Chapter 137: Returning to the Village
Yoya pondered silently.
Had she known Mother would develop interest in her former pawn, she should have explained in advance—Nagato's Rinnegan originated from Uchiha Madara, and Madara himself had merely been another piece she'd placed on the board to rescue Mother.
But none of that mattered now.
What concerned her most was how to remove the mark Uchiha Yu had left on her mother, allowing Kaguya true freedom. To that end, she deliberately displayed childish behavior before Sasuko, deliberately currying favor with the girl—because she understood perfectly well Sasuko's weight in Yu's heart.
However, with outsiders present, these plans would have to wait.
Kaguya looked directly at Kakuzu. "Take me to meet Pain."
Kakuzu's face showed difficulty. "We normally wait for the leader to contact us. I don't know their specific location right now."
"Then go directly to your base." Kaguya's tone remained calm.
Kakuzu gazed at this mysterious and powerful woman, an ominous premonition welling in his heart. The Akatsuki organization would likely be destroyed by his own hand.
But Naruko appeared hesitant. "A rogue ninja organization of this caliber far exceeds S-rank mission parameters. Many members are on various nations' wanted lists." She suggested, "We should bring this intelligence back to Konoha first and plan carefully."
Both Sasuko and Hinata agreed. Though Kaguya had displayed astonishing strength, the Pain that Kakuzu described seemed equally extraordinary. As rookies executing their first mission, they really shouldn't take such risks.
Kaguya had intended to insist on going, but Yoya gently tugged at her sleeve, using her soft, childish voice to persuade, "Mother, let's go back first." She even winked at Kaguya.
Regarding the Akatsuki organization, Yoya possessed far more detailed intelligence than Kakuzu. If Mother truly wished to investigate, she could secretly lead the way at night without concerning the other team members.
Understanding her daughter's hint, Kaguya nodded slightly. She casually refroze Kakuzu, then opened a spatial portal to store him away. This spatial manipulation technique, identical to Yu's, left both Naruko and Sasuko momentarily stunned.
"That technique..." Naruko murmured, exchanging a startled glance with Sasuko.
Both girls simultaneously questioned: could Kaguya's claim of "knowing all jutsu" not be empty words? What concerned them more was how this spatial ability resembled Yu's so closely.
Sasuko's slightly eased suspicions resurfaced. The same spatial techniques, the same ability to activate powers without hand seals, plus Yu's inexplicable trust in Kaguya—everything seemed too coincidental.
She carefully recalled the scene when Yu first met Kaguya. At the time, it had seemed like an ordinary meeting, but thinking back now, Yu's attitude toward this strange woman had indeed been unusual.
Also, given the strength Kaguya displayed, why would she stoop to being a genin? Why become Sasuko's teammate specifically?
Various suspicious points wove together as Sasuko pressed her lips tight.
Naruko felt equally confused. As an elite jonin who'd experienced countless battles, she understood clearly what Kaguya's displayed strength meant. Someone so powerful had absolutely no need to participate in a simple letter delivery mission.
"Um..." Hinata spoke softly, breaking the silence. "Shouldn't we continue our journey?"
Naruko snapped back to attention, forcibly suppressing her doubts. "You're right, the intelligence is urgent."
But throughout the journey, Sasuko's gaze kept drifting unconsciously toward Kaguya. Those pure white eyes, that transcendent strength, and abilities identical to Yu's...
She silently resolved that upon returning to Konoha, she would definitely demand answers from Yu.
Kaguya remained oblivious to everyone's thoughts. To her, this mission felt more like reacquainting herself with this world after a thousand years' absence. Compared to the long years trapped on the moon, traveling with these young women was actually rather interesting.
Though nominally a guard, she truly didn't need to expend much effort. On this planet, aside from Uchiha Yu, other humans simply didn't merit her attention. Compared to a thousand years ago, humanity had indeed grown stronger, but only to that extent.
The return journey's atmosphere was noticeably heavier. Even the usually lively Naruko spoke much less, clearly still pondering Kaguya's origins. Only Yoya continued holding Sasuko's hand, speaking adorably in her childish voice.
While responding to the little girl, Sasuko's mind continuously mulled over Kaguya's identity. The same abilities, equally mysterious methods, even that aura of isolation from the world seemed similar.
A possibility suddenly occurred to her: could Kaguya be Yu's distant relative? Otherwise everything was too coincidental—a suddenly appearing powerhouse, abilities similar to Yu's, both manifesting power without hand seals, plus that inexplicable sense of familiarity.
(Note: In the original work, Asura and Indra were technically Kaguya's descendants through generations)
This speculation eased Sasuko's mind somewhat. If merely a relative relationship, perhaps all the previous doubts could be explained.
Thinking this, Sasuko's gaze toward Kaguya softened slightly.
After a full day's travel, the squad returned to Konoha at dusk. The gate guards immediately opened the entrance upon seeing Naruko's group.
Everyone proceeded to the Hokage's office to report to Tsunade. As team leader, Naruko reported first, "We encountered Akatsuki organization members Kakuzu and Hidan en route. Thanks to Miss Kaguya's intervention, we successfully escaped danger."
Tsunade looked toward the eternally still Kaguya, thinking: as Yu said, this woman's strength is extraordinary.
Upon hearing that the Akatsuki organization was secretly collecting tailed beasts, Tsunade's expression changed drastically. "Tailed beasts? Is this intelligence reliable?"
"Kakuzu admitted it personally." Sasuko added, "The organization has ten members, with their leader Pain possessing the Rinnegan."
Tsunade firmly committed the name "Akatsuki" to memory. Tailed beasts concerned the entire shinobi world's balance. Someone plotting against them was no trivial matter.
"The intelligence you've provided is extremely valuable, assessed at S-rank standards," Tsunade declared solemnly. "I'll make separate arrangements for the original letter delivery mission."
She looked at the frozen Kakuzu. "This prisoner will be handled by headquarters. You may return and rest now."
Leaving the Hokage building, everyone paused in the corridor.
"Everyone worked hard today." Naruko told her team members. "Rest well first. Await notification for follow-up arrangements."
Kaguya nodded slightly, taking Yoya's hand and turning to leave.
Sasuko watched their retreating figures, her doubts not entirely dissipated but no longer as guarded as before.
After Hinata softly bid everyone farewell, she also departed. Naruko looked at the contemplative Sasuko and lightly patted her shoulder.
"Don't overthink it. At least we completed an S-rank mission—that's an excellent start." She winked. "Maybe you'll be promoted directly to chunin."
Hearing this, Sasuko's lips curved slightly. "One can hope."