Chapter 28: Kaguya’s Departure and the Island of Wonders

Kaguya stood tall, her presence towering over the team as they watched her. There was a quiet power about her that seemed to radiate, but it was tempered by something softer—something almost melancholic, like a person at peace with their decisions but ready to face the unknown.

"I've shown you the world I've created," Kaguya began, her voice calm but filled with an undeniable authority. "This place is my sanctuary, my final refuge. It is a place beyond the reach of the Ōtsutsuki, and it shall remain that way for as long as I exist. But my role here is not over." She paused, looking each of them in the eye. "I must leave for now. There are matters to attend to in the broader world, and I have to ensure the protection of this realm."

The team exchanged glances, their expressions filled with a mix of confusion and awe. Kaguya was about to leave them in this strange new world—one that none of them truly understood. Yet, there was an undeniable sense of calm in her eyes, a quiet assurance that she had everything under control.

Naruto was the first to speak up, his usual curiosity shining through. "You're leaving?" he asked, trying to mask the confusion in his voice. "But... why? I thought this was the safe place, the one you created to keep everything peaceful."

Kaguya nodded slowly, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "Yes, this place is safe. But my actions must remain far from the grasp of the Ōtsutsuki, for their greed knows no bounds. I've done what I can here, but there is still much to be done in the shadows. I must ensure the security of this realm, as well as the future of this world. This is my purpose—for now."

With that, she turned away from them, her figure fading into the distance. The group was left standing in the center of the strange, beautiful landscape, processing what Kaguya had just told them.

But before any of them could respond, Black Zetsu, who had been standing silently by her side, stepped forward. "I will show you the wonders of this world while Kaguya is gone," Black Zetsu said, his tone cold but not without a certain ominous energy. "There is much to see, and you are not ready to understand it all, but I will guide you nonetheless."

The team exchanged looks, and although they didn't know if they could trust Black Zetsu, their options were limited. With a hesitant nod, Naruto spoke up. "Alright, show us what you've got." If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121 

Black Zetsu led them deeper into the island, guiding them through the dense forest, where the trees towered above them, their thick canopies filtering out most of the sunlight. As they walked, Black Zetsu explained the way the world worked—how everything here was connected, and how Kaguya had used her powers to weave this place into existence. This work was created by shredder121 

They first arrived at what looked like a vast, ancient tree, unlike anything they had ever seen before. Its bark was pure white, and its leaves shimmered with a strange, glowing radiance that seemed to pulse with life. The roots of the tree stretched deep into the earth, forming an intricate network that extended far beneath the ground. The tree was enormous—its trunk alone was wide enough to fit an entire village inside.

"This tree," Black Zetsu said, "is the Heart of the Island. Its roots span deep into the very core of this world, drawing chakra from the ground itself. It is a source of endless power, and its energy flows through everything here—through the Zetsu, through the beasts, and through the air."

Kakashi stepped closer, his Sharingan activated as he studied the tree with keen interest. "So this is the source of the chakra that sustains this place?"

"Indeed," Black Zetsu replied. "It is the backbone of the island. Without it, this world would not exist."

Naruto was particularly entranced by the shimmering leaves of the tree. "Can we eat them?" he asked, already dreaming of what new abilities they might gain.

Black Zetsu shot him a cold glance. "Not everything here is for consumption, Naruto. Some things are far beyond your understanding."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he studied the tree. "So this is the true power of Kaguya—the power to create life."

"Not just create life," Black Zetsu said cryptically. "She has learned to shape it, to control it. And when she needs to, she can destroy it with equal precision."

The group moved on, leaving the massive tree behind. As they walked, they encountered various other wonders—each more astonishing than the last. They passed through fields of glowing flowers that seemed to hum with their own life force. The air itself was alive with energy, the chakra floating in the atmosphere so thick that it felt almost tangible. The flowers swayed as if they were aware of the group's presence, their petals unfurling when they drew near, as if offering a greeting.

They came to a river, its waters flowing with a silvery glow. The surface shimmered with reflections of the sky above, but as they stepped closer, they saw that the water was full of strange, luminescent fish. The fish seemed to move in perfect unison, their glowing bodies creating intricate patterns in the water. Sasuke observed them, his Rinnegan catching every detail.

"The river is infused with chakra," Black Zetsu explained. "It feeds into the land, providing sustenance to the creatures and plants here. The fish that you see are not mere animals; they are chakra beings, just as much a part of this world as the Zetsu and the beasts."

As they moved further, they encountered more creatures, some larger than others. A gigantic, multi-headed serpent slithered by, its scales gleaming with an iridescent sheen. It seemed to be chasing after one of the smaller, winged creatures—an insect-like being that darted through the air with remarkable speed.

"This place is a paradise for them," Naruto commented, watching the creatures interact. "It's like everything here has its own place. It's so... peaceful."

Guy, ever the enthusiast, gave a thumbs up. "I must admit, this is truly remarkable. A world where everything is connected, and there is no fighting, no destruction. It feels like a dream."

Black Zetsu didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm. "You cannot see what lies beneath the surface, Guy. Not all is as it seems."

As the journey continued, they came to a clearing, and before them stood a sight so breathtaking that it left them all speechless. A giant waterfall cascaded down from a high cliff, its waters glowing in shades of blue and purple. The mist created by the waterfall formed rainbows that danced across the landscape. Surrounding the waterfall were dozens of Zetsu—some familiar, some entirely new—who were meditating, their bodies surrounded by an aura of chakra.

"This is the Meditation Falls," Black Zetsu said. "It is a sacred place where the Zetsu come to meditate and strengthen their bonds with the land. Those who meditate here grow stronger, attuned to the very essence of this world."

They spent several moments in awe of the beauty before continuing their trek through the island.

At the end of the journey, they stood before a massive cliff that overlooked the entire world—a view so vast and encompassing that it took their breath away. Below them, they could see the land stretching as far as the eye could see, with Zetsu and beasts moving peacefully in the distance. Above, the sky shimmered in every imaginable color, with stars twinkling like diamonds.

"This is the heart of my creation," Black Zetsu said quietly. "A world made to survive, to thrive. But it is not just a sanctuary—it is a tool, a weapon. Kaguya's weapon."

The team was silent, each of them contemplating what they had just witnessed. They had come to this world expecting to find something dark and dangerous, something twisted, but instead, they had found something beautiful—something far more complex than they had ever imagined.

And yet, despite the beauty, there was a lingering unease. This world, though peaceful, was built by Kaguya—created for her purposes. What would she do with it? And how would it affect the world they had left behind?

It was a question none of them had an answer to, but one thing was certain: the balance of power had shifted. The Ōtsutsuki were still a threat, and Kaguya was no longer the only one who held the cards.

The team remained in silence for a long time, staring out at the world before them, wondering what the future would hold.

But for now, they had seen a side of Kaguya's world that few ever would—a glimpse into the heart of a being who was far more than they had ever realized. And it was a vision they would not soon forget.