Chapter 19

The air was heavy.

Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi stood frozen as millions of White Zetsu turned toward them—all at once.

It was unnatural. No whispers. No movement. Just silence as countless identical faces stared.

Sasuke's Rinnegan flickered. "We're surrounded."

Kakashi sighed. "I miss the old days when we just fought rogue ninjas."

Naruto crossed his arms, forcing a grin. "Relax, guys. If Kaguya wanted us dead, we'd already be fighting."

Black Zetsu chuckled. "How amusing. You think my dear mother would waste her time on meaningless battles."

He gestured to the endless army.

"She created all of this for a reason." His golden eyes gleamed. "But… you've come this far. So perhaps you'll get to hear it from her yourself."

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "So are you taking us to Kaguya or not?"

Zetsu's expression didn't change. "Of course."

The ground shifted.

No—not the ground. The entire island.

They weren't standing on rock. They were standing on something alive.

The ground rose, forming a colossal hand beneath them. The island itself was moving—carrying them toward Kaguya's throne.

The Palace of the Rabbit Goddess

As they soared across the sky, Team 7 saw more of Kaguya's world.

Massive floating cities, their designs unlike anything from Earth. Rivers of energy flowed between islands, pulsing with an eerie glow. Giant trees sprouted from floating temples, their roots stretching through the sky like veins.

And everywhere—Zetsu.

Training. Studying. Preparing.

Sasuke's Rinnegan scanned everything.

"She's building an entire civilization," he muttered. "Not just an army."

Naruto's expression was unreadable. "Then the question is… for what?"

They arrived.

The moving island lowered them before a massive temple, its entrance flanked by towering statues of Kaguya.

Black Zetsu floated forward. "My mother is waiting inside."

Naruto exhaled. "Alright, let's go."

The doors opened on their own.

Meeting Kaguya… Again

The throne room was massive—a vast space that felt like it stretched into eternity. The air was thick with power, swirling like a storm held in place.

At the center—

She sat on her throne.

Kaguya.

Her white robes flowed endlessly, merging with the very air around her. Her horns gleamed, and her pale eyes stared through them like they were nothing.

But her expression was… calm.

Not hostile. Not aggressive.

Just… watching.

Black Zetsu floated to her side and bowed. "Mother, your guests have arrived."

Sasuke tensed, prepared for anything.

Naruto took a step forward. "Hey."

The Rabbit Goddess's gaze finally met his.

"…Naruto Uzumaki," she said softly.

Her voice was ancient. Not human. Not warm. Something beyond time itself.

Then, her gaze flickered to the others.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

"Sakura Haruno."

"Kakashi Hatake."

A pause.

"…You seek answers."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "You already know why we're here."

Kaguya nodded. "The God."

The room shuddered as she spoke the word.

For the first time since they arrived, Kaguya's expression changed.

It was subtle. But it was there.

A flicker of something in her pale eyes.

Something even she feared.

She spoke again.

"Then let me ask you…"

"What will you do, knowing that no world can escape?"