Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

As Ryouko Kusakabe stood, bewildered by Kaguya's cryptic words, Kaguya turned around with a smile and said, "If you have time, come visit my house sometime. Besides, Origami Tobiichi has missed you a lot. Don't worry—we're not going to eat you."

"Who—who's scared? Haha, ha... hahahaha." Ryouko Kusakabe let out a dry laugh that sounded entirely unconvincing.

"I have something to take care of right now. I'll be back later. You all go ahead and enjoy yourselves," Kaguya said, turning to Origami Tobiichi. "Since it's been so long since you've seen your captain, spend some time with her. When the lantern festival ends, you can head home together. Don't wait for me."

"You're going somewhere?" Tohka blinked in surprise and turned her curious gaze toward Kaguya.

The others also looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Nothing important," Kaguya said with a smile. "Just some small matters to take care of. Don't worry. I just can't accompany you all tonight."

"Can I come too?" Mukuro asked softly, tugging at Kaguya's sleeve with a pleading look.

She enjoyed the lantern festival, but she liked being by Kaguya's side even more.

The moment Mukuro spoke, Kaguya immediately reached out and flicked her forehead lightly. "Absolutely not. You all stay here and have fun," she said firmly. Then, stroking Mukuro's hair with a smile, she added, "Be good. There's nothing to worry about. Eat something nice with the others—oh, and don't forget to bring me some fried tofu buns later. I'd really like those. Also, take care of Tohka; don't let her eat too much."

Tohka's eyes lit up at the mention of fried tofu buns, but the thought of separating from Kaguya made her reluctant. She was caught in a dilemma. "But..."

Before she could finish, Kaguya grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an embrace. Caught off guard, Tohka stumbled into her arms. Kaguya smirked, bent her head down, and kissed her soft lips. A gentle, fragrant warmth spread between them as Kaguya's tongue parted Tohka's lips and slipped inside. At the same time, her hand slid down Tohka's smooth back and firmly gripped her soft, rounded curves.

Any resistance Tohka might have had melted away as a wave of electrifying sensation surged through her body. Her throat let out a kitten-like whimper, and her body went limp.

The scene left everyone around them stunned. Ryouko Kusakabe, in particular, stood frozen with her mouth agape. She had never witnessed anything like this before—it was too shocking and far beyond her expectations. Her face flushed at the sight, and her mind whirled in confusion. Although she presented herself as a mature adult, she had never been in a romantic relationship and was still a pure-hearted virgin. Her knowledge of such matters was limited to biology classes from her middle school days.

The others were equally dumbfounded, though Origami Tobiichi's expression darkened with a hint of jealousy, clearly dissatisfied. As for Mukuro, her face turned red as she looked away, fiddling with her fingers nervously. The scene overwhelmed her, though she couldn't help but sneak glances now and then.

Finally, Kaguya released Tohka. By then, Tohka's eyes were unfocused, and her mind blank. Her body felt as if it were made of jelly, and her lower half had become damp. The stimulation had been far too intense for her, especially since Kaguya had subtly used a touch of chakra to amplify the sensations. No one could have endured such an experience, let alone a girl inexperienced in matters of intimacy.

"All right, you all enjoy yourselves. I'll be back later, okay?" Kaguya handed the still-dazed Tohka to Origami Tobiichi.

Origami huffed softly. Although she also wanted the same treatment Tohka had just received, she knew the situation wasn't appropriate for such thoughts. Instead, she nodded lightly, her voice soft. "Got it."

Noticing Origami's subtle displeasure, Kaguya gave her a sly smile. She hooked a finger under Origami's chin and planted a quick kiss on her lips. A faint blush spread across Origami's pale cheeks, and though her expression remained stoic, her mood visibly improved.

"I want one too!" Mukuro suddenly spoke up, puffing her cheeks as she looked expectantly at Kaguya.

"Fine, fine."

After indulging all the girls, Kaguya couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Having so many girlfriends can be a little troublesome. But the mischievous grin on her face suggested she didn't mind the "trouble" at all.

At that moment, Kaguya caught sight of Yoshino out of the corner of her eye. The shy girl's cheeks were flushed, her expression tinged with disappointment. She looked small and lost among the group.

