The world around them dissolved and reformed in an instant, stretching into an endless, monochrome void. The only distinct presence was Mikami, standing before her, his face an impassive mask.
The Kaleidoscope Sharingan's genjutsu! Tsunade's expression twisted into one of fury and self-recrimination. To fall for it in a moment of heated argument… Damn it, I was careless!
"It's nothing to regret. Anyone whose reason is overthrown by emotion makes mistakes," Mikami stated calmly, observing her struggle with a detached air. "That said… I am surprised you can remain this lucid within Tsukuyomi's world. It's a testament to your will. But understand—in this space, I am the absolute god. Your strength, your resistance, are meaningless here."
"If you have the nerve, face me in reality!" Tsunade spat, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness. Even trapped, the granddaughter of the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju, refused to cower. Her eyes blazed with a defiant light that commanded respect.
To Mikami, however, that defiance only marked her as a lamb before the slaughter. Such bravado held no power over him.
"In this world, I control everything. Resistance is futile. It only leads to… this."
SHRRRIP!
The fabric over Tsunade's right shoulder tore apart without warning, exposing smooth, pale skin. The jagged tear in her clothing created a disheveled, wild beauty against the stark void.
A cool, artificial breeze swept through the space. Tsunade shivered, the sensation pulling her fully into the horrifying reality of the illusion.
"You monster!"
She glared at Mikami, her body trembling with a mix of rage and violation. Glancing down, she could see her entire right arm was now bare. The tear ran perilously close to her chest; from a certain angle, a glimpse of pale skin was visible. One wrong move, and she would be exposed completely.
"I have no interest in your… physical attributes," Mikami said flatly, his gaze steady and devoid of any base desire. His ancient, calm eyes seemed utterly removed from primitive human urges.
Tsunade's lips twitched, forcing down the volcano of her anger. For now, she had to accept his statement.
"In a way, your brother, Nawaki… and I are similar."
Mikami slowly closed his eyes, accessing the information he knew of Senju Nawaki. After a long moment, he opened them, his voice a soft whisper in the endless space. "He died chasing his dream. Compared to those who live their entire lives lost, he died well."
The words struck Tsunade like a physical blow. "Died well?!" she screamed, her composure shattering into hysterical fury. "Is his life so fragile and worthless in your eyes?!"
"Or… is it that you understand there's no turning back on this path, yet you still walk it resolutely for the sake of your so-called dream?"
Tsunade's question was a sneer, but her eyes were locked on Mikami's pupils—the windows to the soul, which could not lie.
Mikami's expression remained impassive, his handsome features carved from stone.
---
"My… dream?"
He murmured the words, a trace of something like a bitter, self-deprecating smile touching his lips. After a long pause, his pupils suddenly sharpened, his voice ringing with absolute certainty.
"Even if the path ahead is paved with bones and rivers of blood, it will not halt my steps."
His voice, filled with a strange magnetism, hung in the silent, artificial world.
"Once I set out, I never look back. Even if the road ends before me, even if the entire world stands as my enemy… anyone who tries to stop me from reaching the ends of the sky will be cut down."
Tsunade stared into those blood-red eyes. His gaze didn't waver; his pupils didn't contract. He was speaking the absolute truth. Even if it led to a dead end, he would not abandon his conviction.
She could feel it—the sharp, unyielding spirit that pointed defiantly toward the heavens, a pressure that made her feel strangely small and desolate.
Have I… been wrong all this time? For the first time, a sliver of doubt crept into Tsunade's heart. She thought of her past, her stubbornness, and closed her eyes in a wave of quiet despair. Perhaps she truly had been mistaken.
"Pathetic woman."
Mikami's look held a flicker of pity before he dismissed the Tsukuyomi with a thought. The illusion shattered. A real breeze brushed past Tsunade, and when her eyes refocused on the real world, they held a new, unsettling recognition of the unwavering faith that burned within Mikami.
---
Seven Days Later – Kikyō Pass
The location was an unremarkable, low hill. From its vantage point, Mikami looked down at the distant, sprawling encampment of Sunagakure's forces. He had to admit, Konoha's intelligence network was impressive; they'd pinpointed not just the enemy's position, but the detailed route and timing of a critical supply convoy.
The supply unit was, as the name implied, the lifeblood of the frontline ninja—carrying food, weapons, tools, and medical supplies. Its escort was naturally composed of elite shinobi. According to Konoha's intelligence, the security detail was so robust it even included a Jinchūriki. It was a force designed to be unassailable, capable of repelling even a Kage-level threat.
Clever rabbits.
The importance of this convoy was paramount. Its destruction would cripple Suna's offensive momentum for a significant period. Deploying a Jinchūriki to guard it was a shrewd move.
At least, it would have been shrewd… were Mikami not here.
FWOOSH!
A shrill sound tore through the sky, as if the very air was being sliced apart. A golden streak shot heavenward, a straight line of pure light drawn against the blue.
"Hey… did you hear that? A really sharp noise. Could it be an enemy attack?" A Suna sentry on the ground rubbed his drowsy eyes, yawning as he spoke to his partner.
"You're still half-asleep. It's just your imagination," the other ninja scoffed, not bothering to look up.
"No, wait… Why is it raining? What the hell—this rain, it's… it's golden!" The first ninja's jaw went slack as he stared at the sky, his face a mask of dumbfounded horror.
"Golden rain? Now you're really hallucinating," his companion said, rolling his eyes.
But then, the sky filled. Countless points of golden light descended, saturating the air, drowning out the sun.
A single, calm phrase echoed down, clear as a bell amidst the gathering storm:
"Yasakani no Magatama."
---
Author's Note: The last update for the moment is complete! Thank you for your continued support. If you're enjoying the story, please consider leaving a comment, rating, or review. It means a lot and helps motivate more chapters!