A First Visit to the Otsutsuki Clan

"I don't know what happened there, but at least Tsukishiki is still alive. As long as she's safe, that's enough."

Hishiki spoke softly and swept his sleeve. The enormous pill furnace below shrank to a miniature size, then slipped into his wide sleeve.

Otsutsuki Genshiki clearly knew that Cangshiki and Sorashiki were dead, yet he remained unusually calm, as though he did not care at all.

He said evenly,

"Even Sorashiki is dead, yet Tsukishiki's Life Tether remains intact. That is difficult to explain."

"Are you suggesting Tsukishiki betrayed the clan, just like Otsutsuki Kaguya?"

"Given Tsukishiki's nature, that's unlikely. She prefers to grow stronger through her own training."

"So... Tsukishiki has been captured and placed under someone's control."

A sharp glint crossed Hishiki's eyes. He looked up at Genshiki and said,

"It seems we seriously underestimated the enemy this time. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to step in."

Yet even after the loss of three Otsutsuki elders, Otsutsuki Genshiki did not agree at once.

"I can step in, but not now. I need a little more time."

Hishiki was not annoyed. As though he had expected Genshiki's response, he smiled and said pointedly,

"You really don't have much time left..."

The moment Hishiki finished speaking, an unseen force hurled him away without warning. He slammed into the rock wall and was embedded in it.

Otsutsuki Genshiki did not spare Hishiki a glance. "You've overstepped," he said lightly. Then his body turned insubstantial and vanished altogether.

Hishiki slowly pulled himself free of the rock wall. He looked toward the spot where Genshiki had disappeared. His once refined face twisted with rage, veins bulging on his forehead as he ground out,

"He really thinks he's the clan leader. He's nothing but a..."

Hishiki stopped short. Clearly, he was still