Chapter 6: The Chains of the Past

Naruto still hesitated. That was all I needed.

I lowered my gaze, letting my expression soften. "I never wanted war," I murmured. "I never wanted destruction."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Then why did you do it?"

I sighed, a deep, weary sound. "Because I was afraid." I looked directly at him, ensuring he saw the weight of my words. "The Ōtsutsuki are coming. You think I was the enemy, but I was only the first wall standing in their way. I took chakra to protect this world… but my sons turned against me. And so did you, my distant children."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Distant children?"

"Through my blood, you are all my descendants," I whispered. "Hagoromo and Hamura's blood still flows in this world." I reached out—not aggressively, but slowly, hesitantly, as if afraid. "I only wanted to protect you all."

Sasuke scoffed, eyes burning with suspicion. "You enslaved the world in the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

I turned my gaze to him, sadness flickering across my face. "Would you not do the same, if you thought it was the only way to keep your loved ones safe?"

That made him pause. Just for a second.

Because Sasuke understood sacrifice. He understood what it meant to lose everything.

Naruto, however, was the one I needed to win over.

"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Sasuke pressed. "You nearly wiped out humanity!"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Humanity wiped itself out long before I returned," I said softly. "Wars. Hatred. Blood feuds passed through generations." I gestured around us. "Look at this war. How many thousands died? And for what?"

Naruto flinched.

I smiled inwardly. Got you.

I turned to Hagoromo next. "You know the truth. You have seen the stars. You know the Ōtsutsuki consume worlds. Do you think they have forgotten this place?"

Hagoromo's expression remained neutral, but I saw the flicker of concern in his ancient eyes.

"I have seen things beyond your understanding," I continued. "I have seen their worlds. Their dominion. You think you are free, but you are only waiting for your true masters to arrive."

Naruto's hands trembled slightly.

I pressed forward. "The Infinite Tsukuyomi was not a prison. It was a shield. A dream is better than death, is it not?"

Silence.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "You still think what you did was right?"

I closed my eyes. "I think… it was the only choice I had."

I exhaled, letting my shoulders sag, as if weary. "But I do not wish to fight. Not anymore. If I am to be sealed again, then so be it. But know this, Naruto Uzumaki…"

I opened my eyes, staring directly into his. "The moment you seal me… you will regret it. When the Ōtsutsuki arrive, and you are too weak to stop them, you will wish I was here."

I straightened, meeting his gaze fully. "If you truly want peace, then do not treat me as your enemy."

Naruto's hesitation was obvious now.

And as long as that hesitation remained, I was safe.

For now.

But I would not wait forever.

Once I was strong enough…

Once my Zetsu army had evolved beyond imagination…

I would never need to play this game again.

I would rule.

And the Ōtsutsuki God would fall.