The fog at Yomi-tsu is thicker than when I last visited.
Amaterasu stood on a protruding black rock at the deepest part of the rift valley, her long white robes becoming heavy with mist.
She stood there, in the mist, like a stone statue that had been waiting for a long time.
Deep within the rift behind them, a faint purple light flickered—the remnant of the Amenominaka, once sealed away.
At the end of the stone path, a figure was slowly walking towards them.
Kushinadahime is holding a child in her arms.
He was wrapped in an old cloth, his little face resting on Kushinadahime's shoulder, his eyes open, quietly looking around.
He didn't cry or make a fuss; he just watched quietly.
Kushinadahime supported him with one hand, while the other hand hung at her side.
She walked steadily. Her eyes gleamed crimson in the mist, and the patterns of the Mangekyō slowly rotated.
She saw Amaterasu, but her steps didn't falter, nor was she surprised.
"You're smarter than I thought. Knowing to wait here shows you understand what I want to do," said Kushinadahime, or rather Omoikane-no-Kami.
Amaterasu glanced at the child in her arms, then looked away.
"Everyone has to be smart at least once in a while, right?"
Omoikane-no-Kami reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear; this delicate gesture made Amaterasu feel slightly uncomfortable.
"It's hard to imagine that you, known as the goddess of wisdom, would choose to become a woman and bear another man's child."
Omoikane-no-Kami 'Amaterasu mockery, Omoikane remained completely indifferent.
"To gain something, you lose something else. I lost very little, just some face."
But I inherited good bloodlines and have lovely offspring.
Amaterasu snorted coldly.
"You don't think I'll go easy on you just because you brought a child, do you?"
Omoikane-no-Kami shrugged and stopped ten steps away from Amaterasu.
The boy stirred in her arms, his little hand reaching out from under the fabric and making a grasping motion in the air.
Kushinadahime glanced down at him and tucked his small hand back into the cloth.
She looked up at Amaterasu, her face bearing a faint expression that was neither a smile nor a smile.
"Of course I don't think so. Since you came alone, you must have been prepared to kill me."
Please don't hold back! Let me see just how Great Goddess Amaterasu, who has ruled Takamagahara for a thousand years, truly is!
Amaterasu did not act immediately; instead, she looked at Omoikane-no-Kami with some regret.
"You know, I've always hated you. I hate your ability to control people's minds."
Last time, you and Kukurihime-no-Kami came here to enhance Amenominaka's memories.
Presumably, by then, you had already influenced Kukurihime-no-Kami, making her ignore the abilities left behind by Amenominaka.
Controlling people's minds and rewriting their will—your ability is extremely powerful, even among the abilities of all the great gods.
"Among my subordinates, how many gods are truly under your control?"
Kushinadahime giggled.
She looked at Amaterasu's resentful eyes and a smile crept onto her lips.
"You guess?"
Amaterasu narrowed her long, narrow eyes, seemingly trying her best to suppress her anger.
Omoikane-no-Kami saw Amaterasu's appearance, he laughed heartily again.
" Amaterasu, it's quite rare to see you in such a furious state."
I'm sorry, but this makes me a little happy.
But Amaterasu need not worry. As you probably know, my abilities are naturally limited.
The more powerful a person is, the more limited my influence on them.
Take those two outsiders, for example. I couldn't do anything about them either; it was just some indirect influence.
For example, you; how I long to make you my servant.
But now, aren't you standing perfectly fine opposite me?
Amaterasu took a deep breath and said in a chilling tone.
" Omoikane, you have always been the wisest among the gods of Takamagahara."
You are probably aware of the predicament that Takamagahara is currently facing.
The destruction of the God Tree did not mean that Takamagahara was safe and sound, but rather the beginning of further destruction.
I can forgive all your past mistakes, and I invite you to join me in resisting outsiders.
Protect Takamagahara so it won't be destroyed by the impending Taiichi clan.
So, would you like to become a guardian of Takamagahara with me?
Omoikane-no-Kami paused for a moment, then touched his nose.
"How touching, Amaterasu. I know you dislike me so much, yet you've put aside your past grievances and invited me to become the guardian of Takamagahara."
Hehe, this ending looks really wonderful.
Omoikane reached out and touched the little face of the boy in her arms, then looked up at Amaterasu.
"Unfortunately, I refuse!"
Amaterasu, her chest rising and falling slightly, tried to keep her tone calm.
"Can you tell me why? If you want to become the ruler of Takamagahara, it's not entirely out of the question."
"If you agree to protect Takamagahara, I will immediately abdicate."
Omoikane-no-Kami stretched out her slender fingers and rubbed her temples.
" Amaterasu, do you think I control any of the gods in Takamagahara?"
Aren't you curious why Kukurihime-no-Kami, despite absorbing so many memories, consistently fails to make her prophecies?
To tell you the truth, Kukurihime-no-Kami has long been under my control.
I intercepted her prophecy long ago. That's why I know just how powerful the Ōtsutsuki Clan will be when they arrive.
If things were truly as you believe, then the destruction of Takamagahara would be inevitable.
Amaterasu remained silent, unsure whether she should feel anger or sorrow.
Looking down at the familiar yet unfamiliar Omoikane-no-Kami.
Amaterasu spoke.
"Since that's the case, Omoikane, then prove your determination with actions."
You want to become the lord of Takamagahara and absorb the power of the Amaterasu Tamanaka Lord.
These are all acceptable!
"Defeat me! Prove your worth with your abilities!"
Omoikane-no-Kami's smile vanished, and he became serious again.
"I will prove myself, Amaterasu!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her entire body was suddenly engulfed in raging black flames.
A look of surprise appeared on Omoikane-no-Kami's face.
"Such fast black flames! I truly underestimated you, Amaterasu."
Amaterasu was not pleased with her successful attack.
The Omoikane-no-Kami before her, along with the child in her arms, suddenly turned into Utakata and vanished into thin air.
"The power of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto?"