Ōtsutsuki clan territory.
Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki returned, leading the remaining members of the clan back to their homeland.
"Congratulations to the Clan Head on his triumphant return!"
Countless Ōtsutsuki clan members gathered to welcome them. The atmosphere was grand and solemn. Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki was overjoyed when he saw Hitoshiki return safely, his face full of excitement. However, Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki, the Great Elder, merely glanced at the returning group—and his expression immediately turned grave.
Yes.
The Second Elder, Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki, was missing.
Hitoshiki descended first, landing calmly in the center of the square. Behind him followed the five elite Ōtsutsuki warriors, each bearing signs of battle.
Tsukishiki stepped forward together with Tatsushiki and bowed respectfully.
"Congratulations to the Clan Head on your victorious return."
Hitoshiki did not even glance at Tsukishiki. He merely hummed in acknowledgment and turned to face the countless clan members gathered below, clearly preparing to address them.
But Tsukishiki could not remain silent.
"Clan Head," Tsukishiki asked in a low but sharp voice, "where is the Second Elder?"
Hitoshiki did not turn his head.
"I will explain shortly."
He took a step forward and looked down at the vast crowd. The square was nearly filled with Ōtsutsuki clan members, all watching him with reverence.
"Everyone," Hitoshiki said slowly, his voice echoing across the square, "under the instructions of the Ōtsutsuki God, I personally led a team to eliminate the traitor Ōtsutsuki Urashiki and the low-level creature from Earth."
"The battle was extremely difficult. However, the final outcome was favorable—the traitor Urashiki and the low-level creature have both been completely eliminated!"
The moment his words fell, thunderous cheers erupted from below.
"The Clan Head is mighty!"
"All glory to the Ōtsutsuki God!"
"Our clan reigns supreme among all races!"
"God bless the Ōtsutsuki clan!"
The shouts echoed endlessly.
"But—"
Hitoshiki suddenly raised his hand, and the cheers gradually quieted.
His expression shifted, becoming heavy and sorrowful.
"During the battle," Hitoshiki said with visible grief, "that low-level creature was exceptionally cruel. At the final moment, it used self-destruction, attempting to die together with us."
"The Second Elder, Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki, stepped forward without hesitation and stood in front of us."
"As the Clan Head, by the time I reacted, the low-level creature had already detonated itself."
Hitoshiki clenched his fist tightly.
"That technique… was our clan's forbidden art—the Ōtsutsuki Explosion—taught to that creature by the traitor Urashiki."
His voice trembled with apparent pain.
"It is my failure as Clan Head. I did not protect the Second Elder well. I hereby apologize to everyone!"
As he finished speaking, Hitoshiki actually bent down deeply, his posture filled with self-blame.
Below the stage, Tatsushiki's eyes flickered.
He understood instantly.
So that's how it is…
No wonder the Clan Head insisted on bringing the Second Elder along. Everything made sense now.
Tch. Serves him right. I've disliked that old bastard for a long time.
Among the clan members below, sympathy and understanding quickly replaced doubt.
"The Clan Head has already done more than enough!"
"Yes! The Clan Head hasn't even left the clan lands for thousands of years!"
"The Second Elder died a meaningful death, protecting the future of our clan!"
"It's all because of that traitor Urashiki!"
"Some sacrifices are necessary!"
Voices rose one after another, all absolving Hitoshiki of blame.
However—
Not everyone was convinced.
"Wait."
A calm but firm voice rang out.
"Clan Head, I have a question."
Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Hitoshiki.
"As the Second Elder of the Ōtsutsuki clan, Hoshiki's strength needs no elaboration," Tsukishiki said slowly. "No matter how powerful that low-level creature or Urashiki were, you, Clan Head, could have suppressed them alone."
"Then may I ask—why did none of the five elites perish, yet the Second Elder alone died?"
The square fell silent.
Tsukishiki narrowed his eyes, waiting for an answer.
Hitoshiki sighed deeply.
"Great Elder, I understand your grief. You and the Second Elder were close."
"But the Second Elder died fighting for the Ōtsutsuki clan."
"At the time, the five young elites were already exhausted while encircling the low-level creature. When the creature was forced into self-destruction, the Second Elder chose to stand in front and block it."
Tsukishiki did not relent.
"Then where were you, Clan Head? What were you doing at that moment?"
Hitoshiki answered without hesitation.
"When I sensed the self-destruction, I immediately moved to rescue the five young elites. The Second Elder was already entangled with the enemy, and I had no way to pull him out."
"In the end, I could only save the five of them… and the Second Elder fell."
His voice carried deep remorse.
"This is my failure as Clan Head."
He lowered his head.
"If the clan deems it necessary, I am willing to resign my position and answer to the Ōtsutsuki God."
As soon as those words were spoken, Tatsushiki knew he had to act.
"Tsukishiki, what exactly are you implying?!"
Tatsushiki leapt onto the stage and pointed angrily at Tsukishiki.
"The Second Elder sacrificed himself to protect the younger generation! The Clan Head also acted to protect the younger generation!"
"The low-level creature had already begun self-destruction. The Second Elder rushed forward on his own. How could the Clan Head have saved him?!"
Tatsushiki turned sharply to Ōtsutsuki Zanshiki.
"Zanshiki, tell everyone what really happened!"
Zanshiki stepped forward and said solemnly:
"That is correct. The Second Elder fought directly with the low-level creature to save us. By the time the Clan Head pulled all five of us away, the explosion had already begun. There was no time to rescue him."
Ōtsutsuki Mitsushiki immediately followed.
"Yes. The Clan Head risked everything to drag us out of the blast radius."
Tatsushiki turned back to Tsukishiki.
"Do you understand now?"
Tsukishiki's gaze shifted to Ōtsutsuki Leishiki.
"Leishiki. You speak."
All eyes focused on Leishiki.
Cold sweat poured down his face. His eyes trembled.
After a long pause, he finally bowed his head.
"…It is as the Clan Head said. The Second Elder died protecting us. The Clan Head had no way to save him."
Those words were the final confirmation.
Tsukishiki nodded slowly, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Tatsushiki immediately frowned.
"Wait, Tsukishiki! Where are you going?!"
Tsukishiki turned back calmly.
"What is it?"
Tatsushiki snorted coldly.
"Your questioning just now—are you trying to frame the Clan Head?"
Tsukishiki sneered faintly.
"The death of a Second Elder requires explanation before a general assembly. That is clan law."
"Even if the person involved is the Clan Head, I have the right to question it."
"What? Is that against the rules, Third Elder?"
Tatsushiki fell silent.
He was responsible for clan law—and Tsukishiki was correct.
"Enough," Hitoshiki finally said, raising his hand. "All further matters will be discussed in the Temple, and reported to the Ōtsutsuki God."
"The assembly is adjourned."
The meeting ended.
On the square, countless clan members continued cheering, praising the might and wisdom of Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki.
No one noticed—
That beneath this glorious victory…
A seed of doubt had already been planted.
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