These words instantly piqued the children's interest.
Sasuke stopped his whispered conversation with Hamamaru, a faint Six Paths Chakra unconsciously overflowing from him. Fighting spirit and longing intertwined in his eyes as he looked over with a burning gaze.
Karin stood to the side, her fingertips slightly curled, her eyes filled with curiosity and longing for power.
Although Mirai was young, a golden Six Paths mark faintly appeared on her brow.
She blinked ignorantly, full of curiosity, and reached out to gently tug Shun's sleeve. "Father, Mirai also wants to have warm power like yours."
The other children who gathered around more or less showed energy fluctuations at the Six Paths Level. Their auras were majestic, yet they couldn't hide the immaturity and restlessness of their states of mind.
Shun withdrew the light thread and beckoned the children to gather around him.
He gently pressed Sasuke's shoulder, feeling the restless Chakra within the youth, his tone serious yet gentle. "You are all my children. I never want you to live as knock-off versions of me."
Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly, and he subconsciously gripped his short blade, seemingly confused.
Shun patted Hamamaru 's back and continued, "I hope you all can walk your own paths. Right now, your understanding of your own power and future direction is still shallow. All I can do is guide you."
Hamamaru nodded steadily, understanding gradually appearing in his eyes as he silently committed these words to heart.
Mirai hugged his arm, only half-understanding, and said sweetly. "Father, I also want to become as powerful as you, to protect you, mothers, and my brothers and sisters."
Shun rubbed the top of her head, his eyes full of tenderness.
He then looked at Karin, Sasuke, Hamamaru, Shion, and the others in turn, speaking in a kind tone, "Each of you has your own talents and specialties."
"Karin's vitality, recovery, and sensory abilities far exceed ordinary people."
"Sasuke has the Rinne Sharingan, and his lightning affinity and explosive power are exceptionally strong."
"Hamamaru is steady and reserved."
"Mirai has grear talent for Mental Energy."
"Shiryu's Chakra Enhanced Strength and Vitality are particularly powerful."
"Zetsu has a thousand years of..."
"Follow your own talent and polish your state of mind. Only then can you walk your own path of the strong."
The Queens listened quietly, their eyes full of agreement. They were well aware of Shun's concerns and had heard of the tragedies caused by the Ōtsutsuki clan losing themselves to power. They understood even more that Shun's teachings hid within them the deepest fatherly love.
Kaguya looked at the figures of Shun and the children, her eyes full of tenderness.
As a member of the Otsutsuki clan, she knew better than anyone the horror of power addiction. She felt secretly lucky that the children had such a clear-headed and insightful father to guide them.
Mikoto gripped her embroidered handkerchief and nodded gently, saying with emotion, "You're right, the state of mind is the foundation. If the foundation is unstable, no matter how strong the power is, it will eventually be a castle in the air."
Tsunade set aside her casualness and spoke in agreement, "Compared to brute-force infusion, polishing one's character is the long-term plan. Only then can they truly control their own power and not go astray."
Shun raised his glass to everyone, his smile gentle. "Let's not talk of power, but only wish for our family's health and peace year after year."
The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed in the hall, and the warmth grew even thicker.
The banquet ended, the night was deep, and the moon hung high in the center of the sky. Clear moonlight spilled through the window lattices into the manor, gentle and serene.
The children were tired from playing, and Itachi took the initiative to look after some of the younger brothers and sisters.
He carried Yuuka back to the sleeping quarters, while Karin followed beside them, softly humming a soothing lullaby and tucking her younger sister in.
Shun stood under the corridor, watching the children's figures, his eyes full of gratification.
Only after the children had all fallen into a deep sleep did he turn and walk toward the consorts' palaces.
The consorts had each returned to their palaces. After several months of separation, a tacit expectation was hidden in their eyes as they quietly awaited Shun's arrival.
Within Shun's body, Solar Power surged incessantly. The gentleness from the earlier banquet faded slightly, replaced by a more fervent desire.
Following a familiar path, his first stop was Kaguya's palace.
The night was so thick it seemed inseparable, and the light pink gauze curtains were stirred by the night breeze, trembling like butterfly wings.
