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Chapter 085+ in patreon.com/dzeref887
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Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was the final boss in the original series. She was a princess of the Ōtsutsuki clan, who planted the God Tree, consumed the chakra fruit, and became known as the Rabbit Goddess. People even offered blessings when she gave birth to two sons—Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
And thus, the history of the Shinobi World began.
But later, Kaguya was sealed away by her two sons working together.
At the end of the original story, Kaguya was unsealed by Black Zetsu, but was sealed again soon after.
That Kaguya was immensely powerful, from the Ōtsutsuki clan… and also… she could turn into a rabbit.
She even blushed when she saw a man taking a bath.
"..."
Eh…
Now that he thought about it, all of his little ninja rabbit's behaviors matched up suspiciously well with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
The first time he noticed her expressions changing… was when he stepped out of the washroom after bathing.
And she was extremely resistant to being bathed by him.
Because he couldn't catch her, she always managed to dodge.
At the time, Kitahara Kaede thought: I'm human, she's a rabbit. Why would a rabbit even blush?
But now...
What if he considered that the rabbit might actually be Kaguya?
He had made Ōtsutsuki Kaguya blush.
And even tried to give her a bath.
Hahaha.
If the Sage of Six Paths found out, he'd probably leap out of his grave.
Kitahara Kaede chuckled to himself.
Then he continued thinking.
Why would Kaguya appear in the form of a ninja rabbit?
Self-rescue?
Yes.
That's the only possibility he could think of.
Makes sense.
Although she left Black Zetsu as a contingency plan, it had been a thousand years and she still hadn't been unsealed—anyone would be frustrated.
So, she had no choice but to act herself.
As he thought about this, Kaede stroked the rabbit's fur.
She still didn't let him touch any other part of her body.
After all, this was Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—the all-knowing, all-powerful Rabbit Goddess.
"..."
After considering for one second, Kitahara Kaede decided not to expose her.
The reason was simple.
She went through all the trouble of disguising herself as a rabbit—wouldn't it be rude to blow her cover?
So.
Waiting a thousand years must have been hard, but if Kaguya could wait a thousand years, then what's another hundred?
Besides…
As someone who knew the original storyline, he knew that the future would be the age of the Ōtsutsuki. Once Kaguya was unsealed, she would basically act like a huge beacon—drawing in more Ōtsutsuki members.
And Naruto and Sasuke, the two future powerhouses, weren't ready yet. So she would have to wait a while longer.
Kitahara Kaede thought Naruto and Sasuke were promising talents.
And they were developing quickly. When the Ōtsutsuki clan eventually invaded, he could just send those two to fight.
Yes.
Even after realizing that his pet ninja rabbit might be Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, Kitahara Kaede's attitude didn't change.
He found this rabbit.
He took care of her.
He fed her.
So… of course, she was his.
Kaguya's noble status? Sure, she was noble.
But—
Isn't this just how guys are?
The stronger and more unattainable the woman, the more alluring she is.
The more untamable the rabbit, the more he wanted to claim her.
So—
If apologies are in order, then sure, he's sorry—but Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, please stay his rabbit for a little while longer.
!!!
At the moment Kitahara Kaede had that dangerous thought, the rabbit—who was reading a book—visibly froze.
When she came back to her senses, she realized Kaede was holding her small red paw.
Lost in thought.
"..."
"..." The ninja rabbit.
The ninja rabbit didn't actually like physical contact with humans.
And she felt like Kitahara Kaede was being even clingier than before.
His movements were fast now. If he wanted to touch her, she might not even be able to dodge. But as long as he didn't try to bathe her, she could let it slide.
······
The next morning, Kitahara Kaede noticed a figure standing outside the window.
From the dew on the person's coat, it was clear they had been waiting there for a long time.
In Konoha, only the ANBU or the Root Organization carried out orders this seriously.
Since someone was at the window, his ninja rabbit abandoned that area and settled down on the table.
"I'm heading out for a while. If I'm unlucky, I might be back late," Kaede said.
"There's food in the fridge—help yourself."
"Don't refuse. I know your intelligence level is high enough to figure out how to open a fridge."
"..."
"..." The ninja rabbit.
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt like Kitahara Kaede cared more about her now than before.
Previously, when she went on a hunger strike, he just stared at her in silence.
But now… he seemed gentler??
Before she could make a sound, Kaede had already opened the window and jumped out.
The ANBU who'd been waiting followed him immediately.
Their figures disappeared, one after the other.
"..." The ninja rabbit.
She continued reading.
She had been reading all night. Just as Kitahara Kaede said—books gave her knowledge.
And more worries.
Ignorance might be bliss, but the more you know… the more you fear.
·····
Kitahara Kaede hopped onto the rooftops and moved forward.
Beside him was the ANBU with dew-stained clothing.
"Be careful," the ANBU said. He wore a gray coat and a fox mask covering his face.
From the voice, he didn't sound very old—maybe around 25–27.
And he was tall.
"Are you Yamato?" Kaede asked.
"Eh? You know me?" The ANBU paused for half a step, realizing he was falling behind, and quickly caught up.
"My teacher is Kakashi," Kaede said, stopping to wait for him.
"Kakashi-senpai, huh…" the ANBU nodded.
"Then that makes sense…"
"I am Yamato," he said.
"I came to deliver a message. The Third Hokage wants to see you this morning."
"But last night, when I passed by your house, I noticed members of the Root Organization trying to get in."
"So I stood guard there all night," Yamato explained.
"The Root, huh…"
"Er… maybe you don't know—it's an organization managed by Lord Danzo. It's similar to the ANBU, but its members don't report to the Hokage. And Danzo…"
"I had some bad experiences in the past."
"Also…"
Yamato continued, "Danzo often tries to recruit people from across the village and from various clans into Root."
"I thought maybe this time he was trying to capture someone again…"
In other words, Yamato came to deliver a message from the Third Hokage, but found Root agents lurking around Kaede's house. Worried Kaede would get caught up in something, he stayed there all night.
Yamato had once joined Root himself. He knew it wasn't a bright place—only tasks, missions, no rest. So he didn't want others to fall into the same trap.
But since he had no authority to stop Danzo, this was the only thing he could do.
"I won't join Root," Kaede said. "I want a peaceful life where I can slack off."
"Oh…" Yamato nodded.
That…
Was the complete opposite of Root, where it was all missions and no rest.
He'd worried Kaede, as Kakashi's student, might be tempted by Danzo and persuaded to join.
But now that Kaede clearly stated his position, there was no need to worry.
·······
Konoha's Hokage Office.
This wasn't Kaede's first visit—in fact, he came here once every month.
The Third Hokage was constantly engaged in various "Will of Fire" heritage activities.
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Chapter 085+ in patreon.com/dzeref887