strange artifacts he had obtained. "You probably guessed it. I fought Isshiki in another dimension. After his death, everything in there became mine."

"..."

Hyuga Fuji's actions momentarily derailed Tobirama's thoughts.

The Otsutsuki had so many treasures. Killing one yielded a plethora of cosmic artifacts—and even a Ten Tails...

Come to think of it, the shinobi world's chakra and bloodlines originated from Otsutsuki Kaguya.

If the Otsutsuki Clan continued to look down on the shinobi world and came one by one to "deliver treasures," wouldn't they just be a clan of treasure-delivering fools?

While a group of Otsutsuki might be invincible, individual ones didn't seem unbeatable…

This thought brought Tobirama back to a critical question. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "Are the Otsutsuki tightly connected? What do you think will happen now that Isshiki is dead?"

"As far as I know, Isshiki came here with Kaguya and was gravely injured, staying in the shinobi world for a thousand years."

In other words, while Kaguya was sealed and Isshiki remained injured for a millennium, no reinforcements had come from the Otsutsuki Clan.

Tobirama's lips twitched.

Well, whether Isshiki hadn't reported back due to his injuries or for other reasons, it all pointed to one thing: arrogance.

They believed the shinobi world posed no threat to them!

Arrogance was good. The longer they underestimated the shinobi world, the more time they had to prepare.

(Chapter End)