Kaguya blinked in surprise before turning to Yoshino and asking gently, "Do you want one too?"

"Ah! Ah..." Caught off guard, Yoshino panicked, her hands fidgeting nervously as she stammered, "N-no! Not at all!"

Kaguya chuckled and walked over. Before Yoshino could react, Kaguya wrapped her slender arms around the petite girl, pulling her into a gentle hug. Leaning down, she brushed her lips softly against Yoshino's cheek—a brief, fleeting touch before pulling away.

Yoshino's face turned a deeper shade of red. She clutched her hands together, twisting her fingers as her heart raced. Despite her embarrassment, a warmth filled her chest, soothing her earlier unease.

Earlier, Yoshino had felt a pang of loneliness as she watched the others share such intimate moments with Kaguya. She had been consumed by thoughts of being left out, worrying she might not belong. But that brief gesture of affection from Kaguya had swept away her fears, making her feel included and cherished.

Unbeknownst to Kaguya, Yoshino's sensitive heart had been plagued by worries of being abandoned. The small act of reassurance meant the world to her, and she vowed to treasure the moment deeply.

For Kaguya, the situation seemed simple. For someone like Yoshino, who had endured loneliness for so long, such fleeting happiness was a treasure beyond words.

Under the influence of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon tonight was especially round, significantly larger than in previous years, and noticeably brighter. However, this evening's moon was different—it was no longer its usual pale yellow. Instead, it was tinged with a crimson hue, as if shrouded in a bloody mist, exuding an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

Threads of moonlight poured down, but they felt colder than usual.

Meanwhile, ten kilometers away in a park near the apartment complex—

Natsumi sat slumped on the ground, her eyes wide with fear. She wanted to run but found her legs too weak to move. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stand up.

"I didn't expect to find such a pest here. Truly unexpected." A petite figure appeared before her, holding a glowing sword that hovered just above Natsumi's neck. She could even feel the searing heat radiating from the blade. "But it seems the so-called 'Spirits' are nothing more than this. How utterly disappointing."

The girl before her had long, light-blue hair tied into a single ponytail, delicate features, and snow-white skin. She was undeniably beautiful, her face exuding a youthful charm with just a touch of maturity. However, her physique betrayed her young age—she was clearly still a girl.

She wasn't a stranger—she was Shido Itsuka's younger sister, Mana Takamiya, someone Kaguya hadn't seen in a long time.

Gritting her teeth, Natsumi couldn't suppress a surge of fear mixed with frustration. Her anger was directed at that infuriating individual who had sealed her powers. If it weren't for them, she wouldn't be in such a pitiful situation.

"Spirits are nothing but viruses infecting the world. Eventually, you will destroy this beautiful planet. Only by completely eradicating your kind can the world be reborn," Mana Takamiya said coldly, looking down at Natsumi with contempt.

"And yet you humans are no better! Aren't you the real viruses?" Natsumi shouted back, her voice trembling with anger. "You dare to make such arrogant claims when you're far worse than us Spirits!"

"Your sophistry is meaningless," Mana replied icily, raising her glowing sword high. "It's nothing more than an excuse for your crimes. And so—"

The sword erupted into a brilliant golden light, blazing like a pillar of fire as it split through the dark night sky, descending mercilessly toward the defenseless Natsumi.

Natsumi's pupils contracted in terror.

"That won't do. This is an important possession of my dear one, and I can't let it be damaged so easily," a playful voice suddenly interrupted.

Natsumi turned her head sharply and saw someone she thought had been killed earlier—Kurumi Tokisaki. A faint smile graced Kurumi's lips as she gracefully raised her gun and pulled the trigger.

Bang! Bang!

Sharp cracks split the air as a series of dark bullets spiraled toward Mana Takamiya, tearing through the atmosphere.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew in all directions.

At the critical moment, Mana was forced to retract her sword, parrying the incoming bullets with a swift and improvised defense.

"Hey! Are you trying to kill me?!" Natsumi roared furiously as she scrambled to her feet, still trembling. "And what's with calling me an 'important possession'? You're the possession! Your whole family is possessions!"

