And so, Lumine, Paimon, and one of Yucheng's Shadow Clones entered the space within the torii under Yae Miko's control.
The three figures vanished behind the torii, and the cave returned to its usual tranquility. Yucheng's real body sat on the shrine steps, watching Yae Miko hold her signature weapon, Kagura's Verity, and stare intently at the space within the torii.
It seemed Miko's carefree attitude was only talk. When it really mattered, she was still someone he could count on.
"Ah!"
But Miko's composure did not last long. Under Yucheng's startled gaze, she let out a rare cry of panic.
She hurriedly looked toward him. Yucheng was still wondering why she had suddenly looked at him when, the next moment, a strange sensation reached his consciousness. The sudden influx of vast amounts of information and memories left him dazed for a moment. Pain crossed his face, and he clutched his head with both hands and curled up.
This meant one thing: his Shadow Clone had vanished. It had not suffered a fatal injury, nor had its Chakra run out. Instead, something that had never happened even in the Shinobi World had occurred: his Shadow Clone had actually reached the end of its lifespan and died of old age.
When Yucheng opened his eyes again, two indescribable peaks blocked his vision, leaving him somewhat puzzled. What's blocking my view?
Yucheng instinctively reached out to move the two things obstructing his vision aside, but the instant he touched them, his fingers felt an astonishing springiness. Soft?
"Ah! Little one, you're awake. Repeat after me: three, two, one, one, two, three, ah, ah-hurry."
"Three, two, one, one, two, three, ah, ah? Miko?"
"Mm-hmm, good, good. That means there's nothing seriously wrong with your brain for now, at least. Though I suppose the