18
Before he had finished speaking, Dragon King abruptly raised his palm and, mustering the last of his strength, slammed it down on Music King's head.
"Aah!"
Music King let out a short, agonized scream, blood gushing from his mouth. His body crumpled limply, the light in his eyes rapidly fading until only resentment and shock remained.
Dragon King clutched his chest, his face expressionless. His voice was as cold as if he were discussing something utterly trivial. "I chose him from among millions to become Music King. I gave him wealth and glory, bestowed supreme power upon him. Yet he betrayed me. Someone like that cannot be allowed to live."
As Xun Uchiha watched Music King's body grow cold, a glint of resolve flashed in his eyes.
If time could begin again, if cause and effect could be reversed...
"Time Reversal."
As the low murmur faded, the surrounding space began to warp violently. Stars reversed their course, light and shadow intertwined, and the entire world seemed to rewind. Shattered bones, splattered flesh and blood, despairing gazes-all came back together at that moment.
Music King slowly raised his head. The terror had yet to leave his eyes, but the flame of life burned anew.
"Since you were willing to plead for me, accompany me to the afterlife."
Dragon King knelt on one knee, seemingly in submission, yet his murderous intent lay fully exposed. He suddenly raised his palm, the Eight Divisions Dragon Force erupting within him with suffocating pressure as he struck at the crown of Music King's head from behind.
"Get out of the way! He's going to kill you!" Xun Uchiha's roar tore through the air.
Music King turned in shock, only to see that devastating palm strike already upon him. Sudden understanding hit like a dousing of