Chapter 155: The Absolute Stronger, and the Loneliness That Follows
"Uchiha Kagami."
Amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, a four-armed, two-faced demon called out his name.
"If you can break my seal at any time, I'm curious..."
"Why haven't you tried to subdue me with Crimson Demon?"
"The Hell-Sealing Technique you used against Isshiki—that was meant for me, wasn't it?"
Uchiha Kagami's spirit manifested in front of a crimson gate, facing Sukuna from just a few steps away.
"I did have that thought once."
"But people change over time. As the days passed, I gradually reconsidered my decision."
Kagami stepped closer to the gate.
Then—
He walked right through it and entered the sealed domain!
Sukuna's four eyes widened, his bones cracked audibly, and his muscles tensed as if he would pounce at any moment!
But—
He held himself back.
Kagami leaned against the gate, crossing his arms with a faint smirk.
"And this is exactly why, Sukuna."
Sukuna waited silently, already familiar with Kagami's way of speaking.
"You've had several opportunities to interfere with me, even to take control of my body."
"But you didn't."
"You're incredibly patient, unwilling to act rashly without absolute confidence."
"And I respect that."
...
"The Shinobi World is too small."
"It feels good to have everything at my fingertips—but after a while, it gets... boring."
"I didn't tame you because..."
"I needed a contingency plan."
"The god of this world is already dead. If the other Ōtsutsuki are all the same as the ones we've seen, then it's just... too dull."
"I still believe that only powerful individuals clashing, with one of them falling and feeding the other, will lead to a higher realm of existence."
...
Sukuna let out a cold laugh, his crimson eyes narrowing.
"You sound like one of those idiots in heroic tales..."
"Afraid of becoming too powerful, fearing loneliness, so you try to create a rival to match you?"
"You remind me of a certain foolish woman."
"She once said—"
...
"'An absolute strong man...'"
Kagami grinned, cutting him off.
"'An absolute strong man, burdened with his inevitable loneliness, must be taught how to love.'"
"It was Wan, wasn't it?"
"Sukuna, I know everything about you."
"I don't need anyone to teach me love."
"All this talk of loneliness and love—"
"It's all nonsense."
"I'm not trying to create an equal rival."
...
Kagami lowered his arms and took slow, deliberate steps forward.
Though he had to tilt his head upward, his gaze was deeper than the bloody sea, carrying a cutting malice.
His lips curled into a smirk, widening—
Until it became a manic grin.
"There's no need for an 'equal' opponent."
"Even if I give you more power—so what?"
"I am Uchiha Kagami!"
"I will never lose!"
...
Sukuna relaxed, slowly sitting down on his throne of bones.
He had heard similar words before.
"...And if?"
"If you die beneath my blade, what will your final words be?"
That was the one thing he wanted to know.
He still didn't fully understand Gojo Satoru's final thoughts, as he had been imprisoned too soon to witness the end.
After so many years of being locked away, his memories of Gojo had faded, replaced entirely by the man in front of him.
Kagami's smirk faded, his eyes losing their malice.
Sukuna hated this fake smile.
A complete monster, a madman, yet always putting on the expression of a normal person.
Not once—not once—had Sukuna ever seen genuine kindness in Kagami's smile.
...
"I don't know."
"Probably a curse for you."
Kagami turned away, stepping out of the sealed domain.
As he left, his voice was casual—but carried absolute certainty.
"This story began with you and me."
"And when it ends, only one of us will remain."
"We are not two sides of the same coin."
"There is no reconciliation between us."
At the threshold, Kagami paused—
And smiled.
For a brief moment, Sukuna was startled.
For the first time—
He had sensed a human emotion within Kagami's smile.
But what emotion was it?
Sukuna couldn't tell.
"Get ready."
"In the next few days, I'll be unlocking your seal—so we can meet face-to-face."
"If you're too weak..."
"You'll end up like that old snake."
"Good luck, Sukuna."
...
Sukuna chuckled, propping his chin on his hand.
"I go by the name Fallen Deity—I gave that name to myself."
Kagami didn't look back.
"I've known that for a long time. It doesn't matter."
"Just as I have long forgotten my original name."
"I am Uchiha Kagami. You are Ryomen Sukuna."
"That's all there is to it."
...
In the vast, seemingly endless sealed realm, even the Dragon Vein's glow barely illuminated the darkness.
Sukuna let his thoughts drift.
After so many spiritual confrontations—
After having once stolen Kagami's body—
Now, when they were finally about to meet in reality...
For the first time in his life—
Sukuna felt genuine anticipation.
...
No, Uchiha Kagami.
We are the same.
We are fated to be entangled across time.
I still believe that if I devour you...
We will ascend to a level of godhood beyond imagination.
We will always be together.
Don't compare me to some insignificant snake.
Hummm—
From deep within the sealed space, the Cursed Prison Box released a low, resounding hum.
Sukuna accelerated his devouring of Isshiki.
This grand feast was reaching its final course—
And its greatest climax was yet to come.
—
"Kagami, is something wrong?"
Minato looked over, concern in his voice.
He had seen Kagami close his eyes as if dozing off, and wondered if he had overused his eyes after subduing the White Snake Sage.
As the teacher of an Uchiha, Minato was well aware of the side effects of the Sharingan.
Kagami slowly opened his eyes, smiling faintly.
"Nothing."
"I just sent out a formal invitation."
Minato didn't understand but didn't press further.
He glanced at Hashirama, who was chatting with a slug, and lowered his voice.
"Kurama just told me—Gyūki contacted him."
"Nagato's ability to suppress tailed beasts is almost as powerful as your Sharingan."
"Combining the Rinnegan with Mokuton makes him extremely dangerous."
His voice dropped to a whisper, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"The Akatsuki has gathered some of the strongest rogue ninja in the world."
"But if it was just about governing Amegakure, their actions don't make sense."
"Especially since Nagato was so eager to turn Kinkaku and Ginkaku into puppets..."
Minato's brows furrowed.
"I think they're collecting tailed beasts!"
Kagami raised an eyebrow.
"Kurama told you that?"
"No, Gyūki did. Kurama clammed up when I asked."
Minato hesitated.
"You knew all along, didn't you?"
"Of course," Kagami said indifferently. "So what?"
"...Then should we confront Nagato?"
Minato wasn't afraid of war, but he wanted to try diplomacy first.
If Nagato joined the Fire Nation, it would stabilize the world.
Kagami chuckled.
"He already tried to negotiate with me."
"I refused."
"Relax."
"Isn't Jiraiya your double agent?"
"If they truly threaten the Fire Nation, I'll wipe them out myself."
"For now, let them be."
"If there's no external pressure, even Fire Country will grow complacent."
Minato thought for a moment, then nodded.
If it were just him, he would have tried to eliminate Akatsuki early.
But with Kagami in charge...
There was nothing to worry about.
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