187. 'Heavy' Sacrifice

An artificial moon, suspended within the lunar core, radiates a faint white glow.

Floating islands, large and small, drift around it in disarray. Under the moonlight, they resemble asteroids encircling the moon, orbiting predictably under its gravitational pull.

As one of the larger floating islands drifts close to the moon’s surface, two tall figures cast elongated shadows under the nearby moonlight. The instant the light touches their faces, it’s as if a judge’s whistle has sounded, signaling a duel. Two distinct flames ignite around them, casting an unusual color onto the pale moon.

"Boom!"

Two delicate fists, infused with immense strength, collide, creating shockwaves that scatter nearby debris, crackling and snapping.

A furious exchange of punches follows, until Otsutsuki Akemi unfurls her butterfly wings and unleashes a streak of blue flames.

Only then does Otsutsuki Tsukihime step back.

Both women, with serious expressions on their alluring faces, retreat a step, especially Biluo, whose pained fists make her heart sink. She instinctively peers with her Byakugan, surprised to see that Ōtsutsuki Tsukihime remains unscathed, her chakra nearly untouched. There’s still a gap between them.

Akemi knows she’s reached a point of no return. Remembering the innocent smile of Uchiha Gin, she finds renewed strength, flaring her wings and charging at Tsukihime once more.

"Forgive me, Clan Leader, but I have my reasons for not backing down."

"Bang!"

Though her determination is strong, reality proves harsh. Drawing on secret techniques, Akemi's power source weakens over several exchanges. Her chakra becomes chaotic, her moves falter. Tsukihime seizes an opening, delivering a powerful blow to Akemi's chest that sends her hurtling back dozens of meters, shattering several protruding rocks before she halts.

Panting, Akemi kneels, wiping blood from her mouth, her butterfly wings flickering. The Butterfly Transformation Jutsu’s time is running out.

Feeling her strength ebbing, Akemi's eyes reveal a fierce determination as she gasps, “Again!”

Desperately drawing on years of accumulated power, she forces herself upright, glowing bright blue.

Her butterfly wings solidify, though visibly smaller, as she charges Tsukihime with everything focused on a single point, aiming for her face.

“Did I hit her?”

Feeling the contact from her all-out punch, Akemi briefly smiles, certain the Clan leader would feel it. But then a soft scoff fills her with dread.


The disdain in that sound is unmistakable. Akemi tries to withdraw, only to realize her fist is trapped by an overwhelming force. Tsukihime easily caught her punch with one hand.

"Elder Akemi, is this the power you're so proud of?"

The once-mad Otsutsuki Tsukihime's eyes are clear now, a touch of mockery in her white pupils.

As she tightens her grip, strange chakra surges from Tsukihime's hand into Akemi's body, disrupting her chakra flow and sealing key points.

“Ahhh!”

Akemi trembles as her wings dissolve, collapsing limply while Tsukihime tosses her aside like garbage. Tsukihime looks at the bleeding Akemi with a hint of pity.

"Elder Akemi, was it worth turning your sword against me, your Clan leader, for a stranger from Earth?"

Seeing her unable to fight back, Tsukihime strolls closer, lifting Akemi's chin, her expression curious.

Though Tsukihime had entered a berserk mode, her consciousness was clear.

The berserk state was only her inner power going wild; proximity to the moon restored her calm.

"Cough... Worth or not, I simply did what I wished to do."

For the first time, Tsukihime faces her once-fearsome Clan leader without fear, her heart overtaken by a deeper emotion.

"But he’s a despicable thief!"

Annoyed by her loyal subordinate’s betrayal, Tsukihime frowns slightly.

“Master Gin isn’t like that! There must be some misunderstanding!”

The accusation strikes a nerve in Akemi, who, in defiance, defends Uchiha Gin passionately.

"You’re crazy! You've lost yourself over a man!"

Tsukihime, losing patience, shakes her head, disappointed, then walks to the island’s edge, scanning the night sky for her castle.

“Think on it here. When I’m done with him, I’ll deal with you.”

“No!”

Hearing Tsukihime's threat, Akemi lifts her head, horror flashing in her pale eyes as she envisions Gin’s grim fate.

Watching Tsukihime's retreating figure, a strange force stirs within her.

“Don’t... hurt... Master Gin!”

With each word, she rises, bloody but unyielding, her white eyes bloodshot. Tsukihime stops and, slightly exasperated, turns back.

“Elder Akemi, you know the gap between us. Don’t waste your strength.”

She gives Tsukihime a dismissive glance before turning away, but then pauses, surprised.

“Looks better on you to be slimmer... wait, what’s with... those?”

Akemi glances down at her transformed figure, especially her chest, now much fuller.

Feeling a surge of confidence, she thinks, Thank you, Master Gin, for leaving me this secret weapon.

“Clan Leader, though it’s sudden, please spare Master Gin.”

Holding her chest, Biluo’s eyes glow with hope as she faces Yueji.

“Are you out of your mind? In this state, you still speak nonsense?”

Tsukihime, struggling not to scoff, can only shake her head.

“Forgive me, Master Gin, this is my final transformation.”

When her plea goes unheard, Akemi slowly rises, her body aglow with blue light again.

“More? You’re out of energy.”

Watching Tsukihime's aura rise, Tsukihime frowns, curious about her next move.

“Butterfly Transformation Jutsu!”

Akemi's hands lower as her butterfly wings reappear, expanding to an enormous size.

Tsukihime watches, astonished, as Akemi’s chest visibly diminishes, fueling her wings until they’re vast, eclipsing the moon.

“Did she sacrifice... her body?”

Watching from his distant castle, Uchiha Gin marvels as enormous blue wings bloom in the moon’s core, their immense energy pressing down on every life within.

In the ocean, the massive crab ruler of Otsutsuki’s ecosystem hides, quivering in the depths.

Survivors of the Otsutsuki clan, now awake, gaze at the sky’s brilliant butterfly wings in awe.

In a far-off space, an observing black shadow mutters with disdain, “Flashy, but she’s nowhere near my level.”