"Your Majesty!"Junichi dropped to one knee, voice urgent.
Shin'en halted mid-strike. "Junichi, there's no need for formality. What's the matter?"
"Your Majesty," Junichi said gravely, "Minister Suzaku of the Land of Bizi has sent another envoy. The issue concerns Lady Kaguya."
His face was clouded.Ever since Kaguya's arrival in the Land of Hane, she had remained by the Emperor's side — and now it seemed someone had leaked the news.
Hearing this, Shin'en's brows twitched slightly.
So those two again — Suzaku and Genbu.Just like in the original timeline, they're as disgusting as ever.And now they've set their sights on Hane once more.
Still, with Kaguya at his side — and now possessing chakra himself — Shin'en wasn't afraid.However, he had only just awakened this power; he needed time to adapt and grow stronger.For now, it was best to play it safe.
It was fortunate, at least, that Suzaku hadn't come together with Minister Genbu — otherwise, Shin'en might have just taken the opportunity to kill them both.
Calling themselves Suzaku and Genbu — what arrogance, for such small, petty men.
He smiled faintly to himself.
He had promised Kaguya to protect peace, and now it was time to prove his worth.
Besides, his projection score was tied directly to his actions.If he could subdue the militaristic Land of Bizi, or even unify the surrounding nations, his evaluation would surely soar.
"Entertain their envoy well," Shin'en instructed. "Serve the finest food and drink, and tell them I'm unwell — make an excuse and send them off."
Junichi frowned. "Your Majesty, if we keep stalling, I fear next time it'll be Suzaku and Genbu themselves who arrive. The Land of Bizi's army outnumbers ours three to one. We—"
Shin'en raised his hand. "It's fine. Just do as I say. I already have a plan to deal with them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Seeing Shin'en's confident expression, Junichi could only bow and withdraw.As a loyal vassal, he would gladly die following his lord's orders.
After Junichi left, Shin'en turned back to his training — but before he could resume, Kaguya appeared at the far end of the corridor and walked toward him.
This time, she spoke first.
"Your body," she said softly.
Shin'en smiled. "It's fine now. Don't believe me? Here — touch it."
He took her hand gently and placed it against his forehead.
Kaguya didn't resist. Her cool, delicate fingers rested lightly on his skin.
"Last night felt amazing," Shin'en said with a grin. "It was like some kind of power entered my body — and now I feel stronger than ever."
"That power is chakra," Kaguya replied quietly.
Without hesitation, her hand moved slowly down from his chest to his abdomen, then stopped."The chakra inside you… it's growing stronger."
Her tone carried a trace of surprise as she gazed at him intently.
"Chakra? What exactly is that?" Shin'en asked, feigning confusion.
Kaguya hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering as she turned her gaze toward the northwestern sky.
Seeing her reluctance, Shin'en smiled gently. "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. I won't force you."
"Chakra… comes from the Divine Tree," Kaguya murmured at last, her expression complicated.
"The Divine Tree, huh…"Shin'en knew when to stop pressing.
He already understood the implication — the world's chakra source and its connection to Kaguya's power.
If the fruit of that tree truly existed here, it would be a shortcut to godhood — though in his current, mortal body, that would probably be a literal "ascension to the heavens."
Still, since the Divine Tree was essentially part of Kaguya herself, no one else could ever claim its fruit.
Just receiving a fraction of her chakra was already an incredible gain.His spirit power had grown again — and if he could learn even a few Ōtsutsuki secret arts from her, it would be priceless.
"Chakra makes my body feel so warm and light," Shin'en said softly."If you could… maybe give me a little more, just a tiny bit — maybe I could live longer. Stay by your side for a few more years."
He smiled warmly, looking straight into Kaguya's pale eyes.
Feeling the sincerity in his gaze, Kaguya blinked once, then silently nodded.She placed her hand over his chest again.
Ugh… why does this feel like I'm scamming a pure-hearted woman?I'm definitely going to get divine punishment for this…
As the gentle current of chakra flowed from her fingertips into his body, Shin'en's heart was filled with both energy and guilt.Kaguya really was too easy to trust.
"That's enough — don't give too much. I—"
Before he could finish, his chest seized with sudden pain.A sharp cry escaped his lips, and darkness swallowed his vision.
"Ugh—!"
He dimly felt something soft beneath his head, a hand brushing through his hair.Every muscle in his body ached, but the touch was comforting.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kaguya's worried face looking down at him.
A lap pillow.
Realizing it, Shin'en blinked in mild embarrassment. He raised a hand, touching her cheek gently — her eyes shimmered like glass, full of quiet concern.
Looking out the window at the darkened sky, Shin'en murmured,"Sorry for worrying you… How long was I out?"
Kaguya clasped his hand in hers, voice tender. "Two days."
Shin'en's eyes widened in surprise.
He felt the soreness across his body — and noticed his chakra reserves had dropped significantly.
"Maybe… I gave you too much," Kaguya said, guilt flickering in her tone.
Her speech had become much smoother after spending so much time with him.
Shin'en chuckled softly. "It's not your fault. I just overdid it."
He never imagined he'd pass out from receiving too much chakra.
Meanwhile, far away — at the border between the Land of Hane and the Land of Soshino — a dense forest hid a military encampment of over a hundred soldiers.
Inside a brightly lit tent, shadows moved beneath the lantern glow.
"You're certain the Emperor of Hane is unconscious?"
At the center sat a thin, rat-faced man with narrow eyes gleaming viciously.
"Y-Yes, Minister Suzaku!" the kneeling soldier stammered."My younger brother serves near His Majesty — he told me himself. The Emperor's been unconscious for two full days!"
Suzaku's eyes narrowed further. "And this rumor about the Emperor's new consort — a heavenly maiden from the sky — is it true?"
"It's true! Lady Kaguya is… otherworldly! Her skin is pale as snow — no human could ever look like that!"
A hungry gleam flashed in Suzaku's eyes as he licked his lips unconsciously.
Beside him, the burly and scar-faced Minister Genbu spoke in a low growl:"Good. Return to the capital and spread word that the Emperor is gravely ill — perhaps even dying.
Four days from now, Suzaku and I will depart as envoys to the Land of Hane.At dusk, we'll pretend to head home.
Then, in the middle of the night, we'll stage a diversionary attack from the west.
When that happens, you'll open the gates from the inside.
If it succeeds, a quarter of Hane's territory will be yours to rule."
The soldier's eyes widened in delight. "Thank you, Minister Suzaku! Thank you, Minister Genbu!"
He bowed repeatedly before leaving the tent.
As soon as he was gone, Genbu's mouth twisted into a cruel grin.
"The usual plan?"
"The usual plan," Suzaku replied coldly."Kill everyone — young and old. Kaguya is mine. We split the spoils."
The two men exchanged a knowing smile.