Wanci was stunned.
He had never expected that the seemingly unremarkable White Ape King had actually fought Isshiki Otsutsuki, a being at the absolute pinnacle of power.
Was it possible?
Impossible?
No… it actually might be possible.
The White Ape King's taijutsu was undeniably formidable, and his physical body was incredibly resilient. In the future, even the Monkey King could withstand the Kusanagi Sword. And this version of the White Ape King was enhanced with sage arts.
As long as he was not overwhelmed by those black rods…
In theory, he really could go toe-to-toe with Isshiki.
Of course, Wanci knew there was probably some exaggeration in that "record." Still, in all the time he had known the White Ape King, he had never seen him truly break under pressure. Even when Wanci had bombarded him with sage techniques in the past, the ape had endured without showing real damage.
Even if he could not defeat Isshiki, holding him off should not be a problem.
Wanci began calculating in his head.
The White Ape King versus Isshiki: fifty-fifty.
Kaguya versus Isshiki: roughly thirty-seventy.
Himself versus Isshiki: maybe twenty-eighty.
So…
White Ape King equals Isshiki.
Wanci is weaker than Isshiki.
But Wanci plus White Ape King plus Kaguya…
That should be greater than Isshiki.
A lightbulb practically lit up in Wanci's mind.
Rounded up, does that not mean the three of them could crush Isshiki outright?
"Damn, brother, you should've said you were this strong earlier!"
"If you had this kind of skill, why didn't you show it sooner?"
Wanci quickly stepped forward and personally poured another cup of wine for the White Ape King.
The White Ape King drank deeply, but soon the alcohol began to take its toll. He slumped over the stone table, mumbling drowsily.
"Wanci… you can trust me… You came to the right one. I've been wanting a rematch with that Isshiki guy…"
"I, the White Ape King, will make that outsider suffer a crushing defeat…"
"Coming to our world and causing trouble… they must not know I'm here guarding it…"
With that, he began snoring loudly, completely knocked out.
Wanci froze.
Then his face lit up with excitement.
This is solid. Completely solid.
"With this lineup, we can definitely pull it off!"
He was thrilled.
Without these "animal companions," this would have been nearly impossible for him alone.
But now he had the White Ape King as a major ally.
And Kaguya as well.
Taking down Isshiki suddenly felt guaranteed.
Isshiki Otsutsuki… just wait.
After leaving the Ape Clan's summoning realm, Wanci soon received word from the White-Browed Toad.
The concealment robe was ready.
That very night, Wanci put on the robe and went to find Kaguya.
He had a simple goal.
Test its effectiveness.
If even Kaguya could detect him, then there was no way it would fool Isshiki.
…
Land of Ancestors, Imperial Residence.
Kaguya Otsutsuki sat quietly in her chamber, gazing at her reflection in the mirror, her thoughts restless.
Soon, she would be sacrificed to the Ten Tails.
This was her fate.
In every Otsutsuki pair, one was destined to be the offering.
But after coming to this world…
She had fallen in love with humanity.
And she refused to accept her fate.
Why should she be the one sacrificed?
Why not Isshiki?
That unwillingness burned within her, and it was precisely why she had sought out Wanci, hoping that a powerful native of this world might help her.
"It seems… he won't come…"
She let out a soft sigh.
It made sense. Wanci had always kept a low profile, never revealing his strength. Someone like him would naturally value his life above all else.
Why would he risk everything for her?
Besides, he probably did not even understand what the chakra fruit truly was…
Just as that thought crossed her mind
Wanci was already standing quietly in the corner of the room.
Dressed in a pale robe, he watched her silently.
She did not notice him at all.
Wanci nodded to himself.
So it works.
If even Kaguya could not sense him, then deceiving Isshiki should also be possible.
His eye techniques might be powerful, but in the original story, they never surpassed the perception of the Byakugan. Otherwise, he would not have needed to activate it during battle.
Wanci stepped forward calmly.
"Kaguya. I'm here."
His voice broke the silence.
Kaguya's expression changed instantly. She turned sharply, shock flashing in her eyes.
She had not sensed his presence at all.
The only person capable of appearing beside her without detection was Isshiki.
And yet, this man had done the same.
"How long have you been there?" she asked, her voice tense.
"No need for that," Wanci replied calmly, waving his hand. "I came to discuss our cooperation. I agree to join forces with you. Once it's done, I want the chakra fruit."
Kaguya's face brightened with visible relief.
"No problem," she answered without hesitation.
Wanci frowned slightly, studying her expression.
He did not understand.
Why would she give up the fruit so easily?
As an Otsutsuki, she should understand its value better than anyone.
"Why?" he asked. "You said it yourself. That fruit is extraordinary. Why give it to me?"
Kaguya smiled softly.
"Because… I don't want power. I just want to be with the one I love."
Wanci understood immediately.
At this point in time, she was deeply in love with the emperor of the Land of Ancestors.
That explained everything.
"I see. Then let's discuss the plan."
They quickly finalized their strategy and waited for the day of the sacrifice.
…
A few days later.
Within a vast bamboo forest.
At the center of a massive crater, the Ten Tails waited, its enormous maw open, hungry and restless.
"Next… we sacrifice Kaguya."
Isshiki Otsutsuki watched calmly.
Kaguya walked forward step by step.
Not far behind her, Wanci moved silently, his white robe blending perfectly with the surroundings.
He remained on high alert.
If Isshiki made a sudden move, Wanci would immediately retreat and escape using his summoning technique.
"Wait… you're actually going through with this?"
The White Ape King, now transformed into a staff, spoke in disbelief.
"Of course," Wanci replied, confused. "What, you thought I was pretending?"
The White Ape King swallowed hard, his expression stiff.
This is bad… this is really bad…
"Hold on," Wanci said suddenly, narrowing his eyes. "Don't tell me that story about fighting Isshiki for three days and nights… was fake?"
"I… I…"
The White Ape King hesitated.
"Fine! At this point, I'll be honest!" he blurted out. "I… I can't beat him!"
Wanci's face froze.
"Then why did you say you fought him for three days and nights?!"
"I did fight him for three days and nights," the White Ape King said awkwardly. "But… I was the one getting beaten the entire time… In the end, I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran back to the summoning realm…"
Wanci went silent.
So that was the truth.
He thought it was an impressive feat.
Turns out, he was the one getting hammered the whole time.