Chapter Sixteen: How Dare You Address Wei Yuan Like That (Please Vote)

I have to admit... Kurotsune is somewhat skilled at storytelling.

In Kurotsune’s tale, Kaguya transforms into a compassionate Rabbit Goddess who becomes a victim of harm inflicted by those close to her.

Even though her fate is so tragic...

The great Kaguya still chooses to prioritize the greater good for the sake of humanity’s lives.

This story truly conveys the image of the Rabbit Goddess that humans long to believe in, especially for someone like Emiya Shigen, who has always revered the Divine Tree and Kaguya.

“...”

Emiya Shigen felt a bit absent-minded.

Is this really the ninja world?

Is this the proper ninja world?

If the storyteller weren’t Kurotsune, Emiya Shigen might almost have believed this tragic story, because logically speaking, it had barely any flaws.

Because...

The one tiny flaw was Kurotsune himself.

In ancient times, Kurotsune always sought revenge against the Six Paths Sage.

Kurotsune was the will Kaguya left behind in this world—a mother with a kind heart who was gentle toward her beloved son, even yielding in the conflict that threatened to destroy the world. And yet, the will she left behind constantly sought to take revenge on her own son?

Clearly...

Kurotsune didn’t quite understand human emotions.

As someone with a good heart, Emiya Shigen naturally wanted to help Kurotsune patch up this flaw, which also eased much of the guilt he felt toward Kurotsune.

“Really...”

“A god worthy of reverence...”

“I can hardly imagine...”

Emiya Shigen sighed deeply, intentionally or not revealing a trace of sympathy: “Such a great deity, walking the righteous path, yet betrayed and sealed by the child she loved. How much pain she must have held inside...”

“...”

Kurotsune’s expression suddenly froze.

It hadn’t expected...

Its story to have such a profound effect!

Emiya Shigen’s reverence for Kaguya grew ever stronger...

This guy...

Even thought about the pain Kaguya felt when sealed!

Although when Kaguya was sealed by the Six Paths Sage brothers, she felt not only pain but also resentment and anger at her two sons’ betrayal.

Yet Emiya Shigen’s words sparked a new idea in Kurotsune’s mind, and it immediately found the origin for its own existence.

“Yes...”

“This pain is unbearable...”

“Even the Rabbit Goddess cannot endure it...”

“This pain is also why I was born into this world...”

Kurotsune’s voice slowly darkened as it willingly took on the blame: “Before that great mother was sealed, she refused to hate her sons. Kaguya separated her pain from her body, and from that moment, I was born into this world...”

“So...”

“I have always concealed this...”

Kurotsune, almost bashfully, fabricated its own story: “Because I am the will of pain born from mother, I dared not reveal my true identity...”

“...”

Emiya Shigen looked at Kurotsune with a sudden clarity.

“Kurotsune...”

Emiya Shigen seemed to feel a pang of compassion.

At this moment, this man appeared to fully accept Kurotsune’s identity, forgive his past deception, and even feel a bit of sympathy for Kurotsune’s life.

“You are the will of the Rabbit Goddess...”

“That should be something to be proud of.”

Emiya Shigen comforted Kurotsune, a hint of melancholy in his voice: “Deities always save suffering mortals; surely there must be someone to save the gods’ own pain too...”

Emiya Shigen gently soothed Kurotsune’s heart: “As the will of pain left behind by the Rabbit Goddess, you must be grieving her fate as well...”

“Lord Emiya...”

Kurotsune felt a bit moved.

From today onward...

Emiya Shigen was truly the perfect pawn it controlled.

No...

At this moment, it must not think this way...

Rather...

Emiya Shigen was genuinely its companion in reviving Kaguya.

Although Kurotsune sensed that the day Emiya Shigen revived Kaguya and saw her true form, he might become furious...

However...

To prevent Emiya Shigen from getting too angry...

Kurotsune had no intention of letting him witness Kaguya’s resurrection directly.

Because Emiya Shigen was the vessel Kurotsune intended to use as the sacrificial container to bring Kaguya back; after all, Emiya Shigen was Kurotsune’s most trusted pawn.

