Although he already understood that the magical effect of the bonsai was not as absolute as he had first imagined, Uchiha Kasage was still filled with curiosity.
Inside, people could not only live normal lives—they could farm, cultivate crops, and sustain themselves.
It was, in a strange way… a "blessed land for prisoners."
After a brief thought, he decided to let his Shadow Clone investigate further. After all, a clone could be dismissed instantly if danger arose—there was no real risk.
Sensing the magical energy surrounding it, the Shadow Clone did not resist. Instead, it withdrew its chakra, allowing the strange force to take effect.
A faint flash of light flickered.
Its body rapidly shrank—and in the next moment, it was drawn into the bonsai, disappearing from sight.
---
"Eh? Your clone… entered the bonsai?" Kikyo had witnessed everything from outside. She turned to Kasage, surprise clear in her eyes.
"It's just the bonsai's magic," Kasage replied calmly. "There's no problem. It's only a Shadow Clone—we can wait."
He showed no concern. If anything went wrong, he would simply dispel it and immediately learn what had happened inside.
---
Within the bonsai world—
The Shadow Clone landed lightly in midair.
When it looked up, it found itself near a village. The miniature houses it had seen from outside had now returned to normal size.
It crouched down, scooping up a handful of soil and clenching it in its palm.
The texture… was identical to real earth.
Then it picked a blade of grass, snapped it—and a faint yellow-green sap slowly seeped out, carrying the fresh scent of vegetation.
If it hadn't known beforehand, it would have been nearly impossible to tell this wasn't the real world.
Clearly, everything here—soil, plants, even the environment—had been taken from the outside and shrunk down, yet preserved perfectly.
The clone stood and looked up at the sky.
Blue sky. White clouds.
Even a sun hung high above, casting warm light across the land.
There was no sign of any "ceiling" like he had expected.
Kasage couldn't help but feel more intrigued.
This was no simple illusion.
It was a true miniature world.
---
As the clone observed its surroundings, villagers passed by from time to time.
Yet none of them reacted to its sudden appearance.
They simply continued with their daily routines.
It was obvious—they were used to it.
People appearing… disappearing…
This had become normal.
Which only confirmed one thing:
The Peach Fruit People frequently captured outsiders and imprisoned them here.
---
The Shadow Clone ignored the humans being used as nourishment and wandered freely through the bonsai world.
It walked through the fields, observing the thriving crops.
Nearby, even large trees grew normally.
This world was not vast—it didn't take long to explore.
Eventually, the clone reached the edge.
Before it stood a towering "wall" that seemed to pierce the sky itself.
From what Kasage remembered, it could be broken through to escape.
But instead of destroying it…
He wanted to see what lay beyond the "sky."
---
The clone bent its knees—
Then launched upward.
It ran straight up the wall, chakra anchoring its feet.
As it climbed higher, the square landscape of the bonsai gradually unfolded beneath it.
The clouds above drew closer and closer.
Just as it was about to touch them—
It suddenly felt something.
A subtle resistance.
Like passing through an invisible barrier.
---
In the next instant—
The blue sky vanished.
The clouds disappeared.
In their place—
A stone ceiling.
The illusion was gone.
The clone now stood at the very edge of the bonsai, looking down upon the entire miniature world without obstruction.
"…This is actually impressive," it murmured.
Then—
*Boom!*
It dispersed into a cloud of white smoke.
---
Outside—
Kasage immediately received the memories.
He let out a quiet breath.
"So that's how it works…"
The shrinking spell wasn't nearly as troublesome as he had feared.
Turning to Kikyo, he said:
"Let's go in and take a look. Be careful of the bonsai in the center—if you get too close, it will shrink you and pull you inside. There are many people living within it."
"…People?" Kikyo's eyes widened slightly as she looked toward the bonsai, her voice filled with disbelief.
"They… live inside that?"
"Mm." Kasage nodded, then gently took her hand. The warmth of her palm contrasted with the cold atmosphere around them.
"This magic isn't very strong. I can use Sage Chakra to block its effects."
Kikyo tightened her grip slightly, then followed him forward, curiosity evident in her gaze.
---
As they approached the bonsai—
Protected by Kasage's Sage Chakra, neither of them was affected.
Looking down from above, Kikyo watched the tiny figures moving busily within.
"…They're living their lives as if nothing is wrong," she said softly.
Kasage's expression grew colder.
"A remarkable creation… but wasted on something vile."
He paused briefly.
"Do you remember the human-faced fruit we saw earlier?"
Kikyo stiffened.
Her gaze slowly shifted from the bonsai to Kasage.
"…You mean…" Her voice trembled slightly.
"These people are being kept here… and used as nourishment for that tree?"
Kasage met her eyes.
"Yes."
A heavy silence followed.
"If they weren't imprisoned," he continued quietly, "how could so many people be gathered here, deep in these mountains, just to cultivate those fruits?"
Kikyo's expression darkened instantly.
"…So they raise humans… like livestock."
A cold killing intent flickered in her eyes.
"These so-called 'immortals'… are nothing more than yokai."
Kasage gave a faint nod.
"Whatever they are… they're not benevolent."
He gently pulled her hand.
"Let's go meet them."
---
The two moved toward the staircase on the other side and ascended.
The moment they stepped into the upper room—
They were spotted.
Three small yokai, busy organizing the room, froze in place.
Their eyes widened in shock.
They opened their mouths to scream—
But Kikyo was faster.
In one fluid motion, she drew her bow.
The arrow flashed forward—
*Thwip!*
A purifying arrow pierced straight through one yokai, erasing it instantly in a burst of spiritual light.
Before the remaining two could react—
*Whoosh!*
Two kunai cut through the air with deadly precision.
Kasage's eyes were cold and focused.
The blades struck cleanly—
One through each head.
The yokai collapsed without a sound.
---
Silence returned.
Kasage stepped forward calmly, crouching to retrieve his kunai from the floor.
Blood stained the blade.
He focused a small amount of chakra into his fingers, wiping it clean with practiced ease before slipping it back into his pouch.
"…Hard to come by in this world," he muttered lightly.
"Kagome even made some for me before… better not waste them."
His tone was casual.
But his eyes—
Remained sharp.