"My name is Tamazu-hime. To pass the trials of Tagorihime and Ichikishima Hime is truly no simple feat."
The girl who called herself Tamazu-hime, aside from the white feathered robe drifting behind her, was dressed more like an orthodox shrine maiden.
But Amane had no time to observe her in detail like the previous two. The heat and pain radiating from her neck made it slightly difficult for her to even stand up at this moment.
[Is it the nature of the technique or just a massive amount? Why does it feel similar to Boruto's performance?]
Ignoring what Amane was thinking, Tamazu-hime continued speaking to herself:
"I will be your next opponent, to test your heart. And of course..."
Suddenly, a serpentine face abruptly drew close.
"If you fail, I will eat you."
By now, Amane's condition had improved considerably. The pain had come quickly, but it also faded quickly.
However, if possible, Amane truly wished this trial was simply about testing the firmness of one's heart through pain.
Rather than... "What's wrong? Feeling a little timid? So even you can feel uneasy."
A familiar voice. No one could be more familiar with this voice than Amane.
It was her own voice.
[I thought that with the passage of time, I would slowly forget this thought. It seems fate was just waiting, and chose this moment to stab me. This trial really is difficult.]
{The Third Trial: The Unease Within the Heart}
Looking at the figure with the same height, the same face, the same hairstyle, but with a slightly different demeanor and aura, Amane knew this was her own "inner demon."
This inner demon had been planted as early as the first time she used the Shadow Clone Jutsu, when the clone lacked the memories of her past life.
Then later, during her training with the Rasengan in the Land of Water, she had very naturally called Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki 'Dad' and 'Mom' in her heart.
A conjecture had since taken root in Amane's mind, impossible to eradicate.
Am I not the original person anymore?
This conjecture persisted until she followed Uncle Snake, gaining a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of Ninjutsu and the world.
She clearly understood that because her past life had no Chakra, the clones lacked those memories.
And the Shadow Clone's ability to transfer experiences had caused a peculiar situation: her original knowledge, memories, and personality had gradually fused with those of this new life, which lacked the memories but had experienced its own events!
Therefore, through reason and science, one could conclude that Amane was indeed still herself.
But unfortunately, while Amane had a high tolerance for many things, she wasn't exactly thick-skinned.
"What do you want to say?"
Amane knew that if she didn't resolve this today, she would die here. So she might as well settle it now, just as she had always done in this life.
"Pretending to be me, and you dare ask what I want to say? What audacity. A mere impostor who has even forgotten her own name dares to look me in the eye?"
Amane quietly looked at the other's face. She had indeed forgotten the name from her past life, or more accurately, she had selectively buried it deep in her memory.
However, this was also because it was unnecessary. Having gained a new life, and being quite satisfied with it, why dwell on the past self who just earned a little money to get by and lazed around at home?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Climbing up meant being devoured, staying down meant being eaten. Even earning a bit to support herself and being content at home drew criticism.
It's utterly infuriating. So why should I dredge up those memories again?
"You say I'm the impostor."
The other "Amane" was taken aback. She suddenly sensed a change in the aura of the person before her.
In the very next instant! Golden chains shot towards her!
Her body was directly pierced.
Yet there was no bleeding, no sign of pain on her face, only intense mockery. As if to say, your attack is just a futile effort.
"Annoyed..."
"Do you still dare claim you are the real one now?"
"..."
The other fell silent.
"I really was foolish for a moment. I actually doubted my own reason and knowledge, yielding to that unease.
But then again, this is perhaps an unavoidable part of being alive. Just like in the past, even when I earned my own money, spent it myself, and was quite content, I was still stirred by the words and actions of those around me.
And that is the essence of this trial, isn't it? Whether one can remain steadfast in oneself. Right."
The other didn't reply, merely snorted coldly: "Can you do it? Even if you see clearly and understand, the flame of unease won't vanish. This is unavoidable for sentient beings with emotions."
"True, but that doesn't mean we can't find a way. This is the Ninja World, where anything is possible!"
Saying this, Amane touched the spot on her neck that had just been bitten. It now had no pain, not even a trace of a wound.
Then, she began forming Hand Seals.
[Uncle Snake, I didn't think I'd need the technique you gave me regarding memories and the mind so soon.]
Amane's consciousness gradually faded, then gradually cleared again.
However... it was now within her own mind.
Here, Amane saw an energy being that looked exactly like her, standing in this space.
This was the true form of the one outside claiming to be the "real one," the very thing Tamazu-hime had injected into Amane's body.
This energy being was guiding Amane's spiritual energy to read her memories and manifest the unease in her heart before her eyes in the real world.
This is also why Amane's attack passed right through it.
The one outside was, strictly speaking, just an illusion.
[You shouldn't have brought up the past. It really pisses me off. Otherwise, I wouldn't have thought, 'If you say you're the real one, then let's settle this.' ]
And precisely because she made a move, Amane instantly understood what was happening to her.
Now! The fact that Amane's consciousness actively appeared here meant that this trial of overcoming inner unease could be resolved through physical means!
"Alright, let's end this boring game quickly."
With a single thought from Amane, her entire mental space transformed into a vast golden ocean composed of Adamantine Sealing Chains, surging towards the energy being.
Resistance... it seemed to flicker for a moment, before being completely engulfed by Amane.
This result was both unexpected and expected by Amane. After all, those 50 people from Uncle Snake weren't just given to her for nothing.
At the same time, Amane woke up in reality.
"It ends here. Congratulations on passing the final trial."
Tamazu-hime, dressed in a shrine maiden outfit, stood in the long cave passage and spoke, gesturing towards the end.
"Thank you. You helped me resolve a lingering worry."
Amane respectfully bowed, then looked ahead at the massive temple at the end of the passage. A huge plaque above it read "Ryūchi Cave." She let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, all three trials were over.
"Hmm... Over a thousand years, I've tested countless people seeking sage power. But this is the first time I've seen someone just dismantle the problem directly."
Tamazu-hime chuckled softly, watching Amane who had already stepped into the temple above.
"World Traveler... such a fate. What a pity. She passed."
Tamazu-hime licked her lips, wondering if she should try to build a good relationship with Amane now that she had passed. Maybe she could get a little taste...
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