Chapter 4: A Goddess Reborn

I had a goal now.

I wouldn't just escape. I wouldn't just survive.

I would become the new Ōtsutsuki God.

But unlike the gods before me, I wouldn't create mindless husks to harvest chakra. My Zetsu would take their place—beings with infinite potential, growing stronger without limit.

The old Ōtsutsuki saw planets as fields to be reaped, but I?

I would create a world where only the strong would thrive. A world where I would reign at the top, unchallenged.

But first… I needed to be released.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Kaguya's seal is weakening. Your awakening is near.

You will soon return to the physical world.

Prepare accordingly.

I straightened.

It's time.

I felt it—the tug of my body, the gradual loosening of the seal that had bound me for two thousand years.

But if I had learned anything from Kaguya's memories, it was that going in blindly would be a death sentence.

Last time, she had fought recklessly. She had lashed out in desperation, trusting only in her overwhelming power.

And because of that, she had been sealed away.

I wouldn't make the same mistake.

I would not fight.

Not yet.

I would act confused. Weak. Lost. I would pretend to be a mother reuniting with her descendants, shocked and vulnerable after being trapped for so long.

Naruto would hesitate. If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

Sasuke would be suspicious, but if Naruto doubted—even for a second—then Sasuke wouldn't act immediately.

And that was all I needed.

I would not be sealed again.

The Moment of Return

I felt the shift.

The void cracked. Reality rushed in.

Light exploded around me as the seal broke.

For the first time in two thousand years, I opened my eyes.

I was back.

Naruto. Sasuke. Sakura. Kakashi. Obito.

They were all there. And so was Hagoromo.

They were ready to fight, their chakra flaring with power.

I staggered, letting my body tremble as I fell to my knees, gasping as if I had been drowning for centuries.

The battle-ready tension faltered. Naruto took a step forward, blue eyes filled with hesitation.

Perfect.

I slowly looked up at them, my voice soft, fragile.

"Where… am I?"