Post-War Developments

The lightning dancing wildly around Minamoto Takuya receded like a tide, and he returned to his usual unhurried demeanor before speaking.

"Let me tell you something. The shockwaves from our battle have probably drawn the Cloud Ninja here. Congratulations."

"Hmph! The Konoha lot won't be far behind either, will they? This was all part of your plan?" She had already seen through this man's twisted sense of amusement.

"Heh, very clever." Minamoto Takuya chuckled. "So, want to avoid becoming Konoha's prisoner? Then muster your last bit of strength... and run."

With that, he turned around and started walking away from the aftermath of the battle.

"W-Wait!" Yugito Nii screamed with all her strength, struggling to prop up her heavy body with her elbows. Every movement made her vision go dark with pain. Her face was paper-white, and large beads of sweat rolled down her skin.

The Jinchuriki's formidable recovery ability was fully displayed at that moment. Even after suffering such devastating injuries, her vitality remained astonishingly tenacious.

Hearing the sound, Minamoto Takuya glanced back slightly.

Seeing Yugito Nii forcibly sit up, a trace of admiration for the Jinchuriki's powerful life force did indeed flash through the depths of his eyes.

"Who exactly... are you?! Why?!" Yugito Nii's voice was hoarse, her eyes filled with endless confusion and complicated hostility.

This question was of vital importance to her.

This enigmatic enemy had thrown everything into chaos, spared her life, and asked for something so "trivial"!

Minamoto Takuya kept walking with his back to her, his voice carried clearly by the wind.

"I'm merely a shinobi obsessed with collecting strange things from around the world. You may call me the 'Collector.'"

As his words fell, his figure seemed to blend into the deepening twilight. With a faint flicker, he vanished completely.

"'Collector'?"