The Rulers under the Empire's special watch had one of their number controlled by Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami and turned into an insider, facilitating Otsutsuki Eagle Horn's assassinations and the Empire's extermination plan.
War flames scorched the heavens, and killing intent filled the wilds.
"We can't hold on anymore. Retreat!"
"Fine, take the treasures!"
"Ready. Let's go!"
The final two Rulers could no longer endure. After gathering the divine artifacts left behind by the "Absolute Being," they tore open space within the magnificent Palace of the Gods, attempting to flee across the sea of stars. Yet just before they succeeded, one of them suddenly froze.
He lowered his head and saw a hand protruding through his chest.
Warm blood dripped from the familiar wrist that had torn out his heart.
"When—did you—"
His voice rasped like a broken bellows as he painfully turned his head and met the face of someone who had fought beside him for countless years.
"Why?" "The Empire is eternal!"
He collapsed to the ground and watched helplessly as that "traitorous" figure raised a hand, tore open the not-yet-closed spatial rift, and guided several powerful Imperial presences into this place.
Then he knelt before the outsiders.
Obedient and submissive.
His demeanor was as docile as a dog's.
"Bastard—" His dying roar had barely left his mouth before it abruptly stopped.
Because Uchiha Shisui had ruthlessly severed the head of the kneeling figure.
Blood erupted, and the head rolled to a stop before him.
Those eyes, obedient even in death, remained fixed in the direction of the Imperial powerhouses.
The scene was absurd as a nightmare.
The last Ruler looked at the headless corpse still kneeling, then at the Imperial powerhouses standing before the spatial rift. His mind snapped.
Mad murmurs spilled from the corner of his lips.