Within the Sanctum of Oversight, buried deep in the layered heart of the Pure Lands, the Shinigami Supervisor returned to the Central Regulatory Chamber. His form, though resilient, flickered slightly from the residual strain of the encounter with the Silver Anomaly.
He approached the primary interface.
Dozens of pale, tendril-like conduits emerged from his back and arms, each inserting into corresponding ports along the obsidian terminal. The surface pulsed with cold light as a flood of data surged through the connection. For hours, he remained still—silent, integrated.
ANALYSIS COMPLETE. PROBABILITY MATRICES UPDATED. OPERATIONAL RESPONSE REQUIRED.
"Deviating from approved conflict protocols is... irregular." A pause. "But containment has failed. This anomaly threatens the structural integrity of both mortal and spiritual systems. Destruction is now optimal."
Visual data from the conflict replayed in fragmented overlays—Hinata, the Silver Entity, manifesting spatial distortions, nullifying Shinigami constructs, and unraveling unit cohesion at the battlefield's heart.
"Soul resonance identified. Core match confirmed. This entity was the bait. The anomaly I used to trace the root. She has survived... and evolved."
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: THREE LIMITATIONS IDENTIFIED — IMMEDIATE CORRECTION REQUIRED.
LIMITATION 01: COMBAT INFERIORITY Observation: No current field units can match the Silver Entity's battle capacity. Combat simulation required.
COUNTERMEASURE 01-A: Deploy Grade-2 and Grade-3 combat specimens for iterative engagement.
COUNTERMEASURE 01-B: Evaluate anomaly's combat adaptation curve.
LIMITATION 02: PLANE CONTROL VULNERABILITY Observation: Silver Entity can manipulate local reality layers (e.g. converting sand into fluid medium). Probability of skill being confined to dream-subplane: High.
COUNTERMEASURE 02-A: Generate portals that forcibly introduce Pure Lands physics into Yumegakure, creating entropy fields.
COUNTERMEASURE 02-B: Initiate multi-front assaults to limit enemy interference per vector.
LIMITATION 03: SOUL CONTROL INSTABILITY Observation: Dissolution of subordinates results in immediate liberation of bound souls. Control matrix fails under pressure.
COUNTERMEASURE 03-A: Exploit mortal greed—distribute false promises of spiritual immortality. Utilize SoulSight scans to identify resistors. COUNTERMEASURE 03-B: Recruit Special-Class 2 and 3 operatives with authentic incentives. Infiltrate and mislead subordinate forces through proxy agents.
The Supervisor disconnected. The tendrils withdrew.
His voice echoed, flat and almost mechanical:
"The Silver Anomaly parameters exceed expectations… Phase Two will commence."
The primary interface began to take on new life, evaluating more options under the supervisor's orders.
<<<< o >>>>
After deflecting the devastating attack launched by the Shinigami, Hinata could only watch as the portal behind him collapsed—cutting off any chance of pursuit. Her entire strength had gone into shielding her forces from destruction. Had it not been for the continuous and stabilizing aid of Yumegakure, her Silver Stage would have faded from the strain. But the realm responded to her presence with unwavering support, allowing her to maintain it effortlessly, almost as if it were second nature.
As the battlefield settled, she witnessed the souls of the fallen returning to the Pure Lands, their spiritual threads slipping back into the veil. And yet, she could still see them—those who had survived, those dragged into the conflict when she summoned Yumegakure's elemental might. Her heightened senses let her perceive it all clearly. Their souls sang silent stories of confusion and fracture. None of them had chosen this. They remembered their deaths... but nothing of the Pure Lands. Perhaps they had never truly lived there—only stored, repurposed.
Yumegakure's intent echoed in her chest. She understood what to do.
She wove her spiritual threads outward, linking herself to every soul that had just arrived.
And then they heard her—each and every one.
"You were used by the Pure Lands to wage a war you did not choose. But this realm—Yumegakure no Kai—is a world of infinite paths, and most importantly, a world of choice. As those before you were given freedom, so shall you be. Before each of you stand two doors."
"The red door grants you a place here. Stay, explore, live. Become part of this land, and perhaps, its defenders."
