Chapter 182: The Threat
In the cosmos, over a dozen high-ranking Otsutsuki clan members gathered through special spatial projection.
Various colored chakra halos swirled around them, displaying their different power attributes.
Each of these beings was a powerhouse who'd lived tens of thousands of years and consumed multiple God Tree fruits.
Not long ago, they'd all clearly sensed God Tree fruit fluctuations from the same star sector—that energy's purity and intensity far exceeded ordinary God Tree fruits.
Even more disturbing, the subordinates they'd sent to investigate had all vanished without trace, disappearing like water drops dissolving in the ocean.
"This is highly unusual." An Otsutsuki draped in purple chakra spoke first, voice echoing through the void. "If this were an ordinary God Tree fruit, it wouldn't trigger simultaneous sensing from so many of us."
Another clan member wreathed in golden light bands sneered coldly. "I've consumed three God Tree fruits yet never sensed such intense energy fluctuations. This feels more like... someone deliberately releasing bait."
Brief silence fell over the gathering.
These powerhouses at the Otsutsuki clan's upper echelons understood clearly—if this were merely an unclaimed God Tree fruit, it wouldn't warrant such mobilization.
But considering the consecutive disappearances of subordinates, this most likely was a trap set by some audacious Otsutsuki—specifically designed to capture fellow clan members.
"To simultaneously eliminate so many scouts, the opponent's strength isn't negligible." A figure shrouded in blue light said slowly. "And judging from the energy fluctuations' characteristics, this 'fruit' seems specially processed. Its attraction has been deliberately amplified."
The eldest Otsutsuki, surrounded by dark red chakra, spoke gravely. "The taboo of capturing fellow clan members hasn't been violated in ages. Since the major families jointly issued prohibitions, such behavior should have become extinct."
"Yet undeniably, for certain clan members desperate to increase strength, it remains the fastest route." Another added. "After all, each Otsutsuki is essentially chakra incarnate. We truly can absorb one another."
The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.
They all knew clearly—if a clan member truly dared violate prohibitions by capturing fellow members, according to Otsutsuki law, they'd face united clan-wide extermination.
But what concerned them more now was—who was this trap-setter? And why so brazenly provoke the entire Otsutsuki clan?
"Perhaps..." A figure who'd remained silent suddenly spoke. "We should make the trip personally."
This suggestion made all present Otsutsuki fall into contemplation.
Going personally meant potentially confronting that mysterious trap-setter, yet it might also be the only way to uncover the truth.
Within silence came rapid calculations and unspoken wariness.
They tacitly recalled one heart-stopping fact: to date, the number of fellow clan members who'd perished on that bizarre planet had reached double digits.
This wasn't a small number. Each Otsutsuki was a cosmic calamity, capable of independently annihilating civilizations.
Now, over a dozen such powerhouses had sunk like stones into the sea, unable to create even a ripple.
What puzzled them more—these disappeared weren't incompetent.
Most excelled at spatial abilities. With a thought, they could traverse star seas and twist dimensions. Even encountering disaster, relying on spatial mastery, escape shouldn't prove difficult.
A few even possessed profound clone or life-replacement abilities.
Logically, with such life-saving trump cards, even if the trap-setter's strength and methods were formidable, one or two should have transmitted some information—even just a warning, a fragment of battle footage.
Yet there was nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
This complete, absolute "nothingness" proved more heart-stopping than any tragic battle report.
It pointed toward a terrifying possibility—the opponent possessed power or methods beyond their comprehension, capable of completely sealing space, instantly eliminating all information transmission possibilities, perhaps even preventing clone or substitute abilities from activating, or... rendering them completely ineffective.
Facing such an opponent about whom they knew nothing—abilities, power attributes, combat style—many Otsutsuki felt unspeakable wariness stirring within.
They were Otsutsuki nobility—bloodlines noble, power tremendous, lifespans endless.
But in their long lives, many members' "power" manifested more in crushing weak civilizations.
Destroying a native civilization that hadn't even left its planet, harvesting a carefully cultivated God Tree fruit—such tasks proved simple as harvesting vegetables from their garden, hardly qualifying as "combat."
Now, asking them to leave comfortable territories and personally face an enemy of unknown capabilities, unfathomable strength, clearly targeting the Otsutsuki...
That mentality of controlling everything, standing above all, experienced violent impact for the first time.
Impulse? Naturally there was greed for that special "fruit."
But more present was caution toward the unknown, even... a trace of fear hidden beneath arrogance.
They exchanged glances, each seeing similar hesitation in others' eyes.
No one wanted to become the next potentially vanishing "scout."
Seeing everyone's silence, one Otsutsuki seemed to suddenly remember something, speaking up:
"Wait, I recall... that planet was previously assigned to Isshiki for recovery, wasn't it?"
These words made everyone's gazes simultaneously turn toward the representative from Isshiki's family present.
Under numerous focused stares, that Otsutsuki noble's pressure surged. He could only steel himself to explain:
"That's correct. That was once their responsibility zone. But Isshiki hasn't contacted the main family in over a millennium. We assumed he'd already succeeded and entered dormancy. Like all of you, I only recently sensed abnormal fruit fluctuations from that planet."
"Even so, that's still your family's 'pasture.'" Another Otsutsuki coldly pointed out, tone carrying undeniable accusation. "Now that such a huge problem has emerged, your family should be responsible for investigating."
"Perhaps they... already fell victim to that unknown enemy long ago?" Isshiki family's representative attempted defense.
However, only silence and heavier, more oppressive gazes answered him.
Invisible pressure converged, making the halo surrounding him ripple slightly.
Finally unable to withstand this collective stare, he took a deep breath and compromised:
"Alright... I can attempt using family secret techniques to contact them, summon their response."
He paused, voice lowering:
"But if they show no response... we can basically conclude they've truly met with disaster."
"At that point," he surveyed all present figures, speaking deliberately, "this will no longer be merely one family's affair. Facing an enemy capable of silently eliminating so many Otsutsuki while brazenly setting traps to lure us... this will become a threat to the entire Otsutsuki clan."