Chapter 3: A Future Without Chains

I sat in the endless void, surrounded by my silent army of White Zetsu, my mind racing.

I had a plan.

Step one: Train my Zetsu. Make them stronger. Evolve them into warriors capable of standing against the greatest shinobi in history.

Step two: When I was unsealed, I wouldn't fight. I wouldn't flee. I wouldn't play into their expectations.

Instead, I would make sure they didn't seal me at all.

That was the true weakness of the original Kaguya. She fought alone, desperate, cornered. But I wasn't just Kaguya. I had knowledge now. I understood the human heart.

And I had something even more valuable than raw power.

Naruto's sympathy.

He wasn't like Sasuke. He wasn't like Hagoromo or Hamura. He wasn't even like his own father.

Naruto didn't seal his enemies out of hate. He didn't kill for revenge.

He saved people.

He saved Zabuza. He saved Gaara. He saved Obito.

He would try to save me.

If I played the part of the lonely mother, the victim, the ancient guardian trying to protect her world from the Ōtsutsuki…

If I told him everything—the truth about my fears, my betrayal, the endless loneliness I suffered—

Then at least one of them would hesitate.

And as long as even one of them hesitated…

I could not be sealed.

I smirked.

Of course, I wouldn't rely only on words.

There was another way to make sure Naruto and Sasuke wouldn't turn on me immediately.

Blood.

They were my descendants. My chakra ran through their veins.

A connection like that couldn't be erased, no matter how many centuries had passed.

If I could deepen that bond—if I could touch their chakra, connect with it, maybe even subtly blend my essence into theirs…

Then even if they didn't trust me, even if they doubted me, they would still hesitate before moving against me.

That was all I needed.

Hesitation.

Just long enough for me to escape.

Just long enough for me to grow stronger.

And once I was strong enough…

Once my Zetsu had reached their true potential…

Then I would no longer need to scheme or manipulate.

I would stand at the top.

And no one—**not Naruto, not Sasuke, not the gods themselves—**would be able to chain me ever again.

I took a deep breath and looked out at the endless void.

This time, I would be free.