Hakushi's body covered over her.
His fingers reached for the Ninja Tool Bag tied to her thigh, searching for something inside.
"What are you doing?"
Ayane was somewhat puzzled.
Hakushi did not speak, he took out a Ninja Headband with the Shion Flower mark from her Ninja Tool Bag.
Because her official identity could not be revealed, Ayane usually kept this headband in her Ninja Tool Bag.
"What are you taking my headband for?"
Ayane was even more confused.
Hakushi still did not speak, he simply took the Ninja Headband and placed it over Ayane's eyes.
"You scoundrel..."
Realizing Hakushi's bad intentions was already too late.
Her vision plunged into utter darkness, Ayane knew everything that happened next would be controlled by this hateful man.
Somehow, an unprecedented feeling of shame emerged in her heart.
This man whom she both loved and hated.
If only he belonged solely to her, and not flirted with other women.
◎
On a star 380,000 kilometers above the ground.
This is the place known as the Moon.
The terrain is desolate beyond measure, the surface of the star is barren, like a forbidden ground for living beings.
On the dark side of the star, a white light like a meteor tore through the darkness, bringing a scant amount of brightness.
Eventually, this white light akin to a meteor halted in the belly of darkness.
There, a strand of white light also existed, as if waiting for his arrival.
"Hamura."
In the later arriving white light, an old man's soul shadow took form.
He shouted at the old man also gathered in the white light.
"Brother, why have you come?"
The old man named 'Hamura' gazed with pure white eyes at the old man seeking him out.
"I've been feeling uneasy lately, I always feel that the seal where mother is seems to have loosened a bit, so I came to ask about the situation."
Facing the old man's seemingly anxious expression, Hamura calmly replied, "Brother, you are just overly anxious about the ninja realm's affairs, hence becoming so paranoid. The seal situation here with mother is fine, everything is proceeding according to Gama-Maru's prophecy. After all, you are known to the world as the Six Paths Sage, so don't get so worked up."
"It's not that I'm overreacting, but mother's power is too strong, I have to be cautious."
The old man called 'Six Paths Sage' sighed.
"Indeed, in this era, we can no longer be considered living, whereas mother can live eternally."
Hamura nodded in agreement with the Six Paths Sage's statement.
"Hamura, is there really no problem with mother's seal?"
The Six Paths Sage still felt uneasy.
"With me personally guarding here, no one can touch mother's seal without my permission. Rest assured, brother."
Hamura affirmed solidly.
"Then I can rest easy, it seems I've been too paranoid."
Upon hearing Hamura's repeated assurances, the Six Paths Sage felt relieved.
After confirming that the seal here had no issues, the Six Paths Sage prepared to leave, but Hamura suddenly called out: "Brother."
"What?"
"Have you really made up your mind?"
Knowing what Hamura was referring to, the Six Paths Sage looked seriously at Hamura and replied, "Of course, it's a destiny set a thousand years ago. In this era, the blue-eyed youth will gain the approval of all the Tailed Beasts, paving a path to true peace, guiding the ninja realm forward. The curse of fate on this ninja realm will soon be severed by the destined one."
Upon hearing his brother, the Six Paths Sage speak so resolutely, Hamura nodded and replied, "I understand."
The Six Paths Sage also nodded, disappearing from in front of Hamura.
Gazing in the direction his brother, the Six Paths Sage had left, Hamura sighed:
"A destiny set a thousand years ago? Then what significance do all the joys and sorrows, honors and disgraces experienced by humanity in these millennia hold? How are these countless humans any different from the 'White Zetsu' mother once reared? Do they exist, and the value of their survival, solely to prove the prophecy from a thousand years ago? How pitiful!"
This is just another tragic cycle.
Hamura looked towards the ground of the opposite star, his gaze deep and distant.