The illusion space receded like the tide: the azure ocean, the towering Dragon Palace, the roaring sea beasts, the shattered Susanoo...
All those bizarre sights vanished like marks rubbed out by an eraser, swiftly dissolving into invisible ripples.
Their vision refocused on the familiar hallway of the Uzumaki Mansion, with its wooden floor and paper sliding doors. The sunlight spilling through the windows was as bright as ever.
Uchiha Hikari still stood where she had been, as though she had never moved. Only her slightly labored breathing and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead betrayed the strain of their mental clash.
Otohime stood in place too. Her golden Rinnegan had returned to their usual state, though their faint flicker showed that she had not emerged entirely unscathed.
Looking at Hikari's cold little face, dazed by shock, defeat, and the need to reassess her opponent, she suddenly felt an itch in her fingers.
What funny expression would that delicate face make if I pinched her cheeks and gave them a little knead? She's always so expressionless, as if she doesn't care about anything.
It would definitely be adorable!
With that thought, Otohime stepped forward and reached out, her slender, pale fingers heading straight for Hikari's cheek.
It was the teasing gesture of a victor.
But just before her fingers touched Hikari's cheek, another, slightly cool hand firmly intercepted them.
Hikari raised her arm and pushed Otohime's hand aside.
Her movement was not quick; it was even a little sluggish. Clearly, she had yet to fully recover from the shock of their illusion duel and seeing her Susanoo so easily shattered, but instinct still made her stop that rather flippant gesture.
She raised her head, her scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan staring straight at Otohime. A little of the coldness in her