Chapter 2

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Naruto and Sasuke hadn't lowered their guard, and the Edo Kage—Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato—stood in the background, wary but listening. Even Kakashi and Sakura remained still, watching her every move.

Then, the space around them shifted.

A familiar presence descended upon the battlefield, one Kaguya had anticipated. Golden energy formed into a humanoid shape, taking the form of an old man with a staff. His six magatama floated behind him, and his Rinnegan eyes carried the weight of ages.

Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki had arrived.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Old man Sage?"

Sasuke frowned. "So he was watching."

Kaguya remained calm, as if she had expected this all along. She turned her gaze toward Hagoromo and spoke first. "You took your time."

The Sage studied her carefully. "You are not the same Kaguya I once knew."

She smirked slightly. "Perhaps. But that doesn't change what I came to say."

The air grew heavy as all eyes locked on the ancient mother and son. The tension shifted from battle to something deeper—a conversation that had been left unfinished for centuries.

"I did not come here to rule," Kaguya continued. "I came to warn you."

Hagoromo's expression remained unreadable. "Warn me?"

She nodded. "The Ōtsutsuki are not done with this world. Isshiki still lives. And he is not the last."

Minato, despite his spectral form, tensed. "Ōtsutsuki? You mean more like you?"

She shot him a cool glance. "If I were truly your enemy, you would already be dead."

Black Zetsu scoffed. "Mother's mercy is wasted on these fools."

Hagoromo's gaze didn't waver. "If what you say is true, then why create more White Zetsu?"

She crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Why do you teach humans to fight? You knew war was inevitable. I am simply preparing."

Naruto stepped forward, determination in his voice. "If there's really a bigger threat, why not work with us instead of making an army?"

Kaguya's gaze flickered to him. "Because unlike you, I do not trust easily."

A heavy silence followed. The implication was clear—she would never allow herself to be betrayed again.

Hagoromo finally sighed. "You speak with certainty, but actions matter more than words."

Kaguya's expression didn't change. "Then watch. But do not interfere."

For a moment, the battlefield remained frozen. Then, without another word, Kaguya vanished.

She had said what she needed to. Whether they believed her or not was irrelevant.

The world was not ready for what was coming. But she would be.