His current condition was poor, while his opponent was at his peak.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki naturally understood that now was not the time to fight Shihōin Naraku, because that would clearly be like throwing an egg against a rock.
He was no fool.
Since he had already hidden in the shinobi world for a thousand years, waiting a little longer was nothing.
Clashing head-on with Naraku was not the best choice.
As long as he stayed out of combat, Jigen's body could hold on.
But he could not continue hiding so leisurely now. He had more important things to do.
Deep within the Alternate Space was an area that had been deliberately cordoned off.
Cold air pervaded the area, and dim light illuminated rows of upright, cylindrical cultivation tanks.
The tanks were cast from a special material, transparent yet thick, and filled with pale green nutrient solution. Occasionally, bubbles rose from the bottom and burst silently in the liquid.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki stood at the end of this row of cultivation tanks.
He wore Jigen's robes, his hands clasped behind his back as his calm gaze swept over the scene before him.
His gaze moved slowly from the first cultivation tank, passing over the figure curled up inside, then over the tubes and inscribed formulas attached to the body, constantly flickering with faint light, before finally settling on a small identification plate affixed to the bottom of the tank.
[Number: 07.] [Origin: Village on the Land of Fire Border.] [Note: Compatibility rate: 3.2%.]
Isshiki did not stop walking.
He continued forward.
Three members of Kara's Inner Circle followed behind him. Dressed in dark clothing, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods, they kept pace behind their leader, always maintaining a respectful distance.
The second cultivation tank was