Although Kurumi had targeted Mana, had Mana dodged, the bullets would have undoubtedly hit Natsumi.

"My, my, how terribly rude of me," Kurumi said, her elegant strides bringing her closer to Natsumi. Covering her mouth with her hand, she chuckled lightly, "But a little damage isn't too big of a deal. As long as my dear one can still make use of you, it should be fine."

Natsumi's anger swelled even further. "What do you mean by 'make use of me,' you lunatic?!"

"Well, I meant—"

Before Kurumi could finish her sentence, a figure suddenly dashed toward her from behind, moving with lightning speed. A golden streak accompanied by residual shadows cut through the air like a comet, poised to strike Kurumi from behind.

But just as the attack neared, a crisp gunshot rang out.

In the distance, a pitch-black portal had appeared, and from within it emerged an arm holding a gun. The mysterious figure fired directly at the assailant. This, too, was Kurumi's unique ability—her control over space and her clones.

Faced with this counterattack, the assailant was forced to abandon their attempt on Kurumi, instead turning around to deflect the bullets.

Clang! Clang!

The bullets split in half under the blade's strikes.

Kurumi smirked and turned to face the shadows, her lips curling mischievously. "Ah, as expected of DEM's agents. Always so fond of cheap sneak attacks. It's such a shame, though, that a pretty face like yours is wasted on such disgraceful tactics."

"When dealing with scum like you, there's no need for honorable means," the assailant sneered. Emerging into the moonlight, her face became clear—it was Artemisia Bell Ashcroft. She snorted disdainfully. "Besides, do you think you can escape?"

"Oh, I never intended to run," Kurumi replied with a faint smile. "But since you and Mana enjoy ganging up on others, why don't I join in on the fun? Come out."

"Hehehe…"

Eerie laughter echoed from all directions, sending chills down everyone's spines. In the dim light, countless shadows materialized, all identical to Kurumi. Her clones filled the area.

"What is this?" Mana and Artemisia both narrowed their eyes, their brows furrowing. If Kurumi truly had so many clones, this battle would become exceedingly difficult.

From a distance, Natsumi watched in shock, her expression filled with disbelief. She hadn't expected this seemingly frivolous girl to wield such formidable power. The revelation left her utterly stunned.

At that moment, a figure quietly appeared behind Natsumi. Startled, she began to turn, but before she could fully react, a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Leave now. These two are tough. I'll hold them off. And if possible, try not to die too early. It would be... inconvenient."

Natsumi whirled around and found herself face-to-face with Kurumi once again.

"Tch, as if I'd die so easily," Natsumi grumbled, clenching her fists in defiance. "Take care of yourself first before worrying about me."

"Oh, I certainly don't plan to die anytime soon," Kurumi replied, covering her mouth with a hand and smiling slyly. "After all, I still want to see you begging for mercy beneath our dear one."

The night grew deeper, the autumn wind howled, and the bustling crowds on the streets gradually thinned. The fervent festive atmosphere began to dissipate, leaving behind only scattered scraps of paper and garbage on the ground, while a few cleaners worked to tidy up the mess.

Silence once again blanketed the land. The noisy city slowly fell into tranquility, with only the clear moonlight, like flowing water, illuminating the dark night and lending it a faint brightness.

"Haah… haah…"

Natsumi ran recklessly, her breaths labored and erratic. Her cheeks, once pale, were now flushed from the exertion, her body drenched in sweat. Her steps had grown unsteady. Despite having run for so long, she couldn't stop—didn't dare to stop. If she stopped, the pursuer behind her would catch up. She could already imagine the consequences she would face.

Why? Why am I the one taking the blame for something I didn't do?

Natsumi thought bitterly. She had no idea where Artemisia's sister was. Why did Artemisia insist on chasing her? This wasn't even her fault! Clearly, it was all Kaguya's doing, yet she was the one being pursued. It was utterly unfair.

"Don't think you can escape—I've already found you!"

The familiar voice suddenly resounded behind her, sending a chill down Natsumi's spine.

Did Kurumi get taken down already?

The thought sent a jolt of fear through her. Hastily, she quickened her pace. Though she didn't particularly like Kurumi, she had to admit that Kurumi was incredibly strong—far stronger than herself. Even if her powers were restored, she doubted she could beat Kurumi. If someone as formidable as Kurumi had been defeated, then her own situation was truly dire.