As for Uchiha Madara...

Kurotsune had completely forgotten about that useless pawn.

In its mind, Kurotsune fantasized about the success of its plan and wondered whether, when the day came to pierce Emiya Shigen’s heart to revive Kaguya, it should wear a triumphant grin?

Or...

Should it put on a sorrowful, resigned expression?

No...

Perhaps both.

It could sorrowfully explain its helplessness and simultaneously boast about the years of careful scheming and deception...

This mental state...

Seemed somewhat schizophrenic.

Though Kurotsune felt a bit guilty about Emiya Shigen’s trust, it rationalized that it was originally Kaguya’s will, and all its aims were to revive her.

Yes.

When that time came...

It could always say a few more words.

Praise Emiya Shigen...

Express how much it truly liked this pawn...

And how joyful it was to use him...

Before dying...

Emiya Shigen deserved to know the truth.

That would at least be fair to their years of acquaintance.

Kurotsune silently made these little future plans and even felt a touch of guilt, which made its attitude toward Emiya Shigen unconsciously warmer and more intimate.

“Emiya...”

“...”

Hearing Kurotsune’s address, Emiya Shigen felt a subtle shift in mood.

This guy...

Thinking himself the will of Kaguya...

Thinking his status had risen...

Didn’t even want to call me “Lord Emiya” anymore?

The name “Emiya”...

Was reserved only for true friends!

Those with whom one could entrust their affairs!

Emiya was the name he had willingly allowed Slug to call him for convenience, and that little fool had insisted on adding the honorific “Lord” afterward.

As for Kurotsune...

Calling him “Lord Emiya” once would be fine...

But now, not even adding the honorific afterward? Did he really think that being Kaguya’s will gave him the right to arrogantly look down on me?

Though he was broad-minded and didn’t intend to fuss over such trivial matters, Kurotsune’s attitude was undeniably arrogant...

The moment he gained influence...

Or rather, even before gaining influence!

Kurotsune was already acting like the divine will!

Though he was magnanimous and didn’t care about a mere title, Kurotsune’s behavior had clearly crossed a line...

Had he forgotten the important matter?

Right now, he still needed others’ help!

“Emiya.”

Kurotsune was very fond of this familiar address.

It believed their relationship had grown closer, confident that Emiya Shigen had fully accepted its identity and even forgiven its earlier secrecy.

The time had come.

It was time to get down to business.

“Reviving Kaguya won’t be easy.”

“Long ago, when Mother was sealed, it was over a thousand years ago. Back then, reviving her was still somewhat feasible, but her chakra has gradually dissipated over the centuries...”

Kurotsune paused, then fabricated another line: “Now, Mother has only left her consciousness behind, still guarding the world she once deeply loved...”

“Truly magnificent...”

Emiya Shigen couldn’t help but admire, then suddenly furrowed his brow with unease: “If Lady Kaguya is left only with a residual consciousness, that’s a realm of divinity I’ve never encountered before. I might need quite some time to research and explore if I can manage it, but I fear I might not succeed...”

“...”

Kurotsune smiled.

It didn’t mind Emiya Shigen’s helplessness.

It was very satisfied with Emiya Shigen’s attitude, even felt a surge of joy because his words rekindled a familiar feeling!

As expected of Emiya Shigen!

As expected of its favorite pawn!

When faced with problems, Emiya Shigen instinctively sought solutions.

However...

This time, Emiya Shigen definitely wouldn’t be able to manage.

Because the way to revive Kaguya would be beyond his imagination.

“I think... hmm?”

Emiya Shigen originally intended to continue chatting and see what other tricks Kurotsune might use to deceive him, but suddenly sensed someone rapidly approaching his location!

Kurotsune’s perception was equally sharp; it also noticed someone swiftly coming closer and was somewhat annoyed at being interrupted while having a pleasant conversation with Emiya Shigen.

“Someone’s coming!”

“Wait...”

Kurotsune sensed the newcomer with surprise, seemingly unable to believe who it was: “How did he get here?”