Chapter 380: Compared to the Pitch-Black Moon, This Place Is Better
The moment Hyuga Fuji made his move, most of the ninja present felt their chakra being drained.
"This kid…"
Madara frowned. With his current level of insight, he could immediately discern the cause.
The blue spirit orbs continuously surfacing from the ocean were the culprits. They connected to the ninjas present, forcibly absorbing their chakra.
"And this ocular technique… does it have something to do with Izanami?"
Madara stared at Hyuga Fuji's Rinnegan, which was gradually losing its radiance, his gaze sharpening.
The only illusions he knew of that required sacrificing an eye were the Uchiha clan's Izanagi and Izanami. The technique Hyuga Fuji was using resembled Izanami more closely.
Madara wasn't surprised that Hyuga Fuji understood and even improved upon this ocular technique. But a genjutsu of that level—even if cast using the Rinnegan as a price—could it truly affect Kaguya?
After all, illusions had little effect on someone who possessed the Rinnegan.
As he pondered this, Madara shifted his gaze to the massive tree beneath their feet.
Now that he thought about it, something had seemed off from the beginning.
Why did the chakra within that tree feel both warm and cold at the same time?
Could it be…
Just as realization dawned upon Madara, Kaguya's expression changed. A powerful sense of oppression pressed down on her mind.
She had assumed Hyuga Fuji's illusion would be useless against her. But now, she was suffering the consequences of that miscalculation.
During his previous ascension, Hyuga Fuji had not absorbed Moryo's chakra along with everything else. Instead, he had left it intact—as the core component balancing the Virtual Divine Tree.
This demonic entity could absorb negative emotions. And when the negative emotions within chakra were stripped away, what remained was pure positive energy.
So, what would happen if Hyuga Fuji used this purified, positive chakra to enhance his illusion?
Kaguya felt it immediately. The moment her tense mind came into contact with that chakra, an unprecedented sense of tranquility and peace washed over her.
"What is… this power?" Kaguya muttered to herself, a hint of doubt flashing through her deep, ancient eyes. But more than that, there was a rare sense of comfort. She tried to refocus her mind, to maintain control over her surroundings, but her thoughts became unnaturally clear—free of all distractions.
Not far away, Hyuga Fuji stood, manipulating the chakra imbued with positive emotions.
Kaguya's vision blurred, and when she opened her eyes again, everything had changed.
"Where is this…?"
There was no Isshiki. No ninja.
Before her lay the place where she and the Sage of Six Paths had once lived together for decades.
But Kaguya remained lucid. She knew this was an illusion and would not be deceived.
"So, even you once longed for understanding."
Hyuga Fuji's voice rang in her ears just as she furrowed her brows.
Kaguya's gaze shifted instantly, turning toward the newly appeared Hyuga Fuji. "Understanding? I never loved them—why would I seek their understanding? And don't tell me you actually believe this illusion can control me? Even the Infinite Tsukuyomi had no effect on me!"
She glanced at Hyuga Fuji's now dim Rinnegan and sneered, "And you… you sacrificed your Rinnegan just to drag me into this place, wasting your power for nothing."
"Why are you so sure this can't imprison you?" Hyuga Fuji chuckled. "If you insist, you could say this space exists because of your own Infinite Tsukuyomi. The countless people of the ninja world were pulled into the dream, bringing with them an abundance of chakra filled with positive emotions."
"Even Moryo, a demon that feeds on negativity, was consumed by it. How long do you think you can hold out? And your Ten-Tails—it doesn't seem to dislike this place."
As for his Rinnegan?
The Rinnegan was tied to the Ten-Tails. He had one already and was about to acquire another. Hardly a loss.
Kaguya's eyes widened. Her body stiffened as she turned to look behind her—only to see the Ten-Tails she had absorbed now manifesting within this space, its massive form stretching out lazily, eyes half-closed in apparent comfort.
"So even Tailed Beasts can dream…"
Nine distinct chakra auras erupted from Hyuga Fuji's body, extending toward the Ten-Tails.
Realizing his true intention, Kaguya lunged at him. "You won't succeed!"
"Mother, stop."
Before she could get close, four ethereal figures appeared, blocking her path.
"Hagoromo… Hamura… Indra… Asura?"
Her voice trembled slightly as she took in the sight of her sons and grandsons.
"Why are you all here?"
"This is your dream, Mother. If you didn't wish to see us, we wouldn't be here," Hamura sighed. "Of course, perhaps it also has something to do with the chakra I entrusted to Hyuga Fuji."
"You would stand against me?"
Kaguya's expression darkened when she saw Hyuga Fuji beginning to extract the Tailed Beasts from within her.
"You would rather help an outsider than your own mother?"
"To help you destroy the ninja world?" Indra sneered, glancing at Hyuga Fuji before shifting his gaze to his silent father.
A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes before he quickly concealed it. He then spoke indifferently:
"Besides, I suffered quite a bit because of your 'children.' Why should I help you? Given the choice between two evils, I'd rather side with Hyuga Fuji."
"..."
Kaguya looked at the four people blocking her path.
For a brief moment, sorrow welled up within her. But before the emotion could take root, the positive chakra surging through the illusion washed it away completely.
It was only now that Kaguya realized—she felt no hatred.
No resentment toward the five figures before her.
Her fury over being sealed away, her hatred for their betrayal—it all seemed distant and faded, like an old memory.
Even her desire to consume chakra was slowly vanishing…
It's the chakra!
A chill ran through Kaguya's heart. At last, she understood Hyuga Fuji's plan.
This illusion was built upon the collective positive emotions of the entire ninja world. Anyone who fell into it would be constantly influenced, making it difficult to harbor negative thoughts.
In fact, Kaguya could faintly sense another presence trapped here—one that was continuously absorbing her negativity.
If she remained here for too long, even the desire to leave would eventually disappear.
Or rather… in just this short time, she had already lost the urge to destroy the ninja world.
"Mother, stay."
Hagoromo sighed softly, smiling.
"All the things you never told us, all the things you wished we understood—now, here, you can finally share them with Hamura and me. We will listen."
"Mother, you've always feared loneliness. This time, Hamura and I will stay by your side."
"No… no, I am Otsutsuki Kaguya! I am destined to become a god of the Otsutsuki! I refuse to be sealed in such a way—I…"
Kaguya's body trembled violently as an immense force drained away from her. Her resistance weakened. She fell silent.
"Compared to the pitch-black void of the moon's core… isn't this place much better?"
Having finished extracting the Ten-Tails' power, Hyuga Fuji glanced at the Sage of Six Paths and the others, nodding slightly. His form began to fade.
"Well then, I won't disturb you any longer. Sweet dreams."
As long as Kaguya never abandoned certain thoughts, and as long as the ninja world continued to generate positive emotions, this illusion would only grow stronger—until it became eternal.
This was the Eternal Repose…
(End of Chapter)