Chapter 301: Face Now ŌTsutsuki Kaguya?

But this time, Ōtsutsuki Urashiki’s strength had truly made Tsunade understand just how terrifying the Ōtsutsuki clan was.

She also realized the overwhelming power of the Rinnegan. If Riku hadn’t been there this time, Konoha might’ve been completely destroyed by Urashiki Ōtsutsuki.

Looking at Riku, Tsunade asked solemnly, “If the Akatsuki really summon that legendary being… how are we supposed to resist?”

Riku explained to Tsunade the truth about the Ten Tails and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

He didn’t go into too much detail—just enough to let her grasp the scale of the threat they might face in the future.

Standing at the window, beneath the veil of night, Riku narrowed his eyes slightly. “When that time comes, we won’t just be dealing with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. There will be many other powerful shinobi involved.”

“This time, the Akatsuki captured the Jinchūriki from all over the ninja world to summon the Ten Tails. That beast… it has the power to destroy the entire world.”

“Its strength is on a whole different level.”

In truth, at this point, Riku’s power was already close to that of the Ten Tails.

His Nine Tomoe Rinnegan had begun to show signs of evolving—approaching the level of the Rinne Sharingan.

That was because his chakra had reached a level equivalent to the Ten Tails.

This chakra was terrifying—if Riku truly willed it, he could even destroy the current moon and forcibly release Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, who was sealed within it.

Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to do something like that. He wasn’t even confident he could defeat her yet.

Kaguya had fused completely with the Ten Tails. Unless his Rinnegan fully evolved into the Rinne Sharingan, Riku wouldn’t dare make the first move against her.

Tsunade turned in her chair to face him and smiled. “If Kaguya really does appear, maybe the only person in the shinobi world who can defeat her… is you.”

Riku turned to look at her, his expression serious. “I might not be able to defeat her. She’s fused with the Ten Tails and also possesses the innate power of the Ōtsutsuki clan.”

“However,” he continued, “my strength has been progressing rapidly lately. As long as she doesn’t emerge too soon… I might have a real shot at beating her.”

Tsunade nodded in agreement.

Then she sighed. “Now that Sakura and Jiraiya know about us… what do you think?”

She had thought Riku would be upset. He had said they should only talk about it when he turned eighteen.

But now the two of them already knew.

To her surprise, Riku didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

He just shrugged and said, “So they know. That’s fine.”

“Better they found out sooner than later.”

Tsunade couldn’t help laughing. “I thought you’d be mad.”

Riku smiled calmly. “Why would I be angry?”

“But… I think Master Jiraiya might not be so happy about it. I can tell—he’s always seemed to like you.”

Tsunade paused, then gave a light chuckle. “It’s just friendship.”

She spoke openly, knowing that Riku wouldn’t care about that kind of thing.

Just like she didn’t care how many girls liked Riku—she knew he wouldn’t act on it.

Of course, Riku could still appreciate a beautiful woman.

Tsunade had lived long enough to understand that. Riku’s youth couldn’t be restrained so easily.

But she also knew—he had a clear line he wouldn’t cross.

Riku didn’t ask any more about the topic. There was no point.

What truly weighed on his mind was what he would do if Ōtsutsuki Kaguya appeared earlier than expected.

If he had to face her now—without the halo of a protagonist—he honestly felt a bit of pressure.