Chapter 24: The Unlikely Ally

The night was still in Konoha, the village's lights flickering in the distance as Team 7 gathered in the courtyard, the heavy atmosphere of the day hanging over them. The Kage had returned to their villages, and the preparations for the upcoming war were in motion. Yet there was still a question lingering in the air, one that no one had fully addressed—until now.

Sakura, who had been silent for most of the meeting, finally spoke, her voice steady but uncertain. "What if... we reached out to Kaguya?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Naruto and Sasuke. "Maybe she could help us."

Naruto, who had been staring into the distance, turned his head to face Sakura, raising an eyebrow. "Kaguya? You mean... the Kaguya we've fought before? The one who nearly ended the world?" If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121 

Sasuke, who had been brooding silently beside Naruto, leaned back against the wall, his Sharingan reflecting the dim light. "It's not a bad idea, but it's dangerous. We don't know her intentions. She's powerful, but her allegiance has always been to herself... and whatever game she's playing. If we ask her for help, how do we know she won't betray us again?"

Sakura bit her lip, clearly torn. "But the Ōtsutsuki are our biggest threat, right? If Kaguya really knows about them, and she's as strong as we've seen, maybe she'd help us fight them off."

Naruto's expression shifted, his usual optimism clouded by doubt. He rubbed the back of his neck, a sign of his inner conflict. "I get what you're saying, Sakura... but we've been burned before. Last time we fought her, she was hell-bent on using us to get what she wanted. We can't forget that."

Sasuke crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the possibility. "If we reach out to her, it could be a double-edged sword. She's unpredictable. Even if she offers help, it could be for her own gain. She's not a hero. Not like us."

Sakura sighed, feeling the weight of their words. "I know it's risky. But the Ōtsutsuki are coming for us. If we don't do something, we might not have another choice. What if we have no other option but to trust her?"

Naruto looked down, his fists clenched as he thought about the consequences of such a decision. He had seen the destructive power Kaguya wielded. He had been on the receiving end of it. But could they afford to let their fear of betrayal prevent them from taking a chance? Was there another way?

Sasuke's voice cut through his thoughts, cool and collected as ever. "We need more information. We don't have all the pieces yet. If we can learn more about what Kaguya's doing—and why she's acting the way she is—then maybe we can make an informed decision. But for now, we should be cautious. If we approach her, it has to be on our terms."

Naruto nodded slowly. "Yeah, you're right. We'll have to be careful. But if we get the chance... maybe we should talk to her. I just... don't know if we can trust her fully."

The trio stood in silence for a few moments, the weight of the decision pressing down on them. The idea of reaching out to Kaguya—once their enemy—felt wrong, but the looming threat of the Ōtsutsuki left little room for hesitation. They would need every advantage they could get.

"I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Naruto said, trying to lighten the mood. "But first, let's focus on the here and now. We've got a world to save."

Sasuke and Sakura both nodded, the tension in the air easing slightly. But the question of whether they should reach out to Kaguya still lingered, unanswered.

For now, they would prepare for the inevitable conflict. But somewhere in the back of their minds, the thought of Kaguya—a potential ally—remained a dangerous temptation. Would they be able to trust her? Would she even care to help?

The fate of the ninja world might depend on it.