"The blue door will return you to the Pure Lands—the realm that bound you and forced your hand."
One by one, they chose. Some, distrustful, walked through the blue. Most stepped through the red—choosing rebirth, choosing freedom.
Hinata descended gently, walking upon air that solidified beneath her feet as she approached the ground. Reverence rippled through the gathered warriors—former foes, new allies—all who had witnessed her battle.
Takama stood waiting, alongside Kaito, who clutched his chest where a fire-based Jutsu had struck.
"I told you fighting was dangerous for someone who has already died," Hinata said, clearly disapproving.
Kaito, still wincing, replied, "I'm a samurai. If my lord and his daughter take the battlefield, then so must I. That is not negotiable." Then, with a faint smile, he added, "If I stop growing now, I'll never be able to stand beside you as an equal. I could never forgive that."
Her father spoke next. "The battle was extraordinary. A shame their leader escaped."
Hinata nodded slightly, distracted by Kaito's words until Takama returned her to focus. "Wait here. Let Yumegakure tend the wounded. When the time is right, guide those new souls through the portal. They did not come by choice—but they chose to stay."
Then, without another word, she dissolved into light, her destination clear—the Crystal Tower awaited.
<<<< o >>>>
The first battle had been decisive—but it revealed a glaring disadvantage. The numerical difference the Pure Lands could summon was overwhelming. And yet, the vulnerability of relying on lieutenants to command puppet armies was exposed. Their delay in launching another assault suggested that they were working to develop new control methods—methods that would not be so easily broken.
Still, my father and Kaito's strategies were in motion. By the third day of peace, a summit had been convened in the Crystal Tower. Present were the Kage of Iwa, Suna, Konoha, and Kumo. Each had agreed—through private negotiation—to lend support. Their motivations varied, but the primary incentive was clear: the promise of gaining combat veterans without physical loss in the real world was simply too valuable to ignore. And none could risk being left behind by their rivals.
This meeting was to establish a common understanding—cooperation would be essential. Future battles might demand coordination between forces that were once enemies.
I entered in my form as the Silver Lady. Onoki was the first to speak, his sharp eyes narrowed. "So, you're the Silver Lady..."
The other Kage regarded me cautiously—though some, like A and Onoki, allowed a flicker of killing intent to press toward me, testing my reactions. Tsunade and Gaara remained neutral.
Michel, Kaito, and Takama stood beside me, clearly prepared to intervene.
"Yes," I said calmly. "I am the one they call the Silver Lady."
Then I demonstrated something—not as a threat, but as instruction. Using the same technique the Shinigami once used on me, I subtly solidified the spiritual threads around each of the Kage. But unlike the oppressive aura of the enemy's threads, mine shimmered with a sacred, radiant light.
"What you feel now is akin to a technique employed by the leader of our opponent. If you face this and sense a pressure like this again, assume you are confronting a being with power on par with a Tailed Beast."
With that, I dismissed the pressure.
Their expressions were unchanged—but the tension in the air was unmistakable.
My father spoke next. "We're here because all of you have agreed to participate. But we recognize that the number of shinobi you can commit will be limited. This conversation will remain with you when you wake—so you can plan contingencies should your forces remain asleep longer than intended."
"More importantly, your shinobi may need to fight alongside former enemies. So from now on, all participants will wear this."
Michel stepped forward, holding a new forehead protector—marked with the word 'Shinobi'.
He could only smile at the reference to a possible future.
"This will identify you as allies in the coming war. Do you all agree?"
Tsunade was the first to speak. "Who organizes the battle units? Who leads them?"
A said nothing, but the look in his eyes said Kumo was more than ready.
Kaito stepped forward with calm authority. "That responsibility falls on those who live permanently in Yumegakure. Our deaths here are not temporary. We are bound to this land. That includes samurai of the Land of Iron, and shinobi who have chosen permanent residence upon death."
He looked at each Kage in turn. "I will lead coordination. You've seen my work during the great migration. You can trust I'll deliver the same here."
A moment passed. Then, slowly, each Kage gave a nod.
The alliance was formed.