As the dawn broke over the devastated village, Tatsu surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The villagers, free from En Oyashiro's control, emerged from their homes, their expressions a mix of confusion and relief. Some had minor injuries, but the worst of the damage was psychological—years of oppression had left deep scars.
Tatsu turned to the girl, her eyes still wet with tears. "We need to help them rebuild and ensure they're safe before we leave."
She nodded, her resolve firming. "I'll do whatever I can."
The two of them spent the day aiding the villagers. Tatsu used his strength to clear rubble and fallen structures, while the girl organized groups to tend to the wounded and distribute food. Gradually, the village began to regain a semblance of normalcy. By evening, a sense of calm had settled over the community.
Tatsu gathered the villagers in the central square. "You're free now. En Oyashiro is gone, and you have a chance to start anew. Remember the strength you've shown today and build a better future for yourselves."
An elderly villager stepped forward, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Tatsu. We owe you our lives."
Tatsu shook his head. "You owe it to yourselves. Stay strong."
With the village on the path to recovery, Tatsu knew it was time to return to Konoha. He turned to the girl. "We should head back. You'll be safer in Konoha, and I can help you integrate into the village."
She hesitated. "But what if they don't accept me?"
"They will. I'll make sure of it."
The journey back to Konoha was long, but uneventful. They traveled in silence, each lost in their thoughts. When the gates of Konoha came into view, Tatsu felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had been away for too long.
At the gate, the guards recognized Tatsu immediately. "Welcome back, Tatsu. Who's this with you?"
"This is Ayame," Tatsu lied smoothly, having decided on a name during their journey. "She's from a village that was recently attacked. I found her while I was on my mission. She needs a place to stay."
The guards exchanged glances but nodded. "Alright, Tatsu. Just make sure she registers with the Hokage's office."
"Will do," Tatsu replied, leading Ayame into the village.
They made their way to the Hokage's office, where Tatsu explained the situation to the Hokage. "She's the last survivor of her village. They were wiped out by a rogue shinobi. I brought her here for her safety."
The Hokage studied Ayame, then nodded. "We'll ensure she's taken care of. Thank you, Tatsu."
With Ayame's place in Konoha secured, Tatsu felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He guided her to a temporary residence and assured her he would visit regularly. "You're safe here. Rest and recover. I'll be back to check on you."
That night, Tatsu returned to his own home, but sleep eluded him. The events of the past weeks played over in his mind, and a nagging thought kept resurfacing. The Ketsuryugan's power was immense, but it wasn't enough. He needed more. He needed the Sharingan.
The next day, Tatsu secluded himself in his training room. He has two dojutsu , but he had never dared to combine his Sharingan with his Ketsuryugan. The risks were enormous, but so were the potential rewards.
He sat cross-legged on the floor while focusing on his chakra. Slowly, he attempted to merge the power of the two dojutsu. At first, there was nothing. Then, a surge of pain shot through his body. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the agony.
For a moment, he felt the two powers aligning, a rush of immense strength coursing through him. But then, something went wrong. His vision blurred, and a searing pain erupted in his eyes. He screamed, clutching his face as darkness closed in.
When he opened his eyes, he saw nothing. Panic set in as he realized he was blind. He stumbled to his feet, disoriented and terrified. "No... this can't be happening..."
Before he could process what was happening, a strange sensation enveloped him. It felt like he was being pulled into another dimension. The room around him faded, replaced by an endless void. He floated, weightless and powerless, his consciousness slipping away.
The last thing he remembered was the feeling of being sucked into the abyss, and then, nothing.
---
When Tatsu woke, he found himself in a strange place. The air was thick with an unfamiliar energy, and the landscape was a swirling mix of colors and shapes. He tried to stand, but his body felt heavy and sluggish.
"What is this place?" he muttered, his voice echoing in the emptiness.
As he struggled to make sense of his surroundings, a figure emerged from the swirling colors. It was an elderly man with long, flowing robes and eyes that seemed to pierce through Tatsu's soul.
"Welcome, Tatsu," the man said, his voice calm and serene. "You have entered the realm of the ancient bloodline."
Tatsu stared, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. "Who are you?"
"I am the guardian of this realm. You sought to combine the powers of the Ketsuryugan and the Sharingan, but you were not ready. The attempt has brought you here."
Panic gripped Tatsu. "I'm blind. How do I get out of here?"
The guardian's expression softened. "In time, you may find the answers you seek. For now, you must rest. Your journey is far from over."
As the guardian spoke, Tatsu felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He tried to fight it, but his body refused to obey. His eyelids grew heavy, and he slipped into unconsciousness once more, his fate uncertain in the mysterious realm he had entered.