267 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

"Tsunade, you and the others have also mastered Sage Mode. Can you sense the energy that the Fifth mentioned?" Senju Tobirama asked, just in case.

"We've been closely observing the Fifth's actions, but we haven't detected anything," Tsunade shook her head regretfully.

"The energy he spoke of feels nonexistent, much like how we couldn't perceive natural energy before we learned Sage Mode."

"That is unfortunate," Tobirama said, though he wasn't too disappointed.

This outcome was within expectations. Even his elder brother, despite his mastery of Sage Mode, never detected the two types of energy that Uchiha Akira spoke of.

Akira obviously wouldn't lie—after all, the changes in the God Tree were proof enough.

At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku spoke up. "Perhaps Hikari could give it a try."

Noticing everyone's gaze shifting toward him, Fugaku explained, "Hikari is the Jinchūriki of the Ten Tails and has a deep connection with the God Tree. Since the tree's growth is dependent on planetary energy, she might be able to sense its existence indirectly."

"That does make sense. It's worth trying when we have the time," Tobirama nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll give it a shot later," Uchiha Hikari agreed casually.

For now, there was no rush. With Akira here, they could take their time exploring this new path. Currently, the most important thing was still the God Tree.

Tobirama then asked, "Earlier, that woman, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, mentioned feeding the reviving Ōtsutsuki Isshiki to the God Tree. Why would she do that?"

Everyone turned their attention to Akira, curious about the answer.

"For the God Tree to bear a Chakra Fruit, it doesn't just need to absorb a planet's energy—it also requires an Ōtsutsuki as a sacrifice. Only then can the fruit be formed," Akira explained.

"What?! That's... bizarre!" The crowd was astonished. The idea was too eerie to comprehend.

"It may be strange, but it's true," Akira nodded. "Moreover, the stronger and purer the sacrificed Ōtsutsuki, the higher the quality of the Chakra Fruit."

Tsunade frowned, momentarily at a loss for words. "The Ōtsutsuki are really something else... Their relationship with the Ten Tails is far deeper than we imagined. The fact that the Chakra Fruit requires an Ōtsutsuki sacrifice is astonishing."

"That's right," Tobirama sighed in realization.

Uchiha Hikari turned to Akira and asked, "Since you plan on making the God Tree bear fruit, where do you intend to find an Ōtsutsuki to sacrifice? Are you considering using Kaguya's remnants?"

Akira shook his head. "I'm not sure if Kaguya's remains would work."

"Then that means... there are other Ōtsutsuki on Earth?" Hikari caught onto his implication.

"Exactly," Akira confirmed. "There are still descendants of Ōtsutsuki Hamura on the Moon."

Hyuga Hina suddenly recalled something and spoke up.

"You mean the ones who stole Hinata's eyes? But their strength seemed rather underwhelming."

"Yes, them. However, their bloodline isn't pure. While they bear the Ōtsutsuki name, they aren't truly of the clan," Akira clarified.

Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "So, you're saying there are true-blooded Ōtsutsuki on the Moon?"

Akira nodded. "Correct. Over the years, a child with an exceptionally pure bloodline was born there, nearly indistinguishable from a true Ōtsutsuki."

Tobirama looked at him curiously. "A bloodline that pure? What makes this child special?"

"He was born without eyes," Akira revealed. "Once he reaches adulthood, all he needs is a pair of high-purity Byakugan, and he'll be able to awaken the Tenseigan immediately. His traits are very similar to Kaguya's."

Tsunade's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, he really is no different from a pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki."

She understood what it meant to meet the conditions for awakening the Tenseigan—it proved just how pure his lineage was. The Chakra within him would be the same as that of the true Ōtsutsuki.

However, after a moment of hesitation, she frowned. "But... he is a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura. Wouldn't doing this be too cruel?"

After all, Hamura had played a role in saving this world. Sacrificing his descendant to the God Tree felt morally reprehensible.

"Agreed. This is too extreme. We can't do that," Tobirama shook his head.

"Of course not," Akira reassured them before adding, "Don't forget—cloning technology exists."

Tsunade smacked her forehead. "Right! I completely forgot about that!"

Tobirama was surprised. "Cloning technology? Has it been fully mastered?"

Tsunade grinned. "Cloning is just the beginning. We've even made progress on targeted genetic modifications."

"That simplifies things," Tobirama said, his expression easing. "If cloning is already mastered, then we have a way forward."

At this point, morality had to take a backseat. The survival of the entire world was at stake.

Fugaku, however, remained cautious. "But can cloning truly recreate an Ōtsutsuki's full abilities?"

Before Akira could respond, Tsunade answered confidently, "As long as the Ōtsutsuki are biological beings that reproduce normally, then in theory, cloning them is entirely possible."

As a medical expert, she had full faith in the science.

However, Uchiha Shisui hesitated before speaking. "But... aren't the Ōtsutsuki not naturally born?"

Tsunade froze. "Wait... that's right. Their origins are... unconventional."

Tobirama frowned. "What do you mean?"

Tsunade forced a smile. "The Ōtsutsuki are unique. Hagoromo, the Sage of Six Paths, and his brother Hamura were born after Kaguya consumed the Chakra Fruit. She was revered as the Rabbit Goddess at the time and conceived them through some form of divine influence."

Tobirama, who prided himself on his vast knowledge, was left momentarily speechless.

"You're telling me... that's how they were born?!"

Tsunade turned to Akira. "So, will cloning still work?"

Akira's voice was steady. "Don't worry—it will. I can guarantee that."

Having undergone the Chimera Technique Ritual, Akira had a deep understanding of this matter. The success of cloning Ōtsutsuki Toneri was proof enough, as was his ability to awaken the Tenseigan.