In an extra-dimensional space, the ruins of the Otsutsuki clan could be found. On a stone wall were carved three sets of Otsutsuki markings.
These represented Isshiki, Kaguya, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki. Among them, the centers of the markings for Isshiki, Momoshiki, and Kinshiki had turned black, signifying their death.
However, the remaining two stone carvings were severely damaged. Despite this, they undoubtedly represented two other members of the Otsutsuki clan. Lin Yu was unsure whether the damage was intentional or if these two Otsutsuki members had also perished.
Kaguya, her expression of shame and anger subsiding, her eyes filled with memories of ancient times, spoke in a cold voice, "Otsutsuki Isshiki was a selfish individual. I was not familiar with him."
Pausing, Kaguya floated down from her throne and landed before Lin Yu.
"Take me to the stone carvings. Perhaps we can learn something."
Lin Yu did not hesitate. He activated his spacetime eye once more, and together, they forcefully entered the extra-dimensional space left behind by Isshiki.
Within this space, desolation was the dominant theme. There was no sun in the sky, which was tinged with a purplish-gray hue.
A massive stone wall stood before them, engraved with the unique markings symbolizing each Otsutsuki member, represented by the horns atop their heads.
Kaguya gazed at her own marking, lost in thought, recalling many unpleasant experiences.
"Do you recall anything? Or could these two carvings represent Urashiki and his partner?" Lin Yu couldn't help but speculate on this more optimistic possibility. If they were indeed Urashiki and his partner's markings, Lin Yu would be quite relieved.
Kaguya shook her head, her eyes fixed on the stone carvings. She spoke in a cold voice, "Lin Yu, have you ever considered the possibility that I was not the first Otsutsuki to arrive in the shinobi world?"
Lin Yu's eyes narrowed, and he let out a soft sigh. He knew things wouldn't be that simple.
Kaguya continued, "Furthermore, it cannot be definitively determined whether this extra-dimensional space truly belongs to Isshiki. Isshiki merely possessed the ability to enter this space, an ability that anyone with spatial pupil techniques could achieve, like yourself."
Lin Yu pondered this. It was true. But if this space didn't belong to Isshiki, then whose was it? The Otsutsuki who first arrived in the shinobi world? But where were they now? What had truly happened a thousand years ago, before Kaguya Otsutsuki descended upon the shinobi world?
"Kaguya, how much do you know about the Otsutsuki clan?"
Kaguya seemed rather despondent, her gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape, a sight that seemed to foreshadow her own future fate.
"I did not hold much status within the clan. Momoshiki and Isshiki knew more. You should have spared them, but... killing them was perhaps for the best." Perhaps the shinobi world had changed her. The current Kaguya deeply resented the actions of the Otsutsuki clan. In the past, she might have acted for self-interest and self-preservation; now, she wished to protect this garden that belonged to her.
"However, I have heard that there was once a being in the clan who came closest to godhood. We called him... the God of the Otsutsuki!"
"The God of the Otsutsuki..." Lin Yu murmured softly, then shook his head, muttering disdainfully, "What God of the Otsutsuki? Is he more impressive than my great Otsutsuki Ichiraku? Have you seen a Reincarnation Sharingan with 999 tomoe?"
"Lin Yu."
Lin Yu looked at Kaguya. She gazed at him with an unreadable expression and said softly, "Will you always stay with me?"
"No matter how powerful the enemy."
Lin Yu smiled gently, taking Kaguya's hand. It was soft and boneless, with a hint of coolness. They stood side by side.
"Of course."
Lin Yu stroked Kaguya's white hair, resting his forehead against hers, and said firmly, "I will protect you, I promise!"
Kaguya's eyes fluttered, and her body leaned towards Lin Yu. Her toes barely touched the ground as she leaned in, her stunning blush rising.
It was warm, soft, and sweet.
Kaguya's lips curved slightly, and her cute eyes fixed on Lin Yu. She declared with great weight, "I have decided. I will crown you as my consort!"
"Huh?"
"Hehehe... Mmmph!"
Although Lin Yu appeared optimistic, his mind was churning with doubts and suspicions. His paranoia even led him to some terrible conclusions. The first group of Otsutsuki who arrived in the shinobi world aside, the Otsutsuki clan possessed the Karma. As long as the Karma existed, they could achieve a form of eternal life, with the only trade-off being a loss of personal freedom for a considerable period. The duration of the Karma's thaw depended on the compatibility between the vessel and the Karma.
If there truly were Otsutsuki members who had survived from ancient times through Karma reincarnation, with unknown motives, Lin Yu had two suspects.
The first was Amado, the top scientist in later generations of shinobi. He joined Code's faction and later defected to Konoha. At this current point in time, he was likely around twenty years old, and Lin Yu wondered if he was married. This meticulous individual, who could even manipulate Isshiki, was someone Lin Yu had to be wary of. Although Isshiki was now dead and Amado had not yet joined Kara, this person was a threat. He was someone who, in certain aspects, surpassed Orochimaru.
As for the second suspect... the possibility was even greater. If the Chakra Fruit allowed the Otsutsuki clan to evolve continuously, ultimately achieving dimensional ascension, then in a system Lin Yu understood, this could also be called... returning to simplicity!
Otsutsuki Ichiraku!
...
"Achoo! I wonder which brat is talking about me. Could it be the Red Hair clan?"
Teuchi washed his hands twice and prayed to the new lucky cat he had bought for the shop. "Oh, God of Wealth, please bless me. I hope no one from the Red Hair clan comes this afternoon. I, Teuchi, have earned enough money. Now, I just want to protect my hands."
Jingle-jingle...
The wind chime at the door rang. "Welcome, how many in your party?"
There was no reply. Teuchi turned his head to look but saw no one. He murmured, "Could it be that brat Naruto playing a prank? But that's not right. If it were Naruto, he would have eagerly rushed in for ramen already."
"This is truly strange!"
"Awooo~"
Hearing a strange howl, Teuchi walked to the counter and peered down. A peculiar creature resembling a mongrel dog stared at him with blood-red eyes, occasionally licking its lips.
"I remember you're the pet of that kid Lin Yu... Are you here for ramen? You're alone? Where's Lin Yu?"
Xiaobai's eyes narrowed. Couldn't it, a beast, come for ramen? Did they look down on single dogs? Just you wait!
After letting out an angry bark, Xiaobai ran out. Shortly after, it returned to Ichiraku Ramen, carrying a fat orange cat by its tail.
"Meow meow meow~"
"Awooo, woof!"
Teuchi watched as Xiaobai, perched on the fluffy body of the fat orange cat, narrowed his eyes and asked, "How many bowls?"
Xiaobai raised its ten tails behind it, bared its teeth, and then coiled the fat orange cat's tail, seeming to say: I, Lord Bai, want ten bowls, and the fat orange cat gets one bowl. And, we're not paying!