Morning mist hung low over the fields of the Land of Ancestors.
Yuya stood outside Princess Kaguya's Sleeping Quarters, holding a spear and wearing a guard's uniform.
The clothes were coarse and uncomfortable.
He lowered his head and looked at his hands.
No chakra.
No Rinne Sharingan.
No Nine-Tomoe Mangekyo.
No power of the Heavenly Emperor.
All he had now was this body and the memories in his head.
How pathetic.
Yuya sighed inwardly.
He had been the mighty Heavenly Emperor, yet after starting over, he couldn't even muster a little chakra.
If the younger generations of the Shinobi World found out about this someday, they would probably laugh themselves to death.
Still, Yuya understood that this was only temporary.
He was already at Princess Kaguya's side.
As long as he could stay there, an opportunity would come sooner or later.
The doors of the hall opened.
Princess Kaguya stepped out.
She still wore those white robes, her long hair hanging loose, her manner aloof. Two maids followed behind her with their heads bowed, barely daring to breathe.
Yuya glanced up at her, then quickly looked away.
Princess Kaguya was more wary in this life than in the last.
She kept looking at him, yet always pretended she hadn't.
She clearly reacted to him, yet always hid it behind a cold expression.
Awkward.
Far too awkward.
Princess Kaguya reached the steps and stopped.
"Accompany me on a hunt today."
She spoke.
The guards beside her immediately bowed.
"Yes, Lady Kaguya."
Yuya lowered his head along with them.
Princess Kaguya glanced at him.
"You're coming too."
Something stirred in Yuya's heart.
Here it was.
After waiting so long, he finally had a chance to get close to her.
He raised his head, his voice steady.
"Yes."
Princess Kaguya said nothing more