Chapter 7: The Seeds of Doubt

Naruto stared at me, his usual confidence shaken.

Sasuke, ever the skeptic, wasn't fooled so easily. His Sharingan spun, analyzing my every movement. He was waiting for a sign, a slip in my act, something that would justify sealing me away forever.

I gave him nothing.

I stayed still, letting my expression remain open, vulnerable. I had all the time in the world. They, however, did not.

Hagoromo finally spoke.

"Kaguya… If you claim to regret your past actions, then what will you do now?"

The question was dangerous.

This was the moment where they would decide whether I was a threat or something… else.

I bowed my head slightly, keeping my voice steady. "I have no interest in war. I only want to understand the world that has changed while I was gone."

A careful half-truth. I did want to understand this world—but only so I could reshape it in my image.

"I will not stand in the way of humanity," I continued, my voice soft. "I only ask that you do not stand in mine."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance. They didn't trust me. But more importantly…

They weren't attacking.

Good.

Naruto frowned, deep in thought. "If you're telling the truth… then prove it."

I tilted my head. "And how would I do that?"

"Release the people trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi," he said firmly. "Show us that you don't want to control the world."

This was a test.

I could feel Sasuke watching me closely, waiting to see how I would react.

I did not hesitate.

"Very well," I said, lifting my hand. "I will release them."

A part of me seethed at the loss of so much chakra, but I knew this was necessary.

As I cast the jutsu to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the sky shifted. The massive tree holding the captured humans began to wither, its countless victims stirring as they woke from their artificial dreams.

Naruto watched in awe. "She really did it…"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but even he looked slightly uncertain now.

I had given them what they wanted.

And in return, I had bought myself time.

The Next Step

I was free.

Not entirely trusted. Not entirely safe.

But I was free.

That was enough.

I needed to be careful. My full strength was not yet restored. I needed more chakra. More Zetsu. More time.

But I could not openly prepare. If they saw me amassing an army, they would strike before I was ready.

No, I had to move in the shadows.

The White Zetsu I had already created were still evolving.

They would not remain mere foot soldiers. I would make them gods.

And when the day came, when I was finally ready…

I would reshape this world in my own image.

I would take the place of the Ōtsutsuki God.

And nothing would stand in my way.