After going through many twists and turns, the Anbu finally found the legendary "Spring" deep within a desolate canyon rarely touched by human traces.
"This should be the spring Renya-sama mentioned."
"Let's return and report!"
Soon, Renya, who was sunbathing at home, received the message delivered by Danzo.
Without hesitation, he called Nara Motoha, the Hyūga old clan leader, and his good friend Danzo. The four of them headed straight for the location of the spring.
Along the way, both Nara Motoha and the Hyūga old clan leader showed looks of anticipation.
After several years, they were finally going to see Hyūga Muki again. They hoped his life on the moon had been going well.
Since the Anbu had directly informed Danzo, who was resting at home, Hiruzen, far away in the Hokage's office, had no idea that they had already set out.
After all, when the Hokage leaves the village, there is no need to report to the acting Hokage.
At this moment, although Hiruzen faced mountains of documents piled before him, the worry on his face was gone.
Because he would soon be able to travel to the moon.
"Tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes me excited."
Hiruzen imagined the scenery on the moon, completely unaware that Renya and the others had already departed.
...
"This is the place."
Renya arrived at the location where the Anbu had discovered the spring. The water was not crystal clear but instead a deep azure, with specks of silver light drifting within it.
The spring was silent, yet it emitted faint spatial fluctuations, resonating mysteriously with the distant moon in the sky.
"This spring is the spatial passage connecting the ninja world and the moon."
As he spoke, Renya leapt directly into the spring. Shimura Danzo and the others did not hesitate and immediately followed.
Just as he had said, beneath the spring lay the spatial passage.
The descent did not feel like swimming in water, but rather a strange sensation of weightlessness and falling.
Fortunately, the feeling did not last long. Below them, a silver-white point of light appeared and rapidly expanded.
Buzz—
With a faint hum, the four felt solid ground beneath their feet, and the surroundings suddenly became clear.
They stood on a barren land covered with cratered mountains and gray dust.
Above them was no longer blue sky and white clouds, but the vast black curtain of the universe, and a beautiful azure planet.
That was the ninja world where they had lived since childhood!
"So this is… the moon." Danzo looked around in shock.
In the blink of an eye, they had truly crossed from the ninja world to the moon.
"There are two groups fighting up ahead!"
The voice of the Hyūga old clan leader brought them back to their senses as he pointed in a certain direction.
At this moment, the advantages of the Hyūga clan's Byakugan were displayed to the fullest.
The others had noticed nothing, yet the old clan leader had already seen people fighting ahead.
"Old clan leader, how is the situation over there?"
"The battle is fierce. One side is already at a disadvantage." The Hyūga old clan leader frowned.
"Let's hurry over and take a look."
He was not sure whether the side holding the advantage belonged to the main family.
If not, then the main family members would be in danger!
It was not that he cared about the main family's safety, but rather that he was worried about Hyūga Muki encountering danger.
Renya had no objections. The group quickly headed toward the Ōtsutsuki battlefield.
Dozens of km away.
The Ōtsutsuki main family and branch family were locked in fierce combat.
"Ōtsutsuki Muki, how long will you remain stubborn?!" The branch family's Great Elder stared grimly at the heavily wounded Hyūga Muki.
"Look at yourself! For the sake of protecting a filthy ninja world, you've let your clansmen bleed in vain. Is it worth it?"
Earlier, the Great Elder had joined forces with the other elders to ambush Hyūga Muki. At the cost of two elders' lives, they had successfully inflicted severe injuries upon him.
To be honest, he did not wish to see the situation deteriorate to this extent.
After all, they were of the same clan. For things to escalate to a life-and-death struggle was something none of them truly desired.
If they could persuade the branch family to abandon the protection of the ninja world, there would be no need to fight to the death.
Then they could destroy the ninja world together and establish a new order!
"Elder Ryuichi… the ones who are wrong are you!" Blood seeped from Hyūga Muki's lips as he clutched his chest, his face pale. "Destroying the ninja world was never our ancestor's will!"
Whether because he had grown up in the ninja world or to fulfill his father's dying wish, he would never allow the branch family to destroy it.
He had once promised Nara Motoha that once everything here was settled, he would return to see him!
Unfortunately, after so many years, the war between the main family and branch family had never ended.
Their strengths were too evenly matched. Without a decisive force, the war could not be concluded.
"Clan leader, are you alright?!"
At this moment, two main family members saw Muki injured and immediately stepped in front of him with solemn expressions.
"We'll cover your retreat!"
They would never allow anyone to harm the clan leader!
Hyūga Muki was the strongest existence within the main family. If anything were to happen to him—
The main family would never again be able to stop the branch family's scheme.
So no matter what, they had to ensure the clan leader escaped safely. Once he recovered, they could resist the branch family's attack again.
The branch family had lost several elders in this battle; their losses were equally heavy.
As long as Hyūga Muki could leave safely, the branch family would not dare to send people to pursue him.
"You think you can stop me?"
The branch family's Great Elder sneered at the two young main family members who had suddenly appeared before him.
"Very well." He waved his hand, and the last two injured branch family elders stepped forward from behind him. "Since they remain stubborn, let them be buried together with the ninja world they desperately protect!"
At this moment, Hyūga Muki was severely wounded and no match for him.
And although the two branch family elders were injured, dealing with two inexperienced youths was more than enough.
The other main family members were all tied down by the branch family and could not arrive in time to reinforce them.
It seemed that today would be Hyūga Muki's death day!
Once the main family's clan leader fell in battle, their morale would plummet. Then they could wipe out the entire main family in one stroke!
The two elders did not waste words and directly launched attacks at the two youths.
"Clan leader, leave quickly! We'll cover you!"
The two main family members charged at the elders with the resolve to die, not retreating a single step despite knowing they were outmatched.
Seeing his clansmen risk their lives for him, Hyūga Muki's eyes instantly reddened.
He did not hesitate and turned to flee. He could not die here—otherwise, the main family would no longer be able to resist the branch family.
"Trying to run? Did I allow you to leave?"
The branch family's Great Elder snorted coldly and swiftly intercepted him.
"Under normal circumstances, I would certainly not be your opponent. Unfortunately, today you faced five elders at once—you have no chance of victory!"
As soon as his words fell, his figure burst forward. A palm strike, condensed with all his strength, shot straight toward Muki's chest.
Hyūga Muki's pupils shrank sharply. With his severe injuries, he could no longer evade.
At that very moment, a shuriken shot toward the Great Elder's palm, forcing him to abandon the attack.
"Whoosh!"
The shuriken embedded itself into the ground not far from the two of them.
"The old thing strikes quite ruthlessly."