Gamamaru gently shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment. His tone was certain. "White Snake, the path you've chosen is fraught with danger. You won't succeed. In the end, you'll only bring about your own destruction."
"No need for you to worry." White Snake's expression was indifferent, utterly dismissive of Gamamaru's advice. "Gamamaru, you're laughably naïve," came the cold sneer.
"Waiting and guiding are nothing but excuses cowards use to comfort themselves."
Gamamaru stopped arguing and looked away in disappointment. Turning toward the little slug who had remained silent beside him, he asked softly, "Katsuyu, what about you? Will you join me?"
The little slug stayed quiet for a long time before finally shaking her head gently, her voice soft but candid.
"Gamamaru, I'm sorry."
"I don't have such lofty aspirations, or the courage to save the world, let alone the ambition to rule it."
"What becomes of this world, what happens to Kaguya, whether everything is destroyed-none of that is within my power, and I don't want to get involved."
"I don't want to compete and fight like White Snake, or wait for destiny like you."
"I just want to keep living in peace. That's all."
She wanted only stability, without desires or ambitions, without conflict with the world.
At that point, the three little companions who had grown up together, endured hardships together, and escaped Kaguya's murderous clutches together had become utterly divided in their intentions and outlooks.
Gamamaru cared for all living beings and awaited destiny, determined to guide a savior and save the world;
White Snake harbored boundless ambition, determined to replace Kaguya and become a dragon;
Katsuyu was content and free of ambition, seeking only peace and survival.
Three entirely different paths had sealed the little trio's parting.
A moment later, the little white