According to Kaguya, the Otsutsuki clan had long been embroiled in civil war, and she had originally come to Earth while fleeing a rebellion.

Although her clan had planted God Trees on numerous planets, the God Fruit remained a rare commodity.

This was because, in order for a God Tree to bear fruit, not only did it require the vitality of living beings as nourishment, but it also needed to be cultivated for an extensive period.

As a result, even within the Otsutsuki clan, only a select few were ever granted the privilege of consuming the God Fruit.

Those unqualified to eat it generally did not possess great combat strength.

Otherwise, Kaguya would not have needed to cultivate White Zetsu in preparation for the Otsutsuki clan members who might one day arrive on Earth.

This war, then, was truly on a massive scale.

"Your power is indeed unique, but the enemy is far stronger than you realize. Even I… fear them."

Unlike Orochimaru, Kaguya did not appear calm. Instead, a trace of deep-seated fear flickered in her gaze.

A fear that seemed ingrained in her very soul.

Even after a thousand years, it had not faded.

Orochimaru immediately took note of Kaguya's apprehension, and for the first time, he found himself genuinely curious.

It was a fact that Kaguya feared the arrival of her fellow Otsutsuki.

However, based on his own knowledge, the power displayed by Otsutsuki Momoshiki was hardly enough to pose a real threat to Kaguya.

If that was the case, then what exactly was she so afraid of?

Was it simply the lingering trauma of her past?

Or was the Otsutsuki clan even more formidable than what he remembered?

Orochimaru didn't have the answer, but at this point, he no longer cared.

"They use chakra, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then there's no problem."

Orochimaru smirked confidently.

"As long as the energy they wield is chakra, no matter how powerful they are, they cannot surpass me."

"Moreover, even if they possess other forms of energy, just give me a little time, and I will turn the tides. All you need to do is trust me… and find the coordinates of your homeworld."

Hearing Orochimaru's assured response, Kaguya was momentarily stunned.

Her pale, grayish-white pupils, which could peer into the depths of one's soul, simply stared into Orochimaru's eyes.

A long silence stretched between them before she finally spoke in her usual indifferent tone.

"Orochimaru… you truly are different from other humans."

"Oh? That's quite the honor."

The corners of Orochimaru's lips curled up, accepting Kaguya's words without hesitation.

The original Orochimaru was already an anomaly in this world.

Now, with the mindset and logic of a traveler from another world, he was even more of an enigma.

"Tell me, what is your true goal? Are you simply protecting this planet?"

"No."

Orochimaru continued to smile.

"Protecting this planet is merely a byproduct. As for me… I simply enjoy manipulating the strong and making them dance in the palm of my hand."

"Whether I use raw power or intricate schemes, as long as I can shape the fate of those who consider themselves above others, I find immense satisfaction."

"That… perhaps is what truly sets me apart from the rest."

"Then is that also why you agreed to Black Zetsu's request to rescue me? Do you intend to make me submit to you?"

"Half right."

"Half?" Kaguya frowned.

Orochimaru nodded nonchalantly.

"I do wish for you to submit… but not in the way you think."

"Because I have always believed that if one is to conquer a powerful and noble goddess, then making her my own woman would be far more satisfying than merely forcing her into submission."

"Orochimaru, you are quite bold."

"I'd say so too."

"No one has ever dared to speak to me so rudely."

"Well, now someone has."

Orochimaru's confident smirk, coupled with his brazen words, left Kaguya momentarily speechless.

She was a proud princess of the Otsutsuki clan.

Upon arriving on Earth, she was worshipped as a holy and untouchable goddess.

Even the pretentious emperor of the Ancestral Kingdom, when he sought to claim her, at least attempted to disguise his intentions with feigned gentleness.

She had never imagined that one day, a man would walk right up to her and speak such direct and unrestrained words.

She had no experience dealing with someone like this.

By all logic, her first reaction should have been to impale Orochimaru with her Tomogoroshi no Haikotsu.

And yet, for some inexplicable reason, she couldn't bring herself to feel any anger toward him.

Was it because she knew she couldn't defeat him?

Or was it because he did not bother to conceal his true thoughts?

Perhaps even Kaguya herself didn't know…

—

A few days later.

The Moon.

A castle stood on the lunar surface.

Inside, several individuals clad in white robes adorned with magatama lived in seclusion.

On this particular day, a portal suddenly appeared in an open space outside the castle.

Two figures emerged.

One male, one female.

One with black hair, the other with white.

"Are these all Hamura's descendants?"

"Yes."

Orochimaru grinned wickedly.

"How can we allow potential enemies to rest easy at our doorstep?"

"Though Hamura may have felt guilt toward you, and his descendants may be innocent, in order to prevent them from ever turning against Earth… we must wipe them all out."

"Will you do it, or shall I?"

"I will."

Kaguya's expression remained ice-cold, showing no sign of hesitation.

Even though these people shared her bloodline.

And so, the castle was soon filled with screams of terror.

Within mere minutes, the entire Otsutsuki clan that had resided on the moon—men, women, elderly, and children—had been slaughtered.

Not a single soul was spared.

Including a young boy by the name of Otsutsuki Toneri.

(To be continued.)