HSU: Ch. 324

When it comes to prolonging life, the shinobi world actually has quite a few methods.

But they all share a common flaw: none of them take into account the advanced age of the person being extended. They're all ruthless, ferocious methods, most of which originated back in the Warring States period. That much is understandable. At that time, ninja clans existed as organizations competing for scarce resources. Extending the life of a powerful fighter meant they could continue shining and protecting the clan.

The Uchiha clan had their own methods as well.

But those clearly couldn't be used on Setsuna.

That wouldn't be called life extension, it would be called sudden death.

The only method Masashi knew that could extend the life of an old person was Madara's tubes.

But that wasn't as simple as just summoning the Gedo Statue and plugging in a tube. It also involved harnessing Hashirama's power, a highly complicated biotechnology that only Madara could use.

As always, ninjutsu is determined by need.

Because of their environment and mindset, ninjas rarely considered longevity.

They only thought about how, at the brink of death, they might still unleash one last jutsu to drag an enemy down with them.

You can't really fault them for not caring about health and wellness, after all, Masashi himself did the same.

In this regard, Madara was ahead of everyone, even Orochimaru.

As for Orochimaru, his way of prolonging life was through reincarnation, same as Masashi.

But Orochimaru's method was also ruthless, the first step being body modification.

Result: sudden death ×2!

Another life-extension expert was Tsunade. Her method was much gentler, but it required accumulation and a specific physique as a prerequisite. Even if she were willing to help and sell the technique, it would be too late for Setsuna.

So after thinking it through, he realized his only option was to turn to Kaguya. After all, she wasn't merely extending life, she was immortal.

She could turn people into White Zetsu. Her skill in biotechnology was maxed out.

But who could have guessed? She was throwing a tantrum.

"I didn't mean the Infinite Tsukuyomi was bad." Masashi silently cursed in his heart. "It's just... what I need is something different. I need face-to-face communication. Yours is way too advanced."

"I don't think you're being sincere," Kaguya said. "I've been observing you for a long time. You love deceiving people most of all."

"How can you call it deception?" Masashi countered. "Everyone loves listening to me talk."

"I don't have what you want," Kaguya shook her head. "Besides, I never lie, and I don't hold meetings."

Of course you didn't hold meetings back then, there wasn't anyone around to attend!

"Fine then, I'll think of another way," Masashi said, preparing to leave.

Only now did he realize how stunning Kaguya looked in her new attire. If this world had anime conventions, she would absolutely steal the show. Every time he saw her, she was cosplaying something different.

Yet another big shot had fallen into the otaku pit, what a sight. He was genuinely curious how Hagoromo would feel if he saw his mother's current style.

"Where are you going? I haven't even gotten to the main point," Kaguya scolded, pointing at the seat across from her. "Sit down."

It was a brand new recliner.

Masashi had no choice but to sit.

Then he said, "Could you put your legs down first? Do you know what 'wardrobe malfunction' means?"

"So you don't like fanservice?" Kaguya put down her crossed leg, puzzled. "But that's not what your memories suggest."

"That's just in anime. What's that got to do with me?" Masashi said with a blank face.

If you were genuine fanservice, fine. But copying the holy censor bar too?

Did you confuse the relationship between censorship and fanservice? They're mortal enemies, not best buddies.

"So, what else?"

"Of course, you must make a decision and give me an answer," Kaguya said. "I told you before, you can't keep dragging this out without replying to me."

"You finished watching the show that quickly?"

"Of course not, I haven't even started," Kaguya answered bluntly, then slapped the coffee table impatiently. "Don't change the subject. Answer my question."

"Fine, let's talk about something practical first." Masashi realized he couldn't escape today without giving her something. "Suppose you're resurrected. What do you plan to do?"

"Naturally, reclaim chakra," Kaguya replied.

In Masashi's memory, the version of her shown in Naruto was the final antagonist.

She didn't mind that role, but the work hadn't given much detail about her.

Thus, his understanding of her was very incomplete.

"I have my reasons for reclaiming chakra," she continued. "At the time, others' chakra was far inferior to that of my children, yet once they obtained chakra, they began to destroy this world. That would hinder the fight against future enemies."

"That much I can guess. After all, I've seen the White Zetsu, they're a kind of weapon," Masashi tried to keep his tone objective.

Once you bring personal bias into the mix, the conversation falls apart.

"In my view, the White Zetsu are your batteries and expendables. That shows you don't think anyone besides yourself can be a true aid. So, allow me to ask: what kind of enemies are they, and what is their purpose?"

"To destroy the world." Kaguya answered quickly. But this time, it was Masashi who was dissatisfied.

"And you call me insincere?" he shot back. "What, this world somehow interferes with their meals or their sleep? Why would anyone come all this way just to destroy it? There must be some real motive."

"This world has something they want," Kaguya admitted. Even she felt her earlier answer was too simple.

Mostly it was because she'd been watching too many "save the world" movies lately. She'd gotten carried away and reflexively copied the lines.

