Dare You Move?

Utakata's consciousness entered his mental space.

He returned to the day his master had drawn out the Tailed Beast within him.

From a third-person perspective, he watched his master say:

"Utakata, live on—with this power."

Utakata's vision went black, and he awoke once more.

Shamu lifted his chin. "Well? Do you remember now?"

Utakata was shocked and uncertain. "You!? How did you know?"

"A master is always thinking of his disciple."

"Harusame was your master for so long. Don't you know what kind of person he was?"

Utakata looked despondent.

"Did I misunderstand my master all along?"

Shamu shrugged.

"Wasn't that your own memory? Could you really have forgotten it?"

Although the genjutsu had just triggered his memories, once it ended—

if he thought carefully, he could recall that it had indeed happened.

Genjutsu could create illusions for him, but it could not alter his memories.

"How could this be?"

Utakata closed his eyes in anguish. He had hated his master for so long.

Yet in the end, it had all been a misunderstanding.

Shamu loved watching this kind of regretful drama. The more stubbornly Utakata had clung to his hatred before, the more painful this was now.

Just... get over it already. I still prefer seeing you all bitter and grief-stricken.

Utakata turned and looked toward Hidden Tsuchigumo Village.

There seemed to be a glimmer of light in his eyes.

Shamu crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby tree.

"Are you still going to reject Hotaru's feelings?"

Utakata frowned. "How does Lord Shamu know Hotaru?"

Shamu waved a hand.

"I got the intelligence in Konoha. Besides, you even transformed into your Tailed Beast for that Hotaru before."

"Anyone could tell. I don't know what you were pretending for."

Utakata's mouth twitched, and an embarrassed look flashed across his