Five Years

---

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, five more years had passed.

During this time, Takuya's strength had grown steadily. Every day, he gained significant power, thanks to his bonds with his wives. Over the years, they had also given birth to nearly a hundred children, each one bringing him substantial rewards through their powerful bloodlines.

Now, Takuya stood at the peak of his Bloodline Network. All he needed was the right opportunity to break through to a higher level of existence.

Additionally, his wives had undergone genetic modifications with the help of Orochimaru. Most of them now possessed numerous powerful kekkei genkai, which could be combined like advanced ninjutsu to unleash devastating power. Because of this, Tsunade, Kushina, and the others had all reached the peak of super-Kage level strength.

However, if they wanted to ascend further, they would need to obtain a massive amount of chakra—comparable to that of the Ten Tails.

In these five years, Orochimaru's research had made tremendous progress. Not only had various biological experiments been perfected, but the first batch of God Tree seeds had also been successfully cultivated. Once a suitable planet was found, these seeds could grow into new Ten Tails.

When that time came, Tsunade and the others could naturally break through to the level of the Six Paths.

As for the androids, equipped with various kekkei genkai like Wood Release (Mokuton), Mangekyō Sharingan, Scorch Release (Shakuton), and Dead Bone Pulse (Shikotsumyaku), their numbers had grown significantly. While their individual power was somewhat limited, they still possessed Kage-level strength, and Takuya now commanded an army of Kage-level fighters.

When Hashirama and Madara heard of this, they were astonished. They couldn't help but wonder how different the ninja world might have been if Takuya had been born in their era.

Meanwhile, the technological advancements in the ninja world had continued at a rapid pace. Airplanes, high-speed trains, cruise ships, mobile phones, computers, and cars—modern conveniences were everywhere. The world had entered an era of technology, and the need for active shinobi was steadily decreasing. Life had become more vibrant, and the world was peaceful, progressing just as Takuya had envisioned.

"Husband, just one more time, please," Tsunade pleaded, looking at Takuya with a mischievous smile.

"How many times have you said that?" Takuya sighed. "Even when I give you what you want, you still come back for more."

"I promise, this will be the last time. Just one more," Tsunade said, clinging to his arm, her eyes pleading as she pouted.

"Fine," Takuya relented, pulling out a bag of money. "Once you lose all of this, come back to me."

"Hee hee, you're too good to me," Tsunade giggled, snatching the money and giving him a quick kiss before darting back to the gambling table. This time, she was determined to win back everything she'd lost.

But, as always, luck was not on her side. In no time at all, she had lost everything again.

"Ugh, I lost again," Tsunade groaned, pouting as she took Takuya's hand.

The once-mighty Sannin of Konoha had turned into a kitten-like figure. Anyone who saw her like this would be in utter disbelief.

"That's enough for today," Takuya said, gently pinching her cheek. "I believe you'll win one day."

He couldn't help but admire Tsunade's persistent streak of bad luck. No matter how many times she gambled, she always lost it all. Thankfully, they were wealthy enough to support her habit.

As they spoke, an ANBU suddenly appeared before them.

"Lord Hokage, Hiashi Hyūga requests an audience," the ANBU reported, kneeling.

"Hiashi?" Takuya frowned, sensing something was wrong.

"Husband, go handle your business. I'll head home," Tsunade said, sensing the seriousness of the situation. She left the casino without protest.

"Take me to him," Takuya ordered.

"Yes, my lord!" the ANBU replied, vanishing in an instant.

In the Hokage's office, Hiashi Hyūga was pacing back and forth, a deep frown etched on his face.

The door creaked open, and Takuya entered the room.

"Lord Hokage!" Hiashi's face lit up with relief upon seeing him.

"What's the matter, Hiashi?" Takuya asked, taking his seat and sipping a glass of water.

"Lord Hokage, my daughter Hanabi has gone missing!" Hiashi said, his voice urgent.

"Hanabi? Tell me everything," Takuya replied, leaning back, his gaze sharpening.

Hiashi quickly recounted the events. "It happened a few nights ago. I sensed a mysterious figure infiltrating our clan grounds. I pursued him all the way to the outskirts of Konoha, but he stopped suddenly. He claimed to be the true leader of the Hyūga clan and demanded I hand over both Hinata and Hanabi. When I refused, the figure sighed, and his body crumbled—it was just a puppet. By the time I returned home, Hanabi was gone. We've searched everywhere for the past three days, but there's been no trace of her. I had no choice but to come to you."

Takuya listened intently, piecing together the details. He had a suspicion that the one who took Hanabi was Toneri Ōtsutsuki. The man living on the moon had long sought to awaken the Tenseigan by using the Byakugan from the Hyūga clan—and he desired Hinata to create a new lineage.

"Where is Hinata now?" Takuya asked, his mind already formulating a plan.

