Kurotsuchi

With a deafening roar, the explosion shook the earth and mountains, sweeping everything around with a massive blast wave, sending dust flying.

As the dust cleared, three figures became visible.

The Third Tsuchikage was kneeling on one knee, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, panting heavily. His clothes were torn in several places, and he looked disheveled. In front of him stood a tall stone wall, which had evidently protected him from the brunt of the blast.

Moments before, as the Third Tsuchikage's Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu collided with Kaguya's Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, he had a premonition of danger. Realizing that his technique couldn't withstand the attack, he abandoned it and quickly created a massive stone wall with Earth Release, which had saved him from severe damage.

Now, surveying the devastated ground, it was clear that his decision was the right one.

Kaguya hovered in the air, looking imposing, with Kurotsuchi, who had been watching from the sidelines, now under her control. Kurotsuchi's eyes were vacant, her gaze unfocused, completely under Kaguya's control.

During the explosion, Kaguya had taken the opportunity to strike at Kurotsuchi. Although Kurotsuchi attempted to retaliate with her Lava Style: Quicklime Congealing Technique, it was ineffective against Kaguya. The cement projectiles Kurotsuchi spat out were easily repelled by Kaguya's repulsive force, not even getting close to her.

"Let her go, you bastard!" the Third Tsuchikage shouted, clenching his fists in anger.

"Let her go?" Kaguya smirked, gripping Kurotsuchi's chin. "Sure, but you must stay away from me. Once you're out of my sight, I'll release her."

"How can I trust you'll let her go?" the Third Tsuchikage demanded, eyes locked on Kaguya.

"You have no choice," Kaguya replied with a faint smile. "Or I could kill her right now." She produced a kunai and pressed it against Kurotsuchi's neck.

"Wait!" the Tsuchikage shouted anxiously. "Alright, I won't pursue you, but you must promise to release her. Otherwise, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth."

"Threats won't work on me," Kaguya scoffed. "Alright, I'm leaving now."

With that, Kaguya lightly tapped her toes, lifting off the ground with Kurotsuchi and swiftly flying away, disappearing into the distance.

After crossing the border out of the Land of Earth, Kaguya descended, panting lightly and wiping sweat from her forehead. Having just fought the Four-Tails and then the Third Tsuchikage, even she felt exhausted. Moreover, her Tenseigan had detected figures approaching from afar, likely reinforcements. Prolonging the fight would have led to encirclement, which, while manageable, was unnecessary.

"Hey, wake up," Kaguya gently patted Kurotsuchi's cheek.

"Where am I?" Kurotsuchi's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, looking around in confusion. When she saw Kaguya, her pupils gradually focused.

"Alright, you can go now," Kaguya waved her hand dismissively, yawning. She always felt sleepy after intense battles, though she wasn't sure why.

"You defeated the old man?" Kurotsuchi sat up, staring at Kaguya in amazement.

"Not really," Kaguya leaned weakly against a tree, half-closing her eyes. "You should go. Your grandfather is waiting for you."

"You really beat the old man?" Kurotsuchi's face lit up with excitement.

"Hey, he's your grandfather, are you sure about this?" Kaguya said, exasperated.

"He's so old already, yet he still clings to his position," Kurotsuchi sighed. "I worry about his future. Maybe if he faces a setback now, he'll finally consider retiring."

Kaguya thought to herself that Kurotsuchi was overthinking it. That stubborn old man would still be around during the Fourth Great Ninja War and only retired long after the war ended.

"By the way," Kurotsuchi suddenly remembered something interesting, her face lighting up with gossip, "how are things going between you and Deidara?"

"What do you mean 'how are things going'?" Kaguya was confused.

"Aren't you his girlfriend?" Kurotsuchi asked curiously.

"Who told you I'm his girlfriend?" Kaguya's mouth twitched; she felt like she was about to explode with frustration. Just the thought of it was disgusting.

"Aren't you?" Kurotsuchi scratched her cheek with a finger.

"Of course not. I'm a normal person," Kaguya said seriously. "Besides, I only like women, not men."

"That's the most abnormal thing!" Kurotsuchi was speechless.

"Don't believe me?" Kaguya asked, blinking her eyes.

"No, I don't." Kurotsuchi shook her head.

"Then let me make you believe."

Kaguya reached out, wrapped an arm around Kurotsuchi's waist, and gazed at her intently. She leaned in, her head slowly moving closer to Kurotsuchi.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Kurotsuchi suddenly snapped out of it, her eyes widening. She pushed Kaguya away, clutching her chest and breathing heavily, her face turning slightly red.

"Now you believe me?" Kaguya shrugged.

Kurotsuchi didn't hear Kaguya's words clearly. Her mind was still in chaos, and she felt dazed. Just before Kaguya was about to kiss her, her heart had inexplicably started pounding, and there seemed to be a hint of some other feeling. What was going on?

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing Kurotsuchi's dazed look, Kaguya wondered if she had scared her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kaguya walked over and patted her shoulder.

"No, nothing," Kurotsuchi snapped out of it, forcing a smile and waving her hand. "I'm fine. I'll be going now. Bye."

Watching Kurotsuchi leave in a hurry, Kaguya sighed. Why is wooing girls so difficult?

Kaguya felt her eyelids growing heavier, her sleepiness increasing. Finally, she leaned her head back against the tree trunk and fell asleep.