The temple was much bigger than Raymond had initially thought. As they exited through the western gate, he realized that it was built like a fortress. Strong walls, solid foundations. A place that once housed many.
(And now… it's just him.)
They walked deep into the forest, picking fruits and gathering what food they could as they talked.
Raymond adjusted the basket on his shoulder, shifting the weight as he followed Monk Jigen along the winding path. The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air, but his attention was drawn elsewhere—to the colossal tree in the distance. Its massive trunk pierced the sky, towering over the landscape like a pillar holding up the heavens.
He had always noticed it in passing, glimpsing its immense form through gaps in the canopy, but now that they were in the open, it stood in full view. A looming presence. An undeniable monument.
Curiosity stirred within him—not because he didn't know what it was, but because he wanted to hear how they explained it.
"Monk Jigen," Raymond finally spoke, nodding toward the tree. "That enormous tree in the distance—what is it?"
Jigen followed his gaze and smiled, a hint of reverence in his expression. "Ah, the Great Fern Tree. You've set your eyes upon a sacred legend."
Raymond feigned mild intrigue. "Sacred?"
Jigen nodded. "Many centuries ago, long before men built temples or carved their names into stone, a celestial seed descended from the heavens. When it touched the earth, it took root, and from it grew the Great Fern Tree. It is the oldest living being in these lands, a silent witness to history itself."
Raymond listened intently, outwardly absorbing the story, though his mind was already racing with what he actually knew about it.
(So they believe it came from the heavens too… but I already know the truth. It wasn't just a seed from the stars—it was planted. By them.)
"The tree is more than just an ancient relic," Jigen continued. "Every thousand years, on the night of the summer solstice, it is said to bloom—a single, radiant flower, known as the Fern Flower. This blossom is unlike any other, glowing with a light that rivals the stars. Those who find it and claim it are granted immense wisdom and power."
Raymond hid his skepticism behind a thoughtful expression.
(So that's how they explain the Chakra Fruit…)
The way Jigen spoke, it was clear the people of this era had no idea what the tree really was. The original anime had made it very clear—the so-called "Great Fern Tree" wasn't just some mystical wonder of nature. It was a God Tree, a celestial parasite that drained the life from the land, all for the sake of bearing a fruit of pure, condensed chakra.
(They have no idea it's a weapon.)
He furrowed his brow, playing the part of the curious outsider. "Has anyone ever actually seen this Fern Flower?"
Jigen exhaled a soft chuckle. "Many have tried. Countless seekers have ventured into the crater surrounding it on the solstice night, desperate to claim the flower's power. Yet, none have returned with proof. Some never return at all."
Raymond frowned. "What happens to them?"
"No one knows," Jigen said simply. "Some believe the flower is nothing more than a myth, a tale meant to teach humility. Others claim the tree has guardians—ethereal beings that protect its secrets, warding off those who approach with greed in their hearts."
Raymond let that sink in, pretending to be deep in thought.
(Guardians? If they mean the Ōtsutsuki, then yeah, they're not wrong. But it's not about humility—it's about keeping the power for themselves.)
Jigen turned to him, his gaze thoughtful. "There's a lesson in this, Raymond. True wisdom isn't something you take—it's something you earn. Those who chase power without understanding it are often lost before they even begin."
Raymond nodded slowly, pretending to ponder the monk's words. In reality, his mind was elsewhere. The Great Fern Tree wasn't some sacred relic of the past—it was a ticking time bomb. And if he was really this far in the past, before even Kaguya's arrival, then…
(This thing hasn't even bloomed yet.)
He cast one last glance toward the distant tree, its massive form standing as a silent enigma. He had a feeling that one day, he might find himself standing beneath its mighty branches, staring into the heart of a legend.
And if he did—what would he find?
Jigen then paused, turning to look at Raymond with quiet curiosity. "Come to think of it, you've never really asked me about the ancient tree before. Why now?" His tone was casual, but there was something just a bit too observant in his gaze.
Raymond, sensing the scrutiny, quickly played it off with a sheepish chuckle. "Oh, I just never really found the right time to ask. And if you remember, I've had lots of questions for you already. Didn't want to keep bothering you, especially when you're praying in that restricted prayer room underneath the temple."
Jigen blinked, then gave a small nod of understanding. "Ah, that is true. I did tell you not to step foot there… and I have been visiting it more often lately." His voice grew distant, as if he was thinking aloud. "With your memory still being unreliable, I suppose you're taking your time digesting information."
(Phew. Good thing he didn't press further. My 'amnesia' excuse really comes in handy.)
Raymond smiled innocently and bent down to grab a few more fruits.
Still, as he worked, his mind drifted back to what Jigen had said.
(That prayer room… What's really down there?)
He had never questioned it too much before, but now, with everything he was learning…
(No. Jigen has been nothing but kind to me. I should respect his wishes.)
Raymond sighed, shaking his head. (Besides, this ancient-style alternate universe is rubbing off on me. Even my inner monologue is starting to sound old-school.)
They finished gathering their haul in silence.
Jigen hummed softly as he worked, clearly at peace. Raymond, on the other hand, felt… strange.
His body moved too effortlessly. He could see farther, hear more. When he jumped to grab a fruit from a high branch, it felt like he had barely exerted himself.
(God really blessed me with this one, huh?)
He chuckled to himself—
Until he noticed that Jigen had stopped walking.
The monk stood frozen, staring ahead with a shocked expression.
"Wh-what happened here?"
Raymond followed his gaze—
And felt his blood run cold.
The forest ahead of them had been annihilated. Jagged, uplifted rocks. Cracked earth. Leafless, uprooted trees.
The destruction stretched as far as the eye could see.
"…What the actual fuck?"