A Strange Beginning (1)

"Rumble—rumble—"

Within the Land of Rain, heavy clouds blanketed the sky, and muffled thunder rumbled continuously.

Las Noches stood atop a cliff with a smooth-cut face.

The sky was dark, and the air was thick with the scent of moisture.

Above the pale palace of Las Noches, two figures stood.

One of them sat atop the palace with her knees slightly bent, her posture relaxed, as though she were admiring the approaching rain. Her pretty face was tranquil, untouched by the marks of time.

Though the other appeared weathered by hardship, the stern face still retained traces of handsome features.

He stood straight beside the woman like a scarecrow in a field, silently guarding this place.

"Phew..."

A gentle breeze carrying a hint of dampness brushed past, stirring the woman's glossy black hair.

She raised a fair arm to smooth her hair, her voice soft and sweet as she said, "Brother, Lord Aizen has returned... Will you still choose to make a move against him...?"

Hearing her words, the man behind her remained expressionless. After a long silence, he spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Why would you say that?"

"That man's strength has already exceeded my expectations. Until everything is certain, I naturally won't entertain any pointless thoughts."

At that, a trace of sorrow appeared on the woman's lovely, dignified face. She questioned him worriedly.

"Brother, after all these years together, do you really think I can't guess what you're thinking!?"

"Brother, why must you insist on targeting Lord Aizen!?"

"It was like this from the very beginning... Clearly... clearly... Lord Aizen has already shown you mercy, so why do you—!"

The man's expression remained cold. His voice was slightly hoarse as he interrupted her.

"You're wrong, Sakuya..."

"Both you and everyone else in the Ninja World have been deceived