Chapter 8

The Hidden Leaf Village had narrowly escaped destruction, but the battle with Isshiki had left its mark. The tension in the air was thick, the sense of looming danger hanging over them like a dark cloud. The citizens returned to their homes, but their peace was shattered. They knew, deep down, that this was just the beginning.

Naruto stood at the front of the Hokage's office, his hand gripping the edge of the desk. His gaze was far off, staring at the horizon. Sasuke stood beside him, just as silent. Neither of them spoke for a long while, the weight of their recent experience hanging heavy between them.

"Is it really over?" Naruto finally asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Isshiki is gone, but Kaguya's appearance complicates things. Her motives… they're still unclear. She's not exactly someone we can trust."

Naruto nodded, his hand tightening around the desk. "She saved us. But I don't know if we should be grateful or terrified."

"You should be both," Sasuke replied, his eyes narrowing. "She's dangerous. And no matter what she says, her actions are unpredictable. She might have saved us from Isshiki, but that doesn't mean she's on our side."

The door to the office opened, and Tsunade walked in, her face weary but resolute. "What do we do next, Naruto? We barely managed to stop Isshiki. If Kaguya continues to interfere, we won't be able to handle it."

"I'm not sure," Naruto said, running a hand through his hair. "We need more information. Kaguya's return changes everything. And if she's trying to protect this world, or if she's simply using us for her own purposes, we can't take any chances. We have to prepare for the next move."

Tsunade stepped forward. "The Ōtsutsuki will keep coming. And Isshiki won't be the last threat we face. You've seen how they operate. We need to strengthen the village and our forces, or we'll be wiped out."

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and soon, the other Kage entered the room—Mei, Gaara, Onoki, and Tsunade's counterpart, the Kazekage, who had been silent since their last battle.

"Everyone's been talking about the threat," Mei began, her voice calm, yet tinged with concern. "But we haven't discussed what we're going to do if Kaguya turns on us. We can't ignore that possibility. We've seen how she manipulates everything around her."

Gaara's eyes narrowed, his usually calm demeanor shaken. "If Kaguya does become an enemy again, we may not be able to stop her. But if she chooses to help us, we need to be prepared to take action quickly. The Ōtsutsuki's influence is growing stronger by the day."

The conversation grew more intense as the Kage debated their next moves. But as much as they spoke, a single truth weighed heavily on everyone's mind—the Ōtsutsuki were not going to stop. They were coming, and the time to prepare had already passed.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Kaguya watched.

She was in a secluded space, far from the reach of the village. Her power had only grown stronger since her return, but even she could feel the looming threat of the Ōtsutsuki. She had interfered in Isshiki's plans, but that didn't mean she had suddenly become a protector of humanity. No, her goals were far more complex.

"Isshiki's chakra is a valuable asset," she thought to herself. "But he's not the only one who poses a threat. There are others who will come. Perhaps... it's time to put my plans into motion."

Her eyes glowed, and the air around her rippled with power. A slight smile played on her lips, as though she were savoring a victory that no one else could understand.

The Ōtsutsuki Plan

As the Kage and shinobi prepared for what lay ahead, an ancient game between gods unfolded. Hagoromo, ever watchful, meditated within the boundaries of the afterlife. His connection to the world was not as it once was, but his wisdom remained vast. He could feel the tremors of Kaguya's power and the rising tide of the Ōtsutsuki.

"I cannot let Kaguya destroy what remains of humanity," he muttered to himself, his eyes full of sorrow. "But the time may be coming when she will force my hand. I must prepare for what is to come."

But even Hagoromo knew he could not interfere directly without consequences. Kaguya's power was like that of a divine being, and any direct confrontation would result in further destruction. The world was in a delicate balance, teetering between destruction and survival.

Back in the village, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others gathered once again. There was no more time for uncertainty. The Ōtsutsuki were here, and they would not stop until they had consumed everything.

"We don't have all the answers," Naruto said, addressing the gathered Kage and shinobi. "But we can't afford to wait any longer. The Ōtsutsuki won't give us a chance. We need to be ready."

"And what about Kaguya?" Mei asked, her voice filled with skepticism. "She's playing a dangerous game. We can't just ignore the possibility that she may turn on us again."

"We won't," Naruto replied. "But we also won't make the mistake of underestimating her. We'll take any advantage we can get. For now, we need to focus on stopping the Ōtsutsuki. If Kaguya's help is needed, we'll take it. But if she stands in our way, we'll fight her too."

The Kage exchanged glances, and one by one, they nodded.

Tension hung in the air, but it was clear that they were united. The Ōtsutsuki threat was real, and they needed every shinobi in the world to stand together.

The Silent Warning

As the preparations continued, a message arrived at the village—a strange letter, sealed with an unfamiliar insignia. Upon reading it, the Kage grew tense.

It was a warning from the Ōtsutsuki, but it wasn't from Isshiki. It came from another member of the clan, one they had never encountered.

"You think you can stop us," the letter read, "but you are mistaken. The true power of the Ōtsutsuki will soon be unleashed. Your world will burn, and there will be nothing left for you to protect."

The message sent a shiver through the room. The true war had only just begun.