Black Zetsu, Jigen, and the Moon

After clearing away the signs of battle, Toji used a sealing scroll to collect the five bodies from the deep pit.

Once everything was taken care of, Toji walked toward Senju Touka.

The temporary parasite mark still controlled Touka, much like a classic time-stop. Even if Toji did something to her here in the wilderness, she would have no memory of it afterward.

But Toji had no interest in taking advantage of her. He merely snapped his fingers. The parasite mark took effect at once, altering Touka's five senses and her memories of what had happened.

By the time Touka came to, they had long since left the ruins of the Fire Temple and traveled a considerable distance.

Senju Touka looked dazed for a moment—

Her memories had grown hazy.

She only remembered the Reverse Four Symbols Seal Formation swallowing the entire Fire Temple as its black curtain threatened to consume everything. At the critical moment, Hiro Nara had stepped forward and sacrificed himself to give her and Toji a chance to escape.

As for how long Hiro Nara had held out and how fast Toji had moved afterward, those memories had been altered and blurred. She noticed nothing amiss.

Earth Grudge Parasite was not all-powerful, however.

A Jōnin with a strong mind and sharp instincts could still sense that something was wrong.

Senju Touka felt that something was off.

Some time seemed to have passed. Most of the dark clouds overhead had dispersed, and the rain had eased considerably.

That was the difference between Earth Grudge Parasite and Kotoamatsukami. It could not rewrite a mind completely; pile up too many hazy memories, and the flaws would show.

Fortunately, Toji had made only minor changes to her memories. The flaws were not glaring.

Before Senju Touka could dwell on what