"Though she looked no different from a living person, my sister's soul was long gone..."
Wuye held Kaguya's hand as he walked through Konoha's streets, his expression utterly indifferent.
It was not yet dawn, and the streets were deserted.
Kushina and the others silently followed behind him, feeling as though a massive boulder weighed upon their hearts, leaving them unable to breathe.
They had never seen Wuye so utterly lifeless before.
It left them lost and uneasy.
"Wuye, you're here... Hm? Sister? You..."
As they entered Konoha Hospital, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been anxiously pacing outside the building, looked over in delight.
"Hizashi, don't speak carelessly," Hyuga Hiashi said in a low voice as he hurried over to his side. "Sister... is no longer here. That is Wuye's secret technique."
"W-what..."
Hyuga Hizashi froze where he stood.
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head and turned back. "Come with me. Suzu's delivery room is this way..."
Still holding Kaguya's hand, Wuye followed behind him like a walking corpse.
"Hiashi... Ah, Lord Hokage! Clan Head!"
Thanks to a ninja's constitution, Hyuga Suzu had already recovered considerably on the delivery bed.
But Hyuga Hiashi stopped her from trying to bow and shook his head at her.
Hyuga Suzu found it strange, but she had no time to care about that. She immediately said, "The two children, they..."
"Don't speak."
Hyuga Hiashi raised a hand to stop her.
By then, Wuye had already led Kaguya to the nursery crib on the other side.
Before he had done anything, his whole body suddenly trembled.
Because Kaguya beside him suddenly moved on her own. As if drawn by some force, she walked like a puppet on strings to the two children's crib.
"Sister..."
Wuye spoke hoarsely.
But Kaguya gave no response. Guided by that unseen force, she