Night was as dark as ink, and the valley was so quiet that only the wind's low murmur through the cedar forest could be heard.
The ancient temple slumbered in the embrace of night. Vines draped from its walls, dust coated its gray tiles, and everything spoke of the passage of time.
Uchiha Yoru stood silently before the temple gate.
His Rinne-Tenseigan gleamed quietly in the darkness, silver-blue light flowing like a cold star falling into the mortal world. His presence grew heavier with every step.
The moment he entered the temple, everything seemed to freeze. The incense smoke stopped rising, the divine power in his eyes seemed to freeze the air, and even the light warped around him.
He spoke, calling softly:
"Jigen."
In the meditation room, the person on the cushion slowly opened his eyes.
Jigen did not move at once. He simply stared at the person before him.
His eyes were pale gold, and his gaze held a silent authority that seemed to transcend all things. It was not the gaze of a human—it was the gaze of a "god."
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's consciousness was slowly awakening within Jigen.
He rose, moving slowly and calmly, yet all traces of human warmth had left him. He seemed like a god descended to earth, merciless and aloof.
Now he no longer concealed the divine pressure of his alien bloodline. Golden-red light glimmered deep in his eyes. His voice was calm, yet cold with the weight of judgment from on high:
"So... it's you."
A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind.
The powerful Ōtsutsuki presence emanating from this boy did not seem like a disguise or an imitation. Could he be a remnant of the Main Family, inhabiting a native of this world?
Uchiha Yoru's expression was as cold as ice