"Sharingan!" Reiki called out, prompting Uchiha Shisui to activate his Sharingan without hesitation.
"Hell's Vision!" Shisui's powerful genjutsu enveloped Reiki, pulling him instantly into an illusionary realm.
"How is this possible?" a monstrous voice roared, echoing through the illusory space. The creature appeared before Reiki—formless but with a grotesque semblance of a head, missing a body, with limbs that seemed to emerge from thin air and shattered bat wings. Its blue hue made it appear even more unsettling, uglier than even Satoru.
"I'm just a genin, weakened by too much mental strain. Isn't it only natural for me to fall under an illusion's control?" Reiki said with a smile.
"Weak mentally?!" The creature's disbelief made its form tremble. This was absurd—Reiki, capable of destroying a demon's essence, weak-minded? The sheer power and chakra control required for that feat were anything but weak.
"You… you suppressed your soul somehow!" The realization struck the creature as it recalled the strange potions Reiki had used while treating Maitreya.
"You're correct, but there's no prize for being right," Reiki responded calmly. "This is our battlefield now. Whoever controls this body will be decided here."
A long blade materialized in Reiki's hand as he stared down his foe.
"Hahaha…" The monster's laugh was hollow and sharp. "You suppressed your own soul, yet you think you can fight me for dominance? Humans—your greatest flaw is your arrogance!" With a sudden flap of its broken wings, the creature lunged at Reiki.
"Shhh…" Reiki's blade flashed, slicing the monster's wings clean off. A dark curse began spreading over the creature's body.
"This… this can't be. Why is there a curse's power within you? Are you… willing to die with me?" The monster's confidence shattered as panic set in. Even though it could eventually regenerate from its main body, that process would take tens of thousands of years.
Desperate, the monster tore off the cursed sections of its form, revealing four magatama that began spinning slowly, repairing its damage.
"Good move," Reiki said, his voice calm. "But this is my world. You won't escape."
He raised his blade and plunged it into his own heart.
The monster gasped as a corresponding blade appeared in its chest. One of the magatama shattered instantly, the remaining three forced the blade out, but the creature no longer felt anger—only fear. Reiki was ready to destroy them both.
"No… I must leave!" The realization hit the creature hard. The illusion wouldn't hold much longer with Shisui's chakra alone. Reiki's soul, though fading, had nearly finished its task.
Outside, Shisui chugged restorative potions—replenishing chakra, stamina, and clearing his mind.
"Shisui, what's happening?" Nozuki asked, eyes filled with worry as she watched Reiki's face pale, curse marks snaking up his body, and a stillness that suggested death.
"Reiki is suppressing the creature. We just need to wait until its essence is completely destroyed, and then he'll return," Shisui reassured her, forcing a smile.
"Is that so? That sounds more like him," Nozuki muttered, relieved. "He's too afraid of dying to throw himself into something like this without a way out."
Sakumo's eyes narrowed. Shisui's confidence seemed forced, but there was no way to prove otherwise. For now, keeping everyone calm was the priority.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Reiki," Maitreya said, stepping forward. She reached out to place her hand on Reiki's body.
"Boom!" An unseen barrier erupted, repelling her.
"Lady Maitreya, Reiki is in a special state," Sakumo explained, steadying her. "It's best not to interfere. I trust my team completely, so please, trust them too."
Maitreya's eyes moved to Shisui and Nozuki. Their faces were composed, Shisui even sipping potions as though nothing unusual was happening. But as a priestess, she could sense a life's energy more acutely than anyone. Reiki's life force was fading rapidly—faster than when she had sealed the demon.
"Lord Sakumo, if there's anything I can do, please—"
"Understood!" Sakumo interrupted. He had no time for explanations. Reiki's arm was now entirely covered in the dark marks of the curse seal.
"Reiki, you stubborn genius," Sakumo whispered, worry creeping into his voice.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 520 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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