After Ebisu's explanation, Sasuke finally believed that this was not a conspiracy.

This group of people sincerely handed over the scroll. In fact, the reason was simple. The existence of their team was too disruptive to the balance. Whoever encountered them would end up in trouble.

Nowadays, becoming a Chunin required fierce competition, and no one wanted to fail just because of bad luck. So these teams got together to discuss a plan.

Just hand over the scroll to Naruto and the others, let them advance directly to this round, and not interfere with the battles between the other candidates.

The team that gave away the scroll could leave early, set up traps, and gain the upper hand. That could be considered as compensation.

"Is that possible?"

Naruto looked very surprised and wanted to refuse. "No, this is cheating…"

"How can this be considered cheating? We are admitting defeat." Ebisu immediately found an excuse. "Naruto, you are participating in the competition under the order of Yami-sama, and it is also in line with Konoha's rules. After all, you are all Genin…"

"But that doesn't mean you are qualified to take this exam. You said those who were eliminated by you were wronged. We are doing this for fairness."

By the end, Ebisu was almost in tears.

Seeing Naruto still hesitating, a former Iwa ninja stepped forward to persuade him. "Lady Kurotsuchi and Lady Temari came earlier than you. They didn't say anything. They left after getting the scroll. They are probably heading to the statue now."

The endpoint of this round of exams was at the foot of the Yami statue, ensuring that the qualified contestants could… well, admire the elegance of Yami-sama.

"Okay, I agree to your terms."

While Naruto was still hesitating, Sasuke had already agreed. He wasn't interested in participating in such a formal competition. He would rather go back and accompany his mother.

Seeing that Sasuke had agreed, Naruto had no choice but to agree as well.

Everyone came over happily to exchange scrolls.

After gathering together, the teams watched Naruto and the other two leave before dispersing in different directions.

Meanwhile, in Konoha.

Yami, who had some free time, was taking time to care for the lonely elderly.

In a deep and quiet courtyard, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya sat on the edge, her face serene, her pretty face slightly raised, as if in a daze, her eyes staring blankly at the light filtering through the leaves of the Madara tree.

For Kaguya, apart from being able to walk in the land of the ninja world, there wasn't much difference from the years when she was sealed.

Except for Yami, no one in this world was worthy of being her friend.

Kaguya was and still is lonely, with many thoughts on her mind.

"Are you worried about the Ōtsutsuki clan?"

Yami appeared silently beside Kaguya, holding a bag of strawberry daifuku in his hand. After speaking, he popped one into his mouth.

Kaguya did not intend to hide anything and nodded. "Ōtsutsuki and I have been missing for a thousand years. The clan must have noticed something unusual and may send someone to check at any time."

"There is also another possibility. He can't just die so easily. He might be hiding in the shadows, quietly recovering his strength, ready to take revenge on me at any time.

The Ōtsutsuki usually act in pairs, divided into protector (leader) and protected (subordinate).

For the God Tree to fully mature, an essential step is the sacrifice of an Ōtsutsuki clan member.

Of course, this sacrifice is not a one-time thing. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough Ōtsutsuki to keep planting trees.

The sacrificed Ōtsutsuki needs to wait until the next time the God Tree matures, then be resurrected with the second fruit.

But even if resurrected, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya didn't want to be controlled. So she sneak attacked Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

However, after eating the fruit, Kaguya did not sense Isshiki's spirit body, so she was certain Isshiki was not dead. After hurriedly giving birth to the child, she began to prepare the White Zetsu army as a backup."

"I think your idea is right."

Yami nodded seriously. "The Ōtsutsuki clan is unfathomable, and their strength lies in numbers. Only when we have more and more strong people can we be sure to face the unknown enemy."

Kaguya's usually indifferent eyes lit up with joy. "Do you agree that I can create White Zetsu?"

"Of course not."

Yami shook his head like a rattle. "I'm talking about strong people. What use are White Zetsu, even in large numbers? A single illusion could control them all."

Like a naive little girl, Kaguya's emotions were always straightforward. When she heard Yami say this, she immediately became disappointed.

"It is difficult to train strong people. I originally wanted to raise Hagoromo and Hamura to help me, but they betrayed me…"

"That's because your way of teaching was flawed."

Unconsciously, Yami's hand had already taken hold of Kaguya's somewhat cold little hand. Although it was chilly, the soft and delicate feeling was so pleasant that he didn't want to let go. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on ɴo(v)elFɪre.ɴet

"I do have a way to create someone stronger than Hagoromo and Hamura."

"What method?" Kaguya asked urgently.

Yami continued to persuade her. "Look, my bloodline is higher than yours. The potential of the child we have will definitely surpass those two unfilial sons.

They disobeyed because they didn't have a father to teach them. With me here, you don't have to worry about our child growing up in the wrong direction. Isn't that right?"

Kaguya blinked her large, dazed eyes.

Is this… right?

(To be continued.)

***

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