The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled light and shadow across the mountains.
Beside the babbling brook, Utakata leaned against a moss-covered rock, gently turning the bamboo flute in his hand, but not playing it. His consciousness sank into his body, engaging in a rare conversation with the Six-Tails Saiken.
Ever since the mysterious Heavenly Screen appeared, Utakata has often discussed unsettling visions of the future with Saiken. The Akatsuki's goals, the destiny of the Tailed Beasts, the legend of the Sage of Six Paths... these thoughts weighed heavily on his heart like a heavy stone.
"Saiken, what exactly is the 'Infinite Tsukuyomi' mentioned in the Heavenly Screen?" Utakata asked in a low voice, his brows slightly furrowed.
Within the sealed space, the massive body of the Six-Tails Saiken coiled in the damp spiritual space, viscous Utakata slowly dripping from its mouthparts. It remained silent for a moment before responding in a deep voice:
"That's a forbidden technique developed by the Sage of Six Paths... a phantom dream world."
Utakata narrowed his eyes slightly. "A dream world?"
"Hmph, to put it bluntly, it's about making everyone live in an illusion." Saiken's tone carried a hint of disdain, yet also a complex emotion. "We Tailed Beasts were originally created by the Sage of Six Paths. Before his death, he divided the Ten-Tails' Chakra into nine parts, giving each of us our own will... But you humans treat us as weapons."
Utakata's fingers unconsciously traced the bamboo flute as he whispered, "So, the Akatsuki wants to collect the Tailed Beasts again and revive the Ten-Tails?"
"I'm afraid so." Saiken's voice deepened. "That Madara Uchiha in the Heavenly Screen... his target is clear: Nine Tailed Beasts, leave none alive."
After a long silence, Utakata slowly spoke, "Saiken... are we being watched?"
"Hmph, is there even a need to ask?" Saiken sneered. "In the first Heavenly Screen in the Sky Curtain, the Akatsuki leader said that the only remaining target was Nine-Tails... which means that in some future time, we might already be captured."
Utakata's fingers tightened slightly, the bamboo flute emitting a faint "creaking" sound. He took a deep breath, suppressing his unease. "Then... what should we do?"
"Let's find another place," the Saiken said decisively. "This place is secluded, but it might not be safe."
Utakata pondered for a moment and said, "Go south? What about the Land of the Moon? It's far from the mainland, and the ninja forces there are weak."
"Whatever." The Saiken lazily flicked its tail. "Just stay away from those lunatics."
Utakata nodded slightly, stood up, and dusted off his clothes. "Then I'll go find Ying and get ready to leave."
"Hmph, that girl's pretty clever," the Saiken remarked, a rare occurrence for him. "But don't drag it out too long; I don't want to be kidnapped for no reason."
Utakata's lips curled into a faint smile, "Don't worry, I'm even less inclined to want to than you are."
As the sun set, the mountain breeze rustled through the treetops. Utakata looked up at the sky, his gaze firm and profound.
A rushing waterfall cascaded down a high cliff, its roar echoing through the valley. Ying stood by the deep pool below the waterfall, her hands forming a mudra, Chakra gathering in her palms to form a thin film of water. She focused intently on controlling the flow of Chakra, trying to make the water film more resilient.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept by, and Utakata's figure appeared silently behind her.
"Ying," he called softly.
Ying was startled; the water film in her hand shattered with a "splat," splashing up a few drops of water. She turned her head and saw Utakata standing in the sunlight, his bamboo flute tucked diagonally into his waistband, his expression more solemn than usual.
"Teacher!" Ying wiped the water droplets from her face and smiled. "What brings you here? I almost succeeded!"
Utakata watched her excited expression, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he quickly regained his composure. He walked to her side, his gaze fixed on the distance. "Ying, I plan to leave here and go to the Land of the Moon in the south."
"The Land of the Moon?" Ying blinked, somewhat confused. "Why do we suddenly have to go to such a faraway place?"
Utakata was silent for a moment. He couldn't tell her about the prophecy of the Heavenly Screen, he couldn't let her know about the threat of the Akatsuki, and he couldn't let her bear the destiny of Tailed Beast and Jinchūriki. She was just a girl who was trying to train hard, and she shouldn't be tainted by this darkness.
"We've been here long enough," he finally said simply. "Cultivation needs a new environment; stagnation won't do you any good."
