While heading to the third sealing point, Shinji's pace noticeably slowed.
The initial excitement had faded, replaced by a tangle of emotions in his eyes. He longed to rescue Mumei from the dark seal but feared she'd become the next middle-aged shinobi, aging and dying before him.
Night fell.
After a full day's trek, Shinji finally reached the third sealing point.
It was a forest, about a hundred kilometers from Hidden Leaf Village, within Jikibi's range.
"Enchanted Forest!?"
Before entering, Shinji checked the map he carried, discovering the forest's name.
Legend had it that many civilians of the Land of Fire would inexplicably dream in this forest. The dreams varied in length, but upon waking, no one could recall them clearly, only vaguely remembering they were happy dreams, as those who awoke always had smiles on their faces.
Thus, local villagers called it the "Enchanted Forest," and some even ventured here for adventure.
Hidden Leaf had once accepted a mission to investigate.
However, the shinobi team sent found no rumored dreams. After scouring the forest and finding nothing unusual, they reported back to the village.
Learning this, Shinji had a faint feeling that Mumei was likely sealed here.
Given Mumei's ability to infiltrate his Jikibi, she was unlike the previous two sealed figures—she could project some power from her seal.
The so-called dreams were likely the dojutsu of the Sharingan.
After all, for a Mangekyo Uchiha, making someone dream was effortless.
"Whatever the case, I'll check it out first!"
Steeling himself, Shinji stepped into the forest.
Under the night sky, the Enchanted Forest, adorned by moonlight, held a surreal charm. Wandering through it, even Shinji felt a rare sense of wonder.
Instead of consulting the sealing scroll, Shinji followed his instincts, strolling until he reached the forest's heart.
"Lamp, is that you?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in Shinji's ears.
His heart trembled with excitement: "Yes, it's me!"
"Why are you here?" After a pause, the familiar voice wavered: "Could it be… you came to save me?"
Shinji smiled: "Wasn't that our promise?"
Mumei seemed stunned that Shinji would honor it, or perhaps that he'd come so quickly. Unsure how to respond, she asked cautiously: "Lamp, did you really come just to save me?"
Sensing her tentative probing, Shinji said firmly: "Mumei, I'm here to save you!"
Mumei's voice broke into sobs: "Lamp, you're the first to truly believe in me. Thank you!"
From her cries, Shinji felt her boundless grievances. Shaking his head, he sighed softly: "I'm sorry I came so late."
"No, you don't need to apologize! Knowing someone's looking for me, caring for me, already makes me so happy!"
Mumei then asked how Shinji found this place.
He didn't hide anything, explaining how he first scoured the Uchiha clan's genealogy and records with no luck, then turned to the Senju clan's texts, finding a sealing scroll. He circled three sealing points within range and checked them one by one.
Mumei was amazed.
She knew Shinji was an Uchiha, so accessing their records wasn't surprising. But accessing the Senju clan's texts? That caught her off guard.
After all, the Uchiha and Senju were sworn enemies!
Shinji chuckled: "There's no Uchiha or Senju clan anymore! About sixty years ago, the Uchiha leader and a Senju made peace, founding a shinobi village called Hidden Leaf. Now, we're all Hidden Leaf shinobi!"
Curious, Mumei asked: "A shinobi village? Tell me more!"
Shinji recounted the founding of Hidden Leaf and the story of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju in detail.
He spoke slowly, unsure if he was dreading something or avoiding it.
Hearing his tale, Mumei said wistfully: "I've been to so few places—either in my clan's dungeon or sealed here. I really want to see the Hidden Leaf Village where you grew up!"
Shinji readily agreed: "Sure, I'll take you there!"
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Mumei said happily: "Thank you, Lamp!"
"Uh, I'm not actually 'Lamp'!" Pausing, Shinji explained: "My name is Uchiha Shinji. 'Lamp' was just a name I gave on a whim."
"Uchiha Shinji…"
Mumei repeated his name, as if committing it to memory.
Shinji stopped before a large tree, sensing it was Mumei's sealing point.
Before acting, he said: "Mumei, didn't I mention I visited two other sealing points?"
Mumei replied: "Yes, what about them?"
After much hesitation, Shinji chose honesty: "Those two points held shinobi sealed by the Senju clan. After I broke their seals, they all died…"
"D-died?"
Mumei sounded dazed.
Shinji said slowly: "It's been at least a century since you were sealed. The sealing techniques preserved your chakra, but not your bodies. When the seals were broken, they aged and died!"
Mumei hesitated: "Will I die too?"
Shinji shook his head: "I don't know…"
After a long silence, Mumei laughed: "It's okay. Finding a friend who truly cares for me before I die is enough!"
Shinji leaned against the tree trunk, feeling powerless: "I'm sorry I came too late!"
Mumei said: "Shinji, break the seal! Didn't you say it takes a while to age? At least before I die, I can see the world—and you!"
Shinji urged: "Give me more time. I'm sure I can find a way to wake you safely! I'm strong, and I've mastered advanced medical ninjutsu. I can do this!"
Mumei smiled: "No need. I just want to see you now and keep your face in my heart!"