Thinking about it carefully, in those movies, the heroes only gained trust at the very end, when the world was already collapsing.

Too hasty. She needed to get her mind back on track.

"Though I am an outsider, I still have feelings for this world," she reorganized her reasoning. "But those people are different. They only wish to exhaust this world, to take what they desire."

"That must take quite some time, right?" Masashi asked.

"It would. And to keep the process uninterrupted, they would first eliminate the people here." Kaguya began to apply the tropes she had picked up from watching movies. "In the best case, they would make the people here their slaves, because they regard themselves as gods."

"You do realize I've watched the same shows you've been watching, right?" Masashi reminded her.

Can this conversation even continue like this?

As if I don't know about the Ōtsutsuki? Aren't they basically interstellar colonizers?

They plant trees more diligently and faster than you do.

Opposing the Ōtsutsuki is a duty.

But making up stories to my face? That's intolerable.

"Oh? You think I'm lying?" Kaguya bristled. She didn't want to keep spinning tales, better to go on the offensive instead. "Then tell me, what do you think the enemy really is?"

"Fine, I'll give you my deduction." Masashi rubbed his temples. Even though this was the mindscape, a projection of spirit, he still felt a headache coming on. "These so-called enemies are just your own clan, aren't they? They come here for the same reason you did, to harvest chakra. Why go in circles?"

"Oh?" Kaguya was intrigued. Reclining, her hair fanned out like clouds, her eyes flashing with a different light. "I'm curious, why are you so certain?"

"In the vastness of the stars, it's not so easy to bump into equal foes." Masashi glared at her. "Even on the ocean, ships get lost. You came here with a clear purpose. Since you knew of this place, wouldn't your clan know too? Besides... isn't the fruit of the God Tree supposed to be handed in? That's embezzling from the collective, of course they'd come after you."

He hadn't watched Boruto, so his knowledge of the Ōtsutsuki was only partial. But that didn't stop him from reasoning through Kaguya's behavior logically.

Accuracy wasn't the point, direction was.

"So, do you also intend to see me as an enemy?" Kaguya asked softly.

"Not to that extent." Masashi shook his head. "You're clearly not the same as your clansmen. The Sage of Six Paths was your son, yet he could live among us, which shows you had plans to settle here long-term. That's very different from your clan, who hit and run."

Kaguya hated hearing her unfilial son's name, even just the title. "What does Hagoromo's behavior have to do with me?"

"Honestly, your family management skills are lacking..." Masashi sighed. "But it still proves your connection with this world was pretty harmonious. Otherwise, would your son have played along with humans? Don't you know parents are a child's first teachers? If you'd been aloof from the start, would he ever have mingled with them?"

Kaguya was taken aback.

Thinking back, it was true.

In the beginning, she hadn't deliberately distanced herself from the people of this world. On the contrary, she even helped them advance their civilization. The relationship was harmonious; she was worshipped as a goddess, always praised and revered.

If her foolish son hadn't spread chakra around, things never would have escalated.

She could have built her army in a much gentler way.

So was it her fault, then? Because of her early rapport with the people, her son came to see her as part of their world?

"Did I really give birth to such foolish children?" Kaguya began to doubt herself.

"Not necessarily..." Masashi found her angle of reflection quite unique. "Your relationship with everyone was already good, there wasn't much conflict. You just mishandled the gathering of chakra. And I bet you never even explained it to your kids."

"What good would that do? Their power was beyond what the people of this world could resist. I had no one to rely on but myself."

"See? You bottled it all up. If you don't communicate, conflicts only deepen." Masashi seized the chance to lecture. "Two heads are better than one. Honestly, don't you think today's ninjas are stronger than your White Zetsu?"

"Ninjas are nothing before true power. They could never be as effective as White Zetsu."

"I disagree." Masashi truly believed this. He began pitching his idea. "The God Tree, chakra, and individuals could form a kind of matrix. With chakra links, ninjas could achieve far greater effects than White Zetsu."

"Pure fantasy." Kaguya dismissed it. "When they first obtained chakra, I did consider it. But after contact, I was certain, too many differing ideas reduced efficiency."

"Just curious, how did you try?"

"I told them there were enemies beyond the stars, and that they should obey my orders to prepare for war."

"And then?"

"They couldn't be unified. Each had their own ideas. Instead of cooperating with me, they wanted me to help them farm with chakra." Kaguya grimaced at the memory of that chaos.

"So no one agreed with you at all?"

"Some did. But others didn't, and that scattered the strength."

"I see. Well, let me be honest with you, but don't get mad."

"You may be honest, but you must not slander me!"

"...You sure ask a lot." Masashi resisted the urge to pull his hair. "Fine, I won't slander you. But honestly, your method was wrong. We're linked right now, and you've seen how often I hold meetings. Doesn't that give you any ideas?"

"That's exactly what I mock you for. You're far stronger than them, yet you still sit down to discuss with them."

"That's just because you're inexperienced. If you did it right, you could even make those who oppose you support your plan, and they'd think it was their own idea."

"Oh? And how?"

"Come, come, let me teach you."