Surveying the boundless genjutsu space, Shinji marveled again at the wonder of Mangekyo dojutsu. "My understanding of mental energy is still too shallow."
Mumei said, "So, we succeeded, right?"
Shinji didn't nod, instead replying, "Not yet—let's wait a bit."
He could sense that 'Tsukuyomi's' invasion of the 'Jikibi Space' was still ongoing, so declaring success was premature. They needed to wait until 'Tsukuyomi' and 'Jikibi' fully merged and stabilized.
Time ticked by as Shinji and Mumei stood on the stone platform, patiently awaiting the complete fusion of the two Mangekyo dojutsu.
It felt oddly intimate, as if it were they themselves merging.
Mumei asked, "Shinji, what do you think this place will look like in the end?"
"Hard to say!" Shinji paused, then speculated, "The stone platforms should stay, as they're a hallmark of 'Jikibi,' representing the anchoring of spiritual forms. The sky will probably turn crimson, like a Sharingan. Maybe there'll even be a giant Sharingan projection in the sky."
Mumei said, "That's better than the dull gray from before!"
Shinji smiled.
As they chatted, the space, which had been trembling and fracturing, suddenly stilled. The surroundings fell silent, as if someone had pressed pause.
Shinji's lips curled. "The invasion's stopped—the fusion's complete!"
Mumei sensed the change too. "So, we did it?"
"Yeah!"
Shinji confirmed.
Mumei looked around. "Shinji, just like you said—the sky's turned the crimson of a Sharingan!"
Nodding, Shinji quietly sensed the space.
He felt a change in his 'Jikibi.' When linked by Mumei's 'Yachihoko,' he could activate a mutated 'Jikibi Space'—this crimson world with countless stone platforms.
In Hidden Leaf Village, Sasuke, now with half his dojutsu power restored, couldn't sit still. Despite the late hour, he was training at the practice field.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Under faint moonlight, Sasuke executed a precise shuriken throw. Six shuriken collided in midair, altering their trajectories to hit six targets in his blind spots with pinpoint accuracy.
"Heh."
Sasuke's lips curved upward.
The restoration of his dojutsu power didn't just bring back his perception—it restored his confidence, soothing his recent fears and unease.
At that moment, Sakura emerged from the woods, approaching the edge of the field.
Sasuke frowned. "It's late—why aren't you home?"
Sakura stammered, "I-I was worried about you!"
Her presence was clearly Shizune's arrangement. The village leadership now prioritized Shinji far above Sasuke, and Tsunade was eager to confirm whether Shinji had awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and what dojutsu it entailed.
Seeing Sakura's concern, Sasuke, in a good mood, recalled her care over recent days and softened his tone. "I'm fine! It's late—go home and rest."
"I couldn't sleep," Sakura said, walking toward him. Noticing his recent shuriken throw, she felt a subtle surprise.
She'd observed Sasuke's training for more than a day or two, especially during his dojutsu power depletion, staying by his side almost constantly. She knew his perception level better than he did, so seeing him suddenly pull off such a high-difficulty throw, her keen senses told her something was off.
Standing beside Sasuke, Sakura probed, "What did you and Shinji talk about? Was it about your dojutsu power?"
"Yeah."
Sasuke nodded.
Sakura pressed, "Does Shinji have a way to help?"
Sasuke shook his head. "He's in the same boat as me—no solution."
"In the same boat?!"
Sakura caught the hidden implication in his words.
Realizing his slip, Sasuke considered denying it but, seeing it was Sakura, didn't elaborate. He began packing up. "It's late. Go rest. I'm heading back too."
Sakura urged, "Don't worry, there'll be a way!"
Sasuke waved and left the field.
Once he was out of sight, Sakura's face showed confusion before she too left the training ground.
Soon, she arrived at the Hokage Building and found Shizune.
Seeing Sakura, Shizune asked eagerly, "Did you learn anything from Sasuke?"
Sakura nodded, recounting her conversation with him.
"In the same boat…"
Mulling over Sasuke's words, Shizune analyzed the possibilities.
Normally, someone with a three-tomoe Sharingan like Shinji shouldn't face dojutsu power depletion. The three-tomoe state is stable, and as long as one avoids the Uchiha clan's bizarre forbidden techniques, there shouldn't be issues.
So, Sasuke's "in the same boat" was clearly a slip of the tongue.
Shizune asked Sakura, "What do you think?"
"I-I'm not sure!"
Sakura shook her head.
She wasn't keen on spying on her peers, unsure if her actions might harm Shinji or Sasuke.
But Shizune was her sensei, and this was a mission from the Hokage herself. As a Hidden Leaf shinobi, she had to comply.
Noticing Sakura's reluctance, Shizune didn't press her further, instead asking, "Anything else you noticed?"
"Nothing."
Sakura considered mentioning the oddities she'd observed at the training field but, thinking of the village's heavy suspicion toward Sasuke, decided against it. Revealing those details could jeopardize his safety, so after some hesitation, she chose to withhold them.
Shizune said, "You did well! Don't worry—the village has no ill intent toward Shinji or Sasuke. Lady Tsunade just wants to confirm if Shinji has awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan. With a great enemy looming, if he has, it's good news for Hidden Leaf!"
"I understand," Sakura said, relieved.
Shizune smiled. "Alright, go rest!"