Shibai Otsutsuki descended slowly from the heavens, enveloped in an aura of light and power. His presence was overwhelming, impossible to ignore. Tall and slender, he wore a white outfit adorned with golden patterns and ancient inscriptions that glowed faintly, as if they held a mystical energy.
His face was of inhuman beauty, carved with icy perfection. Three Rinne Sharingan shone on his forehead. His Byakugan eyes, pure gold, gleamed like two miniature suns, and between them, the mysterious single eye of the Senrigan sparkled, giving his gaze an unfathomable depth and a clairvoyance that bordered on omniscience.
Shibai floated above the assembly, his hands crossed behind his back, observing the slaves below with a mix of nonchalance and contempt. His voice, soft yet terribly powerful, resonated in the air.
"Let the selection begin."
Shibai scanned the ranks with his dojutsu, scrutinizing each slave as if evaluating their soul. With almost cruel nonchalance, he gestured with a hand, pointing out certain individuals. The guards rushed forward to grab the unfortunate chosen ones, dragging them brutally from their ranks.
Keiji was among the first selected.
Dekamoshi, who had been standing still, felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He watched as his friend was pulled out of the column, chains clinking around his wrists. Yet, Keiji remained surprisingly calm. He turned his head towards Dekamoshi and gave him a final smile, a smile filled with sadness but also serenity.
"Stay alive..." Keiji whispered, his voice barely audible in the tumult.
Dekamoshi's heart tightened. His fists clenched, his nails digging into the flesh of his palms. He wanted to scream, to throw himself at the guards, but he knew it would be futile. He was helpless.
As the slaves chosen for sacrifice were led away, Shibai descended slowly, landing with an almost supernatural grace right in front of Dekamoshi.
The young half-breed lifted his eyes, meeting the piercing gaze of the divine Otsutsuki. Tears threatened to fall, but he held them back with fierce determination. His face remained cold and expressionless, but his eyes, those black abysses that seemed to absorb all light, betrayed an inner storm.
Shibai observed him in silence for several minutes, as if analyzing every fiber of his being. Finally, he spoke, his icy voice breaking the silence.
"Interesting. I don't know this type of dojutsu..."
He turned his head slightly towards one of his servants, who quickly approached.
"Who is this?" Shibai asked with curiosity.
The servant, a pale and nervous man, bowed deeply before answering. "It's Slave V-578.06, Lord Shibai. A half-breed. His mother was a servant of our clan. His father... was the chief of the barbarian Kurayami clan."
Shibai's golden eyes shone with an odd gleam. "Hmmm... The son of that savage, then. And he doesn't have the Byakugan. Fascinating."
He turned back to Dekamoshi, who held his gaze unwaveringly, despite the fear and anger boiling within him.
"Transfer the ownership title to me," Shibai commanded in a calm but firm tone.
The servant nodded and moved away to obey.
Shibai leaned slightly towards Dekamoshi, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. "Follow me, if you don't want to die like trash."
Without waiting for a response, he rose into the air, floating back towards the heavens.
Dekamoshi stood still for a moment, his fists still clenched. His gaze fell on the sacrificed slaves disappearing into the distance, led towards the Great Divine Tree. He saw Keiji one last time, his friend smiling despite everything, resigned to his fate.
A solitary tear finally rolled down Dekamoshi's cheek, but he brushed it away quickly with the back of his hand. Then, with cold determination, he followed Shibai.
***
In an inner garden bathed in soft light, where exotic plants in vibrant colors intertwined with crystalline structures, Shibai Otsutsuki stood on a white marble dais, his hands crossed behind his back. Before him, Dekamoshi knelt, his gaze dark and impenetrable.
Shibai looked at the half-breed with a mix of disdain and amusement, like a child observing a curious insect.
"You're truly pathetic, a piece of trash among the trash," Shibai began, his casual voice resonating in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.
Dekamoshi remained silent. His black eyes fixed on the ground, but a nearly tangible tension emanated from him. His jaw was clenched, and his fists, resting on his knees, trembled slightly under the effort of containing his anger.
Shibai took a few steps forward, his sandals sliding silently on the marble. "You should be honored that I've noticed you. A being as insignificant as you should have rotted in that miserable forge. Yet, here I am, offering you a chance to prove that you're... useful. Even if I doubt you are."
Dekamoshi finally raised his eyes, a cynical gleam in his abyssal gaze. "I am deeply grateful, Lord Shibai," he replied in a soft voice, tinged with barely veiled irony.
Shibai raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ah, insolence. You dare to play with me still? Interesting." He stopped in front of Dekamoshi and scrutinized him from head to toe. "You're nothing but a broken toy, but maybe my friend will find a way to use you."
Dekamoshi gritted his teeth. "Your friend, Lord?"
Shibai gave him a mocking smile. "Tomei Otsutsuki. An indefatigable explorer and... let's say, a bit eccentric. He's preparing for a mission in an unknown dimension. You'll be his personal slave. Maybe with him, you'll learn to survive a little longer."
Dekamoshi felt a cold wave run down his spine. He knew what that meant. Servants who accompanied the Otsutsuki on their dimensional conquests never returned. Most ended up sacrificed to the Shinju, feeding the tree and producing chakra fruits.
But instead of showing his fear, Dekamoshi gave him a cold smile. "I suppose it's an honor to serve your friend."
Shibai burst into laughter. "Your sarcasm is almost refreshing. But keep it to yourself, or Tomei will make you regret your insolence. Now, stand up. Prepare to depart."
Dekamoshi rose slowly, his muscles tense, and bowed his head slightly. He struggled to maintain his mask of indifference,
'I will survive, no matter the cost.'