The black sphere expanded and distorted at a speed visible to the naked eye.
A sound came from inside the black sphere. It was like the voices of countless people mixed together.
"Haruki!"
"Protect Haruki!"
It was as if countless wronged souls were imprisoned within the black sphere, frantically tearing at it, desperately struggling to break free.
The sound grew louder and sharper, grating on the teeth, as if the soul itself trembled.
The black sphere had expanded into a giant with a radius exceeding three meters. The surface of the black sphere was like boiling hot oil, bubbling with viscous black foam.
Cursed Energy and intense emotions surged wildly within the black sphere. An indescribable terrifying pressure suddenly erupted from the center of the black sphere. The boiling black sphere suddenly contracted inwards.
The next second—
Boom!
A loud noise thar shook the eardrums painfully appeared.
A massive figure replaced the black sphere, suspended in the air. The mountain-like figure suddenly enveloped Haruki and the others in a shadow.
Haruki looked up at the figure suspended in the air.
The giant monster, nearly forty meters tall, let out a roar, causing the ground to shake.
The monster was similar to Rika, with an astonishing number of arms extending from its torso. Its huge head had two scarlet, gem-like pupils, completely devoid of human emotion, terrifyingly cold.
Each arm clutched a different weapon. There were war hammers, sharp swords, scythes...
The enormous curse floated in the air, like a demon god descended upon the human world.
Its scarlet pupils slowly rotated, fixing on Haruki. The monster, brandishing its weapons, suddenly paused for a moment. It slowly approached Haruki.
Haruki stared excitedly at the cursed spirit born of love before him.
"Haruki..."
"Protect Haruki!"
The cursed spirit let out a repeated roar, its massive body shielding Haruki beneath it, looking warily around, its countless arms extending from its torso waving menacingly at the Ame ninjas.
Haruki tentatively reached out and touched the cursed spirit. It felt the same as touching Rika. Both were cold and exceptionally smooth.
"Thank you..." Haruki sincerely thanked them.
"Thank you for always staying with me." Haruki tightly closed his eyes.
"Stay with Haruki..."
"Protect Haruki..."
In the distance.
The Ame ninjas stared dumbfounded at the scene before them.
"What... what is this?"
They gulped, looking at the monster shielding Haruki.
"It should be Haruki's curse." Yushi frowned, looking at Hanzō in front of him.
"Haruki couldn't accept the death of his companions, so he cursed them. They turned into curses and stayed by Haruki's side." Hanzō murmured.
He looked in Haruki's direction, his eyes complex.
Yushi opened his mouth, his expression stunned.
So that's how it is?
For the deceased companions, was this good or bad?
Yushi's brows suddenly relaxed. If he could continue to protect Haruki after his death, he would be happy. His deceased companions must have thought the same.
Haruki gently stroked the cursed spirit, feeling its agitated emotions gradually calm down.
He asked in his mind, 'Only when the curse's growth value rises to 100% can I generate new cursed spirits through the curse ability?'
[Yes, host.]
'Are the curse's growth value and the curse's strength rank consistent?' Haruki continued to ask.
[The strength of the current love curse is the same as that of the special grade cursed spirit Rika.]
'Can the curse still get stronger? Is there a limit to the number of curses generated by the same type of emotional value?' Haruki asked cautiously.
[Host, 100% has reached the upper limit of the curse's strength and it cannot get stronger. In the late stage, special cursed spirit can be activated for fusion upgrade.]
[There is no limit to the number of curses generated by the same type of emotional value.]
Activate special cursed spirit?
Fusion upgrade?
The only cursed spirit Haruki could think of related to cursed spirits was Geto's Cursed Spirit Manipulation.
Activating Cursed Spirit was completely random, and it wouldn't be easy to draw one to verify his guess.
Before activating the Cursed Spirit, he should still accumulate emotional value, upgrade what needs upgrading, and generate new curses that need generating.
[Host, please give a name to the born curse of love.]
Haruki tilted his neck and looked at the "little" cursed spirit before him. It was time to give it a name.
What name would be good?
Haruki gazed at the massive yet gentle cursed spirit before him. They not only wanted to protect him but also wanted to protect Amegakure.
Then...
"I'll call you Ame!"
[Naming successful, Cursed Spirit Ame.]
Haruki walked out from under Ame's arm, as there was still serious business to attend to.
A vortex unfolded behind Ame, and Ame's massive body was gradually swallowed by the vortex.
Silence returned to the battlefield.
Haruki and Hanzō exchanged glances. He slowly walked in front of Hanzō and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, sensei. I couldn't accept everyone's departure."
Looking at the bowed head before him, Hanzō sighed deeply.
He said nothing, placing his hand on Haruki's shoulder and gently pressing it.
"Let's go back to the camp." Hanzō said.
Haruki looked up, only to see Hanzō's back.
Yushi walked to Haruki's side and said, "Haruki, don't blame yourself. I think they were willing to stay and protect you, protect Amegakure, weren't they?"
Yushi's hands rested on Haruki's shoulders. He looked earnestly at Haruki, his eyes slightly red, and solemnly said, "If one day I die, I also hope to be able to continue to stay by your side, to protect you. This is one of the few things I can do."
Haruki stared blankly at Yushi.
Yushi smiled at him and said, "Let's go back. You're very tired. You should get some good rest."
He affectionately put his arm around Haruki's shoulder.
Haruki followed him towards the border of the Land of Rain.
Yushi said this himself, so he can't go back on his word later.
Haruki walked two steps and felt tired. His peripheral vision inadvertently swept across Yushi's profile. He was about to feign fainting.
Haruki felt a little dizzy, darkness invaded his vision, and his body fell towards the ground.
"Haruki!"
Yushi caught Haruki's falling body, his eyes panicked, and only exhaled in relief when his hand landed on Haruki's pulse.
Yushi carried Haruki on his back and walked towards the Amegakure camp.
Although countless comrades had been sacrificed, they ultimately achieved victory. They protected the Land of Rain's dignity.