Whoosh!
In an open field outside Feather Emperor City, a space-time vortex churned, and a bloodied figure fell from midair!
Ninjas from a nearby patrol came to investigate. When they recognized the wounded man, their faces paled in shock. "F-Feather Emperor!?"
The Feather Emperor's grave injuries alarmed the entire leadership of the Ninja Kingdom!
Uzumaki Mito made an immediate decision. "Seal off the news. No one is to breathe a word of this!"
"Understood!"
The news was tightly suppressed, and Yu was taken back to Heavenly Feather Pavilion to recuperate. Meanwhile, the strongest fighters remained on high alert to guard against any unforeseen trouble.
Late that night, Yu woke.
Beside his sickbed, Xiyang's eyes brimmed with tears. "Yu, you scared me to death! Do you know that?"
"Sorry I made you worry, Xiyang."
Yu was not in any serious danger. His earlier loss of consciousness had been caused by the complete depletion of his ocular power and chakra. After some rest, he had already recovered considerably.
He gazed out the window, recalling the dangers of the day, and sighed. "It's been years since I ended up in such a sorry state, hasn't it?"
Xiyang's expression grew serious. "What kind of enemy could do this to you?"
Yu explained what had happened.
Xiyang listened with her heart pounding, her face deathly pale. "What? You went somewhere that dangerous alone? And faced a coordinated assault by more than twenty Ōtsutsuki experts!?"
Yu said calmly, "Yes... the stakes were too high. I had to go and assess the situation. I thought there might be danger, but I never expected such a grand welcoming ceremony."
Only he knew just how perilous it had been.
When his attempt to escape with Kamui failed and the entire Queen Faction descended, Yu had activated Izanagi at once!