That night—
While Danzo, in the north, was being battered by the Raikage's thunderous fists—
In the south, inside the Red Armor Army's camp, Ren sat cross-legged within his tent, his breathing gradually settling into a steady rhythm.
The summoning art—an odd blend of ancient Buddhist and Daoist elements, twisted further by local traditions—was painfully slow to grasp.
Each time he tried to sense the elusive "spirit" permeating the world, his awareness drifted into a hazy void, unable to touch anything real.
Slow—
But not fruitless.
At least now, he had direction.
After a long while, Ren exhaled slowly.
His consciousness sank once more into the Sharingan space.
—
In that vast mental void—
The ancient blue-white stone gate stood silently.
Its patterns shimmered faintly.
As his ocular power poured in—
Light gathered.
Condensed.
Then—
Before him appeared a floating object.
A smooth, spherical egg, about the size of a basketball, wrapped in a thin bubble, glowing with a soft milky-white radiance.
—
Ren's eyes snapped open.
Disbelief.
Then—
Pure, explosive joy.
He shot to his feet.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
He paced twice, took several deep breaths—
Still couldn't contain it.
With a swift motion, he threw open the tent flap and stepped outside.
Moonlight poured down like liquid silver, bathing the forest.
Nearby guards turned instantly.
"General!"
Ren waved them off, his smile brighter than usual.
The next moment—
Three tomoe spun in his eyes.
His figure vanished—
Reappearing at Mikoto's tent.
—
Inside—
Mikoto sat at her desk, reviewing intelligence under candlelight.
Her long dark hair flowed over her shoulders, a few strands brushing her pale neck.
Before she could even look up—
Warm hands gently cupped her face.
Then—
A sudden kiss.
Fierce.
Eager.
Overflowing with joy.
"Mmph—?!"
Mikoto froze, scroll still in hand.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Ren pulled back slightly, studying her stunned expression in the flickering light.
Her lips glistened faintly—
Her confusion… almost adorable.
He couldn't resist—
Another quick kiss.
Then—
Gone.
Only the swaying tent flap remained.
Mikoto sat there, stunned.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
"…That idiot."
—
Nearby, Hazuki, who had been awakened by the disturbance, smiled knowingly.
—
Back in his own tent—
Ren finally let it out.
He clenched his fist and punched the air.
"It's real!"
"Who cares about Ultraman—WarGreymon is the best!"
"…No. Calm down."
"As a general, I should remain unmoved even if a mountain collapses."
"…This is nothing."
Slowly, he steadied himself.
Then—
He extended his hands.
A thought—
The bubble appeared in reality.
Pop.
It burst.
The egg dropped neatly into his grasp.
—
[Item: Digi-Egg]
[Description: A miraculous egg born from digital data, existing between reality and illusion. When resonating with pure emotion, it may awaken the life within.]
[Origin: Digimon]
—
Ren stared at it.
This… was BlackAgumon's beginning.
He held it close to his ear.
Warm.
But silent.
No heartbeat.
No breath.
No movement.
He shook it gently.
Nothing.
Like a dead egg.
Just like that lifeless draw before.
"…So I need courage?"
"Seriously…"
He set it aside with a sigh.
Then paused.
Picked it up again.
Held it close.
Lay down.
Pulled the blanket over himself.
Closed his eyes.
—
Outside—
Moonlight blanketed the world.
Two figures walked beneath the swaying trees.
At the front—
A blonde woman with pale skin and a striking figure.
Her green haori bore a bold character on the back—
"Gamble."
Behind her—
A young girl carried a small pink pig.
Shizune followed quietly.
"Tsunade-sama…"
"Our money… only lasts three days."
"And… the casinos call you a walking 'fat sheep'…"
"Maybe we shouldn't—"
"What do you know?!"
Tsunade snapped.
"That's just bad luck!"
She placed her hands on her hips.
"This time, it's different!"
"New place. New fortune!"
"I'll win everything back!"
Her confidence was overwhelming.
Almost heroic.
Shizune sighed internally.
This is what gambling addiction looks like…
"…We could take medical work," she suggested carefully.
"Infinite City has wealthy clients—"
"I'm not treating trash."
Tsunade cut her off.
But then—
She glanced at her empty wallet.
"…Fine."
"I think there's a Senju property nearby."
"We'll sell it."
Shizune fell silent.
She understood.
After everything Tsunade had lost—
Money meant nothing.
"…Wait."
Shizune suddenly tensed.
"The Mist invasion… isn't Infinite City dangerous?"
Tsunade didn't even turn back.
"Foolish girl."
"That city belongs to nobles."
"The Mist won't dare act recklessly."
"This world…"
"Has always been a game for the few."
Shizune watched her back—
Lonely.
Free.
Unreachable.
"…As long as I'm with her… that's enough."
"Hurry up!"
"I don't want to sleep outside!"
"Coming!"
—
Far away—
At the Fire Daimyo's palace—
Music filled the air.
Dancers moved gracefully.
Luxury.
Excess.
A different world entirely from the battlefield.
Mito Homura sat among the officials, smiling, drinking, networking.
This peace… is what Konoha protects.
As for funding—
It would come.
Eventually.
If handled properly.
—
Meanwhile—
Inside the Hokage's office—
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened grimly.
The situation was deteriorating.
Every front strained.
Except—
The Uchiha.
"They killed one of the Seven Swordsmen on the first day…"
"And now… they're resting."
His tone hardened.
"Mobilize the remaining thousand ninja."
"Crush the Sand."
"Order Minato to act."
"And tell Danzo…"
"He dies before he retreats."
—
Silence returned.
Hiruzen stood by the window.
Looking toward—
The towering Ginza building.
A strange pressure weighed on him.
If only Kagami were still alive…
He exhaled slowly.
Time… we need time.
And yet—
Even that—
Was slipping away.
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