"It's not exactly what you think."
Standing quietly before them, Minamikawa spoke in a calm, steady voice. His eyes carried warmth, but also a quiet firmness that could not be ignored.
"I love your mother. That has never changed."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"But loving someone doesn't mean blindly agreeing with everything they do."
His voice softened slightly.
"Sometimes… correcting someone when they're going down the wrong path is also a form of love."
The air grew still.
Both brothers stood there in silence, listening carefully.
Minamikawa looked at them with gentle eyes.
"The same applies to you."
"Naive children always grow up eventually… just like you both did."
He smiled faintly.
"You now have your own thoughts, your own goals."
"And because of that… you should go and follow them."
There was no hesitation in his tone.
"Taking action and stepping forward on your own is an important part of growing up."
The words carried weight—not as an order, but as guidance from a father who truly understood.
"Father…"
The two brothers felt their hearts stir. Emotions they couldn't fully express rose inside them.
They didn't know what to say.
Minamikawa simply smiled at them.
"Go do what you believe is right."
"But remember one thing…"
His voice became softer, almost like a whisper.
"No matter where you go, this will always be your home."
"Even if you're busy… come back once in a while."
The brothers lowered their heads respectfully.
"Yes."
Without another word, they slowly turned and walked away.
Step by step, their figures grew smaller in the distance.
Minamikawa stood there, watching them silently.
Only when they completely disappeared from sight did he let out a long breath.
"You're just going to watch them leave like that?"
Suddenly, he spoke, turning his head slightly.
From the side, a figure quietly appeared.
A woman with long white hair stood there, her presence calm yet overwhelming.
Two small horns rested on her head, and her pale eyes reflected the world far beyond normal sight.
It was Kaguya.
She was looking in the same direction as him.
Even though the brothers were already far away, their figures were still clearly visible in her vision.
"What should I do?"
Kaguya's voice was calm, almost emotionless.
"They don't want to see me."
Minamikawa sighed softly.
"That's because… you never try to talk to them, isn't it?"
He looked at her helplessly.
"You miss them… but you still won't take the first step."
Kaguya remained silent.
She didn't deny it.
She didn't confirm it either.
She simply stood there.
Minamikawa slowly walked closer from behind.
Then, without hesitation, he gently wrapped his arms around her.
His presence was warm, steady—like he was trying to comfort something fragile hidden deep inside her.
"Yuu…"
Kaguya lowered her head slightly.
Her eyes, which were usually cold and distant, softened for just a moment.
Years had passed, but she had not changed at all on the surface.
Only in front of him…
Only here…
She allowed herself to be different.
"To be honest," Minamikawa said softly, "the children having their own goals… isn't a bad thing."
"They're willing to fight for something."
"That alone is meaningful."
He looked toward the horizon.
"The enemies from beyond the sky will come someday."
"Instead of waiting until that moment… it's better they prepare now."
"At least… their time won't be wasted."
Kaguya's expression didn't change.
"It's meaningless."
Her voice was calm, filled with absolute confidence.
"No matter what they do… it won't matter."
"They cannot surpass me."
There was no doubt in her words.
She knew her own strength better than anyone.
Even if the two brothers trained for years…
Even if they pushed themselves to their limits…
They would never reach her level.
The gap was simply too large.
Within her clan, strength didn't come from effort.
It came from consuming power.
Chakra fruits.
Devouring others.
That was the only way.
As for training through hard work?
That was something she had never truly believed in.
Minamikawa smiled faintly.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
"If you keep thinking like that… they might surprise you."
His eyes held a deeper meaning.
Because he knew something she didn't.
He had seen what those two were capable of.
He knew their potential.
And he knew that one day—
They would rise high enough to challenge even her.
But Kaguya couldn't imagine that.
To her, such a future didn't exist.
Still…
Minamikawa gently held her hand.
"There's still time."
"Let's just watch."
Kaguya didn't respond.
But she didn't pull her hand away either.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then suddenly—
"Cough…!"
Minamikawa's body trembled violently.
His face instantly turned pale.
Strange seal-like patterns spread across his skin.
He struggled to breathe.
"The Karma… it's reacting…"
Kaguya's eyes widened slightly.
A rare trace of worry appeared on her face.
The power of Karma was dangerous.
It could transform someone…
But it could also destroy them.
Even though she had been careful, his body simply wasn't strong enough.
Not yet.
"His body can't handle it…"
The realization struck her immediately.
There was only one solution.
Her gaze shifted far away.
Through her vision, she saw it clearly—
The God Tree.
"The chakra fruit…"
If he could consume it…
Then everything would change.
The weak trace of her clan's blood within him would awaken.
He would become like her.
Immortal.
Unbreakable.
Free from suffering.
"I need the fruit to ripen… as soon as possible."
Her thoughts grew sharper.
Because she knew—
If his body failed before that…
Everything would be lost.
She turned slightly, her mind racing with possibilities.
But then—
"Don't overthink it."
Minamikawa's voice came again.
Even in his weakened state, he smiled gently.
He looked at her… and shook his head.
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