Natsuhiko had only planted two seeds, both obtained from Otsutsuki Urashiki.
He wasn't sure whether to feel satisfied or disappointed with the results.
He had spent several months on the moon planting them, consuming Urashiki's flesh and one of his eyes, only to end up with these two seeds.
If the names hadn't sounded promising, he might have been thoroughly disappointed.
Origin Power and Ultimate Byakugan Power. Just the names alone gave him the impression that they were something extraordinary.
While Natsuhiko didn't fully understand what "Origin Power" referred to, "Ultimate Byakugan Power" gave him some clues.
The Otsutsuki clan had always used the Byakugan. Their so-called Rinnegan was merely the result of devouring a God Tree fruit and undergoing a mutation.
The fact that Urashiki's eyes had transformed proved he must have consumed a fruit at some point. Otherwise, he wouldn't have possessed such power.
What concerned Natsuhiko most now was what this "Ultimate Byakugan Power" would actually grant him. Would it be the pure power of the Otsutsuki Byakugan, or would it include the mutated power Urashiki had gained after consuming a God Tree fruit?
Either way, both possibilities were things he desired.
"After all, either one would bring a massive improvement to my eyes. I'm already at the final step of the second stage!"
Five years had passed. Even without combat, his Jōgan had continued to evolve and adapt.
Although he hadn't returned to the moon to absorb more Tenseigan chakra, his body had fully adapted to and resonated with his current eyes.
His physique had also been further strengthened. With the help of the Truth-Seeking Orbs, his Yin Release had finally reached the intermediate level.
With intermediate Yin Release and intermediate Yang Release fusing together, his Yin-Yang Release had improved tremendously.
It was no exaggeration to say that any technique Natsuhiko used now, when combined with Yin-Yang Release, could rival the power he once achieved by combining Jōgan chakra, senjutsu, and Yin-Yang Release.
If he activated his Jōgan chakra mode on top of that, the power would become even more terrifying.
After all, this was already the second stage of the Jōgan. If compared to the three awakenings of the Tenseigan, he was only one final step away from pushing his eyes to their absolute limit.
Once he reached that point, Natsuhiko could confidently say he wouldn't need to worry too much about the Otsutsuki anymore.
"Maybe by then, I'll have become an Otsutsuki myself."
The power of the Otsutsuki was truly enviable. While others might not have the opportunity to achieve this, Natsuhiko already carried a trace of their bloodline.
After obtaining Yin Release, as his strength continued to grow, his system had helped reinforce and enhance his bloodline power.
However, over these five years, Natsuhiko had begun to feel the limitations imposed by his bloodline.
He could sense the ceiling of his power, and that ceiling had been passively created because of his bloodline.
He also had a vague idea of how to break through this "ceiling." There weren't many ways, because the barrier was incredibly solid.
The simplest method was to merge with the ceiling itself and dissolve it completely.
The other method was even more straightforward in theory — directly shattering the ceiling through sheer force.
But breaking a barrier built from bloodline limitations was never easy.
The only way to shatter all bloodline restrictions without relying on an existing bloodline was to fuse all forms of chakra and create one's own Bloodline Net.
Natsuhiko was already walking that path, but unfortunately, he had yet to obtain anything capable of fusing chakra.
"Forget it. There's no point thinking about it now. I still have my own path. Worst case, I can just follow Obito's route and become a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki."
Natsuhiko shook his head. He was pragmatic. If necessary, he could force his way through by becoming a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, bypassing bloodline limitations and reaching a higher level of power.
Of course, that would be a last resort. He had no intention of standing still. He needed to keep moving forward.
"Besides, that Origin Power might also be an opportunity. Even without knowing exactly what it is, the Origin Power of an Otsutsuki is definitely worth looking forward to."
The term "Origin Power" carried a strange allure. Natsuhiko was no exception.
He had spent five full years cultivating this seed, pouring an enormous amount of chakra into it, and it was still only at ninety-something percent completion.
This speed could no longer be described as slow. In his entire career as a shinobi, he had never encountered something that took this long.
Still, years of planting experience told him that the longer something took and the more chakra it consumed, the higher the quality of what he would eventually obtain.
Especially when the thing he sought exceeded his current level of power, the time required would be even greater.
Both the Byakugan Power and the Origin Power had taken five years of his life.
How could he not feel anticipation and excitement for these two forces that were about to emerge and likely bring him tremendous growth?
"On top of that, with these five years having passed, my only mission has already reached ninety-seven percent. It probably won't be long before I complete it."
This unique mission had followed him ever since he obtained the system.
Even though the system description stated there would be no punishment for failing to complete it, Natsuhiko still preferred to finish it.
He didn't know what the reward would be, but it was still something worth looking forward to. After all, it was the only mission the system had ever given him.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Natsuhiko's brows furrowed slightly. His gaze turned toward the distance.
---
While Natsuhiko was quietly waiting for his seeds to mature and for his unique mission to complete, a man dressed in monk's robes stood silently at the outskirts of Konoha, observing his surroundings.
The area outside Konoha no longer resembled the hellish battlefield it had once been. With the help of craftsmen and shinobi from various countries, the land had recovered quickly.
