Chapter 25: The Path to Kaguya

The night had fallen over Konoha, and the air felt heavy with the weight of the decision that had been made. Team 7 stood in the center of a quiet clearing just outside the village. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were ready, but there was still one lingering question in the back of their minds: What would they do if Kaguya turned on them?

Sasuke's Rinnegan glowed ominously as he activated the technique, his eyes narrowing in concentration. He was preparing the portal. The swirling vortex of chakra slowly formed in the air before them, a rip in space that led directly to Kaguya's domain. No one spoke, the quiet anticipation filling the space.

"We're doing this," Naruto said, his voice low but determined. "We're really doing this."

Sasuke, his Sharingan flashing once, gave a slight nod. "We don't have time to waste. The Ōtsutsuki will come for us sooner or later, and we need answers. Kaguya is the only one who might know how to stop them."

Sakura stepped forward, her expression a mix of nervousness and resolve. "But... if Kaguya tries to attack again...?"

"We'll deal with it," Sasuke said simply, his voice unwavering.

Before they could take another step toward the portal, there was a sudden presence behind them—a familiar, yet unexpected one. Kakashi, Obito, and Might Guy had arrived, each of them with determined expressions. They had been waiting quietly in the shadows, deciding whether to follow.

Kakashi, his Sharingan eye glowing faintly, was the first to speak. "You weren't going to tell us, were you?"

Naruto turned, surprised but not entirely shocked. "Kakashi... Obito... Guy? What are you guys doing here?"

Obito, who had been silently watching, now spoke up, his voice sharp. "You think we're just going to let you go alone? If Kaguya decides to attack again, then you're going to need backup. We're coming with you."

Might Guy, his usual exuberance tempered by the seriousness of the situation, nodded in agreement. "I might not be as fast as I used to be, but I'll fight by your side. We've got your backs."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he considered the addition of his former comrades. He hadn't expected them to come along, but it seemed there was no way to stop them. "Fine," Sasuke said reluctantly. "But if anything goes wrong, you stay back. We don't know what we're walking into."

Kakashi grinned under his mask. "Don't worry. We'll stay out of your way... unless we're needed."

Sakura glanced at Naruto, who gave her an encouraging nod. She had always trusted their team. Even with the new dangers ahead, they were stronger together.

Sasuke's hand shot out, manipulating the chakra around the portal to widen it. A blast of air whipped through the clearing as the portal fully opened. "Let's go," he said, stepping toward the swirling rift.

Naruto and Sakura followed him in, but before Kakashi, Obito, and Guy could enter, Sasuke turned to them. "Just remember: if Kaguya tries anything, you're on your own. Don't get in our way."

Kakashi chuckled. "Understood, Sasuke."

With that, they all stepped through the portal.

The world around them was nothing like the one they had left behind. It was a vast, barren land that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. The air was thick with oppressive energy, and the sky above them was a dull gray, clouds swirling in unnatural patterns. In the distance, the looming shape of Kaguya's realm could be seen, a towering structure rising from the landscape, surrounded by an eerie, otherworldly mist.

Naruto glanced around, his usual grin fading as he took in the scenery. "Well, this is... different."

Sasuke was already scanning the area, his Sharingan activated as he looked for any sign of Kaguya's presence. "Stay alert. We don't know if she's watching us."

Before they could make their next move, a familiar presence approached them—Kaguya herself. Her imposing figure emerged from the mist, floating toward them with an unreadable expression.

"Why have you come?" Kaguya's voice echoed, colder than they remembered. She didn't seem surprised by their presence, though there was a hint of curiosity in her tone. "You've come to ask for my help?"

Naruto stepped forward, trying to sound confident despite the uneasy tension. "We need answers. The Ōtsutsuki are coming. We need to know how to stop them."

Kaguya's eyes flickered with something—amusement, maybe—but it quickly vanished as she assessed their intentions. "And why would I help you?" she asked, voice sharp. "What do you expect from me? After everything that has happened?"

Sasuke's voice was firm. "We're not asking for your help freely. But if you don't help us, then we'll all be wiped out. We need to know about the Ōtsutsuki, their plans, and what you know about them. Your knowledge could be the only thing that saves this world."

Kaguya stared at him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable. "You think I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart?" she mused. "No. I will not help you unless you give me something in return."

Sakura clenched her fists. "What do you want from us?"

Kaguya's smile was cold and calculating. "I want you to promise me that you will not seal me again. Not until I am ready. You owe me that much for everything I've done."

Sasuke tensed. "You expect us to just let you go free?"

Kaguya's gaze softened for a brief second, almost like a whisper of something... human. "You have no choice. The Ōtsutsuki are your true enemies, not me. But if you seal me again, I will not hesitate to tear apart this world. I will never be imprisoned again."

Naruto exchanged a look with Sasuke and Sakura. They were caught between the threat of the Ōtsutsuki and the need to keep Kaguya free for now. Could they trust her?

Kakashi, Obito, and Guy had remained in the background, quietly observing. Kakashi whispered, "We're walking a fine line here. If she turns on us..."

Obito's gaze never left Kaguya. "Then we'll deal with her, together."

The decision had been made. They would not seal Kaguya for now. It was the only way to learn more about the Ōtsutsuki and find a way to stop them.

"Fine," Sasuke said. "We won't seal you. For now."

Kaguya's lips curved into a faint smile, almost as if she had won. "Very well. But understand this: The Ōtsutsuki are not to be underestimated. They will come for you soon enough."

With that, Kaguya turned and vanished into the mist, leaving Team 7 and their companions with more questions than answers.

As the group stood there, the weight of the decision pressed heavily on them. Would this alliance with Kaguya lead to salvation, or would it be the beginning of something worse?

The Ōtsutsuki threat was still looming, and they were now more vulnerable than ever.

The next chapter in their journey had begun, and no one knew where it would lead.