Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
…
Just as Madara was in the middle of his impassioned speech, a crisp round of applause echoed through the room.
Everyone turned their heads, only then realizing that Yuzuru had appeared in the room at some unknown point.
Seeing the teasing smile on Yuzuru's face, Madara snorted coldly. "Ignorant brat. One day, you'll regret your decision."
Yuzuru took the main seat and replied calmly, "I've never regretted anything."
"Is that so?"
"When I was in my prime, I thought the same as you. But that's nothing more than an illusion."
"When you grow old and your strength fades, you'll understand that not everything in this world goes the way you want."
Hearing this, Yuzuru leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hands. "Maybe. But that day will never come."
Madara frowned. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru immediately spoke up. "Because I have already found a way to achieve immortality."
"By combining Regenerative Cores, Living Corpse Reincarnation, Impure World Reincarnation, Earth Grudge Fear, Body Regeneration Technique, telomere genetic modification…"
"I have created a true immortality technique!"
"Yuzuru-kun, this is my gift to you for becoming Emperor."
Yuzuru smiled and nodded, then tilted his chin toward Madara. "Did you hear that, Madara?"
"I will rule the ninja world forever in the name of the Emperor."
"As long as I exist, peace will endure."
After hearing Yuzuru's words, Madara fell into rare silence, then let out a soft snort. "You're certainly confident in your strength."
"But even if you can maintain peace, you can't give everyone the kind of life they desire the way my Eye of the Moon Plan can."
Yuzuru replied calmly, "Infinite Tsukuyomi is not as beautiful as you imagine. Its end can only be destruction."
At this point, Ōnoki finally seized the opportunity to voice his doubts. "Yuzuru, if both of you read the Uchiha clan's stone tablet, why are your interpretations completely different?"
"Madara was deceived."
Madara's expression darkened as he looked at Yuzuru in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Yuzuru stared directly at him, his voice cold. "Madara, you've always treated others as pawns… but have you ever considered that you yourself might also be someone else's pawn?"
"Nonsense!" Madara shouted coldly. "I already know everything. Who could possibly use me?!"
"So you didn't follow my plan because you were misled as well?"
"My will incarnate… where is Black Zetsu?"
Facing Madara's questioning, Yuzuru remained calm and spoke slowly, "That is exactly why I've gathered everyone here."
"The Divine Nation has been established. It's time for the truth to be revealed."
After hearing this, everyone's expressions grew serious.
For something to require such an effort from Yuzuru, it had to be an extraordinary secret.
Ōnoki, in particular, was extremely excited.
Back then, when Yuzuru had mentioned some things about Kaguya but left it unfinished, it had tormented him for months.
Now… he would finally learn the truth!
Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a glance, both showing attentive expressions.
Even though they were from the same era as Madara, they didn't know much more than the Third Raikage and the others.
Madara, still as arrogant as ever, stood silently in place.
He wanted to see what nonsense this brat was about to spout.
Seeing everyone quiet down, Yuzuru began softly, "In the depths of the universe exists an ancient race known as the Ōtsutsuki."
"They possess advanced technology and immense power, and they have mastered the method of creating something called the Divine Tree."
"Once they reach adulthood, every Ōtsutsuki travels the cosmos."
"Any planet that contains life energy is planted with a Divine Tree seed. The tree then absorbs the entire planet's energy to grow, until it bears fruit."
"By consuming the fruit of the Divine Tree, one can obtain extraordinary power."
Yuzuru's voice carried a magnetic quality, and everyone present found themselves drawn into the story.
In their minds, a mysterious, powerful, ancient race slowly took shape.
"Until the ancient era, Kaguya, a branch family member, and Isshiki, a main family member, descended upon the ninja world and planted a Divine Tree seed."
"With the abundant life energy of this world, the Divine Tree quickly took root and grew into a towering tree, eventually bearing a massive chakra fruit."
At this point, Mei couldn't help but ask, "Yuzuru, did Kaguya and Isshiki share the fruit?"
"No," Yuzuru replied calmly. "According to the Ōtsutsuki clan's rules, before consuming the fruit, a branch family member must be sacrificed to the Divine Tree."
"After that, once the main family member eats the fruit, the Divine Tree transforms into the Ten-Tails, granting even greater power."
"Gasp!!!"
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
So this was the origin of the Ten-Tails?
The Third Raikage muttered, "To consume a fruit condensed from an entire planet's life energy… and then gain the power of the Ten-Tails…"
"How strong would that make someone?"
Yuzuru said in a deep voice, "It surpasses the Six Paths—it is the level of a Kekkei Mōra!"
"Beyond the Six Paths? Kekkei Mōra?"
Everyone was once again stunned.
They couldn't even imagine such a level of existence.
Ōnoki frowned and asked, "Yuzuru, didn't you say before that Kaguya was the ancestor of chakra?"
"If she was a branch family member, shouldn't she have been sacrificed?"
Yuzuru waved his hand. "Let me finish."
"When the chakra fruit matured, Kaguya was unwilling to become a sacrifice and chose to betray the clan."
"Taking advantage of Isshiki's carelessness, she launched a sneak attack, threw his body to the Divine Tree, and took the fruit for herself."
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, their awe of the Ōtsutsuki clan diminishing slightly.
Because even such a race still possessed 'human nature' just like them.
Ōnoki finally pieced it together and said softly, "So in the end, Isshiki died."
Yuzuru shook his head again and smiled. "Isshiki didn't die. Using his abilities, he escaped in a heavily injured state right in front of Kaguya."
"What was fed to the Divine Tree… was only half of his body."
"Of course, we'll talk about Isshiki later. For now, let me finish explaining Kaguya's story."