Kaguya was sitting on a soft couch by the window, her silvery-white long hair falling like a galaxy.
A hairpin was tucked into her hair, its head adorned with tiny glowing beads that swayed slightly with her breath.
Not until she sensed Shun's familiar Chakra did she slowly raise her eyes. Her eyes were instantly filled with soft light, and even her fingertips curled slightly, unable to hide the joy in her heart.
Shun lightened his steps and walked behind her, leaving only his warm breath to linger around her neck. He leaned down slightly, his warm palm gently resting on her abdomen.
"Kaguya, what are you thinking about?"
Kaguya's body stiffened slightly, then she relaxed as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.
The book in her hand fell softly onto the couch, and she turned to throw herself into Shun's arms. Her arms tightly encircled his waist, and she pressed her cheek against his chest, clearly hearing his steady heartbeat. His unique scent lingered around her nose, making her drifting and uneasy heart settle completely.
"I was thinking about when you would come to my place again... to accompany me."
"I was afraid you would be like the other Ōtsutsuki, lost in the Universe for the sake of power, never to return."
Shun lowered his head to kiss Kaguya's forehead and raised his hand to wipe away the tear stains at the corners of her eyes, the warmth reaching straight to her heart.
"I promised you I would return safely. I am not like those obsessed Ōtsutsuki, you all are the home I will protect for my entire life."
The two snuggled on the soft couch as the gauze curtains fell, enveloping their figures.
Kaguya leaned submissively in Shun's arms, gently tracing the contours of his chest. Occasionally, she would look up to exchange a gentle kiss with him.
Their quiet entanglement melted months of longing, worry, and concern into every intimate touch.
After the intimacy, Shun raised his hand, a rich and gentle golden light glowing in his palm as his fingertip lightly touched the space between her brows.
"Kaguya, I will help you stabilize your origin and get stronger, so you can better protect yourself and the children in the future."
Kaguya's eyelashes trembled slightly. She could clearly feel new power flowing through her Chakra pathways. Her whole body felt as comfortable as if bathed in warm sunshine, and her strength was rapidly climbing through subtle transformation.
As the energy injection concluded, Kaguya looked up and gave Shun a light kiss on the lips.
"Digest it well. I'm going to see the others." Shun ruffled her long hair and turned to leave.
Leaving Kaguya there, gazing at his departing back, her eyes full of reluctance and longing.
Leaving Kaguya's palace, the night grew even deeper.
Tsunade leaned against the cushioned couch, the impatience in her eyes gradually replaced by anticipation.
Hearing footsteps, she immediately looked up, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "You certainly know how to enjoy yourself, going to accompany Kaguya first and making me wait."
Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness, yet her eyes were filled with unhideable joy.
Shun stepped closer, golden light surging slightly around him, carrying a scorching temperature. He reached out to grasp Tsunade's wrist, pulling her closer with moderate force.
"I've kept you waiting. I will naturally compensate you well later."
Shun leaned down, his nose lightly brushing against her earlobe. The warm breath made Tsunade's cheeks flush instantly.
Tsunade was always strong-willed, but at this moment, she was stirred to the core by his teasing.
She subconsciously raised her hand to lightly thump his chest, but the force was as light as a coquettish gesture, as she retorted, "Who wants your compensation?"
Yet her body moved closer to him, and Shun took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace. His arms tightly encircled her waist. Feeling her slightly stiff yet gradually relaxing body, a sweet smile appeared on the corners of his lips.
The usually strong Tsunade gradually let down all her defenses, nestling submissively in Shun's arms. Her hands gently encircled his neck, and she pressed her cheek against his shoulder, showing a rare, girlish side.
"Don't be gone so long next time."
Shun lowered his head to kiss the top of Tsunade's head, full of doting. "It's been hard on you, Tsunade. I will spend more time with you from now on."
After the intimacy, Shun injected energy into Tsunade. It repaired her past battle wounds. Katsuyu's power merged with the Solar Power, deriving even stronger self-healing abilities and combat power.
"Truly overbearing."
Tsunade moved her wrists, feeling the surging power within her, her eyes full of surprise.