Itachi and the others were completely bewildered. They could not understand why someone who had been so arrogantly disdainful just moments ago would suddenly say something like this.
Li said softly, "You are the embodiment of the beautiful wishes in the hearts of the people of this world, and also this world's last watcher. If you hand all hope over to me, that means you are giving up everything. Do you understand?"
"Of course." The girl remained kneeling on the ground, an inexplicably earnest expression appearing on her face. "You are this world's savior, and also my savior. I learned countless years ago that you would come."
Li smiled. He believed in prophecies, but he absolutely did not believe that there could be a prophecy pointing to him.
"But I don't believe that explanation of yours. If a prophecy said that someone would appear in this world and change it, I might believe it. But if that person was supposed to be me, I absolutely wouldn't..." As Li spoke, he suddenly frowned. "Wait. When did you learn of this prophecy?"
The girl said softly, "A thousand years ago, when I fell asleep."
"...Hiss." Li drew a sharp breath. "Who told you this prophecy?"
"It was the will of this world," the girl said. She still looked extremely sincere, as though she regarded Li as her god.
Li pondered for a while. If it was the will of this world, then he could believe it somewhat. After all, the will of this world could be said to know everything that happened within it. It might have known about how he defeated Moonlight Princess back then, and perhaps even about his agreement with Kakashi.
And the girl before him was an incarnation born from the hopes of countless wills in this world.