""What!!!""
Kagami stared blankly Kamihane's indifferent expression and couldn't help but blurt out.
""Judging by your reaction, I guess you're not dead.""
Kamihane crossed his arms akimbo, stretching his body like an old man doing morning exercises in the park. 'It doesn't matter. Let him personally experience the pain of watching a loved one leave.'
"'But... I'm still quite moved that you showed up on time today.' He tilted his head slightly. 'After all, I haven't been in the mood to kill lately. Sending the 'God of Shinobi' off with my own hands... my feelings are a bit complicated.'"
"'Brother, what exactly are you trying to do?'"
""Don't you already know?""
Kagami stepped forward and shouted, "Take my eyes, fuse them into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—then what? What's your next move? What's your ultimate goal? Do you really intend to destroy Konoha?"
""You've grown bold, now you've learned to ask questions." Kamihane smiled at his younger brother. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to tell you. I have absolutely no interest in your damn Konoha.""
""I have only one goal, and that is to grow stronger without pause, so that in the near future, I can protect everything I wish to protect.""
""The future?" Kagami was puzzled. "Your current strength is already on par with Lord Hashirama. What in this world could possibly pose a threat to you?""
""Foolish little brother, the battles of the future won't be any easier than they are now…" Kamihane shook his head with a smile. "What can those eyes of yours even see?""
Kagami fell silent for a moment, then murmured softly, 'All I know is that Lord Hashirama was a hero who brought peace to the warring era. If you kill him, the world will descend into chaos, and countless innocent lives will be lost...'
"'So, what does that have to do with me?'"
Kamihane narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharp aura flashing briefly. 'If war truly breaks out, those who perish will be the sins of Senju Hashirama. It was he who escalated the conflict.'
Kagami frowned tightly, instinctively wanting to refute Kamihane's point, but he opened his mouth and found no words coming out.
"'Hashirama's downfall was simply not being strong enough.' Kamihane wagged a finger. 'If you're determined to suppress all nations single-handedly to bring about peace, then see it through to the end. What's the point of getting killed by me halfway?'"
"'What?' Kagami stared at Kamihane in disbelief, finding the statement utterly absurd."
"'Actually, I've never criticized Hashirama's approach to achieving 'peace.' His mistake was simply not being strong enough!'"
"'Strong enough to suppress all opposition, strong enough that no one dares to harbor thoughts of rebellion, strong enough to match the heavens and the earth, to shine as brightly as the sun and moon! Strong enough… to be eternal!'"
Kamihane looked at his younger brother, licking his lips. 'Because he wasn't strong enough, he was wrong—and that… will also be your downfall!'
""The reason for your defeat?" Kagami lifted his head, his black hair stirring without wind as his eyes instantly shifted into the intricate patterns of the Mangekyou, luminous and beautiful."
""Brother, all my eyes can see is the sight of you slinking away in defeat!""
""Swish!""
A phantom shadow flashed as Kamihane appeared instantly before Kagami, the red light in his eyes streaking into afterimages. By the time his palm strike arrived, the crisp sound of a sonic boom was belatedly heard.
As if anticipating it, Kagami sidestepped and shifted, narrowly avoiding the strike as dozens of kunai slid out from his waist pouch.