Ying tilted her head and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "Does the teacher think I'm progressing too slowly, so he wants to take me out for some experience?"
Looking at her innocent and carefree appearance, Utakata's heart softened slightly, and he nodded. "Mm."
"That's wonderful!" Ying jumped up excitedly, splashing water onto her clothes. "I've been wanting to see the outside world for so long! I've heard that the Land of the Moon beautiful coastlines and glowing corals!"
Seeing her excited expression, Utakata's gaze softened slightly. "Go and pack your things, and say goodbye to the villagers while you're at it."
"Okay!" Ying nodded vigorously, turned and ran towards the village. After a few steps, she turned back and called out, "Teacher, wait for me! I'll be done soon!"
Utakata stood there, watching her figure gradually disappear into the forest path. The sound of the waterfall still roared, but his heart was calmer than ever before.
(I don't know what the future holds...)
(But at the very least, I will protect her.)
He looked up; the sky was azure, and white clouds drifted lazily by.
(No matter what happens.)
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two women. Ying, carrying a bulging backpack, stood under the old locust tree at the village entrance, waving vigorously to the villagers who came to see her off. Colorful wind chimes, gifts from the village children, hung from her backpack, tinkling crisply in the breeze.
"Xiaoying, remember to come back and visit us!"
"Be even stronger next time you come back!"
The villagers' simple farewells gradually faded into the distance. Utakata stood to the side, his bamboo flute swaying slightly at his waist. He gazed at the peaceful village where he had lived for several months, a sense of reluctance rising in his heart.
(Such peaceful days...)
"Teacher! Let's go!" Ying ran over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to go!"
"Wait a minute." Utakata suddenly Teuchi her. His expression turned serious, and his right hand unconsciously pressed against his abdomen.
"What's wrong, teacher?" Ying tilted her head in confusion.
The Six-Tails Saiken inside her suddenly spoke, its deep voice echoing in her consciousness:
"Hey kids, are you just going to Earth Flow right past like that? Those Akatsuki lunatics are all expert trackers."
Utakata's eyes narrowed. Indeed, while walking was discreet, it would inevitably leave traces along the way. He pondered for a moment, then mentally replied, "What suggestions do you have?"
"Hmph, let me teach you a method." The Saiken's voice carried a hint of smugness. "Use your Bubble Technique to fly directly there. With my Chakra support, it can last for days without a problem."
This suggestion caught Utakata's eye. There are very few ninjas in the Shinobi World who can fly, and aerial surveillance Ninjutsu is almost non-existent. Most importantly, Utakata flight leaves no trace on the ground.
"Ying," Utakata suddenly spoke, a rare smile appearing on his lips, "Didn't you always say you wanted to experience the feeling of flying again?"
Ying was taken aback at first, then her eyes widened. "Teacher, you mean... we're going to fly to the Land of the Moon?!"
"Hmm." Utakata nodded, "That's safer and faster."
"That's amazing!" Ying jumped up excitedly, the wind chimes on her backpack jingling. "Teacher is the best! The feeling of flying in the sky is simply wonderful!"
Seeing her excited expression, Utakata's gaze softened. He quickly formed hand seals, and the Tailed Beast Chakra within his body began to flow.
"Water Release: Bubble Technique!"
Two enormous, transparent bubbles appeared out of thin air, refracting a rainbow of colors in the setting sun. Ying eagerly jumped into one of them; the bubble swayed gently, yet steadily supported her.
"Are you ready?" Utakata stepped into another bubble.
"We can leave anytime!" Ying excitedly patted the inside of the bubble.
With Utakata's Chakra manipulation, the two bubbles slowly rose into the air. The scenery on the ground grew smaller and smaller, and the village quickly transformed into a model on a chessboard. Ying lay on the edge of the bubble, marveling at the vast world that was gradually unfolding.
"Teacher, look! Doesn't that mountain range look like a giant dragon?"
"Be careful not to get too close to the edge."
The voice of the Six-Tails resounded in Utakata's mind:
"Hmph, the little girl seems quite happy. But it's definitely much safer this way."
Utakata gazed at the gradually darkening horizon ahead, silently reciting in his heart:
(Regardless of the dangers ahead...)
(At least for now, let her enjoy this happiness as much as possible.)
Two glistening bubbles drifted further and further away into the twilight, heading south towards the Land of the Moon.