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Facing Shuten Dōji's invitation, Seimei responded with remarkable ease, agreeing without hesitation.
He fanned himself lightly and said, "Many thanks for your kindness. I am ready to join you now."
"Hahahahaha… Then what are we waiting for?!"
Shuten Dōji was even more direct. He reached out, gripping Seimei's shoulder, and leaped onto his enlarged gourd, carrying them both up to the towering divine tree where Ōkami's clone resided.
"I shall look forward to our conversation, Uchiha Kaito."
"You mustn't be too late for your dear friend's banquet!"
Tengu and Ibaraki Dōji nodded at Kaito before following suit, flying back to the great tree.
Soon after, the yōkai began bidding their farewells one by one.
The lesser spirits merely bowed from a distance before scurrying toward the tree.
Then, Gurē was the first to rush forward.
"Kaito, thank you for saving my life! Waaah!"
Overcome with emotion, Grey wrapped his wings around Kaito in a tight embrace.
"Please keep your distance. Thank you."
Kaito mercilessly pushed him away.
"Thank you, Kaito."
Fūta, now able to follow Tengu, was still trembling with excitement.
"I knew you would succeed, Kaito!"
Yūta grinned with simple sincerity.
"Kaito!! You must return soon! My brothers and I want to invite you to our home and treat you properly!!"
Santo, accompanied by his two elder brothers, spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
"Hmph, not bad."
Kie swayed past with her usual alluring grace.
"..."
Kaori remained silent, offering only a deep bow before turning toward the great tree.
"Lady Kaori." Madara called out to stop her. "Returning to the underworld?"
Kaori turned back and nodded.
"Make sure to say your goodbyes properly!"
Kaito waved.
Kaori nodded again and walked away.
"Kaito." Onikiri stood tall before him. "The yōkai have grown accustomed to Mount Ōeyama's environment. The rest is in your hands."
"Rest assured."
Kaito replied solemnly.
Onikiri gave a slight bow before heading toward the tree.
Lastly, it was the graceful Yūrei who stood before Kaito.
"You've worked hard, Lady Yūrei."
Kaito's smile widened as he stepped forward, taking her hands in his.
"Hmph."
Yūrei feigned displeasure with a light scoff, though a smile tugged irresistibly at her lips.
"What's so amusing?"
Kaito asked.
"I'm not smiling!"
She stubbornly denied, yet her upturned lips betrayed her.
"Very well, you're not smiling."
Kaito nodded seriously, playing along.
"Hmph!"
Their eyes met, and both burst into laughter.
Then, Yūrei finally surrendered, throwing herself into Kaito's embrace.
"You did it, little Kaito!"
She whispered in his ear.
"Yes." He patted her back gently. "You played a part too. Thank you."
"It was everyone's effort!"
Yūrei tightened her arms around his neck.
Now we can be together forever.
The thought filled her with warmth.
But their tender moment was shattered by Kie's distant shout.
"Yūrei!!!" Her voice carried over. "How long are you going to cling to him?! We're all waiting for you!!"
Damn that Kie!
That venomous Jorōgumo!!!
Yūrei gritted her teeth in silent fury.
"Go on."
kaito gave her back another light pat. "Wait for me at Mount Ōeyama."
"Mmm."
She responded sullenly but didn't move.
"Yūrei!!!"
Kie's voice came again, now mixed with the laughter of other yōkai.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!!!
Flustered and irritated, Yūrei dissolved into a flurry of colorful butterflies, darting toward the tree.
Kaito felt his arms empty and sighed, watching as the butterflies vanished into the dense canopy.
Now, all the yōkai stood atop the great tree, waving down at him.
"Goodbye!!"
"Come back soon!!"
"We'll drink together!!"
A surge of green energy rose from the tree's roots, enveloping it and the yōkai before swiftly sinking into the earth—vanishing without a trace.
Kaito shook his head and turned away.
Waiting for him were Madara and Izuna.
"Madara, Izuna."
He approached the two.
"Hmph, so you haven't forgotten about us after all!"
Izuna crossed his arms, adopting the air of a senior.
"Of course not. I merely attended to others first." Kaito's diplomatic response came smoothly. "Matters among our own clan naturally come last."
"Hmph!"
Though he snorted, Izuna's expression showed clear satisfaction.
"Have you achieved all you set out to do?"
Madara cut straight to the point.
Kaito nodded firmly.
"Good."
A faint trace of approval flickered across Madara's face.
"Kaito!!!"
A sudden shout interrupted them.
The three turned to see Hashirama, clad in red armor, waving wildly in the distance.
Dust billowed as he crossed the vast expanse in an instant, stopping right before Madara.
"Madara!!! I can still eat and drink!!! Isn't that amazing?! Come, let's share a drink!!!"
Without waiting for a response, he dragged Madara away in high spirits.
Only a resigned Kaito and a seething Izuna remained.
"That damned Senju!!!"
Izuna's aura darkened ominously.
As if the theft of his brother was an unforgivable crime, Izuna finally snapped and stormed after them.
"Hah?"
Left alone in the chilly morning breeze, bathed in the rising sun's light, Kaito felt a distinct emptiness.
"Speaking of which, where has that brat Sasuke gone?"
He muttered to himself.
Then, his gaze shifted downward.
"Do you know, Orochimaru?"
"Kukukuku… To think I'd be discovered the moment I arrived…"
A raspy, eerie chuckle preceded Orochimaru's slow emergence from the earth.
"I do, Kaito."
His serpentine eyes locked onto Kaito's.
"Sasuke should be with the youths of Konoha."
"Is that so? My thanks."
Kaito turned fully toward him.
"Have you come seeking me, Orochimaru?"
"Indeed. I came specifically for you, Kaito."
Orochimaru's long tongue flicked out, licking his lips habitually.
"You haven't forgotten your promise to me, have you?"
"How could I? The contract stands. I remember." Kaito met his gaze unflinchingly. "Then, have you made your choice, Orochimaru?"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Will you become a yōkai… or one of the gods of Yomi?"
"A god?"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked faster, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
"What a tantalizing proposition, Kaito."
"The choice is yours alone." Kaito's tone remained neutral.
"Well then…"
Orochimaru suddenly retrieved a test tube from his pouch, gazing obsessively at the tiny fragment of flesh floating within.
"This is your gift to me—a tissue sample from an Ōtsutsuki."
After a long pause, he tore his eyes away and fixed them on Kaito, burning with desire.
"Kaito." His voice held rare uncertainty. "What if… I wish to become an Ōtsutsuki?"