Toshi slowly opened his eyes.
What greeted him was the familiar pure white ceiling.
"Finally back... That immersion lasted way too long."
He scratched his head and shook his groggy head, muttering complaints.
"Immersion" — that was the word he had come up with.
Just like in The Matrix, it referred to being fully submerged in a virtual world.
Pretty similar, wasn't it?
Just then, two familiar figures walked into the room.
They wore white lab coats, each with a pen clipped to the chest pocket.
"Director Getsu. Nurse Hikari."
Upon seeing their faces, Toshi beamed with a bright smile.
"Looks like I timed it just right — it's medicine time, isn't it?"
"Oh? Experiencing symptoms again?"
Director Getsu frowned slightly.
He pulled out the pen from his coat and took out a small notepad, scribbling something down.
"What kind of situation this time? You remember what I told you, don't you?"
"Of course, Director Getsu. I always keep your words in mind."
Toshi replied with pride, his face full of confidence.
"That world is fake. I'm just experiencing it. I won't get lost in it like before."
"Good. I'm relieved you understand."
Director Getsu turned his head to the side, looking at the young nurse standing quietly.
She had long black hair that reached her waist and a beautiful face, though she always seemed a little cold.
"Hikari, give him the injection."
"Yes, Director."
Nurse Hikari walked over gracefully.
She took out a syringe and injected White Zetsu with the medicine.
"Thank you, Nurse Hikari."
Toshi grinned.
Then he added, "I've behaved pretty well this month, haven't I? Can I go out for a walk in the courtyard?"
Hikari paused for a moment, then looked at Director Getsu.
"…Hmm. Alright. Go ahead."
Director Getsu adjusted his glasses and said gently, "However, there's a time limit. Only thirty minutes."
"Thank you so much, Director Getsu!"
Toshi was thrilled. After all, being stuck in a hospital room every day was uncomfortable.
Every month, the hospital selected well-behaved patients—those without violent tendencies and who cooperated with treatment. Those patients were allowed to go outside for a walk and some fresh air.
He had worked hard for an entire month just for this chance!
After today's visitation ended, Director Getsu left with Hikari and returned to his office on the second floor.
The moment they stepped inside, Hikari frowned slightly. She turned to Director Getsu and asked anxiously, "Sogetsu, are you really going to let him out?"
"Why not?"
Director Getsu—no, he should be called Sogetsu—sat down in the chief physician's chair, tilted his head, and looked out at the lawn through the window. He chuckled softly.
"Since he still refuses to give up, why not use this chance and let him see for himself? Wouldn't that be better?"
"You mean... White Zetsu is still suspicious?" Hikari paused for half a second, clearly in disbelief. "But... he seemed so—"
"Yes, he seemed very obedient. As if he truly believed it."
Sogetsu tapped his index finger lightly against the table. The corners of his lips curved up slightly.
"But Hikari, don't forget. He was once a Beyonder on the Spectator Pathway. He's also been to Groselle's Travels. Of course he won't believe everything so easily. Even if he appears to accept it for a while, doubt will return soon enough."
"But letting him out will just make it easier for him to spot flaws, won't it?" Hikari still didn't understand.
"The more we try to stop him, the more he'll believe that something's wrong with this world."
Uchiha Sogetsu shook his head and smiled faintly. "Besides, with my current abilities, creating a realistic city isn't that difficult."
Originally, the world outside the hospital was just a Sea of Collective Subconscious.
But as he spoke, his hand never stopped. The pen in his hand scribbled line after line, quickly filling up the entire medical chart.
Driven by curiosity, Hikari moved closer. She leaned in and peeked at what he was writing.
"Eh? Sogetsu, are you writing a story?" Hikari tucked a strand of hair behind her crystal-clear ear. Her soft pink lips curled slightly, and her dark, shiny eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"This story is pretty interesting, isn't it?"
Uchiha Sogetsu put down his pen. The medical file in front of him was filled with writing.
Suddenly, Hikari reached out her smooth, pale arms and hugged Sogetsu from behind.
"Hm?"
Uchiha Sogetsu paused slightly, the scent of something fresh lingering around his nose. "What's wrong, Hikari?"
Then, she gently rested her head on his shoulder, her voice soft in his ear. "It took me so long to find you. I don't want to be apart from you again, not even for a second. Sogetsu."
Uchiha Sogetsu rubbed his nose, looking a little embarrassed.
To be honest, not long ago, he had just found Uchiha Hikari again. She had been asleep for more than a decade in a ruin left behind by Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
From a young loli, she had grown into a stunning beauty.
And now, she was completely stuck to him.
He raised his hand and gently ruffled her hair, speaking with a hint of guilt. "Sorry, Hikari. I made you wait for so long before I came to find you."
Hikari shook her head lightly and held him tighter, as if trying to melt completely into him.
"I've never blamed you, Sogetsu. You must've had something really important to do, right? It's okay. I'll always wait for you. I always have, and I always will."
Logically speaking, after ascending to Sequence One and becoming the King of Angel, Uchiha Sogetsu shouldn't have felt human emotions this strongly.
But thanks to the strong faith anchors from the Dragon Raja world, his humanity remained solid, and that allowed him to feel a trace of guilt.
"The faith over in the Dragon Raja world is growing well~"
Sogetsu's thoughts quickly drifted there, and a bold idea suddenly popped into his mind.
"Wait... if I can gather faith from multiple worlds, wouldn't that help me stabilize my self-image—and maybe even resist the consciousness of 'God Almighty'?"
"Sogetsu, what are you thinking about?"
Hikari noticed that the person resting in her arms seemed distracted. Tilting her head, she leaned in close, her curious gaze fixed on his face.
Sogetsu gave a small smile. "Mm, just thinking about something."
He turned to look at her.
"That thing I mentioned last time—have you made your decision? Which path do you want to take?"
"I've already decided."
Hikari shifted and sat directly on his lap, curling up in his arms like she always used to. Her voice was soft but firm.
"I want to choose the 'Error' pathway. That way, even if something happens to you in the future, I can keep living. Always. Forever. And maybe… I'll find a way to bring you back."
Sogetsu was caught off guard. Her words left him momentarily speechless.
"You don't have to go that far, Hikari," he said with a bitter smile. "You're a perfect fit for the 'Spectator' pathway. And with me here, I can make sure nothing happens to you."
Given her talents, the 'Spectator' pathway was undoubtedly the best match for her. But no matter how many times he suggested it, Hikari had always refused. Today was no different.
"It's okay, Sogetsu," she replied, smiling sweetly. "I've already made up my mind. I'm choosing 'Error'. This time, it won't be like before. At the very least, I'll be able to carry some of the burden with you, right?"
*******
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