Using the Flying Thunder God to vanish from sight, Raizen caught a flash of cold chakra in his eye. The piercing needle attacks had faded, leaving him a clear shot. With precise timing, he hurled a Flying Thunder God kunai into the air, disappearing in a blur and reappearing directly behind Misaki-san.
"Little sister, watch out!"
Hayato-san and Ghost yelled instinctively, but before they could intervene, Raizen formed a spinning ball of chakra in his palm.
"Rasengan!"
Boom!
The spinning sphere slammed into Misaki-san's chest. The centrifugal force and raw impact tore through her form, sending her screaming through the air like a ragdoll, crashing onto the ground far below.
"Little girl!"
Hayato-san and Ghost raced forward. Seeing Misaki-san sprawled on the ground, their roar of fury split the air. Their glares locked on Raizen, dripping pure malice.
"I will avenge my little sister and brother!"
Ghost straightened, ready to strike, but before he could act, Hayato-san's command cut through the chaos.
"Fall back!""Big Brother!"
Even Ghost faltered, disbelief in his eyes, before reluctantly retreating from Miko Village.
Raizen exhaled, his body still screaming from the earlier attacks. The minuscule puncture wounds from Misaki-san's Needle Stitch burned like fire.
"That ninjutsu… Sewing Needle, huh? Powerful little trick."
Looking at the pinholes across his arm and stomach, Raizen silently thanked the Flying Thunder God. Without it, he would've been shredded by that attack.
With grim determination, Raizen returned to Yume's side. The young witch clutched his hand, tears streaking her face.
"What… what happened?"
Before Raizen could answer, his eyes were drawn to Zhige. The elder witch had regained some vitality after the prior explosion, but separating the Sprites had drained her again. A twilight aura, heavy with death, clung to her form.
"Yume, come here!"
Zhige ceased her spell, and the wailing of the Sprites faded. She lifted the Guardian Monument from the altar and handed it to Yume.
"I have separated the Sprite's soul and body. The soul will remain sealed within this altar in Miko Village, while the body must be sealed elsewhere. The next seal rests with you."
"Mother… I…" Yume's tears blurred her vision. She held the monument tightly, unsure she could fulfill the task. Zhige's eyes were calm, full of unwavering faith.
"Every generation of Miko produces one with extraordinary power. This generation is yours, Yume. You have possessed shocking abilities since birth—I believe in you."
Yume bowed her head in quiet resolve. Zhige watched her, stroking her hair tenderly.
"Having you bear this burden at such a young age… I am not a worthy mother."
"Mother!"
Yume looked up as Zhige's light dimmed. With a final, loving glance, the elder witch embraced her daughter.
"From now on, everything depends on you. Learn to be strong," Zhige whispered. Her fingers lingered on Yume's head. "Whether or not you can seal the Sprites, remember this—I will always be watching from behind."
And with those last words, Zhige's arms fell limp. Her body collapsed to the ground.
Tears streamed down Yume's face as she watched her mother's lifeless form. Around her, Raizen and the guards remained silent, the altar eerily still. Only after a long pause did Yume slowly lift her head.
"Jiren!"
Her voice had hardened, cold and resolute. The guard moved immediately.
"Clean up this place and seal the altar completely!""Yes… Miko-sama."
With Zhige's passing, Yume officially became the new Miko. The Sprite's soul remained sealed within the village altar, while the body awaited her intervention elsewhere. Clutching the Guardian Monument, Yume steeled herself to fulfill her mother's last wish, determined to prevent the Sprite from ever reemerging.