When Kyusei, Kaoru, Nao, and Tobirama returned to the Dragon Vein palace, all participants of the operation had finally gathered.
Thankfully—
Not a single casualty.
Hikari was bound by Hashirama's Wood Release, her chakra continuously drained. The girl from centuries ago was unceremoniously thrown before everyone.
She said nothing.
Nagato was dead.
The Rinnegan had been taken.
The world she longed for—
The dream of seeing her parents again—
Had shattered.
A dream…
Was just a dream.
Father… Mother…
Kyusei formed a golden blade in his hand, stepping forward without hesitation—
But a hand stopped him.
Kaoru.
She looked at Hikari, hesitating.
"…Should we tell her the truth?"
Kyusei paused.
"…Fine."
For Kaoru's sake—
He agreed.
The outcome was already decided.
Hikari could do nothing now.
"…Uchiha Hikari, right?"
Kaoru knelt before her.
"…If you're going to kill me, just do it."
Hikari replied calmly.
"…Do you really understand the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
Kaoru's words made her frown.
That plan—
Was top secret.
Only four people knew.
How did Kaoru—
"…Because it was never real."
"It was a lie from the beginning."
As Kaoru explained everything—
Shock spread through the room.
Infinite Tsukuyomi.
A dream world for all.
"…Ridiculous…"
Hashirama's voice was heavy.
"A world without suffering…"
"Would no longer understand happiness."
"Only through hardship does joy have meaning."
"A false dream cannot create true peace."
Tobirama continued:
"And it was all for reviving Kaguya."
Hiruzen added:
"When something seems perfect…"
"Be wary."
"…Dreams are fragile."
Kyusei sighed.
Hikari sat frozen.
Her entire purpose—
Destroyed.
"…No…"
"…No…"
"You're lying!"
Her voice broke.
"I can accept death!"
"But not this!"
Kaoru couldn't respond.
Nao stepped forward.
"…Why would we lie?"
"What do we gain?"
"If it were me—"
"I'd have killed you already."
Tears streamed down Hikari's face.
Father…
Mother…
I was wrong…
Her hands—
Stained with blood.
War.
Manipulation.
Even Yahiko—
She had killed him.
"…I…"
"…I…"
Her world collapsed.
Hashirama sighed softly.
Reality—
Was cruel.
Then—
She moved.
In an instant—
She lunged at Kyusei.
No one expected it.
A blade pierced through her body.
Blood—
Stained gold.
She collapsed into him.
"…Whether it's true…"
"…or not…"
She coughed blood.
"…I killed them…"
"…So many…"
"…I deserve to die…"
"…Take my eyes…"
"…Atone…"
"…Please…"
Her voice faded.
Kyusei lowered her gently.
The blade dissolved.
Silence.
He watched her—
Quietly.
For the first time—
He understood.
These people—
Their will—
Was different.
They could give everything.
And when wrong—
They could face it.
Even Black Zetsu—
Had only wanted to save his mother.
Kyusei closed his eyes briefly.
He had intended to kill her anyway.
And now—
She chose it herself.
"…This was her choice."
Hashirama said quietly.
Tobirama cut in:
"…Enough."
"What about the Dragon Vein?"
He shifted focus immediately.
Hashirama turned—
Then froze.
"…Wait."
"…Why do you have a real body?"
Tobirama smirked.
"…Accident."
After the explanation—
Everyone understood.
"…Lucky bastard…"
Hashirama muttered.
"…What now?"
"…I'm staying."
Tobirama answered.
"If Konoha's future has ambition—"
"I'll support it."
Hashirama sighed.
"…We're dead—"
"Wrong."
Tobirama interrupted.
"You are."
"I'm not."
Hashirama fell silent.
Kyusei spoke:
"We can revive you too."
Hashirama immediately refused.
"The dead should remain dead."
"If life and death blur—"
"Disaster will follow."
"Natural order must remain."
Kyusei nodded.
But internally—
He had already decided.
If needed—
He would bring Hashirama back.
Even if—
He refused.
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