There Is Still Plenty of Time; I'll Help You Take Care of This World!

There was still plenty of time; he would help her take care of this world! The crushing sensation of gravity receded like a tide, and the two returned to Chiyo's bedroom.

Chiyo and Kaguya collapsed onto the soft carpet.

For a moment, the room held only their slightly hurried breathing.

Leaning against the bed, Chiyo looked at the Demonic Blade lying across the floor, restored to its ancient, unadorned appearance.

The blade was now so quiet that it seemed impossible it had been the one to tear through space and trigger that anomaly moments ago.

Kaguya immediately dropped to one knee beside him. The golden glow in her Pure Eye flowed as she carefully examined him, her Origin Chakra gently probing his body.

"Your Chakra has been overused, and you're mentally exhausted."

Kaguya let out a breath of relief, though her brows did not fully relax.

"That blade... and that tree..."

Chiyo took her cool hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, signaling that he was fine.

He closed his eyes, feeling the Chakra within him slowly recover, soothed by Kaguya's harmonious, gentle Origin Chakra.

"I'm fine, Kaguya. Luckily, you reacted quickly."

He opened his eyes and met her golden eyes, filled with worry and lingering fear. He tried to sound as relaxed as possible.

"Otherwise, it might really have dragged me off to some unknown place."

Kaguya did not smile. Her gaze shifted to the Demonic Blade on the floor, her expression complicated.

"That last attack... it felt like instinctive self-defense, but also like some kind of... command being activated.

"The Era Tree resonated with it. That definitely wasn't a coincidence.

"Chiyo, that prophecy..."

"A key."

The two fell into a brief silence.

Outside the window, Konoha's night remained tranquil.

The faint footsteps of patrolling ninja occasionally drifted over