Chapter 5

As the days passed, the Kage and their forces worked tirelessly to prepare for the Ōtsutsuki. Naruto and Sasuke traveled across the Five Great Shinobi Countries, gathering intelligence and uniting the villages under a common cause. Despite the fear of the Ōtsutsuki's power, there was a sense of unity and determination among the people. They had faced numerous enemies before, but none with the sheer destructive potential of the Ōtsutsuki.

The Kage held secret meetings, strategizing and organizing their villages. Tsunade and Mei coordinated the medical and combat forces, preparing for the possibility of devastating battles. Onoki worked with the younger generation of shinobi, particularly focusing on developing techniques that would be effective against the otherworldly Ōtsutsuki.

Meanwhile, Gaara made sure that his Sand Village was on high alert, fortifying the borders and preparing the shinobi for a potential invasion.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura spent most of their time in training. Naruto trained with the best minds in the villages, learning new techniques and refining his abilities. Sasuke, on the other hand, focused on mastering his Rinnegan and his newfound understanding of the Ōtsutsuki's powers.

Kakashi and the other former Kage helped guide the younger generation, teaching them the importance of unity and collaboration. Even the resurrected Kage put their skills to work, training and supporting the villages that had revived them.

But despite all the preparations, there was one lingering question—what would Kaguya do?

She had made her intentions clear. She was not their enemy, but she had also warned them about the Ōtsutsuki, showing a side of herself that was not entirely trustworthy. The Kage had no illusions that she was a force to be reckoned with.

On one particular day, Naruto and Sasuke found themselves standing together, looking out at the horizon. The sun was setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and red, a symbol of the fragile peace they had yet to fully secure.

"Do you think she'll come back?" Sasuke asked, his tone thoughtful but calm.

Naruto's gaze never wavered, his jaw tight. "I don't know. But I do know one thing... If Kaguya returns, we'll be ready for her."

Sasuke turned his head to Naruto, his eyes cold but unwavering. "And if she's really on our side?"

Naruto smiled faintly. "Then we'll be even stronger. We'll need all the help we can get to take down the Ōtsutsuki."

Sasuke didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to the side, eyes narrowing. "I'm more worried about the next move. The Ōtsutsuki could attack at any time. We can't afford to let our guard down."

Naruto's expression grew serious. "You're right. But we're not alone. We've got the Kage. We've got everyone on our side. Together, we can do this."

The two stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the immense responsibility on their shoulders. The weight of the world seemed almost unbearable.

Back at the village, Mei stood in her office, looking over reports from the frontlines. Her mind raced with strategies, considering every possible angle. "We've trained hard," she muttered, "but will it be enough?"

Tsunade stood nearby, her arms crossed. "It has to be."

Gaara entered, his expression unreadable. "The preparation is nearly complete. If the Ōtsutsuki attack, we will be ready. But Kaguya... her role is still unclear."

Onoki, though old and frail, stood with the resolve of a man who had seen countless battles. "We cannot afford to be distracted by her. The Ōtsutsuki are coming, and we must be prepared to defend the world."

Mei glanced at the group, her eyes flicking between them. "What if Kaguya does attack us?"

Tsunade sighed. "If she does, we'll deal with it. But right now, our focus needs to be on the Ōtsutsuki. We don't have time to waste on speculations."

In the distance, Naruto and Sasuke watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky now darkening with the promise of an uncertain future.

"What happens when they come?" Naruto asked quietly.

"They'll want chakra," Sasuke replied, his eyes narrowing. "And we'll stop them. One way or another."

The quiet resolve in Sasuke's voice was enough to give Naruto some peace. Together, they would face whatever came their way.

The countdown to the Ōtsutsuki's arrival had begun, and every moment spent in preparation brought them closer to the inevitable clash. Kaguya's shadow loomed large, but their eyes were set on the greater threat. The world would need to come together in ways it never had before to face the terror that was coming. And in the midst of all this uncertainty, they could only hope that, together, they would be enough to stand against it.