"I object!"
The moment Byakuya dropped her bombshell, Tsukihime—who had been pretending to be unconscious—sprang to her feet with a loud shout.
With the sudden movement, the last few scraps of cloth clinging to her fell to the ground. Her flawless, curvy figure was bathed in the golden glow of the Tenseigan, casting an irresistible allure.
Gin, already low on blood, felt his circulation spike once more.
As beautiful as the scene was, he knew better than to indulge.
He turned his head away—this moment, even Liuxia Hui would be proud.
"Here, take these cloaks. It's hot out—don't want anyone catching a chill~"
Yet as he averted his eyes, he caught a glimpse of Byakuya's snowy-white figure. His nose twitched again. Reaching into his system's inventory, he pulled out two white cloaks embroidered with gold and tossed them to the girls.
"Don't think I'll forgive you just because of this!"
Tsukihime huffed as she wrapped herself tightly, not willing to show an inch of skin.
"Gin-sama, thank you… I'll treasure it~"
Byakuya, on the other hand, blushed slightly but accepted the cloak with a gentle look in her eyes.
Once they were covered, the atmosphere grew less tense, and the two resumed their discussion.
"Byakuya-oba, if you defect, who's going to handle the clan's affairs?"
So that's her concern? You silly clan leader—go learn how to govern first!
Watching the thief in front of her not only steal two of her most prized possessions, but now her most capable aide too, Tsukihime was seething.
"And you! Why'd you steal my internal Tenseigan?!"
Finally fed up, Tsukihime puffed her cheeks and stomped toward Gin, her white eyes glaring and lips pouting.
"What are you plotting?! Don't play dumb!"
Gin was baffled. In his mind, he was risking his life for world peace—sacrificing everything, even his looks! Shouldn't that be worth at least a few steamed buns?
He glared right back. As he looked into Tsukihime's white eyes, something clicked.
That face… minus the white hair… she looked at least 80% like Hyūga Hinata from the future. Even her figure was similar.
No wonder Hinata had been dubbed the "White-Eyed Princess." It wasn't just her eye purity—it might also be due to her uncanny resemblance to this legendary user of the Tenseigan.
"Ha? What are you saying? I don't get it."
Tsukihime looked just as confused as the old lady had earlier. Gin sneered.
Hmph. You two could give plastic bags a run for their money with how well you act.
"Gin-sama, what do you mean?"
Even Byakuya, now on his side, furrowed her brow. She, too, wanted to know the real reason behind Gin's theft.
"Oh, playing dumb now, huh? Do I really have to spell it out?"
Gin raised an eyebrow. These Ōtsutsuki really needed to be dragged through the mud before they'd admit anything.
"You branch family people twisted the will of your ancestor, sacrificed your own clan to awaken the Tenseigan, and planned to crash the moon into Earth—wiping out all life!"
"Nani?!"
The concise summary of this evil plot left the two women and the old ghost staring at each other in shock.
The clan leader/Byakuya-oba/former clan head… they were hiding this from me!
Each of them took a step back, casting suspicious glances at one another.
"Come clean already! Clan leader!/Byakuya-oba!/Former head!" x3
They shouted in unison, glaring at each other in perfect sync.
Gin blinked.
"…Are you guys playing Three Kingdoms over there?"
"Alright, alright—cut it out. If you did something bad, own up to it and beg for leniency."
Gin couldn't take the farce anymore and shut them all down.
"Gin-sama, believe me. I truly know nothing of this plan."
Byakuya was first to distance herself. Her white eyes shimmered with soft pink, making Gin sweat. He quickly nodded.
"Hmph! I've still got so many novels I haven't finished. Why would I want to destroy the world?"
Tsukihime's reasoning was… oddly convincing.
"Uh…" x3
All three turned to the old lady, whose expression said she'd been caught red-handed.
"Confess your crimes, Shishō."
Tsukihime walked up and patted her mentor's shoulder with a sorrowful expression.
"Former clan head, I can't support this plan."
Byakuya took a step back and publicly disassociated herself, claiming she'd never served as a Grand Elder.
"You got anything to say for yourself?"
Gin pulled out a pair of spiritual handcuffs and prepared to deliver justice.
"Are you three brain-dead?! I've been dead for who knows how long!"
The old lady snapped, finally losing her temper.
"Exactly! That's why you've gone mad! You want to drag both planets down with you!"
Gin pounced on her slip of logic and declared her guilty.
"Aminos!!!"
The wrongly accused ghost wailed in despair. She'd long since transcended worldly desires. Why was she being crucified?
Just as things were about to wrap up, a burst of violet light engulfed the chamber. The sudden pressure caused everyone—except for Gin—to tense.
"The Ancestor-sama has arrived! Show your respect!"
The eyeless, long-haired man appeared, strutting like a peacock, kneeling with reverence.
Hmph! Only I can make the branch family straighten their backs again!
"…Who are you, old man?"
Tsukihime's expression was cold. No one shouted around her and got away with it.
"Hmph! I am—"
The man was delighted to be asked. He cleared his throat, ready to deliver the epic monologue he'd been preparing for years—
"Don't mind him. He's just a background character."
Gin cut him off mercilessly and waved toward the back.
"Uncle Hamura! Hurry it up, stop stalling! We're all family here!"
Cough cough… "My branch family descendants… will you never learn?"
Hamura, who had been preparing his grand entrance, tripped at Gin's call and nearly stumbled in.
Facing the white-eyed stares around him, the ancestor gave a few practiced coughs, then raised his head and stared each of them down. His eyes emitted an awe-inspiring pressure.
Tsukihime and the others froze. Their expressions shifted to reverence.
"Greetings, Ancestor-sama!"
Even the proud Tsukihime lowered herself and saluted.
"Do you admit your wrongdoing?"
Hamura asked with solemn majesty.
"I'm innocent, Ancestor-sama!"
To everyone's shock, the first to speak was the old ghost, now bawling like a toddler. Snot and tears streamed down as she wailed:
"We branch families have guarded the moon diligently and watched Earth without fail! To say we planned to destroy it is pure slander!"
"…Eh?"
Her voice trembled with pain. Her sorrow didn't seem fake. Everyone furrowed their brows—something felt off.
"Then why did you activate the Tenseigan?"
Hamura narrowed his eyes. Could he have been mistaken?
"What does activating the Tenseigan have to do with destroying the world?"
Tsukihime stood tall. Wasn't she allowed to use the clan's treasure?
"You expect me to believe that? Were you gonna activate it for its aesthetic?!"
"!!!"
Tsukihime's proud expression crumbled. Her eyes darted away. She looked guilty as sin.
"…I'm a girl. I like… pretty things. Is that not allowed?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!