Most of Kaguya's intelligence about the Ninja World came from White Zetsu.
Hiroki Hyuga was similar. Besides what he remembered from the storyline, all other information came from White Zetsu.
The Three Sacred Lands—Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—all possessed methods for cultivating Natural Energy.
Among them, the Frog lineage, old friends of the Sage of Six Paths, were extremely active, frequently interfering in Ninja World affairs. They had even trained Jiraiya to search the Ninja World on their behalf for the so-called Child of Destiny.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode was learned directly from Mount Myoboku.
As for Hashirama Senju, the source of his Sage Mode remained questionable—he might have studied under Shikkotsu Forest, or perhaps inherited it from his past life as Ashura.
After all, Hagoromo also mastered Sage Mode. It wouldn't be surprising if he taught it to his favorite son.
Hiroki Hyuga believed that none of the Three Sacred Lands held a naturally stronger Sage Mode than the others—it all came down to how hard they were to learn.
The Frog lineage had many descendants and maintained internal harmony. Gamamaru had continuously simplified the steps for gathering Natural Energy to pass the techniques down generations, which was why even a ninja like Jiraiya, who wasn't exceptionally gifted, could master it.
The Slug lineage consisted of a single lonely entity, Katsuyu, naturally lacking interest in spreading the teachings.
As for Ryuchi Cave's Snake Clan, they followed the law of survival of the fittest. Due to their poor reputation, few ever sought power from them.
In short, after discussing with Kaguya, Hiroki Hyuga decided they should insert people into the Three Sacred Lands to learn Sage Mode.
The idea of apprenticeship under a master was quickly dismissed by Hiroki Hyuga—it wasn't necessary to show such deference to others.
Instead, Kaguya could simply control individuals sent into each Sacred Land.
With Kaguya's abilities, once one of her controlled individuals learned something, transferring that knowledge to the others would be effortless. Eventually, everyone might gain access to Sage Mode, effectively granting Kaguya herself complete mastery over it.
"I recommend Tsunade. As the direct disciple of Shikkotsu Forest, she has a direct link with Katsuyu," Hiroki Hyuga proposed.
"You have personal motives," Kaguya replied with an ambiguous smile.
"I also want her to teach me Yang Release," Hiroki admitted frankly.
Without hesitation, Hiroki snapped his fingers. "Get me a recent close-up photo of Tsunade."
"Tsunade's appearance hasn't changed in twenty years," White Zetsu responded.
After a while, a hand emerged from the ground, handing him a photograph.
Hiroki memorized the face, then activated his ability—mental invasion.
His consciousness left his body and instantly arrived at an unfamiliar place.
"Over-the-top decor... Did I land in the wrong place?"
This place felt familiar—like other spiritual realms he'd been in—empty and endless.
The only difference was that the ground beneath his feet was covered in various patterns and formations, whose meanings were unclear.
"She actually still has the mind to mess with this nonsense."
While thinking this, Hiroki prepared to leave.
Suddenly, several vines burst from the ground, binding him tightly.
"Who goes there?"
Following the voice, a cold, female figure appeared—a beautiful woman with golden hair and a diamond-shaped mark on her forehead. It was Tsunade.
"Could it be the Spirit Transformation Technique?" Tsunade asked coldly, her eyes flashing with surprise as she stared at him.
In her mind, aside from the Spirit Transformation Technique, no other jutsu could allow someone to enter another's spiritual world.
Had The Third really allowed a Hyuga to learn such a forbidden technique?
Staring at Hiroki Hyuga's face, Tsunade felt even more puzzled.
Hiroki wore a complex expression; the more he struggled, the tighter the vines coiled around him — escape was impossible.
Tsunade, one of the strongest kunoichi currently existing in the ninja world,
She wasn't a genjutsu specialist, nor did she focus on spiritual techniques. She was known for her taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, and wasn't considered especially powerful in terms of spiritual energy — yet she subdued him in an instant.
"F*ck, I screwed up big time! Kaguya, help me!" Hiroki screamed inside his head.
"Brat, what exactly do you want? Did you randomly pick someone to test your jutsu on, or did you come here especially for me?"
Tsunade's gaze turned increasingly dangerous.
Under her control, thick vines continued climbing upward, wrapping around Hiroki's neck.
Tsunade slowly approached Hiroki.
Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, turning her gaze toward a certain direction.
Byakugan eyes, red lips, snow-white hair trailing down to the ground, dressed completely in white — the woman appeared in her line of sight.
Tsunade's expression grew serious as she watched Kaguya's sudden appearance.
Though saying nothing, the woman radiated an aura that deeply shocked Tsunade.
What's going on? Who is this woman?
Is there really a woman in this world stronger than me?
No way! I haven't heard of anyone like this in decades!
Thoughts raced through Tsunade's mind.
She silently stepped back a few paces and conjured several vines charging toward Kaguya.
Kaguya regarded her indifferently, merely waving a hand — the creations instantly crumbled away.
Then, she walked over to Hiroki's side.
Right before Tsunade's disbelieving eyes, the vines binding Hiroki surprisingly loosened against her will.
"You two..."
Taking Hiroki along, Kaguya left with him.
Tsunade watched helplessly as the pair vanished right in front of her.
What the hell was that?
After a long silence, she let out a heavy breath. "That woman... Her spiritual power is terrifying. This place should have been under my control alone — but she actually..."
During their return journey, Hiroki held onto Kaguya. Due to their height difference, visually speaking, he appeared nestled in Kaguya's arms.
They reappeared inside Kaguya Palace — within Kaguya's spiritual world.
Having spent so long together, this was the closest they'd ever been.
Oddly enough, despite Kaguya being a spiritual entity, her touch felt just like a real physical body — warm and soft.
Without this cursed seal, would she even need a physical body at all? Hiroki found himself lost in random thoughts.
"Why are you still clinging to me?" Kaguya's voice came, devoid of any emotion.
"...You're fine." Kaguya said flatly.
Hiroki Hyuga lifted his head slightly, only to once again see Kaguya's emotionless face.
He had visited the Kaguya Palace fewer times than he had actually spoken to her directly, yet Hiroki couldn't recall ever seeing a curved smile on Kaguya's face.
He thought she was cold—always had been, always would be.
This world seemed to hold nothing that could catch her attention.
They were all beings from entirely different planes of existence compared to her, so such an attitude wasn't surprising.
Yet at times, Hiroki still felt a slight worry—if their current harmony only existed because he still had some use to her, would Kaguya discard him mercilessly once he lost his value?
Should that happen, it would indeed be dangerous.
Part of Hiroki really wanted to push Kaguya—to see just how much she'd tolerate from him.
Still being held, Kaguya felt completely baffled. She found the whole situation confusing.
Was it because of one setback and emotional blow that he had become this timid?
No matter what he did or said—he was still just a child, wasn't he?
"This won't happen again," Kaguya murmured gently, reaching out to ruffle Hiroki's hair.
She felt touched—it had been over a thousand years since she last experienced something as simple as human closeness.
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