---

**"Hiashi, where's Hinata?"**

Takuya asked, his voice heavy with concern as he turned to the head of the Hyūga clan.

"Hinata?"

Hiashi's expression flickered with unease, his composed demeanor faltering for just a moment.

"Hokage-sama, do you think she's in danger?" Hiashi asked, his disbelief barely contained.

Takuya nodded grimly. "If Hanabi has already fallen into enemy hands, then it's likely they won't spare Hinata either."

"Hinata left on a mission!" Hiashi's voice rose in alarm. "She's not in the village!"

The peaceful years had led the Hyūga clan to relax their once rigid rules, allowing even the main family members to take on missions freely. Hinata had taken advantage of this, frequently leaving the village on her own assignments. Now, with Hanabi captured and Toneri targeting the Hyūga, Hiashi's heart raced with dread. His daughters were everything to him, and the thought of losing either was unbearable.

"Hiashi, don't panic."

Takuya's voice was calm, though it carried a sense of urgency. "We'll ensure Hinata's safety, just as we will with Hanabi."

Toneri was after Hanabi's Byakugan to awaken the Tenseigan. But his interest in Hinata was different—he wanted to make her his bride, not just to continue his bloodline but to reshape the future.

Hiashi hesitated for a moment, then spoke with unexpected seriousness. "Lord Hokage, after this matter is resolved, would you consider marrying Hinata?"

Takuya paused, the suggestion catching him off guard. He had once thought Hinata too young, but five years had passed. She was an adult now, and the thought of her future became more pressing.

"I understand," Takuya replied with a small, contemplative smile. "Once this is settled, we'll discuss it. In the meantime, prepare for what's to come."

Relieved by the Hokage's response, Hiashi nodded. "Shall we begin the search for Hinata? There's still a chance we can reach her before the enemy does."

"Yes. We'll start by checking the mission records to see where she was last assigned."

---

**In the dense forests outside Konoha…**

Hinata stood tense, her Byakugan active, as a figure emerged from the shadows. The man was wrapped in heavy robes, his presence unsettling.

"Who are you?" Hinata demanded, her voice steady despite the growing sense of danger.

"Are you Hinata Hyūga?" The man ignored her question, his tone calm, almost indifferent.

He's here for me, she thought, her heart sinking. This is no coincidence.

"Hinata, come with me," the man said plainly.

"Come with you? What are you talking about?" Hinata asked, suspicion lacing her voice.

"You will be my bride. Together, we will rebuild humanity in a new world," he replied, as if the notion were perfectly reasonable.

"What?!" Hinata gasped, anger flashing in her lavender eyes. "Who are you? Why would I ever do such a thing?"

"My name is Toneri Ōtsutsuki," the man announced, his voice filled with a sense of superiority. "I am a descendant of the Ōtsutsuki clan, the gods of this world."

Hinata's eyes narrowed. She had heard stories of the Ōtsutsuki, an ancient clan tied to the Sage of Six Paths and his mother, Kaguya.

"The world has strayed from the Sage's original vision," Toneri continued, his eyes cold. "I will destroy it, wipe out the corruption, and start anew. Only you and I will survive to create a new future."

"You're delusional!" Hinata shouted, her anger boiling over. "You think you can just destroy the world and start over?!"

"Humans are nothing but filth," Toneri said, his voice still eerily calm. "But you, Hinata, are different. You are the White-Eyed Princess, a true descendant of our lineage. Accept your place beside me."

Hinata clenched her fists. **"Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists!"**

Her chakra flared as two roaring lions formed around her hands, and she charged at Toneri with everything she had.

Toneri calmly extended his hand. A chakra barrier materialized in front of him, blocking her strike effortlessly. The force of her attack rippled against the barrier, but it held firm.

"You think raw determination will be enough?" he said coldly. With a flick of his wrist, the barrier expanded outward, sending a shockwave that blasted Hinata backward, slamming her into a tree.

Before she could recover, Toneri's puppets, hidden in the shadows, sprang into action. Chakra strings lashed out, wrapping around her wrists and ankles, lifting her off the ground.

"Is this the best the shinobi of this world can offer?" Toneri muttered, his voice laced with disappointment. "You cannot stop the inevitable."

Hinata gritted her teeth, her mind racing. Despite the pressure, she channeled her chakra and unleashed another strike, **"Eight Trigrams: Twin Lion Fists!"** Her palms connected with the chakra strings, severing them, and she dashed forward, her fists aimed directly at Toneri's chest.

Toneri's eyes widened slightly before his body shattered into pieces upon impact.

"A puppet?" Hinata gasped, shocked by the crumbling remains. How did I not notice?

The sound of machinery whirring behind her sent a chill down her spine.

"I see I underestimated you, Hinata Hyūga," Toneri's voice echoed ominously. "But this time, you won't escape."

Before she could react, another puppet struck her from behind, and everything went black.