However, the battle between Natsuhiko and Otsutsuki Urashiki five years ago had been so intense that the terrain outside Konoha had been permanently altered.
To avoid deep, bottomless canyons and valleys carved into the earth, the roads around Konoha had been completely rerouted.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Natsuhiko, Senju Hashirama, and Yamato — who had been working from the shadows — they had used Wood Release to plant trees and restore the forests in the area.
The environment now looked exceptionally beautiful. Even the canyons and valleys that had been violently carved out had become popular tourist spots.
Interestingly, someone had once suggested to Natsuhiko that he turn one of the canyon walls into a statue of himself so that future generations would remember him.
The idea had actually tempted him for a moment, but he ultimately refused. It felt far too embarrassing.
Even so, after all these years, while everything else had changed, the lingering aura from the battle between Natsuhiko and Urashiki still remained in the area.
That aura had been terrifying. It had greatly affected the shinobi who had been working on reconstruction back then.
By now, the aura had mostly dissipated and no longer affected ordinary people. However, certain individuals could still sense it.
Particularly those with exceptional sensory abilities — such as the monk currently standing there.
The monk's appearance was rather strange. His face bore unusual tattoos, and his eyes held a complex, eerie look.
After a long while, he let out a soft sigh and turned his gaze toward the distant location of Konoha.
"It really is the aura of an Otsutsuki. And the one who fought against it also used Otsutsuki power. It's the same person whose power I sensed years ago.
Could the owner of that power be Otsutsuki Kaguya, who quietly escaped from her seal?"
At the mention of that woman, the monk's expression turned slightly strange. A twisted yet calm look flickered across his face.
It took him a while to compose himself. A thoughtful expression appeared on his tattoo-covered face.
Years ago, from a great distance, he had sensed an unimaginable surge of power. It had truly frightened him.
Or rather, it had frightened the terrifying being inside him — the one that was constantly changing his personality.
Back then, they had suspected that the owner of that power was likely an Otsutsuki.
However, they had been far too weak at the time. Even though they had noticed something, they hadn't dared to act.
Their only option had been to wait quietly and recover their strength.
Over the past five years, he had undergone significant changes. He knew that the more he changed, the less he resembled his original self.
His consciousness had gradually been altered, and his body had become increasingly damaged in order to adapt to the power of the being inside him.
Yet through this urgent transformation, he had also gained some room to move.
He knew his condition had already deteriorated to an unimaginable degree.
But he had no way to resist. All he could do was silently endure.
Perhaps, for him, death would be the only true form of release.
---
After five years, having regained a certain level of strength, they had begun searching for traces of the power that had erupted years ago.
Following the direction of the explosion, they had eventually arrived here.
They knew this was the territory of the Land of Fire — more specifically, the territory of Konoha.
Although the land no longer showed obvious signs of that terrifying battle, someone who had lived for a thousand years had visited the Land of Fire countless times.
He immediately noticed the changes and understood just how catastrophic the battle that had taken place here must have been.
Reshaping the terrain into this state was already an unimaginable feat.
What was even more shocking was that such hellish destruction had not reached Konoha itself.
It was as if the village had been protected by an invisible wall that no amount of power could break through.
"It seems the person really is him." The monk muttered to himself and let out another quiet sigh.
He had guessed that one of the people who unleashed that unimaginable power was Otsutsuki Kaguya. However, he wasn't entirely sure who her current "vessel" was.
This time, he had come here specifically to determine the identity of that vessel.
He knew that Otsutsuki Kaguya had been sealed by her own sons. After all, he had lived in this world for over a thousand years. While others might have forgotten many things, he had not.
Living for so long meant he naturally knew a great deal, even if he had never wanted to live this long. He simply had no other choice.
On his way here, he had already heard plenty of information about the current Fifth Hokage.
He knew how exaggerated the man's reputation had become and how unbelievable his power was said to be.
Still, both he and the being inside him had only been suspicious. They had never seriously considered that this Hokage might have been one of the main fighters in that battle.
He also knew of Senju Hashirama. At first, they had assumed this new Hokage from the Senju clan was simply another Hashirama.
But now, things seemed completely different. This boy was likely not just a "new Hashirama." He was probably "Otsutsuki Kaguya" herself.
"It has to be him. He hid it well, that bitch."
At that moment, the monk's demeanor shifted. He suddenly appeared far more arrogant and cold, with an undercurrent of endless hatred in his tone.
"However, this isn't the right time to alert him. Dealing with him alone would be one thing. But charging into his territory and fighting against so many so-called shinobi… Jigen's body wouldn't be able to handle it.
Still, I have the advantage this time. At the very least, I've figured out who your 'vessel' is.
Otsutsuki Kaguya… we can settle the score from back then in the future."
The monk Jigen's current state clearly showed that the being inside him had taken control.
If Natsuhiko had been here, he would have been surprised to discover that the being hidden inside this man was actually an Otsutsuki.
Of course, it would only be a momentary surprise. After all, Natsuhiko had already encountered so many Otsutsuki that discovering another half-dead one wouldn't shock him too much.
Besides, he already knew about the existence of Karma and had made his own guesses about its purpose.