Luckily, the voice was faint, meaning the pursuer was still some distance away. For now, she was safe. But given Artemisia's incredible speed, it wouldn't take long for her to catch up.

However, after prolonged running, Natsumi's strength began to wane. Her legs felt like they were filled with lead, aching and swollen with each step. Her movements became heavier and heavier.

Suddenly, she stumbled, her foot slipping. With a startled cry, she fell heavily to the ground.

It turned out there had been a branch on the ground, which Natsumi hadn't noticed in her panicked flight. She had stepped on it and lost her footing.

She quickly tried to get up, only to fall back down with a sharp cry of pain. Her ankle throbbed intensely, the stabbing pain almost paralyzing. Looking down, she saw her ankle swelling rapidly—it had twisted when she fell.

"Don't think you can run anymore. I can see you now. Come out quietly, or you'll be sorry."

The sound of Artemisia's voice, growing clearer with each word, filled Natsumi with despair. With her powers sealed, escaping had already been an uphill battle. But now, with her injury, it seemed impossible.

Fear began to overwhelm her.

I can't die—I can't die yet. I haven't even beaten that annoying woman yet. How can I just die like this?

Images of Kaguya's smug, mischievous face flashed in her mind. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to stand despite the pain. Hopping on one leg, she stumbled forward in an attempt to flee.

But then, a voice rang out behind her.

"I've found you."

Natsumi's pupils contracted. Before she could turn around, a powerful force struck her back.

Bang!

Natsumi was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Ugh!"

She spat out a mouthful of blood. Her back burned with pain, and it felt like her internal organs had shifted. She struggled to breathe. Lifting her head with great effort, she saw Artemisia standing before her.

"Is this all you've got? You dare call yourself a Spirit? How pathetic," Artemisia sneered as she approached. Her beautiful face was adorned with a cold, disdainful smile. "I'll ask you one more time—do you know where my sister is?"

"I don't know," Natsumi said through gritted teeth, her voice strained with pain.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Artemisia's tone turned colder. "If you just tell me where my sister is, I promise I won't make things difficult for you. You wouldn't have to suffer like this."

"I told you, I don't know! Are you deaf?" Natsumi shouted angrily, her voice shaking. The outburst triggered a fit of coughing, sending fresh pain through her chest.

"Looks like you won't talk without a little persuasion," Artemisia said with a frosty smile. "Well, this is on you."

Without another word, Artemisia delivered a brutal kick to Natsumi's stomach.

"Ugh!"

Another mouthful of blood spilled from Natsumi's lips. Her body flew like a ragdoll, slamming into a nearby tree trunk before collapsing to the ground.

Natsumi coughed violently, blood dribbling down the corner of her mouth. Her body, already battered, was now in even worse condition. Her organs felt jarred, and she was sure some bones had fractured.

"Are you ready to talk now?" Artemisia asked as she slowly walked over, her voice icy.

"I… I'll tell you," Natsumi said weakly, her words barely audible. "Come closer, and I'll tell you."

"That's better." Artemisia smirked, crouching down and leaning closer. "See? You could've saved yourself all this pain. Now, tell me."

As Artemisia bent down, a sharp gleam flashed in the dim light. Caught off guard, Artemisia instinctively moved to dodge, but it was too late.

Blood splattered.

A thin red line appeared on Artemisia's porcelain cheek, a streak of crimson trickling down her skin.

Unbeknownst to Artemisia, Natsumi had been hiding a box cutter in her pocket. Taking advantage of Artemisia's moment of vulnerability, she had slashed at her face.

Natsumi cursed inwardly. She hadn't been aiming for Artemisia's face but rather her throat. Unfortunately, this one chance had passed, and in her current state, she could no longer attack again.

Artemisia wiped the blood from her cheek, her fury barely contained. "So, you really want to die," she said coldly. "Fine. I'll grant your wish."

Drawing her glowing sword, she strode toward Natsumi.

Watching Artemisia's relentless approach, Natsumi felt despair wash over her.

Am I really going to die here?

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