Chapter 231: Rely on Yourself
"…Afterward, the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother took a group of descendants to the moon. The scale of this event was so massive for that era that many came to believe he had 'ascended' with his progeny. Katsuyu wasn't a sage back then, but during her travels, she overheard rumors of this."
Tsunade finished her account in one breath, then poured herself a glass of water. As she drank, she observed the other two, allowing them time to digest the flood of information she had shared.
She had revealed everything she knew, including the Tenseigan and the significance of the historical stone tablets. The details were staggering.
"So, we need to go to the moon to uncover the truth?"
Onoki, deep in thought, raised his head toward the ceiling, as if peering through it to gaze at the moon above.
According to Tsunade, both the Otsutsuki clan and the Hyuga clan descended from the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother. If they could reach the moon, they might uncover the secrets behind Hyuga Fuji's meteoric rise in power.
Could it be that Hyuga Fuji is pursuing the Tenseigan, a power on par with the Rinnegan?
Furrowing his brow, Onoki asked, "But how do we even reach the moon? Does the ninja world have a path to get there?"
"Katsuyu doesn't know either, which is why we need to figure it out ourselves. That's also why I sought the Raikage's help," Tsunade replied, placing her glass down and turning to face the Fourth Raikage. "Raikage, what are you thinking?"
The Fourth Raikage snapped out of his reverie, shaking his head. "Nothing. Just thinking about some state affairs."
Onoki cast him a knowing glance, recalling the Raikage's dubious claim that the Lightning Country's daimyo descended from the Sage of Six Paths. He chuckled inwardly but chose not to comment.
Instead, he turned to Tsunade and waited for her to elaborate on her plan.
"I need coordinates for the moon," Tsunade explained. "Once we establish a fixed point there, the Fire Country can use its transportation techniques to send people directly to the surface."
"Establish a fixed point on the moon?"
The Fourth Raikage immediately thought of the Sky Transfer Technique.
This technique could teleport objects to specific locations at high speed. However, due to the extreme velocity involved, ordinary materials would disintegrate from the intense friction caused by air resistance.
Although the technique wasn't strictly a space-time jutsu, it was precise enough to hit a target if coordinates were available. Without coordinates, it was a matter of trial and error—eventually, with enough attempts, the target would be reached.
But from the ninja world to the moon? The distance was unprecedented. There was no guarantee it would work.
The Fourth Raikage furrowed his brows deeply.
"You seem to understand the challenges," Tsunade observed. "That's precisely why I've sought your help. The Sky Transfer Technique could be key to realizing our lunar mission."
She tried to maintain a composed expression, though her tone revealed some discomfort.
Onoki and the Fourth Raikage exchanged a glance, each understanding why this might be awkward for her.
The Sky Transfer Technique was developed during the Third Raikage's era, but it wasn't hard to imagine its roots.
During the Second Raikage's time, a supposed alliance meeting with the Second Hokage ended in disaster. The Hokage perished alongside the Gold and Silver Brothers. After the skirmish, the Second Hokage's body fell into the hands of the Cloud.
It didn't take much to guess what happened next.
The Cloud would've taken advantage of this opportunity, extracting as much information as they could from the Hokage's remains. Only after their research was complete would they have returned his body to the Leaf.
Considering that the Sky Transfer Technique bore some resemblance to the Flying Thunder God Jutsu in principle, it was hard not to speculate on its origins.
"Ahem. Whether the Sky Transfer Technique can reach the moon is uncertain. We'll need to test it," the Fourth Raikage said diplomatically. "And as I mentioned, ordinary objects can't withstand the process. To send coordinates to the moon, we'll need something exceptionally durable as the medium."
"I understand."
Tsunade nodded gravely. She then shifted the topic. "Now, about another issue…"
Both the Raikage and Onoki straightened up, their expressions mirroring her seriousness. In unison, they said, "The Otsutsuki on the moon."
Reaching the moon was one thing, but the beings residing there posed an entirely different challenge. After all, the Otsutsuki clan weren't known for their friendliness.
"Previously, Otsutsuki Shinichi also targeted Hyuga Fuji, which makes him an enemy of ours as well. But based on his actions and words since arriving in the ninja world…"
Onoki trailed off, shaking his head helplessly.
The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.
Otsutsuki Shinichi's behavior had made that abundantly clear.
He often proclaimed himself a god, dismissing the world created by the Sage of Six Paths as flawed. His arrogance and betrayal of the Wind Country daimyo were proof enough of his disregard for human alliances.
The daimyo's gruesome demise still loomed fresh in their minds.
Otsutsuki Shinichi had collaborated with the daimyo to produce an army of puppets, only to abandon him entirely, leaving him to die.
In Shinichi's eyes, the people of the ninja world were likely no more than tools or playthings.
"Establishing diplomatic relations with the moon's Otsutsuki could remove obstacles for our lunar mission and even yield direct intel. But realistically, that seems impossible," Tsunade admitted with a sigh.
"Could there be factions on the moon?" Onoki speculated. "Wherever there are people, there's conflict. If one faction is hostile, could another be more amicable?"
"Unlikely," the Fourth Raikage said bluntly. "If there were friendly factions, would Shinichi have been the one to represent them? Besides, relying on them is wishful thinking. It's better to rely on ourselves."
(End of Chapter)