Seeing this man would likely make him even happier, because it would confirm that his speculations were correct.
Jigen did not act impulsively. After confirming what he needed to know, he chose to leave.
He needed to make more detailed plans. After all, the opponent he intended to deal with was far from simple. He didn't have enough confidence to handle the situation lightly.
In the end, this person had even managed to kill an invading Otsutsuki. Meanwhile, Jigen couldn't even exert half of his full strength.
If he went looking for trouble now, he would most likely end up dead. He wasn't foolish enough to do something so reckless.
To avoid drawing the attention of Konoha's shinobi, he didn't even plan to stay in the Land of Fire any longer.
Even if he had to remain nearby, he would choose a more remote and quiet location.
Otsutsuki could sense each other strongly, and their characteristics were far too obvious. Once discovered, the trouble would be significant.
If this person were someone like Senju Hashirama, he might fight desperately to protect the village.
But if he was Otsutsuki Kaguya's "vessel," then the situation would be entirely different.
"Although this guy protected the village, that power was probably something Kaguya left behind in him that erupted at the time.
It gave him the strength to defeat the enemy while also protecting the village. But Otsutsuki power is not something that can be obtained so easily.
Gaining that kind of power also means opening a door. Those powers will devour his mind and erase his will.
The fact that he unleashed Otsutsuki-level power already proves everything. Otsutsuki Kaguya's will has likely already descended.
He really is both a respectable and a pitiful man."
As Jigen walked, he continued muttering to himself. He was growing closer and closer to the Otsutsuki inside him.
In the past, that being had needed to use forceful methods to control his body.
Now, however, the being could switch wills with him effortlessly and take control.
Strangely enough, the old Jigen had been filled with fear and disgust. He had hated the being for seizing his body.
But now, he had already been "assimilated." He no longer cared about such things happening. He no longer cared about what the being did.
This was a terrifying change. It was something that felt eerie, yet he had no desire to resist it.
He knew this was likely the effect of the so-called "Karma." Although he wasn't exactly "Isshiki" yet, he had already been mostly assimilated into him.
"The Otsutsuki clan… they're truly terrifying to the extreme."
The power of the Otsutsuki clan had been deeply engraved into his soul. Even in death, members of this clan had ways to revive themselves.
Karma was the best proof of that. He himself was living proof of Karma's effectiveness.
He was being eroded by Karma, constantly evolving toward becoming an Otsutsuki. But because his body was too weak and Otsutsuki Isshiki was running out of time, he had been chosen as this unfortunate vessel in a moment of helplessness and hesitation.
The fact that he now genuinely identified with the Otsutsuki from the bottom of his heart — wasn't that exactly the effect of Karma? After all, he himself was already moving toward becoming one.
Therefore, in his eyes, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha was likely also someone who had been "favored" by Karma.
The fact that he had unleashed such power already indicated that he had begun walking a different path — a path where he would no longer belong to himself.
Since he had already become an Otsutsuki, how could such a transcendent being still be compared to the man he was during his time as Fifth Hokage?
Cold-blooded and cruel — that was Jigen's understanding and judgment of the Otsutsuki clan. Even the being residing inside him was the same.
Jigen shook his head and stopped thinking about these matters. He knew that dwelling on them wouldn't do him any good.
What he looked forward to most now was for everything to finally end. He was simply too tired.
Being possessed by Otsutsuki Isshiki for a thousand years was no different from being tortured for a thousand years.
He truly wanted to die. But unfortunately, he didn't even have the right to die.
He knew that Otsutsuki Isshiki's disgust toward him was no lower than his own disgust toward Isshiki.
In Isshiki's eyes, his existence was a mark of shame.
Isshiki had been severely injured and had no choice but to plant Karma on him. According to Isshiki, he hadn't had any other option.
He had looked down on Jigen's body from the very beginning, believing it couldn't withstand Otsutsuki power.
Even though, over these five years, Isshiki had forcibly modified his body so that it could use his power, Jigen knew that his body had already entered a state of complete destruction. Once Isshiki truly used his body to revive, the man wouldn't have much time left either.
"I'm actually looking forward to seeing whether that Senju Natsuhiko can push you to that point. If he does, you might finally remember what happened a thousand years ago."
"You think I'm still the same as I was a thousand years ago? Back then I was ambushed. My power is beyond what you can imagine."
"That may be true. But after you used your own power, didn't you end up falling into slumber again?"
Jigen's words were filled with mockery. He looked as though he was talking to himself, two different tones and voices making the scene feel both fractured and eerie.
Still, his words caused Otsutsuki Isshiki to fall silent. After all, what he said was correct.
Once Isshiki used Jigen's body to revive, he would only have a few months left to live.
During that time, he would have to find a new body to plant his Karma into. Otherwise, he would truly be finished.
"I wonder who the Otsutsuki that woman killed was… and whether he left behind his own Karma."
Otsutsuki Isshiki pondered quietly in his mind while Jigen continued walking quickly toward the outside.
Several kilometers behind them, space suddenly rippled. The next moment, a black hole about ten centimeters wide appeared in midair.
From within the black hole, a pair of deep blue eyes stared in the direction they had left.