Chapter 134 Tree? Vessel?

"Once the economic alliance is formed, it will be more beneficial for the Land of Fire. As a major nation, it naturally has a siphoning effect, gathering more population and resources..."

The Daimyo fanned himself idly with the folding fan, as if mulling over Tsunade's words. After a moment, he spoke, "The Land of Fire lacks neither population nor wealth."

"Your Highness wouldn't possibly object to having even more human and material resources?" Tsunade countered.

The Daimyo smiled and asked, "Fifth Hokage, since you also believe the Land of Fire stands to gain the most, why are you making this suggestion?"

"Because both the Country of Hot Springs and the Country of Frost are small nations. They need protection. The more prosperous their economies become, the more vulnerable they'll be to disasters."

These words resonated with the Daimyo's thoughts. He nodded in agreement.

After exchanging pleasantries, Tsunade rose to leave.

Fortunately, this Daimyo was cooperative. Otherwise, if Yugao and Hiroki had been dispatched, there would've been more bloodshed.

Outside the palace, Asuma watched Tsunade and her group leave, hesitating like he wanted to say something. He debated whether he should head back to Konoha.

Inside the palace, after Tsunade left, the Daimyo sent someone to write a letter to the Lightning Daimyo.

The Country of Hot Springs and the Country of Frost were sandwiched exactly between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. Now that these two countries had become allies, the Land of Lightning would definitely have objections.

Since that was the case, he might as well bring them into the fold too. More money could be made together.

Merely an economic alliance without territorial disputes—other countries, even if displeased, wouldn't find reasons to cause trouble.

"Dad, have we ever actually gone anywhere?" In Konoha Village, Hanabi, now awake, asked with a confused look on her face.

During their passage through the Lunar Rift, she had experienced an illusion that made it difficult for her to distinguish reality from dreams. Now, opening her eyes once again within the Hyuga Clan Estate, she felt even more bewildered.

"We've always been in the village, Hanabi. Are you still half-asleep?" Hiashi chuckled.

He chose those words to spare her from unnecessary stress.

"Oh, I get it!" Hanabi exclaimed, like she'd just figured something out.

After comforting Hanabi, Hiashi gazed silently at the flowers and trees in the courtyard, sighing inwardly.

Did it really have to come to trading Hinata's freedom for the Tenseigan?

But judging from Toneri Otsutsuki's attitude, he seemed determined to obtain it.

Standing behind him, Hinata looked at her father's somewhat desolate back, her eyes flickering.

She felt conflicted. Should she just tell Father the truth?

"Sister, may I inform Father about the real situation?" Hinata asked cautiously.

Unfortunately, Kaguya had no time to attend to her right now.

She was carefully manipulating the [Box of Ultimate Bliss].

In her opinion, the chakra of the Ten-Tails, or rather the God Tree, was the original chakra.

To recover its chakra, the God Tree transformed into the Ten-Tails and sought revenge against humanity.

However, the Ten-Tails possessed very little self-awareness.

Yet the nine Tailed Beasts separated by Hayato each had their own consciousness. Within them, chakra displayed different characteristics — as separated by Hayato.

Alternatively speaking, chakra exhibited unique traits when residing within different sentient beings.

Hayato's chakra, Hamura's chakra, Ashura's chakra, Indra's chakra... all carried traces of memories and will, clearly marked by their owners. They could even take physical form—just like Hamura had done before.

Even the remaining chakra she had now had long since taken on her personal imprint after so many years.

Chakra was a unique substance that could blend with anything.

But in Kaguya's eyes, those were impurities.

Once those elements were removed, it could return to its original form—pure chakra—enabling her to create a mimetic God Tree.

Kaguya's experiments took too long. After watching briefly, Hiroki voluntarily separated from his physical body and entered Kaguya Palace.

Some time later, Kaguya finally let out a sigh of relief, looking at a small tree about half a meter tall that had appeared before her.

Returning to the spiritual world, she found Hiroki half-lying on the large, wide chair she often sat on, closing his eyes as if he were sleeping.

She paused for a moment, then softly stepped closer and leaned down to tenderly caress his cheek.

If the seal was ever lifted, how would they redefine their relationship?

When Hiroki woke up, he realized he was still inside Kaguya Palace.

"Hasn't she finished yet?"

Looking around, he saw no sign of Kaguya. Just as he felt puzzled, he suddenly felt a repelling force strike his body.

Everything spun around. The scenery changed—the two had swapped places again—and he returned to his original body.

Inside the Castle, 'Toneri,' his Sharingan blazing, observed him coldly.

"What did Kaguya do?"

"Look over there."

Following Toneri's gaze, Hiroki saw a short, thin little tree growing right where smooth ground had been before.

"What is this...?"

"A mimetic God Tree," Kaguya announced.

"The God Tree? Then can it absorb natural energy too?"

"This is not the real God Tree," Kaguya clarified.

"What's the difference?"

"The true God Tree can actively draw in energy, grow by itself, and produce chakra. This one cannot."

"Then why did you make this thing?"

"I have already infused it with Hamura's chakra. Soon, the residual consciousness within Hamura's chakra will merge with it, nurturing new life into being."

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"Huh?" Hiroki looked confused. "You went through all this trouble just to create a body for Hamura? To resurrect him?"

"Fool," Kaguya scolded gently. "Since you've guessed it's for creating a vessel, why don't you think a bit further?"

"Once it gains consciousness, you'll be able to use your power."

"Oh, are you planning to manifest yourself through this tree?" Hiroki began to understand, muttering softly, "It's just... weird-looking, I guess?"

"Just like Toneri is to you—a vessel," Kaguya explained gently.

"Mm. So once Hamura's consciousness merges with it, will this tree take on his appearance?"

"No. With such a weak consciousness and diluted chakra, that won't be possible."

"How do I even get in? Should I picture the tree… or Hamura?" Hiroki scratched his head, slightly frustrated.

"Then try a few more times," Kaguya smiled. "Theoretically, this new lifeform is linked to Hamura's consciousness, but it won't actually be Hamura."

Hiroki frowned and thought for a moment.

The tree is just the tree—it's not Hamura. But if Hamura hadn't reincarnated, his soul would still be lingering in the Pure Land. What would happen if he used Hamura's appearance and name as a reference point?

Would he end up inside Hamura's Spiritual World too?

Do the dead even have that kind of thing anymore?

He kept drifting through scattered thoughts, leaving Hiroki's mind in complete chaos.

"How long will it take for that tree to fully merge with Hamura's consciousness?" he asked.

"Not too long. Originally, I planned to infuse it with consciousness the same way I created Black Zetsu. Let's wait a few more days..."

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